Does It Fly?

Subscribe to Does It Fly? Pod: https://www.youtube.com/@doesitflypod?sub_confirmation=1On DOES IT FLY?, we explore the science and story logic behind your favorite pop culture topics. Today, we’re looking at whether the science and story logic behind the Upside Down from Netflix’s Stranger Things could work!The final season of Stranger Things has finally arrived on Netflix, and we know it was worth the wait. Stranger Things season 5 might be the most anticipated new season of a Netflix series in history. And with good reason. An instant sensation from when it first premiered in 2016, the kids from Hawkins have captivated new audiences and nostalgia enthusiasts alike with their unique blend of prestige TV storytelling and nods to classic directors like Steven Spielberg, David Cronenberg, John Carpenter, Joe Dante, and more.And central to Stranger Things lore is the Upside Down, the weird parallel dimension that lurks alongside the fictional Hawkins, Indiana. So how does this relate to hard science concepts like string theory, dark matter, or the fundamental forces of the universe? And since one of the reasons Stranger Things has endured for nearly a decade is just how well the lore works, we’ll take a deep dive into the concepts and behind-the-scenes facts that make it all hang together. Check out the latest episode of Does it Fly? to learn more! https://youtu.be/dXNJsDMCICoFOLLOW US!Stay in the loop! Follow DOES IT FLY? on:♦ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doesitflypod?sub_confirmation=1♦ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doesitflypodAnd don’t forget to follow Roddenberry Entertainment for more sci-fi insights:♦ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roddenberryofficial/♦ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roddenberry♦ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/roddenberrypod.bsky.socialFor Advertising Inquiries: doesitfly@roddenberry.comProduced by: Kelsey GoldbergTechnical Director: Andrew HalleyRODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT | 2025

Subscribe to Does It Fly? Pod: https://www.youtube.com/@doesitflypod?sub_confirmation=1On DOES IT FLY?, we explore the science and story logic behind your favorite pop culture topics. Today, we’re asking: if you die in your dreams, will you die in real life, like we see in the Nightmare on Elm Street movies?“Welcome to prime time…”Freddy Krueger“One, two, Freddy’s coming for you…three, four, better lock the door…five, six, grab your crucifix…seven, eight, better stay up late.” For some of us, horribly scarred by R-rated horror movies in heavy rotation on HBO as kids, this little nursery rhyme first heard in A Nightmare on Elm Street was about as well known as the Pledge of Allegiance. It’s a simple, memorable admonition to not fall asleep lest serial killer Freddy Krueger visit you in your dreams to make sure you won’t wake up that held considerable power over our imaginations. But it’s also so much more.A Nightmare on Elm Street, as well as its parade of sequels (of…varying quality, but we’ll get to that) taps into a certain primal fear of the unknown. Sleep is one of the little deaths in our life. We surrender ourselves to forces we don’t truly understand, where we then are bombarded with symbolic narratives as our brains keep firing while our bodies rest. The simple question of “if I go to sleep, what if I don’t wake up?” is one that every child has asked their parents. And there’s that long standing urban legend that if you die in your dream, well, your real life body will follow.Is there any truth to that? If you die in your dreams, will you ACTUALLY die in real life? And what about the actual science of dreams and sleep? And how the heck did Wes Craven and friends weave it all together to create one of the most compelling horror stories of all time?Check out the latest episode of Does it Fly? to find out! And…let’s hope we don’t put you to sleep. Put some coffee on or something, geez!https://youtu.be/h0A0QX0nH0cFURTHER VIEWINGVirtually everything we cover in terms of the dream logic of Freddy Krueger and this franchise can be found in Wes Craven’s original A Nightmare on Elm Street, a true classic of ‘80s horror and one of the most influential films of its kind of all time!And yes, the rest of the franchise is kind of hit and miss, but they’re all entertaining as hell. If you ONLY watch one of the sequels, check out A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors, which is generally beloved and the best of the bunch. But for you Scream fans (another Wes Craven masterpiece), you might also want to give Wes Craven’s New Nightmare a look, as it’s almost the prototype for Scream!And if all that is old (and ratty) hat to you, maybe it’s time to check out the brilliant Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy documentary.FURTHER READINGDo you want to delve a little deeper into the facts, concepts, and stories Hakeem and Tamara referenced in today’s episode? Of course you do! A Quick Overview of SleepNot just the different stages of sleep, but a breakdown of what can go wrong during them, can be found here!Night TerrorsWhile that sounds like it could be a movie title, it’s an actual scientific term, and these ain’t your average nightmare! But those can lead to…Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death SyndromeAnd while this one sounds like a really awful band name, it is one of the cruxes of the fear of dying in your dreams.Lucid DreamingIf you want to actual kick Freddy’s ass while you sleep, then you’d better master the art of lucid dreaming! Here’s how.Men, Women, and ChainsawsTamara cites this important work on the role of gender in the horror genre and you should check it out, too!Freddy Lives!Want more behind the scenes details on the franchise? Well, here you go.WANT MORE FROM DOES IT FLY?Who says we don’t cover horror on this show? Just check out this howlingly good episode we did on werewolves if you don’t believe us!It’s spooky season and The Crow absolutely fits the vibe, if you want some heroics with your horror. Check it out here.FOLLOW US!Stay in the loop! Follow DOES IT FLY? on:♦ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doesitflypod?sub_confirmation=1♦ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doesitflypodAnd don’t forget to follow Roddenberry Entertainment for more sci-fi insights:♦ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roddenberryofficial/♦ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roddenberry♦ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/roddenberrypod.bsky.socialFor Advertising Inquiries: doesitfly@roddenberry.comProduced by: Kelsey GoldbergTechnical Director: Andrew HalleyRODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT | 2025

