Starbase Indy Podcast

A Whirlwind Tour of AI

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. AI is so ubiquitous we often don’t realize when we’re using it. This talk aims to provide a broad overview of AI so that we can recognize when and where AI is touching our lives. 
The episode you are about to hear 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 the Humanities.

Xenocosmetology and the Meaning of Life

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.

Eclipses

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.

Envisioning Star Trek

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.

Inspiring the Future by Preserving the Past

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.

Starship Tempest

Listen as the cast of the Starship Tempest talks about their show, and the Star Trek universe in which it exists.

Star Trek and Science

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.

AI and the Search for Truth

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.

The Realities of Human Space Flight

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.

Episode 43: Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations

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.