Scientists Discuss New Theories on The Origins of Life in the Universe

[@StarTalk]

Do you think life is a purely chemical process, or could it be the result of deeper physical laws that apply universally, even to potential life forms we haven’t yet imagined?

[@nicolediaperbottom]

Id think at least in the universe as we know it, life would be all chemical. If other more fundamental processes started producing life, wouldn't that just end up being chemistry? I'ma watch the episode now and see how that changed my mind 👍

[@AnmolMishra946]

According to Hinduism, The creation process is cyclical, with the universe undergoing endless cycles of creation(Brahma), preservation(Vishnu), and destruction(Shiva), known as "samsara". For example the creation of dinosaurs to their destruction and new life emerging then to the ice age and repeat. This cyclical view reflects the Hindu belief that life, time, and creation are eternal processes that continue without a final beginning or end. All this was written around 1500-2000BCE

[@wadehines9971]

It's a chemical process and we don't want to backdoor in some new version of vitalism. It's far-from-equilibrium thermodynamics with some fascinating kinetic hypercycles.

[@chassan10]

Life is an anomaly, an accident. We are nothing but a byproduct of entropy. We currently exist because the universe allows it, and we will eventually end because the universe demands it. Yes, I know I just paraphrased the Reapers in Mass Effect, but they do present a valid perspective on the nature of existence.

[@writerseye]

I believe when we are advanced enough as a species, we will know. Until then, it will remain a mystery. Thought is fine for conjecture. But knowing removes all doubt.

[@tasiaterrell561]

I love that we get to observe Chuck getting more and more knowledgeable as the series goes on. If any celebrity deserves an honorary degree, it’s Chuck.

[@niravparmar7856]

also cristopher nolan

[@urduib]

Yeah he really grown over the years.

[@hmmmmmmyou5046]

Do you make this on every video lol

[@patrickjordan2233]

I enjoy Chuck's curiosity and moments of epiphany insight....

[@tasiaterrell561]

@@hmmmmmmyou5046 I’ve only ever commented on one other post about something completely different 🤷🏽‍♀️ I’m sure other people have noticed because it’s really great to see.

[@Ben-Ken]

I love how Niel is always ready to interject and explain uncommon jargon so that non-scientists like myself can follow the conversation.

[@dabunnisher29]

I really like Chuck's questions. He may pretend to be just a comedian (and a funny one at that), but I think he asks really good targeted questions. Questions that a lot of us viewers want to ask as well.

[@chrism.1131]

Are Neil and Chuck partners?

[@mikeuk666]

​@chrism.1131 🤦‍♂️

[@beau-urns]

He’s also seen monumental growth since starting the show. He’s obviously always been quite sharp intelligent, but you can see that all of these concepts and ideas are now swirling around his mind and he’s able to ask very targeted and interesting questions on every single episode

[@dabunnisher29]

@@chrism.1131 If you mean partners in a super awesome channel that makes you think...... yes.

[@normanwolfe7639]

Neil writes them out for him and Chuck is an amazing actor to act like he thought of it. Kidding. He is definitely getting super skilled in his ability to listen and ask great questions with this dummy listener in mind. Thanks Chuck

[@peglegjim57]

Star Talk has, hands down, the most bass-assed guests, ever. What reels me in, tho, is CHUCK. I’m an old tradesman, and Chuck reels it back when necessary, to make the subject palatable to ME! Thanx, Chuck. 😎

[@ariahaneul]

Sara is a great communicator, I really enjoyed this episode. Chuck also asked some great questions!

[@vincentzimmerman2011]

Chuck always asks great questions. Sometimes he asks questions I haven't thought of.

[@trashthug]

I agree, but that yes yes yes yes yes was starting to get annoying lol

[@aditya.sedhai]

I loved how she began. Life is much more bigger than us and a mystery. Hard to find people thinking out d boxers.

[@wjrasmussen666]

She is great

[@kendricrautomusprime]

I know right.

[@willie417]

I see Lord Nice sitting there listening, analyzing what he’s hearing in real time, the look on his face when every thing comes together is priceless. He’s seems amazed that he is really understanding this stuff.

