The Science of Sci-Fi

From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel

De: Erin Macdonald, The Great Courses

Narrado por: Erin Macdonald

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.

Take The Course

Erin does a fantastic job matching the reality of current science to the science we take for granted in our favorite science fiction stories, movies, TV shows. She is very knowledgeable, plus a serious Sci-Fi fan!! And that marriage makes this book a great listen!

I learned a great deal about basic physics and was retaught things that I had learned years ago in high school and college. Erin explained things in a very straight forward manner which isn't always easy to do with Physics. And when she applied our current knowledge to how the Sci-Fi science might actually work, she did a great job in offering possibilities and explanations.

I thoroughly enjoyed the listen and I believe anyone else would that has any interest in these areas!!

Interesting

Very interesting and informative. The only issue with this book is the overuse of the word „Fun“.

Incredible!!

This was am amazing reading that I will never forget or erase from my device! I absolutely loved the meshing of sci-fi to science fact and I thought it was done very well. Thank you so much for creating this. I would be very interested in reading/listening to more like it!

Such an unexpected pleasure!

I happened onto this title and am now sharing it with many.

I’ve little experience with Sci-Fi or much science education. However, blessed with a curious mind, this book can be a portal to both.

What an imaginative and practical way to explain many high level scientific topics!

I now actually want to check out many of the movies and programs referenced and keep Googling some of the topics.

It could take several ‘listens’ just to recall some of the terms she used.

Entertaining and time well spent. A+++

Geek Like Me

This series is wonderful and inspiring. As a practical scientist (engineer) I know enough to go "Yeah, knew that" but I also thought "wow" when learning about the new advances and all of the thought experiments used to develop and grow the science. Erin teaches the state of current physics with all or our beloved science fiction technobable connected (and not connected) in the stars.

Erin's voice work is warm, friendly and inviting. While her presentation is fun, playful and inspiring.

Definitely on my list to relisten.

Just right for my taste

A good amount of current physics described at an appropriate level for most who are SciFi buffs. You still will not be able to find any way to make a Warp drive, but this provides some insight into how SciFi shows attempt to make things sound plausible.

Science explanation mixed with humor

How could I not like a great course where the author sprinkles in examples from my favorite shows like Babylon 5, Star Trek, and the Expanse? I wish that I listened this to great course lecture before embarking on Einstein His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson because I struggled with the science. Professor MacDonald's lecture imparted a better understanding of Einstein's basic theories.

perfect narrator

I could listen to this book over and over she was great. I picture her quite beautiful but nerdy big bang nerdy though so cool lol

Great fun, both for science nerds and scifi geeks!

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I appreciated Dr Erin's enthusiasm for the topic. She explained complex topics will with perfect examples from tv shows we've all seen.

Don’ need to be a scientist

Pretty clear explanations for a non-scientist with no background in the topics. It merits repeated listening.