Episode 4 of The Strange Quark sees Marie, Wayne and Joe talk all about science and comedy. Joining them is special guest Dr Jessamyn Fairfield, a postdoctoral researcher and improv comedian with Bright Club Dublin and Dublin improv collective Not The Eyes!.

Jessamyn tells us why improv is good for scientists and explains what Bright Club Dublin is. She also demonstrates some impressive improv with Joe at the end of the podcast. Before this we all have a good natter about The Big Bang Theory and why the stereotypical characters do more harm than good. Wayne and Jessamyn decide that Star Trek is a much better example of cool problem-solving, space exploring scientists! Also, Wayne talks about the time he interviewed Gates McFadden/Dr. Beverly Crusher!!

Marie discusses her recent trip to the recent EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) conference where she met Prof Brian Cox and attended a talk by founder of the Ig Nobel Prize Marc Abrahams. She also brags about her recent phone chat with Infinite Monkey Cage co-host Robin Ince.

We also reference Jurassic Park because it's now tradition. And Joe reminds us that Interstellar is ruined by one line of mushy dialogue from Anne Hathaway. We're Event Horizon fans - now that's a black hole we can get down with.

The Strange Quark Episode 4 - The ParaCox Improv Collective aka What is the deal with atoms?

Welcome to episode 5 of The Strange Quark. In this episode we talk to neuroscientists Dr Kevin Mitchell (Trinity College Dublin), Dr David Delany (Waterford Institute of Technology) and Dr Richard Roche (Maynooth University).

We talk about the scientific implausibilities contained in the movies Lucy and Limitless as well as the real science behind augmented cognition and super intelligence. Kevin, David and Richard discuss the various ways it is possible to boost memory, reasoning, knowledge acquisition and understanding. Caution: we also ponder psychedelic drugs, living with half a brain, and why Memento is terrifying but lovely.

Hosted by Marie Boran and edited by Wayne Talbot. Joe Roche couldn't join us for this episode because he's busy in his underground lair.

Strange Quark Episode 5

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