[@Trapisto]

I rarely chime in, but tonight I felt the urge to express my very own personal experience: This episode easily clocks in at top 15, both for topic, pace and new perspectives. Amazing guest, I look forward to updates as Sarahs work progresses. And both Neil and Chuck were pretty much flawlessly on point and at the same time entertaining throughout. Inspirational! Another reward for following Startalk, and one of those gems that make me always come back for more. Thanks!

[@Tuti23-yt1vw]

Lets give this boi 69 likes

[@Centurianarv]

She's so efficient. She talks really quick and we get so much information in the shortest time

[@CheeseWyrm]

Yes, that was something I greatly enjoyed too

[@huehuecoyotl2]

Noticed that as well, and we have Neil to unpackage the condensed information or at least read the label on the package for us when necessary.

[@montewilson9567]

I like when someone says something that looks like Neil doesn't understand but then he repeats what they said in his own words with perfect understanding. lol

[@an0mndr]

That's how you know he's a teacher.

[@hubertzimnicki1770]

His insights might somewhat differ from mine, yet I appreciate how deep his understanding goes; thanks to his descripcions, her words become understandable to a mere mortal.

[@KviaMUSIC]

I do the same actually. Its the best way for me to unpack information and sort of explain it to my self in real time. If you can repeat something in your own words it probably means that you understand it.

[@nomfundosinomfundo9118]

Wow I've noticed that about him, and his words accommodate everyone ( in layman's terms I must say) ❤

[@TeleriumD12]

That's the whole point of this program and having Chuck on. If the guests'understamtingnis 3 theirs above yours, Neil is the teacher who makes it understandable, and Chuck is the buddy who translates and applies it in life terms you can understand. It's a steppe system. They use alot of cooking metaphors, I noticed

[@jinzoogen]

This was such a great interview. I love that this stuff is available on KZbin. Hooray for giving smart people microphones.

[@ruimarcellino24]

PLEASE HAVE HER ON AGAIN!!!!!!!!

[@PolarisClubfan]

Hold your horses

[@blueeyeadonishawke2020]

She is one of my favorite guests this show has ever had. Great subject matter and a personality that melded with Chuck and Neil's. Now, I want to get her book :) Great episode!

[@kpw84u2]

Wow! Chuck posed an excellent question about spontaneity and selection... he has definitely gotten leaps and bounds better at the sciences than when he initially jumped aboard.

[@TomiTapio]

Chuck's brain has absorbed many "tools of thinking".

[@zachschmidt8790]

The guests are always brilliant but I have to say Sara has an additional level of *cleverness* that is so great to hear in this, I want her and chuck to have a podcast together now

[@mickeybrumfield764]

She is a great advocate for thinking out of the box.

[@nottheone582]

Or outside the tesseract 😂😂

[@awebuser5914]

There's a fine line between: "Thinking outside the box" and pointless conjecture. She heavily leans into the latter with nonsensical disagreements about thermodynamics. It's a lot like (the badly named) String Theory, a proposition that is basically untestable and is really just a *completely speculative* framework of an attempt to form a "Theory of Everything".

[@mikewise6194]

Idk how much she was disagreeing with thermodynamics writ large. She was merely stating that the second law is a statistical statement (which is absolutely true) and that it’s worth questioning whether a deterministic analogue exists that would help round out the theory.

[@canonaler]

And somehow I'm left think about her box everytime she speaks smh....

[@rRekko]

@@canonaler the thing about thinking outside the box is you need to let people think outside the box you got yourself into and learn from their points of view as well. Which she fails yo do, as she's encased in this crazy set of ideas with no base or evidence.

[@cognitiveinstinct2929]

Definitely one of the most interesting guests yet. Going to look up her work.

[@harrymayor5428]

You spelled skirt wrong.

[@codaniel]

I'm just worried that if Lord Nice learns too much science it may start his super villain arc

[@BL.DBL-U]

Ha!

[@Bluebloods7]

Has become....Dr. Not so Nice!

[@tach5884]

And team up with Kyle Hill?

