Day of the Triffids

Some time back, I went to the Salt Lake public library to watch Day of the Triffids, a sci-fi classic, and take in a lecture afterward on carnivorous plants. Like many of the movies in this lecture series, it's a bit campy. Like some movies of its era, it doesn't quite get the whole "how to build suspense" concept, though it does try. The special effects are fine for the period, and the set-up dealing with a meteor shower blinding most of humanity helps explain the whole "How do slowly-shambling plants catch anyone?" problem.

While the movie was amusing, the lecture following was fascinating. There are apparently a number of varieties of carnivorous plants, each with its own method of trapping and consuming prey. The biggest difference, as I believe the lecturer explained it, between real science and "reel science" (as the lecture series puts it) is that plants, even carnivorous ones, do not move themselves around in pursuit of dinner. Their M.O. tends to be more of the "Hey, check out this [fill in the blank]! It's tasty... just come on in." variety, followed by the inevitable springing of the trap.

Here in Utah, the conditions are not good for carnivorous plants. The lecturer keeps several in his greenhouse, feeding them whatever insects come around. He said he hadn't thought of using boxelder bugs before, but it sounded like he was going to. I have plenty to spare if he runs out.

If you have any interest in science or science fiction, this movie and lecture series is highly recommended. It's free, it's fun, and you'll likely manage to learn something in the process. The link here to the library events has the next one in the series, which I unfortunately will not be able to attend.