StarTalk Podcast: Cosmic Queries - Algorithms and Data, with Neil deGrasse Tyson & Hannah Fry

On this episode of StarTalk Radio, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice are investigating the scientific - and somewhat mysterious - world of algorithms and big data. Joining them is Hannah Fry, PhD, mathematician and author of Hello World: How to be Human in the Age of the Machine, to lend her expertise as we answer fan-submitted Cosmic Queries from across the internet.
What is an algorithm? What does it mean to use an algorithm? Hannah gives us a lesson in algorithms 101. You’ll learn why an algorithm is not just a function of a computer. Discover why your favorite recipe is an algorithm. Explore the differences between an algorithm and artificial intelligence. Ponder whether applying algorithms to human behavior might give strong evolutionary guidance. We also explore if you can make a predictive algorithm for lightning strikes or ocean currents.
Find out the state of big data in the modern world. You’ll hear why the biggest challenge about modern data comes down to quality, not volume. We discuss the processes of solving problems. Is grunting through to a solution the best way to solve a problem or does every problem have a quick answer? You’ll learn more about the “P vs NP Problem” and the four-color theorem.
What’s the future of algorithms and data? Is biological data the next frontier? We examine the idea of predicting crime, like in Minority Report, and Hannah tells us about an example of this in the real world that completely failed. All that, plus, we also discuss why sometimes the best way to study data is by using methods that aren’t new.
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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 Gallery of Vancouver, inuit.com/
About StarTalk:
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!
#StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson #HannahFry

[@crontemisto8994]

"It got terribly out of hand and ended up being a TED talk." I just love this line.

[@deebo291]

Neil everytime I watch your videos, it’s like listening to my favorite big brained uncle explain the mysteries of the world to me. You’re an inspiration to so many kids and adults of course. I love showing your videos to my students, just so that they find joy in exploring the world around them. The world is a huge playground if one is interested in understanding it and there is no one better at evoking that feeling than you, Neil. Thank you so much.

[@stevenramchand5964]

except its Neil da Grasse Tyson on his infamous explaining journies

[@Tim-K.]

The size of the brain isn’t that significant, if I’m correct - it’s the density. Of course the size does play a rol, because animals with a small brain tend to be far less intelligent, but it’s not like - the bigger the brain, the bigger the intelligence...

[@deebo291]

Kees Jansma it was just a figure of speech

[@Tim-K.]

Deebo 😂Oh, okay, my bad

[@dubselectorr345]

Deebo got students now and he gon get that Kees Jansma

[@spidersj12]

Hannah needs to come back every 40 star talk webisodes. She's brilliant, funny, insightful and gregarious. She has to be a regular!

[@odlawso69]

What a surprising collaboration ! It is great to see Hannah here.

[@dustin5707]

It's great to see her anywhere.

[@mrpearson1230]

Agreed

[@stazi7532]

She’s hot 🥵

[@dibave33]

@@stazi7532 very much

[@ZZ-vl5nd]

To be honest, I listen to her for the accent

[@IronMoe]

Pls make part 2 and part 3 of this topic with Hannah Fry!

[@twizzz9675]

Chuck's my favorite. Keep him full time. The energy between you two is unmatched.

[@kurtasee2314]

Lol u see the size of his red mug at the start hahaha😂

[@shambosaha9727]

This has to be a coincidence. Just yesterday I got the book Hello World: How to be Human in the Age of the Machine by Hannah Fry. They not only invited the author but also got her to talk about the exact topic of the book!

[@marc-andrebrunet5386]

🎯So cool ! Great choice 🤘😎📈

[@kenbee1957]

Lol Okay, let's come up with an algorithm to determine the chances of a Startalk subscriber ALSO picking up a book on algorithms and human interactions with artificial intelligence within a day of the author appearing as a guest on the show....

[@bert3163]

Google algorithm ; )

[@petebyrdie4799]

Yes, it is a coincidence. Lots of people didn't buy the book yesterday. Chances were, some people did. But the important thing is; would you recommend the book?

[@shambosaha9727]

@@bert3163 But I am a subscriber!

[@abe1138]

What an incredible show!!! I never thought Hannah Fry would be hosted in Star Talk. That was a REAL surprise, and yes Neil... you gotta BRING HER BACK! And of course along with Chuck Nice who's become an essential part of the show. Well done you guys! 😉 Always happy and enriched with the amazing knowledge you all share 😊

[@halomanXP]

First time seeing Hannah Fry I think I fell in love.

