Jeanne Cavelos. The Science of Star Wars. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1999. xv + 256 pp. $22.95, cloth, ISBN 978-0-312-20958-2.

Reviewed by Charles C. Kolb

Published on H-PCAACA (June, 2000)

[Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this cluding Charlton Heston in the motion picture review are those of the author and not of his em‐ Planet of the Apes (1968), and she states that she ployer or any other federal agency.] saw her frst Star Wars flm in Syracuse at age This volume was published to coincide with seventeen, and immediately became (and contin‐ the release on 19 May 1999 of George Lucas's long ues to be) a fan. These events led to her being in‐ awaited Star Wars prequel. It ofers the reader a trigued with space exploration and in alien life unique perspective on the scientifc plausibility of forms. This interest in science fction led to an the phenomenon now depicted in four Star Wars eight-year career in publishing and she was a se‐ motion pictures: Episode I: The Phantom Menace nior editor for science fction/fantasy at Dell Pub‐ (1999); Episode IV: A New Hope (1977); Episode V: lishing. Leaving New York in order to pursue her The Empire Strikes Back (1980); and Episode VI: own writing career, she wrote The Shadow With‐ Return of the Jedi (1983). Episode IV was common‐ in, Book 5 of the Babylon 5 novels (New York: Dell, ly referred to as Star Wars before the other 1997), and now also teaches at St. Anslem and episodes were flmed and released. In Jeanne New Hampshire colleges. At the latter institution, Cavelos's book and in my evaluation, Star Wars as Cavelos also directs and teaches at "Odyssey," the a term refers to all of the episodes (flmed and annual six-week summer workshop for writers of planned) in the nine-episode saga. science fction, fantasy, and horror. She is also the author of The Science of the X-Files (New York: Cavelos, the author of The Science of Star Berkeley/Boulevard-Penguin Putnam, 1998), pub‐ Wars , has a BS in astrophysics, did graduate lished last November, and since nominated for work in astronomy, and taught astronomy at the 1999 Horror Writer's Association's "Bram Michigan State University and Cornell University Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Hor‐ before working in the Astronaut Training Division ror." In addition, she has a website that includes at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. She additional material on the scientifc issues raised admits to an early interest in science fction, in‐ in Star Wars: http://www.sf.net/people/cavelos H-Net Reviews

Indeed, Jeanne Cavelos brings a unique back‐ moe, the author's iguana (six references). The ground to this assessment of science - and science book has no illustrations, charts, or diagrams. fction -- in Star Wars. Following her orienting "Introduction," Cave‐ The purpose of her current book is to scientif‐ los divides the book into fve topical chapters. I ically explore the Star Wars universe, so that in shall characterize the contents of these individual her analysis, in addition to the four theatrical mo‐ chapters, providing commentary and an assess‐ tion pictures and the "Special Editions" of ment of each, prior to my concluding remarks. As Episodes VI through IV (1997), she also refers to she proceeds from environment to aliens and an‐ the Star Wars Holiday Special (a two-hour made droids to spaceships and weapons, and fnally for television video dating to 1978), and Stephen J. "The Force," the chapters become longer and Sansweet's Star Wars Encyclopedia (New York: more detailed (chapter lengths increase from 38 Ballantine, 1998). Calvelos's book has a one-page to 67 pages). Every chapter has internal subhead‐ list of "Recommended Readings" containing 18 ci‐ ings and relevant "sidebar essays" (each one para‐ tations to books and websites, and a very useful graph to three pages in length contained in shad‐ 11-page triple-column index that confates topics ed boxes and printed in a font diferent from that and proper nouns (including characters, species, of the narrative). The chapter titles are straight‐ and planets that appear in Star Wars). She draws forward but the internal headings and essay titles upon a variety of scientifc disciplines and at least are often whimsical. 47 named experts from various felds in her anal‐ "Chapter 1: Planetary Environments" has four ysis. Unfortunately, Cavelos does not provide any sidebar essays and seven sections with headings direct citations to publications, correspondence, such as "You Can't Have an Empire without Real or her oral interviews with the "experts," so that Estate" and "The Bright Center of the Universe." even direct quotations lack any references, pre‐ The subjects covered include planet formation, cluding the verifcation of the quoted statements. star systems, tidal forces, biochemical factors This is particularly distressing should the reader needed for life, high-energy particles, Tatooine's wish to investigate a specifc topic without having desert environment, and Owen and Beru's mois‐ to do a major library or online reference search. ture farm. We learn that "life is common, that Nonetheless, the reader can enjoy a fowing nar‐ there are two billion earth-like planets in our gal‐ rative uncluttered with in-notes, footnotes, or axy, and that water is the best medium for car‐ endnotes. Invariably, she cites a source as "Dr. so- bon-based chemical reactions. One essay, "Twin and-so" (proper noun name). The Ph.D. scientists Suns" evaluates and challenges the probability whom she quotes span an extraordinary range of that Tatooine would have two suns, while another disciplines from evolution and human paleontolo‐ considers Endor's moon and potential radiation gy (Owen Lovejoy, Tim White, and Bruce problems. In sum, the chapter is informative but Janowsky), to intelligence (Michio Kaku and Clif‐ "thin" in content in comparison to those that fol‐ ford Pickover), paranormal and remote viewing low. The environments of various planets de‐ (Hall Puthof and Jessica Utts), computing and ro‐ scribed in the Frank Herbert novel Dune (Radnor, botics (Rosalind Picard), and psychokenetics (Matt Pa.: Chilton, 1965) and depicted in the motion pic‐ Visser), to gravity and wormholes (Miguel Alcu‐ ture Dune (1984), as well as episodes from all four bierre), desert ecosystems (Uwe George), and the of the Star Trek television series and the nine the‐ classifcation of civilizations (Nikolai Kardishev). atrical motion pictures might have been intro‐ Stephen Hawking, Carl Sagan, and Ron Hubbard duced as parallels. However, this might serve only are also mentioned, but less frequently than Ig‐ to "clutter" the essay and confuse some readers.

