James Grime

To celebrate the release of Star Trek Into Darkness, serial guest James Grime has taken on the arduous task of re-watching the original series to study the mathematics featured on the screen. He joins us for a podcast-only special to tell us all about it, with audio clips of the relevant episodes. We'll talk about cicadas, morphogenesis (or “waves on cows”), deceiving androids from first principles,  and the biggest question of them all: does the redshirt always die? If you want to check James’ working, he's published a series of posts over at The Aperiodical on the same themes: part I, part II, part III. Please enjoy this photograph of Gödel, which we mention towards the end of the show. Please also enjoy further information on the remarkable Valais goat. The short skirt uniform worn by both men and women in early episodes of The Next Generation is called a skant, and it was occasionally worn with trousers.  JIM: Science and medics, those are the blue shirts. HOST: Where do mathematicians go? Scientists? JIM: That’s right, yes, science. HOST: You’re safe? JIM: Yes, I am, I’m in the blue shirt category. as quoted by Peter Rowlett in What colour shirt do mathematicians wear?  Tracklist  Theme from Star Trek Nerf Herder – Mr. Spock Beach House – Zebra Leonard Nimoy – The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins William Shatner – Real  Valais Blackneck family     by Jos                 James Grime with a tribble     by Andrew Holding            Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 

To celebrate the release of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek_Into_Darkness" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Star Trek Into Darkness</a>, <a href="/episodes/2/cryptography" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">serial</a> <a href="/episodes/5/tortured-genius" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">guest</a> <a href="http://singingbanana.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Grime</a> has taken on the arduous task of re-watching <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the original series</a> to study the mathematics featured on the screen. He joins us for a podcast-only special to tell us all about it, with audio clips of the relevant episodes. We'll talk about cicadas, morphogenesis (or “waves on cows”), deceiving androids from first principles, and the biggest question of them all: does the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshirt_(character)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">redshirt</a> always die? If you want to check James’ working, he's published a series of posts over at <a href="http://aperiodical.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Aperiodical</a> on the same themes: <a href="http://aperiodical.com/2013/04/the-maths-of-star-trek-the-original-series-part-i/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">part I</a>, <a href="http://aperiodical.com/2013/05/the-maths-of-star-trek-the-original-series-part-ii/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">part II</a>, <a href="http://aperiodical.com/2013/05/the-maths-of-star-trek-the-original-series-part-iii/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">part III</a>. Please enjoy this <a href="http://www.nndb.com/people/550/000091277/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">photograph of Gödel</a>, which we mention towards the end of the show. Please also enjoy further information on the remarkable <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valais_Blackneck" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Valais goat</a>. The short skirt uniform worn by both men and women in early episodes of The Next Generation is called a <a href="http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Starfleet_uniform_(2350s-2370s)#Skant" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">skant</a>, and it was occasionally worn with trousers. <blockquote> JIM: Science and medics, those are the blue shirts. HOST: Where do mathematicians go? Scientists? JIM: That’s right, yes, science. HOST: You’re safe? JIM: Yes, I am, I’m in the blue shirt category. as quoted by Peter Rowlett in <a href="http://aperiodical.com/2013/06/what-colour-shirt-do-mathematicians-wear/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What colour shirt do mathematicians wear?</a> </blockquote> <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theme_from_Star_Trek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Theme from Star Trek</a></li> <li>Nerf Herder – Mr. Spock</li> <li>Beach House – Zebra</li> <li>Leonard Nimoy – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ballad_of_Bilbo_Baggins" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins</a></li> <li>William Shatner – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Has_Been" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Real</a></li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20299709@N00/152583982/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Valais Blackneck family</a> by Jos <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/resiak/8741032038/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Grime with a tribble</a> by Andrew Holding Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

The Maths of Star Trek: The Original Series (with James Grime)


Oliver Marsh

Oliver Marsh studies science-media interactions at the department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge, occasionally performs at Bright Club, and blogs about “the human side of science”. He joins Andy in the studio for the final episode of season 6! Tracklist  KT Tunstall – Funnyman David Bowie – Life on Mars Ethel Merman – There's No Business Like Show Business The Smiths – That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore Mother Mother – Infinitesimal  Mystery Hunt 2011 Coin - Megaman, Prince and ? Block    by Alex  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

<a href="https://twitter.com/SidewaysScience" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oliver Marsh</a> studies science-media interactions at the department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge, occasionally performs at <a href="http://cambridge.brightclub.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bright Club</a>, and <a href="http://sidewayslookatscience.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">blogs about “the human side of science”</a>. He joins Andy in the studio for the final episode of season 6! <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>KT Tunstall – Funnyman</li> <li>David Bowie – Life on Mars</li> <li>Ethel Merman – There's No Business Like Show Business</li> <li>The Smiths – That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore</li> <li>Mother Mother – Infinitesimal</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16838219@N00/5364190449/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mystery Hunt 2011 Coin - Megaman, Prince and ? Block</a> by Alex Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

The Human Side of Science (with Oliver Marsh)


Picking up where What if… we could all become cyborgs?, a show Andy produced for the BBC World Service, and last week's episode both left off, Andy and Will discuss cyborgs, hive minds, extending the senses, and the alleged emasculating effects of smartphones. Bionic eyes; artificial synæsthesia; lab rats with brain implants sense invisible infrared light; powering an artificial heart; Google Glass; Sergey Brin: Smartphones are ‘emasculating’; Steve Mann (Will mentioned the hit-and-run anecdote in this article but didn't realise it was the same man who was assaulted in McDonald's); the many strands of Ghost in the Shell; brain hacking; typing with twenty fingers; Nigel Shadbolt and AIs for the elderly; the Borg; the Ood; Intercontinental mind-meld unites two rats; Rats ARE like the Borg; faint memories of a Dark Angel plotline; Lab-grown human brains could control robots, says Kevin Warwick; aaaaaaand rat kings. Tracklist  The Six Million Dollar Man theme Faded Paper Figures – Information Runs On Scott Matthew – Lithium Flower (from the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex soundtrack) Pet Shop Boys – Always On My Mind Kraftwerk – The Robots  Rat King: King Rat    by Cle0patraWindow Color Sound Sculpture 6    by Dennis Skley  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