“My mind to your mind. My thoughts to your thoughts…”Vulcans right before they guess your phone password.We’ve all seen them do it. A Vulcan gets cozy with an individual, gently places a perfectly-manicured and long-fingered hand along their face, gets that distant look in their eye, and suddenly their minds are one. No, it’s not a clever party trick, it’s an incredibly useful information gathering tool, as well as an intimate (even emotional) act that Vulcans don’t take lightly and thus only deploy in circumstances that absolutely demand it. Yes, we’re talking about the Vulcan Mind Meld this week! And despite being one of the most famous pieces of Star Trek lore there is surprisingly (or perhaps thankfully) little on screen explanation of it. But explaining how a mind meld may or may not work requires us to dig into how brains actually conjure up and store things like memories, the electrical impulses that make up thoughts, and actual real world non-verbal communication. There are also some fascinating pieces of Star Trek history to be uncovered in our quest to determine not just the “how” of this famed plot and story device, but the “why” of how it came to be. Our hosts, Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi and Tamara Krinsky have once again performed a mind meld of their own to bring you the very best breakdown of sci-fi and pop culture you’re going to find in this quadrant.Check out the latest episode of Does it Fly? right here if you don’t believe us!https://youtu.be/YllWLbrhKP0?si=xJxH6Gbb2mUVnbUdFURTHER VIEWINGDespite being one of the most famous bits of Star Trek lore, the Vulcan Mind Meld is something that’s only been used relatively sparingly on screen. You probably know the broad strokes of what it is and what it’s supposed to do, but here are the specific episodes and moments we used for reference in this episode:Star Trek season 1 episode 9 - “Dagger of the Mind”Star Trek: The Next Generation season 3 episode 23 - “Sarek”Star Trek: Voyager season 1 episode 8 - “Ex Post Facto”Star Trek: Voyager season 2 episode 16 - “Meld”Star Trek: Enterprise season 1 episode 17 - “Fusion”FURTHER READINGDo you want to delve a little deeper into the facts, concepts, and stories Hakeem and Tamara referenced in today’s episode? Of course you do! What is a Mind?Oh no, are we getting all philosophical again like we did in our recent Freaky Friday episode? Well…maybe not as much this time. In fact, to prove it, here is an exceedingly scientific breakdown of what makes up the brain itself: neurons and how they work! See also: the concept of “theory of mind” which we have also discussed recently!Brain Energy SignalsIn order to detect what a brain is thinking, you need to read the signals…which may be electrical in nature but come in units of measure we aren’t used to dealing with!Mirror NeuronsNo, not neurons that make you behave like your evil double from a parallel universe (sorry, this is a Star Trek episode, so couldn’t resist), these are far more practical. And in a way, it’s a form of mind meld!Technological Mind MeldsThe scientific study that Hakeem references where scientists used technology to essentially create a mind meld was captured on video here.Where are Memories Stored in the Brain?In order to access the thoughts of another, they have to theoretically be stored somewhere, right? All this and more answered here.Behind the Scenes! If you want to go deeper into Tamara’s explanations about how the Mind Meld came to be, we always recommend These are the Voyages, TOS Season One by Marc Cushman and Susan Osborne and The Fifty-Year Mission: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Trek - The First 25 Years by Ed Gross and Mark A. Altman.WANT MORE FROM DOES IT FLY?This ain’t our first rodeo (in this case, “rodeo” means “exploration of concepts from Star Trek)! Our first episode ever took on the transporter and you can watch that right here.We also took a closer look at the Genesis Device from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Watch it here!WE ARE RUNNING A CONTEST! WIN SOME COOL PRIZES!Does It Fly? Presents: The Ultimate Nerd GiveawayRoddenberry Entertainment's Does It Fly? is proud to present a giveaway that will make all of your nerd, geek, and sci-fi fan hearts flutter. Want to know how to enter and win? The main thing you’ll want to do is watch and listen for the secret word which will be mentioned in this and upcoming episodes. You’ll see the word appear on screen at a random point in the broadcast as our hosts say it, and it will be accompanied by a tone for our audio listeners. The secret word will appear in Does it Fly? episodes released between July 2 and August 22 so don’t miss ‘em!But there are SO MANY OTHER WAYS TO ENTER! So log in at this link and learn all the different ways you can enter to win! https://gleam.io/IhJtq/dif-ultimate-nerd-giveawayNow, as for those prizes…SECOND RUNNER UP:Prey Soundtrack VinylCaptain Pike FlexfigJudge Q FunkoFIRST RUNNER UP:Prey Soundtrack VinylPredator Elder Greyback FunkoPredator City Hunter FunkoCaptain Sisko FlexfigClassic PhaserGRAND PRIZE:Prey Soundtrack VinylJurassic Park Dilophosaurus Hatchling FunkoJurassic Park T. Rex Hatchling FunkoJurassic Park Velociraptor HatchlingJurassic Park Stygimoloch Hatchling FunkoGentle Giant Saru BustFOLLOW US!Stay in the loop! Follow DOES IT FLY? on:♦ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doesitflypod?sub_confirmation=1♦ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doesitflypodAnd don’t forget to follow Roddenberry Entertainment for more sci-fi insights:♦ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roddenberryofficial/♦ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roddenberry♦ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/roddenberrypod.bsky.socialFor Advertising Inquiries: doesitfly@roddenberry.comProduced by: Kelsey GoldbergTechnical Director: Andrew HalleyRODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT | 2025

“You’ve got ME? Who’s got YOU?!?Lois LaneWith a new Superman movie now in theaters (James Gunn’s aptly titled Superman) it’s time to take a look at one of the biggest conundrums in all of popular culture. Just where do Superman’s powers come from? While there have been conflicting explanations for this given by comics, TV shows, animated series, and movies through the decades, one point has taken hold pretty solidly for most of the character’s eight-plus decades: many of Superman’s powers come from the fact that he comes from a race of aliens who developed under a red sun, which means our more intensely radiant yellow sun charges up his cells and gives him his amazing abilities.The nature of Superman’s powers had been addressed in different ways in the comics over the years (at one point, ALL Kryptonians were simply born with super powers, before explanations like Earth’s lighter gravity, our yellow sun, and others were added to the mythos). But the first media adaptation that really tried to address the source of his powers came with Richard Donner’s masterful Superman: The Movie (1978). In that film, no less than Marlon Brando as Jor-El patiently explains to the audience the ways a Kryptonian would adapt to Earth’s environment and the powers one might get.Look, there’s only so much realism we can expect with a character like Superman, who is more of an ideal to strive for than a hard science fiction character. But we dive into the science and the story, and also discuss the timeless vibes that make that first proper Superman movie such an enduring classic in this episode.