TrekWars@OSU: Why the Science of Star Trek Matters with Dr. Mohamed Noor

Star Trek has always portrayed science and technology as positive tools for human progress, contrary to the way they are depicted in many modern science fiction stories.  We're more likely to see technology creating a dystopia in many contemporary films or TV series.  But we also live in an era in which many people are now skeptical of scientific developments and of scientists.  So why does the way that Star Trek portray science matter today?  

In this episode of TrekWars@OSU, Anarres Project co-director Dr. Joseph Orosco interviews Dr. Mohamed Noor.  Dr. Noor is a Professor of Biology at Duke University and uses Star Trek to teach science.  He is the author of "Live Long and Evolve: What Star Trek Can Teach Us About Evolution, Genetics and Life on Other Worlds."  Noor also hosts a popular YouTube series "BioTrekkie Explains" and regularly speaks at Star Trek conventions and comic cons.    

Orosco and Noor talk about way why Star Trek is useful for teaching science, but also what Star Trek says about human beings and their relationship to science and technology that is important for thinking about progress and the transformation of society for the better.