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The Little Comet Probe That Could
You may be carrying comet dust in your bones and blood. Probe Philae has shown that, now, we can go collect the original stuff. That's where science becomes magical.
December 3, 2014
The Science Of 'Interstellar'
Few, if any, movies have been this faithful to science and still managed to tell a gripping tale — though some liberties are taken at points.
November 26, 2014
Despite Disasters, Explore We Must
The crash of Virgin Galactic's spacecraft has renewed criticism of commercial space exploration. But are disasters and loss of life the price we must pay for pushing humanity's limits?
November 19, 2014
Can Scientific Belief Go Too Far?
Can scientists have too much faith, insisting that an idea is right despite contrary evidence? Marcelo says yes, which could pay off in the end — or be a colossal waste of time.
November 12, 2014
The Void Is a Busy Place
Is there such a thing as complete emptiness or nothingness? Not according to modern physics, where empty space gets more active all the time.
November 5, 2014
The Never-Ending Climb Of Mount Science
Marcelo says the mystery that surrounds us will always be here; there is no complete or final knowledge, and this fact gives science a unique character.
October 29, 2014
Superintelligence: Triumph or Threat?
If we are able to create intelligent machines, how can we guarantee they will keep us alive and well, as opposed to wiping us out? Marcelo reviews Nick Bostrom's Superintelligence.
October 22, 2014
Should We Live Life, Or Capture It?
Cellphones and social media may be changing the way we engage in — and experience — life. We need to be concerned if they have come to define how we live.
October 15, 2014
A Liberal Arts Curriculum in 2 Minutes
This short video tells the story of humanity, from beginning to end. Marcelo says it invites us to reflect on who we are, where we came from and how we will chart our future.
October 8, 2014
If We Create Life, Who Will Control It?
Marcelo says the prospect of making living creatures is as exciting as it is terrifying — and the stakes are so high, that the discussion must be brought into the open.
October 1, 2014
Science and Spirituality: Could it Be?
Marcelo says we must let go of the connection between spirituality and the supernatural and realize that science is an expression of our fascination with the mystery around us.
September 24, 2014
The Challenge of Betting on a Scientific Idea
In taking sides for or against a theory, scientists place their faith on an idea. Marcelo asks what happens when the idea can't be tested or validated. Is it still science?
September 17, 2014
The Universe Is Still Dark After All These Years
We've learned so much, yet we still don't know the composition of 95 percent of the cosmos. It is good to stay humble and keep an open mind as the search continues.
September 10, 2014
Soft Immortality: Would You Do It?
Is immortality something desirable, or a many-headed monster? As medical science extends our lifespan, the question becomes more real all the time.
September 3, 2014
We Don't Need to Be Created to Be Relevant
Life doesn't necessarily lead to intelligence. So the fact that we are thinking, molecular machines should mean something - and redefine the way we relate.
August 27, 2014
No End In Sight? No Problem!
Our quest for knowledge will never end because we just can't know everything, no matter how hard we try. But that's a good thing. Here's why.
August 13, 2014
Without Conflict There Is No Growth
Conflict is the force that drives change. Marcelo asks: What are the values that we should champion as we fight for a better future?
August 6, 2014
What the World Needs Now Is a New Enlightenment
New human possibilities materialized with the arrival of the the Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries. Marcelo says its time to pick up the banner and move forward again.
July 30, 2014
Physics Feels The Pull Of Nature's Biggest Mysteries
We don't have all the answers; many big questions hang over the world of theoretical physics. Is this business as usual? Or symptom of a major crisis in our understanding of nature?
July 23, 2014
The Game of the Gods Keeps us Watching
If nature is like a game played by the gods, scientists are the observers trying to figure out the rules. Marcelo asks: Can our knowledge ever be complete?
July 16, 2014