Picking up where <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/discovery" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What if… we could all become cyborgs?</a>, a show Andy produced for the BBC World Service, and <a href="/episodes/6/cam-robinson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">last week's episode</a> both left off, Andy and Will discuss cyborgs, hive minds, extending the senses, and the alleged emasculating effects of smartphones. Bionic eyes; artificial synæsthesia; <a href="http://boingboing.net/2013/02/15/lab-rats-with-brain-implants-s.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">lab rats with brain implants sense invisible infrared light</a>; powering an artificial heart; Google Glass; <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57571612-93/sergey-brin-smartphones-are-emasculating/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sergey Brin: Smartphones are ‘emasculating’</a>; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Mann" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Steve Mann</a> (Will mentioned the hit-and-run anecdote in <a href="http://spectrum.ieee.org/consumer-electronics/portable-devices/steve-mann-my-augmediated-life" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this article</a> but didn't realise it was the same man who was <a href="http://eyetap.blogspot.ca/2012/07/physical-assault-by-mcdonalds-for.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">assaulted in McDonald's</a>); the many strands of Ghost in the Shell; brain hacking; typing with twenty fingers; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Shadbolt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nigel Shadbolt</a> and AIs for the elderly; the Borg; the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ood" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ood</a>; <a href="http://www.nature.com/news/intercontinental-mind-meld-unites-two-rats-1.12522" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Intercontinental mind-meld unites two rats</a>; <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/brain-flapping/2013/mar/01/rats-are-like-the-borg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rats ARE like the Borg</a>; faint memories of a Dark Angel plotline; <a href="http://www.theengineer.co.uk/video/lab-grown-human-brains-could-control-robots-says-kevin-warwick/1010449.article" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lab-grown human brains could control robots, says Kevin Warwick</a>; aaaaaaand <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_king_%28folklore%29" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">rat kings</a>. <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>The Six Million Dollar Man theme</li> <li>Faded Paper Figures – Information Runs On</li> <li>Scott Matthew – Lithium Flower (from the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex soundtrack)</li> <li>Pet Shop Boys – Always On My Mind</li> <li>Kraftwerk – The Robots</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cle0patra/7109621743/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rat King: King Rat</a> by Cle0patra <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dskley/5419545461/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Window Color Sound Sculpture 6</a> by Dennis Skley Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Cyborgs


Cam Robinson

Cam Robinson hosts GameSpot's The What If Machine, where he explores how close the wonder of modern science fact can bring us to gaming science fiction. He joins us to discuss cybernetics, autonomous robots, nanotechnology, and more, with his choice of excellent tunes. Deus Ex: Human Revolution, implants, augmented reality, Call of Duty, Noel Sharkey on The Life Scientific, ethical risks of robotics, Crysis 3, wipE'out", levitation, Punch the Custard (Will misremembered how the hit detection works), space travel, and Cam’s recommendation of the one recent game non-gamers should play. Tracklist  Radiohead – Paranoid Android Nine Inch Nails – Discipline AC/DC – TNT Sabrepulse – City at Speed Muse – Space Dementia  levitating magnet    by Camilla Hoel  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

<a href="https://twitter.com/camfrazrob" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cam Robinson</a> hosts <a href="http://uk.gamespot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GameSpot</a>'s <a href="http://www.youtube.com/show/thewhatifmachine" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The What If Machine</a>, where he explores how close the wonder of modern science fact can bring us to gaming science fiction. He joins us to discuss cybernetics, autonomous robots, nanotechnology, and more, with his choice of excellent tunes. Deus Ex: Human Revolution, implants, augmented reality, Call of Duty, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01q8mm0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Noel Sharkey on The Life Scientific</a>, ethical risks of robotics, Crysis 3, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wipeout_(video_game)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wipE'out"</a>, levitation, <a href="http://www.hideandseek.net/2012/09/05/weekender-game-punch-the-custard/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Punch the Custard</a> (Will misremembered <a href="https://bitbucket.org/v21/punchingthecustard/raw/36ab030f373e39c89c886cb73e50a6f838a7e8fd/instructions.txt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">how the hit detection works</a>), space travel, and Cam’s recommendation of the one recent game non-gamers should play. <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Radiohead – Paranoid Android</li> <li>Nine Inch Nails – <a href="http://dl.nin.com/theslip/signup" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Discipline</a></li> <li>AC/DC – TNT</li> <li>Sabrepulse – <a href="http://sabrepulse.bandcamp.com/track/city-at-speed" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City at Speed</a></li> <li>Muse – Space Dementia</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hoel/3661762357/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">levitating magnet</a> by Camilla Hoel Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Gaming Science Fiction vs. Modern Science Fact (with Cam Robinson)


Helen Arney

Spoken nerd and songstress Helen Arney lends her voice to the show. Video games, fossils, AIs, cat chat, and almost no ukuleles. Tracklist  Buckner &amp; Garcia – Pac-Man Fever They Might Be Giants – I Am A Palaeontologist A.F. Harrold – Science Party Poem Tim Minchin – When I Grow Up (from Matilda) Jonathan Coulton – Good Morning Tucson Helen Arney – The Sun Has Got Its Huff On  Cramped up    by philip hay  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

<a href="http://festivalofthespokennerd.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spoken nerd</a> and songstress <a href="http://helenarney.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Helen Arney</a> lends her voice to the show. Video games, fossils, AIs, cat chat, and almost no ukuleles. <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Buckner &amp; Garcia – Pac-Man Fever</li> <li>They Might Be Giants – I Am A Palaeontologist</li> <li>A.F. Harrold – Science Party Poem</li> <li>Tim Minchin – When I Grow Up (from Matilda)</li> <li>Jonathan Coulton – Good Morning Tucson</li> <li>Helen Arney – <a href="http://helenarney.bandcamp.com/track/the-sun-has-got-his-huff-on" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Sun Has Got Its Huff On</a></li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/minipixel/3450336553/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cramped up</a> by philip hay Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Helen Arney


Ivan Scales

Political ecologist Ivan Scales—McGrath Lecturer and Director of Studies in Geography at St Catharine's College, Cambridge—joins the show to discuss natural resource use and environmental change. Ivan is the McGrath Lecturer and Director of Studies in Geography at St Catharine's College. Tracklist  Villagers – Mercy, Mercy Me R.E.M. – It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) Grandaddy – Broken Household Appliance National Forest  Radiohead – Idioteque Joni Mitchell – Big Yellow Taxi Pixies – Monkey Gone To Heaven  Biofuel project in Iba, Zambales    by Trees ForTheFuture  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

