StarTalk Podcast: Cosmic Queries - Rise of the Machines with Matt Ginsberg

Can machine learning predict the outcome of basketball games? On this episode of StarTalk Sports Edition, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice talk data science and machine learning with computer scientist and author of The Factor Man, Matt Ginsberg.
We dive into what it would take to make the perfect winning March Madness bracket. Could we apply machine learning to, in a sense, cheat the system? Does history have relevance to what will happen in the future? Learn how to train artificial intelligence for predictive models and how to treat data sets. Discover the difference between how humans and machines solve problems and what that means for our use of AI.
Can AI take into account player motivation and other factors that are hard to quantify? Can you quantify everything? We also answer Cosmic Queries submitted by our Patreon Patrons: What would a game of interplanetary basketball look like? Would we make adjustments for teams’ different training environments? Would players on Mars be able to dunk from the three-point line and, if so, should it still count as three points?
You’ll find out when we will have conscious AI, if ever, and if it will be through algorithms or uploading human consciousness. We take a look at philosophical questions like what does it mean for an AI to be intelligent? We break down the future of artificial intelligence, how it will be used to compliment and uplift humanity, and the existence of a god equation. All that and more, as we break down some of the biggest questions in computer science!
Thanks to our Patrons Erdem Memisyazici, Priscilla & Kyle, Steven Severin, sumplkrum, Julia Zeikowitz, Cory Ricci, Brennon Russ, Tony Marulli, Ryan Bariteau, and MTB Truckerfor supporting us this week.
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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

[@JustinPayton]

Matt Ginsberg is no nonsense and I love it. Doesn't laugh at the interrupting jokes, and keeps on going with his statement.

[@scottm2553]

The jokes really get to me. This podcast could be really awesome if that one guy stopped making those terrible jokes.

[@brixen0623]

Chuck Nice is a Philly treasure. The rest of the world doesn't need to like him. We love him. We will defend him the same way we did Gritty🤣

[@supanovaninja]

I love Neil, and everything Space. But to be honest, I watch the podcast for Chuck. If no Chuck, I move to the next episode.

[@pedroaboffa]

NEIL, MAN, i read all ur books and really enjoy the way u teach us everything.. i really with that one day i can have at least 10 min chatting real life with u.. thank u for being who u are

[@IIISentorIII]

There is at least a 94% probability you never will according to my data on you.

[@ericvacca551]

The Mars basketball conversation was basically them describing the game in Space Jam

[@calapsesathir4408]

5 minutes in and I can tell this will be a great episode. This guest is sharp and smart asf.

[@zionantoine9629]

Yh

[@tominigerianinterfan2758]

I was literally about to make the same comment, his episode on football probabilities was dope

[@montanamike7948]

This episode is terrible

[@Emadze]

Please an episode about the possibility of a decentralized civilization!

[@renatoigmed]

I think that unfortunately never. what is noticeable is that the population, regardless of which country they are from, asks for more and more state aid. both here in my country and out there in the USA the tug of war between liberals and socialists increasingly tries to socialism and this is due to popular support to elect the most leftist politicians hoping that the state will be as assistential as possible. I think humanity will end up in a communist dystopia.

[@danrazART]

@@renatoigmed sure, supporting genocidal maniacs is much better. Nice! 😂

[@paladinsmith7050]

@@renatoigmed Technocratic dystopia.

[@renatoigmed]

@@paladinsmith7050 call it what you want. at the end of the day there are only two destinations: one with or the other without freedom.

[@paladinsmith7050]

@@renatoigmed Well it's pretty obvious which destination it is. 2020 just showed us what they want for everyone on Earth.

[@unquestionabletv]

Thank you for release content on the weekends. I allows me to stay focused on productivity whilst listening. Thank you, truly.

[@Starfals]

You guys have more original movie ideas in just a few podcasts than Hollywood in the last 20 years.

[@ryanpitcock6660]

M

[@sicfxmusic]

"When you think you have done your calculations, we change the rules' - Casino

[@sahara7059]

Neil you got beautiful flowers behind you! I love that when I watch your Star Talk I laugh and learn simultaneously :)

[@eagle___shadow]

I love ❤️ this channel👍👍

[@anytimefishingandoutdoors6983]

Anything Neil does is “cosmic”

[@zombiesurvivor615]

So amazing how much information can be squeezed into less than an hour and keep it extremely fun and entertaining and informative!!!

