The Science and Entertainment Exchange: The X-Change Files: Comic-Con 2009: Science as a Double-Edged Sword

It's that summery time of year, when the sun is shining, vacations are pending, and over 125,000 science fiction fans are gathering in San Diego for the annual Comic-Con extravaganza. The Science and Entertainment Exchange will be there, too: we are partnering with Discover magazine on a Thursday evening panel, July 22, from 6 to 7 PM, on the science behind science fiction.

Specifically, panelists will be discussing science as a double-edged sword, a field that is ethically neutral, but can be used for good or evil. And it will all be anchored within the context of some of TV's most popular sci-fi series: Eureka, Fringe, Dollhouse, and Caprica.

We've got a stellar line-up of panelists. Moderating the discussion will be everyone's favorite Bad Astronomer, Phil Plait, who also heads the James Randi Educational Foundation. Phil will be joined by:

* Fringe staff writers Rob Chiappetta and Glenn Whitman;

* Jaime Paglia, executive producer and creator of the SyFy's Eureka;

* TV writer/producer Jane Espenson (Caprica, Dollhouse, Battlestar Galactica, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly);

* NASA scientist Kevin Grazier, science consultant for Eureka and Battlestar Galactica; and

* Ricardo Gil da Costa, Salk Institute neuroscience and consultant for Fringe.

So if you're going to Comic-Con this year, be sure and drop by for the discussion!