Weird Science!

In the boundaries between so-called hard science and simple spoonbending lies the realm of Weird Science -- where certainty doesnt exist and people called “experts” battle for control of the meaning of words like “proof” or “fact”.

As with all ACTLab New Media courses, we explore these ideas through making. There are no written assignments or exams. Instead you will produce two mini-projects, one substantial final project, and a website on which you document your semesters work. All our classwork has the goal of providing ideas and methods for those projects. ACTLab classes are about learning to think for yourself, to work creatively, cooperate in complex endeavors, and question received knowledges.

Class is in studio and discussion format. This means that your active participation is a requirement of the course. During the semester we expect you to contribute your own ideas and arguments to the discussions, and to be willing to take the responsibilities and risks such contributions imply.

There are no written exams. Instead you will use the theories and tools you acquire during the semester to MAKE STUFF! about some aspect of postmodern gothic. What you make can be in any form: sound, installation, video, computer animation, collage, sculpture, assemblage, performance -- you name it. You will do this in stages, starting with simple projects and moving to more complex ones, using humor, irony, uncommon approaches, and bizarre techniques.

To download a sample syllabus in .pdf format Click Here

Here are some resources we use for the course:

Time article: What's always next? Howard Becker: Theory: The necessary Evil Howard Becker: Tricks of the Trade Howard Becker: How I Learned What a Crock Was Bruno Latour: Science in Action T.A.Z. Bad Science Virtual particles Isaac Newton The British Restoration Scientific method Philosophy of science

Falsifiability Physics FAQ Royal R. Rife | Lots of pseudo-technobabble Royal R. Rife | Nontechnical history Seven warning signs of bogus science Museum of Unworkable Devices Antigravity devices Giant cyclops skull Technologies that haven't been invented yet Useful software (Bevoware)