Could a Star Trek Villain Crush Your Skull? I Explain at Slate

If you trekked into a theater in the last two weeks, you saw the latest addition to Star Trek weaponry: the genetically enhanced bare-handed skull crush.

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If you trekked into a theater in the last two weeks, you saw the latest addition to Star Trek weaponry: the genetically enhanced bare-handed skull crush. In my first for Slate, I take a look at what it would take to crush a human skull Cumberbatch-style. I have excerpted the first paragraph below:

Phasers, photon torpedoes, and bat’leths: The weapons of Star Trek are as iconic as they are unused. The original series was meant to show the value of diplomacy, exploration, and peaceful progress. Weapons were a last resort. But when you’re staring down a vexed Vulcan or crazed Klingon, you have to defend yourself. May I suggest using genetically enhanced strength to crush your opponent’s skull?

You can read the full article here. As for its conclusion, I suggest you take heed:

Kyle Hill is a science communicator who specializes in finding the secret science in your favorite fandom. He has a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering and a master's degree in communication research (with a focus on science, health, and the environment) from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Aside from co-hosting Al Jazeera America's science show, TechKnow, Hill is also a freelancer who has contributed to Wired, Nature Education, Popular Science, Slate, io9, Nautilus, and is a columnist for Skeptical Inquirer. He manages Nature Education's Student Voices blog, is a research fellow with the James Randi Educational foundation. Email: sciencebasedlife@gmail.com

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