[@richardflowers6458]

Another GREAT episode . I need more knowledge! More knowledge = more star talk episodes !

[@michaelbrantley6039]

Great episode. I love this guest. Such interesting topics. I love basketball and analytics. I remember his last episode. Where he enlightening me that How many mins a player plays earlier in the season is such a huge predictor of success later, hence all the "load management" going on over past couple years but after taking this info into account I feel it's definitely been a big factor in 18,000$ of sports bet winnings of mine in the last month

[@ceottaki]

I hope Matt Ginsberg comes back time and time again, and not just to sports editions, his contributions are great. I’ve read his novel as well, Factorman, and it’s really a fantastic read.

[@mlginsberg]

Thank you!

[@GP-qb9hi]

Brilliant interview!

[@hoarder66]

I love the guest Matt. He is in a ton of science documentaries that i have saw and enjoyed many times

[@liveshkumar7322]

Can you please link some? I'm interested thanks!

[@simonbourassa4378]

Honestly im really beginning to think i can't live without Neil right now 😂

[@Thecrazyraven.]

Love Garys beams across his ceiling ❤️

[@renatoigmed]

Matt Ginsberg is the real Spock: he doesn't breathe out any emotion.

[@infirite72]

he like -_-

[@JohnJohnson-br7si]

Idk he looked irritated to me when they were joking about his companies, maybe even a slight eye roll....

[@smesh4190]

@@JohnJohnson-br7si classic narcissist

[@mlginsberg]

@@JohnJohnson-br7si I wasn't irritated!

[@JohnJohnson-br7si]

@@mlginsberg maybe irritated wasn't the right word lol

[@themeach011]

Putting a lead weighted vest on in a boat is probably a bad idea guys !!!

[@ccelik97]

Making a heavier & vertically balanced seat that moves proportionally to her weight shift to compensate would've been a more suitable solution I think :D

[@at8ax]

Strong recommendation for Matt's book!

[@mlginsberg]

Thanks, John! :)

[@vincentmiller420]

We should celebrate the diversity of differing human attributes, skills, levels , and individual talents. We are different and we are many. Clever got us this far, and tricky clouds the way.

[@sherrylennondewitt7557]

Team work makes the Dream work!

[@CrisJunkie]

If I remember it right, Jordan once dunked from behind the 3-pt line and just almost from the half-court line. I think the opponents were called the Monstars.

[@muthuk]

Awesome!

[@arghyam6]

as a data scientist this was great explanation in the first segment

[@temdee5322]

Think it's about time that Chuck gets some respect put on that name in regards to the social media. It's like he doesn't exist on the star talk instagram!

[@morewealth23]

Neil please consider doing an episode on analemma and equation of time. I'm struggling to understand how a few seconds of variations in solar day length would accumulate to more than 15 minutes difference between apparent solar day and mean solar day.

[@HansHuether]

In Fredericksburg Texas. The lights on Main Street end up going green at 22 mph one way and 31 miles an hour the other way.

[@houdadihaji20]

Hello Neil Love you from Morocco

[@wrinkyscarnagecrew]

Scott Sigler gfl series is the ideal place to look on this topic incredible books

[@cwdoby]

This is what it would look like if we watched the original Star Trek crew having a random regular conversation while travelling somewhere. Neil = Kirk, Matt = Spock, Gary = Scottie, Chuck= Sulu

[@fizyknaut8108]

Detroit: Become Human. (Someone had to).

[@ViratKohli-jj3wj]

I already did that so you didn't have to but yeah

[@fizyknaut8108]

@@ViratKohli-jj3wj Oh sorry. I'll go look for your comment

[@fizyknaut8108]

@@ViratKohli-jj3wj I can't find it

[@impaledbunny]

Chuck, where did you get your science believe it or not shirt. I want one!!!!!

[@mouseDown83]

Hey there heroes! Thanks for making this channel! I also have a question: what would happen to a mollusk (squids for example) if it was in the vacuum of space? Will it expand along with the universe?

[@wellscanadian5484]

We tried using a complex program to predict where medical calls were going to occur in Toronto. We wasted a lot of fuel travelling to locations where nothing happened.

