Device Interviews podcast artwork

PODCAST · science

Device Interviews

Device is a monthly book discussion with a science-based twist. In each episode, we discuss a story that uses science to drive the action of the plot and dissect it for scientific integrity. Frequently, authors incorporate scientific phenomena as a plot device in their fictional stories. This can create thrilling tension, progress the plot, and/or provide the foundation for a philosophical debate. Often a caricature of science is described; it isn't always realisitically plausible. In San Diego, we have top-class research institutions and innovative technology start-ups which can help us review various scientific plot devices critically. We'll discuss the alterations made, if any, for the sake of the story. How much was intentional hyperbole, willful manipulation, or perhaps ignorance? Were the alterations minor, and the device highlights a natural wonder? Or does it contribute to the public’s misunderstanding of science? In short, does it pay off?

  1. 8

    Indy game designer E McNeill and Derrick Acosta from Mega64 - S1E5 - Presence Mechanism

    Conversation between myself, indy game designer E McNeill, and co-producer Derrick Acosta! This interiew was featured in episode 5 of Device, Presence Mechanism. Minecraft article (From NYT Mag, not Newsweek): https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/17/magazine/the-minecraft-generation.htmlCheck out www.emcneill.com to learn more about E’s VR and PC games!Mega64: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgc4xqIMDoiP4KOTFS21TJAwww.mega64.com

  2. 7

    Michael Wall from the San Diego Natrual History Museum - S1E4 - Ants, Ants, Revolution

    Dr. Michael Wall, curator of entomology and Vice President of Science and Conservation at the San Diego Natural History Museum, sits down with me to spread a little insect appreciation! This interview was recorded for episode 4 of Device, Ants Ants Revolution. Information on the quino checkerspot butterfly:https://www.sdnhm.org/science/entomology/resources/quino-checkerspot-up-close/https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?sId=5900https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrwxPwwHF7o San Diego bees!https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/environment/sdut-environment-bee-diversity-james-hung-2014jun08-story.htmlhttps://sdnativebees.tumblr.com/https://ucnrs.org/foreign-bees-monopolize-southern-california-flower-resources/San Diego Natural History Museum’s Field Guide and insect ID:https://www.sdnhm.org/entoblog/http://archive.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/inverts/index.html

  3. 6

    David Holway from University of California, San Diego - S1E4 - Ants, Ants, Revolution

    Full interview with David Holway from UCSD, Department of Biological Sciences. David was a guest on episode 4 of Device: Ants, Ants, Revolution. HUGE CORRECTION. Repeatedly I refered to David as Dr. Holloway rather than his correct name, HOL-WAY. Apologies, David! Sometimes my mind and my mouth don’t have a clean line of communication between them. Dr. HOLWAY’s website: http://holwaylab.com/ Morning Glories, Argentine ants, and pollinators: https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1890/14-0542.1 Papers about the Argentine ant: How much human development supports the Argentine ant and displaces native species: https://www.life.illinois.edu/suarez/publications/HolwaySuarez2006BiolCon.pdf Why the Argentine ant is so good at displacing other ants: http://www.life.illinois.edu/ib/453/Comm%20Ecol%20papers/Holway.pdf The broader picture of ant invasions: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lori_Lach/publication/297345408_The_causes_and_consequences_of_ant_invasions/links/56e6aa4608aedb4cc8af6f25/The-causes-and-consequences-of-ant-invasions.pdf

  4. 5

    Lisa Will and Shane Haggard from San Diego City College - S1E3 - Loom Moon

    Our interview with Lisa and Shane for the third episode of Device! Check out our full episode on Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer - Loom Moon

  5. 4

    Heidi Dewer from the National Marine Fisheries Service - S1E2 - Once Bitten

    Full interview with Heidi Dewer, a marine biologist at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center division of the National Marine Fisheries Service based in La Jolla. Links: Status review of the northeastern Pacific population of white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) under the Endangered Species Act: https://swfsc.noaa.gov/publications/TM/SWFSC/NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-523.pdf White Shark Cafe: www.whitesharkcafe.org

  6. 3

    Wendy Benchley Shark Advocate - S1E2 - Once Bitten

    Full interview with Wendy Benchley, shark conservation advocate and widow of Jaws author, Peter Benchley. Links: More about the Benchleys: http://www.peterbenchley.com/ Live from the White Shark Cafe, with Barbara Block: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_HsAZrjDpg Voyage to the White Shark Cafe // Schmidt Ocean Institute: https://schmidtocean.org/cruise/voyage-white-shark-cafe/ Peter Benchley article in National Geographic: http://www.peterbenchley.com/sites/default/files/article-flipbooks/NatGeo_2000_April/files/assets/basic-html/page1.html

  7. 2

    Liz, Osi and Dani from Scripps Institute of Oceanography - S1E1 - Cat's Cradle

    From Art Miller's lab at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Osinachi Ajoku (Osi), Elizabeth Drenkard (Liz), and Daniela Faggiani Dias (Dani) came in to speak with us.

  8. 1

    Alex Tardy from the National Weather Service - S1E1 - Cat's Climate

    Alex Tardy is a meterologist for the National Weather Service, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, office in San Diego. The office is an active office, meaning that there is always someone on duty to keep us updated about the weather.

Type above to search every episode's transcript for a word or phrase. Matches are scoped to this podcast.

Searching…

We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.

No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.

Showing of matches

No topics indexed yet for this podcast.

Loading reviews...

ABOUT THIS SHOW

Device is a monthly book discussion with a science-based twist. In each episode, we discuss a story that uses science to drive the action of the plot and dissect it for scientific integrity. Frequently, authors incorporate scientific phenomena as a plot device in their fictional stories. This can create thrilling tension, progress the plot, and/or provide the foundation for a philosophical debate. Often a caricature of science is described; it isn't always realisitically plausible. In San Diego, we have top-class research institutions and innovative technology start-ups which can help us review various scientific plot devices critically. We'll discuss the alterations made, if any, for the sake of the story. How much was intentional hyperbole, willful manipulation, or perhaps ignorance? Were the alterations minor, and the device highlights a natural wonder? Or does it contribute to the public’s misunderstanding of science? In short, does it pay off?

HOSTED BY

Emily T. Griffiths

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Device Interviews have?

Device Interviews currently has 8 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Device Interviews about?

Device is a monthly book discussion with a science-based twist. In each episode, we discuss a story that uses science to drive the action of the plot and dissect it for scientific integrity. Frequently, authors incorporate scientific phenomena as a plot device in their fictional stories. This can...

How often does Device Interviews release new episodes?

Device Interviews has 8 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Device Interviews?

You can listen to Device Interviews on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Device Interviews?

Device Interviews is created and hosted by Emily T. Griffiths.
URL copied to clipboard!