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See, for example, planetary entries in Willis E. Mc‐ Electric Sheep?" explicates the role of the brain in Nelly's The Dune Encyclopedia (New York: decision making and personality development. In Berkley, 1984). addition, "I'm Okay, You're an Overweight Glob of Cavelos's "Chapter 2: Aliens" has eight sec‐ Grease" refects assessments of neurochemistry, tions and three essays. She notes (p. 39) that "the emotions, instinct, logic, and holography; and "I universe according to Lucas is flled with life" -- Whine, Therefore I Am" concerns conveying emo‐ Jawas, Hutts, Ewoks, Gungans, Wookiees, etc. Sec‐ tions -- with Furbys and Tamagotchi entering into tion topics include "How Alien are Alien?" which this discussion. "The Six-Million Dollar Sith" en‐ deals with bacteria, mutations, and the pen‐ ters the world of prosthetic limbs, amputations, tadactyl (fve digit) advantage; "Do Your Ears industrial accidents, airway-lung damage in burn Hang Low?" concerning eye mobility, heat dissipa‐ cases, and voice augmentation devices (like the tion, and fexible necks; and "The Dawn of Wook‐ one used by the actor Christopher Reeve). An en‐ iee," in which bi- and quadrupedalism are as‐ tire section reveals "Why Han and Threepio Will sessed and questions raised about why Wookiees Never be Friends." Age, sex, culture, education, lived originally in trees. "Slugfest" characterizes and situations that afect learning and emotion Jabba (Hutts are slugs) and the predator Space are some of the factors considered. Cavelos also Slug (but what would it eat ordinarily?); "When raises an interesting but unresolved proposition Teddy Bears have their Picnic" reviews the physi‐ (p. 108): "can and should we create a robot that ology and behavior of koalas, chimpanzees, and feels pride, fear, frustration, and afection?" A Ewoks; and "Did You Leave Your Headlights On?" world inhabited by C-3POs...? Or R2-D2s? A very in which Jawas and Sand People, optics, photore‐ useful discussion about Verbmobile software left ceptors, and bioluminescence are evaluated. Alas, this reviewer wanting references or citations to one signifcant point -- it is highly unlikely for pertinent literature. One delightful essay consid‐ aliens from diferent planets to survive in a single ers the efcacy of "All-Terrain Armored Trans‐ environment, such as the Mos Eisley cantina (p. ports" (ATATs). This is a very fne essay but there 63). Being a slug, Jabba supposedly travels using is much more on robotics that might be incorpo‐ wavelike motion on a coating of secreted slime, rated into the discussion. but in the enhanced 1997 version of Episode IV, In "Chapter 4: Spaceships and Weapons," with Jabba moves with ease in the xerophytic environ‐ ten topics and three essays, Cavelos moves to an‐ ment of Tatooine -- he should be desiccating. Also, other area of future technology. The velocity of as another unexplored topic -- I believe that there light, the laws and principles of Newton and Ein‐ may be some parallel to the Third Stage Guild stein, fuels requirements (chemical fuels vs. nu‐ Navigators of Dune and the Hutts. clear fusion), matter and antimatter, hyperspace Chapter "3: Droids" is comprised of eight top‐ and wormholes (the latter suggested initially by ics and two essays. "Wheels or Legs?" assesses the Einstein) are topics elaborated in sections entitled relationships of body shape, coordination, and lo‐ "When 'Faster than A Speeding Bullet' Just Isn't comotion; while "I, Droid" delves into subjects in‐ Fast Enough" and "When You Came in Here, Didn't cluding neural networks, rule-based versus case- You have a Plan for Getting Out?" Citing Marc Mil‐ based systems of intelligence, and memory wipes. lis, Cavelos (p. 142) likens a black hole to falling Other sections, such as "Do You Hear What I Hear" down a well where there is a defnite bottom, assesses the concept of speaking with intelligence, while a wormhole, although transient, is more will, understanding, and emotions, as well as pro‐ like a tunnel - these are very appropriate analo‐ nunciation and accents; and "Do Droids Dream of gies. However, there is no mention the wormhole on Star Trek: Deep Space 9 or of the ability to

