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The Science of Sci-Fi: From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel
Science fiction allows listeners to go places they can only dream of seeing—other worlds, distant stars, entirely different galaxies. While not every story is concerned with the hard science behind space travel and other futuristic ventures, fiction can give listeners an amazing insight into what people could be capable of and what people dream of doing.
In the 10 lectures of The Science of Sci-Fi: From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel, Professor Erin Macdonald interweaves real science and the achievements of the imagination to reveal the truth that underlies favorite stories and sheds light on what the future may hold. From faster-than-light travel to journeys through time itself, science fiction makes humanity seem limitless. So, what scientific boundaries are people pushing against while seeking to fly among the stars?
Listening Length: 3 hours and 59 minutes
In the 10 lectures of The Science of Sci-Fi: From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel, Professor Erin Macdonald interweaves real science and the achievements of the imagination to reveal the truth that underlies favorite stories and sheds light on what the future may hold. From faster-than-light travel to journeys through time itself, science fiction makes humanity seem limitless. So, what scientific boundaries are people pushing against while seeking to fly among the stars?
Listening Length: 3 hours and 59 minutes
4 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 19, 2019
65 people are currently reading
1455 people want to read
About the author
Erin Macdonald
1 book31 followersDr Erin Macdonald is an astrophysicist, science fiction consultant, aerospace engineer, and host of the online series "Dr Erin Explains the Universe". Her specialty is in general relativity, having previously worked in the LIGO Scientific Collaboration searching for gravitational waves.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 370 reviews
October 15, 2020
Erin Macdonald brings enthusiasm and, of course, geekiness to The Science of Sci-Fi: From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel. I appreciated the broad range of references from many of the sci-fi shows I watch such as Star Trek (I think every series from the original to NG, Deepspace 9, Voyager, Discovery), Battlestar Gallactica, Fringe, X-Files and more to the topics she presented in each of the 10 lectures. Enjoyable and interesting. 3.5 stars
August 18, 2022
This series of lectures is an absolutely fun, refreshing & compact way to learn a little bit about science fact and science fiction, even if you haven't the least idea about mathematics and astrophysics.
Erin McDonald presents it all in a way you can (mostly) understand with relatable references to famous sci-fi movies and series. It still gets mindboggling from time to time. But that's understandable. We are talking about rocket science after all. :)
Erin McDonald presents it all in a way you can (mostly) understand with relatable references to famous sci-fi movies and series. It still gets mindboggling from time to time. But that's understandable. We are talking about rocket science after all. :)
September 1, 2021
Star Rating: —> 3.5 Stars
Whhhhaaa? Me, Ashley, listening to a NON-FICTION BOOK?! And a book about PHYSICS no less, for FUN?!?
Also just to be clear this book is more about basic physics principles with a reference to famous sci-fi franchises/ series here & there rather than the deep analysis of the science in sci-fi that I was looking for. Oh well! It was still an enjoyable short, fun listen/ read.
NO REGRETS! NO LOOKING BACK! NO MOURNERS!
(hahah)
Whhhhaaa? Me, Ashley, listening to a NON-FICTION BOOK?! And a book about PHYSICS no less, for FUN?!?
Also just to be clear this book is more about basic physics principles with a reference to famous sci-fi franchises/ series here & there rather than the deep analysis of the science in sci-fi that I was looking for. Oh well! It was still an enjoyable short, fun listen/ read.
NO REGRETS! NO LOOKING BACK! NO MOURNERS!
(hahah)
January 10, 2024
I have been trying to break my reading slump with shorter interesting nonfiction audios, and this one was just perfect. The author/lecturer, Erin McDonald, is an astrophysicist, and her specialty is “the use of general relativity in science fiction, through faster than light travel, artificial gravity, alternate universes, and more”- which sounds like the coolest job I could imagine (if I was into math).
She starts with some physics basics sprinkled with references to Star Wars and Star Trek, then later switches to how science fiction makes use of the newest scientific ideas and how they break the rules. Her favorite sci-fi invention is the transporter (whose isn’t) in StarTrek - which is impossible due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, which states that you cannot know a particle’s position and speed at the same time, thus making it impossible to decode our bodies and reconstruct them again. However the writers off-handedly reference a “Heisenberg compensator” at some point, which McDonald thinks it is brilliant: the writers know what law they are breaking, and say that we will presumably find a way around it… sometime.
