The Sci-Fi Cast

When Carl Sagan’s ground-breaking PBS series, Cosmos, aired in 1980, it inspired an entire generation of children to learn more about the world and universe around them. The 13-part series made science accessible to the masses and presented complex concepts in easy to understand ways that are still taught in classrooms today.

Now comes word from WIRED that Sagan’s widow, Ann Druyan and Seth MacFarlane of Family Guy fame (both of whom are concerned about the growing anti-science sentiment in American society) are teaming up to produce a sequel to the series to air in 2013. Hosted by noted astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, the new show will strive to bring science to a new generation, exploring the universe on a grand scale.

The catch of course, is that because of MacFarlane’s involvement the new series will air on FOX in primetime. How will a science show devoted to discovering the wonders of the known universe fair against today’s dumbed-down TV fare? Unfortunately there’s no way to predict if audiences will tune in, we only wish Carl was around for the challenge. Here’s hoping the producers once again enlist the help of noted composer Vangelis to set the score for the series and that Tyson sneaks in at “billions and billions” at least once or twice.

The Kepler Space Telescope doesn’t just look for planets. By listening to subtle vibrations of the stars in its field of view, the telescope is recording a stellar symphony that gives an unprecedentedly accurate view of the inner lives of stars. We can say Kepler is listening to thousands of musicians in the sky,” said Daniel Huber, a graduate student at the University of Sydney. Read more about the NASA Kepler conference »

AUDIO: Daniel Huber’s Red Giant Oscillation Symphony

Artificial intelligence research has progressed by leaps and … oh, who are we kidding? It sucks! A robot that can navigate a maze of pink Post-It Notes? Really? That’s the best we can do? Where are the cylons? Where’s Daryl Hannah in Bladerunner? Heck, where’s Bender?

I’ll tell you why we don’t have those things yet. In fact, it’s because of them! Every time we get a new movie like I, Robot or that forthcoming Bruce Willis stink bomb, it features sentient, pissed-off androids whose only motivation is to destroy human kind. Sure, it makes for an exciting movie but it hinders the MIT AI lab!

“Sure, I’ll fund your project,” says the wealthy investor. “It looks incredible. Here’s a a check for 10 million dollars. Who do I make this out … Hey, wait a minute. Aren’t these robots just going to rise up and enslave us?”

“Well no, Mr. High Profiled Investor. That’s just fiction and …”

“Don’t pull that over on me! I’ve seen The Stepford Wives!”

With this in mind, we’re begging sci-fi writers everywhere. Please write docile, helpful robots into your stories. We’re talking R2. We’re talking Rosie. But don’t do it for us, do it for these pathetic souls.

Look here for more on why robots suck.