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"fold space" as Third Stage Guild Navigators are among the other major topics considered. "May able to do in guiding spacecraft from planet to the Force Be with You," "Where Jedi Fear to planet in Frank Herbert's Dune. "Getting Some‐ Tread," "Zen and the Art of Nerf Herding," "Peep‐ thing for Nothing" concerns concepts from quan‐ ing Jedi," and "A Jedi Pick-me-up" are some of the tum physics, inertia, and gravity; "The Music of section titles. Eight views by various scientists are the Spheres" reviews superstring theory (pp. presented in the essay "Could a Scientist be a 155-158), a new view of particle theory, and a Jedi?"-the answer is a qualifed "yes." Other essays multidimensional universe (ten dimensions); are titled "Are You Online with the Force" con‐ "Which Way is Up?" and "Which Way is Down?" cerns mind control and levitation, and "Invaders reveal principles about gravity, artifcial gravity, from the Fourth Dimension" refects upon super‐ and antigravity craft (such as Jabba's Sail Barge). string theory. Cavelos ofers at least six explanations in the sec‐ Readers interested in alien biology, artifcial tion titled "Han's Boast" (e.g., the error that he intelligence, and computer languages may wish to "made the Kessell Run in less than 12 parsecs") - consult a number of volumes that deal with some parsecs are measurement of distance, in this in‐ of the same scientifc phenomena - such as alien stance, 228 billion miles -which is like saying "I life forms -- in the world of Star Trek. These vol‐ ran the 100 yard dash in 100 yards." "When in umes include Athena Andreadis's To Seek Out Doubt, Blast!" and "Lightning Bolt on a Stick" as‐ New Life: The Biology of Star Trek (New York: sess weaponry, laser technology, the inability to Crown, 1998), Susan and Robert Jenkins's Life focus six laser beams (too bad then for the efca‐ Signs: The Biology of Star Trek (New York: Harp‐ cy of the Death Star's weapon), lasers that stun er-Collins, 1998), and Robert Sekuler and Ran‐ (Leia as an example early in Episode IV), the prob‐ dolph Blake's Star Trek on the Brain: Alien Minds, ability and improbability of plasma weapons, and Human Minds (New York: Freeman, 1998). Like‐ the inability to control light saber beam length. wise, Richard Hanley's The Metaphysics of Star Current laser efciencies (1 to30 percent) and Trek (New York: Basic, 1997) makes an interesting heat dissipation are also discussed. There are comparison, as does a book reviewed earlier this some interesting parallels to a book by physicist year on H-PCAACA, Jon Wagner and Jan Lun‐ Lawrence M. Krauss, The Physics of Star Trek deen's Deep Space and Sacred Time: Star Trek in (New York: Basic, 1995), but Cavelos has a unique the American Mythos (Westport, Conn. and Lon‐ and informative writing style. don: Praeger, 1998). H-NET Review HYPERLINK The fnal and longest part, "Chapter 5: The http://www.n-net.msu.edu/reviews/showrev.cgi? Force" has ten sections and seven essays, and ob‐ path=9650922720720 viously holds great interest for Cavelos herself. In conclusion, the narrative sections and side‐ She documents elements (the Greek earth, fre, bar essays in Cavelos's The Science of Star Wars air, water, and ether = force?), concepts of zero- range widely, mentioning many scientifc con‐ point energy, neutrinos, precognition, tachyons, cepts, science fction topics, and Star Wars char‐ and fve types of forces (strong nuclear, weak nu‐ acters. Among these are gravitons, mucous secre‐ clear, electromagnetic, and gravity, plus "The tions, wormholes, and the Heisenberg Principle, Force"). She reviews the interesting proposition Namib ground squirrels, the Furby Autopsy Web that "The Force" is similar to vacuum energy as Page, the Energizer bunny, Greedo, the Sarlaac, Michio Kaku postulates. Telekinesis, the EPR para‐ and (yes) Jar Jar Binks. Specifc references in dox, control and consciousness, hypnotherapy, Cavelos's narrative to the individual Star Wars parapsychology, telepathic communication, clair‐ motion pictures are fewer than one might as‐ voyance, remote viewing, and psychokensis are

