John Scalzi applies the Bechdel Test to science fiction movies, and finds the results to be appalling.

(The Bechdel Test, if you haven't heard, is a bit of genius from cartoonist Alison Bechdel that should be as ubiquitous on the internet as Godwin's Law. When you're watching a movie, you should ask yourself:

1. Are there at least two women characters in the film?
2. Who talk to each other?
3. About something other than a man?

You can find a website listing Bechdel Test results over here. Sadly, you can apply this test to some novels and it fails, too.)