The Science in The Fiction

Send us a textHolly and Marty speak with Chris Beckett about his Dark Eden trilogy, comprised of Dark Eden – which won the Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2012, and was followed by Mother of Eden in 2015 and Daughter of Eden in 2016. Dark Eden has been described as “a superior piece of the theologically nuanced science fiction”, and is also a story about the development of human culture, religion and civilization.  It stands out for its unique setting on a dark planet whose ecology is powered by geothermal forces rather than by a sun, and where a pair of marooned humans have given rise to a growing family of refugees who scrabble for survival in a dark forest filled with bioluminescent plants and animals.  It's a book you'll never forget, and its characters will stay with you all your life.  We also spend some time talking about his more recent book 'America City', a book written in 2017 about an unhinged American president who decides to invade Canada - disturbingly prophetic of recent events threatening the Canadian sovereignty. Email: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/

Send us a textHolly and Marty get together with their friend Susan MacKinnon to discuss the science fiction of Ursula K. LeGuin, literary icon of speculative fiction.  We talk about her Hugo and Nebula winning books "The Left Hand of Darkness" and "The Dispossessed", which are among the most celebrated classics in science fiction. The first was a pioneering book about the impact of gender on civilization, describing an ambisexual society.  The second is about anarchism as an ambiguous utopia in the context of capitalism, and describes some very deep and beautiful ideas about time and the foundations of physics.  We also talk about LeGuin's short story "Those Who Walk Away From Omelas", a lasting parable about those whose suffering supports our society and how we confront or submit to that reality.  We also chat about higher education, feminism, dresses with huge pockets and a some of the other books we're reading.Email: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/

Send us a textThis is part 2 of Marty's conversation with Douglas Phillips about his 'Quantum' Series of hard science fiction novels.  In our last episode we talked about 'Quantum Space', and this time we discuss the next two books in the series, 'Quantum Void' and 'Quantum Time'. As before, today's exchange focusses on the unifying theme of extra dimensions, in both space and time, and Douglas' exploration of speculative ideas that push the envelope of modern physics.  We discuss visiting aliens using extradimensional spatial distortion, imagining paranormal phenomena as a 3D consequence of 4D activity, and using 4D space a dumping ground for our pollution.  We then go on to use a generalization of Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle to suggest a second, perpendicular dimension of time and how this leads to a coherent theory of time travel!  Along the way we discuss anti-matter and whether it falls up or down, and how to probe for hints of new temporal physics in the physics of anti-hydrogen.Email: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/

Send us a textThis is one of those episodes that exemplifies what we try to do here on this show, going deep on some very big science ideas, and then going off the deep end to expand those ideas into the realm of fiction and making them even bigger! Marty has the great pleasure of speaking with Douglas Phillips, who has turned his wide range of scientific experience into the kinds of stories he's always wanted to read​.  Douglas has made a name for himself with his Quantum series of 5 books: Quantum Space, Quantum Void, Quantum Time, Quantum Entangled and Quantum Chaos – along with the prequel Quantum Incident.  This is a conversation in two parts - in this episode we talk about Quantum Space, and in the next episode we'll talk about Quantum Void and mostly about Quantum Time.  The unifying theme here is extra dimensions, in both space and time (!) and our conversation is an intellectual romp through speculative ideas that push the envelope of modern physics.  To lay the groundwork we talk about the standard model of particle physics, superstring theory and neutrino oscillations, then we make the leap into the 4th dimension, and from there into the far reaches of outer space.Douglas Phillips:https://douglasphillipsbooks.com/Quantum Space on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZY9T5Y5Email: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/

Send us a textThis is a rather special episode, and something of a delightful experiment.  Barron Wenham is on of the smartest and most well-informed 10-year-olds you are ever likely to encounter - especially on the subjects of particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology.  As an exercise in exploring big ideas, mind-blowing science and science fictional creative invention, Marty sat down with him to discuss the birth of the universe, the balance of matter and anti-matter, as well as some of the things we discussed with Dr. David Curtin in episodes 30 and 31 on Dark Matter.  We also cover the black holes, white holes, the standard model of particle physics - right down to neutrinos and strange quarks - and Barron explains the theory of strange matter, which is a real thing! Barron also presents his own cosmological model that accounts for the accelerating expansion of the universe as well as the balance of matter and antimatter, and also his theory of super-matter in a brain-structured universe.Email: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/

Send us a textMarty speaks with Dr. Henry Erlich, whose research career gave him a front seat to the development of DNA sequencing technology from its infancy in the 80's, to the development of forensic applications in the criminal justice system in the 90's and through to it's maturity in Next Generation Sequencing methods now used to study evolutionary biology and the deep history of human and hominid evolution. His book is called 'Genetic Reconstruction of the Past - DNA analysis in Forensics and Human Evolution ', and its unifying theme is how we can now use DNA sequencing technology to study historical events, from the recent past in the case of forensic investigation of crimes, to the ancient past in studies of fossil remains to understand the evolution of the human species and the relationships among contemporary and extinct populations.  We talk about the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), detecting sequence and length polymorphism, how DNA tests are used to identify individuals in forensic investigations, how they can be used to track relationships among human populations both ancient and contemporary, and how what we've learned using this technology may help us grow bigger, better, faster brains in our science fictional future.Email: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/

Send us a textMarty talks to Alan Smale, a professional astronomer and author of hard science fiction, alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy, and horror. We talk to him about his most recent book 'Hot Moon' - an alternate history set in 1979 where the USSR won the space race to land the first man on the moon, changing the balance of power during the cold war and accelerating the space race to push both the Americans and the Soviets to have permanent moon bases, orbiting space stations, and manned spy satellites.  We talk about the kind of warfare that would have been possible with the technology available following the first moon landings, what happens when you shoot a bullet in space, the geopolitics of the cold war as well as relations with Russia today.  We also discuss spy-craft in space, whether there may be a hidden base on the far side of the moon, and Alan also tells us a little about his research career at NASA studying X-rays from black hole binaries and other extreme space events, and how that research translates to applications on earth. Email: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/

Send us a textHolly and Marty speak with science fiction author Micaiah Johnson about her absolutely incredible 'Ashtown' duology.  This isn't really an episode about the Multiverse so much as it is about the deeply human and social themes in Micaiah's books, whose writing is laden with literary pearls and deeply human insights about complex characters, social and economic structures, and the interplay between science and spirituality. She uses science fiction as a lightning rod for discourse of social dynamics, power and justice, privilege and grace and ambition. We talk about choosing your monsters, the vacuous rich and the authenticity of the poor, community care, and crying from beauty, with stories about allowing people the chance to to love you in the way that you love them, and how giving and receiving are two sides of the same miracle.https://www.micaiahjohnson.com/Email: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/

