This section is not alphabetized because media is a broad category that includes content with varying degrees of association with STEM. For instance, health and exercise podcasts are heavily STEM-focused and filled with technical terminology, whereas a feature-length film might dramatize and gloss over scientific details. We hope this doesn't cause too much inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
⭐Health & Longevity Directed by Sam Harris (#328 - 3 hours and 3 minutes)
7/10 This is an absolute beast of a podcast episode, both in its length and scientific dialogue. It delves into the difference between lifespan and "healthspan," a term used by guest speaker Dr. Peter Attia to describe the healthy years someone lives rather than just their total years. The primary hook of this podcast episode is healthspan is equally if not more important than lifespan. The discussion focuses on increasing your healthspan, primarily through diet and exercise, and explores the actual physiological effects of his recommendations. Dr. Attia is incredibly knowledgeable, and his insights make this episode fascinating. The deep dive into how lifestyle choices can impact your healthspan is both informative and thought-provoking. However, I gave it a 7/10 because, despite the importance and intrigue of the topic, the dialogue is extremely technical and difficult to digest. Unlike other works by Sam Harris and his guests, this episode often felt overwhelming, with many complex terms and concepts that required additional research to fully understand (double the time of this podcast if you want to comprehend all the infromation presented to you factoring in the extra research you need to do!). While this episode might be challenging to follow at times, it is packed with valuable information. The complexity of the discussion means you might need to invest extra effort to grasp all the main points, but the knowledge you gain is well worth it. This episode offers a wealth of insights into one of the most crucial topics for everyone: how to live a longer, healthier life.
⭐Interstellar Directed by Christopher Nolan (Sci-fi/Space/Astronomy - Fiction)
10/10 Interstellar is probably my favorite movie ever. I very rarely rewatch movies, but I've watched this one multiple times. Beyond just watching the film, I've spent dozens of hours diving into analyses and videos exploring its themes and science. This movie sparked my fascination with interstellar travel and astronomy. I can't emphasize enough how incredible it is. To give you a taste, Interstellar is set in a future where society is struggling. With soil erosion and environmental disasters, food scarcity ravages the Earth, forcing many people to become farmers instead of pursuing scientific advancements. However, this is not sustainable. NASA, working underground, devises a plan to travel to distant planets to research and determine their habitability. This movie brilliantly showcases the importance of scientific advancements in all fields. Without science and hope, we wouldn't be the evolved species we are and we wouldn't be able to overcome humanities challenges; it's what sets us apart from other life forms. If you're interested in astronomy and how it intersects with other fields of science like physics, biology, and chemistry, all while enjoying award-winning visuals, sound design, and exceptional acting, you have to watch Interstellar.
⭐The Martian Directed by Ridley Scott (Sci-fi/Space/Astronomy - Fiction)
10/10 This is my second favorite movie (right behind Interstellar), and it's an absolute blast from start to finish. The film is a faithful adaptation of the book, which is also a solid 10/10. It tells the gripping story of a botanist stranded on Mars after his team presumes he died in a storm. Watching how this incredibly unlucky yet resourceful botanist survives the most hostile conditions any human has faced is both thrilling and inspiring. The moral of the movie? Farming can be badass, and we can overcome tremendous adversity despite seemingly insurmountable odds. The film strikes the perfect balance of suspense, science, and humor, making it extremely digestible and enjoyable. The science is mostly plausible with our current technology, so you won't have to suspend too much disbelief when things happen on screen. Overall, if you're a fan of science, drama, and good movies, give this one a watch.
⭐Oppenheimer Directed by Christopher Nolan (Physics/Chemistry/History - Non-Fiction)
8/10 Oppenheimer retells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer in a dramatic and compelling fashion. Even though I was already familiar with Oppenheimer's life from watching numerous documentaries, this movie still managed to captivate me. The visual effects are stunning, and the acting is phenomenal, bringing a genuinely interesting story to life. For those who might not know, Oppenheimer was the lead scientist for the Manhattan Project, a secret operation in the early 1940s that aimed to create the world's first atomic bomb to end World War II. The movie covers the challenges of Oppenheimer's early life, the development of the bomb, and the tragedy of his later years. It delves into the ethical and moral dilemmas he faced, providing a profound look at the man behind one of history's most significant and devastating inventions. I gave it an 8/10 because, although I am a huge fan of the movie, it sometimes dragged on or got too caught up in the drama and thriller aspects rather than staying true to the historical narrative. I believe it could have been a more faithful representation of Oppenheimer's life while still being entertaining. Additionally, I wish the film had delved deeper into the science behind the atomic bomb. They only skimmed the surface, and I would have loved to learn more about one of humanity's deadliest creations. In a macabre sense, this invention has shaped the world more than most others. Overall, Oppenheimer is a visually stunning and well-acted film that offers a fascinating look at a pivotal figure in history. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in World War II, the ethical implications of scientific discovery, or biographical dramas.
⭐Lucy Directed by Luc Besson (Sci-fi/Neuroscience/Thriller)
7/10 It is claimed that most life on Earth use less than 5% of their brain power. Humans have the ability to use 10% of their cognitive abilities. This film begs the question, what happens if we unlock even more dormant portions of our brain? What new abilities will we obtain? What drawbacks will there be to this greater cognitive function? And how far can we go? Besson explores this phenomena through the protagonist, Lucy, who is at war with a large Korean gang. She takes a drug that allows her to gain psychokinetic abilities. After consumption of CPH4, Lucy slowly increases the amount of brain power she is able to expend. She first gains immense intellect and supernatural physical abilities. These include levitation and telekinesis. After 50%, Lucy gains the ability to control electric and magnetic waves, thus allowing her to alter displays on TV, radio, phones, etc. Although, as she progresses, she starts to lose her humanity. Lucy no longer feels normal human desires such as love, friendship, peace, etc. Her mannerisms become increasingly robotic and her sentences are structured very analogous to how computers would respond. After gaining full cognitive ability, Lucy becomes an all knowing entity. By the laws of physics, if you know the initial conditions of a particle along with an equation describing its movement, you will be able to calculate this particles position at all points in time. Due to Lucy being all knowing, she has this knowledge and thus gains the ability to see into both the future and past. I think this movie was an interesting take on what increased cognitive ability would look like. Although, I disagree with this take as I don't believe you would gain supernatural abilities to the extent that Lucy did. Still a great movie and definitely worth a watch!