Alien Crash Site

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A new InterPlanetary interview series from the Santa Fe Institute takes a page from the Strugatsky brothers' classic Soviet sci-fi novel, Roadside Picnic, to discuss a variety of transformative alien artifacts. Thirteen years ago, an alien civilization visited our planet, and left behind myriad, mysterious materials in their crash sites. These areas, Zones, behave very strangely, but the interplanetary items they contain could change the trajectory of our technological advancement. What appears as a hoop might actually be a perpetual-motion machine. What appears as a slime might alter space-time. Spend too much time in the Zone and your genes might mutate, your bones might dissolve, your body might be ground into meat. If you’re lucky enough to make it out alive, you’ll likely be imprisoned. But a successful trip in and out of the Zone could alter human history. Do you dare? And for what? Hosted by Caitlin McShea.

Caitlin McShea


    • Dec 24, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 54m AVG DURATION
    • 26 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Alien Crash Site

    What can an asteroid tell us about our own Planet. #023 with Lindy Elkins-Tanton

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2021 55:09


    Learn more about what was discussed in this Alien Crash Site episode by clicking through the links below:Lindy's homepagePsyche MissionASU's InterPlanetary InitiativeVestaKleopatraMaxarHenry Stone at the Jet Propulsion LaboratoryVoyager Mission - Gravity AssistLucy MissionDART MissionPsyche Inspired

    #022 - Crossover episode with Complexity Pod: Gary Bengier

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 60:53


    Learn more about what was discussed in this episode by clicking on the links below:Gary's homepage.Unfettered journeyDan DennettEugene WignerMichael's Complexity Podcast interview with David Kinney2019 IPFest World Building panel discussionGeoffrey West's ScaleHanson's Age of EmSFI Symposium AI and the Barrier of MeaningACtioN Climate Change seminar - Complexity of SustainabilityPeter TurchinBob May's 1972 paper: "Will a Large Complex System be Stable?"Ayn Rand's Atlas ShruggedPaul Smaldino's work on covert signalingPeter Watt's BlindsightAsimov's Foundation trilogy

    Co-Ordination: On Time Between Worlds - an InterPlanetary panel on Complex Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2021 88:11


    Learn more about everything referenced in this episode by clicking the links below:New School Policy and Design for Outer SpaceSFI's InterPlanetary ProjectAging, Adaptation, and the Arrow of Time - A James S. McDonnell Foundation funded research track on Complex TimeComplex Time video playlistInterPlanetary 2019 panel on Complex Time, featuring Sean Carroll

    What are the best strategies for finding life in space? #021 with Natalie Grefenstette?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2021 63:34


    To learn more about items mentioned in this podcast:Natalie's homepageCo-Ordination: On Time Between Worlds - An InterPlanetary Panel discussion on Complex TimeChris Kempes's Alien Crash Site Interview on life detection"Towards a more universal life detection strategy" as submitted to the Planetary and Astrobiology Decadal SurveyArrivalTed Chiang's "The Story of Your Life"Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

    Special Announcement - InterPlanetary Panel on Complex Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2021 3:50


    For more information, visit this link and register FOR FREE. Alien Crash Site returns after that with an interview with SFI Post-Doc Natalie Grefenstette.

    How does size shape our understanding of and search for life? #020 with Chris Kempes

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2021 48:56


     Generalized Stoichiometry and Biogeochemistry for Astrobiological ApplicationsMultiple Paths to Multiple LifeWatch Chris Kempes and David Krakauer discuss multiple life in episode 2 of "Andromeda Strain and the Meaning of Life"Watch Sara Walker's critique of Multiple Life in episode 4 of "Andromeda Strain and the Meaning of Life"Allometric scaling of production and life-history variation in vascular plants, by West, Enquist, Brown and Charnov.A related lecture by Geoffrey WestAtlantis Dispatch 009, in which we contemplate cultural origins...Past related ACS episodes - Heather Graham and Cole Mathis on what Chris calls “Chemical Complexity.”Their co-authored paper, Identifying molecules as biosignatures with assembly theory and mass spectrometry.

