Mad Scientist Tesla (OT -- it's a movie, "The Prestige")
P. Taine
time to Nikola Tesla, even though it is a reference to a film -- although taken
from a book, which I have not read.
"The Prestige", based on a novel by the same title by Christopher Priest,
includes Tesla as a fairly typical Mad Scientist. The plot (for those who
haven't seen the film) involves a rivalry between to stage-magicians. One
enlists Tesla to help device a new trick.
SPOILER SPACE
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With spectacular lightning effects from the equipment the result is a matter
duplicator and transmitter, with a copy of the subject appearing at some
distance. The original is left unharmed.
Mayhem ensues.
Sheerluck
"P. Taine" <us...@domaine.invalid> wrote in message
news:cud074tna7ddfu1qa...@4ax.com...
With David Bowie playing Tesla!!!
(btw,Tesla's birthday coming up,10th July)
Sheerluck
Dennis L. McKiernan
Yes, it might be that that a copy appears at the distant place, but on
the other hand I believe the movie makes it clear that the original
might be transported to that distant place, while a copy is left behind.
Rebecca Rice
Actually, what the movie makes clear is that the result is
two identical people, one at a distant location, and the
other at the original location. It is not at all clear to
me that one is "the original" and the other "the copy".
And, in fact, if you wanted to go that route, I'd say the
one on the stage was the original, and the copy was the one
in the distance. Which raises some very disturbing thoughts
about that trick.
Rebecca
Louann Miller
> I'm post this here as a followup to the Mad Scientist thread, which
> devoted some time to Nikola Tesla, even though it is a reference to a
> film -- although taken from a book, which I have not read.
>
> "The Prestige", based on a novel by the same title by Christopher
> Priest,
I've read the book. It makes far, far less sense than the movie. (If anyone
else who has read the book can explain what happens to the modern frame-
story POV character at the end of the book, and how he's going to go on
with his life afterward, please tell me and we'll both know.)
Nobody in particular
Or is that merely what the copy tells himself?
Brenda Clough
In any case, it is clear that the distinction is so small that the
magician sets it up so that one of the duplicates is rapidly disposed
of, leaving only one to hold the limelight and take the bows.
It would be interesting to speculate (assuming that the surviving
magician was the duplicate) how long it would be before the inevitable
copying errors would become overwhelming.
Brenda
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Brenda W. Clough
http://www.sff.net/people/Brenda/
Recent short fiction:
"A Mighty Fortress"
http://www.helixsf.com/archives/Jul07/index.htm