The Marvels of Science is a podcast that I make about the science and tech of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Each 30ish-minute episode, I sit down with a Science Expert and a Color Commentator to discuss the plausibility of a character, bit of technology, or sci-fi phenomenon in the MCU. It's a sneaky way to expose listeners to some science education while they think they're just listening to a movie podcast.
This week, I expand the show's scientific umbrella to include psychology as I discuss Tony Stark's apparent (though denied) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Iron Man 3. What makes PTSD different from healthy ways of recalling trauma? For that matter, what is trauma? And what are panic attacks and panic disorders? Is the movie's portrayal of Tony's symptoms in line with these disorders, and do we feel comfortable diagnosing a fictional character?
Psychologist Kelsey Myers is the Science Expert this week, helping Color Commentator and social worker Caitlin Levine (returning from Episode 3: Ultron and the Internet) and I understand the ins and outs of these questions and more.
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