Techno Babble: Difference between revisions
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{{quote|"The original machine had a base-plate of prefabulated amulite, surmounted by a malleable logarithmic casing in such a way that the two spurving bearings were in a direct line with the pentametric fan, the latter consisted simply of six hydrocoptic marzelvanes, so fitted to the ambifacient lunar vaneshaft that side fumbling was effectively prevented. The main winding was of the normal lotus-o-delta type placed in panendermic semi-boloid slots in the stator, every seventh conductor being connected by a nonreversible trem'e pipe to the differential girdlespring on the 'up' end of the grammeters."}}
** This was actually made into a video: "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXJKdh1KZ0w The Retro Encabulator]".
*** [https://web.archive.org/web/20130107080034/http://www.break.com/index/understanding-the-turbo-encabulator.html Here's another one.]
** The French equivalent of this would be the sketch "[http://pierredac.free.fr/schmil.htm Le Schmilblick]" by humorist Pierre Dac.
* On [[Steve Martin]]'s ''Let's Get Small'' album, he announces that he's written a joke for the plumbers in the audience:
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** And again when Molly [http://bobadventures.comicgenesis.com/d/20100713.html tries to explain her newest invention.]
* Lampshade firmly hung in ''[[Keychain of Creation]]'' with the character of Nova, an Alchemical Exalt. Specifically, in her fight with Misho [http://keychain.patternspider.net/archive/koc0148.html here]. Misho's usually the go-to guy for [[Magi Babble]] about [[Magitek]], but Nova's particularly bad about it, especially since her stuff is more "tek" than "magi."
* ''[[Narbonic]]'', which featured such gems as [https://web.archive.org/web/20130615025527/http://www.webcomicsnation.com/users/narbonic/narbonic/httpdocs/011702.jpg this], [https://web.archive.org/web/20130615042625/http://www.webcomicsnation.com/users/narbonic/091703uncounted.jpg this], and [https://web.archive.org/web/20130615033130/http://www.webcomicsnation.com/memberimages/092702.jpg this].
* ''[[Gunnerkrigg Court]]'': [[Lampshade Hanging|"Jargon]] [[Magical Computer|computers]] [[Magic From Technology|technical wizardry]] [[Blah Blah Blah|babble]] [http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=519 jargon."]
* Lampshaded in [https://web.archive.org/web/20150428205607/http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buckcomic.php?date=20090303 this] ''[[Buck Godot: Zap Gun for Hire]]'' strip. "Ready to begin speaking in technobabble, sir." "Oh shut up, it's just us. Turn it on!"
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* [http://www.sandraandwoo.com/2010/10/28/0212-techno-babble/ Completely inverted] by ''[[Sandra and Woo]]''.
* Technobabble in ''[[Girl Genius]]'' tends to run afoul of the [[Unspoken Plan Guarantee]]; if any use of technology is described it will fail or be foiled, necessitating [[Indy Ploy|on-the-spot improvisation]] that involves [[Percussive Maintenance]], [[Frickin' Laser Beams]], or [[A Wizard Did It|just science that happens to be weird]]. The entire three-way poison cure between Agatha, Gil and Tavrek is a good example, as it was full of babbling Sparks getting owned by [[Finagle's Law]].
* In ''[[Nip and Tuck]]'', the [[Show Within a Show]] ''Rebel Cry'' features [https://web.archive.org/web/20130312061745/http://www.rhjunior.com/NT/00689.html it, lampshaded.]
* ''[[Goblins]]''. Kin is prone to this, especially hilarious when talking to the dimwitted Minmax.
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== Real Life ==
* Essentially every product or idea sold on the basis of the word "quantum", or to put it another way, the entire woo-woo industry. Woo which predates quantum mechanics—homeopathy, for example—has been retooled to include a lot of convincing-sounding, but utterly nonsensical, jibber-jabber about superposition and parallel dimensions. To make yourself an idea, watch the second half of ''What the <BLEEP> Do We Know''.
* Attempts to use technobabble to lend a veneer of plausibility to pseudoscience often have the opposite effect on people who actually know anything about the scientific disciplines being abused. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120306055402/http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2006/08/your_friday_dose_of_woo_just_what_your_w.php One hilarious example]—apparently the ills of the world are caused by the ''bond angle in water changing''; not only would this not happen without a change in the fundamental constants of the universe, but it's something everyone would notice because it would affect the freezing and boiling points of water. The same people then go on to talk about how boiling water drives off the electrons because its natural state is electrically charged, at which point anyone who hasn't completely forgotten GCSE chemistry and physics should smell the bullshit clearly and anyone who actually has a degree in either subject will be laughing uncontrollably, facepalming or both. Most people don't, which is why it's so popular to use.
** Here's a challenge: try to find ''any'' New Agey pseudoscience or fakery which the charlatan behind it at no point ever describes or explains using meaningless misapplications of the words "energy" or "vibration".
* Parodied by the [http://www.dhmo.org/ Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division], who claim that a compound called "Dihydrogen Monoxide" is a dangerous chemical indirectly responsible for cancer, extremely addicting and deadly when accidentally inhaled among other things. Although all the terminology used is correct and none of the stated information is false, [[Half Truth|the possible dangers are greatly exaggerated or portrayed from an unusual point of view]]. Anyone with basic knowledge in chemistry quickly realizes that "Dihydrogen Monoxide" is actually {{spoiler|water}}. Although clearly a hoax, numerous people unfamiliar with chemistry—including [[media:dhmo.gif|no few elected officials]]—have actually advocated a ban of the chemical.
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