June 18, 2004, Hour One: Seattle Remote: Science and Science Fiction

Science Friday > Archives > 2004 > June > June 18, 2004:
Hour One: Seattle Remote: Science and Science Fiction

One is fact and one is fantasy, but science and science fiction owe a debt to each other. In this hour of Science Friday, the talk turns to science fiction. From "Star Trek" to "The Day After Tomorrow," how do science fiction writers use science to shape their stories? And how are scientists influenced by science fiction?

We're in Seattle, celebrating the opening of the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in the landmark Frank Gehry building at the Base of the Space Needle. We'll also hear from the museum's founder, Paul Allen, about the influence science fiction has on his life. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (2-3 Eastern), and share your opinions online in our Listeners' Lounge (registration required).

Guests:
Paul G. Allen
Co-founder, Microsoft
Co-founder, Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame
Seattle, Washington

Octavia E. Butler
Science fiction writer
Author, "Parable of the Sower," (Seven Stories Press, 1993); "Parable of the Talents," (Seven Stories Press, 1998)
Winner, MacArthur Fellowship
Hugo Award Winner, Nebula Award Winner
Seattle, Washington

Lawrence Krauss
Ambrose Swasey Professor of Physics and Professor of Astronomy
Chairman, Department of Physics
Author, "The Physics of Star Trek," (Perseus Books, 1995) and "Atom: An Odyssey from the Big Bang to Life on Earth... and Beyond," (Little, Brown, 2000)
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, Ohio

David Brin
Scientist, writer
Nebula Award Winner, Hugo Award Winner
Author, "The Life Eaters," (DC Comics, 2004); "Kiln People," (Tor Books, 2002)
San Diego, California

This segment produced by Annette Heist

Archived Audio:

Discussion with Paul Allen
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Science and Science Fiction
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Books/Articles Discussed:

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