Political ecologist <a href="http://www.geog.cam.ac.uk/people/scales/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ivan Scales</a>—McGrath Lecturer and Director of Studies in Geography at St Catharine's College, Cambridge—joins the show to discuss natural resource use and environmental change. Ivan is the McGrath Lecturer and Director of Studies in Geography at St Catharine's College. <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Villagers – Mercy, Mercy Me</li> <li>R.E.M. – It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)</li> <li>Grandaddy – Broken Household Appliance National Forest </li> <li>Radiohead – Idioteque</li> <li>Joni Mitchell – Big Yellow Taxi</li> <li>Pixies – Monkey Gone To Heaven</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/plant-trees/4093889356/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Biofuel project in Iba, Zambales</a> by Trees ForTheFuture Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Natural Resources (with Ivan Scales)


Aubrey de Grey

Biomedical gerontologist Aubrey de Grey of the SENS Foundation joins Will by phone to discuss reversing the effects of ageing, the accurate or counterproductive ways life extension and immortality are presented in fiction, and public perception and acceptance of new medical technology. Repairing the body vs. uploading human consciousness; Buying Time (aka The Long Habit of Living) by Joe Haldeman; whither implants; prosthetics and improving on baseline humans; the state of the art of rejuvenation research.  By around 2050, I'm fairly sure that the human-driven automobile will be a specialised race-track toy for gear-heads, much as horse-drawn carriages in the developed world are a quaint hobby or a deliberate affectation. Charles Stross  Tracklist  Death Cab for Cutie – What Sarah Said Barcelona – Obsoletion 65daysofstatic – When We Were Younger &amp; Better Ume – Pendulum  old &amp; young    by SriHarsha PVSS  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

Biomedical gerontologist Aubrey de Grey of the <a href="http://www.sens.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SENS Foundation</a> joins Will by phone to discuss reversing the effects of ageing, the accurate or counterproductive ways life extension and immortality are presented in fiction, and public perception and acceptance of new medical technology. Repairing the body vs. uploading human consciousness; Buying Time (aka The Long Habit of Living) by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Haldeman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Joe Haldeman</a>; whither implants; prosthetics and improving on baseline humans; the state of the art of rejuvenation research. <blockquote> By around 2050, I'm fairly sure that the human-driven automobile will be a specialised race-track toy for gear-heads, much as horse-drawn carriages in the developed world are a quaint hobby or a deliberate affectation. <a href="http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2010/11/i-hate-cars.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charles Stross</a> </blockquote> <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Death Cab for Cutie – What Sarah Said</li> <li>Barcelona – Obsoletion</li> <li>65daysofstatic – When We Were Younger &amp; Better</li> <li>Ume – Pendulum</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/harshapvss/155722703/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">old &amp; young</a> by SriHarsha PVSS Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Ageing and Rejuvenation (with Aubrey de Grey)


Andy and Will round off the year with a show on intoxicants: real or fantastical, legal or outlawed, poison or cure (or sometimes both…). James Bond’s heart, curare, Charles Waterton’s donkey- and bellows-based hobbies, counteracting poisons with poisons, deadly beauty treatments, glass swans, penicillin, recycling a policeman's urine, K-Pax, alkaloids, opiates, the works of Jeff Noon, Hofmann, tripping babies, Equilibrium, mood stabilizers, and a surprisingly large number of emails! The claim that Dolophine, a brand name for methadone, was chosen in honour of Hitler was sadly too good to be true.  This is a fantastically interesting show! an anonymous listener  Tracklist  Alice Cooper – Poison The National – All The Wine Skunk Anansie – She’s My Heroine Massive Attack – Rush Minute  Plus, if you were listening live:  Nirvana – Lithium  Belladonna (Atropa Belladonna) (Deadly Nightshade)    by Paul BelsonDonkey-Face    by Rachael  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

Andy and Will round off the year with a show on intoxicants: real or fantastical, legal or outlawed, poison or cure (or sometimes both…). James Bond’s heart, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curare" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">curare</a>, Charles Waterton’s donkey- and bellows-based hobbies, counteracting poisons with poisons, deadly beauty treatments, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swan_neck_duct" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">glass swans</a>, penicillin, recycling a policeman's urine, K-Pax, alkaloids, opiates, the works of Jeff Noon, Hofmann, tripping babies, Equilibrium, mood stabilizers, and a surprisingly large number of emails! The claim that Dolophine, a brand name for methadone, was chosen in honour of Hitler was sadly <a href="http://www.thatspoppycock.com/opiates/methadone/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">too good to be true</a>. <blockquote> This is a fantastically interesting show! an anonymous listener </blockquote> <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Alice Cooper – Poison</li> <li>The National – All The Wine</li> <li>Skunk Anansie – She’s My Heroine</li> <li>Massive Attack – Rush Minute</li> </ul> Plus, if you were listening live: <ul> <li>Nirvana – Lithium</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8829172@N02/4022272792/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Belladonna (Atropa Belladonna) (Deadly Nightshade)</a> by Paul Belson <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/misstake111/3409194271/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Donkey-Face</a> by Rachael Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Intoxicants


Alexandra Kamins

Alexandra Kamins, a researcher at the University of Cambridge and IOZ, brings us the messy reality behind the spread of disease, everyone's favourite apocalyptic scenario. Pestilence galore! Zoonotic disease, pandemics/epidemics, fruit bats, Contagion, Outbreak, Ebola, badgers, the imposition of quarantine, (not) being a “helping-people doctor”, Good Omens and more. Tracklist  Metallica – Four Horsemen Toto – Africa Peter, Paul and Mary – Leaving on a Jet Plane They Might Be Giants - Doctor Worm  Colorized Marburg virus particles viewed with a transmission electron microscope    by Microbe World  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

