Science Faction Podcast

This episode contains: We got listener feedback this episode... FOR A DIFFERENT PODCAST! Did someone just learn to swear? Wouldn't it be cool if we were guests on some other Science Faction Podcasts? Why did we name this show Science Faction? Remember the Pure BS Podcast? We shout out "PS4 Tom." Nobody gave Devon a PS4. He's sad about it.  I didn't have enough time to have the AI write a title for this one... so this is it: Google demos “unsettling” tool to help journalists write the news. Remember when Ben used AI to help write poetry? Now Google wants journalism to use AI too. Google's "Genesis" AI tool for journalism writing has been called "unsettling". Buzzfeed, CNET, and Gizmodo have all had pushback for publishing AI-written articles. Remember when io9 was shamed for an error-filled Star Wars article? https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/io9-ai-generated-star-wars-article-errors-1235662194/  Asking AI to write an article about Terminator is how we get Skynet. Will AI one day become indispensible to w

This episode contains: Ben and Steven do their worst (by which I mean their best) this episode. No Devon no cry. Ben went to a Renaissance Faire with his son and tells us all about it. Steven and his wife had a date night, with tacos.  Light, Keep It Light: Light-based “LiFi” is stunningly fast, notably fragile—and now standardized. Wireless communication now has a choice between radio and light waves, but this choice comes at a cost. LiFi has a ability to be extremely fast, but requires line-of-sight to be successful. We're looking forward to future developments!  https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/07/light-based-lifi-promises-amazing-wireless-speeds-just-not-through-walls/  Aaaaauugggghhhhh: Surgical and engineering innovations enable unprecedented control over every finger of a bionic hand. A multidisciplinary team of surgeons and engineers have crafted a bionic arm with unparalled functionality. This prosthetic arm required rewiring nerves, osseointegration, and AI algorithms to function. It's amazing.

This episode contains: All three hosts are with us on the case. Devon complaints about the bad food in East Texas and what makes a good pizza. Steven then tells us about the Threads and Twitter war. Ben tells us about the chaos of his son’s birthday party and Devon tells us about his long drive to and from Virginia.   Evolutionarily Speaking: Why do animals keep evolving into crabs? Crabby bodies are so evolutionarily favorable, they've evolved at least five different times. So why does this process, known as carcinization, keep happening? https://www.livescience.com/animals/crustaceans/why-do-animals-keep-evolving-into-crabs    Never Smile at a Crocodile: From 1907 until its relocation in 1953, the area of Lincoln Heights was home to what the Los Angeles Times dubbed “the city’s most exotic residents”: a thousand-strong collection of alligators that welcomed visitors every day of the year to see, pose with, and even ride them. https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/los-angeles-alligator-farm  https://w

Pre-pod Patreon-only: Wouldn't it be great if it was Indy 500 instead of Indy 5? Who's in Extraction? Chris "The Dentist" Hemsworth. This week, Steven messes up the opening of the show for once. This episode contains: We're just loving life this episode. I don't know what it is about being 40. It sucks, is what it is. Ben burns the bottoms of his feet off at a water park.  Steven drove down and back from Disneyland to surprise his family. For real. Shout out to the Yub Nub Podcast and Tim Barnes! We got to have him back on. Mickey's Toontown has a new ride?!?! Sweet! Can we just throw money away to fix our problems? Or do we have to do hard work? Ben saw the musical Once at the SLORep. It was incredible! Happy birthday to Ben's wife! We're curious why you listen to this podcast! Let us know at sciencefactionpodcast@gmail.com This Week in Space: Galaxies are not scattered randomly across the universe. "The nearby universe" is one of our favorite phrases ever. "The epoch of reionization" would be a killer prog-

This episode contains: Steven made Devon and Ben post-pone recording, sorry guys! Ben had a birthday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN, and Devon visited the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, super cool. Oh yeah, Steven watched the end of Rogue One and the beginning of A New Hope in succession and has some thoughts. We then talk a bit about the Oceangate disaster.  Pump Up The Water, Pump It Up!: We've pumped so much groundwater that we've nudged Earth's spin. Scientists estimate humans have pumped 2,150 gigatons of groundwater and moved it elsewhere, shifting our polar motion by nearly 80 inches. On geologic time scales, polar drift can have an impact on climate.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230615183147.htm  Come Sail Away With Me: Drones take to the waves: Saildrones are getting data where people can’t. Saildrones are sailboat like uncrewed surface vehicles predominately powered by wind and solar power.  Saildrones have a "mission as a service" model where they collect data for scientists. https://a

