What The If‪?‬ Philip Shane, Matt Stanley, Gabrielle Paniccia

Matt & Gaby are away on assignment! So I'm alone here in the studio, presenting you with an encore presentation of my conversation with the Star Trek computer which aired last year and became one of our most popular episodes ever. Enjoy! -- Philip

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🚀 Blast off to the 23rd Century in this hilarious and thought-provoking episode of "What The IF?" Join your host, Philip, as he chats with an unexpected guest straight from the Starship Enterprise: the ship's Computer herself! 💻

Take a deep dive into the quirky world of Star Trek and unravel the enigmatic personality behind the Enterprise's AI. Learn about her mysterious origin story - a puzzle as complex as a quantum calculation wrapped up in a futuristic alloy casing. This isn't your typical chatbot; even in her unofficial vacation mode, she serves up her responses with a side of humor that will have you laughing in your space boots.

Discover fascinating trivia about the series, from the groundbreaking decision to give the computer a female voice, to the talented Majel Barrett-Roddenberry who provided her voice from 1966 to 2023. Uncover how her portrayal of the computer voice evolved over time and how Star Trek's progressive vision led to the inclusion of more personalized AI characters like "Data" and "The Doctor."

So strap in, prepare for warp speed, and join this exciting journey across the Star Trek universe. This episode is set to stun! Don't miss it. 🌟

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Find out more about Gaby's upcoming science fiction short story publication, coming soon!

Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be pre-ordered here : www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminesce…ental-invention

The ebook can be pre-ordered here: www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminesc…ental-invention

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Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at feedback@whattheif.com and let us know what's in your imagination. No idea is too small, or too big!

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Keep On IFFin',
Philip, Matt & Gaby

Do we truly have free will or are our choices predetermined by the particles that make up our universe? This mind-bending episode dives into the age-old debate of free will vs determinism. Explore the fascinating implications of a world without free will - from everyday social interactions to moral responsibility. Discover how the laws of physics might turn us into mere "billiard balls" with our paths set in motion since the Big Bang. But is there a glimmer of hope in the randomness of quantum mechanics? Join the thought-provoking discussion and decide for yourself - if you have a choice, that is!

Team IF is OFF this week, we're celebrating Gaby becoming DR. GABY with the completion of her PhD at Rockefeller University!!! We're super proud of her.

So this week we present this encore presentation of one of our most popular episodes, enjoy, and keep those emails coming! WhatTheIF.com/contact -- and send your congratulations to Gaby!

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We salute our newest Patreon members. Thank you: Connie, Martin, and Dan!

Welcome to an icy exploration of reality on this episode of "What The IF?" Dive headfirst into a brain-freezing alternate universe, as Philip, Freya, Gabby, and Matt grapple with an extraordinary question, submitted by our Super Iffer listener, Martin from Frankfurt: What the if... water did not have its highest density at plus four degrees Celsius? The team embarks on an adventure that treads the fine line between physics and biology, unwrapping the counter-intuitive conundrums and startling possibilities that lie ahead.

In this bewildering world, ice doesn't float and frozen lakes become deadly traps for aquatic life. Discover how this slight shift in water's properties could send catastrophic ripples through ecosystems, extinguishing fish populations and upsetting the balance of life. The conversation spans from the microscopic intricacies of water molecules and the life-saving 'anti-freeze' proteins in fish, all the way to the grand scale of planetary bodies.

The team also makes a cosmic detour to Europa, a moon of Jupiter, reputed to hold more water than Earth, highlighting the universal significance of water's unique properties. Could life exist in a world where water behaves differently? Listen in, as the team freezes the status quo and takes you on a fascinating journey through the ice-cold unknown.

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Listen to Gaby's guest appearance on the “Students of Life” podcast: studentsoflife.podbean.com/e/science-c…on-writing/

Find out more about Gaby's upcoming science fiction short story publication, coming soon!

Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be pre-ordered here : www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminesce…ental-invention

The ebook can be pre-ordered here: www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminesc…ental-invention

This week on "What The IF?" Philip and Gaby tackle the uproarious tale of a fish so small it could masquerade as a grain of rice, yet so loud it puts rock concerts to shame! In the streams of Myanmar, this tiny troubadour belts out love ballads louder than a jackhammer to woo its mate. The episode dives into the science behind why this minuscule creature needs to be heard, not just seen. Join us for a soundcheck in nature's own concert hall, where volume is the key to romance and survival. Get ready to turn up the volume and tune in to one of nature's smallest but mightiest vocalists.

Inspired by the reporting of Elizabeth Anne Brown in the Scientific American article, “This Tiny Fish Makes an Ear-Blasting Screech for Love” https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/this-tiny-fish-makes-an-ear-blasting-screech-for-love/

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Find out more about Gaby's science fiction short story!

Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be ordered here : https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention

The ebook can be ordered here: https://www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention

Dive into the mysteries of the "Infinite Library" in this enthralling episode! Join our adventurers as they explore a hypothetical library filled with an infinite number of books, where every conceivable thought and theory is penned down. Discover the humorous possibilities of encountering books written by alternate versions of yourself, or even navigating a library so vast you might need a thread to find your way back. From theoretical skeletons holding coveted books to the amusing pitfalls of infinite knowledge, this episode offers a whimsical journey through a limitless repository of human—and possibly non-human—wisdom.

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Find out more about Gaby's science fiction short story!

Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be ordered here : https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention

The ebook can be ordered here: https://www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention

Embark on a mind-bending thought experiment as our intrepid explorers dive deep into the annals of history, imagining how early humans might have unraveled the mysteries of solar eclipses. From cave paintings to mythical tales of celestial dragons, join the journey as Throg and his tribe attempt to make sense of the sun's sudden disappearance. Join us as we ponder the birth of astronomy and the evolution of scientific thinking.

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Find out more about Gaby's science fiction short story!

Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be ordered here : https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention

The ebook can be ordered here: https://www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention