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Home > Shows > Pondering the Universe
Pondering the Universe
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Why Are We Here?
Origins of Life
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Date: |
01-21-04 |
Host: |
George Noory |
Guests: |
James Gardner, the author of Biocosm(1) and Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer at the SETI Institute(2), joined together for a discussion about the universe on Wednesday night. The premise behind his book Gardner said is that life and intelligence are the "primary cosmic phenomena" and are "woven into the fabric of the universe in ways that surpass our understanding."
The universe does seem to be "optimized for life," Shostak agreed. And yet he surmised it would also spend "forever" dying, as it slowly cooled off. In regards to our location in the universe, Shostak said at first scientists thought that other galaxies were all moving away from us, but then it was realized that it was simply an effect created by the fact that "space itself was expanding."
Discussing our origins, Gardner mentioned a new theory called the "Big Splat," which proposes that our universe was created in "the collision of parallel universes." It's also possible, Shostak added, that "we might be fabricating new universes within our own." Indeed our universe might be a "tiny speck in a vast multiverse," Gardner intriguingly posited.
1. http://www.biocosm.org/
2. http://www.seti.org/
Related Articles
Biocosm Illustration |
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Pictured (click on for larger) is the dazzling cover image for James Gardner's book Biocosm(1). It was created by Peter Crowther/Debut Art. View(2) more of his illustrations.
1. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1930722222/ctoc |
Bumper Music
Bumper music from Wednesday January 21, 2004
| 1. | Always on My Mind Willie Nelson |
2. | Always On My Mind Elvis Presley |
3. | Every Breath You Take Police |
| 4. | Fanfare for the Common Man Emerson, Lake & Palmer |
5. | I Only Want to be With You Dusty Springfield |
6. | Inca Dance Cusco |
| 7. | Livin' Thing E.L.O. |
8. | Long Cool Woman The Hollies |
9. | Love is Alive Gary Wright |
| 10. | Mandolin Rain Bruce Hornsby |
11. | Midnight Express (The Chase) Giorgio Moroder |
12. | Midnight Express (The Chase) Giorgio Moroder |
| 13. | Return to Innocence Enigma |
14. | Sailing Christopher Cross |
15. | Someone to Watch Over Me Frank Sinatra |
| 16. | Someone To Watch Over Me Willie Nelson |
17. | Supernatural Thing Ben E. King |
18. | Taken In Mike & the Mechanics |
| 19. | Wish You Were Here Pink Floyd |
20. | Wish You Were Here Jim Manley |
21. | Wish You Were Here Jim Manley |
