"Science: Fact and Fiction" A scene created by Bob Belas (Belas@mbisgi.umd.edu) A contribution to the June '95 Raytracing Competition. I should start by saying that I am a professional scientist. In designing this scene, I wanted to use imagery to convey my thoughts on what science is thought to be, what it could be, and what it (unfortunately) is. Those ideas are conveyed in the objects as placed from back to front in the scene. Science is often thought to be strange machines (the lightning thingy object is an icon for that idea) doing bizarre things (although it can be, it generally isn't); science should be a free exchange of ideas and bold thoughts (Feynman's portrait symbolizes that) and is often done with quite mundane equipment (microscope as an icon); and, lastly as support for science dwindles, scientist are trying to do more with less. That last concept is symbolized in the manuscripts proclaiming cures for AIDS and cancer (metaphores, sorry) and an unfunded grant proposal. Are those manuscripts something that is, or something that might be, depending on funding of this research? In truth, the scenario isn't as bad as that, but the future is unsure for many scientist. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the scene, even if you may not agree with my ideas. Best wishes, Bob