    What to look for, when we don't know what we're looking for? #019 with Heather Graham

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2021 54:28


    Learn more about everything referenced in this episode by clicking the links below:Identifying Molecules as Biosignatures with Assembly Theory and Mass Spectrometry.Generalized Stoichiometry and Biogeochemistry for Astrobiological Applications.Time TeamElemental CyclesDNA has Four Bases. Some Viruses Swap in a FifthBennuHayabusa MissionAlien Crash Site Episode 015, with Cole Mathis on Assembly Theory.Determination of AzimuthAtlantis Dispatch 001, in which we contemplate the meaning of “past” life.Viking missions84001IsuaBob Hazen

    What Governance Structure Best Suits an InterPlanetary Humanity?" #018 with Timiebi Aganaba

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2021 60:45


    Learn more about things discussed in this episode, by clicking on the links below: Timiebi Aganaba's home pageAnd LinkedInAnd TwitterGlobal Space TreatyArtemis AccordsMaslow's Hierarchy of NeedsLindy Elkins-Tanton of Arizona State University's InterPlanetary ProjectAnd the Psyche MissionThe Court Case: Viasat, Inc (Appellant) Vs. Federal Communications Commission (Appellee) re: Space Exploration Holdings, LLC (Movant-Intervenor). 

    What lies in the space between? #017 with Aerospace Engineer Ryan McGranaghan

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2021 55:22


    To learn more about the items discussed in this interview, click through the links below. Ryan's websiteRyan on TwitterThe Carrington EventParker Solar ProbeMars MAVENUshering in a New Frontier in Geospace through Data Science Dictionary of Obscure sorrowsWhat is an Individual?Jorge Luis Borges“Talk on Indolence” by the Avett Brothers"Machine Gun" by Jimi Hendrix

    How Do Artifacts Inform Cultural Evolution? #016 with Vanessa Ferdinand

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2021 49:19


    For more information on items mentioned in this interview, click through the links below.Vanessa's WebsiteInterPlanetary 2018 Festival panel "Intelligent Systems and Cognitive Assistance" featuring Vanessa, David Krakauer, Jonah Nolan, Graham Spencer & Kurt Squire.Dan Sperber Norman Rockwell's painting "The Gossips" Giant dragonfly - MeganeuraAlien Crash Site interview with Tamara van der DoesDune witchesBuena Vista Social Club - Chan Chan Jil JilalaNass El Ghiwane 

    #015 with Cole Mathis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2021 68:56


    Learn more about the items discussed in this conversation by clicking on the links below.The paper discussed: "Identifying molecules as biosignatures with assembly theory and mass spectrometry""Scientists develop new molecular tool to detect alien life" - news article"Chemists design alien life detector" - news articleThe essay discussed: ($$ paywall) "Art as a Product of Nature, as a work of Art" by Paul K. FeyerabendDragon's Egg, by Robert ForwardRelated: Atlantis's first dispatch on the "Great Phosphine Freakout" of September 2020Sara Walker and Lee Cronin on the "meaning" of life, as part of 2020 conversation series called "Andromeda Strain and the Meaning of Life."  

    #014 with Natalie Elliot

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2021 50:11


    Learn more about everything referenced in this episode by clicking the links below:Herschel Moon HistoryNatalie Elliot's HomepageAlexander Pope's “The Rape of Lock”Shakespeare'sJulius CaesarHamletRomeo and JulietClaudius PtolemyNicolaus CopernicusTycho BraheAristophanes'sCloudsBirdsFermilab BisonAntikythera Mechanism“Origin Story” for AeonAnd two recently published papers on universal life detection that we are WAY TOO EXCITED about:Generalized Stoichiometry and Biogeochemistry for Astrobiological ApplicationsIdentifying molecules as biosignatures with assembly theory and mass spectrometry