Alexandra Kamins, a researcher at the University of Cambridge and <a href="http://www.zsl.org/science/ioz-staff-students/kamins,1440,AR.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">IOZ</a>, brings us the messy reality behind the spread of disease, everyone's favourite apocalyptic scenario. Pestilence galore! <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoonosis" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Zoonotic disease</a>, pandemics/epidemics, fruit bats, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contagion_(film)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Contagion</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outbreak_(film)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Outbreak</a>, Ebola, badgers, the imposition of quarantine, (not) being a “helping-people doctor”, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Omens" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Good Omens</a> and more. <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Metallica – Four Horsemen</li> <li>Toto – Africa</li> <li>Peter, Paul and Mary – Leaving on a Jet Plane</li> <li>They Might Be Giants - Doctor Worm</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/microbeworld/6055661951/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Colorized Marburg virus particles viewed with a transmission electron microscope</a> by Microbe World Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Contagion (with Alexandra Kamins)


Michael Conterio

Serial guest Michael Conterio joins the show to discuss the fiction and fact of technology enabled by quantum mechanics. Michael co-hosts Burst The Bubble—which airs just before The Science of Fiction—and is the ringleader of Sci Cam, a new magazine-style live video show with interviews, beginner's guides and news. 101 Housework Songs, wave-particle duality, A Quantum Murder, A Quantum of Solace, teleportation, lasers, Boeing YAL-1, semiconductors, Qubit Slip, and many other things. Tracklist  Katrina and the Waves – Walking on Sunshine Jonny Berliner – Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle Chris Cornell – You Know My Name The Firm – Star Trekkin’  Entangled [19/365]    by Thanakrit Gu  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

<a href="/episodes/#four-fundamental-forces" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Serial</a> <a href="/episodes/#doctor-who" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">guest</a> Michael Conterio joins the show to discuss the fiction and fact of technology enabled by quantum mechanics. Michael co-hosts <a href="http://www.camfm.co.uk/index.php?option=com_radioshows&amp;view=showpage&amp;task=displayshowpage&amp;id=49" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Burst The Bubble</a>—which airs just before The Science of Fiction—and is the ringleader of <a href="http://cuon.soc.srcf.net/sci-cam/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sci Cam</a>, a new magazine-style live video show with interviews, beginner's guides and news. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/101-Housework-Songs-Various-Artists/dp/B001QITOGQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">101 Housework Songs</a>, wave-particle duality, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/101-Housework-Songs-Various-Artists/dp/B001QITOGQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Quantum Murder</a>, A Quantum of Solace, teleportation, lasers, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_YAL-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Boeing YAL-1</a>, semiconductors, <a href="http://thoughtcrime.crummy.com/2009/Qubit.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Qubit Slip</a>, and many other things. <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Katrina and the Waves – Walking on Sunshine</li> <li><a href="http://www.jonnyberliner.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jonny Berliner</a> – Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle</li> <li>Chris Cornell – You Know My Name</li> <li>The Firm – Star Trekkin’</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dollarside/4340432324/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Entangled [19/365]</a> by Thanakrit Gu Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Quantum (with Michael Conterio)


Each episode of The Science of Fiction picks a theme and discusses the        science and non-science in fiction involving that theme, with hilarious        results, a selection of tenuously-related music, and a constant stream of        guest experts.  Expect anything from the mechanics of time        travel to advice on how to survive the impending zombie apocalypse!

Each episode of The Science of Fiction picks a theme and discusses the science and non-science in fiction involving that theme, with hilarious results, a selection of tenuously-related music, and a constant stream of guest experts. Expect anything from the mechanics of time travel to advice on how to survive the impending zombie apocalypse!

The Science of Fiction

James Grime, “resident tamed mathematician” of The Enigma Project and past guest, returns to the show to discuss the cliché of depicting scientists as tormented by their own vast intellects. Can 2 + 2 = 5?; Good Will Hunting; George Dantzig; Walter Pitt; William Sidris; Srinivasa Ramanujan; 21; card counting; savants; Fermat's last theorem; Gauss. Some links from the end of the show:  the first episode of Sci Cam. The Science of Fiction podcast, though if you're reading this you may already have noticed.  Tracklist  Radiohead – 2 + 2 = 5 MGMT – Time to Pretend The Notwist – This Room  Frustration    by Dez Creates  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

James Grime, “<a href="http://enigma.maths.org/content/project-officer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">resident tamed mathematician</a>” of <a href="http://enigma.maths.org/content/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Enigma Project</a> and <a href="/episodes/#cryptography" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">past guest</a>, returns to the show to discuss the cliché of depicting scientists as tormented by their own vast intellects. Can 2 + 2 = 5?; Good Will Hunting; George Dantzig; Walter Pitt; William Sidris; Srinivasa Ramanujan; 21; card counting; savants; Fermat's last theorem; Gauss. Some links from the end of the show: <ul> <li>the first episode of <a href="http://cuon.soc.srcf.net/sci-cam/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sci Cam</a>.</li> <li><a href="/feeds/mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Science of Fiction podcast</a>, though if you're reading this you may already have noticed.</li> </ul> <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Radiohead – 2 + 2 = 5</li> <li>MGMT – Time to Pretend</li> <li>The Notwist – This Room</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/botunda/7587865942/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frustration</a> by Dez Creates Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

The Tortured Genius (with James Grime)


We're joined by Helen Scales—marine biologist, broadcaster and author of Poseidon’s Steed—to discuss watery lairs, submariners, cephalopods and more, with a nautical soundtrack.  Eyeball washed up on Florida beach 'probably from large swordfish' A World Without Coral Reefs The Rime of the Modern Mariner Moby Dick Big Read Mind Game The Life Acquatic Leafy seadragon  Tracklist  Lisa Hannigan – Ocean and a Rock Villagers – The Waves Kings of Convenience – Cayman Islands Sigur Rós – Starálfur The Beatles – Octopus’s Garden  Thorny Seahorse    by Tom WeilenmannLeafy Sea Dragon    by Nathan Rupert  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