Send us a textMarty and Holly speak for a second time with Mike Carey in the first installment on our new topic: The Multiverse.  Mike has written comics for many big titles in both the DC and Marvel universes, and has also written 19 books including his most recent 'The Pandominion' duology which is comprised of 'Infinity Gate' and 'Echo of Worlds'.  The idea of parallel universes arises from an interpretations of quantum mechanics which posits that the wavefunction never actually collapses, just branches into new, independent universes for every possible outcome. It's a mind-boggling idea offering rich and unique narrative possibilities for science fiction.  We discuss some of the ideas which support the existence of the Multiverse, dark matter, the evolutionary history of alternate worlds, colonialism and slavery, sentience and necropolitics.Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Send us a textMarty speaks with Hollywood writer and director James Kerwin about Quantum Consciousness in his sci-fi film noir ‘Yesterday Was a Lie', as well as in Robert J. Sawyer's books 'Quantum Night' and 'The Downloaded.  We do a bit of a deep dive into the role of consciousness in the foundations of quantum mechanics, discussing the Copenhagen interpretation, the Many Worlds theory, and the Penrose/Hameroff Orchestrated Objective Reduction theory.  We go all the way from the quantum superposition of subatomic particles to the possible emergence of collective consciousness, and the possibility of consciousness playing a central role in creating objective reality.  We also talk about James' favorite books and movies, as well as his current project – a new film he is developing called Contre-Coup.James Kerwin:Webpage:https://www.jameskerwin.com/Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_KerwinFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/jameskerwin/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thejameskerwin/IMDB:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0450123/Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Robert J. Sawyer is one of the world's science fiction luminaries, and a great source of Canadian pride as one of our most prolific, successful and decorated science fiction authors.  In the following conversation Rob discusses his book 'Quantum Night', which explores the social and philosophical consequences of an empirical test for consciousness, self-awareness and conscience.  He tells us about the science of evil i.e. the science of psychopathy, and we discuss philosophical zombies as well as the very timely political consequences of blind followers and psychopathic demagogues. We also talk about the disappointing and negative effects of artificial intelligence, the multi-dimensional landscape of the human psyche, and the use of science fiction as an early warning system for the future.https://www.sfwriter.com/Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Daniel H. Wilson has a PhD in robotics and is the author of the non-fiction books ‘How to Survive a Robot Uprising', ‘How to Build a Robot Army' and ‘Where's my Jetpack', as well as the bestselling science fiction novels ‘Robopocalypse' and its sequel ‘Robogenesis', ‘The Clockwork Dynasty', and most recently ‘The Andromeda Evolution' - the authorized sequel to Michael Crichton's 'The Andromeda Strain'.  We talk about how he came to inherit Michael Crichton's mantle and be chosen to write 'The Andromeda Evolution', discussing Planetary Protection as well as the biotech/nanotech crossover in material science in this book.  We also consider Artificial Intelligence, First Contact, and the more human and cultural themes in his recent work, especially in his short story ‘The Blue Afternoon That Lasted Forever' and his upcoming book ‘Heliopause', which gives an indigenous perspective on First Contact with an alien intelligence.  Finally, we talk about the Western reductionist perspective compared with a more indigenous approach to science, with biomimetic strategies of studying systems embedded in their natural context, as well as developing respect and comfort with the unknown.Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

This is our fourth and final episode on the theme of Sci-Fi Fungi, where we dig a little deeper into the current science and future science of mycology with Dr. Alex Moskaluk, a mycologist and professor of biology at the University of Guelph.  She specializes in zoonotic fungi, fungal pathogens that can jump from animals to humans and vice versa.  We discuss how fungi are evolving resistance to antifungal treatments in much the same way as bacteria are developing antibiotic resistance, developing mechanisms for evading the human immune system, and learning to specialize in human infection. So basically continuing along our apocalyptic sci-fi themes… did you know that some fungi can kill you by growing abscesses into your brain!?  But on the brighter side, we also talk about some cool science fictional possibilities these organisms may offer us in the future: some fungi can absorb radiation and could be used to shield space ships and extraterrestrial colonies from space radiation!  They can break down moon regolith or rock on other planets to make soil and building materials.  And it seems we are just scratching the surface of even more amazing capabilities – like actually reducing the radioactivity of disaster sites like Chernobyl by… well, you can't do that with plain old chemistry so, are they somehow capable of inducing nuclear reactions?  Can we create future super-materials one day, like fungal Kevlar or a fungal cable for space elevators?  Just a few of the crazy ideas that came out of this conversation, in the finest tradition of digging deeper into the science in the fiction.https://ovc.uoguelph.ca/pathobiology/people/faculty/alex-moskaluk/Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Marty speaks with Kaitlyn Kuehn (KK), creator and host of the Flora Funga Podcast, discussing recent developments in real world applications of fungi, and speculating about the possible roles fungi may play in our science fictional future.  We discuss their use as recreational drugs, and the current regulatory and legalization landscape.  We talk about creating new materials from fungi, from making bricks in space to creating new green materials for packaging, hats and shoes on earth.  We consider fungi in water efficient vertical farming, using yeasts and molds as pesticides, and if they might be helpful in farming insects for as a source of protein. And finally, we do a bit of science fictional thinking about Fungi as a possible agent of panspermia for seeding life on new worlds, creating ecological footholds on dead planets, and as a catalyst for biodiversity.  https://www.florafungapodcast.com/We touch on a couple FF episodes in this interview:Ep 135 with Chris Pauli from Tryptomics:https://www.florafungapodcast.com/florafungapodcast/135Ep 77 with Adam Cobb from the Soil Food Web Schoolhttps://www.florafungapodcast.com/florafungapodcast/77Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

We speak with M. R. Carey about his book 'The Girl With All The Gifts', where the zombie fungus Cordyceps plays a central role in bringing about the end of civilization. We talk about the appeal of a post-apocalyptic story and discuss some of the science in Merlin Sheldrake's book 'Entangled Life': scientific revolutions and evolutions, gestalt shifts, the ancient evolutionary history of fungi, how they can be both parasitic and symbiotic, and how all of life is like a lichen.  Mike tells us  how he came to be a writer, and about his experience of benevolent presences on psilocybin – and the ineffability of the psychedelic experience.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Carey_(writer)https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/contributor/m-r-carey-2/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17235026-the-girl-with-all-the-giftshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt4547056/Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Beginning our highly anticipated new topic of Sci-Fi Fungi, we talk to science fiction author Benjamin Percy about the second book of his Comet Cycle, 'The Unfamiliar Garden'.  We discuss Ben's writing career in comic books and novels and soon TV and film, the literary treatment that space fungus gets in this book, as well as the human and emotional stakes that make it a really good story.  We discuss the goodies and the baddies of the fungal world, lichenification, symbiosis, collective intelligence, creating wonder and seeing the world with fresh eyes. https://benjaminpercy.com/https://benjaminpercy.com/novels/the-unfamiliar-garden/Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Marty and Holly discuss our upcoming theme of Sci-Fi Fungi with interviews of science fiction authors Benjamin Percy and Mike Carey, along with mycologists Dr. Alex Moskaluk from the University of Guelph and Kaitlyn Kuehn (KK) from the Flora Funga Podcast.  We'll be discussing space fungi from cometary debris in Ben Percy's book 'The Unfamiliar Garden', the zombie fungus Codyceps in Mike Percy's book 'The Girl With All The Gifts'.  And we'll be structuring our conversations around Merlin Sheldrake's popular science book 'Entangled Life', which delves into the apparent motor-controlling abilities of the zombie fungus Cordyceps, the mind-altering effects of Psilocybin, as well as the genesis of land-based ecosystems from the symbiosis of fungi with algae in lichen.  Along the way we also introduce an upcoming interview with returning science fiction author and friend of the show Robert J. Sawyer about his books 'Quantum Night' and 'The Downloaded'.  Then we go on to introduce our next theme of the Multiverse, in Mike Carey's Pandominion duology - 'Infinity Gate' and 'Echo of Worlds', and Micaiah Johnson's 'The Space Between Worlds' and 'Those Beyond the Wall'.  Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

