The Nature of Life Beyond Earth

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This chapter explores the complex relationship between thermodynamics and the emergence of life, presenting the concept of a 'shadow biosphere' that suggests alternative life forms may exist undetected on Earth. It discusses the limitations of current methods in searching for extraterrestrial life and the challenges of defining life itself, considering philosophical perspectives and the interplay between scientific measurement and intuition. The conversation emphasizes the vastness of the universe and the likelihood of simple life forms existing beyond our current understanding.

NASA's Perseverance rover recently discovered a rock on Mars that could be the key to finding evidence of life beyond Earth. Coupled with the recently discovery that hundreds of millions of other planets exist in the "habitable zone" of their stars, it’s becoming increasingly likely that we’re not alone in the universe. While finding extraterrestrial life would be one of the most groundbreaking scientific achievements ever, the ongoing search is already shedding light on our own origins and place in the cosmos. This week, Adam sits with Nathalie Cabrol, director of the Carl Sagan Center at SETI and author of The Secret Life of the Universe: An Astrobiologist's Search for the Origins and Frontiers of Life. Together, they explore the probability of discovering alien life in our lifetimes, whether there could be a form of life so alien we wouldn't even recognize it, and the possibility that life on Earth might not have started here. Find Nathalie's book at factuallypod.com/books

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