As a lifelong fan of science and superheroes, I can’t help but feel a mix of admiration for Superman’s heroics and horror at the scientific impossibilities Neil deGrasse Tyson has pointed out. The scene where he flies backwards around Earth to reverse time in the first movie is nothing short of mind-boggling when you consider the potential consequences for our planet. If only Superman knew that his desperate attempt to save Lois Lane could have led to the deaths of billions, perhaps he would have thought twice before embarking on such a perilous journey.
The timeless Superman films featuring Christopher Reeve continue to captivate audiences, and they remain relevant even today. Yet, renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has highlighted a scientific oversight in one iconic scene from the 1978’s Superman movie. Brace yourself for a moment that might leave you astonished.
In the final scene of the first “Superman” film, The Man of Steel fails to intercept a missile leading to an earthquake in California, trapping Lois Lane in her vehicle and causing her death from suffocation. Overwhelmed with grief, Superman embarks on a journey around Earth, attempting to rewind time, and ultimately manages to rescue Lois.
In the realm of movies, Superman’s plan was successful, but during the red carpet event for the premiere of Speak No Evil, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson pointed out some scientific inconsistencies about that scene, and they are truly astonishing! Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t about humans not being able to fly; it’s about the lack of adherence to established physical laws.
It’s undeniably Superman who performs an unusual feat by flying in reverse around Earth, effectively reversing time. Picture this: He’s traveling backward on a global scale. Time rewinds. Now, imagine if he managed to slow down or stop Earth entirely. The catastrophic consequences would be dire – oceans would flood continents, causing the deaths of billions. This extraordinary act was essentially performed to save Lois. In terms of defying physics, this ranks as the pinnacle. Characters like Doctor Strange, who manipulate reality through magic, are more akin to fantasy compared to the real science that Rick from Rick and Morty employs when he opens portals. Therefore, in this context, I’m favoring Rick for his scientific approach.
Amazingly, who would have guessed that moving faster than a bullet could lead to such devastating outcomes? The idea that Superman could unwittingly take the lives of billions in reality is truly chilling. I can’t help but wonder if Superman would have carried out his plan had he considered the potential loss of life. Yet, in that heart-wrenching instant, his actions were primarily driven by a desire to protect Lois Lane.
According to both deGrasse Tyson’s assertions and a previous study conducted at the University of Leicester, the speed Superman would need to fly in order to reverse time is approximately 660 million miles per hour, which is almost the speed of light. Moreover, it was suggested that for Superman to increase his mass by 13.7 million times, a feat deemed impossible.
Although it’s understandable that such dramatic scenes in movies like Superman are often due to “movie magic,” there’s no doubt that the real-world implications of such a stunt would be absolutely terrifying.
Hearing about Neil deGrasse Tyson’s “Superman” theory brings to mind an episode from the popular American TV show, The Big Bang Theory, where Sheldon debates with Leonard, Howard, and Raj over a significant Superman scene. In this instance, Sheldon contended that Superman couldn’t have saved Lois when she fell from the helicopter due to physics: his steel exterior and high speed would have squashed her upon catching her. That wouldn’t be very heroic, now would it? It just goes to show how scientists can spot inconsistencies like these.
It’s not unexpected that Neil deGrasse Tyson might spot a scientific inconsistency in the movie Superman. After all, he’s known for critiquing films like Armageddon and Terminator for disregarding science, and even predicted that Tom Cruise would have been injured during a scene in Top Gun: Maverick. However, it’s important to note that while scientific minds can highlight what might not work in real life, we should still enjoy watching these timeless cinematic masterpieces without having the enjoyment spoiled by technicalities.
As a gamer immersed in the fantastic universe of Superman, it’s fascinating to ponder that, unlike our reality where time travel around Earth would be catastrophic for billions, this superhero’s world allows us to bend the rules of physics without causing widespread destruction. Isn’t it amazing how different these worlds can be?
To reexperience that famous moment from the movie Superman, you can achieve this with a Max or Amazon Prime membership. Don’t forget to watch Christopher Reeve’s documentary titled Super/Man, as it is scheduled for release in 2024 on September 21st.
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2024-09-13 15:38