Summary
In this episode of StarTalk, Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews Rainn Wilson about his recent Amazon Prime mini-series, "Utopia," in which he plays a virologist. They discuss the accuracy of the show's depiction of vaccines and the relationship between preparing for a role with expertise and real expertise. Wilson also talks about his involvement with Arctic Base Camp, a non-profit that explores the science of how climate change is affecting the Arctic. They discuss the importance of reaching out to young people and using humor to communicate complex ideas. Wilson's production company, Soul Pancake, aims to create uplifting and unifying content in contrast to the divisive nature of social media.
The conversation also touches on Wilson's podcast, Metaphysical Milkshake, which explores life's big questions. They discuss the importance of having deep conversations about the universe and being a nerd. The host and guest share their own nerdy habits, including filling notebooks with drawings of Dungeons and Dragons characters and writing down every significant number they know. The segment ends with Tyson asking Wilson about his cosmic curiosity.
In addition to the discussion with Wilson, the episode also features an interview with an astrophysicist about the concept of "spooky action at a distance" and the history of understanding the forces of gravity and electromagnetism. The discussion delves into the phenomenon of quantum entanglement, where particles can be connected at a distance and communicate faster than the speed of light. The astrophysicist shares his personal experience of wonder and transcendence while conducting research on a mountaintop in Chile.
The episode concludes with a lighthearted conversation about the host's son's love for Radiohead. Overall, the episode covers a range of topics, from science and climate change to pop culture and personal interests, and highlights the importance of curiosity and humor in communicating complex ideas.
