Jo Marchant, an award-winning science journalist and author, joins Helen Czerski to explore humanity's deep bond with the cosmos. They discuss how the stars have shaped our beliefs, power structures, and even biology. The conversation highlights the emotional impacts of stargazing and the significance of ancient astronomical beliefs. They delve into awe deprivation in modern society and advocate for reconnecting with nature to foster creativity and compassion. The podcast emphasizes a holistic view of science, merging emotional ties with scientific discovery.
57:08
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Cave Paintings and Stars
Paleolithic cave paintings, like the Lascaux bull, possibly depict star clusters like the Pleiades.
This suggests a holistic worldview where earthly and celestial events intertwined.
insights INSIGHT
Stories in the Sky
Indigenous communities used stories written in the sky to guide their traditions.
These celestial stories connected them to their ancestors and environment.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Burial Mounds and Solstices
Neolithic burial mounds, like Newgrange, align with solstices.
This reveals detailed observation used for spiritual purposes, linking the sun to the fate of souls.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Cure is a highly regarded cocktail book by renowned bartender Neil Bodenheimer. It features a wide range of classic and innovative cocktail recipes, accompanied by insightful commentary on the history and techniques of mixology. The book is known for its elegant design and comprehensive approach to the craft of cocktail making. It's a valuable resource for both professional bartenders and home enthusiasts. Bodenheimer's expertise shines through in the detailed explanations and creative recipes.
Decoding the Heavens
A 2,000-Year-Old Computer and the Century-Long Search to Discover Its Secrets
Jo Marchant
Decoding the Heavens by Jo Marchant delves into the history and significance of the Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient Greek device that functioned as the world's first mechanical computer. The book chronicles the century-long journey to decipher its intricate workings, exploring the roots of modern technology in ancient Greece, the Islamic world, and medieval Europe. It highlights the perseverance and ingenuity of scientists and historians who contributed to understanding this ancient marvel.
The Human Cosmos: A Secret History to the Stars
Jo Marchant
Jo Marchant and Helen Czerski take us on a journey through humanity’s relationship with the heavens. The stars have shaped who we are - our religious beliefs, power structures, scientific advances and even our biology. But over the last few centuries we have separated ourselves from the universe that surrounds us. And that disconnect comes at a cost. To find out more about Jo Marchant’s book, The Human Cosmos, click here: http://bit.ly/humancosmos -------------------------- Intelligence Squared+. The world's best speakers. Your questions. £4.99 per month. Intelligence Squared+ will bring you live, interactive events every week on our new online platform. Just like at our real-life events, you’ll be able to put your questions to our speakers, vote in live polls and interact with other members of the audience. Your subscription will give you access to multiple events featuring the world’s top thinkers and opinion formers, including Thomas Piketty, Margaret Atwood, Clive Woodward, Thomas Friedman, Meera Syal and Paloma Faith. For a full list of Intelligence Squared+ events and to subscribe, click here: https://bit.ly/2yfYIfm
Intelligence Squared 