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9jeGwHn57EFURTHER VIEWINGMuch of this episode’s discussion was based around two of the best superhero movies ever made, Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980). While Christopher Reeve might be the most perfect piece of superhero casting ever, the other two movies in that franchise are uneven at best. But there’s other Superman media that address the source of the Man of Steel’s powers!While divisive, Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel made a valiant effort to explain why Superman can do the things he does (including the yellow sun). And James Gunn’s currently in theaters Superman (2025) leans heavily on the solar power angle. It’s also just an absolute blast and the best superhero movie in years.FURTHER READINGKrypton and Its SunThere are two main ingredients in Superman’s home planet that are said to contribute to his powers on Earth. One is that Krypton itself is habitable (and potentially with heavier gravity), and in order for that to be the case, it has to exist in the habitable zone of the star it orbits. Proxima Centauri B is one such world that has captured scientists’ attention.The one more relevant to today’s discussion is that Superman was born under a red sun, which makes Earth’s yellow sun supercharge his cells. In Krypton’s case, that’s a dying star known as a red giant. Which brings us to…A quick guide to the different colors of stars. Although, as Hakeem points out, Earth’s sun isn’t yellow, but green! Eventually, it will turn red, but that’s a problem none of us will be around to see.KryptochondriaWe all remember photosynthesis from elementary school, right? But in order for human (or animal in the case of Krypto the Superdog) cells to be charged up with solar radiation to the degree necessary for superheroics, cellular organelles and ribosomes would have to function differently. Also the amount of the neurotransmitter known as adenosine triphosphate (creatine devotees know all about ATP) it would take to generate the energy for super-feats is prohibitive.We confess that following Hakeem on the matter of the absorption spectrum is a little challenging, but don’t just take our word for it! Failed Flying Techniques and More!Tamara gives us a red giant batch of story analysis and background info in this one, but because seeing is believing, some stuff is better watched than read. For more context on Superman: The Movie and the incredible effort it took to make you believe a man could fly, check out The Magic Behind the Cape (where we get the “best special effect of all” that Tamara quotes) and Front Projection 101. Also, somewhere on a Superman: The Movie Blu-ray extra that doesn’t appear to be online, there is video evidence of the “dummy shot out of an air cannon” failed flying technique Tamara brings up, but we can’t link it here! WE ARE RUNNING A CONTEST! WIN SOME COOL PRIZES!Does It Fly? Presents: The Ultimate Nerd GiveawayRoddenberry Entertainment's Does It Fly? is proud to present a giveaway that will make all of your nerd, geek, and sci-fi fan hearts flutter. Want to know how to enter and win? The main thing you’ll want to do is watch and listen for the secret word which will be mentioned in this and upcoming episodes. You’ll see the word appear on screen at a random point in the broadcast as our hosts say it, and it will be accompanied by a tone for our audio listeners. The secret word will appear in Does it Fly? episodes released between July 2 and August 22 so don’t miss ‘em!But there are SO MANY OTHER WAYS TO ENTER! So log in at this link and learn all the different ways you can enter to win! https://gleam.io/IhJtq/dif-ultimate-nerd-giveawayNow, as for those prizes…SECOND RUNNER UP:Prey Soundtrack VinylCaptain Pike FlexfigJudge Q FunkoFIRST RUNNER UP:Prey Soundtrack VinylPredator Elder Greyback FunkoPredator City Hunter FunkoCaptain Sisko FlexfigClassic PhaserGRAND PRIZE:Prey Soundtrack VinylJurassic Park Dilophosaurus Hatchling FunkoJurassic Park T. Rex Hatchling FunkoJurassic Park Velociraptor HatchlingJurassic Park Stygimoloch Hatchling FunkoGentle Giant Saru BustFOLLOW US!Stay in the loop! Follow DOES IT FLY? on:♦ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doesitflypod?sub_confirmation=1♦ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doesitflypodAnd don’t forget to follow Roddenberry Entertainment for more sci-fi insights:♦ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roddenberryofficial/♦ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roddenberry♦ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/roddenberrypod.bsky.socialFor Advertising Inquiries: doesitfly@roddenberry.comProduced by: Kelsey GoldbergTechnical Director: Andrew HalleyRODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT | 2025

“I have a new primary user now…me.”The title character from M3GAN being bratty.When the first trailers for the original M3GAN arrived, nobody quite expected it to be one of the horror movie sensations of recent years. But it sure did! Or, we should say, she sure did. Because like all the best horror movie protagonists who go by their first names alone (Freddy, Jason, you get the picture), M3GAN became a pop culture force all her own.And for all the fun ridiculousness contained in that film (and, presumably, in the sequel, M3GAN 2.0 which is now in theaters), it actually raised some interesting philosophical questions. Of course, here at Does it Fly? we’re interested in the actual mechanics of building and designing M3GAN herself, but we also are fascinated by the implications of using a realistic A.I. as a therapeutic device. Maybe M3GAN isn’t the most nuanced subject for those conversations, but we dive into them, nonetheless.We also had some of the most fun we’ve had this year in our final section, putting M3GAN “on trial” for her actions, with our hosts, Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi (prosecution) and Tamara Krinsky, Esq. (ok, not really, but she’s a hell of a defense attorney in this case) throw vibes out the window this week, so we’ll see you in court!All this and more in the latest episode of Does it Fly? right here…https://youtu.be/nteIYlCFAUISUGGESTED VIEWING If you’re reading this, you already saw M3GAN, right? Good. If not, despite its somewhat campy reputation, it really is a fun piece of sci-fi with a horror edge and it absolutely deserved to be the box office hit it was. Just note that we hadn’t seen M3GAN 2.0 at the time of recording.While 2004’s I, Robot isn’t beloved by Asimov purists (see our “further reading” section below), it’s better than its reputation suggests and comes from frequently underrated director Alex Proyas, so that’s good enough for us if you want a little context for the “three laws of robotics” discussed here.Tamara also brings up Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report as a film about a technology that has theoretically good intentions…until it’s put into practice and immediately abused. FURTHER READING Do you want to delve a little deeper into the facts, concepts, and stories Hakeem and Tamara referenced in today’s episode? Of course you do! Building Your M3GAN (please do not do this)There are three elements of M3GAN that are rooted in science fact but ultimately keep her as science fiction.Fine Motor ControlWe’ve mentioned the incredible work in humanoid (and canine) robotics being done by Boston Dynamics before, but they don’t quite have the dexterity of M3GAN…yet.