Justify the Science Flaw Panel: Why We Do It

This is an explanation of part of why we do "Justify the Science Flaw" panels. I bring up science or technical flaws from movies or other stories, and a panel of scientists and science fiction authors either explain how it's not actually a flaw if you look at it from the right perspective, or they come up with some plausible sounding handwavium which could allow the audience to suspend disbelief. VCon 2015 was held at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel.  The 2015 panelists: Joe Haldeman: http://www.joehaldeman.com/ BS physics & astronomy, MFA writing. Vietnam draftee 1968-69, Purple Heart. Writer since 1970, part-time professor at MIT since 1983. Well known for his novel Forever War. Eric Choi: www.aerospacewriter.ca Eric Choi is a writer / editor whose work includes creating and co-editoring of two speculative fiction anthologies, the Aurora Award winning The Dragon and the Stars (DAW) and the new hard SF collection Carbide Tipped Pens (Tor). “Crimson Sky”, which appeared in the July/August 2014 issue of Analog. Choi holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering science and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering, both from the University of Toronto, as well as an MBA from York University. He is also an alumnus of the International Space University. BJ Allan: BJ Allan aids the forces of Science and Reason, is in reality Lamont Cranston, wealthy young man about town. In his spare time, he collects spores, molds, and fungus. Jaimmie Que: Jaimmie has been involved in the biological sciences for over 10 years, working in various fields from biomarker research to COPD, with her expertise being protein biochemistry. In addition to her professional life, she has also been an avid costumer for the past 10 years. Karl Johanson: www.neo-opsis.ca In addition to being a fiction and article writer, Karl is the editor of two-time Aurora Award-winning Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine. (www.neo-opsis.ca) Karl is also a former co-editor of the four-time Aurora winner Under the Ozone Hole. Jaymie Matthews: www.phas.ubc.ca/users/jaymie-matthews Jaymie is a leading expert in stellar seismology, weather on alien planets, and the search for extra-solar planets. He promotes science wonderfully well. Greg Bole: Greg Bole is a Senior Instructor at the University of British Columbia in the field of Evolutionary Biology and has a love for all animals, both real and fantastical. Greg is an active member of Vancouver Skeptics and frequently lectures about science, evolution and the life and works of Charles Darwin. (Sadly out of view on the left of the other panelists.)