Originally recorded: December 2017

In this episode, Matt David has abandoned Matt Donald for the month, so Matt Donald calls in their mutual friend and true science geek Allen Brooks to fill in until next time. They talk about asteroids hitting the Earth, complain about the constant barking of Matt Donald's dogs (yet still love dogs, don't worry), roll their eyes at their fellow co-hosts' pathetic attempts at humor, and explain the concept of hard sci-fi, AKA "realistic" sci-fi. What is it compared to soft sci-fi? How much research should you do? What are some common misconceptions about space and physics you should avoid? Why do the two hosts rant about Star Wars for like five minutes despite that not being hard sci-fi in the slightest? We discuss it all, with such knowledge of the topic it puts Carl Sagan to shame, and talk about 2001: A Space Odyssey, the Martian, Star Trek, and Matt Donald's book MEGAZOIC, which is not hard sci-fi at all, but cheap plug! *ding*

Have any feedback or questions for our hosts? Email us at [email protected]. Also you can purchase Matt Donald's book "Megazoic" on Amazon by clicking here. If you'd like, of course.

Special thanks to Allen Brooks for helping out with this episode.