Taken from the May 2021 issue of Physics World where it first appeared under the headline "The science in science fiction". Ian Randall reviews Science Fiction by Sherryl Vint The power of words Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring, which begins with a form of sci-fi, led to the ban on DDT in agriculture, showing how sci-fi can influence real-world science. (Courtesy: iStock/fmajor) Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring – the famous 1962 book on the devastating impact of pesticides lik You’ve reached the limit of what you can view on Physics World without registering If you already have an account on Physics World, then please sign in to continue reading If you do not yet have an account, please register so you can Access more than 20 years of online content Choose which e-mail newsletters you would like to receive Want to read more? Registration is free, quick and easy Note: The verification e-mail to complete your account registration should arrive immediately. However, in some cases it takes longer. Don't forget to check your spam folder. If you haven't received the e-mail in 24 hours, please contact customerservices@ioppublishing.org. E-mail Address
Culture, history and society Opinion and reviews Around the world in 16 orbits: a day in the life of the International Space Station