Rabbit Hole of Research

De: Jotham Austin II PhD Nick Elizalde and Georgia Geis
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  • Resumen

  • Our goal is to have fun learning science through the lens of science fiction, fantasy, and pop-culture. We will start in one place and let the conversation lead us down the winding scenic road exploring the science in science fiction, separating the facts from the Handwavium. We’ll have a little fun and you’ll learn a few facts you can use to impress your friends at a party or use as a conversation starter to go down your own rabbit holes.

    jothamaustin.substack.com
    Jotham Austin, II PhD
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Ciencia Ciencia Ficción
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Episodios
  • 33.1: The mini recap: Exploring Doctor Who

    33.1: The mini recap: Exploring Doctor Who
    Apr 23 2025

    In this mini-episode, Joe, Nick, and Georgia recap Episode 33’s deep dive into Doctor Who, touching on fan-favorite Doctors, time travel biology, and the show’s philosophical themes. The discussion expands into The Twilight Zone, highlighting the infamous 1961 episode “It’s a Good Life” and its thematic connections to Doctor Who and modern anthology sci-fi. The team also teases the next episode featuring author Christopher Hawkins to discuss his book Downpour and killer rains.

    And don’t forget to Pre-order: Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!

    Want to support the show? Tell your friends. Follow us on social media, Discord, share the podcast, and let us know what topics you are excited about.

    Stay curious, stay speculative, stay safe, and we’ll catch you in the next rabbit hole. Love Y'all!

    Future Episodes & Events:

    •Next Episode: What’s in that Rain? (with guest Christopher Hawkins)

    •Save the date: Maifest (May 10) in Blue Island, IL – join us for live recordings!

    Shownotes:

    Links, Resources, and Topics Mentioned in mini and/or full episode:

    Doctor Who (BBC) – Time travel, TARDIS, regeneration, and trickster mythology

    Episode 33 full show – Doctor Who? Time Travel, Science, and Fandom

    Science & Fiction Connections in Episode 33:

    Time Travel Biology

    Circadian rhythm disruption, telomere shortening, radiation stress, and cellular aging from theoretical time travel

    Regeneration & Physiology

    Time Lord biology: Two hearts, memory retention, energy-based transformation (linked to speculative stem cell science)

    Psychic Language Translation

    TARDIS enabling automatic understanding of alien languages; compared to Babelfish and neural language models

    Weeping Angels & Quantum Mechanics

    Observer effect parallels, wavefunction collapse, and the [Double Slit Experiment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-slit_experiment)

    Twilight Zone – Mental Reality Manipulation

    “It’s a Good Life” explores the power of thought shaping reality—precursor to similar sci-fi horror tropes

    Fictional Overlap

    Doctor Who, The Twilight Zone, and Black Mirror share roots in morality plays, myth retellings, and speculative ethics



    Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe
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    12 m
  • EP 33: Doctor Who? Time Travel, Science, and Fandom