[@hareecionelson5875]

She's a regular on Numberphile channel, her Euler spiral video is the best! Had the same feeling after watching that.

[@nicolasjones2929]

I subbed to numberphile becuz of her

[@juansequeirabaquero1780]

I absolutely loved this episode. Hannah Fry is amazing!

[@Quantum_GirlE]

Neil, whenever I see you upload, you make my entire day that much better! Cosmic Queries is definitely something I look forward to! You are also the reason I am pursuing astrophysics through online college courses! Love you all!

[@baymax6894]

I can't sleep without watching Neil once a day. 😊👍

[@MarkStoddard]

Same for him

[@pizzicato16]

Dr. Fry is the complete package. I'm a new fan.

[@ChadTheHow]

It's just amazing how Dr. Tyson makes any topic informative and enjoyable (i.e. not boring), aided and abetted of course by the hilarious Mr. Nice. Please keep up the excellent work. Also, if you can read this Dr. Fry, I absolutely loved your show from BBC Four, Magic Numbers: Hannah Fry's Mysterious World of Maths. It perked up my interest in numbers all over again. To Dr. Tyson, Mr. Nice, and Dr. Fry, a big, big thank you! =)

[@SerDunk]

Watch every Hannah Fry documentary! They're great! & also, gosh she's pretty :)

[@hareecionelson5875]

Euler Spirals!

[@seangagnon8458]

Yeah... Super smart, accent, red hair and funny. If she said she played video games I would consider her as near perfection as possible.

[@TunjungUtomo]

Yeah,a real nerdy-smarty beauty

[@therandommenace3434]

There are the smart and pretty and then there is me

[@porushyadav3503]

So true

[@techn1kal1ty]

Thank you, Hannah, for explaining protein folding to me in simple terms. I've been folding@home for years.

[@stephensekulic1704]

Thank you for always feeding a curious mind. I feel in my life , if I had had teachers like Neil and Hannah I may have turned out different. Chuck is my curious minds humorous voice, I have asked questions like him , he is the human on the ground in the world of science. Thanks to all three of you for showing us that its still fun to learn and ask questions , I look forward to StarTalk and yes PLEASE BRING BACK HANNAH!!! Thank you for help building my mind scapes !

[@isabelab6851]

Love this! I am so impressed by Chuck...he really has some interesting insights and shows that he has really thought about the subjects. I love the quote about studying Math. I have a math major and in 35 years I have not uses that equations but the analytical skills I developed are immeasurable

[@TheReferrer72]

He's definitely been studying on the sly.

[@anthonylicalzi8771]

chucks awesome

[@peterallegrini6624]

It was a pleasure to see this episode of StarTalk. It reminded me of a visit to a scientific conference more than 35 years ago in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. I was invited by the Soviet Academy of Science and I could also visit Bukhara and Samarkand. In the travel guide I read that one of the greatest mathematician was living in this region in the 9th century: Muhammad ibn Musa al-Chwarazmi, Muhammad, son of Musa from Khwarazm, a region near lake Aral. He wrote a book on Indian calculation system with decimal numbers introducing the number "zero". The book consisted of step-by-step instructions to solve mathematical problems. The latin translation of his name Al-Chwarazmi in one to the titles " coined the term Algorithm. Another book with the title "Kitab min hisab al-gabr wa'l muqabala", a compilation of mathematical rules and examples, coined the term "algebra" again from latin translations of it's title.

[@brodyhawkins3158]

A book on Hannah's top-shelf falls over at 50:08

[@chacdogful]

It’s the PM pushing it

[@ShauriePvs]

Wow, imagine how small the disturbance would have been for it to take that much time to finally fall... And to imagine how random the disturbance could have been... It's all chaos theory

[@chacdogful]

Shaurie Pvs or she lives in an apartment type complex and someone come down stairs? Or stairs in her own house. Plus you got a 10 pound book and a two pound bonsai tree for a book stop lol

[@ShauriePvs]

@@chacdogful fair guess!!

[@godless1014]

I would assume that before the cameras went on she spruced up the bookshelf a bit, moved things around, etc. She probably propped up the book in such a way that it was going to tip over relatively soon anyway and the only reason why it is of note is because it happened on camera. That . . . Or an interdimensional alien/ghost hybrid trickster took that exact moment to pop into our universe and tip the book over for a laugh.