“Apparent Reasoning”Getting into all of the ins and outs of artificial intelligence and the debates surrounding it is beyond the scope of this show, but even ardent A.I. supporters admit that “true general intelligence” or the ability for machines to actually reason, isn’t a thing…yet. Read more here.Power DensityEven assuming these other things were possible, the battery life of M3GAN is beyond the current “power density” of anything out there…for now.Asimov’s LawsAs Tamara references, courtesy of Asimov’s short story collection, I, Robot…see if you can spot how many of these M3GAN breaks!A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.Kids, Technology, Attention Spans…As Hakeem and Tamara discuss, while technology can be used therapeutically for kids, like anything else, there are potential drawbacks, particularly with attention spans. The Fisher-Price bear hackEven though this happened over a decade ago, it’s still a warning light to heed!Hakeem’s Favorite AstronautOK, yes, Cady Coleman does seem pretty awesome.WANT MORE FROM DOES IT FLY?For other humanoid robot fun with deep and potentially terrifying implications, have you seen our Blade Runner episode? Or might we suggest RoboCop?The new How to Train Your Dragon is currently in theaters and we took a look at the evolutionary possibilities of dragons right here.FOLLOW US!Stay in the loop! Follow DOES IT FLY? on:♦ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doesitflypod?sub_confirmation=1♦ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doesitflypodAnd don’t forget to follow Roddenberry Entertainment for more sci-fi insights:♦ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roddenberryofficial/♦ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roddenberry♦ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/roddenberrypod.bsky.socialFor Advertising Inquiries: doesitfly@roddenberry.com

"Ye intruders beware.Crushing death and grief,Soaked with blood,Of the trespassing thief."With that ominous passage inscribed upon a map, the timeless adventure of The Goonies begins. And what an adventure it is! Equally influenced by golden age of Hollywood swashbuckling pirate movies like Michael Curtiz’s Captain Blood, vintage movie serials that also inspired the likes of Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Carl Barks’ classic Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge comics, The Goonies is almost a literal thrill-a-minute film. Packed with (sometimes literal) cliffhangers, subterranean mazes, maps, mysteries, and traps. So many traps! The kinds of traps you might associate with classic Scooby-Doo cartoons but brought to live action with stunning realism and peril all with a Rube Goldberg flair. Traps that wouldn’t be out of place in producer Spielberg’s Indiana Jones franchise, made all the more perilous because it’s a cast of kids being put in danger.So when it came time for us to think up a concept to celebrate the (wanna feel old?) 40th anniversary of The Goonies, we had two choices: It was either the traps or how it’s possible that Cyndi Lauper could turn what could have very easily have been a mediocre soundtrack cash-in like “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough” into a piece of songwriting perfection…or the traps. We went with the traps. And considering how much ancient history is riddled with real life deathtraps, well…you might be surprised at what we find when we start delving in to the mechanisms of these devices. It’s not just whether they work…it’s whether they would still work hundreds of years later!Watch the latest episode of Does it Fly? right here…if you’re good enough…https://youtu.be/-b-Pm2yTHYMSUGGESTED VIEWING Seen The Goonies? Good, go watch it again. Haven’t? Go watch it twice. You can thank us later.But also, you might want to check out a couple of other ‘80s classics that are part of this film’s DNA. The Goonies falls somewhere on the spectrum between Steven Spielberg’s (who produced this film) all-timer Raiders of the Lost Ark and Rob Reiner’s R-rated coming of age quest movie Stand By Me. You might also want to check out The Monster Squad as a film which tried to mimic this movie’s magic in a different context. And of course, its legacy is felt pretty keenly in Stranger Things…FURTHER READING Do you want to delve a little deeper into the facts, concepts, and stories Hakeem and Tamara referenced in today’s episode? Of course you do!There are two key ingredients to the traps as depicted in The Goonies, both of which are very rooted in real life: the legacy of Rube Goldberg and the actual security measures from ancient tombs and structures.Rube Goldberg MachinesYou might not realize it, but you know what a Rube Goldberg Machine is. If you ever saw a Looney Tunes cartoon where some absurdly complicated device with many steps performs a simple task (usually set to this distinctive music) then you’re already familiar. And while reading about Rube Goldberg and his bizarre creations is one thing (which you can do here) you really should see them to get the full effect.“Tomb Security”The trope that everyone is familiar with thanks to everything from Indiana Jones movies to Pirates of the Caribbean to DuckTales is…mostly true! Maybe not in terms of giant boulders being triggered to roll over you, but in lots of other ways.Usually, these are depicted as part of some kind of “curse” that befalls would-be grave-robbers. Other times they are based in the very real discovery of what appear to be unfortunate human sacrifices. In all cases, these “security measures” are part of elaborate attempts to keep sacred sites undisturbed. And in one, there’s even an “army” standing guard…if only they moved!WANT MORE FROM DOES IT FLY?The allegedly final installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise is in theaters now and we examined an iconic moment from its past!Final Destination Bloodlines is here and we went back to the very beginning to examine the central concept of the franchise. Watch it here!FOLLOW US!Stay in the loop! Follow DoesItFly? on YouTube and TikTok and let us know what you think! Subscribe to Does It Fly? Pod: https://www.youtube.com/@doesitflypod?sub_confirmation=1And don’t forget to follow Roddenberry Entertainment:Instagram: @RoddenberryOfficial Facebook: RoddenberryBluesky: @roddenberrypod.bsky.socialFor Advertising Inquiries: doesitfly@roddenberry.comCheck out the official Does it Fly? playlist, too!

