Show@scienceoffiction.co.uk (The Science Of Fiction)

Shows

Reality Check: The Science of FictionWelcome to the Intersection of Science and FictionWelcome to the official launch of Reality Check: The Science of Fiction. I'm your host, Heidi Campo, and I'm inviting you to join me on an exhilarating journey through space, time, science, and fiction. As a self-proclaimed sci-fi addict, I often find myself wondering about the plausibility of the concepts I see on screen. That curiosity sparked the creation of this podcast, where I'll explore the viability of these ideas with subject matter experts. Together, we'll rate each concept on a scale from 1 to 5, defining them as:Pure Fiction: Concepts currently beyond our scientific understanding or technological capabilities.Speculative...2023-07-1901 min

The Science of FictionThe Maths of Star Trek: The Original Series (with 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 t...2013-05-1558 min

The Science of FictionThe Human Side of Science (with 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. 2013-03-1054 min

The Science of FictionCyborgsPicking 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 She...2013-03-0359 min

The Science of FictionGaming Science Fiction vs. Modern Science Fact (with 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...2013-02-2457 min

The Science of FictionHelen ArneySpoken nerd and songstress Helen Arney lends her voice to the show. Video games, fossils, AIs, cat chat, and almost no ukuleles. Tracklist Buckner & 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. 2013-02-1056 min

The Science of FictionNatural Resources (with 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@scienceof...2013-02-0357 min

The Science of FictionAgeing and Rejuvenation (with 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...2013-01-2057 min

The Science of FictionIntoxicantsAndy 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 i...2012-11-2553 min

The Science of FictionContagion (with 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. 2012-11-1857 min

The Science of FictionQuantum (with 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...2012-11-1155 min

The Science of FictionPerceptions of Scientists (with Sam Gregson)Andy is joined by Sam Gregson—who works on a “very big thing in Geneva”—to discuss public perceptions of scientists, as revealed through fiction and the media. CP violations; sinusoidal need & perception; hypocritical stand-up sets; aliens; Stargate SG-1; destroying the magic; Spock; Brians with Ph.D.s; and more. Santa Dash 2012 Tracklist Red Hot Chili Peppers – Love Rollercoaster Right Said Fred – I'm Too Sexy Carly Simon – You're So Vain The Flying Lizards – Money (That's What I Want) Pilot – Magic D:Ream – Things Can Only Get Better 130/365:"And they called me mad,mad I tell you!!!!" by...2012-11-0457 min

The Science of FictionThe Tortured Genius (with James Grime)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 feedb...2012-10-2852 min

The Science of FictionOceans in Fiction (with Helen Scales)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 Weilenmann Leafy Sea Dragon by Nathan Rupert Send feedback and comment...2012-10-2152 min

The Science of FictionDead Mammals (with Nick Crumpton)Nick Crumpton—zoologist, co-editor of BlueSci Films, freelance journalist, occasional beard-haver and ukulelist—joins the show to talk primarily about long-dead mammals. Half-life of DNA 100-Million-Year-Old Spider Attack Found in Amber High morphological variation of vestibular system accompanies slow and infrequent locomotion in three-toed sloths Ice Age's Scrat Discovered Bathtime for Baby Sloths The Mammoth Trilogy Innerspace I Shrink, Therefore I Am The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists Tracklist John Williams – Theme from Jurassic Park David Byrne & St. Vincent – Ice Age PVT – In The Blood Here We Go Magic – Collector Entelodon skull by Ben Sutherland Ancient spid...2012-10-1454 min

The Science of FictionA Tale of 2² CitiesYour 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 re...2012-10-0755 min

The Science of FictionGames in Fiction, Fiction in Games (with 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 & 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...2012-06-1757 min

The Science of FictionCommunicationAndy 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. 2012-06-1058 min

The Science of FictionMediæval Science and Literature (with 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. 2012-06-0354 min

The Science of FictionApocalypseHow 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. 2012-05-2755 min

The Science of FictionEconomics and Game TheoryWith 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...2012-05-2057 min

The Science of FictionHere Comes The Science BitThe 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 Eart...2012-05-1354 min

Burst the Bubble - A Contrary Thoughts podcastBurst the Bubble 2012_05_06 – Michael Conterio, Chris Smowton, Ross HigmanThis week we ponder changes to ancient monuments, discover some problems with parakeets telling you their address, and discuss the adventures of Inspector Bear. More details about the show mentioned at the end of the recording, “The Science of Fiction” at http://www.scienceoffiction.co.uk/2012-05-1200 min