We talk to a returning guest and friend of the show, science fiction author Edward M. Lerner, about his latest book 'On The Shoals of Space-Time', on the topic of First Contact.  Ed is a fount of scientific insight and information on space science and the possibilities for extraterrestrial encounters, having written 25 books – 5 of them with the legendary author Larry Niven, of Ringworld fame – many of which explore themes First Contact with extraterrestrials, as well as future scientific advancement that would be necessary for interstellar travel.  In this interview we discuss a number of his books, we talk about fusion and anti-matter, electromagnetic bottles, the Albercurrie drive for warping space-time to get around the speed limit of light, and neutrino communications.  We also discuss the Prime Directive, the Drake equation, the Fermi Paradox, scientific revolutions and evolutions, stealth technologies, and alien monitoring stations keeping an eye on Earth in the Kuiper belt and the Oort cloud.  That's quite a lot!  So if you like to dig deeper into the real science and big ideas in your science fiction, this conversation is a veritable treasury of insights and learning that will help you get more out of the science fiction you read and watch.Edward M. Lerner -- official website (edwardmlerner.com)Books, short fiction, and essays by SF author Edward M. Lerner | Edward M. Lerner (edwardmlerner.com)Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

In this episode we talk to Mark Milne as a follow-up on our interviews with science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson and glaciologist Heidi Sevestre in episodes 21 and 22, on the topic of Geoengineering as portrayed in Kim Stanley Robinson's book 'The Ministry for the Future'.  Mark speaks about a number of strategies for mitigating climate change by cooling the planet through increasing its albedo, or reflectivity.  The overarching strategy that we discuss is Solar Radiation Management (SRM), and we tackle a number of different possibilities under this umbrella: stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), marine cloud brightening, high albedo crops, reforestation, white paint, terrestrial mirrors and the Goliath that everyone likes to slay - space mirrors.  Mark makes the case that terrestrial mirrors are our best hope for immediate implementation, with little or no dangerous side effects, especially in the context of canopies over agricultural land which can be created with current materials from landfill; if 10% of all agricultural land were covered with these semi-transparent mirrors it would provide enough global reflectivity to adequately offset our warming trend and avoid climate disaster.  Marty proposes a sci-fi idea about adding engineered enzymes to create the materials we need, and Mark claims that if we don't solve the climate crisis within a few decades it won't be the heat that kills us, it'll be people – due to the degradation of our social and economic systems.  We also talk about governance and consent, what motivates scientists and determines the science we pursue, termination shock, carbon sequestration, engineering efficiency and economic policy initiatives related to modern monetary theory.  Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

We continue the conversation between science fiction author Peter Watts and scientist Justin Gregg, and now they get down to the tricky business of discussing the nature of consciousness.  We discuss Peter's premise of 'Blindsight – that consciousness is an illusory, unnecessary and possibly parasitic phenomenon that will get us all killed when we encounter more efficient, unconscious extra-terrestrial intelligence.  Then very quickly agree that nobody knows what the hell they're talking about when they try to understand consciousness: the pan-psychics may even be right that it's a fundamental property of matter like mass, spin and charge.  We discuss examples of unconscious but intelligent behaviour like sleepwalking killers and painters, we talk about acid trips, and the possible evolutionary advantages of consciousness in connection to memory. Peter suggests humans may not actually possess general intelligence and that we may be even dumber than large language models and the current incarnation of AI (as evidenced by flat earthers, anti-vaxxers and religious fundamentalists). And Justin promises to jello-wrestle an AI next time we get together!Echopraxia (rifters.com)https://www.rifters.com/Blindsight (Watts novel) - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindsight_(Watts_novel)Justin Gregghttps://www.justingregg.com/If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal — Justin Gregghttps://www.justingregg.com/narwhalBuzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

