Not only did the film Jurassic Park herald a new era in computer-generated movie effects, it also dramatically raised the profile of paleontology, sparking the careers of many who are now leaders in the field. If that wasn’t enough, it raised questions about the ethics of DNA research.

Based on Michael Crichton’s novel by the same name, Jurassic Park hit cinema screens 30 years ago, and told the story of an ambitious theme park that used resurrected dinosaurs as its attractions. But as the story unfolds, things start to go wrong.

In this Discovery episode of The Conversation Weekly, we speak with Travis Holland, a senior lecturer at Charles Sturt University in Australia. He researches media and fan studies, and has looked at the popular and scientific cultural impact Jurassic Park continues to have.

And in the aftermath of the Spanish general election it appears that Catalan nationalist parties may be pivotal as rival blocs seek to form a government. This will again bring attention to the question of to what degree there is a collective sense of Spanish identity. Considering the matter here is Víctor Climent Sanjuán, professor of sociology at the University of Barcelona.

Have a great week.

Nehal El-Hadi

Science + Technology Editor & Co-Host of The Conversation Weekly Podcast

The Jurassic Park franchise has spawned several movies, theme parks and spin-off products. (Shutterstock)

Thirty years after Jurassic Park hit movie screens, its impact on science and culture remains as strong as ever — podcast

Nehal El-Hadi, The Conversation

Jurassic Park was a technological breakthrough for film because of its use of CGI. It also revived an interest in paleontology and raised ethical questions about DNA use.

Negro Elkha/Shutterstock

Does Spanish nationalism exist?

Víctor Climent Sanjuán, Universitat de Barcelona

Spanish history recounts the existence of various peripheral nationalisms (Catalan and Basque), while, in many cases, the existence of a Spanish nationalism of Castilian origin is ignored.

Water and sediment pour off the melting margin of the Greenland ice sheet. Jason Edwards/Photodisc via Getty Images

When Greenland was green: Ancient soil from beneath a mile of ice offers warnings for the future

Paul Bierman, University of Vermont; Tammy Rittenour, Utah State University

The soil was extracted during the Cold War from beneath one of the U.S military’s most unusual bases, then forgotten for decades.