Chemical characters
Cambridge & Great Eastern Regional Group: Malcolm Rose discusses science reality and fiction
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| Author
Malcolm Rose examines some fake blood - with more on his shoulder |
Prize-winning science-based,
children’s fiction author
Malcolm Rose gave a relaxed and
entertaining talk on the crossover
between science reality and fiction
on 23 November at the Cambridge
and Great Eastern regional group’s
‘Mixing chemicals and characters’
meeting.
He described the many similarities
between scientists and
novelists (they are both imaginative,
patient observers who write
a lot) and some of the differences
(novelists often take liberties with
scientific detail!). He illustrated
this beautifully with a reading
from a horror story, describing a
murderer dissolving his victim’s
body in a bath of acid. In the story,
this was accomplished with extraordinary
ease.
Rose then gave a somewhat
shorter ‘scientific’ description of
this process (‘Take 200 litres of
concentrated nitric acid and add a
70kg body. Allow vigorous reaction
to subside...’). Then he gave a safety
officer’s view of the process, assessing
the risks and likely consequences
of such a hazardous operation,
and the need for appropriate safety
apparatus (gloves, aprons, breathing
apparatus). Finally he presented
a scientifically credible version
of the events, which unfortunately
removed much of the dramatic
impact, and ended up more as a
farce. The challenge for Rose is to
present good science and to ensure
a good read.
Another strong theme that
emerged during the talk was the
fun of predicting the future. He
was particularly proud that he had
described a face transplant procedure
several years before it became
a reality.
See www.malcolmrose.co.uk for more information.
John Wilkins,
Cambridge and Great
Eastern Regional Group
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