[@wrinkyscarnagecrew]

Scott Sigler should be on this episode 100%

[@kayanims]

It's important to say this Chuck is really really smart

[@flashcloud666]

Well, in Chuck's defense, that isn't something from movies. Plenty of golden era science fiction authors described what Chuck said in their works. Modern day movies just adapted their ideas to the silver screen.

[@gsav1320]

First time I’ve heard nc two A I’ve heard ncaa and nc double a before

[@hotsauce7709]

Always wanted to ask: every Mars movie and many science shows show dust storms as fairly violent events. But with only 5% of our atmosphere would those storms have any real clout? I'd think the microfine dust would be a nightmare for our probs and rovers but so far they've managed. I guess we've handled that well enough. But I'm a bit skeptical about storms in that thin of an atmosphere really blowing Matt Daemon around so easily in the movie "Martian."

[@helloiseeyou415]

You guys should have a talk with palantir !!!!!

[@mr.lahgcomics5712]

Im bored, i guess I’ll start a company now.

[@klaxoncow]

In fairness to the humble brag, I bet that starting a new company all the time really does make boredom impossible. Like, it's an extreme way to deal with boredom - just watch Netflix or play some video games, like most people - but I bet that it does totally work.

[@Starfals]

It must be boring to start a new company over and over again too lol. He gotta find a new hobby lol

[@mr.lahgcomics5712]

Even though I’m only 14 I’ve always wanted to start a biodegradable plastic company

[@KushClarkKent]

@@mr.lahgcomics5712 I hope you pull that off someday. I'm pulling for you!

[@dru4670]

Neil " I can answer for you " Tyson

[@christophersfeir]

🔥🔥

[@CrazyBeardedGamer]

Came to listen about machines. Left because of talk about sports.

[@LexoG33]

I think the problem right now with saying "you can recreate me in a computer" is that that computer would probably mostly use our social media presence to "recreate" us

[@LtNduati]

I would posit, at least for basketball, that a better motivation variable is how teams played in the game directly following an upset or a close loss, or in the first rematch between the same two teams following the upset or close loss. I don't think seeing if they lost a finals game in a previous year is going to yield better indicators of success, especially at the collegiate level since rosters change very often.

[@DeboHaxJR.]

What material have the highest heat index? Can a nano Dyson sphere give us more overall solar power output or would the larger one be better?

[@ZeroOskul]

9, 14, 15, 12, 5 10, 16, 18, 16, 10 125

[@madman9639]

If your where to go inside a black hole and ignore the immediate death if u shine a flash light or (any light for that matter) will it help u see anything or would it be the equivalent In luminosity to lighting a match 6 Miles away?

[@felicityc]

that's much like saying 'if you don't die when you die, can you still see?'. completely meaningless question + no answer because there isn't one except science fiction.

[@codyadkins3061]

Woohoo!!

[@soldierofmankind]

1st. Big fan Started discovering my interest with stars and beyond due to Neil. Thank you.

[@elcascavel956]

Whats diff between seeing color green and seeing green light.. which one is true green..

[@paytonpryor]

Training in Colorado is next level. When you first srart training there you literally feel like you aren't able to breathe. I discovered I had asthma thanks to Colorado. Beautiful mountains, not so much oxygen tho. Lol

[@MrMuppet1970]

This is off topic but, do gravitational waves and visable light act different as space expands?

[@sully671]

I'm not sure... what does invisible light look like?

[@alexkats30]

But can you run just as fast if you are too light? In order to have enough speed to jump far enough to dunk

[@NeocanTheAxolotl]

I wish they made a collab with Bill Nye The Science Guy I mean they had one with MatPat why not him?

[@PavelFomenkov]

I remember an episode where Bill Nye actually was substituting Neil for one of the episodes, does this count as a collab?

[@linyenchin6773]

MatPat of film theory!!? If so; no wonder, that guy is closer to being a scientist than bill the failed science communicator guy.

[@NeocanTheAxolotl]

@@linyenchin6773 is this comment section an american school cuz SHOTS FIRED

[@NeocanTheAxolotl]

@@PavelFomenkov i guess so

[@HenryLetting]

Not first!!!!! Any other Nairobians here?👀

[@naomibwogora5663]

From this little nook of the universe.