Blade Runner takes the concept of A.I. to its logical conclusion by merging it with artificial consciousness and biology. Is this the future we’re headed toward?“Wake up, time to die!”LeonWhen Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner was first brought to the screen in 1982, the notion of “artificial intelligence” as we have come to know it, was a niche subject at best. If you can believe it, the idea of a personal computer in every home (never mind in your pocket) was enough of a novelty for most people that the concept of androids so lifelike that you could barely tell them apart from actual human beings felt about as far-fetched as a lightsaber or a chestburster, despite the film’s low key and distinctly film noir approach to science fiction.Ah, but what a difference a couple of decades makes. Today your social media feeds are flooded with lifelike AI images of people who don’t exist, swarmed with engagement by bots, depicts video of events that never took place and even music that was never composed by a human. People talk to ChatGPT when they’re lonely. While that’s still an order of magnitude away from putting an indistinguishable artificial intelligence into a similarly indistinguishable biomechanical body, who knows what advances in technology might bring us in another 20 years?Which brings us to our latest episode, which as you can probably figure out, is putting the concept of replicants from Blade Runner to the test.Watch the latest episode of Does it Fly? right here… https://youtu.be/GU8SgYWDaMISUGGESTED VIEWING There’s more to the Blade Runner franchise than you might initially suspect, but for our discussion in this episode we only focused on the two feature films, Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049. Everything you need to know is contained in those, and honestly, there are those among us who think the sequel might surpass the original in some ways.But if you want to dive into the entire screen franchise in timeline order, we’ve got a handy viewing list for you. Blade RunnerBlade Runner Black Out 2022 (anime short film)Blade Runner: Black Lotus (anime TV series)2036: Nexus Dawn (short film)2048: Nowhere to Run (short film)Blade Runner 2049FURTHER READING Do you want to delve a little deeper into the facts, concepts, and stories Hakeem and Tamara referenced in today’s episode? Of course you do! Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?Philip K. Dick’s 1968 novel forms the basis for the entire Blade Runner franchise. It’s considerably different from the first movie, although elements of it also made it into Blade Runner 2049.Building Replicant BodiesThere are two key parts of the scientific debate surrounding replicants. Let’s start with the physical, because these aren’t mere robots, they’re biological organisms in their own right. Hakeem points to the field of regenerative medicine (perhaps best known to the general public for work with stem cells) for its ability to grow working organs and body parts in lab conditions as the first key to bringing artificial humans to life in a way that would be almost undetectable.See also: organoids and artificial wombs for some of the more stunning possibilities.Artificial ConsciousnessThere’s a difference between artificial intelligence (which is a rapidly evolving field and one we continue to litigate the ethics of as it relates to creativity) and artificial consciousness. The replicants as depicted in Blade Runner, especially the film’s villain, Roy Batty, would seem to have achieved consciousness and an attendant awareness and fear of their own mortality. And there are indeed people studying the possibility of artificial consciousness and the ethical implications that might come with that.Talk to us when there’s artificial empathy, then we might feel better (and of course, there’s a test for that!).“Night, Wet, Smoke”The three key visual ingredients Ridley Scott used to create his sci-fi noir are discussed in detail here.WANT MORE FROM DOES IT FLY?For a different look at artificial life, cybernetics, and the intersection between humanity and machine, check out our episode on RoboCop right here!This isn’t the first Ridley Scott movie we’ve tackled here. Check out our look at the original Alien and the terrifying perfection of the xenomorph right here.FOLLOW US!Stay in the loop! Follow Does It Fly? on YouTube and TikTok and let us know what you think! Subscribe to Does It Fly? Pod: https://www.youtube.com/@doesitflypod?sub_confirmation=1And don’t forget to follow Roddenberry Entertainment:Instagram: @RoddenberryOfficial Facebook: RoddenberryBluesky: @roddenberrypod.bsky.socialFor Advertising Inquiries: doesitfly@roddenberry.comCheck out the official Does it Fly? playlist, too!

“Now witness the power of this fully armed and operational battlestation!”Emperor Palpatine, shortly before nothing goes wrong for him whatsoever.Say it with us, “that’s no moon…that’s a space station.” One of the most quotable lines in the Star Wars saga actually tells you quite a bit about the central threat of the original film (now officially known as Episode IV: A New Hope but to anyone who grew up in the ‘80s or ‘90s, it will forever be known simply as Star Wars). The Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate planet-destroying superweapon is the size of a small moon (or a large asteroid, as we’ll get to in the episode) but is actually a mobile space station that can house and deploy thousands of troops, hundreds of small ships, and packs enough firepower to turn your home planet into multiple orders of space McNuggets.You’d probably assume that something like the Death Star would be completely out of the realm of scientific plausibility. And you might also make assumptions about the story logic or the vibes of the Death Star, especially since the entire Star Wars franchise essentially lives or dies by its vibes. Unlike, say, Star Trek (please don’t make assumptions that we are biased simply because this is a Roddenberry production), which tries to lean heavily on the “science” part of science fiction, the Star Wars brand of sci-fi has always had a healthy dose of fantasy. Fortunately, we have Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi and Tamara Krinsky to explain how it all works for you…and also how much it might cost to actually build one of these things. We took a look at the entire history of the Death Star, from what we see in Episode IV, Return of the Jedi, the “Starkiller Base” evolution in The Force Awakens, and even the gritty military realism of Andor and Rogue One to find our answers, which might just surprise you.Don’t believe us? (“That…is why you fail!”) Well, padawans, watch the latest episode of Does it Fly? right here and you might just be surprised at what we found!Watch the video version here:https://youtu.be/aE4vkGo-QfkSUGGESTED VIEWING Everything you really need to know about the Death Star (but were afraid to ask) is pretty much contained in Episode IV: A New Hope (we’re still calling it Star Wars), Return of the Jedi, and the truly great Rogue One. But it’s worth checking out The Force Awakens to see how the Death Star evolved into Starkiller Base. And while Rogue One prequel, Andor on Disney Plus has yet to tap into Death Star mythology…you really, really, really need to be watching that show.But Tamara also recommends the original The Making of Star Wars documentary which has some wonderful looks at how the movie magic of the Death Star was pulled off. Track it down!Tamara also points out a couple of classic war movies that were key inspirations for George Lucas for the assault on the Death Star: 1955’s The Dam Busters and 1964’s 633 Squadron.FURTHER READING Do you want to delve a little deeper into the facts, concepts, and stories Hakeem and Tamara referenced in today’s episode? Of course you do!MimasNo, not orange juice and prosecco! Saturn’s seventh largest moon does look suspiciously like the Death Star, doesn’t it? It’s also about 1/10th the size of The Moon, which makes it much closer in actual size to the Death Star.Asteroid PsycheGiven the absurd cost it would take to actually build a Death Star, we’re going to need to raise some capital. Fortunately, there’s an asteroid in our solar system that may be composed entirely of materials “worth more than the entire world economy.”Dyson SpheresIn case you’re wondering what it would take to power something like a Death Star, let’s start with a Dyson Sphere, which could potentially channel the power of an entire sun. Hey, if you’re looking to blow up a planet, do it right. Do they exist? Maybe!It Costs HOW Much?Never mind the price of steel and other building materials, get a load of how much firing a weapons grade laser costs. Now imagine that multiplied by how much it would take to destroy a planet!How Star Wars Almost Didn’t Happen“I believe it was said at the time that no science fiction picture grossed more than $10 million dollars, and no picture with War in the title ever grossed more than six or seven million. So the idea of a sci-fi film with War in the title was a pretty deadly combination.”The article that Tamara quotes from can be found in full here, and it’s full of fascinating info!Operation Plumbbob We can’t explain it any better than the Atomic Heritage Foundation: “Operation Plumbbob was a series of 29 nuclear tests conducted by the U.S. military between May 28 and October 7, 1957, at the Nevada Test Site. It was one of the longest and most comprehensive test series in the continental United States, and became controversial after much of the operation was declassified. There were several objectives during Operation Plumbbob, including improving tactical weapon design, conducting bio-medical experiments, safety testing, and component and design testing for thermonuclear systems to be detonated in future operations.”They’ve got some pretty amazing videos of this as well.WANT MORE FROM DOES IT FLY?We’ve tackled Star Wars concepts before, so check out our episode on lightsabers right here!The new season of HBO’s The Last of Us is currently giving everyone nightmares, so we told you why you maybe (?) shouldn’t worry too much…for now.FOLLOW US!Stay in the loop! Follow DoesItFly? on YouTube and TikTok and let us know what you think! Subscribe to Does It Fly? Pod: https://www.youtube.com/@doesitflypod?sub_confirmation=1And don’t forget to follow Roddenberry Entertainment:Instagram: @RoddenberryOfficial Facebook: RoddenberryBluesky: @roddenberrypod.bsky.socialFor Advertising Inquiries: doesitfly@roddenberry.comCheck out the official Does it Fly? playlist, too!

