Why We Probably Can’t Terraform Mars

Can we grow food on Mars? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Paul Mecurio learn about a new NASA project Plant Trek and the challenges of surviving on other planets with astrobiologist Kennda Lynch.
Thanks to our partners at Ford for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about the all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E® SUV at www.ford.com/suvs/mach-e/
Learn how scientists are trying to work with Martian regolith to discover solutions for farming on the red planet. What are the major differences between Earth soil and Martian or Lunar regolith? We discuss perchlorate, The Martian, and the main challenges of Martian regolith.
Could Matt Damon in The Martian have really survived on home-grown Martian potatoes? We break down what he got right, what step he was missing, and the health effects of eating Martian produce. What would Kennda do as an astrobiologist if aliens came to Earth?
What is in the Martian regolith? Learn what compounds we are working with, what similarities it has with what we have on Earth, and what we plan to do about radiation. We discuss the potential of terraforming Mars and what is the coolest part of being an astrobiologist. What can plants grown on Mars teach us about Earth?
Thanks to our Patrons Konrad Kalinko, Shawn Allison, Kevin Mitchell, Skylar Gravatt, Terry Sullivan, Carol Anklam, and Chantal for supporting us this week.
NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free.
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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
00:00 - Introduction: Astrobiology
1:30 - Plant Trek: In-Situ Farming
4:31 - Soil v. Martian Regolith
10:30 - Is This a Step Toward Terraforming?
13:52 - A Word From Our Sponsor
15:25 - Thoughts on “The Martian”
17:34 - Would Poop Potatoes Be Possible?
24:19 - If Kennda Met Aliens
30:00 - What is in the Martian Regolith?
34:12 - Could We Create an Atmosphere?
49:24 - Being an Astrobiologist
41:18 - Astrobiology Helping Us on Earth

[@StarTalk]

Could YOU survive on a Martian potato diet?

[@Robin3615]

Right?!? I'd need some ketchup and salt too. LOL

[@Seventh7Art]

Nope

[@jroar123]

No, that was science fiction. We need real soil to grow plants.

[@justinanderson267]

Why isn't Sin white? Cos Sin Tan

[@justinanderson267]

Hey if she doesn't have a degree in mineralogy, we should take whatever she says for granite.

[@Onio_Saiyan]

She’s awesome! What a charming guest! And she had an answer immediately for everything. Great show, dudes!

[@devsimplified21]

i dont know what video you looked at , but for me she was always generic in the answers and she never said something intresting

[@Onio_Saiyan]

@@devsimplified21 that’s just… like… your opinion, man.

[@jonathanmartin7287]

@@devsimplified21 durrrr

[@longjohn526]

@@devsimplified21 You would think that someone with the word simplified in their handle would understand the basic concept of simplifying your answers to fit the audience you are addressing so they can more easily understand it. Granted not everyone is as talented at that as Neil or Michio Kaku in being able to do that but they have also had a lot more practice

[@devsimplified21]

@@longjohn526 i understand it actually , but she didn't define a single concept. She was always to generic and it seems she didn't even know what she was talking about. Do a thing , rewatch the video and for every single question they pone to her , she missleads the conversation every time and don't answer the question . OFc is my opinion and i don't want you to think the same. She can have 2342423 degrees but she don't know how to explain. tyson know how to do it. Also i don't have a degree in any of these fields and i could have answer better the questions. this tell me a lot about the person. What can you do to terraform Mars ? her answer : You have to kinda like do the thing and after you did the thing you can do like "hands gestures". Thats not simplifying , this is called "I don't know the answer" One important person once said: "if you cant explain it in simple way , you don't know it"

[@TheHeuristicHeretic]

Intelligent, charming and passionate about what she does. Neil please don't stop bringing us these amazing scientists and human beings. Inspiring. And parents, make sure StarTalk is a part of your child's routine.

[@TravelwithEbby]

If I knew about Niel as a child I would have liked science more and wanted to become an astro anything lol 😂

[@dannybrown5744]

Aaron 8 yo listening with grandpa all the time

[@martinurbani]

Kennda’s passion,enthusiasm and expertise made this episode absolutely delightful.

[@blandrooker6541]

I'm so glad that Ms. Lynch immediately brought up the fact that Mars no longer has a magnetic field to deflect the solar wind. SO many people overlook that when bringing up the subject of terraforming Mars.

[@markybob_bassplaya1462]

My Freshman Chemistry professor was a big fan of Perchlorate, did research on using Perchlorate Acid to transform oil shale for use. He was all about Perchlorate to the point his vanity license plate was HCLO4. Funny how things stick with you 33 years (since I was a freshman).

[@markybob_bassplaya1462]

Love Kenndra's passion, she really digs her field.

[@paintedpony2935]

At first, I was very disappointed that Chuck was absent and replaced by someone completely unknown to me. I was wrong! He is perfect for this show. I laughed so hard ... and he had great questions/comments.

[@frogz]

usually when it isnt chuck, i am sad... but paul is actually funny this episode!!

[@CaptainKwame1773]

We stan Chuck, and I'm always glad to see Paul; it's a hoot when they're both on together. Glad to Dr. Lynch back as well!

[@abstract5249]

Paul Mecurio is great. He's been an occasional guest on Startalk for years now.

[@Grim_The_Reaper]

Yall should have her on the show more. I enjoyed how much she enjoys talking about doing the stuff that she enjoys lol. This lady definitely does not go to work everyday, she just goes and has fun and they just so happen to give her money for it also. She's living the dream

[@ArtdesTests]

I enjoyed every single second of this episode. This felt like a casual but interesting conversation with friends. Kennda is awesome

[@stanbomiller1360]

Great chemistry between these three, so fun to watch.

