Science of Superheroes: Planet Comicon Live

Science of Superheroes: Planet Comicon Live

Author: Fact & Science Fiction April 4, 2019 Duration: 43:42

This special live episode was recorded March 30 in Kansas City MO. I did a round-up of the science of superheroes and superpowers, including Captain Marvel, the Incredible Hulk, Captain America, and Ant-Man. I discuss photon blasts, radiation, growing big and super-shrinking. Then I talked about the outliers: real life people with interesting abilities. Check out the transcript on the blog factandsciencefiction.com and share the episode with a nerd you know!


Twitter: @FactandSciFi

Facebook: facebook.com/factandscifi

Instagram: @factandscifi


Research from this episode came from:

O'Doherty Jim; Rojas-Fisher, Bruno; O’Doherty, Sophie. Real-Life Radioactive Men. Superhero Science and Technology, [S.l.], v. 1, n. 1, nov. 2018.


ExplainThatStuff.com How do lasers work?


Stanford biologist explains science of origin stories of Captain America and the Incredible Hulk


CBR.com Captain Marvel: All Of Her Powers Officially Ranked


The Science of Superheroes by Lois Gresh and Robert Weinberg


Size and Warmth Noticing.co


Biohacker CRISPRs himself in attempt to get bigger muscles


IceMan by Smithsonian Magazine


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


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
Corporations and The Endless Frontier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:09
This episode I talk about the balance between public funded research and private funded research. In reality, private industry has to step up a lot when public funding diminishes. But sci-fi tells us that science is soon…
Interview with Scientist Laura Richmond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:38
The pod's first bonus episode is an interview with Laura Richmond, a PhD candidate and host of 'Superhero Science' in Glasgow, Scotland. We talk more about epigenetics, the importance of science education, and what we ca…
Epigenetics, Cloning, and Orphan Black [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:38
This episode I discuss the controversy of cloning, how external stimuli can affect you at your genetic level without changing your DNA (aka epigenetics!), and how this is all connected to evolution and how we humans are…
Fact & Science Fiction Preview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:32
Who am I? Why am I creating this podcast? This episode gives a quick background on the host and previews future topics on the show. Learn more about the real story behind sci-fi TV, books, and movies.Music: 'Heart String…