The Science of FictionRobotsMinimizing 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 & Adam Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 2012-05-0655 min

The Science of FictionRebootWe take a look at reboots, remakes, re-imaginings, and other almost-synonymous new versions of old works. Are they made to take advantage of new technology; to update the plots for modern audiences; or maybe for no valid reason at all? Needless to say, none of the music featured on this episode was as it was originally recorded: Mark Ronson – Just Karen O, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – Immigrant Song The Dears – What I'm Trying To Say Pt. 1 The Jimi Hendrix Experience – All Along The Watchtower Alarm Will Sound – 4 Reboot Universe by Ryan Laughlin Send feedback and comments t...2012-04-2955 min

The Science of FictionSteampunk, Shams and Space Cowboys (with Kat Arney)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) ...2012-03-1157 min

The Science of FictionConspiracyFasten your tin-foil hats securely, as Andy and Will delve into the murky world of conspiracy theories. Assassination plots, Martian civilizations, mysterious ionosphere research—and how The Establishment will wipe your memory when you've finished listening. PROOF THAT THE CYDONIA FACE ON MARS IS ARTIFICIAL vs. NASA's takedown; HAARP; Starfish Prime; Strange Sounds in the Sky; Flight of the Navigator; The Forgetting Pill Erases Painful Memories Forever; Obama's birth video; Reptilian Kitten Eaters; A Study in Emerald (pdf); This American Life 453: Nemeses. Tracklist 65daysofstatic – The Conspiracy of Seeds Muse - Knights of Cydonia Frou Frou - Shh ...2012-03-0456 min

The Science of FictionShuffleAndy and Will take a (pseudo-)random walk around the scientific and/or fictional topics suggested by their music collections, from interdimensional transport using gravity pulses to musical trees via whistling at nuclear missiles. TIGJAM UK 6 inspired the theme. Consellation Games by Leonard Richardson, featuring two free chapters. An Important Correction Thomas Truax plays the Hornicator. It is Psapp who built and played the Bone-a-phone. Tracklist Thomas Truax – Inside The Internet Muse – Supermassive Black Hole Brad Fiedel – Terminator 2 main title Placebo – Slave to the Wage Hella – 1-800-GHOST-DANCE Garbage – Special Record Collection by jaztuck300...2012-02-2655 min

The Science of FictionHybrids (with 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. 2012-02-1955 min

The Science of FictionErrataAndy and Will correct their past selves’ on-air blunders, and take a look at shakey science in fiction and fact. Tracklist Blood Red Shoes – I Wish I Was Someone Better Noah and the Whale – Tonight's The Kind Of Night Errors – Supertribe Efterklang – Step Aside Psapp – Needle and Thread Nine Inch Nails – III Ghosts 4 )AR=EOa/@%kz3~zDPf by GlitchBot Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 2012-02-1257 min

The Science of FictionCryptography (with James Grime)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. 2011-12-0456 min

The Science of FictionMathematics and Mathematicians (with Trevor Wood)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. 2011-11-2755 min

The Science of FictionThe Music of FictionA music-packed episode of some of our favourite music from and about fiction! From concept albums to point-and-click adventures, and Vikram Seth to Rez and Stalwart. Musica comprimida - Compressed Music by Ferrari + caballos + fuerza = cerebro Humano  Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 2011-11-2058 min

The Science of FictionEnvironment (with Rachel Kennerley)Floods, custard shortages, beards, raccoons, Command & Conquer, environmental pressures, vulnerability theory and more. Here’s an article about the Minecraft mod Rachel mentioned. Tracklist They Might Be Giants – Flood Imogen Heap – Earth Maps and Atlases – Solid Ground Fever Ray – When I Grow Up Jon Boden – When The Walls Come Tumbling Down Don't forget to recycle! by James Go ahead; make my day by Nora Arias Loftis Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 2011-11-1354 min

The Science of FictionFour Fundamental Forces (with Michael Contario) …assuming a spherical shark… How the four fundamental forces (gravity, electromagnetism, the strong force and the weak force) crop up in TV shows, comics, films and more! Michael is the host of Burst the Bubble. shot_through_the_heart_-_and_youre_to_blame by Marie Richie Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 2011-11-0658 min

The Science of FictionBiotechnology (with Steve Frenk)Genetic engineering, stem cell research, and the impact of biotechnology on societies past, present and future, mundane and fantastical. Stress tolerant crops by BASF - The Chemical Company Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 2011-10-3056 min