[@Oceans305]

Good one

[@Darkmountaindweller]

Doctor Nice is a good villain name 😂

[@mikasanu]

Sarah’s work is awesome and it was one of the most interesting episodes so far. And btw it’s astonishing how much our comedian has developed. Or should we say it’s an evolution 😂

[@rohitdeb6664]

One of those episodes where I have to first play back several minutes to stop my brain from melting, and by the time the show is over end up wondering why no one thought to think this way before. Definitely expanded my mind! And I'll be buying a copy of the book.

[@drup2013]

You and I both 🤣🤣🤣

[@Innercityoutdoorsman]

Ohhh im loving this 😊😊

[@TomiTapio]

#TimelineOfMankind project book/spreadsheet/database is free 😎 List of what when where. 660 pages, 13 words per entry

[@CaptPhiI]

I ended up watching this twice! Sara had such intriguing, insightful, and quick answers to every question. This episode is in the top 5 for me for sure!

[@markl3893]

Lord Nice - Don't sell yourself short. I've been studying comedians around the world and they are much more complex than most people give them credit for.

[@AmandaComeauCreates]

It's hard to be funny without being smart

[@AllYourMemeAreBelongToUs]

27:27 “We have predicted that there should be a threshold above which only molecules produced by life should reside and we’ve tested that experimentally.”

[@Randersonwood]

Sara reminds me of the grownup version of the 10 year-old girl genius on Young Sheldon. They could be sisters they look so alike! Great episode, as always - I was clinging onto every word. Can’t wait until I can responsibly afford to be a Patreon - this podcast is number one on my wish list!! ✨🤩✨

[@jeffs6090]

Mckenna Grace! She is an amazing actor!! I love watching anything she is in, especially the ones where she plays an intelligent kid. Gifted was a great movie.

[@Randersonwood]

@@jeffs6090Yes! I’ll check it out. I’m toward the end of season two of Young Sheldon - I turned it on casually for background noise and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite shows. The writing and casting, the deadpan comedy - it’s brilliant. I don’t ever want it to end!!! 😅

[@TheOldHippiebilly]

As I listen to StarTalk more & more, I feel myself (along with Chuck) getting smarter & smarter. The difference is that Chuck seems to be getting a lot smarter a lot faster than I am. But I'm 65, so I guess my brain isn't as elastic as it used to be.

[@jaerogoth]

9:05 gotta love how she explained a complex molecule and they both had the "wtf did we just hear" look on their faces.

[@biedl86]

She is awesome. I've seen a talk of her's, and she is absolutely intelligent and very well educated. She confused one of the people in her audience during the QnA, because she talked about a philosophical concept the guy couldn't grasp. Glad to being able to listen to her again.

[@warrencochrane5155]

I loved this episode!! Get her back on

[@theswiv]

💯

[@theswiv]

💯

[@Phrenotopia]

Chuck may not be a scientist by profession, but I am mind blown by some of his questions and remarks. Being a comedian is underrated, because it actually requires a lot of quick wit and intelligence, so it makes sense that Chuck is sharp as a knife like that. Now of course most impressive is the work and theories that Dr Walker is walking us through. I think we will get some answers in most of our lifetimes with people like these at the forefront!

[@bradleyfitzik2447]

Sara is awesome! I love the way she thinks about things. I could talk to her about these topics for an entire lifetime

[@BennyLovesMJ]

42:05 I've been saying this for YEARS! I'm so glad someone who's actually smart is saying this now!

[@kevinlyles3355]

Fabulous guest and enlightening discussion, thank you!

[@royalconquest706]

NEIL, YOU ARE THE MAN. IM FROM THE PROJECTS IN PHILLY AND YOU'VE TAUGHT ME MORE THAN MY SCHOOLING, AND IM 42. 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@douglasalexander3218]

Love this talk. Sarah is awesome.

[@jimmirow]

This was refreshing! Top notch. These two here and their guest at their best. Thanks guys!

[@KirkpatrickSounds]

I'm about 60% of the way through Sara's book so this is fantastic. Thanks!