This episode contains: We're your dads this week. Turns out Steven knows how to introduce a damn podcast. We argue how many weeks it's been since Devon's been on the podcast. Oh no, we started singing Barenaked Ladies this episode. Does anybody think our podcast is better when Steven is choking on cat hair? Steven's the Houdini of the podcast. Death-defying at every turn. Devon and his kids were putting together Lego on Father's Day. There's a new franchised Lego store around Devon: Bricks and Minifigs. Devon got the new Treehouse Lego set, and Steven is totes jelly. Steven got the Lego house from Up... and shoes. Happy Father's Day. Ben got a toolbox shaped like Mjonir and a card that says "Happy Person Father Day." Is Benergy hereditary? Or is it contracted? Looks like Ben's gonna put up drywall, and knows nothing about it. The drywall guy. Steven and Ben checked out our local watering hole, the Raconteur Room. Super chill. Steven found some people who also get migraines from hops. Instead of recording this

This episode contains: Steven and Ben record together from Ben’s house. We talk life insurance, college, life experience, and aches and pain from sleeping. We also decide that Devon’s wife is a super hero. Not Funny: Researchers discover that ChatGPT prefers repeating 25 jokes over and over. When tested, "Over 90% of 1,008 generated jokes were the same 25 jokes." All responses were grammatically correct. However, some of the responses were nonsensical, such as: Why did the cookie go to the gym? To get a-cookie-dized. https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/06/researchers-discover-that-chatgpt-prefers-repeating-25-jokes-over-and-over/  How to Create a Neural Network (and Train it to Identify Doodles): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfMk-kjRv4c&ab_channel=SebastianLague  This is the T-1000, That’s What This is: Liquid metal sticks to surfaces without a binding agent. Everyday materials such as paper and plastic could be transformed into electronic 'smart devices' by using a simple new method

This episode contains: Everyone is back this week! Steven continues his Star Wars rewatch. Ben has issues with Steven telling his he listens to sad music. Devon chimes in on the music chat. We decide to make some playlists to share with our Patrons.  Unlimited Power: Scientists Successfully Transmit Space-Based Solar Power to Earth for the First Time. Caltech conducted a power transfer experiment using the Microwave Array for Power-transfer Low-orbit Experiment, or MAPLE. They beamed solar power from space to Pasadena. Gotta start somewhere.  https://gizmodo.com/scientists-beam-space-based-solar-power-earth-first-tim-1850500731  You Did It, You Blew it Up, You Maniacs!: They plugged GPT-4 into Minecraft—and unearthed new potential for AI. ChatGPT generates objectives to help an agent explore Minecraft and improve the bots skill over time. We use this as a jumping off point for exploring different uses for ChatGPT in our lives.  https://arstechnica.com/ai/2023/06/they-plugged-gpt-4-into-minecraft-and-unearth

Pre-show Patreon only: Steven wants to know if anyone wants about 50 blank CDs. Nope. Ben grieves by doing work. He's learning a lot about himself. Ben sent his wife a birthday message recorded by an Argentinian Bruce Willis lookalike. This episode contains: Happy Birthday Devon! We recorded a podcast without you! Don't remember a birthday? You can remember a BELATED BIRTHDAY! Ben is giving his wife 40 gifts over 40 days for her 40th birthday. Steven says Ben is a good gifter... and should give him more gifts. Ben thanks Big Door Prize for the idea of 40 gifts for turning 40.  Steven makes fun of a hat that Devon wears while boating, but he rocks it NGL. We giggle like idiots for most of this show. Oh Man, Vacation’s Coming: More structure, fewer screens makes for healthier kids in the school holidays. Ben gets grizzled about the terrible screen-filled present we live in. Advertising revenue is more important than the health of the populace? #NoMoreScreens. Ben wishes his son was a foodie. So sad. He eats to

Full title generated by Chat GPT: "Interstellar Metamorphosis: Unveiling the Science of Star Wars, Evolution, and Disney" This episode contains: We have the classic line up of Steven and Devon on this episode. Steven loved the food at Galaxies Edge and so found a Star Wars cookbook. We then discuss the closure of the insanely expensive Galactic Starcruiser. Devon tells us about his upcoming “vacation” in the Ozarks. Something About Death: Evidence of conscious-like activity in the dying brain. A small study finds intriguing brain wave patterns in comatose patients who died following cardiac arrest. A new study provides early evidence of a surge of activity correlated with consciousness in the dying brain. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230501163628.htm  Evolutionarily Speaking: Perfection: The Enemy of Evolution. Freedom to miss the optimal mark opens a wide range of new designs over time. Evolution is a sequence of design changes happening on their own in a discernible direction; it never wed

