Science Faction Podcast

This episode contains: Who loves Girl Scout Cookies? We do.

Technology Can Go To The Hot Place: Stanford study into "Zoom Fatigue" explains why video chats are so tiring. We talk about the various ways that video conferencing can take a toll. Except for Devon, who is superhuman.

https://newatlas.com/telecommunications/zoom-fatigue-video-exhaustion-tips-help-stanford/

Pumba, With You Everything Is Gas: Solar rotation varies by latitude. Ben's son asked him about the sun and now we have to deal with it.

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/science/solar-rotation.html

Whiskey, the cause of, and solution to, all of life's little problems: Like wine, environmental conditions impact flavor of whiskey, study finds. We talk about what terroir is and how it affects the taste of stuff. We take a detour into making fun of wine snobs and free basing heritage wheat.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210223121629.htm

Science Fiction: I don't have the strength to type this all out again (I did a dumb and lost this info once -Steven), so enjoy a truncated version:

Ben and Steven watched some Babylon 5 and give their opinions.

Devon caught up on For All Mankind and gives his thoughts on the first season, and we all talk about the second season premiere. 

Devon and Ben both did not enjoy the 7th episode of WandaVision, and Steven holds out hope that episode 8 will help make sense of things.

This episode contains: Ben has something to say about the state of grape buying in this country. Steven is still reminding everyone he has a 3D printer.

Lend Me Some Sugar, I Am Your Neighbor: NASA's Mars Perseverance rover safely lands on Red Planet! We talk about the rover and how it is taking samples to BRING BACK TO EARTH and also it has a drone attached for the FIRST FLIGHT ON MARS. How amazing is all of that?!

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210218162028.htm

Brain Matters?: New research reveals the genetic basis for daytime napping. Genome-wide association study with over 450,000 data points was conducted and it turns out that 123 regions in the human genome are associated with daytime napping. Ben relates this study to how Salvador Dali took his naps.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210210133305.htm

Science Fiction: We talk about how we spent our Valentine's Days with our significant others. Steven is excited for X-Wing Miniatures news. Ben watched some Pixar Popcorn and Steven bought some humble bundle Fallout stuff. We wrap up with a long talk about the latest episode of WandaVision. Steven spends (probably) too much time talking about the Young Avengers. In the end, the two speculate on how Magneto could be introduced into the MCU.

This episode contains: Ben tells us about a Covid scare that his family had. Steven has been 3D printing stuff for Terraforming Mars.

Help Me Wander: There are age-differences in mind-wandering. A study was conducted about young and restless, old and focused and other things about mind-wandering. We also talk about interruptions and focusing.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210210133327.htm

Elementary!: We've had the first ever measurements of einsteinium, element 99. We talk about bond distance, actinides and how watching Back to the Future is better than listening to us.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210206125326.htm

Science Fiction: We talk about some Lucasfilm news and who isn't working for them anymore. Don't worry, The Mandalorian will still be awesome. Ben finished the 5th season of The Expanse and talks about it, and the changes from the books. There is casting news for The Last of Us! Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are our Joel and Ellie and we couldn't be more excited for the HBO series. Finally, we get to WandaVision and the implications of that crazy thing that happened at the end of episode 5.

This episode contains: We kick off this episode with some real Devon talk. Ben is using libraries correctly. Steven watched a little bit of TV.

Spiders, Is There Anything They Can't Do?: Tiny spider engineers use silk pulley systems to lift prey 50 times their weight. The Theridiidae spider not only has an impressive name, it can lift impressive weight. We talk about a video where this tiny spider lifts a cockroach; it's disgusting and awesome.

https://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/tiny-spider-engineers-use-silk-pulley-systems-to-lift-prey-50-times-their-weight/

Pure Energy: According to a new study, a zero-emissions US is now pretty cheap. Wind and solar energy is now cheaper than buying fossil fuels. We also talk a little about carbon capture, and how to pay bills. Adulting! 

https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/new-study-a-zero-emissions-us-is-now-pretty-cheap/

Science Fiction: Steven put some money in Dogecoin, now let's watch him lose it. Devon and Ben do a recap and review of the first two seasons of Doom Patrol. Yeah, we're talking about it again, what of it? You should be watching. Devon caught up on WandaVision and gives his impressions. Turns out he sides with Ben with his opinion of the show. Ben talks The Expanse (tv show) and Devon talks The Expanse (books) and Steven listens and gets spoiled. Finally, we somehow we get on the topic of Gargoyles and TMNT, so there's that.