We’re looking at the science of the microbots from Disney and Marvel’s Big Hero 6 in our latest episode.“Are you satisfied with your care?”BaymaxConsidering how the entire mission statement of our show involves the intersection of science and story, and how we love the thought of getting younger people excited about STEM, it’s something of a wonder that we didn’t get to Disney’s Big Hero 6 sooner. While technically a superhero story and loosely based on a Marvel property, Big Hero 6 is uniquely original and as wonderfully wholesome as it is action-packed. But best of all (for our purposes, at least), it’s got a central concept and plot device that absolutely beg to be unpacked from every imaginable angle.No, sadly, it’s not about what makes Baymax so adorably huggable. The piece we’re focusing on for today’s episode is microbots and the attendant neural transmitter which controls them. This is what kicks off virtually all the action in the film, the one with the most real world parallels, and the one that we feel is the best fodder for discussion…for now. We’ll get to our beloved Baymax in a future episode if enough of you ask for him!Watch the latest episode of Does it Fly? right here…https://youtu.be/Whc6qcMG1FUSUGGESTED VIEWING While there’s some additional Big Hero 6 media and lore out there, we based our discussion on this episode solely on the events that take place in that movie…which is plenty good enough as it won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2015. But if you (like us) can’t get enough of Baymax, there’s also a Disney+ animated series focused solely on the big cuddly robot titled, appropriately, Baymax!. There’s also a Big Hero 6 animated series that picks up directly after the events of the film. We’re still hoping for a big screen sequel, though!FURTHER READING Do you want to delve a little deeper into the facts, concepts, and stories Hakeem and Tamara referenced in today’s episode? Of course you do! Nanobots vs. MicrobotsHakeem said it best if you’re trying to understand the difference: “A nanobot is a thousand times smaller than a microbot,” although some sources seem to continue to use them interchangeably. But to give you an idea of some of the more exciting developments, there are those that can manipulate a single cell and we are inching (sorry) closer to clinical trials to deploy nano and microbots in human health care. There are reasons to believe this could end up getting us closer to a cure for cancer (yes, that’s a video, but it fit better here than in our “suggested viewing” section).Brain Computer Interfaces + Nanobots = Coolness!We also covered the topic of Brain Computer Interfaces a little bit in our episodes on RoboCop and 3 Body Problem, but it’s just as relevant here. Here’s a refresher/overview for you.And while we’re at it, this paper on the intersection of BCI’s and actual nanobots for real world purposes reads like something that would actually exist in the fictional world of Big Hero 6, but it’s actually real!Collective BehaviorSure, the microbots in Big Hero 6 behave in intensely coordinated ways, but you know what else already does that really well in our world? Drone shows!And The Oscar Goes To…Who says that Marvel movies aren’t Academy Award worthy? This one sure was!WANT MORE FROM DOES IT FLY?Big Hero 6 isn’t the only Disney animated movie to tackle superheroes. Check out our episode on The Incredibles for more!Don’t forget, Big Hero 6 is also technically a Marvel movie! We took a look at the similarly tech-centric science of Iron Man here.FOLLOW US!Stay in the loop! Follow DoesItFly? on YouTube and TikTok and let us know what you think! Subscribe to Does It Fly? Pod: https://www.youtube.com/@doesitflypod?sub_confirmation=1And don’t forget to follow Roddenberry Entertainment:Instagram: @RoddenberryOfficial Facebook: RoddenberryBluesky: @roddenberrypod.bsky.socialFor Advertising Inquiries: doesitfly@roddenberry.comCheck out the official Does it Fly? playlist, too!