This episode contains: Ben and Steven, the healthy hosts, lead the charge this week. Thoughts and prayers to Devon. We talk a bit about importing hate, and protesting against it. Racism should be called out and shamed, consistently and constantly. Then we talk about The Lion King in all of it's iterations, for far too long.  The Disappearing Computer: The Disappearing Computer: An Exclusive Preview of Humane’s Screenless Tech by Imran Chaudhri. This Ted Talk had an amazing demonstration of a screenless tech future. We talk about the amazing tech, and what could be possible in the future. What would happen if this thing became popular and we all had bodycams on at all time? Time for a DNR, Do Not Record. We discuss if this tech is 'building the tower higher' or 'building something new'.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMsQO5u7-NQ  Science Fiction: Steven has completed about 95% of Star Wars Jedi Survivor and give a mini very light spoiler review. He's not at all embarrassed to say he wants to go visit the Pyl

Pre-pod Patreon only: The world only exists for us as long as we're alive. Ben's favorite epitaph: "Anyway, it's only other people who die." This episode contains: Devon's been a skeptic as long as he remembers. Spoiler alert about Santa this week. If something doesn't exist, would it be PC to say they're a non-corporeal being? Ben can't remember when he discovered the truth about Santa, maybe because he wasn't traumatized. If anybody deserves presents more than anybody else, it's orphans. Ben got his son a drum set. The kid gets the heart of a musician. If you're starting drumming, get a used set on Craigslist, don't spend more than $300. Did you know you can use Youtube videos of Rock Band to learn songs on drums? Makes sense. Mind Reader: Reading The Mind with fMRI and AI. Researchers have been able to decode words subjects were thinking by reading their fMRI scan. If someone is looking at a giant letter E, it physically maps to the cortex, and the E appears there too. AI has been trained on fMRI scans to

This episode contains: Ben and Steven steer the boat this episode. Ben has been going to the Kite Festival yearly. Steven is home with the kids while his wife lives it up in Hawaii. Steven bought more LEGO while his wife is out of town.  Light At the End of the Tunnel: Small acts of kindness are frequent and universal, study finds. A study found that people around the world signal others for assistance every couple of minutes. The research, which examined behaviors in towns and rural areas in several different countries, revealed that people comply with these small requests for help far more often than they decline them. The findings suggest that people from all cultures have more similar cooperative behaviors than prior research has established. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230424162911.htm  Why is This Even a Question? Nuke-launching AI would be illegal under proposed US law. On Wednesday, US Senator Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Representatives Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), and Ken

This episode contains: Steven and Devon finally recap their visit to Austin, Texas. There were live shows, uncharted adventures and gaming, oh my! Ben was not only left out of their adventures, but his house is still causing grief. Oof.  https://uncharteredadventures.com/  https://vigilantebar.com/  Machine Learning Makeover: Iconic image of M87 black hole just got a machine-learning makeover. Using PRIMO (principal-component interferometric modeling), scientists used data from the EHT (Event Horizon Telescope) and 30,000 simulated images of black hole to produce a high fidelity image of the black hole at M87. It's amazing.  https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/04/iconic-image-of-m87-black-hole-just-got-a-machine-learning-makeover/  Diggin' A Hole: The Deepest Hole Ever Dug By Humans Had To Be Destroyed. The Kola Superdeep Borehole was 40,230 feet deep, but only has 4.5 stars on Google. Huh. We chat about the history of the hole and what science can be done with a superdeep holes. 14 species of fossilized mi

This episode contains: Welcome to the Ben Lawless podcast. Lawless: The Ben Story. Y'all seen the movie Lawless? Ben hasn't yet. Was it good? Devon's not here tonight, because of... dinner? With his wife? We still would love a tour of the Mighty Coconut offices. They're doing great work. Steven pitches a series of Walkabout Minigolf courses to Mighty Coconut. Wouldn't you love to play minigolf through the backlots for scifi movies? We pitch minigolf courses based on alien invasions and Buck Rogers. Did you know that Mighty Coconut made Pigeon: Impossible? Which Spies in Disguise is based on? What if there was a minigolf course based on Pigeon: Impossible? Steven is pivoting from podcasts to putting, and pigeons. Ben needs a vacation from his vacation, amirite? Ben's son wanted to watch Speed Racer 2. Ben's heart broke to tell him the truth. Emile Hirsch wants to do another Speed Racer movie! Get the Wachowski's onboard. http://screenrant.com/emile-hirsch-speed-racer-return-hopes-response/ Ben is SO STOKED ab