I quite enjoyed this marriage of physics and nerdy pop references. I am proud to say I got all references except for her favorite video game, Mass Effect, which I am not familiar with.
She signs off with,
She starts with some physics basics sprinkled with references to Star Wars and Star Trek, then later switches to how science fiction makes use of the newest scientific ideas and how they break the rules. Her favorite sci-fi invention is the transporter (whose isn’t) in StarTrek - which is impossible due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, which states that you cannot know a particle’s position and speed at the same time, thus making it impossible to decode our bodies and reconstruct them again. However the writers off-handedly reference a “Heisenberg compensator” at some point, which McDonald thinks it is brilliant: the writers know what law they are breaking, and say that we will presumably find a way around it… sometime.
I quite enjoyed this marriage of physics and nerdy pop references. I am proud to say I got all references except for her favorite video game, Mass Effect, which I am not familiar with.
She signs off with,
“May the force be with you.
Live long and prosper.
So say we all.”
March 10, 2020
I have to admit, I've always been a little curious as to what sci-fi gets right. This was a lot of fun to listen to and confirm some suspicions while learning some brand new things.
Like the fact that the universe is always expanding and accelerating and how long it would take, at a certain acceleration to reach lightspeed. Thus ... is the universe expanding at faster than light speed (FTL) at this point? The didn't address this specific point, but I'm still curious.
And that's what I really enjoyed about this, I'm still curious. It was probably good that I just listened to The Order of Time too.
She mentions quite a few science fiction books, but mostly focuses on television and movies, especially Star Trek (not a whole lot of science in Star Wars, though she does address it in the FTL section). I was impressed she referenced one of my all-time favorite shows, Community, for it's multiverse episode (which is seriously the best, please watch it).
Interestingly enough, she (and others) have actually tried to calculate what warp speed would look like and it seems to be possible, just the energy required would require pretty much all of it.
Definitely highly recommended.
4 out of 5 Stars
Like the fact that the universe is always expanding and accelerating and how long it would take, at a certain acceleration to reach lightspeed. Thus ... is the universe expanding at faster than light speed (FTL) at this point? The didn't address this specific point, but I'm still curious.
And that's what I really enjoyed about this, I'm still curious. It was probably good that I just listened to The Order of Time too.
She mentions quite a few science fiction books, but mostly focuses on television and movies, especially Star Trek (not a whole lot of science in Star Wars, though she does address it in the FTL section). I was impressed she referenced one of my all-time favorite shows, Community, for it's multiverse episode (which is seriously the best, please watch it).
Interestingly enough, she (and others) have actually tried to calculate what warp speed would look like and it seems to be possible, just the energy required would require pretty much all of it.
Definitely highly recommended.
4 out of 5 Stars
December 24, 2019
This is an entertaining, informative set of ten lectures on the physics used, whether accurately or creatively, in science fiction. Erin Macdonald is a physicist--and an enthusiastic and knowledgeable science fiction fan. She wants the interested fans to be familiar with the science behind their favorite movies, games, and books, but for the purpose of greater enjoyment and more fun, not for the purpose of telling us, "But that can't work and you shouldn't be enjoying it."
She starts off with an introduction to the science of space, time, and space-time, including the history of how we arrived at our current understanding. We also get an overview of some really cool ideas, like string theory, that aren't as prominent as they were just a few years ago, not because they've been proven wrong, but because, on the contrary, no one has come up with any effective ideas on how to test these theories. If you can't come up with a way to test a hypothesis on whether it's true or false, it might be a cool idea, but it's not science. At least not yet.
In subsequent lectures, she talks about how science fiction uses science to create stories and to make the stories work. Hyperspace, subspace, wormholes, and various ways of generating artificial gravity all get their turns in these lectures. Macdonald relates them directly to popular science fiction franchises, including Star Trek, Mass Effect, Galaxy Quest, and Star Wars. Ursula Le Guin's Ansible, the instantaneous communication device originally developed for her Hainish cycle and then spread to other sf by other writers, gets its share of attention.