[@antonnymus3499]

So it's more like 10% and you will never reach 50 ;)

[@mikeuk666]

​@@antonnymus3499 🤦‍♀️

[@ellie8272]

Do you recommend it?

[@KirkpatrickSounds]

100% if you're interested in this topic - there's also an audiobook narrated by Sara herself ​@@ellie8272

[@ricomon35]

@@antonnymus3499 - Congratulations, you win the award for "most obscure comment that only the author understands"

[@coffeeguyd]

Such a fascinating episode! Thanks for the work everyone involved does!

[@LanceCarrera-lt1pv]

one of the more interesting ones. very good to think about.

[@B-Nice]

Sara and Lee's approach to 'life' is fascinatingly beautiful 🧬

[@RizzyWithDaMix]

I just started watching these about 2 months ago and I feel like these videos should be longer than a hour

[@DrDr4g0n]

Awesome episode! Love Sara, she gave such good full answers that give us so much to think about.

[@BobFJ]

Walker has a brilliant mind. Not all of us understand all the complexity of her work. Great interview and there is hope for humanity.

[@kishacooper6670]

This is easily one of my most favorite episodes. I found myself listening, rewinding, and listening again to take it all in. Absolute mind-blowing discussion. I hope Sarah is a guest again soon!

[@michaelpatterson5151]

I wish I could like this again.

[@profdmiranda]

I love how Chuck have learned some much in all his years working with Dr. Tyson. Not only what he has received as information but the way he formulates the questions now is done in a more informed manner than before. Way to go, lord Nice.

[@_Mute_]

44:39 "are you alive in a simulation?" Her argument is no because as far as we can tell you need a physical subtrate to run the simulation on. But i think this falls apart when looking at our own subjective experience or our "consciousness". Our consciousness runs on a substrate (the brain) but our experience is not aware of the brain. We onky know the brain is there because we've been able to take other brains apart and study them. If the universe runs on a subtrate we would never know unless we would be able to view another universe from the outside and pick it apart. *shrug*

[@CheeseWyrm]

Interesting... Yeah, if the substrate can only be detected from external observation of the simulation, then ipso facto we - being within the sim - can neither prove nor disprove its existence. Have I thought logically here?

[@ben001]

​@@CheeseWyrmYeah I wonder if the individual neurons inside our brain were intelligent and conscious, whether they would be able to determine that they were in a brain. I think they would if they could learn enough about the internal structure and biology. Similarly, I hope that drilling down into fundamental physics would also provide that insight for us

[@Srsbzns_5150]

Neil's mind is blown 🤯 It's a beautiful thing.

[@fasola183]

I absolutely LOVE this topic. The question of life fascinated me in my bio undergrad

[@triftex8353]

Chuck really puts attention and retains a lot of information. His questions have evolved a LOT from the first episodes to now. He is a great asker.

[@kariannecrysler640]

Love your guest and her brilliant ideas! 💯💗

[@JasonHissong]

Excellent presentation. Sarah was able to clearly explain the theory and was fascinating! I ordered her book.

[@vibehighest]

LORD NICE, at 41:17 you are spitting gold homie, make a movie script LFGGG

[@emilioortega8881]

💯 so many movie ideas have popped up in my head while watching Star Talk.

[@toddrengel]

This is a wonderful episode! Sara Imari Walker is one of the sharpest thinkers I’ve seen on Startalk! Worth watching the entire video.

[@myersred8]

My new compliment I am going to give people "That is very assembly theoretic and very evolved!" (42:42)

[@Placebo6]

What a lady, the humour & witts level is so high. Respect! One of the best episodes and subjects.

[@MasterElements]

Sara - "THIS PRIMORDIAL SOUP IS FOOKING RAW!"

[@4inrev]

Thank you Doctor, it inspired me.

[@tN0able]

Finally she is on Startalk!

[@itsthelittlethings100]

Chuck was dialed in in this ep. and Mz. Walker is fascinating.