This episode contains: We all survived the recent storm in California, some of us more than others. Watch out for those downed power lines, Ben!

If You Liked It You Should Have Put A Ring On It: Saturn's tilt caused by its moons, researchers say. The influence of Saturn's satellites can explain the tilt of the rotation axis of the gas giant. We also talk about The Time Machine (2002) and whether the exploded moon would have the same mass and properties as the unexploded moon.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210121132103.htm

Next Week in Space: Dr. Fatima Ebrahimi has invented the rocket that may take us to Mars. New rocket engine uses fusion in an awesome way and could potentially be faster than our current chemical rockets by several orders of magnitude.

https://news.sky.com/story/new-concept-for-rocket-thruster-exploits-the-mechanism-behind-solar-flares-12202285

Science Fiction: Ben shepherds a final talk about Star Trek Discovery season 3. We analyze "That Hope Is You" parts one and two, and have some very polite discussions. Next we tackle episodes 3 and 4 of WandaVision. The recap of episode 3 short and sweet, we give the most time to episode 4, with as many call outs to other Marvel properties as possible. Pietro, Magneto, Mutants, Thor 1 & 2, Ant-Man and the Wasp, and Captain Marvel. Steven attempts to figure where WandaVision is headed, but thinks there must be another major character yet to be introduced. We finish with Ben giving his final thoughts on The Leftovers. He says it's a gift.

This episode contains: We talk about President Biden's inauguration, and what we did to celebrate (like buy a bone folder or a hot tub).

Debunking Pseudoscience: Ineffective 'learning styles' theory persists in education. Were told you were a 'visual learner' or an 'auditory learner' or something similar? Turns out that 89% of teachers also believe this pseudoscience. We also talk about the merits of having physical books.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210106111959.htm

Just One Step in Front of the Other: First task for Biden’s CDC director: Fix everything Trump broke. We talk about Dr. Rochelle Walensky and the 100,000,000 shots in 100 days promise from the Biden administration. Finally, we chat about the efficacy of the coronavirus vaccine and how we don't really need to worry about the variants that have emerged.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/first-task-for-bidens-cdc-director-fix-everything-trump-broke/

Science Fiction: Steven has been reading Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi and gives an extended review of the first half of the book. Do you remember Lor San Tekka? You should. Finally, Ben and Steven talk about WandaVision and attempt to convince Devon to watch the show (which he had already agreed to do). We cover the Agatha Harkness theory as well as the meaning behind S.W.O.R.D.

This episode contains: This week we kick off the episode with some computer problems. Ben's PC failed him, and Steven attempts to diagnose it.

World Beat: How Earth's oddest mammal got to be so bizarre. Scientists have mapped the platypus genome and have found some very interesting things: 10 sex chromosomes, one of three egg laying genes survived from ancient bird ancestor, and more!

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210106133034.htm

My God, It's Full Of Stars!: Distant colliding galaxy dying out as it loses the ability to form stars. Astronomers have seen a galaxy ejecting nearly half of its star-forming gas. A galaxy dies when it can no longer make new stars. Steven questions his galactic reality.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210111112147.htm

Science Fiction: We talk about the Star Trek Discovery finale. We talk about the need for a 'part 1, part 2', the Burn and it's origins, elevator fights, and Staments deserving to be more than just a car key. This will be the last Star Trek talk for quite a while, so enjoy it while it lasts.