    #013 with Linda Sheehan

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2021 50:59


    Learn more about everything referenced in this episode by clicking the links below:InterPlanetary 2018 - Planetary Policy, Law & Regulation PanelEarth JuijitsuEnvironment NowEcuador's recognition of PachamamaSlavoj ZizekSanta Monica's sustainability ordinance, protecting the aquifersBrown v. Board of EducationUS Space Act (1958)Outer Space Treaty (1966)Moon Agreement (1979)

    #012 with Katherine Collins

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2021 45:09


    Learn more about the things we discuss in this episode by clicking through the links below: Honeybee CapitalEver-Widening Circles, by RilkeZero sum gameTom Seeley's work on honeybeesSuzanne Simard's work about tree communication networksGeoffrey West's lecture on ScalingI Dream a Highway - Gillian WelchOde to Joy - BeethovenFinal scene of Stalker

    #011 with Van Savage

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2021 48:11


    Learn more about everything referenced in this episode by clicking the links below:Van's homepageUCLA-led team of scientists discovers why we need sleepWatch Van on the “Time Design” Panel from #IPFest2018Ted Chiang's Seventy-Two LettersLiu Cixin's Three Body Problem“You're So Cool” by Hans Zimmer“Don't Look Back in Anger” by Oasis“Welcome to the Jungle” and “You Could Be Mine”

    #010 with Michael Lachmann

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2021 59:43


    Learn more about everything referenced in this episode by clicking the links below:Michael's webpageLauren Ancel MeyersCarl Bergstrom's Calling BullshitMichael's work on the Neandertal genomeInformation's impact on fitnessMichael, Sara Walker, Chris Kempes and Lee Cronin, herein the #OriginsOfLifeLeagueLife ≠ Alive

    #009 with Tony Eagan

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2021 54:15


    Learn more about everything referenced in this episode by clicking the links below:Philosophy of Werner HerzogAdam and EveKant's aestheticsOedipus RexPandora MythBeatrice Han-PileDiego Velázquéz's Las MeninasRothko's Tate Collection

    #008 with Tamara van der Does

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2021 54:05


     Tamara's Website, Google Scholar Page & Twitter• InterPlanetary Festival Website• Alien Crash Site Podcast• In 72 hours of sci-fi, postdocs transmit parental model of alien civilization [video]• Greetings from a Triparental Planet 72 Hours of Science Pre-Printby Gizem Bacaksizlar, Stefani Crabtree, Joshua Garland, Natalie Grefenstette, Albert Kao, David Kinney, Artemy Kolchinsky, Tyler Marghetis, Michael Price, Maria Riolo, Hajime Shimao, Ashley Teufel, Tamara van der Does, and Vicky Chuqiao Yang• Scale and information-processing thresholds in Holocene social evolution by Jaeweon Shin, Michael Holton Price, David H. Wolpert, Hajime Shimao, Brendan Tracey, and Timothy A. Kohler• SFI's VP for Science Jennifer Dunne Remembers Ecologist Bob May• Complexity Podcast• IPFest 2019 Worldbuilding Panel with Rebecca Roanhorse, Ty Franck, Daniel Abraham, Michael Drout, and Cris Moore• Anathem by former SFI Miller Scholar Neal Stephenson• Dark Integers by Greg Egan• Aliens comic series by Dark Horse 

    #007 with Nina Lanza

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2021 54:12


    Learn more about everything referenced in this episode by clicking the links below:Theme song, "Stalker" by TortillaThe “Living in Space” InterPlanetary Panel from IP Fest 2018ChemCam and SuperCamRecap of Nina's time in AntarticaBradbury Museum panel of LANL scientists discussing Today's Perseverance landingJoerael Numina's art (The image of the Curiosity Rover behind me is one example of his work)

