A truly marvelous wiki on TV tropes and idioms, capturing every cliche and standard plot device you have ever rolled your eyes at.
Also applicable to movies and genre fiction.
The entry on Applied Phlebotinum is a particular delight.
(via J-Walk)
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One bit of phlebotinum I really like is Voyager 7’s nanites. Just plausible enough to be interesting…
Let’s see now, being a Borg: body repairs made quickly, correcting even subtle but troublesome defects. “Always-on” ultimate broadband information with slickest interface imaginable. Really, really cool headgear. Practical immortality – everything I know and think lives on after I go. Near-invulnerability to energy-beam weapons. There is that problem with loss of individuality but consumer culture is designed to do that anyway.
Plus, 7 is hot!
I’ve always called this the Tetryon Field Syndrome, after the numerous times when that particular bit of phlebotinum physics was used on TNG. (“Captain, all the strange plot problems we’ve been having? Data and I think we can realign the harmonic phase coupling to deal with the tetryon field imbalances being caused by that Giant Plot Device floating out there, just in time for the final commercial break and a cup of tea in your Ready Room.” “Make it so, Cmndr LaForge.”).
But I’ll have to remember the Phlebotinum.