Carry the Two Kevin Grazier on Orbital Dynamics in Foundation
Jul 11, 2023
In this engaging conversation, Kevin Grazier—a planetary physicist and science advisor known for his work on Battlestar Galactica and Gravity—dives into the intersection of science and storytelling. He discusses how complex scientific concepts, especially orbital dynamics, are seamlessly woven into the narrative of the Foundation series. Grazier shares insights from his collaboration on projects like the Cassini mission, illustrating how real science can enhance cinematic experiences. He also emphasizes the importance of integrating math and statistics into engaging storytelling.
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How Kevin Grazier got involved in Foundation
- Kevin Grazier, a planetary physicist, was contacted by the Science Entertainment Exchange for his expertise in space navigation.
- This led to his involvement in the Apple TV series Foundation.
Foundation and Psychohistory
- Foundation is based on Isaac Asimov's book series and explores the fall of a galactic empire.
- Psychohistory, a fictional science of predicting the future, plays a key role, but modern statistics and chaos theory challenge its feasibility.
Gail's Math Puzzle
- One scene features a math prodigy named Gail, who must determine her location and destination on a spacecraft with limited information.
- The challenge was to portray her as clever using real math but without overselling the complexity.