We're joined by <a href="http://helenscales.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Helen Scales</a>—marine biologist, broadcaster and author of <a href="http://helenscales.com/poseidons-steed/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Poseidon’s Steed</a>—to discuss watery lairs, submariners, cephalopods and more, with a nautical soundtrack. <ul> <li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2012/oct/14/eyeball-florida-beach-swordfish-video" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eyeball washed up on Florida beach 'probably from large swordfish'</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/14/opinion/a-world-without-coral-reefs.html?_r=2&amp;" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A World Without Coral Reefs</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/apr/03/rime-modern-mariner-nick-hayes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Rime of the Modern Mariner</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.mobydickbigread.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Moby Dick Big Read</a></li> <li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_Game_(film)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mind Game</a></li> <li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Life_Aquatic_with_Steve_Zissou" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Life Acquatic</a></li> <li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leafy_seadragon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leafy seadragon</a></li> </ul> <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Lisa Hannigan – Ocean and a Rock</li> <li>Villagers – The Waves</li> <li>Kings of Convenience – Cayman Islands</li> <li>Sigur Rós – Starálfur</li> <li>The Beatles – Octopus’s Garden</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tom_weilenmann/54333007/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Thorny Seahorse</a> by Tom Weilenmann <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nathaninsandiego/3604747465/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leafy Sea Dragon</a> by Nathan Rupert Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Oceans in Fiction (with Helen Scales)


Your intrepid hosts have spent their summers in two unfamiliar cities apiece. To kick off the new season, we'll be discussing fiction which deals with the unique characters of different cities and societies. Expect plenty of free marketing for China Miéville. (Also, Andy has been working on a new survival technique in case of the breakdown of society…)  Neverwhere London Underground mosquito Divergent American Sign Language (Just like of Montreal are not from Montréal, Architecture in Helsinki are not from Helsinki, as this Venn diagram about Scandinavia illustrates.) Maple syrup heist Andy recommends Tactical Nuclear Penguin A review of Penrose’s Cycles of Time. Angry Minnesotans Take 3D Printer Away From Gunmaker Tesla museum campaign Garuda (Will and two past Science of Fiction guest presenters’ band) on Facebook and SoundCloud  Tracklist  The Clash – London Calling Kaki King – Montreal They Might Be Giants – Electric Car Buke and Gase – Naked Cities  City Uptown View Perspective    by ballchaser1Mosquito    by Gravitywave  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

Your intrepid hosts have spent their summers in two unfamiliar cities apiece. To kick off the new season, we'll be discussing fiction which deals with the unique characters of different cities and societies. Expect plenty of free marketing for China Miéville. (Also, Andy has been working on a new survival technique in case of the breakdown of society…) <ul> <li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neverwhere" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Neverwhere</a></li> <li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Underground_mosquito" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">London Underground mosquito</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/sign-language-that-african-americans-use-is-different-from-that-of-whites/2012/09/17/2e897628-bbe2-11e1-8867-ecf6cb7935ef_story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Divergent American Sign Language</a></li> <li>(Just like of Montreal are not from Montréal, Architecture in Helsinki are not from Helsinki, as this <a href="http://www.dieselsweeties.com/lj/norway-vs-sweden.gif" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Venn diagram about Scandinavia</a> illustrates.)</li> <li><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/05/maple-syrup-seized-canada-heist-600-barrels_n_1942575.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Maple syrup heist</a></li> <li>Andy recommends <a href="http://www.brewdog.com/product/tactical-nuclear-penguin" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tactical Nuclear Penguin</a></li> <li>A review of Penrose’s <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/oct/16/cycles-time-roger-penrose-review" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cycles of Time</a>.</li> <li><a href="http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.390029-Angry-Minnesotans-Take-3D-Printer-Away-From-Gunmaker" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Angry Minnesotans Take 3D Printer Away From Gunmaker</a></li> <li><a href="http://theoatmeal.com/blog/tesla_museum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tesla museum campaign</a></li> <li>Garuda (Will and two past Science of Fiction guest presenters’ band) on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/garudacbg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://soundcloud.com/garudacbg/sets/the-greeks/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SoundCloud</a></li> </ul> <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>The Clash – London Calling</li> <li>Kaki King – Montreal</li> <li>They Might Be Giants – Electric Car</li> <li>Buke and Gase – Naked Cities</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ballchaser/208681422/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City Uptown View Perspective</a> by ballchaser1 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gravitywave/478019200/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mosquito</a> by Gravitywave Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

A Tale of 2² Cities


Leonard Richardson

Leonard Richardson joins the show from across the Atlantic to talk about games as plot devices, generative content, storytelling, games which exploit the player, and dadaism. You may know Leonard as the creator of Robot Finds Kitten, the maintainer of Beautiful Soup and the author of Constellation Games, among his many other works.  Candlemark &amp; Gleam.  The Constellation Games Semi-Official Home Page (A production of The Great Hall Of The People And Also Science). Holly's blog post with statistics garnered from her research. The incredible spreadsheet. Wikipedia on Lucky Wander Boy. The generative artworks of Adam Parrish. Spurious, for all your sonnet needs. Since the recording of this episode, Leonard fixed the bug mentioned, so the sonnets are true  Queneau Assemblies. Dada Da Dada Da Dum, Leonard's all-new limerick Queneau assembler inspired by Andy's remark. Not mentioned on the show, but Dinosaur Comics fans should take a look at Dadasaurus Rex. Jonathan Whiting on Nethack on Games We Have Known And Loved. @MarkovGuybrush. Speaking of Twitter, @leonardr. We noticed after the recording that Amazon UK lists Constellation Games without any punitive shipping costs.  Tracklist  Psapp – About Fun Adam Parrish’s Frotzophone Darren Korb – Twisted Streets (from the Bastion soundtrack) Alex Smoke – Anima  Jenny's Twitter avatar    by Beth Lerman  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

Leonard Richardson joins the show from across the Atlantic to talk about games as plot devices, generative content, storytelling, games which exploit the player, and dadaism. You may know <a href="http://www.crummy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leonard</a> as the creator of <a href="http://robotfindskitten.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robot Finds Kitten</a>, the maintainer of <a href="http://www.crummy.com/software/BeautifulSoup/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Beautiful Soup</a> and the author of <a href="http://constellation.crummy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Constellation Games</a>, among his many other works. <ul> <li><a href="http://www.candlemarkandgleam.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Candlemark &amp; Gleam</a>. </li> <li><a href="http://constellation.crummy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Constellation Games Semi-Official Home Page</a> (A production of The Great Hall Of The People And Also Science).</li> <li>Holly's <a href="http://www.hideandseek.net/2012/02/08/deadly-serious-games-fictional-games-and-what-they-tell-us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">blog post</a> with statistics garnered from her research.</li> <li>The incredible <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0At7mag0_WELmdGo5bnN0Z25Cbl80OGJSblh1aEp3cXc&amp;hl=en_US#gid=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">spreadsheet</a>.</li> <li>Wikipedia on <a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucky_Wander_Boy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lucky Wander Boy</a>.</li> <li>The <a href="http://www.decontextualize.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">generative artworks of Adam Parrish</a>.</li> <li><a href="http://www.crummy.com/features/dada/bard/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spurious</a>, for all your sonnet needs. Since the recording of this episode, Leonard fixed the bug mentioned, so the sonnets are true <a href="http://www.crummy.com/2011/08/18/0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Queneau Assemblies</a>.</li> <li><a href="http://www.crummy.com/features/dada/limericks/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dada Da Dada Da Dum</a>, Leonard's all-new limerick Queneau assembler inspired by Andy's remark.</li> <li>Not mentioned on the show, but Dinosaur Comics fans should take a look at <a href="http://www.crummy.com/features/dada/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dadasaurus Rex</a>.</li> <li><a href="http://gameswehaveknownandloved.tumblr.com/post/17875208397/jonathan-whiting-on-nethack" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jonathan Whiting on Nethack</a> on Games We Have Known And Loved.</li> <li><a href="http://twitter.com/MarkovGuybrush" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@MarkovGuybrush</a>.</li> <li>Speaking of Twitter, <a href="http://twitter.com/leonardr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@leonardr</a>.</li> <li>We noticed after the recording that Amazon UK lists <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Constellation-Games-Leonard-Richardson/dp/1936460238/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Constellation Games</a> without any punitive shipping costs.</li> </ul> <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Psapp – About Fun</li> <li><a href="http://itp.nyu.edu/~ap1607/frotzophone/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Adam Parrish’s Frotzophone</a></li> <li>Darren Korb – Twisted Streets (from the <a href="http://supergiantgames.com/?page_id=242" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bastion</a> soundtrack)</li> <li>Alex Smoke – Anima</li> </ul> <a href="http://constellation.crummy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jenny's Twitter avatar</a> by Beth Lerman Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Games in Fiction, Fiction in Games (with Leonard Richardson)


Andy and Will discuss the ways people converse in fiction: some archaic, some fantastical.   Causality-violating quantum entanglement How the world's travel guides describe America  Tracklist  El Ten Eleven – Thinking Loudly The Notwist – Pick Up The Phone Lali Puna – Call 1-800-FEAR 65daysofstatic – Radio Protector  snake1 (sketch)    by Kat Masback  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

Andy and Will discuss the ways people converse in fiction: some archaic, some fantastical. <ul> <li><a href="http://arstechnica.com/science/2012/04/decision-to-entangle-effects-results-of-measurements-taken-beforehand/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Causality-violating quantum entanglement</a></li> <li><a href="http://boingboing.net/2012/06/09/how-the-worlds-travel-guides.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How the world's travel guides describe America</a></li> </ul> <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>El Ten Eleven – Thinking Loudly</li> <li>The Notwist – Pick Up The Phone</li> <li>Lali Puna – Call 1-800-FEAR</li> <li>65daysofstatic – Radio Protector</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kmasback/535113295/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">snake1 (sketch)</a> by Kat Masback Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Communication


Daisy Scholten

Daisy Scholten joins Andy to talk about saintly medical techniques, the afterlife, and absolutely no Dan Brown. Don't forget to get your ticket to see Prometheus on Monday 4th, preceded by an in-the-flesh edition of The Science of Fiction about the science of Alien! (Why not join the Facebook event?) Medieval medicine    by Luciana Christante  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

Daisy Scholten joins Andy to talk about saintly medical techniques, the afterlife, and absolutely no Dan Brown. Don't forget to get your ticket to see <a href="http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Arts_Picturehouse_Cambridge/film/Prometheus_2D/show/23q2mv/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Prometheus on Monday 4th</a>, preceded by an in-the-flesh edition of The Science of Fiction about the science of Alien! (Why not join the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/398703400173723/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook event</a>?) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivacomopuder/2781276640/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Medieval medicine</a> by Luciana Christante Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Mediæval Science and Literature (with Daisy Scholten)


How might the world end? This week, The Science of Fiction investigates the myriad of scenarios for the downfall of humanity. Plus, we introduce a revolutionary new unit of apocalyptic severity… Mushroom Cloud Takeaway Carton    by James Clayton  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

How might the world end? This week, The Science of Fiction investigates the myriad of scenarios for the downfall of humanity. Plus, we introduce a revolutionary new unit of apocalyptic severity… <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/james__clayton/5470262339/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mushroom Cloud Takeaway Carton</a> by James Clayton Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Apocalypse


With Andy having fled the country, Will is joined by Trevor Wood to talk about Nash equilibria, reputation-based currency, and the 16th-century tulip bubble. (They will try to avoid discussing Diplomacy too much.) You may remember Trevor from his Season 2 appearance on mathematics and mathematicians.  von Neumann John Nash Tulip mania @dcurtis on SpaceX and Instagram 2010 Flash Crash (do not confuse) Down and Out In the Magic Kingdom How Bitcoin works beenz Swatch .beats golden balls. the weirdest split or steal ever! Buy tickets for our screening of Prometheus at the Arts Picturehouse. Come heckle us in the flesh!  Tracklist  The Hives – Supply and Demand Battles – Wall Street I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison Blues R.E.M. – It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)  Hex game    by DvortygirlBubble Generator    by jemsweb  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

With Andy having fled the country, Will is joined by Trevor Wood to talk about Nash equilibria, reputation-based currency, and the 16th-century tulip bubble. (They will try to avoid discussing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomacy_(game)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Diplomacy</a> too much.) You may remember Trevor from his Season 2 appearance on mathematics and mathematicians. <ul> <li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_von_Neumann" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">von Neumann</a></li> <li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Forbes_Nash,_Jr." rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John Nash</a></li> <li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_mania" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tulip mania</a></li> <li><a href="http://twitter.com/dcurtis/statuses/203767155303530496" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@dcurtis on SpaceX and Instagram</a></li> <li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Flash_Crash" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2010 Flash Crash</a> (<a href="http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/The%20Adobe%20Flash%20plugin%20has%20crashed" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">do not confuse</a>)</li> <li><a href="http://craphound.com/down/?page_id=1625" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Down and Out In the Magic Kingdom</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/How_bitcoin_works" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How Bitcoin works</a></li> <li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beenz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">beenz</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.swatch.com/gb_en/internettime/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Swatch .beats</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=S0qjK3TWZE8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">golden balls. the weirdest split or steal ever!</a></li> <li>Buy tickets for <a href="http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Arts_Picturehouse_Cambridge/film/Prometheus_2D/show/23q2mv/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">our screening of Prometheus at the Arts Picturehouse</a>. Come heckle us in the flesh!</li> </ul> <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>The Hives – Supply and Demand</li> <li>Battles – Wall Street</li> <li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27m_Forever_Blowing_Bubbles" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles</a></li> <li>Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison Blues</li> <li>R.E.M. – It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvortygirl/6805549999/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hex game</a> by Dvortygirl <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jemsweb/67603445/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bubble Generator</a> by jemsweb Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Economics and Game Theory


