Jiggle Wiggle Waggle Walk with Charles Liu - Cosmic Queries

Do swimmers need less oxygen? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice answer patron questions about athletics and science with Geek-in-Chief astrophysicist Charles Liu. Could Chuck be a gymnast?
Is oxygen deprivation a thing in swimming? Or are good swimmers just better at operating with less? We discuss asthmatic swimmers, hemoglobin levels in blood, and The Great Oxygenation of earth’s atmosphere.
Which sport involves the most hand-eye coordination? We explore the dizzying effects of watching Olympic ping pong and the rules of fencing. Should we replace fencing foils with lightsabers? What’s the weirdest sport at the Olympics games? Find out about Olympic tug-of-war, what Neil has against the triple jump, and the logistics of speed walking. What sort of things are scientists looking at in elite athletics?
How much would you need to pay Chuck to compete at the Olympics? We break down what it would be like to have a regular control person present at the games, and what events would break Chuck if he even attempted them. What would a swimming race with floaties look like? How do gymnasts jump so high in their routines? Discover energy transfer in the springy floors of gymnastics events. Find out what fields physics majors can work in. What the heck do you do with a physics degree? Are all physics majors destined to become teachers? Is there a way to make javelins fly farther? Should the Paralympics allow swimmers to wear prostheses? All those questions, plus, Charles gives us an encouraging message for physics, sports, and disability.
Thanks to our Patrons Courtney Miller, Victor Beaton, Charles Anglesey, Rudy Amaya, Tomek, Alex Ornelas, Bronwyn Allen-Kaeser, Jake, Andrew, Heather Turner, and Hector Flores for supporting us this week.
NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.
About the prints that flank Neil in this video:
“Black Swan” & “White Swan” limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit inuit.com
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Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
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[@leticiamuratalla]

I love how positive and encouraging Charles Liu is ❤️

[@fc-qr1cy]

it is a pleasant experience when he is around.

[@anthonygordon9483]

In science you have to be humble about the knowledge you know. Otherwise you will become a mad scientist. Or... a Trump Supporter who happens to be a scientist. Either OR. They are both in the same category.

[@areciocanton3174]

It’s amazing how humble and Intelligent Charles is

[@paulvamos7319]

He has the energy of a 5 year old! XD

[@VJ_Freak]

Hey Mr Neil n Mr Chuck. Im from a small village in Malaysia, thank you so much for all your episode of Star Talk. Do know that you are spreading cosmos stories around the world and we thank you for that. Love from thousand of miles away

[@Svet3YT]

I read "Charles Liu" and know it's gonna be an especially awesome episode already

[@Zackaria_sMax]

I read "Charles Liu" and knew I should wait for Neil to introduce him before I attempt his last name because I always get it wrong.

[@joseimpact]

deadass no cap sir

[@saurabhbagai5982]

As his hair grows, so the universe expands

[@venkatsrkyt]

Absolutely.. That's what lured me in too.

[@Jen_S_Hassler1258]

Tbh "jiggle wiggle waggle walk" is what brought ME in. Will we see Charles Liu perform this walk? 😆

[@rachelminneapolis]

6:53 Chuck's value is so underrated 😆

[@thisisbrotherhood769]

i know right

[@johnnybravo7778]

I couldn't watch anymore. I felt bad for Chuck because he seemed like a third wheel.

[@anthonygordon9483]

Remember when Neil Degrasse fans were annoyed of chuck because he talked too much lol. I think fans are catching up with neil in seeing that chuck is just as much of a science fan as the rest of us. You can tell Neil enjoys discussing science around Chuck simply because chuck loves to listen to Neil talk. Its great chemistry. People thought chuck was a loud mouth just trying to get attention but now I think the fans are realizing how curious chuck is like the rest of us.

[@DraperJake]

I just watched a few episodes with Charles Liu yesterday and I instantly was a fan. I love this guy.

[@pabloescobar1106]

13:20 charles starts talking about F1 Me: starts to get excited 😮😃 Chuck: SO WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK ABOUT BASEBALL??!

[@scifi_shop]

lol

[@ridetheapex]

I know! I was hoping for more. F1 is so ridiculous. The fitness of the drivers is at a minimum the same as Olympic athletes.