In this episode we present a conversation between science fiction author Peter Watts and scientist Justin Gregg, following up on our individual interviews with each of them on the general theme of intelligence and consciousness.  Justin Gregg is the author of 'Are Dolphins Really Smart?', '22 Fantastical Facts about Dolphins' and ‘If Nietzsche were a Narwhal - What Animal Intelligence Reveals About Human Stupidity', the book we spoke to him about in episode 23.  Peter Watts is the science fiction author of 'Blindsight', 'Echopraxia', 'Starfish', 'Maelstrom', 'Behemoth' and many amazing short stories.  We spoke to Peter in episodes 24 and 25, about his book Blindsight and also about Justin Gregg's book, and now we've put them in a room together for a wonderful conversation with lots of banter and laughter.  Peter discusses Justin's book and Justin discusses Peter's book, and they discover that they are pretty much twins separated at birth – at least in their perspective that "Humanity in its current cognitive state is circling the toilet bowl".  Our conversation covers a lot of ground from AI, tech bros and their ignorance about biology, to the sweet spot for writing successful science fiction and how to avoid becoming a "tubeworm encrusted in the detritus of conventional wisdom". We also discuss Aphantasia, the secret of effective bullshit, manufactured memories and the "yellow sponge hypothesis".  So fasten your seatbelts kids, and get ready for what we do best on this podcast, put a microphone in front of two spectacularly interesting and intelligent people and listen as they light the house on fire.   Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Marty and Holly talk to George Paxinos - neuroscientist, environmental activist and author of 'A River Divided', a book that explores neurological determinism - the claim that we have no free will and that our actions are entirely determined by our genetics and the neurological consequences imposed on us by the environment which shapes our brain.  His book comes with a very interesting twist: the modern day cloning of Jesus of Nazareth! And not only that, but the cloning of two identical copies, twins who are raised in different places and cultures. This is a bold and fascinating vehicle to explore the theme of nature vs nurture, genetic endowment vs environmental influence, and free will vs determinism.  Our conversation covers a lot of ground - from atheism and reverent agnosticism, to finding the goldilocks zone for the size of our brains, the new rise of fascism and the waning of democracy, brain uploads and the transfer of consciousness.  NeuRA | George Paxinos | Neuroscience Research Australiahttps://neura.edu.au/researchers/scientia-professor-george-paxinos-aoBuzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Marty and Holly speak with David Brin, science fiction icon, scientist, futurist and civilizational optimist.  We discuss his particular view of first contact with extraterrestrial intelligence, as portrayed in his 2012 novel 'Existence', along with his predictions about how artificial intelligence and virtual reality will change our world in the near future.  We discuss the UFO phenomenon (a sophisticated form of cat lasers for us to chase) and the unspeakably rude behaviour of these hypothetical silvery teaser punks.  David speaks directly to the artificial intelligences and possibly alien intelligences who may be inveigled in our internet.  We talk about Cixin Liu's 'The Three Body Problem' (there is no three body problem), the likely prevalence of life in the universe (90% of star systems), the Fermi Paradox, SETI, METI, and various forms that first contact with alien civilizations may take, among them Von Neumann machines and artificial alien intelligences stored in 'envoy eggs' orbiting our planet for millions of years. David tells us how to make the most powerful telescope in the universe, by turning the Kuiper Belt into a solar system sized lens.  Finally, he implores us to fight back against the ingrate habit of cynicism and pessimism rotting our global civilization today, and declares "I'm proud as hell and nothing can stop us! ... Be citizens of wonder, help save a good civilization."David Brin's Webpage:https://www.davidbrin.com/'Existence' by David Brin:https://www.davidbrin.com/existence.htmlVideo Trailer for David Brin's 'Existence':https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANVT0hYbAfEDavid Brin's 'Colony High' Series:https://www.davidbrin.com/colonyhigh.htmlDavid Brin's 'Out of Time' Series:https://www.davidbrin.com/outoftime.htmlDavid Brin's Advice to New Writers:https://www.davidbrin.com/nonfiction/advice.htmlDavid Brin on UFO's:https://www.forbes.com/sites/calumchace/2023/01/25/why-are-ufos-still-blurry-a-conversation-with-david-brin/David Brin on Why METI is a Bad Idea:https://www.davidbrin.com/nonfiction/meti.htmlNASA Innovative Advanced Concepts:https://www.nasa.gov/stmd-the-nasa-innovative-advanced-concepts-niac/The B612 Foundation:https://b612foundation.org/An Invitation to Extraterrestrial Intelligence:https://ieti.org/Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Marty and Holly speak with Professor Avi Loeb from the Harvard Astronomy department, and he is one of the most generous, gregarious, kind and thoughtful people we've ever spoken with. Not only that, he embodies the spirit of true scientific inquiry and discovery that can be sadly lacking in the scientific culture of our time.  Our conversation revolves around the possibility of First Contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life, based on our encounter with the first extra-solar object ever detected - named Oumuamua - which came flying in and out of our solar system over the course of about 11 days in 2017.  We also talk about the Galileo Project and the Starshot Initiative, Dyson spheres and space trash from extraterrestrial civilizations, the Drake equation, anti-gravity, negative mass and time machines, UFOs and UAPs.  We also discuss building a culture of seeking evidence instead of making up unsupported stories for dismissing it, and how finding a partner in the galaxy could give meaning to our collective lives Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

To celebrate the first anniversary of our podcast, Marty and Holly do a little retrospective to discuss their favorite books, people and interviews from the last year.  We discuss some of the best science fiction books we read: 'Red Team Blues' by Cory Doctorow, 'Semiosis' by Sue Burke, 'Neverness' by David Zindell, 'Night Owls' by Stephen Gay and 'The Ministry for the Future' by Kim Stanley Robinson.  We also talk about some of our favorite science books from this year:  'Planta Sapiens' by Paco Calvo, 'A Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy' by Arik Kershenbaum and 'If Nietzsche Were A Narwhal' by Justin Gregg. We reflect on some of our favorite interviews - with Cory Doctorow, Stephen Gay and Ben Feist, Peter Watts and Justin Gregg, KSR and Heidi Sevestre. Then we do a bit of looking forward into what we have planned for the near future: interviews with Benjamin Percy on space fungus in 'The Unfamiliar Garden', Elan Mastai on time travel in 'All Our Wrong Todays', Daniel H. Wilson on his upcoming book 'Heliopause' and Avi Loeb about Oumuamua and first contact with alien technology in his book 'Extraterrestrial'.  Thank you to our listeners for giving us your attention and interest, and to all our guests for their expertise and insight, and to everyone for making this show a success and a wonderful experience!Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

This is the second part of our interview with Dr. David Curtin, Canada Research Chair in Theoretical Particle Physics at the University of Toronto.  In response to the kind of dark matter model found in Jim Al-Khalili's science fiction book 'Sunfall', David expounds upon the "significantly weirder' models of dark matter being contemplated today.  Since the failure to find any dark matter candidates at the Large Hadron Collider, and the continued exclusion of WIMPs by the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search, there has been room to develop more complex ideas about atomic dark matter forming from simpler dark particles, and the possibility of a dark electromagnetic force with dark photons to bind dark atoms together.  David explains the consequences of not being able to cool down on galactic scales, which gives rise to the spherical halo of dark matter around galaxies - what macro-scale structure tells us about micro-scale structure.  He tells us about asymmetric dark anti-matter which may balance the existence of asymmetric regular matter, and could finally explain how something came from nothing in the formation of the universe we see today. We also learn that photons and dark photons are quantum mechanically indistinguishable from each other, which might allow for 'mixing' that turns one into the other, and ultimately gives a mechanism for the detection of dark matter one day.  Finally, David describes "mirror stars" as one form of detectable dark matter that we can go looking for right now, either in existing astronomical data or with new telescopic surveys designed to hunt for signatures of the dark universe.Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Dr. David Curtin is the Canada Research Chair in Theoretical Particle Physics at the University of Toronto, and specializes in exotic theories of dark matter that describe a "dark sector" which may include complex dark matter.  These  "banana-town weirdo" dark matter models include dark electrons, dark protons and dark photons that form dark atoms and possibly an entire mirror universe that exists transparently all around us.  We discuss Jim Al-Khalili's book 'Sunfall' and the relatively tame dark matter scenario presented there, in what David calls a "nostalgic book, reminiscent of the days when theoretical physicists moved nations"!  We also talk about the spectacular success of the Standard Model of particle physics, super-symmetry and our failure to detect its predictions at the LHC, and the "whackadoodle possibilities" this opens up for more sophisticated and interesting models of dark matter.  Along the way David tells us us about WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles), theories of neutral naturalness, the hierarchy problem, calculating the electron's dipole moment to 12 decimal places, and the mind-expanding power of science fiction.Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Our theme in the next two episodes is dark matter, the kind of far-out science that is stranger than fiction and presents realms of possibility that are both more plausible and more interesting than parallel worlds or extra dimensions or even wormholes. In this episode we talk to Jim Al-Khalili, who is many things: physicist, author of both fiction and non-fiction, educator, broadcaster and all around extraordinary public intellectual who reaches millions of people around the world with his popular science books and as the host of the BBC's flagship scientific program, The Life Scientific.  In this conversation we talk about his new science fiction book Sunfall, which uses dark matter as the novum that drives the story, and makes heroes of the physicist who save the world.  Along the way we talk about a lot of other cool science in his science fiction, including quantum effects in biology, the magnetic field of earth and how it prevents our atmosphere from being stripped away by the solar wind, as well as a really interesting bit of (fictional) particle physics that imagines the possibility of manipulating and focusing dark matter beams so they can interact with each other and release their energy in the core of the earth.  This is a gentle introduction to the subject of dark matter, about which we still understand very little -  but we know it exists, and it is likely to show us that the universe is more ingenious and creative and interesting than our human minds have yet to imagine.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Al-Khalilihttps://www.amazon.com/Sunfall-Jim-Al-Khalili/dp/0593077423Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