    #006 with Sasha Samochina

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2021 52:09


    Learn more about everything referenced in this episode by clicking the links below:Sasha's website and workSasha on “Visualization and Designing the Impossible” IPFest 2018 PanelSasha at IPFest, on open-source space dataJet Propulsion Lab's page of downloadable 360 and VR/AR videosChicago's Field Museum of Natural HistoryVITAL VentilatorsVirtual tour of the Jet Propulsion LabKin Dza Dza

    #005 with Armin Ellis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2021 52:56


    Learn more about everything referenced in this episode by clicking the links below:Exploration InstituteOcean PlanetWhat Armin on the 2018 InterPlanetary Festival Panel “The End of the World?” with Annalee Newitz, and Lauren Oliver.Read Armin's introduction to that ^ panel in IP Transmissions Volume One: GenesisRead up on Star Trek, if you're unfamiliar for some reason...

    #004 with David Stout

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2020 59:51


    Learn more about everything referenced in this episode by clicking the links below:Visit David's new websiteLearn more about SFI's recent Complexity and Structure of Music Workshop.Watch the 2018 InterPlanetary Festival Panel, Autonomous Ecosystems, where David (and past guest, Kate Greene) contributes to the conversation.Listen to some of David's Sonic work.Watch David's Hypnomancy performance from the 2020 Currents New Media festival.Aucourant Records.Ardy SixKiller Clarke.

    #003 with Frank Lantz

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2020 63:07


    Learn more about everything referenced in this episode by clicking the links below:2019 InterPlanetary Festival's “Game Design Panel,” moderated by FrankInterPlanetary Transmissions. Volume 2: Stardust, featuring an introduction to the Game Design panel by FrankNYU Game CenterClaude Shannon's “A Mathematical Theory of Communication.”Alien Crash Site interviews with GPT-3Frank's Universal PaperclipsDavid ChapmanMarcel DuchampCaitlin's favorite Jonathan Richman performanceMonday begins on Saturday by Arkady and Boris StrugatskyHard to Be a God also by the Strugatsky BrothersStanislaw LemPhilip K. DickJ.G. BallardSCP WikiAntimemeticsqntm

    #002 with Kate Greene

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2020 66:47


    Learn more about everything referenced in this episode by clicking the links below:Kate's new book of essays, Once Upon a Time I Lived on Mars.The 2017 InterPlanetary Panel, which launched the project.The 2018 InterPlanetary Festival Panel, “Autonomous Ecosystems.”All About Eggs, published by Lucky Peach.“Ova Easy” egg crystals, for your solo-Sunday omelettes.“The Aleph” by Jorge BorgesRocannon's World by Ursula Le Guin.“Hey, Elon Musk, What about Toilet Paper on Mars?” by Eric Mack.New Yorker article, “Roommates on Mars,” which outlines the “Nutella Incident.”Endurance.“King Arthur Flour's Baking Hotline Has Never Been Busier — and the Questions Are Getting Personal.”

    #001 with Ashton Eaton

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2020 54:57


    Learn more about everything referenced in this episode by clicking the links below:Ashton's 2018 InterPlanetary Festival Appearance, “Living in Space”Ashton's 2019 InterPlanetary Festival Appearance, “Zen and the Art of Space Exploration”Sam Harris podcast interview with David KrakauerGeneral Systems Theory - Ludwig von BertalanffyLimits to Human Performance Research at the Santa Fe InstituteUrsula LeGuin's Rocannon's World (pdf)Orson Scott Card's Ender's GameArrival (trailer)Contact (trailer) 

    #000 with David Krakauer

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 50:29


    SFI President David Krakauer joins Caitlin McShea to consider the producers of an object, the receivers of said object, and the qualities of the object itself, in this first episode of Alien Crash Site...a sci-fi technology pod that pushes people out of their comfort Zones, and into Alien Crash Site Zones, in pursuit of a truly transformative object.

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