208: Something Something Dilithium Crystals

Ethan Siegel: Treknology. Ever since Star Trek first hit television screens in 1966, audiences have been fascinated by the amazing technologies that are a part of every day life in the 23rd century. Over the past 51 years, Trek fans have imagined what it would be like to transport instantaneously from one place to another, have any kind of food or material replicated with a simple voice command, or travel to the stars aboard a warp-capable starship. In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther are joined by author and scientist Dr. Ethan Siegel to discuss his new book, Treknology: The Science of Star Trek from Tricorders to Warp Drive. We talk about a number of technologies covered in the book, the process of writing it, the influence Star Trek has had on our collective imaginations and the technology of modern society, where our technologies may go in the future, and wrap up with where you can find Dr. Siegel online. In our news segment, we reveal the back-cover blurb for Dayton Ward's upcoming Discovery: Drastic Measures, and review two comics: Boldly Go #12 and New Visions #18. News Blurb fir Drastic Measures (00:02:35) Boldly Go #12 (00:06:06) New Visions # 18 (00:12:41) Feature: Ethan Siegel The Science of Star Trek (00:21:48) The Process (00:23:37) Warp Drive (00:30:38) The Spore Drive (00:39:59) Transporters (00:46:00) Trans-Warp Beaming (00:50:32) Writing (00:51:26) The Holodeck (00:57:27) The Format (01:03:21) The Spirit of Star Trek (01:06:55) Final Thoughts (01:10:18) Hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson Guest Ethan Siegel Production Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager) Ken Tripp (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Associate Producer) Bruce Gibson (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer)