StarTalk Radio To Boldly Go Where No StarTalk Has Gone Before with Charles Liu
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Dec 10, 2024 
Astrophysicist Charles Liu, a professor at CUNY and author of 'The Handy Quantum Physics Answer Book,' joins Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice to explore the futuristic themes of Star Trek. They discuss whether warp drives could one day be a reality and how quantum physics intersects with the show’s narratives. Liu highlights Star Trek's cultural impact on real scientific advancements while critiquing its portrayal of sci-fi technologies. The conversation humorously delves into the moral implications of sci-fi, prompting thoughts on our hopeful future shaped by creativity.
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Experiencing Star Trek
- Neil deGrasse Tyson saw the original Star Trek series during its initial run, while Charles Liu only saw reruns.
- Tyson found the automatic doors the least believable aspect of the show's futuristic technology.
Automatic Doors
- When Neil deGrasse Tyson first watched Star Trek, he found the automatic doors the least believable technology.
- He accepted phasers and photon torpedoes but questioned how doors could know to open.
Childlike Acceptance
- Charles Liu, as a child, accepted Star Trek's futuristic technology without questioning its feasibility.
- He focused on the non-lethal nature of phasers.