4 H-Net Reviews sume: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (4 refer‐ ing of science and in attracting young persons to ences); Episode IV: A New Hope (22); Episode V: scientifc endeavors. Another current example is The Empire Strikes Back (10); and Episode VI: Re‐ "Learn Science at the Movies!" -- the title of a pop‐ turn of the Jedi (4). In addition, specifc entries ular article by David H. Levy that appeared in the listed in the Encyclopedia (1998) are mentioned national Sunday supplement, Parade Magazine 11 times. (July 18, 1999, pp. 12-13). 2001: A Space Odyssey Your reviewer was intrigued particularly by (1968), Tron (1982), WarGames (1983), Contact Cavelos's reference (p. 146) to Michio Kaku's book, (1997), Deep Impact (1998), and - of course - Star Hyperspace (New York: Oxford University Press, Trek and Star Wars Episode I are featured. Warp 1994), in which the concept of a Russian as‐ drive, wormhole transit, transporters, communi‐ tronomer, Nikolai Kardishev, elaborate Types 0, I, cators, and the like may seem "futuristic" or scien‐ II, and II civilizations; I wanted further refer‐ tifcally implausible, but then again so were Dick ences. A Type I civilization is planetary; it controls Tracy's "Wrist TV" or sending human beings to the forces on its planet, manipulates the weather, Earth's Moon. Cavelos cites Steve Grand, Director gains energy, and has colonies on other planets of the Cyberlife Institute, (p. 234): "I never try to within the solar system. Type II civilization is stel‐ let scientifc implausibility get in the way of a lar; solar fares are its energy source, and it has good story!" begun to colonize neighboring solar systems. A In sum, Jeanne Cavelos has, indeed, in her in‐ Type II civilization is galactic; it employs the pow‐ dependent examination of "science" as used and er of billions of stars, blackholes, and supernovae, misused in Star Wars, given us a good story and and can manipulate space-time. Needless to say, has transported the reader from science fction to the civilizations of the Empire and the Republic in science fact and probability, bringing to our atten‐ Star Wars equal Type III. Earth, presently, has tion, for example, the interrelationships of the reached the level of a Type 0 civilization. We have principles of quantum physics and the propulsion a long way to go, but George Lucas and others and armaments of the Millennium Falcon. There have suggested some possibilities. is a great deal of scientifc material presented in When Star Wars (Episode VI) premiered in an upbeat, non-trivialized, well-written and en‐ 1977, it -- and its sequels -- became a signifcant gaging style. One does not have to have a scientif‐ part of American mythos and popular culture, ic background to understand the aspects of sci‐ witness the popularity of artifacts, memorabilia, ence she presents because the information is con‐ videotapes, serialized novels, fan clubs, web sites, veyed with the expertise of an accomplished and the ffteen-month exhibition at the National teacher and editor. I know of no other science Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institu‐ writer who has attempted to assemble and expli‐ tion in Washington, DC. The exhibition "Star cate so many diverse scientifc realms - including Wars: The Magic of Myth" was viewed by nearly astronomy, biology, computer science, cosmology, one million visitors. For a discussion of the exhibit ecology, geology, physics, psychology, and zoology, and its concept, see Mary Henderson's Star Wars: among others. Most authors confne their writing The Magic of Myth (New York: Bantam, 1997). to biology or to physics, or to psychology - Cavelos integrates these, and others, exceedingly well. In the last half of the twentieth century both While Star Wars is mythological, as Mary Hender‐ Star Wars and Star Trek have become a signif‐ son (1997) notes, Cavelos demonstrates how cant part of American culture, mythos, popular George Lucas and his colleagues as have infused science, and science fction. Indeed, both phenom‐ the latest science fact into science fction and how ena can claim to have had an impact on the teach‐ science is catching up with Lucas. This delightful

5 H-Net Reviews volume is appropriate reading for seasoned and young scientists, Star Wars and other science fc‐ tion fans, and the general public. Copyright (c) 2000 by H-Net, all rights re‐ served. This work may be copied for non-proft educational use if proper credit is given to the au‐ thor and the list. For other permission, please con‐ tact [email protected].

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Citation: Charles C. Kolb. Review of Cavelos, Jeanne. The Science of Star Wars. H-PCAACA, H-Net Reviews. June, 2000.

URL: https://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=4224

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