In this episode we return to the theme of Planetary Protection, continuing the conversation we started in episodes 19 and 20 where we discussed the return of samples from Asteroid Bennu to Earth in NASA's recent OSIRIS Rex mission.  There we talked about what measures were taken to protect the biosphere of Earth from any unforeseen biological agents that such a sample may harbor, hearkening back to the plot of Michael Crichton's famous novel 'The Andromeda Strain'.  In this episode we continue down this road with science fiction author Edward M. Lerner, this time contemplating the difficulties and dangers inherent in a return of samples from Mars to Earth, in his new novel 'Life and Death on Mars'.  We discuss the difference between samples from asteroids and samples from Mars, and contemplate the possible existence of life on Mars along with the various possible consequences of its interaction with life on Earth. We also talk about the international collaborative efforts in the space station and the return to the Moon, how the Moon can act as a stepping stone in the race to Mars, what resources can form the basis of an economy and permanent presence on Mars, using a Mars base to exploit the mineral wealth of the asteroid belt, and imagine what may become the next space race after Mars.Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Marty sits down with his university pals Drs. Peter Gorniak and Cyndey Nielsen, to discuss Karl Schroeder's book 'Stealing Worlds'.   As it happens, they both have PhD's and lifelong careers working in their fields of expertise - Peter in artificial intelligence and Cydney in data analytics and virtual/mixed reality, so they were the perfect people to bring their professional and personal perspectives to a discussion of Karl's book.  We talk about where artificial intelligence and virtual reality were 20 years ago, where they are today, and what they might become in the future.My Science Fiction — KarlSchroeder.com (kschroeder.com)https://www.kschroeder.com/my-booksBuzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Karl Schroeder is a science fiction author and foresight analyst.  His fiction is known for both its scientific rigour and its visionary quality of bearing witness to what we can expect just around the corner – especially with his latest book 'Stealing Worlds'.  This book is jam packed with big ideas about artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR).  We talk about the creation of LARPing worlds, i.e. Live Action Role Playing games within a virtual reality which can exist on top of and in parallel with the regular world.  We also discuss more sophisticated versions of this called frame worlds, which have their own independent but virtually embedded economies.  We chat about the oligarchic systems within our neoliberal catastrophe, think about invoking consensual hallucinations that are even better than money, and imagine how choosing your technology layer can translate to choosing your reality. We also discuss artificial intelligences that think they are eagles, or forests, and how to get them to act independently on behalf of beings who have not been able to represent themselves economically or politically - til now. Science Fiction for the Crypto Age — KarlSchroeder.com (kschroeder.com)https://www.kschroeder.com/Karl Schroeder - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_SchroederStealing Worlds by Karl Schroeder | Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/41447722Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

In the second part of our interview with Peter Watts, we delve into his ideas about intelligence and consciousness.  Does consciousness serve any function, or can all cognitive processes get along just fine without it?  In his novel Blindsight, Peter postulates a hostile entity whose intelligence outcompetes our own, because it is not weighed down by the slow, clunky machinery of sapience.  But his thinking has evolved in recent years, to concede the possible primacy of consciousness, and heck, even the existence of a soul!  Along the way we talk about a blob of cells called dish-brain that taught itself to play pong.  We contemplate energy minimization, integrated information  and even pan-psychic theories of consciousness.  We ask how far down the chain of being sentience might reach, and ultimately admit we have no idea how a lump of meat can wake up to ask questions about the nature of its own awareness.Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

We talk to acclaimed science fiction author Peter Watts about Justin Gregg's book 'If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal'.  We ask if the human flavour of intelligence is maladaptive, and other creatures are smarter because they are so well adapted to their evolutionary niche - or are we comparing apples with moon rocks?  Ultimately, the question is whether the animal wisdom of bedbugs and crocodilians is going to get them off this planet when the sun goes supernova.  Peter expresses his opinion that human intelligence is actually special in this regard.  The problems we create with our technological intelligence are due to our minds still being shackled to animal instincts, and if we are to solve our problems we may need to escape from the evolutionary constraints under which our minds evolved.Echopraxia (rifters.com)https://www.rifters.com/Peter Watts (author) - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Watts_(author)Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Marty and Holly sit down with zoologist Justin Gregg to discuss his book 'If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal: What Animal Intelligence Reveals About Human Stupidity'.  We discuss which aspects of human intelligence (and stupidity) are unique in the animal world, and what sets our mental faculties apart from those of other animals.  We talk about our capacity for causal reasoning, the creation of language and our ability to lie, to imagine our own death, and to create moral frameworks to guide our behaviour.  We also contemplate the phenomenon of consciousness and self awareness, and discuss how the subjective experience might arise in other organisms, from insects to primates. Finally we examine 'prognostic myopia', our short-sighted inability to plan for long-term problems, and the consequences for our species and our planet.Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Marty and Holly sit down with Dr. Heidi Sevestre for a conversation about climate change and geoengineering, as portrayed in The Ministry For The Future by Kim Stanley Robinson.  Dr. Sevestre is a glaciologist who is leading the call to action on climate change through her research and education initiatives. We talk about her recent expedition to Svalbard with Climate Sentinels, a zero-emission research expedition on skis to understand the impact of black soot on the melting of glaciers.  We also discuss her recent expedition to film a National Geographic documentary (Arctic Ascent) about the surging glaciers in Greenland, gathering unprecedented data with the help of NASA technology and some of the world's best climbers (Alex Honnold, Hazel Findlay, Aldo Kane, Mikey Schaefer, Adam Kjeldsen).  Then we get into the nuts and bolts of some of the geoengineering proposals in The Ministry For The Future, and bring Dr. Sevestre's perspective as a working climate scientist on how to make the best use of our resources and the time we have left to halt and reverse the trajectory we are on.  We discuss pumping out the lubricating layer under glaciers to prevent them from dropping into the ocean and raising sea levels catastrophically.  We talk about dying the arctic ocean yellow, sending sulphates into the upper atmosphere or spreading reflective beads over the arctic.  It seems that if our civilization and species is going to survive, it's going to take a lot of bottom-up solutions and the collective action of our next few generations on this planet.  While attempts at solar radiation management on a global scale will likely cause more harm then good, major carbon sequestration projects will be needed.  And it may be that the most effective way to capture carbon will be to create more forests and wetlands, saving the world by re-wilding the world; our best solutions may come from ecological engineering rather than geoengineering.Home | Dr. Heïdi Sevestre Glaciologist (heidisevestre.com)https://www.heidisevestre.com/Climate Sentinels | Hurtigruten Grouphttps://www.hurtigruten.com/group/foundation/projects/climate-sentinels/Dr. Heïdi Sevestre (@HeidiSevestre) / X (twitter.com)https://twitter.com/HeidiSevestreDr. Heïdi Sevestre (@heidisevestre) • Instagram photos and videoshttps://www.instagram.com/heidisevestre/?hl=enThe Ministry for the Future - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ministry_for_the_FutureKimStanleyRobinson.info | The reference site for Kim Stanley Robinsonhttps://www.kimstanleyrobinson.info/Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