The Star Trek transporter stands out as something that really can't work, but which she particularly loves because they quietly acknowledge that: a "Heisenberg compensater" is necessary to make it work properly and safely. I.e., the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, which states that you can't know both the location and the velocity of any give particle at the same time, means the transporter, which needs to track many, many particles exactly, in both location and velocity, at the same time, means we'll never have a transporter, but we really, really need it to make this tv show work... (Really. It's only on screen that you need this. Plus, it makes for really pretty special effects, a bonus. In print, it's much easier to work around the time needed to get to and from the surface of a planet, whether by landing your ship, or using shuttles.)
As I said at the beginning, it's interesting and a lot of fun, and Erin Macdonald gives really good lecture. Enjoy!
I bought this audiobook.
She starts off with an introduction to the science of space, time, and space-time, including the history of how we arrived at our current understanding. We also get an overview of some really cool ideas, like string theory, that aren't as prominent as they were just a few years ago, not because they've been proven wrong, but because, on the contrary, no one has come up with any effective ideas on how to test these theories. If you can't come up with a way to test a hypothesis on whether it's true or false, it might be a cool idea, but it's not science. At least not yet.
In subsequent lectures, she talks about how science fiction uses science to create stories and to make the stories work. Hyperspace, subspace, wormholes, and various ways of generating artificial gravity all get their turns in these lectures. Macdonald relates them directly to popular science fiction franchises, including Star Trek, Mass Effect, Galaxy Quest, and Star Wars. Ursula Le Guin's Ansible, the instantaneous communication device originally developed for her Hainish cycle and then spread to other sf by other writers, gets its share of attention.
The Star Trek transporter stands out as something that really can't work, but which she particularly loves because they quietly acknowledge that: a "Heisenberg compensater" is necessary to make it work properly and safely. I.e., the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, which states that you can't know both the location and the velocity of any give particle at the same time, means the transporter, which needs to track many, many particles exactly, in both location and velocity, at the same time, means we'll never have a transporter, but we really, really need it to make this tv show work... (Really. It's only on screen that you need this. Plus, it makes for really pretty special effects, a bonus. In print, it's much easier to work around the time needed to get to and from the surface of a planet, whether by landing your ship, or using shuttles.)
As I said at the beginning, it's interesting and a lot of fun, and Erin Macdonald gives really good lecture. Enjoy!
I bought this audiobook.
July 11, 2021
I wasn't as impressed with this. The flow was off, in that she often explained concepts and then showed shows/movies that had examples, rather than taking good examples and explaining the likely science (or other more plausible theories) about them. This means that she spoils a lot of media and also glosses over a lot of science in an info-dump sort of way. I also found a lot of the "now stay with me while we discuss physics for a minute" rather condescending. Why would someone read a science of scifi book if they weren't interested in the science??
But it was short and free on Audible, and I fell asleep to it and had some REAL trippy dreams about black holes and dark energy and such, so we'll round up to 3 stars
But it was short and free on Audible, and I fell asleep to it and had some REAL trippy dreams about black holes and dark energy and such, so we'll round up to 3 stars
March 17, 2020
At times, beyond my level of understanding, but the narrator is so enthusiastic, not to mention a fellow Sci-fi geek, that I felt like I'd met a new friend. Loved all the references to my favorite shows. More than once I though, "oh, so THAT is what an inertial dampener is!"
My new, favorite science term: "Spaghetttified" No joke, haha!
3.75 stars
My new, favorite science term: "Spaghetttified" No joke, haha!
3.75 stars
September 30, 2020
3.5 stars
I feel like I just took a year of college physics in under four hours except this has a lot of fun sci-fi TV show examples. Recommended for sci-fi fans.
I feel like I just took a year of college physics in under four hours except this has a lot of fun sci-fi TV show examples. Recommended for sci-fi fans.
February 7, 2022
Escuchado en versión española. Muy entretenido e ideal para los fans de la ciencia ficción que, como yo, tengan unos conocimientos justitos de física.
April 8, 2020
Audible version.
The narrator was lovely & knowledgeable. Don’t let the science intimidate you, the concepts discussed aren’t foreign nor is every minutia on the topic reviewed. She explains just enough for you to appreciate how the real life science was applied into the sci-fi invention or used as a basis for an amazing concept in a sci-fi series/game/movie etc. She explains the science well but I did need a quick refresher (using google) on some of the science discussed. Overall it made for a highly enjoyable book & I would recommend it.
