Game of Thrones science – “Fire, Ice, and Physics” (MIT Press, 2019) – Rebecca Thompson interview

Rebecca Thompson is a physicist who loves to teach and write about science. She spoke once about the science of Game of Thrones and then turned the idea into a really, cool book. We spoke about the book and what it took to research very different fields of science.  Check out the book here.

0:31 – Rebecca mentions that the book is about the Game of Thrones books and movies and she explains how she got into writing it.

2:10 – Rebecca talks about how she applied science to the show but she didn’t want to ruin the story for anyone.

4:00 – Rebecca talks about how she laid the book out in themes.

5:38 – We talk about the power of ranged weapons. Rebecca then talks about the various scientific issues she looks at.

8:34 – Rebecca wanted to talk to someone who knows what it’s like to be athletic in the cold. She spoke to a marathoner about this.

10:14 – Rebecca talks about how much the book is about Game of Thrones versus the science.

11:48 – Rebecca compares the show to the books. The books mention a second moon that was destroyed in the past and that would have changed the weather.

15:30 – Rebecca talks about the genetic mixing issues with brother and sister incest.

23:07 – Rebecca talks about the science behind weaponry and swords.

25:12 – Rebecca talks about Valyrian steel and Damascus steel.

28:27 – Rebecca talks about the buildings in King’s Landing.

30:12 – Rebecca talks about uncovering the methods of making Damascus steel.

33:02 – Rebecca talks about how she researched the strange seasons in GoT.

35:39 – Rebecca talks about navigation at sea versus learning about scurvy.

38:38 – Rebecca mentions guillotine use and what she learned about dinosaurs and dragonflight.

41:54 – Rebecca talks about wild fire and investigating if it could be real.

46:35 – Rebecca talks about researching Shireen’s death.

49:34 – Rebecca talks about how she hopes that people feel okay with asking weird science questions.

54:33 – Rebecca talks about how Matt Smith’s Doctor Who broke his own rules all the time.

58:10 – Rebecca talks about a series of science-focused comics she wrote for young readers.

59:03 – Rebecca is mathlete79 on instagram and twitter.

Links of interest

Check out the book here.

https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/fire-ice-and-physics

https://twitter.com/mathlete79?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/mathlete79/

For more “Full Contact Nerd” please follow me at crisalvarez.com, on Facebook at CrisAlvarezFCN, on youtube at Cris Alvarez on twitter @CrisAlvarezFCN, on Instagram @crisalvarezscifi, and on Apple / Stitcher / Spotify for the podcast

Guests: Rebecca Thompson

Host: Cris Alvarez

Tags: science fiction, fantasy, game of thrones, physics, dragons, seasons, icewall, marathon, cold, zombies, white walkers, GRR Martin, skulls, weapons, swords, bronze age, iron age, damascus steel, valyrian steel, King’s landing, rabies, dinosaurs, ice fisherman, greek fire, wild fire, napalm, bergship, jon snow, doctor who

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Science Fiction Replicas – Master Replicas Group interview

Master Replicas Group is a producer of museum quality replicas from science fiction, science and other popular entertainment. I spoke with two of their senior members, Steve and Karl, at the GPCC 2019.

0:38 – Steve and Karl talk about what the Master replica Group does.

1:08 – Karl talks about how one becomes a professional replica maker. He talks about 2001, fossils and 3-D replicas.

3:06 – Karl talks about how model makers connect and get into licensed projects. Steve talks about the actual business side of the work.

6:15 – They discuss what technology advancements have changed the business.

8:20 – They talk about quality control of the [models] replicas.

10:36 – They talk about applying artistic design to their replicas.

15:43 – They talk about what sci-fi and fantasy works have inspired them.

19:35 – They talk about whether space exploration is inspiring people currently.

21:19 – Steve talks about the moon landing and people who don’t believe it.

22:10 – They talk about how they are able to work with people who work remotely for the company.

23:12 – They talk about how people joined their company.

24:50 – Steve talks about cash flow management.

28:55 – They can be found at masterreplicasgroup.com. They’re on facebook and twitter and have links all over google.

Links of interest

https://www.masterreplicasgroup.com/

For more of “Science Fiction and the Fantastic Inside Out” please follow me on Facebook at crisalvarezwlc, on youtube at Cris Alvarez and on Instagram @crisalvarezscifi

Guests: Master Replicas Group

Host: Cris Alvarez

Tags: science fiction, fantasy, art, artist , Warner brothers, dinosaurs, fossils, 2001, smithsonian, apollo, hal-9000, 3-D, white light scan, star wars, star trek, marvel