Summary
The StarTalk podcast episode at New York Comic Con covers three topics related to popular science-fiction franchises: time travel in "Doctor Who," quantum physics in "Ant-Man," and parallel universes in "Stranger Things." The panel discusses the possibility of time travel, with theoretical physicist Brian Greene explaining that time travel to the future is possible according to physics, while traveling to the past is more complicated and could result in paradoxes. They also discuss the idea of changing the past and how it could create alternate universes. The conversation is light-hearted and includes jokes and audience participation.
The hosts also explore the concept of shrinking and its limitations according to quantum mechanics. They discuss the idea that atoms have a minimum amount of energy, making it impossible to shrink things down to zero size. They also touch on the topics of mass, energy, and quantum entanglement, and how they relate to the concept of shrinking. They briefly discuss the plausibility of Ant-Man as a story mechanism and whether there is a realm where quantum physics breaks down.
The podcast also delves into the concept of multiple universes and the possibility of communicating or traveling between them. The guest, Brian Greene, explains the idea of branes in string theory and how they could represent different universes. The discussion also touches on the mystery of dark matter and whether it could be matter from another universe bleeding over into ours.
Neil deGrasse Tyson also discusses the history of Mars exploration and the creative inspiration it has provided, reflecting on his own experiences growing up as a person of color and how he turned to science and libraries for inspiration rather than NASA. He then reads an open letter to NASA on their 60th anniversary, acknowledging the progress they have made and their importance to American identity. The letter ends with a call for continued exploration and a pledge to serve as a humble servant to NASA. Tyson concludes by thanking the audience and encouraging them to keep looking up.
