Starbase Indy Podcast
On the Starbase Indy Podcast we talk to and about people who are inspired by Star Trek and science fiction to work towards a hopeful future in the real world. Many of our guests have been or will be presenters at the live Starbase Indy convention, which takes place in Indianapolis every year over Thanksgiving weekend. We talk to actors, scientists, musicians, writers, creators, fans, engineers, and geeks. Learn more about the live event and the mission at www.starbaseindy.org
Episodes
What does our favorite science fiction get right about the universe as we know it, and what does it get wrong? Listen to Rufus Cochran, Dr. Mohamed Noor, and Dr. Paul Kwiat as they talk about artificial intelligence, quantum computing, the nature of evolution, and other places science intersects with our favorite science fiction.
All of fiction, and especially science fiction, revolves around balancing the need to make characters believable. Science fiction adds in an additional challenge - creating characters who are different from what the readers expect, sometimes in surprising ways. Listen to Dr. Mohamed Noor, Maurice Broaddus, John Scalzi, and Dr. James McGrath discuss their work in creating worlds that capture our imagination and our attention.
When we talk about a hopeful future, Utopia is often the word that comes to mind. Is that the vision we should be striving for, though? Is it even possible to create a state in which everything is perfect? Importantly, is it possible to make things perfect for everyone? Or are utopias for some inevitably created out of suffering for others?
The word Protopia refers to a vision of of the future in which today is better than yesterda...
Afrofuturism is about not only critiquing the present, but working towards a future that we all want to experience. While some of the live session recording was lost, this episode captures the second half of the conversation, and includes information about the history of Indianapolis, how the Khprew Institute is working towards shaping the future, and why so many science fiction stories include just a little sprinkle of eugenics ...
AI is often depicted as a way to find answers to questions. Is this the same as finding truth? Are our current AI technologies structured to find truth? Or are they designed to do something different, and how does that affect their functionality and how they are (and how they should be) used?
This episode was recorded during our live event in November of 2023, and is a part of our series on the Humanities of Artificial Intelligen...
AI isn't sentient -at least not yet. But what would it mean to our systems if that changed? When would (and when should) our legal system begin to recognize the rights of non-human intelligence? What would that change for humans, and for other intelligent beings?
This episode was recorded during our live event in November of 2023, and is a part of our series on the Humanities of Artificial Intelligence. This series was awarded an...
Machine learning holds great potential - but also comes with some significant ethical challenges. Listen to experts discuss the technology, and the ethical concerns it creates.
This episode was recorded during our live event in November of 2023, and is a part of our series on the Humanities of Artificial Intelligence. This series was awarded an Action Grant by Indiana Humanities, and received support from the National Endowment for...
AI has been the subject of literature since William Grove’s novel The Wreck of the World in 1889, and in cinema since 1927’s Metropolis. Everyone alive has grown up with the idea of artificial intelligence - with those ideas having varying degrees of similarity to actual technology. Star Trek has contributed significantly to these fictional depictions of AI,. We explore these contributions in this pane with both Star Trek and techn...
What are the first things we think about when someone says Artificial Intelligence? Many of us think of general AIs, like Data, Marvin, or the Cylons. Maybe we think about ChatGPT, Dall-E, or Midjourney. Do you think about Google Maps? How your characters move in a video game? What about the ranking algorithms of Netflix and YouTube? Chances are you’re carrying two or three devices at least partially designed by AI on your person. ...
This interview is a two-fer, with both the FABULOUS Cosmetologist (and Starbase Indy regular) Moxie Ann Magnus, and the brilliance behind her, Brantley Moate. The conversation ranges from the Kobyashi Hairdo challenge Moxie passed to graduate from Starfleet Academy, to the nature of Captain Kirk's coiffure, to the purpose of joy and kindness in the world. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed having the conversation.
Dan McGlaun is an expert on eclipses, and he's working to get the state of Indiana ready for the total eclipse that will cross the state in 2024. We talk to Dan about the experience of viewing a total eclipse, the science behind eclipses, and why all eclipses are not created equal.
We have a special treat for our 50th episode - an interview with Emmy Award Winner Doug Drexler. Doug has been involved in Star Trek since TNG, in roles including makeup, visual effects, conceptual design, and more - having a major effect on the look and feel of the Star Trek many of us grew up with. Hear him talk about his career and about the special magic that was working on Picard's third season in this supersized episode.
Max Kaiserman is the founder of Luna Replicas and a managing Member of the AstroVette Endeavour organization. Listen to him talk about the decisions required when dealing with a historic automobile (owned by an astronaut), creating accurate replicas of apparel and flight gear from America's early space program, and how his love of Star Trek fits into these professional passions.
Listen as the cast of the Starship Tempest talks about their show, and the Star Trek universe in which it exists.
Star Trek Science Advisor Dr. Erin Macdonald talks about how Star Trek has influenced her career, and how that that career is continuing to evolve.
Dr. JamesMcGrath joins us to talk about the real AI that's been in the news so much lately, and how it compares to the fictional AI we see in Star Trek and other Science Fiction.
Thomas Rathjen claims to like this planet just fine - even though he's spent his whole career working to get us off of it and into space. In this interview we talk about how long we've had humans in space, what they do there, and what we can hope for from the Artemis program and other programs working on getting us to the stars.
In this episode, made possible by the Indiana Gig Grant funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, Mary Chieffo, Madi Goff, and Brantley Moate talk about the impact of their identities on their careers in creative fields. This episode was recorded live at Starbase Indy 2023.
"Spirited debate is the love language of the Star Trek fan." - Aaron Waltke
Aaron and Demetrius Witherspoon talk about the process of writing for animated and comic book worlds. This episode was recorded live at Starbase Indy 2022.
Recorded Live at Starbase Indy 2022, Mary Chieffo (L'Rell) and Jen Usellis (jenBom) talk about their experiences bringing Klingon to the small screen (and the music stage).
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
Anna Sale explores the big questions and hard choices that are often left out of polite conversation.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.
A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.