In this enlightening discussion, guest Adam Frank, a professor of astrophysics and science communicator, explores the intriguing Fermi Paradox and our quest for extraterrestrial life. He emphasizes the crucial role of science communication in a tech-driven society, urging a balance with art and spirituality. The conversation also dives into climate change, calling for holistic approaches rather than escape plans like Mars relocation. Frank challenges notions around AI and consciousness, advocating for new global governance to tackle environmental crises.
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Adam Frank's Origin Story
Adam Frank's passion for astronomy began at age five after discovering his dad's pulp science fiction magazines.
His early visits to the Hayden Planetarium solidified a lifelong commitment to astrophysics and science communication.
insights INSIGHT
Science's Role in Society
Science and technology dominate modern life, so science literacy is critical for informed democratic decisions.
Science is powerful but coexists with art, poetry, humanities, and spirituality as ways to understand the world.
insights INSIGHT
Limited Alien Search Explains Silence
We've hardly searched the cosmic 'ocean' for alien life, only a 'hot tub' worth so far.
Lack of alien contact is due to minimal investment and search, not the absence of extraterrestrials.
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What Science Cannot Ignore, or Why Science Cannot Ignore Human Experience
Adam Frank
Marcelo Gleiser
Evan Thompson
The Little Book of Aliens
Adam Frank
The Ministry for the Future
Kim Stanley Robinson
The Ministry for the Future is a novel by Kim Stanley Robinson that delves into the urgent issue of climate change. Set in the near future, the story follows the establishment of a UN agency, the Ministry for the Future, whose mission is to advocate for the rights of future generations. The novel is told through multiple perspectives, including those of Mary Murphy, the head of the Ministry, and Frank May, an American aid worker who survives a devastating heat wave in India. The book explores various innovative solutions to climate change, such as the introduction of a new currency called 'carboni' to incentivize decarbonization, and it presents a hopeful yet realistic vision of how humanity might cooperate to mitigate the effects of climate change. The narrative includes a mix of fictional eyewitness accounts, non-fiction descriptions, and diverse writing styles, reflecting the complexity and urgency of the climate crisis[1][3][5].
New York 2140
Kim Stanley Robinson
Manuel Mata
New York 2140 is set in a future New York City that has been drastically altered by climate change. The city has experienced a significant rise in sea levels, flooding much of Manhattan and transforming it into a 'Super Venice.' The novel follows the lives of multiple characters living in the MetLife Tower, which has been adapted to withstand the flooding. It delves into themes of economic and social change, critiquing capitalism and unregulated financial systems while highlighting the resilience and adaptability of the city's inhabitants. The story involves various plotlines, including a search for missing residents, attempts to reform the global financial system, and the struggle for housing and resources in a post-climate catastrophe world[1][3][4].
Light of the Stars
Alien Worlds and the Fate of the Earth
Adam Frank
In 'Light of the Stars', Adam Frank traces the question of alien life from ancient Greeks to modern thinkers. The book delves into the history of Earth's climate, the study of other planets like Venus and Mars, and the search for exoplanets and technosignatures of other civilizations. Frank argues that recognizing the possibility of life on other planets could be crucial in addressing climate change on Earth. The book provides a detailed history of climate change, both on Earth and other planets, and discusses the future of exoplanet research and its implications for human civilization.
Children of a Modest Star
Children of a Modest Star
Nils Gilman
Jonathan S. Blake
Adam Frank is a professor of astrophysics at the University of Rochester. A self-described ‘evangelist of science,’ Adam regularly writes and speaks about subjects like intelligent life forms in the universe, high-energy-density physics, space exploration and missions, climate change and more. In this podcast we discuss public science communication and scientific denialism, intersection of science, art and spirituality, searching for aliens – SETI and the Fermi Paradox, and much more.
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