[@kemper3111]

@@ridetheapex I think formula one will become an Olympic sport eventually. The only problem is the cost of entry to it. Every middle schooler to high schooler can try all of the Olympic sports. But you need to be a millionaire to billionaire to drive for a formula one team basically.

[@ShauriePvs]

@@kemper3111 @Kemper I don't think that's the reason considering how equestrian and golf are also only possible for rich people and are part of Olympics

[@georgipetkov6340]

They don't seem to value the sport much. Pulling 4-5 g's every other corner and under braking in some circuits is crazy. And all of the things you have to manage while you're driving at those speeds. Constantly adjusting brake bias from corner to corner while talking on the radio. And all the while racing wheel to wheel sometimes in tight corners for over an hour. Most people don't give it the credit it deserves.

[@TheRabbitRonin]

I loved the 'Princes Bride' quote Chuck made!

[@jakeloranger1419]

My immediate thought was "...and I am not left handed!"

[@sweetpeasbackyardgarden1236]

"Physics isn't so much as a body of knowledge as it is insight into the operations of nature. When you want to study how the universe works." Comments like these inspire me.

[@nobodyknows3180]

The cool thing about physics is that you don't have to master all of it to know some of it, and knowing even some of it will amaze you!

[@HarleyShauz]

@@nobodyknows3180 you are john snow.

[@nobodyknows3180]

@@HarleyShauz Hodor, that you?

[@nobodyknows3180]

@@HarleyShauz "The cool thing about science is that it's true ---- whether YOU believe it or not." --- Neil deGrasse Tyson

[@HarleyShauz]

@@nobodyknows3180 yet we know not much Einstein!

[@gettyro7390]

More Dr. Liu appearances please and Dr. T-let him answer the questions.

[@GlassDeviant]

Neil, do you really consider tug-o-war to be the weirdest ever Olympic event, when past games have included pigeon shooting, solo synchronized swimming (which doesn't even make sense), architecture, pistol duelling (which wasn't even duelling as they shot at mannequins) and...poodle clipping?

[@catrinacaira8941]

Don't forget the swimming event where they went over and under boats

[@CarlSAGAN.]

Chuck's t-shirt ❤️ *_Science is true whether or not you believe in it_*

[@DPRyan-vd5pp]

Tell that to dr Fauci! Lol

[@the_Acaman]

The closing answer Dr. Charles gave was so moving and true at the same time- moments like these are the reason science communication is so important!

[@karagaming123]

You should get Brian May (guitarist of queen) on here! He does astrophysics

[@adrian.tabirca]

He has a PhD in astrophysics. That would be an interesting episode.

[@TerryGrancho]

Yes, but he hasn´t worked in a lab in ages so they would end up talking about Freddy Mercury the whole show

[@TheGiggleMasterP]

When science is this fun in school, everyone will become an amateur scientist!

[@humanpudding8643]

If only......

[@HarleyShauz]

You can hardly even get near, and I wish you could ever achieve that.

[@gtbkts]

Always excited to see the grabbag episodes. Thanks!!!

[@juliewood823]

Absolutely LOVED this segment- Thanks guys 👍🏽

[@kielabadeaux3135]

Chuck's shirt takes the gold medal 😂😍

[@ante3807]

One of the best shows there are. So look forward to these. Big fan gentlemen!

[@stephanniex3]

Great show guys!! Thank you!😊😁

[@venkatsrkyt]

Dr. Tyson and Dr. Liu are amazing. Just sheer supreme awesomeness. Just mentioning the name Dr. Liu is enough for us to know video/talk will be extremely intriguing and fascinating.

[@dreamrestore213]

Neil : "You just dissed Chuck Nice"..... ....'that's my job'.

[@RickySTT]

Don’t feel bad, Neil. I was 58 years old (i.e., today) when I learned that water polo players do not touch the floor of the pool.

[@MonsterSound]

Wonderful words to end the show. Thanks guys. 🤘😎👍🍁

[@diegofernandez4789]

Great episode guys. Charles rock!

[@williamwallace3057]

this makes me so happy!

[@Monarch_04]

I have no idea what they are talking about but I'm enjoying watching chuck throwing everything like how I'd react

[@benb6431]

I love this podcast so much

[@DaneliusUK]

Enjoyed it, thank you.

[@marcob8294]

Like Joe Kennedy (Somewhere down the comments), I think the most tough hand eye coordination could be Archery. Let go of the arrow and your hand is 1mm to the left,right, up or down and you will miss the bullseye, it's not allways about speed.

