The Most Important Question

Best of: Life Finds A Way

Nov 20, 2023

The podcast explores the concept of time and the importance of understanding deep time in relation to dinosaurs. It also delves into finding beauty amidst difficult experiences and taking action to foster empathy and positive change. The power of writing and the impact of personal experiences are discussed, as well as the positive influence of a science journalist friend and the art of apologizing.

01:00:42

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Quick takeaways

Exploring the past through the study of dinosaurs provides fundamental truths about time, extinction, and evolution.

Finding solace, comfort, and curiosity in safe spaces or through storytelling can provide moments of escape and rejuvenation.

Recognizing the impact of our choices and embracing grief and loss while finding hope in the present moment.

Deep dives

The Power of Curiosity and Wonder

Riley Black, a science writer and amateur paleontologist, emphasizes the importance of curiosity and wonder in understanding our relationship with the natural world. She believes that exploring the past, particularly through the study of dinosaurs, provides fundamental truths about time, extinction, and evolution. By engaging with the fossil record and asking questions, we can gain perspective on our origins and our place in the world. Riley sees herself as an emissary from deep time, bridging the gap between the past and the present to share the wonders of paleontology with others.

Introduction

5min

The Concept of Time and Dinosaurs

17min

Finding Beauty Amidst Difficult Experiences

30min

Taking Action and Fostering Empathy for Change

3min

The Power of Writing and Making a Difference

2min

The Positive Impact of a Friend and the Art of Apologizing

3min

Appreciation and Contact Information

2min

I think about time a lot. Some days I feel ancient, some days I can’t believe how old I am.

I’ve got kids, too. I can’t believe how fast they’ve grown up already. They love so many things. Swimming. Cooking. Plain pasta. The beach. Vegetables, somehow. Their friends. Their family. Dinosaurs.

Man, oh man, do they love dinosaurs.

I love to challenge them, to help them think about how long ago it all was, and how long it lasted. How different the world was. How the land under their feet was an ocean, once.

And of course, knowing what we know now, how fast it can all change. How an asteroid - or a virus, or a fire, or a flood - can change your life forever.

As much progress as we’ve made in these 300,000 years of Homo sapiens, from fire to wheels to meat to agriculture to handwashing – we are in a moment when we are challenged yet again on a global scale, and unlike the dinos, our future is of our own making.

In this episode from 2022, our guest is Riley Black.

Riley is a science writer and amateur paleontologist based in Salt Lake City, Utah, right in the center of dinosaur country, where she chases tales of vanished lives from museum collections to remote badlands.

Riley’s published books include Written in Stone, my favorite and critically acclaimed My Beloved Brontosaurus, When Dinosaurs Ruled, Prehistoric Predators, and The Last Days of the Dinosaurs.

Riley’s journey and storytelling are powerful and so important at this moment when we’re so ready to move on to the next thing that we haven’t taken the time to cherish the people, the places, the world around us, and how lucky we are to have them.

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