The Science in The Fiction
This is both a science and a science fiction podcast. We dig deep into the biggest ideas in science fiction, using science to elevate the conversation about sci-fi, and sci-fi to promote science education, curiosity and vision. We talk to science fiction authors about the science in their fiction, then talk to scientists about the same topic, and catalyze conversations between the two.
The Science in The Fiction
Ep 30: David Curtin on Dark Matter in 'Sunfall' (Part 1)
Dr. David Curtin is the Canada Research Chair in Theoretical Particle Physics at the University of Toronto, and specializes in exotic theories of dark matter that describe a "dark sector" which may include complex dark matter. These "banana-town weirdo" dark matter models include dark electrons, dark protons and dark photons that form dark atoms and possibly an entire mirror universe that exists transparently all around us. We discuss Jim Al-Khalili's book 'Sunfall' and the relatively tame dark matter scenario presented there, in what David calls a "nostalgic book, reminiscent of the days when theoretical physicists moved nations"! We also talk about the spectacular success of the Standard Model of particle physics, super-symmetry and our failure to detect its predictions at the LHC, and the "whackadoodle possibilities" this opens up for more sophisticated and interesting models of dark matter. Along the way David tells us us about WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles), theories of neutral naturalness, the hierarchy problem, calculating the electron's dipole moment to 12 decimal places, and the mind-expanding power of science fiction.
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