[@steve-o6413]

Hand eye coordination baton twirling and dancing, seen one on short YT that just blew my mind..!

[@koreyhelms6857]

I'm 31 years old I work 15 hours a day 6 Days a week and all I do is listen and learn from you and Chuck nice you guys A are the greatest love your show

[@kmoustakas]

The inigo montoya reference did it for me

[@varyokh]

charles is just brilliant on so many levels, not just geekdom he is great

[@NoalFarstrider]

5:00 this is why Charles should be on every stattalk lol.

[@NoalFarstrider]

6:52 Chuck: we won't make you hold your breath... Neil: "hold your breath whilst I make the point".

[@SerDunk]

More Charles Liu!!!!!!!

[@spacedog6622]

I love you guys soooooo muchhhh

[@klaxoncow]

Sometimes, Neil, you're quite unfair to poor Gary. I mean, he is the professional sportsman here. He might not be the physics genius like you and Charles, but he still has insights. Don't be so mean.

[@OrkunBasar]

NDT can be quite acerbic in his responses. I’ve seen it many times. I don’t see that he meant it in jest. Polite but has less patience to those who might not agree with him. He talks as if he likes the sound of his own voice as he loves interrupting people in his interviews.

[@TheTilitus]

@@OrkunBasar Naaaaw someone is feeling it.

[@gursharansingh8042]

@@theSatanicNaturalists. for someone advising others to learn how to read people, you sure cant seem to grasp the discomfort in both Gary's language and @KlaxonCow concern here...both opinions are subjective, its always how something is perceived and lesser about its intention, thats how humans work... Neil might be inadvertently being mean, he's admitted to it multiple times before but your comment definitely seems like you're definitely trying to be mean...this is Star Talk, lets be nicer :)

[@chevyDboyMike]

I can't stand adult babies

[@atlasfeynman1039]

@@chevyDboyMike He whined, pouting to anyone who would listen...

[@jacksnavely559]

Operation of Cranes, as in hand eye foot and on some headphones, it's GREAT

[@1halnass]

Charles Liu dominated this podcast!

[@6thdayblue59]

Great post, and lets not forget the fact that Gary was in the FA Cup Final 1990 ? Great footballer and respected by all 92 clubs and all their supporters Just noticed that this post is a year ago........ Anyway. Nearly all the 92 clubs fans liked Gary (Although on Match Day we would give him the bird as an away player) 🤣🤣🤣

[@melllvar4262]

I think stand-up comedy would make a great Olympic sport!

[@eddiemasa77]

More Charles please live the man

[@G10CK43x]

I see Charles Liu and I click. It’s just a reaction.

[@qrayos02]

I find funny how Dr. Luiu at times doesn't seem to get Chuck's sense of humor and frequent sarcasm, perhaps he'll need to use some Sheldon's "bazinga" here and there to help him spot the humor😂 I love this show!

[@TuxedoMaskMusic]

Neil is waiting with baited breath, for his next opportunity to interrupt his co-creators lol

[@Kindrick]

Weirdest Olympic sport I've ever heard of was city-planning.

[@steve-o6413]

You need a lot of coordination to be one of those kind of athletes...

[@frogz]

try the paralympics, they have wheelchair rugby and its literally bumper cars mixed with futbol!! you cant touch eachother but the wheelchairs can hit eachother as hard as they want! and to add insult to injury or birth defect but possibly a joke THEY WERE IN ON, they played cypris hill - rise up and they asked everyone to rise for the national anthum, canada vs australia! it was an awesome sight to behold

[@frogz]

also try goalball, there is literally players who are blind, vision impared and even sighted people, they cover their eyes so they cant see and the goal of the game is to get the ball in your opponents goal, teams of 3 and you have to HEAR the ball

[@F_L_U_X]

30:04 I remember that bit on Conan O'Brian lol

[@h7opolo]

19:00 i appreciate the special reverence of my athletic ability.

[@Leftyotism]

CHARLES LIU WOOOOO :D I am always a little more happy when he is there too :D

[@benbarker1258]

Competitive fighting games. Highest hand-eye coordination you can have

[@frogz]

any episode with chuck nice AND chuck liu? i click so fast, sports or not! i am watching it instantly :D

[@TheLosamatic]

I think the padding is there to help take the shock that the feat and legs would be subjected to in the floor exercise!

[@luisarreaza7543]

The Geek-in-Chief is in tha house!

[@michaelwalsh7202]

Hi Neil and friends, I'd like to educate and introduce ye to the fastest field sport in the world. In my opinion also one of the most skillful games in the world. The hand to eye coordination required to play the Irish national game of hurling is unequalled. This demonstration of skill combined with it's physicality can be seen in any Irish neighbourhood in the US. Regards. Michael Walsh...

[@CalmDownShh]

They swim the whole time when playing water polo??? Wow. The things they could teach us in school like how to write a check or simple 3 second facts about a sport would be useful.

[@TGears314]

School isn’t there to teach you everything. School is there to teach you the skills you need to teach yourself in life. The information is available. All it takes is a question.

[@stevewatt4819]

I could never figure out how they taught the ponies to swim.

[@atlasfeynman1039]

I just finished my degree majoring in water polo. Marco!

[@tierney6705]

We now use boots similar to ski boots with a steal heal attached for Tug of War.

[@maggnar]

Rhythmic gymnastics are among my favorite disciplines to watch. And by the way I would suggest to Neil, to consider invite Katelyn Ohashi for a next episode of Cosmic Queries. After the famous perfect 10 shee could tell us a lot about her discipline.

[@quantumhex2704]

I haven't seen any of this year's Olympics except for memes and whatever. I must admit I do not miss it.

[@jimr9499]

Holy crap...I haven't watched a StarTalk with Charles in a long time I guess. This is my first time seeing the hair! 😲

[@danielvermeer3363]

Triple jump is where the saying A Hop Skip and a Jump away came from

[@akpanekpo6025]

They should call this programme a festival of interruptions.

[@danielgarzamusic210]

Dr. Tyson I keep up with your videos and I want to ask, Why do people love symmetry so much? Straight lines perfect right angles, etc

[@ourunstablemind]

Chapters on the timeline would help in longer videos 🙏

[@EdwardHowton]

There's a case for esports being highly reliant on hand-eye coordination. Those kids can juggle moving individual tiny units in and out of combat while also focusing enemy individual units down, separate their force in halves to avoid wasting damage potential, and simultaneously keep adding units to production queues all at the same time, all through extremely high-precision mouse clicks and keyboard shortcuts. That would include speedrunning games, too. That's like rally car racing, but without a navigator to help you remember how hard to turn in three seconds and often requiring pixel-perfect frame-perfect button combinations. Nailing multiple 1/60th-of-a-second timings is hard. You might look down on esports as "just playing videogames" but the dedication and talent involved really deserves a second look.

[@leoredfield2645]

This is one of many reasons why the world of sports has become so diluted.

[@klaxoncow]

Also, if we're talking about the Ancient Olympics, rather than the Modern Olympics, the weirdest "sport" would, of course, be poetry. As the Ancient Olympics wasn't solely a physical competition, and actually had "cultural" events too. So they actually used to have a poetry event. (In Wales, they still have an annual "cultural competition" like that, where folks compete for the poetry prize. They win a wooden chair. Yeah, that might not sound too great, but it's, like, a poetry "throne" and expertly carved - and it's unique, as they do a new one every year. They also have singing, choral spoken word, painting and sculpture. It's, like, the Cultural Olympics. They call it the "Eisteddfod" and it's run by druids. Folks dress up as druids and the opening ceremony involves the Arch-druid pulling a sword from a sheath, just a small amount, and then asking the audience "A oes heddwch?" - is there peace? - and the audience responds "heddwch" - peace - and then the Arch-druid pushes the sword back into its sheath, to symbolise peaceful relations, because one of the rules of the Eisteddfod competition is that the lands must be at peace before it may begin. No wars or bad blood going on. Like, everyone who comes to the festival has to take that pledge to be peaceful for the duration of the events. Oh, and the other thing about the Eisteddfod is that it's like the Olympics, it travels around Wales and is in a different town or city every year too. It's all a bit mad, all based in ancient traditions, but it's kind of cool. Well, except they all speak Welsh. But there are English subtitles usually, when they broadcast it.)

[@XtreeM_FaiL]

Triple hippety hoppety makes totally sense. If you need to jump over a river or a ravine and it is too wide you to do it one hop.