In this episode we are super excited to present our conversation with Kim Stanley Robinson, one of the greatest science fiction writers of all time, whose legacy will surely last deep into our sci-fi future.  We discuss his latest book The Ministry for the Future, and some of the many extraordinary ideas in that book for getting humanity through to the other side of the climate crisis.  We focus our conversation on various geoengineering projects as well as innovations in economics and monetary policy that will help us get there.  We discuss green investment, the merits of non-ideological rhetoric, strategies for managing our carbon over-shoot, and the efficacy of imitating natural processes in both solar radiation management and carbon sequestration.  We go into detail about pumping out the lubricating layer of water beneath the world's glaciers in order to stop them from sliding into the ocean, thereby mediating the acceleration of rising sea levels.  We also talk about the impracticality of launching solar shades into space to cool down the planet. Finally, we get to ask Stan if he was ever consulted or paid by the Foundation TV series for lifting his iconic space elevator scene from Red Mars, and plonking it into their pilot episode; the answer is no, but he's cool with it.KimStanleyRobinson.info | The reference site for Kim Stanley Robinsonhttps://www.kimstanleyrobinson.info/Kim Stanley Robinson - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Stanley_Robinsonhttps://www.facebook.com/kimstanleyrobinson/The Ministry for the Future - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ministry_for_the_FutureThe Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson | Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/50998056Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

This conversation was a great example of what we're trying to do with this podcast, the perfect balance between Science and Science Fiction.  Marty sits down with Dr. Tim Swindle to discuss The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton and The Andromeda Evolution by Daniel H. Wilson, in relation to NASA's OSIRIS REx mission which has returned a sample of Asteroid Bennu to Earth, as well as the upcoming Mars Sample Return mission.  Dr. Swindle is a professor emeritus from the University of Arizona who  specializes is radiometric chronology, which makes it possible measure the ages of very old things in space and on earth by characterizing the relative balance of various radio-isotopes, much like Carbon dating but with different atoms like Potassium and Argon.  We discuss the natural exchange of material between all the bodies in our solar system and maybe even other solar systems, and reflect on the possibility that the genesis of life may be a collective effort of molecules created in various places across the solar system.  We learn about meteors and cosmic dust and how they can penetrate our atmosphere to land on Earth without burning up.  We also speculate about the likely carbon-based composition of extraterrestrial life if ever we find it, and the likelihood that life which evolved in a radically different extra-terrestrial environment could not harm the life that has evolved on Earth.Timothy Swindle | Lunar and Planetary Laboratory & Department of Planetary Sciences | The University of Arizona:https://www.lpl.arizona.edu/faculty/swindleOSIRIS-REx - NASA Science:https://science.nasa.gov/mission/osiris-rex/The Andromeda Strain - Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Andromeda_StrainThe Andromeda Evolution - Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Andromeda_EvolutionThe Andromeda Evolution (Andromeda, #2) by Daniel H. Wilson | Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44148860-the-andromeda-evolutionBuzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

NASA's recent OSIRIS-REx mission has returned a sample of asteroid Bennu all the way to Earth for detailed analysis.  It is difficult to ignore the tempting similarities of this mission to the plot of Michael Crichton's 'The Andromeda Strain' and its sequel, Daniel H. Wilson's 'The Andromeda Evolution' - so in this episode Marty discusses Planetary Protection with Thomas Zega, a planetary scientist at the University of Arizona :  what considerations and safeguards are in place to not only protect the sample from contamination by Earth, but Earth from contamination by the sample?  We discuss the threat classification system employed by NASA when bringing astro-materials to earth, along with the inhospitable nature of the interplanetary environment to life as we know it, and the lines of evidence that should reassure us that we will not be wiped out by an unknown space pandemic.  We also talk about tardigrades, panspermia, space-borne precursors to life, as well as the composition and minerology of asteroids and what they tell us about the evolution and structure of our solar system. OSIRIS-REx - NASA ScienceTom Zega | Lunar and Planetary Laboratory & Department of Planetary Sciences | The University of ArizonaThe Andromeda Strain - WikipediaThe Andromeda Evolution - WikipediaThe Andromeda Evolution by Crichton, Michael (amazon.ca)The Andromeda Evolution (Andromeda, #2) by Daniel H. Wilson | GoodreadsBuzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

This is our favorite kind of episode, hosting a conversation between e a science fiction author and a scientist, where each shares their work and expertise with the other to the benefit of both.  Stephen Gay is a science fiction author whose debut novel 'Night Owls - A Moon Colony Adventure' follows a quirky band of party kids in a near-future society on the moon.  Ben Feist is a computer scientist who works at NASA and consulted with Stephen on the scientific details that went into 'Night Owls'. This is exactly the kind of thing this podcast was created to do, catalyzing interactions between science and science fiction. We bounce back and forth between fact and fiction on the general topic of moon colonization, as well as ongoing studies of Apollo moonrock samples, Helium 3 mining and fusion, future moon economics and class disparity, space exercise, lunar dust, moon bullets and - most importantly - throwing parties on the moon!Stephen Gay (https://www.stephengay.com/)Night Owls: A Moon Colony Sci-fi Adventure (3 book series) Kindle Edition (amazon.com)(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKJZ6RZM)Get your FREE copy of Night Owls Remix (bookfunnel.com) (https://dl.bookfunnel.com/e246y7ik4t)ARES | Bios | Benjamin Feist (nasa.gov) (https://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/people/bios/benjamin-f-feist/)Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

