Science Is Bad: Difference between revisions

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** [[The Plague|The superflu]] from [[Stephen King]]'s ''[[The Stand]]''. which escapes a government lab and kills off 99.4% of the world's population--of course the creators designed it to make sure an antivirus could never be made. The mini-series implies that Flagg may have had a role in the release of it, but the book itself describes it as a series of foul-ups and technical errors.
** [[The Plague|The superflu]] from [[Stephen King]]'s ''[[The Stand]]''. which escapes a government lab and kills off 99.4% of the world's population--of course the creators designed it to make sure an antivirus could never be made. The mini-series implies that Flagg may have had a role in the release of it, but the book itself describes it as a series of foul-ups and technical errors.
** Flagg is specifically described by [[Author On Board|Glen Bateman]] as "the last magician of rational thought" (!) and he gives an impassioned defense of the concept that they should not be so quick to recreate the technological civilization that created things like nukes and bio-engineered germs in the first place.
** Flagg is specifically described by [[Author On Board|Glen Bateman]] as "the last magician of rational thought" (!) and he gives an impassioned defense of the concept that they should not be so quick to recreate the technological civilization that created things like nukes and bio-engineered germs in the first place.
{{quote| '''[[The Hero|Stu:]]''' ''(of [[Magical Negro|Mother Abigail]])'' Well, it's obvious she's some sort of [[Dream Weaver|magnet]].<br />
{{quote|'''[[The Hero|Stu:]]''' ''(of [[Magical Negro|Mother Abigail]])'' Well, it's obvious she's some sort of [[Dream Weaver|magnet]].<br />
'''[[The Mentor|Glen:]]''' So I suppose we start building the whole sorry mess up again... using her as [[Fake Ultimate Hero|magnetic north]]. }}
'''[[The Mentor|Glen:]]''' So I suppose we start building the whole sorry mess up again... using her as [[Fake Ultimate Hero|magnetic north]]. }}
* In the words of Jean Baudrillard in ''The Procession of Simulacra'', "Science never sacrifices itself. It is always murderous." Keep in mind that he didn't think science was inherently bad, despite that quote.
* In the words of Jean Baudrillard in ''The Procession of Simulacra'', "Science never sacrifices itself. It is always murderous." Keep in mind that he didn't think science was inherently bad, despite that quote.
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* An episode of ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' featured Stephen interviewing the author of a book about robots and AI. The author pointed out that the West is largely wary of AI (see ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey|2001]]'') while the East (especially Japan) generally sees AI as a positive thing (see ''[[Astro Boy]]'').
* An episode of ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' featured Stephen interviewing the author of a book about robots and AI. The author pointed out that the West is largely wary of AI (see ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey|2001]]'') while the East (especially Japan) generally sees AI as a positive thing (see ''[[Astro Boy]]'').
** Stephen often says things like "I'm no fan of science," but seemed entirely keen on one specific form when hearing about a superlaser that concentrated laser beams into a small area to produce the temperatures and pressures of a star:
** Stephen often says things like "I'm no fan of science," but seemed entirely keen on one specific form when hearing about a superlaser that concentrated laser beams into a small area to produce the temperatures and pressures of a star:
{{quote| '''Stephen''': ''We have our own [[Star Wars|Death Star!]]''<br />
{{quote|'''Stephen''': ''We have our own [[Star Wars|Death Star!]]''<br />
''(Cue rain of black balloons and a big "WE HAVE OUR OWN DEATH STAR" sign flashing in the foreground)'' }}
''(Cue rain of black balloons and a big "WE HAVE OUR OWN DEATH STAR" sign flashing in the foreground)'' }}
* An inversion in an episode of ''[[Sliders]]'' the gang ends up sliding to a world where all new technology was banned after the end of World War 2. This world's version of Quinn was killed by polio, and they convince Quinn's dad that technology is not bad and would have saved his son. He helps them to repair their timer with his dead son's illegal technology. Of course, the local Evil Corporation decides to steal the timer as they have been creating technology in secret so they can corner the market once the ban is lifted.
* An inversion in an episode of ''[[Sliders]]'' the gang ends up sliding to a world where all new technology was banned after the end of World War 2. This world's version of Quinn was killed by polio, and they convince Quinn's dad that technology is not bad and would have saved his son. He helps them to repair their timer with his dead son's illegal technology. Of course, the local Evil Corporation decides to steal the timer as they have been creating technology in secret so they can corner the market once the ban is lifted.