[@downhillphilm.6682]

chuck always has an amazing comment in these shows......"looking for the answer to ask the question" mind bending!

[@klaxoncow]

Indeed. That totally nailed what they were talking about exactly. The perfect plain English description.

[@Jodah175]

hannah fry! love her!

[@SabethDrake]

Any topic is interesting on this show. Love it!

[@BusyCasual]

Every time I watch these videos I never stop smiling the whole way through. Hannah was very enjoyable to listen to answering these questions. Thanks for the video.

[@basiliamontesanto6162]

I can't get enough of watching Star Talk. This is funny and awesome. I love learning. Thank you

[@plaustrarius]

Neil didnt know about P vs NP?? I cannot believe that. @19:55 This was absolutely amazing thank you so much!

[@epicswirl]

Yeah very weird it’s like the biggest computer science problem

[@waqasahmed3115]

Yeah i cant believe he didnt know about P vs Np! How can he not know sonething that is so widely known! It just doesnt make any sense whatsoever! Whats P vs Np again? No? Ok

[@tach5884]

@@waqasahmed3115 All I know is the Simpsons kept bringing it up.

[@SteveGuidi]

I'm pretty sure he knows. Dr. Tyson is a great host and often asks questions to clarify the subject for the viewers.

[@Maninawig]

The problem with intelligence is that with all its branching fields and intellectual debates, one can specify down one branch so much that what others might find to be quite common speech is, in fact, on another bough. Just like one could be so versed in engineering that they could assure a near-indistructable infrastructure in the construction of a space shuttle, yet not know how to build a house. Or how terms like digitizing, vectors, and shape have different definitions depending on what branch you are currently perching on.

[@drottningu]

This was a fantastic segment. Thank you all for sharing!!

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

Knowledge is power, Neil and Chuck!! Great show!! Thank you!!! 😘✨👍🏾

[@tub3scr3am3r]

Where my Numberphile folks at? 🙋🏻‍♂️

[@hareecionelson5875]

Euler spirals and logarithmic senses!

[@scottrobinson8590]

Wow she was great, personal favorite guest so far. Definitely bring her back.

[@ssr85]

I love this series. It's always so vibrant and diverse.

[@B-Nice]

So great to see Hannah Fry here. Let's talk some maths!!

[@fc-qr1cy]

11 MONTHS still my favorite episode. had to watch again.

[@hectorramos2490]

I love Hannah she is AMAZING she is super smart and quick witted I want more Hannah on StarTalk

[@MikeJamesMedia]

This was hugely entertaining and informative. Thank you, Hannah and Dr. Tyson! Please do have Hannah back for more! Hannah’s comment on dating site statistics (starting around the 40-minute point) explains why I love scientists…. because they “disrupt my opinions” in the course of educating me. Interesting. PS> Anyone else notice that the book on the top left shelf of Hannah’s bookcase moves by itself, at the 50-minute mark?

[@keoni1136]

Havent watched yet but excited to see Hannah Fry collaborating with y'all!

[@HellaUtube]

Always nice to see Neil bringing the new guest(s) with the new queries!!

[@samueldelatorre7752]

Hannah is the best! Love watching her on Numberphile as well! One of the best star talks I've watched great discussions!

[@anthonydavis4829]

Again another intelligent show. We definitely need more programs like "Star Talk".

[@DM-og9fq]

Thank you, Neil, for highlighting the work that's being done by some prominent females in the industry. Would love to see more of these names out there so more young girls that typically aren't exposed to this career path know that this is JUST as "normal" of a profession for women to be in as men.

[@JeanPierre7788]

Fascinating discussion. One of your best episodes

[@Todd1990]

I love this guy! My favorite group of guys talking about space while im in space lol and he makes difficult things very understandable. I wish to visit the museum of New York where he works

[@Nicolas-mb3up]

43:53 I always suspected that my "forever loneliness" was mostly due to my ugliness, now I know I'm too beautiful... Thank you!

[@diphenhydramine6072]

I've seen a KZbin video by BoyInABand where he talked about that subject.

[@jcrage]

Hannah Dr. Love. She's gorgeous

[@blanchy]

Does she have an onlyfans?

[@MoviesAndTvShowsAreSubjective]

@@blanchy 😀

[@ddpwe5269]

Great video as always! Looking forward to the next video with Hannah, extremely interesting insights and can't wait to hear more! =)

[@erinmcginnis4991]

Definitely must have Hannah back! Great show as always Neil and Chuck

[@tadpolerina]

chuck is absolutely amazing when it comes to reiterating the questions tbh

[@sevet3568]

I can watch and listen to her talk all day...😍

[@freddb1975]

One of the best episodes so far.