This is part two of our conversation with Damien Walter, the science fiction guru.  He is the host of the Science Fiction Podcast and Science Fiction Facebook group.  He is also a critical thinker about culture, and a prophet of the emerging mythos of science fiction.  In our last episode we presented the part of our conversation about individual psychology as it relates to the structure and function of story-telling, and in this episode we take the conversation to the larger sociological and cultural issues at play in the creation of a new, unifying mythos based on science and science fiction.  We discuss the neo-religious structures emerging from science fiction today: the messiahs of Dune and the Matrix, Ray Kurzweil's Singulitarians, L. Ron Hubbard's Scientologists and Nic Bostrom's Transhumanists.  We talk about the trend towards humanizing the mechanistic worldview we've inherited from modernism and post-modernism, about emerging from the worship of the machine and re-humanizing people, and perhaps even expanding our sense of humanity to include all sentient beings. We contemplate what it might be like to be a bat, or a cat, or even a field of wheat. It's an amazing conversation and a perfect example of the kind of thinking we love to do on the Science in The Fiction.Damien Walter – "The universe is made of stories, not atoms." (damiengwalter.com)Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Damien Walter is one of the world's foremost voices in critical thinking about science fiction as the emerging cultural mythos of our modern global civilization.  In this episode we discuss some of Damien's ideas about the psychological function of story-telling, and what he calls the operating system of human consciousness.  We talk about how archetypal, meaningful stories have elements that resonate with the shape of the human psyche, and when they do so they can serve as transformative psychological experiences.  If you enjoy this episode then you should check out The Science Fiction Podcast with Damien Walter, as well as his YouTube channel, his courses in creative writing like the Rhetoric of Story, and Writing the 21st Century Myth, as well as his essays and even his latest project where he does his own storytelling, called the Ocean of Story.  You can access all of this through his webpage, www.damiengwalter.com.   Damien Walter – "The universe is made of stories, not atoms." (damiengwalter.com)Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Cory Doctorow has given us permission to play the first chapter of Red Team Blues directly on our podcast!  And as an added treat, the audio-book is read by none other than Will Wheaton, the actor who played Wesley Crusher on Star Trek The Next Generation - a voice that you will instantly recognize.  It's pretty rare to hear excerpts from an author's work directly on a podcast that discusses their work.  Authors usually do not have the power to give such permission because they generally have to sign away control over the rights to their own creative output in exchange for access to the market, which is guarded by powerful monopolies that shape the  this market to their advantage.  But of course Cory Doctorow is not one to submit to the powers that his technology activism specifically aims to oppose.  So he has produced his own, DRM-free audio-book through a crowd-funding campaign on his webpage craphound.com, where you can purchase his written and audio work directly without the intervention of Amazon or Spotify or anyone else.  So here we give you the first chapter of Red Team Blues: a crypto-currency thriller and crash course on the finer points of how to gain or steal or lose a trillion dollars. Cory Doctorow's craphound.com | Cory Doctorow's Literary Works https://craphound.com/Red Team Blues | Cory Doctorow's craphound.com https://craphound.com/category/redteamblues/ The Lost Cause | Cory Doctorow's craphound.com https://craphound.com/category/lostcause/Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Marty and Holly sit down with Cory Doctorow, an author known not only for his near-future social and political science fiction, but also for his real-world journalism and activism.  We talk about society, politics and economics, discussing 3 of Doctorow's most recent books.  'Red Team Blues' is his most recently published book, an anti-finance cryptocurrency and cybersecurity thriller; we discuss the difference between defense and attack dynamics in cybersecurity, and their parallels in modern politics.  'The Lost Cause' is due to be published in two weeks, on Nov 14th, a solarpunk novel about a world threatened by anarcho-capitalist billionaire wreckers and their white nationalist shock-troops; we talk about what to do with the losers of a just revolution, and learn about the monetary policy that could provide a universal jobs guarantee in a Green New Deal.  Finally, 'Chokepoint Capitalism' (which he wrote with Rebecca Giblin) is a non-fiction book about creative labor markets, monopolies, and the sorry state of modern capitalism; we discuss the failed strategy of more copyright ownership for writers and musicians, the success of the Hollywood writer's strike, and reasons for hope in the future.  This episode is a single special package deal, where we got both the science and the science fiction from one of the Sci-Fi's most intelligent, radical and humane thinkers, whose journalism, activism and science fiction aims to promote social, political and economic justice.  You can find Cory's blog, podcast and books on his webpage:https://craphound.com/Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Following up on our discussion of intelligent plants with Sue Burke in our last episode, we have invited Paco Calvo, a cognitive scientist and philosopher of biology, who speaks to us about his book 'Planta Sapiens'.  Paco is a cognitive scientist and philosopher of biology, who is known for his research in the field of plant cognition and intelligence. His interdisciplinary work combines insights from biology, philosophy, and cognitive science to explore the world of plant behavior, decision-making, and problem-solving.  Paco's book outlines both the philosophical and scientific case for expanding our view of intelligent behaviour and consciousness to include plants. This has been an ongoing trajectory throughout the history of science, allowing more and more non-human elements into our recognition of sentience, intelligence and consciousness.  Where once we had a completely anthropocentric view of consciousness – you were only allowed in the club if you had a neocortex like us - now our perception of other creatures' sentience has expanded to include other mammals, cephalopods like squid and octopi, parrots and corvids and maybe even goldfish! So continuing along this trend, it may be time to consider the possibility that plants have their own form of sentience.  We discuss the necessity of philosophical training in order to conceive the kinds of questions one might ask to study plants in this regard, and ask: can plants learn?  Do they exhibit intelligent behaviour?  Can we develop generalized tests for consciousness, dropping our neo-cortical prejudices about the special state of human sentience in order to recognize cognition in an organism that is genuinely alien to us? Tune in and find out!Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