The Science of FictionStress (with Djuke Veldhuis)Televisions in Papua New Guinea; Heinz ketchup varieties; Fight Club; Dell, Apple and freedom from choice. Getting old; toddlers going caving; Star Wars fan-edits; Falling Down; responsible breakdowns; parachuting; American Beauty; living in a cave for a month; factory workers versus CEOs; sleep cycles; ageing, ulcers, chocolate and turkey. Full Metal Jacket; the transitions between cushy modern life and the battlefield; the hippocampus; the boredom of military life; predictability and control; blood flow in fight or flight; spiders and leopards. Over-grooming; a child in a road accident in China; over-litigious-ness; the bystander effect...2011-10-2359 min

The Science of FictionDystopias and Utopias (with Steve Hyde)Happy birthday Kim; robots; humans are inefficient batteries; squeaky burgers; the end of the world in the late 90s; Demolition Man, Escape From New York; knitting; Equilibrium; hug speakeasies. Being engaged to Zooey Deschanel; The Matrix; The Truman Show; surveillance vs. voyeurism; “other markers are available”; Neuromancer; Ghost in the Shell; cyborg rats. Theremins; 1984 vs. We (and Brave New World); book roulette; reading poets; James Randi; Escape From New York’s special effects; glow-in-the-dark cats; circumcision. Superhero vigilantes with pepper spray; trick or treat; silent movies; Wall-E; Beneath A Steel Sky; GATTACA’s temporal...2011-10-1659 min

The Science of FictionChaos (with Niraj Lal)Chaos, the weather, and why mathematicians can prove there isn't an answer to everything. Niraj is a PhD student in nanophotonics, and wrote a children's book called Butterfly Flo and the Everything Effect—a story about a butterfly in the Australian bush who learns about chaos theory and how he can change the weather. Kaos - Chaos paiting (ii) by Kristina Alexanderson Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 2011-10-0957 min

The Science of FictionRecapAndy and Will chat about what they've been reading and watching over the summer. Clock by Dave Stokes Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 2011-10-0257 min

The Science of FictionMemory (with Dr Amy Milton)Final episode of the series with Dr Amy Milton on the subject of memory, and how to erase it. Original by Carolyn Williams Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 2011-07-2459 min

The Science of FictionLate Victorian Gothic Literature (with Dorée Carrier)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. 2011-07-101h 01

The Science of FictionJourney into the Fourth Dimension (with Prof. 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. 2011-07-0300 min

The Science of FictionTime Travel (with Andy Pontzen)Andy Pontzen discusses the science of time travel, and judges the quality of depictions in fiction from on-air synopses! Expect DeLorean, Terminators and time-travelling phone boxes (be it Bill and Ted’s or the Doctor’s). Time Machine for sale by Alexander Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 2011-06-121h 01

The Science of FictionZombies (with Frank Swain and Thomas Wooley)“Science Punk” Frank Swain talks about real life zombies, and Thomas Wooley discusses his reseach into how we will fare in the event of a zombie attack. We all know the zombie apocalypse is coming, so listen in to make sure you're prepared! Zombies Invade San Francisco! by Scott Beale Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 2011-05-2958 min

The Science of FictionFictional Scientist Grudge Match (with Will Thompson)Andy and Will go head-to-head with their favourite fictional scientists. Kungfu scientists by Arnaud DG Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 2011-05-221h 00

The Science of FictionComputers (with Will Thompson)A show on computers and Computers Science in fiction, inevitably tripping over geek classics such as Tron and Hackers, and spaced by nerdcore and chiptune-y sounds. Arcade control panel prototype by Daniel & Ericka Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 2011-05-1559 min

The Science of FictionDoctor Who (with Michael Conterio)Andy and Michael discuss everything “Who”, asking questions like “How does a Dalek really work?” and investigating important issues including “will we all be Cybermen by the end on the century?” No previous knowledge of the Doctor's adventures needed! nine daleks by Johnson Cameraface Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 2011-05-0858 min

The Science of FictionComic Book Science (with Ben Valsler)The very first show, featuring Ben Valsler, producer of the Naked Scientists. Ben's Masters dissertation was titled “Depictions of science and technology in comics and graphic novels”; this episode looks over his comic collection and discusses the science and its depiction in them. Star Wars Collection by Brian Hathcock Send feedback and comments to show@scienceoffiction.co.uk. 2011-05-0158 min