Discover the importance of scientific accuracy in movies, the existence of wormholes, and the intersection of science fiction and theoretical physics. Hear about a quirky theater experience and a recommended film podcast.
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Science Advisors Shape Character Credibility
Science advisors can make characters credible and inspire audiences to pursue science careers.
Brian Cox notes Natalie Portman's Jane Foster became a role model because she was written as a particle physicist.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Let Story Trumps Technicality
Prioritize storytelling over technical correctness when necessary for comedy or plot.
David X. Cohen says Futurama kept 'science shall not outweigh comedy' on the whiteboard during writing.
insights INSIGHT
Two Types Of Wormholes
There are distinct wormhole types with different physical implications and shapes.
Faye Dowker explains spatial wormholes differ from space-time wormholes that look like a pair of trousers.
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How important is it for movie producers to get the science right? Brian Cox and Robin Ince discover why some surprising movies have scientific advisers and ask if there is any science in The Simpsons. They question the existence of fictional wormholes, while comedian Ross Noble can’t believe there may actually be a space-time portal shaped like a pair of trousers. Some writers are even accurate by accident, as comic book author Alan Moore discovers when he tells Brian about one of his outlandish planetary plotlines… only to hear it obeys all the laws of physics. And Sir Patrick Stewart wows the panel with a little piece of plastic, but everyone agrees this Star Trek communicator is the stuff of legend.
Episodes featured:
Series 12: The Infinite Monkey Cage USA Tour: Los Angeles
Series 12: Christmas Special
Series 22: Black Holes
Series 2: Science Fiction Science Fact
Series 7: Space Exploration
New episodes will be released on Wednesdays, but if you’re in the UK, listen to new episodes, a week early, first on BBC Sounds: bbc.in/3K3JzyF
Producer: Marijke Peters
Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem