George R.R. Martin's New Journey in Science

In a surprising twist, fans of George R.R. Martin are still eagerly waiting for the next installment of *A Song of Ice and Fire*, but the renowned author has recently made headlines for something altogether unexpected—a peer-reviewed physics paper! Co-authored with physicist Ian Tregillis, this illuminating work has just been published in the American Journal of Physics, delving into the dynamics of a fictional virus that stands as the linchpin of the Wild Cards series, a groundbreaking anthology that Martin has nurtured for years.

The Wild Cards Universe

For those unfamiliar, the Wild Cards universe emerged from Martin's creative imaginative juices during a Superworld tabletop RPG campaign. What began as a traditional game swiftly morphed into a collaborative writing project, boasting contributions from around 44 different authors, including some famous names in sci-fi and fantasy. Notably, Neil Gaiman once pitched a story within this realm, only to have it rejected—a decision that inevitably led to the creation of his own iconic series, *The Sandman*.

The Wild Card Virus

The Wild Cards narrative is essentially an alternate history of the United States post-World War II, revolving around the release of a mysterious airborne alien virus in New York City in 1946. This Wild Card virus touches the lives of many, with a staggering 90% succumbing to its effects, while the remaining 10% either develop superhuman abilities or suffer grotesque mutations, branded as Jokers. The remaining 1% emerge as Aces, some with powers so minor they are colloquially referred to as Deuces.

The Science Behind the Fiction

This fascinating intersection of literature and science caught the attention of Tregillis, who, while contemplating the underlying mechanics of the Wild Cards universe, believed it would be a fruitful exercise to create a mathematical model explaining the virus’s effects. "As a theoretician, I thought perhaps a simple model could clarify the canon," Tregillis remarked, jokingly suggesting that drafting a genuine physics paper might be less tedious than another blog post.

A New Perspective on Superpowers

The paper dives into various complex themes, including the implications of Jokers and Aces, which they describe as “mutually exclusive categories.” Tregillis and Martin introduced an intriguing concept—what if there are "cryptos," individuals who possess unobservable mutations? For instance, one might unknowingly have ultraviolet markings on their heart while another could communicate telepathically with narwhals but remain blissfully unaware of their Ace status.

Foundational Rules of the Model

The duo concluded with three foundational rules for the proposed model: cryptos exist but their numbers are a mystery, card categorizations follow the well-known 90:9:1 ratio, and the outcomes depend on a multi-variable probability distribution.

Mathematical Insights

In their report, they presented a derived formula interpreting how the Wild Card virus transforms people. The model considers the severity of transformation—either the extremity of a Joker’s changes or the potency of an Ace's powers—and incorporates a mix of variables to address the existence of Joker-Aces. "Our intention was to convert a convoluted imaginary problem into a tangible dynamical system, providing a statistical foundation for understanding outcomes," Tregillis noted.

Encouraging Innovative Thinking

While Tregillis recognizes that this topic may not be suitable for beginners in physics, he believes it can spur innovative thinking among senior students in honors seminars, encouraging them to tackle this open-ended research question.

A Fusion of Fiction and Scientific Inquiry

This collaboration between fiction and science not only revitalizes interest in the Wild Cards series but also showcases the remarkable capacity for storytelling and theoretical exploration to intersect, redefining how we can think about superheroes through the lens of scientific inquiry. As the Wild Cards continue to captivate readers, it's thrilling to imagine where Martin's imagination—fused with scientific insight—might take us next!