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The narrator was lovely & knowledgeable. Don’t let the science intimidate you, the concepts discussed aren’t foreign nor is every minutia on the topic reviewed. She explains just enough for you to appreciate how the real life science was applied into the sci-fi invention or used as a basis for an amazing concept in a sci-fi series/game/movie etc. She explains the science well but I did need a quick refresher (using google) on some of the science discussed. Overall it made for a highly enjoyable book & I would recommend it.
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 10, 2023
“Woooosh”—That’s the sound of some of info-dumping parts of this book going right over my head. Perhaps I should have listened to it at less than warp speed. It was a mildly funny and rather superficial excursion into the realm of SF shows, games and movies, the laws of physics and how it could all work (or not).
This was a bit better than ok, but due to the lecture format at times very episodic and repetitive. I actually could have done with more basics. Still, it came free on Audible and offered a nice overview into the topic of how scientifically accurate some of our favourite SF shows are.
May the Force be with you. Live long and prosper. So say we all!
This was a bit better than ok, but due to the lecture format at times very episodic and repetitive. I actually could have done with more basics. Still, it came free on Audible and offered a nice overview into the topic of how scientifically accurate some of our favourite SF shows are.
May the Force be with you. Live long and prosper. So say we all!
March 25, 2020
Warp speed!!
Okay, admittedly, there were times I hit the "go-back-go-back" button because I had to listen to the concept a couple times to get it. But come on, man. It's physics and quantum theory and a whole lot of multiple syllable words I usually mentally faint like a goat over when I hear. But it was so much FUN!
I might listen to this again in the future because a) I won't remember a lot of this for very long and b) I imagine I would catch even more through round two.
The author breaks down the real science, the theoretical science, and the downright that's-not-science by looking at science fiction universes. She is a sci-fi nerd, which is awesome! My concern was that she would ruthlessly critique all my favorite stories. But she loves them as much as anyone and actually pointed out many things that could potentially be reality...maybe.
A great listen for authors trying to grasp world-building for sci-fi realms as well.
I'd rate this a PG.
Okay, admittedly, there were times I hit the "go-back-go-back" button because I had to listen to the concept a couple times to get it. But come on, man. It's physics and quantum theory and a whole lot of multiple syllable words I usually mentally faint like a goat over when I hear. But it was so much FUN!
I might listen to this again in the future because a) I won't remember a lot of this for very long and b) I imagine I would catch even more through round two.
The author breaks down the real science, the theoretical science, and the downright that's-not-science by looking at science fiction universes. She is a sci-fi nerd, which is awesome! My concern was that she would ruthlessly critique all my favorite stories. But she loves them as much as anyone and actually pointed out many things that could potentially be reality...maybe.
A great listen for authors trying to grasp world-building for sci-fi realms as well.
I'd rate this a PG.
March 31, 2020
Great overview of the physics at play in lots of modern sci fi, mostly movies and TV.
My only complaint is around the speaker’s overuse of the the rhetorical construct where he or she says something is, well, something. I don’t know what it’s called but it is, well, annoying.
My only complaint is around the speaker’s overuse of the the rhetorical construct where he or she says something is, well, something. I don’t know what it’s called but it is, well, annoying.
December 31, 2021
This audiobook gives me everything I expected, so 5 stars :)
Even for me, with my difficulty of listening the English language, it was a very enjoyable lecture:
An astrophysics lesson explained in a clear and concise way, with citations and comparisons of audiovisual science fiction and also from video games, and that even allows a chapter to let the imagination fly with the current limits of science and promising future fields of study (such as gravitational waves).
Even for me, with my difficulty of listening the English language, it was a very enjoyable lecture:
An astrophysics lesson explained in a clear and concise way, with citations and comparisons of audiovisual science fiction and also from video games, and that even allows a chapter to let the imagination fly with the current limits of science and promising future fields of study (such as gravitational waves).
September 3, 2025
Erin MacDonald truly makes science fun, exploring the links between Science Fiction and Science Fact.
November 14, 2020
If you want to hear the actual scientific explanations for how inertial dampeners might work, the problem of humans living in extended zero-G, and why earth wouldn't be sucked in if our sun turned into a black hole, this will be a worthwhile listen for you. The narrator is overqualified in both her knowledge of science and science fiction, which is probably precisely why she's able to make this series of lectures enjoyable and engaging. Warning, the first three lectures are pretty heavy on the science and not so heavy on the science fiction, but she's laying a groundwork, so be patient and listen carefully!