[@wilso3697]

Oh wow that’s very interesting. Jeez I have to learn a lot of things

[@angeloavanti2538]

my daily dose of 'smarty pants'. thanks gentlemen.

[@robertfinck1275]

As far as that sports betting program goes couldnt you do the exact thing with the lotto? Just by inserting all the numbers that have already won and all the numbers that have been drawn and not won.

[@isaiahconstante2206]

The movie Neil forgot is called Semi-Pro

[@108u9]

Chuckie baby 😂

[@davidt3956]

"a fictional book"? It's not a real book, just one he talks about?

[@liquidbraino]

12:50 Isn't that called "P hacking" or "data dredging"?

[@chrisconnolly9324]

Are you sure, sure that Ginsberg isn't Paul Rubens. Doppelgangers!!!

[@sammo7877]

If there was interplanetary sports I think there would be no home games at all as they could all play away games on a dedicated planet where no one has an advantage.

[@isaacmacias7486]

Neil if i ever have a chance to meet you I would like to tell you a theory i came up with about whether we are in a simulation or not. Chances are low, and i don't know how smart or logical it sound about i still would like to tell you it

[@sherrylennondewitt7557]

All by myself ;)

[@bgmstyle437]

Cosmos 2014-2020 Hindi Dubbed Best Series earth magic sir big fan neil Indian count

[@gabrielhersey5546]

ESPN Around the horn Bill Plaschke has two perfect match madness brackets

[@chriskyng2509]

"BUT why would we do that?" Because we can Neil. The most obvious answer as to why humans do ANYTHING EVER. Simply because we wanted the option.

[@Xdew1gohan]

Do you think dark gravity could be negative mass and it's just going backwards in time

[@GeoffBlackmore]

Hey Neil, New Zealand is bigger than the UK, so you better refer to the UK as "a tiny island nation" from now on!

[@hunternewberry5860]

Neil really asked why a boat racer didn't fill a jacket with weights for her race.

[@jonathanryals9934]

But on Mars, if you tried to run your feet would slip because your mass still takes the same force to move side-to-side but you have less friction. Your ability to power jump from standing would be mostly vertical. In order to get speed to jump from 3 point line you would have to start from way back and slowly accelerate.

[@sttream6410]

Yuuurrrrrr

[@wilso3697]

Interesting things. Geez I have to learn a lot of things

[@evesoto99]

Pattern is word in prefixes words

[@spartan4689]

Why isn’t this video a prelude to Space Jam 2?

[@maxwell4546]

Just gotba promotion. Thank you.

[@maxwell4546]

And a typeo

[@alexdroner4068]

Ingenuity Helicopter = Rise of the Machines

[@sherrylennondewitt7557]

🕊🌎🕊

[@travisarmatage2776]

CNC Routrer

[@insomniac4ever817]

Well I'm not sleeping tonight.

[@jamespeninger6847]

Gravity on Mars would also effect the ability to dribble the ball on Mars, right?

[@surfLBABNY5017]

Yes, it would feel lighter on Mars and bounce higher I think.

[@felicityc]

blitzball?

[@00black88]

Can you guys react n talk about "life beyond ||" I mean 2/||

[@maxwell4546]

Chuck, you find that window yet?

[@torytvuk]

But will they be able to make king size slim rizla?

[@ntfx3228]

37:40

[@michaelrichards2967]

You guys are great but on this subject I'm going with Elon

[@gabberkooij]

finding correlations between unrelated data is how we got religions

[@aliyanmir5993]

Do an episode on genius.

[@briand7785]

Cool vid dood's. Sounded like an add for sports betting at first. But it's a sorta add for a book. Informative. Not like you need another sceptical dooshbag youtube commenter like me. Yaaaaaaaaa!!!!!! Humor...

[@bagassambada1669]

👀👀👀

[@kevinmcgovern5170]

How do you all feel about letting your mind witness everything in your surroundings and in your imagination to see if any useful models present themselves to solve a given problem? Is there any validity in this exercise?

[@daviddavies5322]

Did Matt predict the 1980 ice hockey, Olympics?

[@davidd4013]

If every star in the universe was close enough to see as a star on the horizon what would the night sky look like?

[@smesh4190]

The day sky lol

[@checkcasheddavid]

So on Mars what would you fill the ball with?