Released in 1999, The Matrix has become a timeless sci-fi classic. Whether it’s the groundbreaking visual effects, the positively bonkers action sequences, or the disturbing looks at a world that has been consumed by AI and virtual experiences, there’s something that will resonate with just about any member of the audience, even a quarter century after its initial box office success. But there’s one moment in particular that perfectly illustrates the true horror at the heart of The Matrix. Since the titular concept of the film can only exist because humans have all been placed in a form of stasis, with their very bodies used to power the machines that now rule the world and create their shared reality, the big reveal of how that works needs to be suitably disturbing. And boy, does it deliver. When Neo (Keanu Reeves) chooses to wake up to actual reality, he’s revealed as a hairless body, covered in goo, with feeding and breathing tubes stuffed down his throat. While not quite the iconic moment that the bullet time fights and martial arts sequences are, it might very well be the most powerful moment in the film or its sequels.It’s a moment that has stayed with us for over 25 years, which is why today we’re asking the question: does the human body really generate enough electrical power to essentially serve as a battery?Take the red pill in the latest episode of Does it Fly? for the answers…https://youtu.be/9e-CZiFpd6oSUGGESTED VIEWING We based the majority of today’s discussion just on the first film in the franchise, which is, of course, 1999’s The Matrix. If you need a viewing order, it’s followed by The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions in 2003. But we’ve gotta say, you’re missing out if you don’t check out the bizarre and cool The Animatrix, which fills in a lot of backstory. And count us among the folks who think 2021’s The Matrix Resurrections is a much sharper movie than it gets credit for.FURTHER READING Do you want to delve a little deeper into the facts, concepts, and stories Hakeem and Tamara referenced in today’s episode? Of course you do! The Simulation ArgumentEver wonder if you’re living in a computer simulation? The roots of that argument come from Nick Bostrum and the details on it can be found here.How Much Power Output From Humans?Believe it or not, there have been respectable studies about the potential for the human body to generate power for small devices from everyday activities. A summary can be found here with some more in depth information here. Somewhat related, it’s worth considering the difference between the efficiency of solar energy power and the use of power from biofuels.The Matrix Starter PackThere are three books that are key to understanding the themes of The Matrix, and it seems they were required reading on set of the film. They are: Jean Baudrillard’s 1981 philosophical treatise Simulacra and Simulation, William Gibson’s seminal work of cyberpunk fiction Neuromancer (which has yet to get the screen adaptation it deserves), and 1995’s Out of Control by Kevin Kelly.WANT MORE FROM DOES IT FLY?For a more recent take on a sci-fi dystopia, allow us to recommend our Squid Game episode!The disturbing practical effects of the Neo awakening scene does recall some of the more unsettling cyberpunk aspects of RoboCop, which we covered here.FOLLOW US!Stay in the loop! Follow DoesItFly? on YouTube and TikTok and let us know what you think! Subscribe to Does It Fly? Pod: https://www.youtube.com/@doesitflypod?sub_confirmation=1And don’t forget to follow Roddenberry Entertainment:Instagram: @RoddenberryOfficial Facebook: RoddenberryBluesky: @roddenberrypod.bsky.socialFor Advertising Inquiries: doesitfly@roddenberry.comCheck out the official Does it Fly? playlist, too!

RoboCop may be “the future of law enforcement” but he might also be much closer to reality than anyone ever dreamed or feared. Join us as we unpack this classic 1987 movie and the central concept that drives it.“Come quietly or there will be…trouble.”Officer Alex J. Murphy (R.I.P.)This episode of Does it Fly? is brought to you by our friends at Omni Consumer Products, who would like to encourage you to visit beautiful Delta City, Michigan, America’s safest place to live…or else!Paul Verhoeven’s RoboCop (1987) is genuinely one of the finest science fiction films of the 1980s. Its unique blend of biting satire and over-the-top violence and gore set it apart from the endless parade of Reagan-era hyper violent action movies and the unique “media breaks” and corporate culture feel remarkably (perhaps disturbingly prescient) almost 40 years after release. Hell, we might even argue that the cynical vision of the future on display in RoboCop was too optimistic given the state of the world these days, but that’s neither here nor there.Because the central conceit of RoboCop, using cybernetics to enhance a human for the specific purpose of perfecting law enforcement, may have seemed like the stuff of science fiction in 1987, but it’s a little closer to the realm of science fact today. Just how close is another story, but that’s for our hosts, Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi and Tamara Krinsky, to decide. With that in mind, we’d like to remind everyone of the Prime Directives of our show (not to be confused with Starfleet General Order 1…we are a Roddenberry Entertainment production, after all):Explain the Science of RoboCopUnpack the Story Logic of RoboCopDiscuss the Vibes and Questions that RoboCop RaisesUphold the Law(Wait, no! That last one isn’t ours).Check out the latest episode of Does it Fly? for the answers to these questions and more!https://youtu.be/uBbq29Tu7_cSUGGESTED VIEWING The RoboCop franchise is…well, let’s pretend that it isn’t a franchise. There is one perfect movie from director Paul Verhoeven and then there are fainter and fainter echoes in the form of two big screen sequels (and one reboot), a pair of live action TV series, one average (if bizarre) animated series and one truly unwatchable one. Seriously, the 1987 movie is an all-time genre classic and is not to be missed, and that’s the crux of our discussion in this episode.But there’s also a truly amazing four part documentary about the making of that film called, appropriately, RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop, which somehow manages to be every bit as compelling as the movie itself. Highly recommended for those who want to get an almost Tamara-like deep knowledge of this brilliant film.FURTHER READING Do you want to delve a little deeper into the facts, concepts, and stories Hakeem and Tamara referenced in today’s episode? Of course you do! The Future of Law EnforcementTo build a cybernetic police officer, you require three key ingredients: powered exoskeletons, general robotics, and BCIs (brain-computer interfaces). All of these are pretty broad subjects, but the links will take you to what we believe are the easiest (and coolest!) overviews for the layperson.Robot Police Dogs“Woof, woof, you #@&*$!” Ted TalkMy Stroke of InsightGiven how much of Robo’s origin story revolves around a traumatic brain injury and his essential recovery from that, Tamara recommends My Stroke of Insight, which you can find anywhere, but we recommend purchasing from here if you can.“OCP Runs the Cops!”We also recommend Radley Balko’s Rise of the Warrior Cop for further insight on the militarization of police. It was written back in 2013 but like RoboCop, it’s still incredibly relevant today.WANT MORE FROM DOES IT FLY?For a more recent take on a sci-fi dystopia, allow us to recommend our Squid Game episode!Just for comparison with another hero who uses robotics and cybernetics, we took a look at the science of Iron Man, as well!FOLLOW US!Stay in the loop! Follow DoesItFly? on YouTube and TikTok and let us know what you think! Subscribe to Does It Fly? Pod: https://www.youtube.com/@doesitflypod?sub_confirmation=1And don’t forget to follow Roddenberry Entertainment:Instagram: @RoddenberryOfficial Facebook: RoddenberryBluesky: @roddenberrypod.bsky.socialFor Advertising Inquiries: doesitfly@roddenberry.comCheck out the official Does it Fly? playlist, too!