March 25, 2020
The science is technical, like Newton's law of motion, gravity, wormholes, black holes, and Einstein's Theory of General Relativity. Then the author points out what was right or wrong in movies/TV series. For example in "The Martian", a wind storm on Mars with its fine dust particles and only a third of Earth's gravity could not have caused the damage as seen in the movie. Obviously, it was needed for the suspense in the movie, but it's interesting to know when the science is or is not accurate. The book could have used more sci-fi references.
May 3, 2020
Interesting and informative, great examples that make it easy to follow
February 25, 2020
This was an audio only book because it is basically a collection of lectures given by the author. She takes specific examples from popular Sci-Fi and explains in layman's terms how they could possibly work in the physical world. Good stuff.
October 4, 2024
I'm sure this audiobook is great, but I can't listen to it and do something else at the same time. Unfortunately, that's how I listen to audiobooks: while multitasking. I'll have to re-listen to it to get it all; it was heavy on the science.
I also think I expected something else, like analysis of science in science-fiction movies that we know and love. It wasn't really that. Still, I was glad to have scientific background about Star Trek for instance! It also made me want to play Mass Effect and to watch Voltron!
I also think I expected something else, like analysis of science in science-fiction movies that we know and love. It wasn't really that. Still, I was glad to have scientific background about Star Trek for instance! It also made me want to play Mass Effect and to watch Voltron!
March 29, 2020
A quick read / lesson on the science of Sci-Fi. McDonald starts with an overview of the basic foundations of physics and astronomy - Newton's Law of Gravity, Einstein's theory of relativity and . After a few chapters, she starts relating concepts from popular Sci-Fi movies, shows and stories to real science. She covers topics such as warp speed, gravity, time travel, wormholes and blackholes all the while relating the real science behind these concepts. She draws on many examples from popular TV shows like Star Trek, The Expanse, and Doctor Who as well as The Star Wars movies, The Martian and Interstellar.
McDonald's overview of the science behind Sci-Fi is a good foundation before diving into popular themes in popular Sci-Fi shows, movies and video games. I recommend this quick read to any fan of this genre if they are interested in the real science behind their favorite sci-fi stories.
McDonald's overview of the science behind Sci-Fi is a good foundation before diving into popular themes in popular Sci-Fi shows, movies and video games. I recommend this quick read to any fan of this genre if they are interested in the real science behind their favorite sci-fi stories.
December 16, 2019
I have gotten to hear Dr. Erin speak at Starbase Indy the last two years. I enjoyed her lectures and decided to spend an Audible credit and check out her Great Courses contribution. Since I have heard her in person I had heard a few pieces of these lectures, but the lectures were laid out in a logical fashion. I enjoyed her giving me a crash course in physics, not all of which I knew (I never took physics in high school or college), and then we began to play with science and fiction. Her enthusiasm for both science and sci fi was evident from start to finish.
Recommended to any fan of science fiction who wants to review their real science, and think about the space between what is possible now and what we hope is possible in the future (or wish was possible but know it can't happen with our current understanding of the universe.)
Recommended to any fan of science fiction who wants to review their real science, and think about the space between what is possible now and what we hope is possible in the future (or wish was possible but know it can't happen with our current understanding of the universe.)
May 21, 2020
Audio version.
Pet Peeve: I'm not a fan of being told "You won't believe" or "Your mind is about to be blown" or whatever... feels like the speaker is making weird assumptions about how I react to things.
That aside? I did other things while listening to this, and it was interesting background information. I don't think I would have been fascinated if I'd just been sitting there, listening. For what it was, it worked for me.
Pet Peeve: I'm not a fan of being told "You won't believe" or "Your mind is about to be blown" or whatever... feels like the speaker is making weird assumptions about how I react to things.
That aside? I did other things while listening to this, and it was interesting background information. I don't think I would have been fascinated if I'd just been sitting there, listening. For what it was, it worked for me.
March 30, 2020
Entertaining and informative primer on various physics concepts often found in sci-fi and in how far the adhere to actual science, aimed at people like me, i.e. those of us who are sci-fi geeks without being actual science geeks.
