StarTalk Radio The Science of Godzilla, Zombies & Other Monsters, with Charles Liu
15 snips
Oct 21, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, astrophysicist Charles Liu, a professor at CUNY, delves into the science behind iconic monsters like Godzilla and zombies. Liu explains how Godzilla emerged as a cultural symbol of nuclear anxiety. He explores why a 400-foot Godzilla couldn’t physically exist and reveals the psychological allure of zombies and their connection to human fears. The conversation also touches on the role of monsters in reflecting our own monstrosities and emphasizes how understanding the science behind these creatures can help demystify them.
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Godzilla As Post‑Atomic Symbol
- Godzilla embodies Japan's post-atomic anxieties, created by radioactivity in the original mythology.
- The monster forces culture to ask: what have we unleashed with nuclear power?
Gamera Eats Fire, Not People
- In Gamera, the creature destroys cities because it seeks and eats fire for nutrition.
- Humans manipulate that behavior with Plan Z, using controlled fires to lure it away.
Why Giant Monsters Break Physics
- Scaling laws make giant creatures like Godzilla physically impossible because mass grows faster than support area.
- At 400 feet, Godzilla's weight would shatter known bone and muscle, so it couldn't move like in films.
