For this special science, astronomy and sci-fi themed episode of Tech's Message, we're joined by three very knowledgeable guests to discuss the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, interplanetary travel, and the science behind science fiction, based on the themes raised in Carl Sagan's book and film Contact:
Dr Pamela Gay: Astrophysicist and Director of Technology and Citizen Science at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Director of CosmoQuest and co-host of science podcast Astronomy Cast. On Twitter at @starstryder.
Veronica Belmont: Sci-fi expert and Product Manager at Growbot.io., host of Mozilla's IRL podcast and science fiction and fantasy-themed book club Sword & Laser. On Twitter at @Veronica.
Tom Merritt: Sci-fi expert and author, host of Sword & Laser as well as the host of Daily Tech News Show. On Twitter at @acedtect.
Contact
In a nutshell, the story of Contact focussed on a scientist named Dr Ellie Arroway, working within the SETI facility at the Arecibo Observatory, who discovers a mysterious signal apparently coming from the star system Vega. It turns out the signal is being received as a repeating set of pulses that follows an ascending pattern of prime numbers - 2 pulses, then 3, then 5, 7, 11, and so on. Within the signal was an encoded message, which ultimately translated into being schematics for an inter-stellar transport vessel.
The film and the book differ on a few points but huge parts of both book and film detail the political, religious, financial, personal and existential issues surrounding first contact, and we'll discuss some of those themes across this 45-minute special episode.
Along with many other topics, we discuss:
Watch or buy Contact from iTunes or Amazon or
Your Pretty Face Is Going to Help Thieves: TM 161
Girls Just Wanna Have Funds: TM 160
It’s The Bend of The Mobile World As We Know It: TM 159 (MWC Special)
Don't Forget Hooves Legs You're Standing On: TM 158 (ft. Patreon CEO, AI Tech For Cows)
Hoo, Like An 8Gbps Virgin: TM 157
Under The Influencer, I Got No Defense: TM 156 (feat. Charlotte Steggz)
Aaaaaand We're Back! TM 155
The Trauma Is O2 Real: TM 154
He's Shopping On That Midnight Train to Birmingham: TM 153
I Was a Gambling Pony: TM 152
I Can Bend And Not Break: TM 151
It Don't Matter If You're Black And White: TM 150 (feat. Andy Hoyle)
I Think iPad One Too Many Is All: TM 149
Ain't Too Proud to Clegg: TM 148
Sweet High Street Funky Thing: TM 147
Because When I Go, I Go to the Xs Max: TM 146 (inc. Apple iPhone Xs Review)
How Can AI Help Education? Recorded LIVE @ The EdTech Podcast Festival: TM 145
Heaven's Just an eSIM Away: TM 144
You're The One With The Jet Hack Strapped to Your Bank: TM 143
Nuns Are More Digital Than You'd Think: TM 142 (feat. Sr Catherine Wybourne)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST
Wahlgren & Wistam
Mellan Himmel och Jord
Olösta Fall
Spår