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* [[System of a Down]]'s "Science" is entirely devoted to explaining in detail how [[Science Is Bad]] and has "failed us," as "spirit moves through all things." [[Hypocritical Humor|Performed on electric instruments.]]
* [[System of a Down]]'s "Science" is entirely devoted to explaining in detail how [[Science Is Bad]] and has "failed us," as "spirit moves through all things." [[Hypocritical Humor|Performed on electric instruments.]]
* [[Styx]]'s album ''Kilroy Was Here'' includes some brief diatribes, not against science per se, but against technology:
* [[Styx]]'s album ''Kilroy Was Here'' includes some brief diatribes, not against science per se, but against technology:
{{quote|The problem's plain to see<br />
{{quote|The problem's plain to see
Too much technology<br />
Too much technology
Machines to rule our lives<br />
Machines to rule our lives
Machines dehumanize.|''Mr. Roboto''}}
Machines dehumanize.|''Mr. Roboto''}}
* The opening lines of the Aquabats song "The Cat with Two heads" are as follows:
* The opening lines of the Aquabats song "The Cat with Two heads" are as follows:
{{quote| Science! Brings wonders to the modern man,<br />
{{quote|Science! Brings wonders to the modern man,
Modern Man then continues, Continues to expand,<br />
Modern Man then continues, Continues to expand,
But what happens when man creates Something oh so Wrong?<br />
But what happens when man creates Something oh so Wrong?
Then Nature bites back in BIG WAY! Good heavens, what have I done?? }}
Then Nature bites back in BIG WAY! Good heavens, what have I done?? }}
* The song [http://www.justsomelyrics.com/1897771/Red-Guitars-Good-Technology-Lyrics Good Technology] by Red Guitars doesn't necessarily condemn technology, but does lampshade its absurdities and moral ambiguities. The last verse sums it up:
* The song [http://www.justsomelyrics.com/1897771/Red-Guitars-Good-Technology-Lyrics Good Technology] by Red Guitars doesn't necessarily condemn technology, but does lampshade its absurdities and moral ambiguities. The last verse sums it up:
{{quote| Sometimes I wonder what it is all about<br />
{{quote|Sometimes I wonder what it is all about
There's lots of leisure time to sit and work it out<br />
There's lots of leisure time to sit and work it out
There's a TV show I've got to see<br />
There's a TV show I've got to see
Good, good, good, good, good, good technology<br />
Good, good, good, good, good, good technology
Good technology }}
Good technology }}
* Played first at straight, but later averted in Sepultura's ''Biotech Is Godzilla''.
* Played first at straight, but later averted in Sepultura's ''Biotech Is Godzilla''.
{{quote| Bio-technology ain't what's so bad<br />
{{quote|Bio-technology ain't what's so bad
Like all technology, it's in the wrong hands<br />
Like all technology, it's in the wrong hands
Cut-throat corporations don't give a damn<br />
Cut-throat corporations don't give a damn
When lots of people die from what they've made }}
When lots of people die from what they've made }}
* The song "La concubine de l'hemoglobine" ("The concubine of Hemoglobin") by French rapper MC Solar: unbridled science entails war and wholesale destruction:
* The song "La concubine de l'hemoglobine" ("The concubine of Hemoglobin") by French rapper MC Solar: unbridled science entails war and wholesale destruction:
{{quote| Science sans conscience (science without conscience)<br />
{{quote|Science sans conscience (science without conscience)
egale science de l'inconscience (equals science of the unconscious)<br />
egale science de l'inconscience (equals science of the unconscious)
Elle se fout du progres mais souhaite la progression (it cares not of progress but wishes the progression)<br />
Elle se fout du progres mais souhaite la progression (it cares not of progress but wishes the progression)
De tous les processus qui menent a l'elimination (of all processes that lead to elimination) }}
De tous les processus qui menent a l'elimination (of all processes that lead to elimination) }}
* Nitin Sawhney's piece "Street Guru" features some random dude's bitchy platitutes over various things in modern life. On technology:
* Nitin Sawhney's piece "Street Guru" features some random dude's bitchy platitutes over various things in modern life. On technology:
{{quote| I think there's going to be a backlash against technology. You know, I don't know what's gonna cause it. I hope it won't be any environmental disaster shit, you know, for sure for my kids that wanna live a better life.... You know sometimes it's good just to go in the woods and just go hiking and get back in touch with yourself and nature. You know, then you come back here and you realize that this is like, better. Ludicious all this emphasis on technology and 50 different internet devices and shit and internet devices you can put in your pocket. Sometimes I feel threatened by it but you know, that's the future and I am a man of the past. I'm a low-tech man in a high-tech world there ain't shit I can do about it... You know, what's going on we can't use our brains: It's being a person. You know it's being a ''fucking'' person man!}}
{{quote|I think there's going to be a backlash against technology. You know, I don't know what's gonna cause it. I hope it won't be any environmental disaster shit, you know, for sure for my kids that wanna live a better life.... You know sometimes it's good just to go in the woods and just go hiking and get back in touch with yourself and nature. You know, then you come back here and you realize that this is like, better. Ludicious all this emphasis on technology and 50 different internet devices and shit and internet devices you can put in your pocket. Sometimes I feel threatened by it but you know, that's the future and I am a man of the past. I'm a low-tech man in a high-tech world there ain't shit I can do about it... You know, what's going on we can't use our brains: It's being a person. You know it's being a ''fucking'' person man!}}
* Zager & Evans "In The Year 2525."
