Interview with Author David Siegel Bernstein

Interview with Author David Siegel Bernstein

Author: Fact & Science Fiction January 30, 2019 Duration: 33:40

David Bernstein's Blockbuster Science has been a life-saver for my research for the podcast and I was so happy he agreed to be on the show! We talk about how he got the idea for the book, his favorite topics in science (hint: space!), and his job as a forensic data scientist! Follow David on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


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Ever wonder how close your favorite sci-fi movie or show gets to the actual facts? Fact and Science Fiction picks apart those iconic themes-like time dilation, artificial intelligence, or cloning-to separate cinematic spectacle from scientific possibility. Each episode focuses on one or two recurring ideas from the genre, unpacking how they’re portrayed on screen before exploring what current research and real-world physics actually say. It’s for anyone who’s left a theater or finished a binge-watch with more questions than answers, curious about the genuine principles behind the fiction. You’ll hear clear explanations about topics ranging from genetics and quantum mechanics to the realities of interstellar travel, all grounded in credible science but discussed without unnecessary jargon. The aim is to enrich your viewing experience, giving you a deeper appreciation for both the creativity of storytellers and the wonders of the natural world they often draw from. Tune in to satisfy that curiosity, discovering where our most imaginative films and TV series intersect with the truths of biology, astronomy, and technology. This podcast turns every sci-fi trope into a starting point for a fascinating investigation into reality.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 35

Fact and Science Fiction
Podcast Episodes
Are We Alone? Finding Extraterrestrial Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:20
This episode I discuss extraterrestrial life: how will we find them? What will they look like? What will we say to them? I discuss technology from NASA, spectroscopy, the study of insects, the messages we've sent so far,…
Interview with Altered Carbon's Marlene Forte [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:24
Over the weekend at ClexaCon, I got to talk to Marlene Forte. You may know her as Alazne in Altered Carbon, Celia in Fear the Walking Dead, or Graciela in The Runaways. We talk about her science fiction roles, what it's…
Gender and Sexuality: Live at ClexaCon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:55
This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at ClexaCon, the largest multifandom convention for LGBTQ women and allies. My guest host Michelle and I discuss the importance of women and LGBTQ representation in m…
Bonus Episode: Interview with NASA Engineer Holly Griffith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:54
Holly Griffith is a sci-fi geek and engineer who worked in mission control for space shuttle missions and the International Space Station. She talks about the real hard work and challenges of getting astronauts into spac…
Military Science Fiction and The Cold War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:19
This episode I discuss military science fiction as subgenre of sci-fi and how it may have influenced the discourse around the military from the Cold War to today. I talk about Cold War themes in Starship Troopers and End…
Bonus Episode: Philip K. Dick 2049 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:22
For a special bonus episode, I discuss the themes of Philip K. Dick and how they were inspired by his real life. I use examples from adaptations I've watched recently, including Blade Runner 2049, Total Recall, and Amazo…
Health and Medicine in Science Fiction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:53
This week Jes, registered nurse and pre-med student, returns to discuss how healthcare stacks up to the speculation of science fiction. We talk about prosthetic limbs, mobile diagnostic tools, organ transplants, and dise…
Virtual Reality and Dreams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:45
This episode I discuss what virtual reality really is, what it's not, how VR may fool humans, and which science fiction encapsulates it best. I use examples from Jaron Lanier's book 'Dawn of New Everything', The Matrix,…
What is Artificial Intelligence? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:36
This episode I discuss the history, theory, and philosophy behind artificial intelligence. How does our human consciousness differ? And what artificial intelligence looks like in science fiction, such as The Matrix, Pers…
Gender and Sexuality in Science Fiction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:31
This week I discuss the representation and assumptions of gender in science fiction and the real world with special guest, sci-fi nerd and girlfriend of the pod, Jes! We discuss gender in pulp scifi and representation of…