311: Scientific Realism

Science in TNG, with Dr. Erin MacDonald.   Dr Erin Macdonald is an astrophysicist, aerospace engineer, and host of the online series "Dr Erin Explains the Universe." She's also a huge Star Trek fan who was recently announced as a science consultant for the Star Trek franchise. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Joe Keegan, Amy Nelson, and Justin Oser are joined by Dr. Erin MacDonald to talk about the science in Star Trek and her work as a scientist, an engineer, a science fiction consultant, and a science communicator. The discussion includes the excitement of being a Star Trek science consultant, our favorite science moments in TNG, which advanced Star Trek technology (replicators, transporters, or warp drives) we're most likely to see within a hundred years, and much more! Listen/subscribe via: http://itunes.com/trekfm http://www.trek.fm/earl-grey/311 http://earlgrey.trekfm.libsynpro.com/rss Chapters Intro (00:01:14) Listener Feedback (00:02:55)  Welcome, Erin! (00:06:55)  Speed Round (00:17:40)  Class M Planets (00:21:14)  Betelgeuse (00:25:08)  Replicators Coming (00:32:51) Phaser Rifles (00:38:18)  Spore Drive (00:41:35)  Science Fails (00:48:26)  Science in TV (00:54:17)  Favorite Science in TNG (01:03:53)   New Discoveries (01:09:49)    Final Thoughts (01:13:33)  Closing (01:19:30)  Runtime: 01:30:22 Hosts Joe Keegan Amy Nelson Justin Oser Guest Dr. Erin MacDonald Production Amy Nelson (Editor and Producer) Justin Oser (Producer) Joe Keegan (Producer) Tony Robinson (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Michael E Hueter (Associate Producer) Thomas Appel (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Chris Tribuzio (Associate Producer) Joe Keegan (Associate Producer) Jim McMahon (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Tony Robinson (Show Art)