Show notes
FOLLOW RICHARD
Website: https://www.strangeplanet.ca
YouTube: @strangeplanetradio
Instagram: @richardsyrettstrangeplanet
TikTok: @therealstrangeplanet
EP. # 1235 The Alien Mirror: How 2,500 Years of Cosmic Imagination Shapes Who We Are
Today on Strange Planet, we embark on a 2,500-year journey through humanity’s obsession with aliens—not as sci-fi oddities, but as profound reflections of ourselves. Astrobiologist and bestselling author Mark Brake reveals how ancient philosophers, satirists, and dreamers imagined alien empires, Moon serpents, and interstellar wars long before Roswell or SETI. His new book, The Science of Aliens, is a cosmic romp through history, myth, and science, challenging everything we think we know about the alien question. Are we searching for others—or just projecting our hopes and fears into the stars?
GUEST: Mark Brake is an astrobiologist, science communicator, and pioneer in the public understanding of science and science fiction. He created the world’s first university course on life in the universe and collaborated with the London Science Museum’s Science of Aliens exhibition. Brake has taught science fiction and cosmology across five continents and authored bestselling books including The Science of Star Trek and The Science of James Bond. His latest work, The Science of Aliens, explores 2,500 years of humanity’s fascination with extraterrestrial life, blending history, philosophy, and science in a provocative and entertaining narrative.
WEBSITE:
https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com
BOOKS:
The Science of Aliens: The Real Science Behind the Gods and Monsters from Space and Time
The Science of The Beatles
The Science of Jurassic World
The Science of James Bond
The Science of Superheroes
The Science of Science Fiction
The Science of Star Trek
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!!!
BUTCHERBOX
ButcherBox delivers better meat and seafood straight to your door – including 100% grass-fed beef,free-range organic chicken, pork raised crate-free, and wild-caught seafood.Right now, ButcherBox is offering our listeners $20 off their first box and free protein for a year.
Go to ButcherBox.com/strange to get this limited time offer and free shipping always. Don’t forget to use our link so they know we sent you.
HIMS - Making Healthy and Happy Easy to Achieve
Sexual Health, Hair Loss, Mental Health, Weight Management
START YOUR FREE ONLINE VISIT TODAY - HIMS dot com slash STRANGE
https://www.HIMS.com/strange
RingBoost
The largest provider of custom phone numbers since 2003
https://www.ringboost.com
If you’re ready to sound like the business people want to call, head over to https://www.ringboost.com and use promo code STRANGE for an exclusive discount.
QUINCE BEDDING
Cool, Relaxed Bedding. Woven from 100% European flax linen. Visit QUINCE BEDDING to get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
BECOME A PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER!!!
https://strangeplanet.supportingcast.fm
Three monthly subscriptions to choose from. Commercial Free Listening, Bonus Episodes and a Subscription to my monthly newsletter, InnerSanctum. Visit https://strangeplanet.supportingcast.fm Use the discount code "Planet" to receive one month off the first subscription.
We and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. By using our website and services, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://strangeplanet.supportingcast.fm/