[@marm8226]

Most important question for me (who didn't watch the whole video YET): Neil, is this your longboard i can see just behind you? I think the questions that will arise on this topic, will be answered by Sarah ;) Thank you for this show, that makes sience approachable for people like me, who didn't study physics (biology/chemistry are based on physics as well xD). Another question just came up 8 minutes into the video - Life creates complex structures and evolution... would that imply, that the universe itself is a living "organism"? It evolved from pure energy into the most complex structures we now, if we zoom out a lot, or am I totally wrong? Clearly molecules are rly small but what about not taking our human view/frame on our surroundings and just take the "godly" view like a human that can see the universe and doesn't care about timespans of centuries and millenia? This is not a debate about the existence of god or any religous topic but just the persepctive, because we often tend to not see things we are not used to. Love your presentation/show and topics Chuck and Neil

[@finesssssss]

Such a nice thoughtful episode. The 3 hosts of this show are a perfect combo, bringing in different perspectives on this conversation.

[@alwaysbroke6533]

OH MY GOD!! I just heard Neil Degrasse Tyson say something I got torn apart on the "ask science" reddit forum! The whole "Theory vs Hypothesis" question. I asked why so many theories seem more like hypotheses, and I got downvoted and was told "a theory is a mathematical model in physics, it doesn't need to be supported by observable evidence." From what just watched sounds like Neil agrees more with me?

[@gregrice1354]

Yes. It can be difficult to deal with the many emotional barriers of preconceptions and the religion of scientism that many people must work through, before one can deal openly, honestly with science. Key example of this is the scientism bias of Richard Dawkins, as he denies the fact that there is no credible, plausible Materialist explanation for the origin of life - of any kind - on Earth, in the time frames its evident presence presents. Yet Dawkins clearly has his bias as key support in his non-theistic crusade, despite the failures of his suggested explanatory models.

[@MartinBartonLartonFargo]

Nice work Walker. Keep coming back please. Fascinating stuff.

[@CommanderdMtllca]

@1:33 Lord Nice really making me google "mellifluous" lol

[@SirCharles12357]

Lol, now you made me google it!

[@wezingoma9751]

"(of a sound) pleasingly smooth and musical to hear"

[@ozwedeking]

Incredible startalk episode. Sara is awesome. Super thinker. I wish startalk was a long format program and they can keep the lively conversation going. Big thanks to Lord Nice, keeping it mind blowing fun! Cheers

[@StevenRoemerman]

I've read her book, it's fantastic.

[@patrickjordan2233]

Cool! I'll have to pick it up...

[@williamhurley5496]

Just ordered it

[@Loliemess4u]

I never thought I could wrap my head around this stuff, but as I listen in to these shows it starts to click. Amazing to think through the possibilities understanding that we are only constrained by our currently experiences and knowledge. Wow, just wow!

[@thenry866]

You guys need a chat table

[@Dirty__Dan]

Chuck was in top form today, loved it.

[@hrgwea]

39:54 That's a conceptual error. Intelligence is a capability, whereas living organisms are objects. The conceptually correct way to put it is to say that intelligence is a feature of life, not that it IS life.

[@quibbs9848]

Great episode. What a well spoken and interesting person Ms.Walker was. Much respect to Chuck and Neil, thank you both for the continual entertainment and learning opportunities.

[@PrincipalSkinner3190]

Props to Neil for calling her out, this is definitely a hypothesis and not a theory.

[@WillisAmak]

Thats why I really like Neil. True Scientist

[@margierose05]

Loved this episode. Neil and Chuck are great together, and Sara did an excellent job with the discussion and conveying her knowledge.

[@DanDoesGame]

I'm trying so hard to understand this 🤣

[@summershine7267]

She totally needs to come back, she's awesome and as very interesting views points about life. Love this episode! .

[@MichaelTheDanishHistorian]

damn she's sharp as a katana

[@Maphematics]

It's so attractive and interesting

[@SpaghettiPlays]

Wow lowkey im so blown away at my ability to make logical connections from things i know and what they discuss (things i dont know) and understand the point everyone's trying to make. And I think one primary reason for that is everyone's such an effective communicator of ideas. I'm so hooked!

[@igaragounis]

Arizona? I thought it was Australia that was that close to the sun...