This episode contains: Steven and Ben survived Easter to bring you this podcast. Steven’s continuing sickness has taken a turn. Steven did some research and found out he has Cricopharyngeal spasms. Steven also tells us about his history with anxiety. Ben has a full stand up arcade machine, which is hooked up to a steam deck. Ben has returned to live poetry reading. This Week in Space: A scientific salad for astronauts in deep space. The ingredients were chosen for their nutritional value, as well as how easy they’ll be to grow with the limited room and resources available on a spacecraft. https://astronomy.com/news/2023/03/a-scientific-salad-for-astronauts-in-deep-space Mr. Peanut Dusts Off His Monocle: First-of-its-kind mRNA treatment could wipe out a peanut allergy. Peanut and tree nut allergies affect millions, yet there’s only one approved treatment. But a major breakthrough might be around the corner, with scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) testing a world-first mRNA medici

This episode contains: We talk about April and it's Fools. Ben did some axe throwing, and his kid out-paced him. Devon attempts to get his kids to be quieter this episode, to varying degrees of success. Steven sick.  This Week in Space: Scientists observe flattest explosion ever seen in space. Explosions in space are almost always spherical, but this one was not. What is an FBOT? Fast Blue Optical Transient, and it is very rare, first discovered in 2018.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230330210745.htm  Some Good News? Maybe?: Renewable energy outpaced coal this year. According to the Energy Information Administration, wind, solar, hydropower, biomass and geothermal generated 21% of US power in 2022, exceeding coal by 1%. Natural Gas, which is a fossil fuel, still generates a lot of power. The US is having trouble with it's aging power grid, making connecting renewables more difficult.  https://www.popsci.com/environment/renewable-energy-generation-coal-2022/  Big Question: How come we’re not

This episode contains: We’re three podcasters who are probably not playing jump rope right now. Steven talks about the Nightmare on Elm Street films. They are… not good. Remember the Sam Goody in the mall in Santa Maria? Pepperidge Farm remembers. Ben had some poetry drama; Conflict with another poet. What?!?!? How?!?! Is Ben party to the silencing of women throughout history? He doesn’t intend to! Should we rewrite our tagline? It’s a show about science and… big questions? The bridge on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is SO WELL LIT. Steven finished A Prayer for the Crown Shy by Becky Chambers. So good. It’s the End of Days, JTRO: The Internet Archive has lost its first fight to scan and lend e-books like a library. Ben can’t remember the name of the film “The FP.” Publishers have sued The Internet Archive for being a digital library. Save the library! The Internet Archive allows borrowing a book for an hour. It led to Ben purchasing those books. Internet Archive is a non-profit library of millions of free boo

This episode contains: Steven and Ben grill Devon as to why he was not on the last episode. The answer is sleep. Ben had a weird bug so took a day off work. Devon keeps complaining about his kids, who can be heard in the background. Ben is applying to be the president of the PTSA. Steven has been making his "old wife" play a new Star Wars deck building game. Ben recommends the Humble Bundle: https://www.humblebundle.com/games/kart-racers-games-bundle?hmb_source=&hmb_medium=product_tile&hmb_campaign=mosaic_section_1_layout_index_1_layout_type_threes_tile_index_2_c_kartracersgamesbundle_bundle Walmart Has Everything: A bug expert went shopping at Walmart—and made a historic insect discovery. The giant lacewing had seemingly disappeared from eastern North America over 50 years ago. “The fact that this insect was spotted in a region that it hasn’t been seen in over half a century tells us something more broadly about the environment.” https://www.popsci.com/environment/giant-lacewing-jurassic-walmart/?f

This episode contains: Just Ben and Steven on this episode, sorry not sorry. We kick off everything with a quick chat about the 2001 film 'The One' w/ Jet Li. Why? No idea. Steven and Ben are playing single dads, because wives need a break too. A lot of Mario Land 2 talk, and Steven makes some bold declarations. Steven is steadily introducing his kids to video games and scifi. Wall-E is a gateway movie. We played some VR mini golf with listener Josh. Thanks Josh.  Clicktacular: Bin, app, and subscription combo pledges a cleaner kitchen, environment. Mill is a company that wants to send you  a trash can with wifi capabilities that will process your food waste, so you can mail it back and it can be used to feed chickens. Steven is enamored by this idea. https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/01/new-service-wants-to-turn-your-food-waste-into-chicken-feed/  Brain Buzzing: Scientists complete first map of an insect brain. It took scientists 12 years to fully map a fruit fly larva brain: all 3,016 neurons and their