[@bruceneeley1724]

Great show. Always a fan of Hannah Fry.

[@arsx4948]

I first heard of Dr Hanna Fry when I watched BBC's Magic Numbers and it was very enjoyable. Glad to see her being interviewed here too.

[@noisycarlos]

Oh Hannah's great. I'm so glad to see two of my favorites in one video :-)

[@TwiztedDezign]

I love the chemistry Chuck and Neil have. I could totally see them in a funny movie as cop buddies.

[@antunes73]

Twizted Dezign perfect!!! 😄😄😄

[@fredyair1]

Just place a reservation of Hannah's book at my local library, fascinating subject.

[@donnysandley6977]

Absolutely knowledgeable episode 🤗😁💯 love it 😍❤️🌟

[@k0lpA]

This is so interesting, thank you all for that !

[@KingZarathus]

I love Hannah! I'm so happy you had her on.

[@jameskerry41]

I could listen to Hannah all day : )

[@crazyguy2050]

this is more informative than any of my classes on algorithms.

[@Forest_Knight]

You three are awesome! Incidentally, watch Hanna's documentaries and podcast!

[@timothykelley4495]

Love the subject, love the intelligence provided and LOVE HER ACCENT!!!! I could listen to her for HOURS! (but the knowledge hurts my brain!) but i LIKE it!

[@adamakinlade1758]

Beautiful conversation thank you neil for being the main force of this amzing show

[@buddy.abc123]

I love Hannah, her face is so pleasant to the eyes and has great personality

[@RockPhonic]

We need her on the show more often.

[@oscarestrada2175]

Agreed 👏👏👏👏

[@kevind1980]

I hope Neil has her back on ASAP for Part 2, she was awesome.

[@commonsense0692]

33:47 brilliantly sums up the internet, although It makes me happy and gives me genuine hope for the world that there are intelligent, interesting people out there trying to solve the mysteries of the universe 👍

[@vihashah5975]

Yes we do want more of you! I’m gonna go read your book till then

[@osheitchang]

The amount of knowledge in this video is crazy!

[@fc-qr1cy]

As a Math and Finance nerd i love the word ALGORITHM. SO YES PLEASE MORE HANNAH.

[@DaBlondDude]

Her last algorithm reminded me of The Minority Report movie. Fascinating talk and I like the explanation of what algorithm means Watching Hannah light up with some of these questions makes it obvious she's in the right field and loves her job =)

[@DaneliusUK]

Enjoyed it, thank you.

[@TheKasimkage]

I wish I had this video when I was writing my dissertation.

[@FR-ce2tk]

Hannah was great:) I have watched a lot of episodes and never commented but Hannah was really intelligent and offered a different perspective. Great show.

[@TaylordSpirit]

Minority Report and Westworld are algorithm based science fiction film that I love!

[@popoye5154]

Great conversation

[@fredyair1]

Fantastic show, a few years back visiting London we rented a "flat" in Greenwich, a walking distance to the observatory. Beautiful part of town, full of history.

[@shawnhodge1508]

Chuck and Neil are the best dou since PB&J.

[@listofromantics]

Dear Startalk, Put Hannah Fry on the payroll.

[@ZeroOskul]

It is actually because of "Star Trek" that the word "data", in the US, is no longer pronounced "Dat-Uh" but "Day-Tah". The whole cast was rehearsing with the name pronounced "Dat-Uh" but then Patrick Stewart came on he pronounced it "Day-Tah", so everyone else pronounced it that way. It is also because of "Star Trek" that this show is called "Star Talk".

[@michaelsommers2356]

That pronunciation was common in the US long before the tv show.

[@symbungee]

Is this true? It's on the internet.... so it must be. So one guy makes a mistake.... and rather than admit to the mistake your whole country changes their vocab to fit the new narrative?

[@ZeroOskul]

@@michaelsommers2356 No, it was not. We always said "Dat-Uh". Find common usage of "Day-Tah" before 1987, and post a link.

[@michaelsommers2356]

@@ZeroOskul I hadn't realized you'd spoken to all 200 million Americans alive in the 1960s. Just because everyone you know used one pronunciation, does not mean that everybody else used the same pronunciation. My _Webster's New World Dictionary_ from 1970 gives what you call "day-tah" as the primary pronunciation. Now, what is your source that no one used that pronunciation before 1987?