* Zager & Evans "In The Year 2525."
* "Cursed Be Iron" by Turisas appears to condemn ''iron-working'', but is probably a metaphor for military technology or the missaplication of technology. It includes the demand that iron "[[Ye Olde Butcherede Englishe|Come and view thine evil doings]]/ And amend this flood of damage", seemingly avoiding the idea that science or technology are ''inherently'' bad.
* "Cursed Be Iron" by Turisas appears to condemn ''iron-working'', but is probably a metaphor for military technology or the missaplication of technology. It includes the demand that iron "[[Ye Olde Butcherede Englishe|Come and view thine evil doings]]/ And amend this flood of damage", seemingly avoiding the idea that science or technology are ''inherently'' bad.
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** The fanmade ''[[Genius: The Transgression]]'' certainly can give this vibe, but it's actually not an example since no comment is made on sane science -- or arguably an aversion since the further a Genius' beliefs differ from reality, the one sane scientists are so busy documenting, the easier it is to slip into outright grave-robbing, god-defying, blood-splattered [[Mad Science]].
** The fanmade ''[[Genius: The Transgression]]'' certainly can give this vibe, but it's actually not an example since no comment is made on sane science -- or arguably an aversion since the further a Genius' beliefs differ from reality, the one sane scientists are so busy documenting, the easier it is to slip into outright grave-robbing, god-defying, blood-splattered [[Mad Science]].
* Kicked in the balls by ''[[Cthulhu Tech]]:'' the main reason why humans have a fighting chance is because science found a way to make Magitek and [[Humongous Mecha]].
* Kicked in the balls by ''[[Cthulhu Tech]]:'' the main reason why humans have a fighting chance is because science found a way to make Magitek and [[Humongous Mecha]].
{{quote| '''Random Free Councilor:''' "Told you so!"}}
{{quote|'''Random Free Councilor:''' "Told you so!"}}
* Settings where [[Cybernetics Eat Your Soul]]. Of course, most of these worlds are [[Cyberpunk]] [[World Half Empty|dystopias]], so they often feature the [[Science Is Bad]] trope in other ways, too.
* Settings where [[Cybernetics Eat Your Soul]]. Of course, most of these worlds are [[Cyberpunk]] [[World Half Empty|dystopias]], so they often feature the [[Science Is Bad]] trope in other ways, too.
* ''[[SLA Industries]]'', where it's probably impossible to count all the examples of "SLA tries to solve their problems by engineering a new breed of super-monster, but it goes nuts and [[Turned Against Their Masters|turns against them]]".
* ''[[SLA Industries]]'', where it's probably impossible to count all the examples of "SLA tries to solve their problems by engineering a new breed of super-monster, but it goes nuts and [[Turned Against Their Masters|turns against them]]".
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* While [[Spore]] doesn't go so far as to outright call science bad, it is notable that the Scientist archetype's special ability is the Gravity Wave, which instantly [[World-Wrecking Wave|wipes out all life on a planet]] and is one of the only two archetypes whose special ability breaks Galactic Code to use (the other being the [[Easy Evangelism|planet-converting]] [[Scary Dogmatic Aliens|Zealot]]).
