Humans On The Loop 184 - Henry Gee on The History & Future of Life on Earth (& Much Else!)
Early Paleontology Inspiration
- Michael Garfield's lifelong interest in paleontology started with meeting Robert Bakker at age three.
- Bakker further fueled this passion by showing Garfield dinosaur bones and fossils.
Feathered Dinosaurs and Family
- Henry Gee recounts the discovery of feathered dinosaurs, including a pivotal moment with Chen Pei-ji.
- Years later, Gee's young son recognized a fossil Gee published, highlighting the impact of his work.
Archaeopteryx Revelation
- Michael Garfield had a "religious experience" viewing an Archaeopteryx fossil and connected with it as his "spirit animal".
- Later research confirmed the iridescent feather coloration Garfield envisioned during a bodywork session.
I don't even know where to start with this amazing episode. Henry Gee is the Senior Editor of Nature, the author of many cool science books including his latest, A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth; an accomplished musician; a riveting storyteller and humorous fellow; the Founding Editor of Nature's Futures sci-fi series; and a total joy in conversation. We met to discuss his brilliant tour of evolutionary history past and future, and did, but also occupied a fair bit of our two hours together sharing stories about paleontologists, talking music, gabbing about our love of science fiction, and being ridiculous.
I've decided to not bother editing this one because (1) I'm finally getting bold enough to give not-editing a shot; and (2) it was SO VERY ENJOYABLE that I am not sure I could survive a second listen without a second conversation already on the calendar. Consequently, you don't get the normal intensely-detailed show notes, but among the many things we discusses are: synthesizers; feathered dinosaurs; symbiosis as the defining feature of the future of the biosphere; the relationship between good science and good science fiction; why Olaf Stapledon is one of the most important sci-fi authors of the 20th Century; and as I've already said, much else.
Visit the episode page on Patreon for a heap of related episodes if this one lights a fire in your mind...
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