Summary
In this podcast episode of StarTalk, the hosts delve into the science and absence of science in the Marvel Universe, specifically in the movie "Endgame". They discuss how most Marvel superheroes have a scientific background or derive their powers from scientific principles. The hosts compare the consistency of time travel in "Endgame" and "Back to the Future", with the hosts agreeing that "Back to the Future" was more internally consistent with a single alternative timeline, while "Endgame" had multiple timelines branching off from each other. They also mention the danger of interacting with oneself in time travel. Overall, the hosts praise the storytelling in the Marvel Universe and the scientific premise behind most of the characters.
The conversation then shifts to the ecological implications of Thanos' actions in the movie, where he snaps his fingers and half of all life disappears. A large carnivore ecologist explains that while there would be trauma and loss, there would also be a spike in reproduction and population growth for some species due to less competition for resources. The resulting population explosion would depend on the mix of animals and their natural predators. The hosts also answer listener questions about the logic behind Thanos' plan and the abilities of Captain Marvel.
The hosts also discuss various scientific concepts related to space and time travel. They talk about how particles can be trapped in an energy well and have a chance of existing outside of it, which is called tunneling. They also discuss the view of deep space from different locations and how it can be a life-changing experience. The hosts explain the concept of a Mobius strip, which is a ribbon that has only one side and can be used in time travel theories. They also mention the three-dimensional version of a Mobius strip called a Klein bottle, which has no inside and outside in four dimensions.
In addition, the hosts answer questions from listeners about scientific inaccuracies in movies, including inconsistencies in gravity in space and Captain America's shield. They also discuss the EPR paradox and the uncertainty principle in quantum physics. The hosts end the episode by jokingly addressing a question about Groot from the Avengers movie franchise. Overall, the hosts provide an entertaining and informative discussion about the science behind the Marvel Universe and related scientific concepts.