The worst offenders might be shampoo adverts, but egregious pseudo-science is not exactly rare in fiction. Joined by The Science Of Fiction regular Djuke Veldhuis, we take a look at what gets scribbled in beside the bits in the script marked “technobabble”.  BBC News: Tackling the trade in human flesh pills io9: Remember when we thought we’d get all our nutrition from pills and bars? Wired: Physicist uses maths to avoid traffic penalty That Mitchell and Webb Look on brushing tongues  Tracklist  Death Cab for Cutie – Crooked Teeth Placebo – Every You Every Me Clint Mansell – Leaving Earth  Détail de "Blah, blah, blah" du studio Louise Campbell (Maison du Danemark)    by dalbera  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

The worst offenders might be shampoo adverts, but egregious pseudo-science is not exactly rare in fiction. Joined by The Science Of Fiction regular Djuke Veldhuis, we take a look at what gets scribbled in beside the bits in the script marked “technobabble”. <ul> <li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17993104" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BBC News: Tackling the trade in human flesh pills</a></li> <li><a href="http://io9.com/5908332/remember-when-we-thought-wed-get-all-our-nutrition-from-pills" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">io9: Remember when we thought we’d get all our nutrition from pills and bars?</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-04/16/physicist-uses-maths-to-avoid-traffic-fine" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wired: Physicist uses maths to avoid traffic penalty</a></li> <li><a href="http://youtu.be/qHI01BbtwZs?t=2m13s" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">That Mitchell and Webb Look on brushing tongues</a></li> </ul> <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Death Cab for Cutie – Crooked Teeth</li> <li>Placebo – Every You Every Me</li> <li>Clint Mansell – Leaving Earth</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalbera/3600301569/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Détail de "Blah, blah, blah" du studio Louise Campbell (Maison du Danemark)</a> by dalbera Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Here Comes The Science Bit


Minimizing the edit distance from last week's show, Chris Smowton joins us to talk about androids, AI, the uncanny valley, and tiny fire extinguishing robots.  Cory Doctorow's I, Robot Cory Doctorow: A Prose By Any Other Name Dr Kathleen Richardson New York Times article quoting Dr Richardson Big Dog Zima Blue and Other Stories  Tracklist  Stars – Sad Robot Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, Pt. 1 Kael Alden (Robot Repair) – Where You Belong  Robot Guarding the Rubber Band Ball    by The Adventures of Kristin &amp; Adam  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

Minimizing the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edit_distance" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">edit distance</a> from <a href="/episodes/#Reboot" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">last week's show</a>, Chris Smowton joins us to talk about androids, AI, the uncanny valley, and tiny fire extinguishing robots. <ul> <li>Cory Doctorow's <a href="http://boingboing.net/2005/02/16/corys-latest-short-s.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I, Robot</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.locusmag.com/Perspectives/2012/05/cory-doctorow-a-prose-by-any-other-name/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cory Doctorow: A Prose By Any Other Name</a></li> <li><a href="http://people.csail.mit.edu/kathleen/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr Kathleen Richardson</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/magazine/29robots-t.html?_r=2&amp;pagewanted=10," rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New York Times article quoting Dr Richardson</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1czBcnX1Ww" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Big Dog</a></li> <li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zima_Blue_and_Other_Stories" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Zima Blue and Other Stories</a></li> </ul> <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Stars – Sad Robot</li> <li>Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, Pt. 1</li> <li>Kael Alden (Robot Repair) – Where You Belong</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristin-and-adam/245965945/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robot Guarding the Rubber Band Ball</a> by The Adventures of Kristin &amp; Adam Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Robots


Kat Arney—songstress, Naked Scientist, knitter—joins Andy and Will to chat about colliders, steampunk, lab-based literature, quacks and the ’Verse.  230% efficient LEDs The Diamond Age Radium infuser for drinking water Ford Nucleon Experimental Heart and The Honest Look by Jennifer Rohn Charlatan: The Fraudulent Life of John Brinkley by Pope Brock  Tracklist  Talk In Colour – Nightshifts (free download!) Sunday Driver – Concubine Waltz The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing – Charlie Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog – My Freeze Ray Tim Minchin – If You Open Your Mind Too Much Your Brain Will Fall Out (Take My Wife)  Can't read music?  Don't harp on it.    by Michael SummersThe Large Hadron Collider/ATLAS at CERN    by Image Editor  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

<a href="http://katarney.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kat Arney</a>—songstress, <a href="http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/about-us/who-are-we/people/kat-arney-1/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Naked Scientist</a>, knitter—joins Andy and Will to chat about colliders, steampunk, lab-based literature, quacks and the ’Verse. <ul> <li><a href="http://dvice.com/archives/2012/03/230-efficient-l.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">230% efficient LEDs</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diamond_Age" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Diamond Age</a></li> <li><a href="http://boingboing.net/2011/12/09/radium-infuser-for-drinking-wa.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Radium infuser for drinking water</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Nucleon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ford Nucleon</a></li> <li><a href="http://jennyrohn.com/exheart" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Experimental Heart</a> and <a href="http://jennyrohn.com/honestlook" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Honest Look</a> by Jennifer Rohn</li> <li><a href="http://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Charlatan.html?id=RV33AAAACAAJ&amp;redir_esc=y" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlatan: The Fraudulent Life of John Brinkley</a> by Pope Brock</li> </ul> <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Talk In Colour – <a href="http://talk-in-colour.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nightshifts</a> (free download!)</li> <li>Sunday Driver – <a href="http://sundaydriver.bandcamp.com/track/concubine-waltz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Concubine Waltz</a></li> <li>The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing – <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/The+Men+That+Will+Not+Be+Blamed+For+Nothing/_/Charlie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlie</a></li> <li><a href="http://drhorrible.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog</a> – My Freeze Ray</li> <li>Tim Minchin – <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Tim+Minchin/_/If+You+Open+Your+Mind+Too+Much+Your+Brain+Will+Fall+Out+(Take+My+Wife)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">If You Open Your Mind Too Much Your Brain Will Fall Out (Take My Wife)</a></li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/canonsnapper/364426401/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Can't read music? Don't harp on it.</a> by Michael Summers <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11304375@N07/2046228644/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Large Hadron Collider/ATLAS at CERN</a> by Image Editor Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Steampunk, Shams and Space Cowboys (with Kat Arney)