[@CheeseWyrm]

I once travelled from my home in Australia to do some work for a comapny in Lake Geneva, WI. I asked the mailroom to post something back home for me, and their comment was "Oh, Australia ....which state is that in ... isn't it somewhere out near California?" 🤣

[@CheeseWyrm]

Oh BTW - daytime Australia IS currently closer to the Sun than is daytime Arizona :)

[@jimmygonzalez3028]

Another fantastic, mind-bending Star Talk show, they get better each time! And Sara Walker is brilliant and fascinating!

[@brandt69420]

The real life Bernadette.

[@justinwashick4495]

This has to be my favorite guest so far. She is absolutely awesome.

[@cliffp73]

I can’t wait for GOD to enlighten me as to how he created life from the very beginning and how he created everything else since then. It should be a wonderful conversation!!!

[@CheeseWyrm]

Hmm, with respect - your comment seems to contrast with my understanding of your Bible (& please correct me if I'm wrong). Doesn't your Bible suggest that your god created life (plants) *after* creating light (energy?), sky (& air?), and at the same time as earth & water? Then it created the Sun & Moon (& stars?) after that; with animal life coming only at the end of this creation account. Were you simply commenting off hand, or have I misunderstood your Creation narrative?

[@Adam-tp8py]

Been a fan of Sara since her first appearance on Lex many years ago. She presents the most coherent answer to life that I have ever heard. Nothing strikes my intuition in the same way.

[@dandelionsoil]

24:00 😂😂😂😂

[@HEL1X-SPACE]

Everything about this episode makes me feel joyous, alive, and hopeful for humanity. Not because of the possibilities of finding alien life, redefining things we knew, or leaving the planet (I'd like a trip out to see but don't wanna move). It's because of the way these three humans communicated with each other and inspire each other. It's also been a long time since I've heard something new that is so logically intriguing.

[@leoraygoza1111]

Such a fascinating conversation wow mind blowing this lady is a genius thinking outside the box

[@karendavidson4897]

Fantastic episode I hope you are able to get this guest back again. Thought provoking and informative great guest .

[@everydayrealist]

Sara is incredible. Imaging the amount of under estimation and roadblocks she tackles on even a daily basis! Superb mind and enduring spirit, that’s a dangerous combo! Thanks for another fantastic episode.

[@onetribezen3945]

Thank you for talking about entropy! I've disagreed with the second law of thermodynamics for decades but never had the education, concepts and vocabulary to articulate why. Thank you Sara Imari!

[@alittleofeverything4190]

25:36 we don't understand QM. This whole video was awesome. As a biochemist I loved it. I always tell people that biology is the study of the chemistry and physics of life, with physics being the parent science.

[@kamuroshow4884]

Wow, she is really intelligent AND able to get her message through in plain language! Invite her more often Niel & Chuck! Very interesting

[@ontilt76]

She is amazingly interesting and explains things, so my basic high school education can understand.. GREAT GUEST

[@pirb3]

Thank you for shearing this content with guest Sara Imari, exciting to be informerd were science at the moment is.

[@Cats.in.Tuxedos]

Fascinating episode.......great guest......great conversation....great perspectives!

[@TylerEdwards-d1p]

Great episode! Sara is great, hopefully she gets the community behind her. I think she knows what she’s doing by appearing on all of these podcasts. We must find out the secrets to the universe!!!

[@Yogsothos]

The half empty half full thoughts Neil expressed is exactly how I have looked at it most of my life. It is so satisfying to hear it come from an intelligent person like this awesome man. Validation is rewarding.

[@UrbanAnalog]

I love how this blows my mind. I leave these posts in a daze and I love it

[@vincentzimmerman2011]

Chuck asks great questions. He makes the subjects more palatable and understandable for all of us.

[@joshuaper1]

the production is getting so good startalk has come so far, the content, the subject issue, by minds that are actually professionals.. you ideas the sense of humor i love it, awesome guest. brovo you guys!!!!

[@sinisterplank3113]

I really enooy Chucks presence. I can follow a decent portion of all the science talk, but having chuck there to represent us regular folks really makes the information far more accessible.