Nerdy host Joe Hanson of the PBS show It's Okay to Be Smart explores the madness and misinformation depicted in Hollywood science fiction films, using basic Newtonian physics to show that many of those splashy space battles we cheer on with geeky glee would actually look rather tame in the harsh light of reality. Hanson suits up in his starship of the imagination and takes on the truth about lasers, one-on-one dogfights, briliant cosmic explosions, the difficulties of space combat and faster-than-light military tactics, basically blaming the epidemic of ongoing cinematic errors on poor George Lucas and his love of classic World War II movies.

Some of this won't be news to anyone with a knowledge of physics, but have a close look and see if you agree with Hanson's scientific revelations.

(Via Nerd Approved)