Throughline Winter is Coming
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Mar 13, 2025 Dive into the mysterious past as the podcast explores the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs and its surprising connection to our current threats. Delve into the lessons from extinction, contemplating climate change and nuclear dangers. Discover the Alvarez hypothesis and the emotional ties of a father-son duo in scientific discovery. Reflect on Carl Sagan's insights regarding nuclear winter and the political and societal implications of these potentially world-ending scenarios. A thought-provoking journey through time and the fragility of existence.
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Walter Alvarez and the KT Boundary
- In 1977, Walter Alvarez studied the KT boundary, a thin clay layer separating dinosaur fossils from the Tertiary layer.
- He sought to measure the layers' formation time, leading to a major discovery.
Luis Alvarez and the Atomic Bomb
- During WWII, Luis Alvarez helped develop the atomic bomb.
- He witnessed the Hiroshima bombing and wrote a letter to his son, Walter, expressing hope that the weapon would prevent future wars.
The Iridium Anomaly
- Luis Alvarez suggested using rare elements to date the KT boundary.
- They discovered high iridium levels, suggesting an asteroid impact caused dinosaur extinction.