[@ZeroOskul]

@@michaelsommers2356 the '60s are a very small part of pre-1987 history. I'm an English language scholar.

[@tystrong1238]

If she isn't already voicing documentaries, she should be. She has a nice strong, calm, and confident voice.

[@cmdargument]

I would love to hear Sir Hanah Fry discuss the Navier Stokes equations, Arrhenius equations and Iterative closest point (ICP) algorithms or anything else for that matter, very nice voice(PLEASE COME BACK!). Anyway buying the book now.

[@ZigZagKid_AZ]

Chuck is the best co host!!!!

[@jacobgarcia7918]

The theme music at the beginning of each episode is enough for me to like the video.

[@GEAsolar]

Hannah is just perfect.

[@TG-Maverick22]

Nice hosting Hannah, she is amazing. And as always, NDT is the best!

[@justicemagagane5737]

one of my fav show

[@njones420]

Great to see Hannah on here, turns up in all the best places... It's worth pointing out Radio-4 also has a lot of fantastic comedy and plays, Infinite Monkey-Cage (highly recommended if you enjoy star-talk, Neil has been a guest at least once), Hitchikers guide, the News-quiz, The Now show, Terry Pratchett adaptations, etc. "BBC-Sounds" app is worth a download.

[@naeemakram979]

3rd :p Love your videos! And love the knowledge and perspectives!

[@NeroThacher]

*Mega Psyched his questions about to be answered Neil: "Your just choosing someone you can pronounce, Chuck." Shordown Dean: "WWWHYYYYYYY??"

[@RadioactiveLobster]

50:08 Hannah's bookshelf is haunted.

[@objectivemillennial2117]

by the old ghost of gravity

[@Flame304]

That was herself sending message from other dimension

[@zeusmaryosef4721]

Must be algorithm and data

[@erik-jan4434]

could we have predicted this to happen with an algorithm?

[@FMFvideos]

She is hot, I would haunt her too.

[@ZeroOskul]

31:30 the triangular hexacontahedron is also a platonic solid, but the pentagonal hexacontahedron is not. The triangular hexacontahedron is the shape of the interior box from "The Last Mimzy". It is composed of sixty equilateral triangles and can be made by placing five obtusely protruding triangular faces into each pentagonal face of a pentagonal dodecahedron.

[@ferkelandstier9406]

I like Hanna. She did a documentary about Mathematics under BBC. It's on KZbin also. Thanks for making her your guest for this episode. I hope she gets invited again in future episodes of this show.

[@themagiceye6723]

Her couch is such a classic English sofa, it cracks me up.

[@danialfaro7543]

I love your videos!!!❤

[@iamdb1990]

37:59 oh my god, Greenwich mean time... it makes sense now... always wondered, but never questioned it... I love StarTalk

[@louisrobitaille5810]

14:30 I was studying programming and the definition I was taught for algorithms is so simple, I love it: "An algorithm is just a list of instruction." It doesn't necessarily have to give you a result, it can just be part of a greater thing. For example, an AI is a massive algorithm that keeps making its own smaller algorithms over and over and solving them over and over without anyone ever knowing what they are or what they do. That's why it's a black box. It's a computer making up computer jargon to only be understood by a computer. The processing power you'd have to give your AI to have it make its internal code also understandable to humans would be a phenomenal waste of money and time, so no one bothers to do it.

[@fahimontu7065]

Neil n chuck best hosts ever 😁

[@misterx168]

Chuck is the best.

[@acephas3]

@Hannah Fry is a rare beauty. Seriously, she is an actual national treasure.

[@danielthompson9118]

Please bring her and this subject back soon.

[@supahfly_uk]

50:07 Hannahs home is haunted, look at the books at the top middle of the screen

[@kmc7355]

Gravity 😂

[@JamshadAhmad]

Yeah, I did notice that too. And came to find this comment.

[@kibbajibba5988]

She probably just made it tidy before the video conference. Hence the book being unstable and shiftinf.

[@IMJMORGAN]

If you notice the reflection of the window to the left on the picture, you will see that a gust of wind had blown over her house at the time of the book moving resulting in a gust of wind in the reflection just after

[@jgbusquets]

I noticed that and hoped to be the first on commenting that... how delusional I was xdd