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The Science of Sci-Fi
- From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel
- Narrated by: Erin Macdonald
- Length: 3 hrs and 59 mins
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Publisher's summary
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.
Our favorite moments from The Science of Sci-Fi
About the Professor
Dr. 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. She has since found her home in science fiction, consulting with writers, teaching STEM through popular culture, and fulfilling her life goal of becoming a warp drive expert.
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Science fiction can often seem to be pure imaginative fantasy, but many authors are more fluent in real science than many readers and viewers may realize. Professor Charles L. Adler of St. Mary’s College of Maryland was the perfect choice for this subject, as he is both a longtime science-fiction fan and a real-world scientist. Professor Adler’s talent for using literature to shine a light on science - both the accurate and not-so-accurate versions employed by creators, spanning two centuries - makes this course a great survey for fans of both science fact and science fiction.
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A+ Science behind Sci-Fi lecture series
- By Annabells on 11-19-20
By: Charles L. Adler, and others
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Light Falls
- Space, Time, and an Obsession of Einstein
- By: Brian Greene
- Narrated by: Brian Greene, Paul Rudd, Peter Ganim, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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Best-selling author, superstar physicist, and cofounder of the World Science Festival Brian Greene (The Elegant Universe, The Fabric of the Cosmos) and an ensemble cast led by award-winning actor Paul Rudd (Ant-Man) perform this dramatic story tracing Albert Einstein's discovery of the general theory of relativity.
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An enjoyable deviation from standard Non-Fiction
- By Heath on 10-25-16
By: Brian Greene
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The Hidden History of Holidays
- By: Hannah Harvey, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Hannah Harvey
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Original Recording
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From Halloween costumes to patriotic parades to belly-busting meals, every holiday tradition tells a unique story—one encoded in symbols and layered meanings that stretch back over the centuries. In 19 lectures, professional storyteller Dr. Hannah B. Harvey takes listeners through the seasons and investigates the surprising stories behind seemingly odd holiday traditions.
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An enjoyable listen, but a few inaccuracies
- By Kristopher willis on 12-17-19
By: Hannah Harvey, and others
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The Space Race
- An Audible Original
- By: Colin Brake, Patrick Chapman, Richard Hollingham, and others
- Narrated by: Kate Mulgrew
- Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins
- Original Recording
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A century ago very few people dreamed of space travel. Today it is the most daring and technologically sophisticated quest ever undertaken, being driven not just by government agencies such as NASA and ESA, but also by visionaries such as Richard Branson (Virgin Galactic), Elon Musk (SpaceX) and Jeff Bezos (Blue Origin). To mark the 50th anniversary of the 1969 moon landing, this major drama-documentary series charts the definitive story of the past, present and future of humankind’s exploration of space. The Space Race is narrated by Kate Mulgrew and features a full cast.
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All Nonfiction Parts GREAT but Fiction Bad
- By Catherine Puma on 03-18-20
By: Colin Brake, and others
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Sci-Phi: Science Fiction as Philosophy
- By: The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor David K. Johnson PhD University of Oklahoma
- Length: 13 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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The science fiction genre has become increasingly influential in mainstream popular culture, evolving into one of the most engaging storytelling tools we use to think about technology and consider the shape of the future. Along the way, it has also become one of the major lenses we use to explore important philosophical questions. The origins of science fiction are most often thought to trace to Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein, a story born from a night of spooky tale-telling by the fireside that explores scientific, moral, and ethical questions that were of great concern in the 19th century - and that continue to resonate today.
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Weak philosophy loaded with misapplied facts and personal bias
- By KENDRA GOODMAN on 11-22-18
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The Theory of Evolution: A History of Controversy
- By: Edward J. Larson, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Edward J. Larson
- Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins
- Original Recording
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Charles Darwin's theory of organic evolution-the idea that life on earth is the product of purely natural causes, not the hand of God-set off shock waves that continue to reverberate through Western society, and especially the United States. What makes evolution such a profoundly provocative concept, so convincing to most scientists, yet so socially and politically divisive? These 12 eye-opening lectures are an examination of the varied elements that so often make this science the object of strong sentiments and heated debate.
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Little mistakes here and there
- By Daniel on 06-21-16
By: Edward J. Larson, and others
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How to Build Meaningful Relationships Through Conversation
- By: Carol Ann Lloyd, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Carol Ann Lloyd
- Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
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In 10 lectures for self-development, professional communications coach and speaker Carol Ann Lloyd teaches the best ways to communicate and listen, including how to focus on understanding, how to overcome barriers and distractions, and how to clarify intentions. When listeners step back to hear what makes conversations successful, they will learn that each component of a conversation is a piece of a larger puzzle, which only fits together when thoughtfully considered and executed.
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Only Got 5 Minutes In…
- By Shayla on 04-06-20
By: Carol Ann Lloyd, and others
What listeners say about The Science of Sci-Fi
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- John Sestak
- 04-02-20
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!!
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- Abdullah
- 05-22-20
Interesting
Very interesting and informative. The only issue with this book is the overuse of the word „Fun“.
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- Alex B.
- 07-20-21
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!
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- Amazon Customer
- 02-03-21
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+++
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- Amazon Customer
- 08-06-20
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.
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- Brion
- 01-15-20
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.
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- Jeff M
- 03-18-20
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.
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- Anonymous User
- 05-28-20
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
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- S. De La Torre
- 09-14-20
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.
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- Kevin J. Bouffard
- 03-29-20
Don’ need to be a scientist
Pretty clear explanations for a non-scientist with no background in the topics. It merits repeated listening.
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