The Science of Sci-Fi
From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel
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The Science of Sci-Fi
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Narrated by:
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Erin Macdonald
About this listen
Science fiction allows us to go places we 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 us amazing insight into what we could be capable of and what we 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 our 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 we pushing against as we seek to fly among the stars?
Beginning with an overview of the physics of time and space as we know them, Professor Macdonald shows how stories extrapolate current knowledge to create visions of the future and how likely - or unlikely - these fictional journeys could be. What would happen if a spaceship flew into a wormhole, as it does in the film Galaxy Quest? Or, if you prefer video games, what would happen if you fired a rocket launcher on the Moon like the soldiers of Mass Effect? Could we ever break the bounds of light speed as they do in Star Wars and move across the universe without spending decades trying to make it to a distant exoplanet? Is the transporter technology of Star Trek really possible?
As you look closely at artificial gravity, inertial dampeners, tachyons, red matter, time dilation, and other sci-fi mainstays through the theories of some of science’s greatest thinkers, you will find that your favorite science fiction stories become even more astonishing.
©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.Listeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Science of Sci-Fi
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MR P THOMAS
- 19-01-22
A fantastic science book
Really easy to understand coverage of topics that have always confused me and peppered with really interesting facts.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- nancita
- 15-06-22
Explained a lot
I live Star Trek n have watched all the series plus the other shows n films Erin mentioned. Erin's examples from these shows n films explained a lot, really enjoyed it!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Phillip Berry
- 17-08-21
Simply Brilliant
I wish Erin had been my science teacher at school.
Her explanation of physics and use of science fiction is exactly how I think and Erin makes science not only accessible, but fun.
Erin should be an example to all science teachers out there of how to engage your students.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- kimstories
- 11-12-21
Very interesting
A series of short essays or lectures read with great interest and enthusiasm. I was absolutely fascinated and feel smarter after listening. I'm juts sorry it was so short.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- H. Harland
- 13-09-21
Well read, fun and interesting
I’d like to give the performance more than 5 stars because it was particularly well read by comparison to some other audiobooks. Enjoyed this book so much I’ll probably listen to it again.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 19-12-21
Excellently described, interesting and brilliant
I loved this, it makes some amazing, interesting and complex scientific concepts accessible and understandable. The discussion centred around technologies and concepts covered in science fiction was in my opinion brilliant and the novelty factor just keeps you drawn in throughout.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Andre the giant
- 24-05-20
interesting sci fi themed sciences
Science made interesting for people of a science fiction fan inclination.I liked it, and still like to listen to it every now and again, hoping to increase my very basic science understanding.The narrator/author sounds passionate about her subject , which is obviously good and she does have a good engaging style and tone. This is a cool listen with some cool science fiction references which do bring alive a lot of the actual science explained and detailed in each of this books chapters.Tries hard to give at least some of the science fiction ideas explored some chance to be a reality.
Interesting enjoyable listen, which I enjoy in its bite size chaptes and revisit often.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ruth O
- 21-02-23
If you love sci fi
A really interesting listen showing the connections between fiction and science. Def worth diving into.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- SA-M
- 04-01-22
What comes first, Sci-Fi or Science
It's fascinating to see where Sci-Fi gets it's ideas from and what can be taken from Sci-Fi and made real.
Well written by a Dr whose a fan of the genre and the stories used in gaming.
Thinking of ways to achieve in reality what can germinate in the pages of a book, captivating.
Nothing can go faster than the speed of light unless you cascade multiple warp bubbles. The concept is easy enough, just have to build it now!!!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- mcsmall
- 24-11-21
Interesting popular science
Interesting and laced with some humour but a bit spoiled by a very fast narration
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1 person found this helpful