From the poison apple to the kiss that awakens Snow White to a philosophical and scientific exploration of the nature of love itself, this episode has it all!“Zzzzzzz…”Snow White (circa 1939)Ah, love is in the air. Someday, YOUR prince (or princess) will come, dear Does it Fly? fans. Of this, we are certain. Why? Because even something as seemingly metaphysical as love, like everything else in the universe, is governed by certain scientific principles! Crazy, right?When we first started thinking about the concept of “true love’s kiss” as most famously depicted in the 1939 Disney animated classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (not to mention countless other versions of the story), we were more concerned with the actual mechanisms of the poison in the apple that renders poor Snow White comatose, and what it would take to deliver an antidote solely via a gentle kiss on the lips. And while we do indeed cover all of that in the latest episode, our discussion spirals outward into broader philosophical discussions about the very nature of love itself! In the process, we learn a bit more about both of our hosts, and maybe (choking back tears) a little about ourselves, too!Check out the latest weirdly romantic and wistful episode of Does it Fly? now!SUGGESTED VIEWING We based the main part of our discussion for this episode on the Disney’s 1939 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. But while you’re at it, give 2007’s Enchanted a look, which gives a number of the classic Disney princess (and Snow White specifically) tropes a new spin!To take things a little further afield, if you want to know the origins of the term “true love’s kiss” as far as we know, it goes back to William Shakespeare’s Richard III. Sir Laurence Olivier’s 1955 screen version is generally considered to be the finest version of it to make it to film. Get some culture in your life!And if you really want to get out there, Hakeem mentions Sam Harris’ exploration of MDMA and the concept of love in many forms, which is explored here.FURTHER READING Do you want to delve a little deeper into the facts, concepts, and stories Hakeem and Tamara referenced in today’s episode? Of course you do! Smelling SaltsWe’re willing to bet that everyone has seen smelling salts used in cartoons or old movies but few of you have actually experienced them. Here’s how they work, though.“Love Brain”Ah, say those words that every girl longs to hear… “oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin.” OK, maybe not those words exactly. That being said, the matter of “chemistry” when it comes to love and sexual attraction is in fact a literal thing! Let the big brains at Harvard explain.Consent and Snow WhiteFor a nuanced take on one of the questions that has come up around the matter of “true love’s kiss” check out this article Tamara found in The Princess Blog!WANT MORE FROM DOES IT FLY?You know what pairs really well with this episode? Our exploration of Elphaba in Wicked, which you can watch right here!Another fairy tale trope (albeit one that was used to much more spooky effect) is the concept of the “familiar”, something we explored in detail in our episode about The Crow. Check it out!FOLLOW US!Stay in the loop! Follow DoesItFly? on YouTube and TikTok and let us know what you think! And don’t forget to follow Roddenberry Entertainment:Instagram: @RoddenberryOfficial Facebook: RoddenberryBluesky: @roddenberrypod.bsky.socialFor Advertising Inquiries: doesitfly@roddenberry.comCheck out the official Does it Fly? playlist, too!

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock are built around one key piece of technology which may or may not have real world implications.“KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!”Admiral James Tiberius Kirk, 2285There are countless reasons why fans love Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Up until that point, it was the most action-packed installment of Star Trek ever put on screen, so that certainly has something to do with it. William Shatner delivers an all-time great career performance in this one as Admiral James T. Kirk, full of downright Shakespearean drama with his old enemy, the diabolical Khan Noonien Singh. It’s got at least one of the most memorable, shocking, and poignant moments in franchise history. Or maybe it’s just Ricardo Montalban’s magnificent chest. Who’s to say?But possibly lost amidst all that magnificence is the fact that The Wrath of Khan is built around a truly great piece of science fiction with the Genesis Device. A project designed to help Starfleet terraform barren worlds is also potentially the ultimate weapon in the galaxy, given that in creating new life it first has to wipe out anything else that’s there. Of course the wrong people want to get their grubby mitts on it!In this episode we’re diving into just what it would take to truly terraform an alien world, and whether the Genesis Device follows its own rules in the Star Trek universe. Check out the latest episode of Does it Fly? right here…SUGGESTED VIEWING Star Trek II: The Wrath of KhanYou mean to tell us you’re watching or listening to a Roddenberry podcast and you somehow haven’t seen Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan? We sure hope you watched it before this episode spoiled the absolute hell out of it for you! But in all seriousness, there’s a reason this is the most critically acclaimed and beloved Star Trek movie of all time and why we chose it for this week’s topic. Star Trek III: The Search for SpockBut also, you can’t watch The Wrath of Khan (or get a full picture of the scope of the Genesis Device’s implications) without also watching Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Forget that even number/odd number nonsense about the Star Trek movies, this one is just as essential!Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1 Episode 22 “Space Seed”And just in case you’ve never done this, we also highly recommend “Space Seed” which first introduced Ricardo Montalban as Khan Noonien Singh. It doesn’t have anything to do with terraforming in space, but it’s a classic bit of Star Trek lore, nonetheless!The Evolution of Planet EarthWant a real life taste of what the Genesis Device does…except over the course of millions/billions of years instead of minutes/hours? This video is pretty cool.FURTHER READING Do you want to delve a little deeper into the facts, concepts, and stories Hakeem and Tamara referenced in today’s episode? Of course you do! TerraformingWhile still primarily a science fiction concept, the idea of using terraforming to make a planet or moon into something that can support life as we know it is gaining considerable steam as we look to our nearest neighbor, Mars. See also: Bionengineering“Is there life on…Venus?”Wait, that’s not how the song goes! But the key here is that while Mars gets all the attention as the planet in our solar system with the most potential to support life, there’s also a chance that Venus could, as well. Key to that is the presence of phosphine in the atmosphere, which scientists have gone back and forth on, but recently found new evidence that it may be present.“PIXAAAAAAR!”Read more about that funny connection between a beloved animation studio and these beloved Trek movies here.“Colonized by earth bacteria”It doesn’t take long, just to give you an idea of how quickly “life finds a way.”The Mars TrilogyTamara brings up Kim Stanley Robinson’s acclaimed trilogy about terraforming our nearest planetary neighbor, Red Mars, Green Mars, and Blue Mars. There’s also the follow-up The Martians which is a collection of short stories that expands this universe further.Project Hail MaryAnother Tamara recommendation this week is the Hugo Award-nominated Project Hail Mary from sci-fi author Andy Weir. You might also recognize Weir’s name as the author of The Martian, which was adapted into a beloved film from director Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon.The Wrath of Khan: The Novel!Even if you’ve seen Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan dozens of times, Vonda N. McIntyre’s superb novelization of the film is full of surprises that will enrich your understanding of the story and your love of Trek in general. For extra credit, follow it up with her equally great (possibly better than the film it’s based on!) novelization of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock!WANT MORE FROM DOES IT FLY?Go back to the very beginning with the first ever episode of Does it Fly? which tackled another iconic Star Trek concept: the transporter. Watch it right here!We’re not particularly big on the whole Star Trek vs. Star Wars debate around these parts, so for those folks who love ‘em both, check out our episode on lightsabers right here!FOLLOW US!Stay in the loop! 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