Djuke Veldhuis

Djuke, guest star of last season's episode about stress, returns to the show to discuss hybrids, aliens and mutants across fiction and fact (and 16th century Scottish superstition, naturally). Tracklist  Helen Arney – Animals (feat. Professor Elemental) Jonathan Coulton – Skullcrusher Mountain The National – Looking for Astronauts Talkdemonic – Mountain Cats Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – Garden  Half-pony, half-monkey monster    by Rachel Barenblat  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

Djuke, guest star of <a href="/episodes/2/stress" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">last season's episode about stress</a>, returns to the show to discuss hybrids, aliens and mutants across fiction and fact (and 16th century Scottish superstition, naturally). <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Helen Arney – <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Helen+Arney/_/Animals+-+featuring+Professor+Elemental" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Animals (feat. Professor Elemental)</a></li> <li>Jonathan Coulton – <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Jonathan+Coulton/_/Skullcrusher+Mountain" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Skullcrusher Mountain</a></li> <li>The National – <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/The%2520National/_/Looking%2520for%2520Astronauts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Looking for Astronauts</a></li> <li>Talkdemonic – <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Talkdemonic/_/Mountain+Cats" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mountain Cats</a></li> <li>Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Totally%2520Enormous%2520Extinct%2520Dinosaurs/_/Garden" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Garden</a></li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbarenblat/341195474/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Half-pony, half-monkey monster</a> by Rachel Barenblat Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Hybrids (with Djuke Veldhuis)


Bond, Neil Stephenson, Turing, and a real live Enigma machine in the studio! Here are some photos: Andy, James, the Enigma machine, its instructions, and a video of James demonstrating the machine during the episode. James Grime is the “resident tamed mathematician” of The Enigma Project. Tracklist  Tunng – Code Breaker Massive Attack – Babel Matt Monroe – From Russia With Love Silversun Pickups – There’s No Secrets This Year  Enigma    by Roland Peschetz  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

Bond, Neil Stephenson, Turing, and a real live Enigma machine in the studio! Here are some photos: <a href="http://yfrog.com/kgjiteij" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Andy</a>, <a href="http://yfrog.com/kgjiteij" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/resiak/status/143391822142648321/photo/1/large" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the Enigma machine</a>, <a href="http://yfrog.com/kgpwlmdqj" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">its instructions</a>, and <a href="http://yfrog.com/b7pzmz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a video of James demonstrating the machine during the episode</a>. James Grime is the “<a href="http://enigma.maths.org/content/project-officer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">resident tamed mathematician</a>” of <a href="http://enigma.maths.org/content/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Enigma Project</a>. <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Tunng – Code Breaker</li> <li>Massive Attack – Babel</li> <li>Matt Monroe – From Russia With Love</li> <li>Silversun Pickups – There’s No Secrets This Year</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpeschetz/392753965/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Enigma</a> by Roland Peschetz Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Cryptography (with James Grime)


Good Will Hunting, the bat sonar digital switchover, The Hunt for Red October, The Oxford Murders, A Beautiful Mind, Pi, Kevin Bacon, curing the world of Facebook, dinosaurs. Your archivist believes that one host was struggling to remember the details of the Ramanujan-Hardy number on this episode. Tracklist  Darwin Deez – Radar Detector Battles – Ice Cream Broken Social Scene – Love and Mathematics De La Soul – Me, Myself and I Jurassic Park themes  Maths    by David Ebert  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

Good Will Hunting, the bat sonar digital switchover, The Hunt for Red October, The Oxford Murders, A Beautiful Mind, Pi, Kevin Bacon, curing the world of Facebook, dinosaurs. Your archivist believes that one host was struggling to remember the details of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srinivasa_Ramanujan#Ramanujan.E2.80.93Hardy_number_1729" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ramanujan-Hardy number</a> on this episode. <h4>Tracklist</h4> <ul> <li>Darwin Deez – Radar Detector</li> <li>Battles – Ice Cream</li> <li>Broken Social Scene – Love and Mathematics</li> <li>De La Soul – Me, Myself and I</li> <li>Jurassic Park themes</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ebertek/1414151506/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Maths</a> by David Ebert Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Mathematics and Mathematicians (with Trevor Wood)


Dorée gives us a glimpse into the troubled minds of Victorian horror writers, and their pathological fears of, well, pathology. Chemists's Shop, Blist Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge    by Calotype46  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

Dorée gives us a glimpse into the troubled minds of Victorian horror writers, and their pathological fears of, well, pathology. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calotype46/4862036529/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chemists's Shop, Blist Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge</a> by Calotype46 Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Late Victorian Gothic Literature (with Dorée Carrier)


Andy Parker

Prof. Andy Parker heads up the the work on the Large Hardion Collider in Cambridge. We ask him about his work in search of hidden dimensions, and (as always) check that he isn't about to create a black hole that will destroy the Earth. Explosion in 4-Dimensions    by ★ spunkinator  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk.

Prof. Andy Parker heads up the the work on the Large Hardion Collider in Cambridge. We ask him about his work in search of hidden dimensions, and (as always) check that he isn't about to create a black hole that will destroy the Earth. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spunkinator/2641326164/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Explosion in 4-Dimensions</a> by ★ spunkinator Send feedback and comments to <a href="mailto:show@scienceoffiction.co.uk">show@scienceoffiction.co.uk</a>.

Journey into the Fourth Dimension (with Prof. Andy Parker)


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