September 27, 2021
Okay… Breathe. Relax. Breathe again.
I’m frustrated. Not with this book, but with other things. But in life, things tend to bleed over from one area into another. You know, I’m mad about one thing, then I’m snippy with someone that doesn’t deserve it. So, sorry. Not for anything I’m going to say below. Just that I’ve got competing things in my head at the moment, and this a real low-effort ramble coming.
I’m both a sucker for these types of fiction meets the real world types of books. The physics of Star Trek, or the physics of Superheroes. The kung-fu of the Matrix, or chocolates of Willy Wonka… whatever. If it’s that sort of book I’m constantly fighting my temptation to purchase them all. But they invariably all let me down though.*
What I get is usually something like this: Spider-Man swings on webs, if he weights 150lbs and gravity pulls at 9.8 meters per second squared, then we know the newtons exerted at the base of his swing is x. Or whatever. I’m not really wanting a lesson on rotational kinematics with spider-man as the illustration. That’s not exactly the sort of thing I’m looking for.
No, what I’m looking for is an essay on the materials necessary for the webs to have the properties they do, Why that’s problematic, or not, or how it would rip off someone’s arm if they tried to swing that way, and what sort of re-enforcement would be necessary in his muscles, ligaments, tendons, etc., then what a radioactive spider might have had to have passed on to him in order to make those changes.
Same thing with Star Trek stuff, I love that science communicators want to use pop-culture as a jumping off point to teach real-world science, but at the same time I want to have someone really dig into the nitty gritty of what would be necessary to make these fictional technologies work. I still think that’s where the really interesting stuff is, and I’m just not seeing it.
Because this book, which I think is really a series of lectures. Is more standard physics stuff with nods to science fiction when it overlaps. But it’s not the same thing. If it sounds like the same thing then I just didn’t explain the difference well enough. You’ll just have to trust me on it.
* There may be one notable exception. I seem to recall reading a Michio Kauku book several years ago (decade plus?) called something like, The Physics of the Impossible, where he went through a bunch of Science-Fictional technologies, and tried to explain which ones were engineering challenges and which ones were simply violations of known physical laws. I may have to dig that one up and take another look at it. It’s been a very long time.
I’m frustrated. Not with this book, but with other things. But in life, things tend to bleed over from one area into another. You know, I’m mad about one thing, then I’m snippy with someone that doesn’t deserve it. So, sorry. Not for anything I’m going to say below. Just that I’ve got competing things in my head at the moment, and this a real low-effort ramble coming.
I’m both a sucker for these types of fiction meets the real world types of books. The physics of Star Trek, or the physics of Superheroes. The kung-fu of the Matrix, or chocolates of Willy Wonka… whatever. If it’s that sort of book I’m constantly fighting my temptation to purchase them all. But they invariably all let me down though.*
What I get is usually something like this: Spider-Man swings on webs, if he weights 150lbs and gravity pulls at 9.8 meters per second squared, then we know the newtons exerted at the base of his swing is x. Or whatever. I’m not really wanting a lesson on rotational kinematics with spider-man as the illustration. That’s not exactly the sort of thing I’m looking for.
No, what I’m looking for is an essay on the materials necessary for the webs to have the properties they do, Why that’s problematic, or not, or how it would rip off someone’s arm if they tried to swing that way, and what sort of re-enforcement would be necessary in his muscles, ligaments, tendons, etc., then what a radioactive spider might have had to have passed on to him in order to make those changes.
Same thing with Star Trek stuff, I love that science communicators want to use pop-culture as a jumping off point to teach real-world science, but at the same time I want to have someone really dig into the nitty gritty of what would be necessary to make these fictional technologies work. I still think that’s where the really interesting stuff is, and I’m just not seeing it.
Because this book, which I think is really a series of lectures. Is more standard physics stuff with nods to science fiction when it overlaps. But it’s not the same thing. If it sounds like the same thing then I just didn’t explain the difference well enough. You’ll just have to trust me on it.
* There may be one notable exception. I seem to recall reading a Michio Kauku book several years ago (decade plus?) called something like, The Physics of the Impossible, where he went through a bunch of Science-Fictional technologies, and tried to explain which ones were engineering challenges and which ones were simply violations of known physical laws. I may have to dig that one up and take another look at it. It’s been a very long time.