[@tracysmith1871]

I'd vote for hand eye coordination would be archery or sharpshooting. The silliest event to me is all that leg dancing out water.

[@madegearless7765]

How long does a moment in time last?

[@BCEustaquio]

lol, chuck was super acid on this eps, loved it

[@bworld8648]

I wanna see Chuck do rhythmic gymnastics!!! :) can't believe no one said that, haha

[@joseimpact]

president geek n chief mr charles liu haha love yall

[@TheTilitus]

You need to get someone on to talk about fusion.

[@MaverickBlue42]

Just how high is Neil when he films these? Jon Stewart: "Yes"

[@belterglj]

regarding the question of how gymnasts jump high, they build up kinetic energy and do skills that conserve that energy until ready to use a skill that converts it to potential energy.

[@jmanj3917]

Maybe all those world class swimmers have asthma because they grew up while being in a pool of some type or another for hours on end, day after day, year after year. BUT, as someone who has been injured by inhaling weaponized chlorine gas, and who has asthmatic symptoms as a result, I think I am going to hear what Charles was saying. Maybe getting back into swimming can help my lungs continue to heal...

[@skinwalker3953]

Bring the Tug'O'War !!

[@FacesintheStone]

Charles was a great guest.

[@RickySTT]

If you can’t find a job in astrophysics, you can always start a world famous rock band while you’re looking.

[@F_L_U_X]

Woo!

[@tiffianytate7618]

Welcome back Chuck.

[@bobd2659]

Water Polo. The extra depth was because it used to be done on horses like regular polo. This lasted 4 minutes of the first game and they never redesigned the pools.

[@williamlennie]

On the throwing javelins further (without rockets if that's your thing), a woomera or atlatl will do the trick.

[@steby123]

Honor to Guru Liu !!!

[@_TheDeanMachine]

What was the name of the book you and Charles co authors on?

[@Bob0sModelFabWorx]

Betty Grable ~ A movie star who's legs were insured for 1 million dollars. In 1947. And she still holds the record for highest insured body part. Now you know.

[@marianoquiroga1976]

Love you all, men...

[@Roobar_Plays]

Please can you talk about zona del silencio (or the mystery Zone of Silence) in Mexico!

[@TeddyWedder]

early aquad wya?

[@EvilleMusic]

Galactic gumbo is way better! Especially with Chuck

[@freebobafett]

The hardest sport which takes the greatest degree of hand eye coordination is boxing. It's not even close. You have to have this tremendous amount of aim, hitting a moving target when that target is trying to hit you...in the eyes.

[@zaynabomar01]

yuss

[@julianthegodmusic]

Waited to see when jiggle wiggle waggle walk would be used in the video because how else did they come up with the title

[@acimand]

29:15 the ying and yang of Chuck and Charles

[@VegaHawk769]

I had an idea recently, it would kind of be just a thought exercise. I apologize that it is not tied to this topic directly. What if some of our Concepts are being viewed backwards. Such as that matter 'produces' gravity. Maybe instead it is the conjunction of gravitational waves producing matter. And I was thinking it could similarly be applied to the idea of electrons and magnetism. Hopefully I can get a response from someone (Neil deGrasse Tyson) with more knowledge and intellect than myself, that is also open-minded enough to help me see where this thought can go or not.

[@donatomrbones]

Charles is just like Sheldon LOL

[@BichinAround]

I love Chuck's Tshirt! Where can I get one?

[@Morpheux1]

There's a link to FanJoy right under the video, they are US$25.00 plus shipping

[@MrBhavin2000]

I think the subject of sports in a cosmological channel feels out of place. Love everything else ❤️

[@DraperJake]

They cover a huge range of topics far beyond just space and sports. Physics is a topic about... Literally everything.

[@vincentvergara2728]

Just wanted to mention that sprint swimmers won't even feel the need to take a breath because there's an energy system in the body called the ATP-phosphocreatine system that's purely anaerobic, so it doesn't require any oxygen. That system completely depletes after around 20 seconds. Interestingly, if a sprint isn't done with a true maximal effort, the swimmer will feel an extreme urge to breathe because the aerobic system will engage too much.

[@thomaslane1547]

21:30 I do that for America Ninja Warrior. Some of the ninjas from the TV go to my local ninja gym: the skill delta is **significant**.