    EP 33: Doctor Who? Time Travel, Science, and Fandom
    Apr 16 2025
    In this episode of the Rabbit Hole of Research, hosts Joe and Nick are joined by special guest Tera to explore the vast, complex world of Doctor Who. From discussing the iconic TARDIS and the Doctor's unique two-heart physiology to the intricate sci-fi concepts woven into the show's storyline, the trio delve into both classic and modern episodes. They touch on themes like circadian rhythms during time travel, the biological effects of temporal shifts, and the moral dilemmas of rewriting history. The conversation also covers notable episodes, fan-favorite doctors, and the crossover appeal of the show's accessible cosplay elements. Whether a long-time fan or new to the Doctor Who universe, this episode offers a comprehensive and engaging look at the beloved British sci-fi series.Want to support the show? Tell your friends. Follow us on social media, Discord, share the podcast, and let us know what topics you are excited about. Leave a Comment. And for email alerts sign-up for the Substack newsletter and never miss an episode or exciting updates.We want to Hear From You (leave a comment):If you could travel to any point in time with the Doctor, when and where would you go—and would you risk changing anything?Do you think regeneration—if possible—should be a right, a medical procedure, or something restricted by ethics or law?If you could be a Doctor, which would you want to be: a hero, a trickster, or something in between?Stay curious, stay speculative, stay safe, and we’ll catch you in the next rabbit hole. Love Y'all!Episode Cover Art by Laina Joy see more at https://lainajoyart.comShow Notes & References• Predator: The Musical• Double Slit Experiment (Wikipedia)Episode Highlights:00:00 – Welcome to the Rabbit Hole of ResearchKick-off and intro banter—Nick insists they’re in the TARDIS today, not the basement.00:29 – Meet the Guest: Dr. Tera LavoieTera joins as the show’s resident Whovian and PhD-level sci-fi enthusiast.01:18 – What Is Doctor WhoOverview of the show’s origins, the concept of the Time Lord, regeneration, and the TARDIS.09:27 – The Science of Time Travel in the WhoniverseTARDIS mechanics, Time Vortex, Einstein-Rosen bridges, and speculative temporal physics.09:37 – Biological Effects of Time TravelCircadian rhythm disruptions, telomere deterioration, radiation exposure, and immune system stress.18:48 – Universal Translation & Language in the TARDISThe TARDIS’s psychic translation field, Babelfish parallels, and cognitive implications of instant language processing.25:38 – The Doctor as a Trickster ArchetypeDiscussion of mythic parallels—Loki, Hermes, Coyote—and how the Doctor uses wit and subversion instead of brute force.26:47 – The Master: The Doctor’s FoilExploration of the Master as a rival Time Lord, moral counterpoint, and recurring chaotic presence.29:20 – Musical Interlude & Predator: The MusicalTera sings Predator: The Musical and Nick introduces the idea of singing as a podcast tradition.30:08 – The Weeping Angels & the Observer EffectHow the Angels reflect quantum collapse (like the Double Slit Experiment)—a sci-fi metaphor for wavefunction collapse.31:13 – Quantum Mechanics and Time LockingDiscussion on how observation alters outcomes in Doctor Who, sci-fi narratives, and theoretical physics.35:29 – Top Doctor Who Episodes to WatchFan-favorite episodes including:Vincent and the DoctorBlinkThe Empty ChildHeaven SentThe Rings of AkhatenRose (best starting point)46:30 – The Science of Regeneration & Two HeartsDoctor’s physiology, regeneration energy, stem cell parallels, telomere resetting, and identity transformation.49:59 – Ethics of Time Travel & Fixed PointsEpisodes like The Waters of Mars and Turn Left highlight moral dilemmas and the unintended cost of temporal intervention.56:01 – Final Thoughts + What to Watch NextWrap-up conversation, streaming tips, and cosplay accessibility as a gateway into fandom.Join Rabbit Hole of Research on Discord: https://discord.gg/2nnmKgguFVSubscribe and Share our Substack newsletter to get email updates, never miss an episode, and spread the word!! Don’t forget to give us 5 stars or a like! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe
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    59 m
  • 32.1: The mini: Exploring Godzilla recap

    32.1: The mini: Exploring Godzilla recap
    Apr 9 2025

    In Episode 32: Unveiling the Mysteries of Godzilla, Joe, Nick, and guest Natalie dive deep into the origins, evolution, and cultural legacy of Godzilla and the Kaiju genre. From post-war allegories and scientific absurdities to Hanna-Barbera cartoons and biomechanical speculation, the episode unpacks why Godzilla remains cinema’s most enduring monster. In this mini recap, the crew revisits the weirdest and wildest bits—from calorie counts to would you rather go up against one Godzilla sized rat or 100 rat sized-Godzillas—and why Kaiju movies are more than just destruction porn.

    🎧 Listen to the full episode: Ep 32 – Unveiling the Mysteries of Godzilla

    🍕 Check out Natalie’s pizza tours: Pizza City USA

    Want to support the show? Tell your friends. Follow us on social media, Discord, share the podcast, and let us know what topics you are excited about.

    Stay curious, stay speculative, stay safe, and we’ll catch you in the next rabbit hole. Love Y'all!

    Episode Art by Laina Joy see more at https://lainajoyart.com

    Shownotes:

    Links, Resources, and Topics Mentioned in mini and/or full episode:

    1. How many Big Macs—or whales—would it take to feed Godzilla?

    2. Could Godzilla actually walk, run, or swim like it does in the films?

    3. What’s up with Godzilla’s pronouns and offspring—how does reproduction even work?

    4. Is Godzilla more metaphor than monster?

    5. What are some of your favorite cheesy Godzilla movie moments

    Science & Fiction Connections:

    1. The Square-Cube Law vs. Giant Monsters:

    2. Radiation as a Life Source:

    3. Are Blue whales the Real-World Kaiju?

    4. Post-War Trauma in Pop Culture:

    5. Biomechanical Logic of Kaiju

    Future Episodes & Events:

    •Next Episode: Dr. Who!

    •Save the date: Maifest (May 10) in Blue Island, IL – join us for live recordings!

    •Joe’s short story will be a part of the Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories



    Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe
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    12 m
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