April 1, 2020
Reasonably User Friendly Explanations of Out of This World Concepts
Review of the Audible Original audiobook (November 2019)
[Rounded Down from 3.5]
I enjoyed this 4 hour series of ten lectures which briefly explained concepts such as Einstein's Theory of Relativity through to the impossibility of Star Trek's transporter technology due to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. I did find my mind wandering at times, probably due to the lack of visuals although Erin Macdonald is very personable and takes pains to explain complex issues as simply and clearly as possible. I think her video series Dr. Erin Explains the Universe may be easier to follow since it has visual aids.
The lectures in The Science of Sci-Fi were as follows: 1. Gravity and Space Time 2. Along Comes Einstein 3. Black Holes and the Speed of Light 4. Artificial Gravity 5. Deep Space Exploration 6. Wormholes, Jump Drives and Hyperspace 7. Warp Drives (Warp Bubbles) and Faster than Light Communication 8. Time Travel 9. Multiverse Theory 10. Science Fiction and the Frontiers of Science
The Science of Sci-Fi was originally released November 19, 2019. It was also one of the free Audible Originals for Audible members in March 2020. It is available to everyone for a standard price.
Trivia and Link
You can read further about Erin Macdonald's lectures and activities at her homepage https://www.erinpmacdonald.com/ and watch her related videos on YouTube here.
Review of the Audible Original audiobook (November 2019)
[Rounded Down from 3.5]
I enjoyed this 4 hour series of ten lectures which briefly explained concepts such as Einstein's Theory of Relativity through to the impossibility of Star Trek's transporter technology due to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. I did find my mind wandering at times, probably due to the lack of visuals although Erin Macdonald is very personable and takes pains to explain complex issues as simply and clearly as possible. I think her video series Dr. Erin Explains the Universe may be easier to follow since it has visual aids.
The lectures in The Science of Sci-Fi were as follows: 1. Gravity and Space Time 2. Along Comes Einstein 3. Black Holes and the Speed of Light 4. Artificial Gravity 5. Deep Space Exploration 6. Wormholes, Jump Drives and Hyperspace 7. Warp Drives (Warp Bubbles) and Faster than Light Communication 8. Time Travel 9. Multiverse Theory 10. Science Fiction and the Frontiers of Science
The Science of Sci-Fi was originally released November 19, 2019. It was also one of the free Audible Originals for Audible members in March 2020. It is available to everyone for a standard price.
Trivia and Link
You can read further about Erin Macdonald's lectures and activities at her homepage https://www.erinpmacdonald.com/ and watch her related videos on YouTube here.
October 12, 2021
Physics teachers take note: using popular science fiction movies, games, and books to explain physics is much more engaging than the same old lectures! This is a series of 10 lectures on how warp drives, worm holes, transporters, and time travel, among other ideas science fiction are actually based in real science. I loved the examples from shows the Star Trek, The Expanse, and Star Wars. I will say the first lecture is very heavy on the math and science, which wasn't the best for paying attention to while driving. But the following lectures are entertaining! The author narrates the lectures; she is engaging and easy to listen to. I love the recaps at the beginning and ending of each lecture. If you've ever wondered 'how does that work in real life' while watching or reading Sci-Fi, this series is for you!
March 10, 2020
This is an entertaining and very educational lecture series. The lecturer does a marvelous job of tying the principles of physics to popular science fiction, deftly using the latter to elucidate the former. In presentation, she comes across as the kind of professor you’d want as a thesis or dissertation advisor, or even as your Physics 101 prof. She’s knowledgeable, articulate, passionate, and deeply nerdy. Strongly recommended for those with an interest in the science of science fiction.
April 19, 2020
A neat collection of chapters going over the scientific part of sci-fi and looking at how it should be done properly. Includes introduction to a good portion of sci-fi oriented science.
Things I liked:
- Positive attitude. Not bashing bad sci-fi but promoting good ones.
- Actual scientific crash course before talking about any subject.
- Example of real, futuristic/exotic scientific ideas and theories.
Things I didn't like:
N/A
Things I liked:
- Positive attitude. Not bashing bad sci-fi but promoting good ones.
- Actual scientific crash course before talking about any subject.
- Example of real, futuristic/exotic scientific ideas and theories.
Things I didn't like:
N/A
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