In this episode we embark on a discussion of sci-fi botany, by way of Sue Burke's novel 'Semiosis' and its sequel 'Interference'.  We talk about a lot of interesting and surprising properties of plant behaviour that you may not be aware of, and how Sue worked these ideas into her main character Steveland and his interaction with human colonists on a planet named Pax.  We talk about the symbiosis of domestication between people and plants - and between buffalo and grass, Charles Darwin and his seminal work on plant movement, plants murdering each other and insects, plant sensory capabilities, their mental health, and how we might treat them better.  Along the way we learn things about tulips, apples, oranges and even giant ground sloths!  We also discuss Sue's newer books 'Immunity Index' about a coronavirus pandemic - which she wrote *before* the Covid-19 pandemic - and 'Dual Memory', which has recently arrived on bookstore shelves.  She is currently hard at work on the third installation of the Semiosis trilogy, 'Usurpation', due to be published in Oct 2024. Sue Burke: https://sueburke.site/Publications | Sue Burkehttps://sueburke.site/publications/Semiosis: A Novel : Burke, Sue: Amazon.ca: Books: https://www.amazon.ca/Semiosis-Novel-Sue-Burke/dp/076539135XBuzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Marty and Holly finish up their discussion of 'Neverness' by David Zindell from the last two episodes, and then have a conversation about the books we'll be talking about over the course of the next few episodes.  Our next topic will be 'intelligent plants', so we discuss Sue Burke's 'Semiosis' and 'Interference' duology, ahead of our upcoming interviews with her and Paco Calvo.  Then we move on to consider a range of Cory Doctorow's fiction, discussing his latest book 'Red Team Blues' (2023) and his upcoming novel 'The Lost Cause', (November 2023), in addition to a favorite of ours, called 'Walkaway' (2017).  Coupling these to a scientific topic, we talk about economics in his non-fiction book with Rebecca Giblin, 'Chokepoint Capitalism', which ties together many of the themes in Cory Doctorow's work.David Zindell | Author - https://www.davidzindell.com/Sue Burke - https://sueburke.site/Cory Doctorow's craphound.com | Cory Doctorow's Literary Works - https://craphound.com/Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Marty has a conversation about David Zindell's 'Neverness' with Mark Mac Lean, professor of Mathematics at the University of British Columbia.  We talk about the poetic and philosophical use of mathematics as the engine of faster-than-light travel in the Neverness universe, and contemplate the relationship of mathematics to truth, beauty, perfection, and physical reality.  Along the way we discuss the foundations of mathematics, Godel's incompleteness theorems, the Reimann hypothesis and the continuity theorem, both the real one and its fictional twin in the novel.  We also reflect on what a gift it is that David Zindell is able to convey the feeling of doing mathematics, and the almost mystical experience of connecting to this seemingly higher realm of reality.Mark Mac Lean:https://personal.math.ubc.ca/~maclean/maclean.htmlDavid Zindell:https://www.davidzindell.com/Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Marty and Holly sit down with David Zindell, author of Neverness, a book full of big ideas in a far future civilization where Master Pilots manipulate mathematical reality to fenester their ships through the spacetime manifold. We talk to David about his literary influences and his vision of a deep sci-fi future with philosophical and spiritual depth.  We discuss philosophy, non-duality, consciousness and environmentalism in both Neverness and Kim Stanley Robinson's latest book The Ministry for the Future.  Then we ruminate about mathematics, meaning, death and the afterlife, as well as our past and future selves. https://www.davidzindell.com/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/399921.David_Zindellhttps://www.amazon.ca/David-Zindell/e/B000AP7JC2/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

This is the second half of the conversation begun in our last episode, between science fiction author Robert J. Sawyer and zoologist Arik Kershenbaum.  We start with a quick re-cap on Boltzmann Brains and then spend quite a bit of time considering the problem of having a sample size of one, when it comes to the existence of life in the universe, as well as the existence of intelligent, technological alien life we hope to find on another planet some day.  We also contemplate fungible atoms (!), confirmation bias, appropriate skepticism and learn what might constitute both an intelligent and an interesting message to aliens.  Finally, Arik assures us that we need not worry about the dark forest, there is nothing to fear from our alien neighbours: they are not coming here to eat us.  Robert J. Sawyer:  Author Robert J. Sawyer: Hugo, Nebula, and Campbell Memorial Award-winning Science Fiction Writer (sfwriter.com) Robert J. Sawyer - Wikipedia Robert J. Sawyer (Author of Illegal Alien) (goodreads.com) The Oppenheimer Alternative by Robert J. Sawyer | Goodreads Science Fiction Writer Robert J. Sawyer: THE OPPENHEIMER ALTERNATIVE Index (sfwriter.com)  Arik Kershenbaum:Arik KershenbaumDr Arik Kershenbaum | Department of Zoology (cam.ac.uk)What Your Dog Can Teach You About Aliens | Arik Kershenbaum | TEDxCambridgeUniversity - YouTubeThe Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy - WikipediaThe Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy: What Animals on Earth Reveal about Aliens – and Ourselves by Arik Kershenbaum | Goodreads Buzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

In this episode we present our first conversation between a science fiction author and a scientist, both of whom we've spoken to before.  We have with us Robert J. Sawyer, star of our very first interview in our second episode where we discussed his book The Oppenheimer Alternative, and Arik Kershenbaum who we spoke to in our last episode about his book A Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy.   We discuss the possibility of evolving intelligent dinosaurs in Robert's 'Quintaglio Cycle', and consider the unexpected, non-mammalian forms of intelligence we've discovered in parrots and ravens.  We consider the impossibility of evolving telepathy as a form of communication, by means of baby parasites controlling the smoking habits of their mother hosts.  We also talk about other kinds of evolutionary impossibilities such as the single oceanic organism in Stan Lem's 'Solaris' and the interstellar being made of dust and gas in Fred Hoyle's 'The Black Cloud'.  Finally we debate the value of Okham's razor in philosophical notions of parsimony, when it comes to deciding whether the universe is incredibly unlikely but real, or just the fantasy of a Boltzmann Brain dreaming up the rich diversity of phenomena we observe.  To be continued in Episode 8!Robert J. Sawyer:Author Robert J. Sawyer: Hugo, Nebula, and Campbell Memorial Award-winning Science Fiction Writer (sfwriter.com)Robert J. Sawyer - WikipediaRobert J. Sawyer (Author of Illegal Alien) (goodreads.com)The Oppenheimer Alternative by Robert J. Sawyer | GoodreadsScience Fiction Writer Robert J. Sawyer: THE OPPENHEIMER ALTERNATIVE Index (sfwriter.com)Arik Kershenbaum:Arik KershenbaumDr Arik Kershenbaum | Department of Zoology (cam.ac.uk)What Your Dog Can Teach You About Aliens | Arik Kershenbaum | TEDxCambridgeUniversity - YouTubeThe Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy - WikipediaThe Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy: What Animals on Earth Reveal about Aliens – and Ourselves by Arik Kershenbaum | GoodreadsBuzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463

Following up on our interview with Julie Czerneda and continuing with the theme of exo-biology, in this episode Marty sits down with zoologist Arik Kershenbaum from Cambridge University, author of The Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy: What Animals on Earth Reveal About Aliens – and Ourselves.  We talk about the science of evolution, and what it may have to tell us about exo-biology, by first establishing that the Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything is actually Evolution (not 42!).  We discuss why animals make so much noise, the difference between communication and language, the universal laws of biology and the mathematics of how evolution works.  We also think about about convergent solutions to problems that all living organisms must face, asexual evolution, horizontal gene transfer, immortality, consciousness and the transporter problem.  We discuss how intelligence arises from the essential ingredients of movement, communication, sociality and language.  Finally, we consider the difference between general intelligence and technological intelligence, and what that might mean for our expectations of what extra-terrestrials might be like if they are to be capable of communicating and possibly even travelling between planets and stars. Tell us what you think of the show: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comArik Kershenbaum:Arik KershenbaumDr Arik Kershenbaum | Department of Zoology (cam.ac.uk)What Your Dog Can Teach You About Aliens | Arik Kershenbaum | TEDxCambridgeUniversity - YouTubeThe Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy:The Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy by Arik Kershenbaum: 9781984881984 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: BooksThe Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy - WikipediaThe Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy: What Animals on Earth Reveal About Aliens--and Ourselves: Kershenbaum, Arik: 9781984881984: Books - Amazon.caThe Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy: What Animals on Earth Reveal about Aliens – and Ourselves by Arik Kershenbaum | GoodreadsBuzzsprout (podcast host):https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.comEmail: thescienceinthefiction@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/Twitter:https://twitter.com/MartyK5463