This episode contains: This is a podcast about Science and Science Fiction, but when the world is on fire, we have to talk about it. We start this episode talking about the coup / insurrection attempt by Trump.

You Spin Me Right 'Round Baby, Right 'Round: What happens when your brain can't tell which way is up or down? Scientists used virtual reality to test the brain and how it acts when it's perspective is 'wrong'. We also quickly talk about how there is an AR Mario Kart coming to Universal Studios.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210107125312.htm

Robot Overlords: World's fastest optical neuromorphic processor has been created. The neuromorphic processor operates faster than 10 trillion operations per second, which is fast. Really fast. It's made of micro-combs, which act like a rainbow made up of hundreds of high-quality infrared lasers on a single chip. But can it run DOOM?

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210107112418.htm

Hello Internet, This is your Dad Speaking: We talk about how to mitigate the impact of a lockdown on your mental health. Almost 10,000 people from 78 countries participated in a study about mental health in a lockdown. Having support, education, and flexibly adapting to the pandemic have improved mental outcomes. Ben is the Internet's dad. He's looking out for all of us.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210107112430.htm

Science Fiction: Steven talks a bit about his new hobby: 3D printing and upgrading his printer. We then talk about two episodes of Star Trek Discovery, 'Su'Kal' and 'There is a Tide...'. There is a lot of ground to cover, but we get through it. Final verdict? We're a bit disappointed. Ben gives us a run-down of the first season of The Leftovers, and recommends it. Steven finished the 3rd Bobiverse book, of course he loved that one too. Steven just started reading Light of the Jedi the first High Republic Star Wars book, he gives some initial impressions. Ben gives us the final wrap up of Alien Worlds, and oh boy does he recommend it.

Devon says some stuff.

This episode contains: We talk about some items we received for Christmas, and then get right to business.

Water Bear Don't Care: Water bears (tardigrades) are stuck on the moon after crash landing (in  2019). Tardigrades are under a millimeter long and can survive extreme conditions, 150C to almost absolute zero. We talk about the ethics of leaving things on the moon and how incredible the water bears continue to be.

https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-49265125

Top 10 Discoveries Missed in 2020: Devon does a listicle to close down the year. These items include (but are not limited to) ancient earth material, tyrannosaur embryos, Mars humming, Betelgeuse mystery, and the end of the Ebola outbreak. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/12/10-awesome-science-discoveries-you-may-have-missed-in-2020/

Science Fiction: We all watched the two big streaming movies of the holiday season: Soul and Wonder Woman 1984. We give our thoughts and reviews on both of them. We talk just a bit about Star Trek Discovery, since Steven missed the last episode. Devon and Steven have both been watching The Stand and give Ben a run-down of what it's all about. Ben and Devon watched Midnight Sky and give Steven a mini-review. Devon watched The New Mutants and was pleasantly surprised. 

"The Moon is Littered with the Failures of Man"-Steven

This episode contains: We start out ready for 2021. Ben and kid have been reading Legend of Korra comics. Steven bought a 3D Printer.

Art is in the Eye of the Microbiological Organism: Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings have unique microbiomes, study finds. Hairs can be a marker for where you are. We have a nice conversation of art, it's purpose and how much Ben loves it.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/12/leonardo-da-vincis-drawings-have-unique-microbiomes-study-finds/

Biological Imperative: Is it better to give than receive? Children who experienced compassionate parenting were more generous than peers. We don't add much to this one, besides Ben thinking he's a bad dad. (He's not.)

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201201103626.htm

Science Fiction: We talk about the Star Trek Discovery episode Terra Firma part 2, and our varied opinions on how it all turned out. We talk a bit about Harlan Ellison and The City on the Edge of Forever. We talk on the season 2 finale of The Mandalorian. We talk about *that* reveal and where we think the show will go in a season 3. We also get excited for The Book of Boba Fett.

One last question: Who is your Spider-Man? Tobey Andrew or Tom?