* While [[Spore]] doesn't go so far as to outright call science bad, it is notable that the Scientist archetype's special ability is the Gravity Wave, which instantly [[World-Wrecking Wave|wipes out all life on a planet]] and is one of the only two archetypes whose special ability breaks Galactic Code to use (the other being the [[Easy Evangelism|planet-converting]] [[Scary Dogmatic Aliens|Zealot]]).
* In ''[[Alpha Centauri]]'', the science-based faction of the University of Planet has an increased number of drones due to 'unethical research'. The fundamentalist faction also rails against the (unrighteous) use of technology, though their leader Miriam is not a Luddite, rather fearing that humanity will lose control of their creations.
* In ''[[Alpha Centauri]]'', the science-based faction of the University of Planet has an increased number of drones due to 'unethical research'. The fundamentalist faction also rails against the (unrighteous) use of technology, though their leader Miriam is not a Luddite, rather fearing that humanity will lose control of their creations.
{{quote| '''Sister Miriam:''' The righteous need not cower before the drumbeat of human progress. Though the song of yesterday fades into the challenge of tomorrow, God still watches and judges us. Evil lurks in the datalinks as it lurked in the streets of yesteryear. But it was never the streets that were evil. }}
{{quote|'''Sister Miriam:''' The righteous need not cower before the drumbeat of human progress. Though the song of yesterday fades into the challenge of tomorrow, God still watches and judges us. Evil lurks in the datalinks as it lurked in the streets of yesteryear. But it was never the streets that were evil. }}
* In ''[[MediEvil (1998 video game)|Medievil]]'' this trope is referenced. When visiting the HQ of the evil wizard Zarok (your nemesis), which is full of [[Magitek]] and [[Steampunk]] gizmos (from the Steampowered undead soldiers, through a Steam train in eleventh century England, all the way into Time Machines), one of the exposition-delivering Gargoyles mentions that Zarok has mastered "the darkest of all magics: Science".
* In ''[[MediEvil (1998 video game)|Medievil]]'' this trope is referenced. When visiting the HQ of the evil wizard Zarok (your nemesis), which is full of [[Magitek]] and [[Steampunk]] gizmos (from the Steampowered undead soldiers, through a Steam train in eleventh century England, all the way into Time Machines), one of the exposition-delivering Gargoyles mentions that Zarok has mastered "the darkest of all magics: Science".
* ''[[Mega Man Star Force]]'' 3 Tia and Jack were both orphaned in war for the technology of their home. They want to use Meteor G to destroy all the worlds technology.
* ''[[Mega Man Star Force]]'' 3 Tia and Jack were both orphaned in war for the technology of their home. They want to use Meteor G to destroy all the worlds technology.
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* While ''[[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes|Avengers Earths Mightiest Heroes]]'' does not have this as a theme, Thor does have this opinion.
* While ''[[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes|Avengers Earths Mightiest Heroes]]'' does not have this as a theme, Thor does have this opinion.
* ''[[The Tick]]'' parodies this trope in "Tick vs. The Proto Clown", in which a scientist who loves clowns theorized that a ''bigger'' clown would be even funnier, and his creation is now terrorizing The City.
* ''[[The Tick]]'' parodies this trope in "Tick vs. The Proto Clown", in which a scientist who loves clowns theorized that a ''bigger'' clown would be even funnier, and his creation is now terrorizing The City.
{{quote| '''Arthur:''' Good gosh, man. Didn't you know it was against the laws of nature? Clowns were never meant to be that big!<br />
{{quote|'''Arthur:''' Good gosh, man. Didn't you know it was against the laws of nature? Clowns were never meant to be that big!
'''Scientist:''' [[Gone Horribly Wrong|I know that... now...]] }}
'''Scientist:''' [[Gone Horribly Wrong|I know that... now...]] }}
* ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTdzCAGH3lU Invention of Love]'' has [[Steampunk]] technology in a "too much of a good thing" sense. Mechanical horses? Awesome! A house full of appliances? Convenient! A polluted city without any natural flora or fauna? Throwing away the rose your true love gave you when it wilts ''[[Up to Eleven|and building a mechanical replacement]]''? ...not so much.
* ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTdzCAGH3lU Invention of Love]'' has [[Steampunk]] technology in a "too much of a good thing" sense. Mechanical horses? Awesome! A house full of appliances? Convenient! A polluted city without any natural flora or fauna? Throwing away the rose your true love gave you when it wilts ''[[Up to Eleven|and building a mechanical replacement]]''? ...not so much.
Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Science_Is_Bad"