[@authormichellefranklin]

Love Dr Lynch. Please have her on again! Thank you!

[@MerlinsDrAgon]

Paul is the best host because he can actually call Neil a ‘6 year old’ when necessary without repercussions.

[@adriansolis5362]

I'm glad Kennda brought up the most difficult hurdle in colonizing Mars, and that's the lack of magnetic field. Mars' iron core stopped spinning long ago leaving the planet open to the Sun's radiation. Really great conversation overall.

[@starroger]

So why not create a planetary magnetic field on Mars?

[@adriansolis5362]

@@starroger easier said than done. The amount of energy required would be massive. But perhaps having local fields around settlements could be feasible

[@starroger]

@@adriansolis5362Yes, the engineering skills needed would be….well astronomical. Earth’s magnetosphere is generated by its molten iron core. Mars doesn’t have that anymore, but it has lots of iron on its surface. Iron can be magnetized. How much energy would that take? Probably more than we can imagine given our current level of technology.

[@josephrenn6544]

man that was very nice to watch. She is a very good science communicator and hope to see her more often. Also, even though it would be difficult to get and energy intensive at first, you could maybe build up a large pile of "regolith" that has been washed with water that is then later evaporated to get the perchloriates out. it should at least great reduce the concentrations.

[@imsorryyourewelcome]

On the perchlorate problem: Dechloromonas and Azospira are Dissimilatory (Per)chlorate-Reducing Bacteria (DPRB) which grow by the anaerobic reductive dissimilation of (per)chlorate - perchlorate and chlorate (ClO3−) - into chloride and oxygen.

[@RonSonntag]

Awesome segment and Dr. Lynch is simply great! What a great honor and recognition to be the PI for this project. Love how broad her knowledge is!

[@fik_of_borg]

SHE'S PERFECT! She can't be more interesting, charming AND fun if she try. Loved her laughter and ease of explaining her field.

[@JoeVanGogh]

I dont know why but I really like her lol I thinks it's bc she likes to explain and I LOVE a good explanation😂❤

[@GameTimeWhy]

I really appreciate that you reiterate and re-ask the questions so that we have more than one exposure to a new topic or phrase and allows the expert to talk or think about it in multiple different ways. Also helps them to get better at "dumbing down" the topic for laypeople.

[@PhilForeman]

Thanks for introducing Kennda Lynch to me and to the rest of the world! She is a ROCK STAR!!

[@trent797]

Great episode. FYI, I used to listen to the StarTalk podcast but now I find myself actually watching it on youtube, so I appreciate the video editing.

[@tiawilks]

She is amazing to listen to. Can’t wait for her to finish her project!!!

[@coldpond]

Love Star Talk info and all its humor. Addicted. Guest's are always great. Neil's expressions are priceless at times.

[@timrobertson8436]

I would have like to learn more about the process of removing perchlorate from regolyth so that it would be possible to grow food on Mars. How difficult would that be and how would it be done?

[@TheMateusrex]

This was a really fun, informative conversation. Love the guests.

[@TrustynHERO]

This one has to be one of the funniest ones that kept me smiling the whole time. Thank you guys as always for bringing the science and the laughs lol😂😂❤️🙌🤓🥰

[@longjohn526]

Star Talk - More nerdy jokes than an episode of Big Bang Theory

[@silviavalentine3812]

Ikr! She's so awesome!

[@tamaracamp3418]

WOW!I loved hearing from Kendra Lynch! Please have her back. She's wicked smart!

[@lanszoominternet]

Dr Lynch is awesome! This was both educational and entertaining.

[@bertreynolds8146]

This was a great episode, excellent combination of personalities

[@shaenni9122]

People should really read the Martian book. In the book it goes into way more science and accurate engineering. The movie cut ALOT out. For just one example. Watney had earth soil with earth bacteria with him on Mars for experiments that helped convert the the martian soil.. just a quick thing. The book had soooo much more in depth information. But I love the movie too.

[@artsysiddhartha]

What a fun and informative conversation, loved this episode, hope to see more like this.

[@TJ-hs1qm]

I'm a just-in-time learner, great line for interview questions!

[@videokmk]

The biggest problem to terraforming is not enough mass and gravity to hold a thick enough atmosphere. Related to this, the planet needs a spinning core that can generate a protective magnetic field.

[@Jake-mv7yo]

Sounds like we should work on terraforming Earth instead

[@videokmk]

@@Jake-mv7yo I think humans have already been doing that especially these last 100+ years. 😟

[@Jake-mv7yo]

more like deterraforming@@videokmk

[@MsHanBun]

I loved this episode ❤ Really great to hear from experts in the field. 👍🏻 Just a quick side note: It always bugs me when people only talk about the movie the Martian and not the book, which is much more complex and "accurate". For example, in the book he not only used martian regulus, but had some earth soil, which gave him lots of the microbes needed to grow plants. Of course the bad composition of mars regulus would have still been a problem,just saying that the book is better and more scientifically accurate.

[@tonymuscatello6288]

Regolith, not regulus. I read the book before I saw the movie and both are outstanding!

[@MsHanBun]

@@tonymuscatello6288 Sorry, native German speaker here and in German it is regulus. 😅 The book and the movie are great, but the book is just naturally more extensive.

[@MsHanBun]

@@tonymuscatello6288 turns out, even in German it is spelled differently 😄😄

[@KierraWindsong]

Agreed! It's been while since I read the book but I definitely recall the perchlorates mentioned in the book and it was a problem Mark Watney had to fix, though I don't recall if that was in relation to growing the potatoes or just in general.

[@smellyellie3185]

You can tell this was an exciting topic to discuss. I’m thoroughly entertained and informed! Kennda is an inspiration

[@jroar123]

On Mars, the only way to remove the Perchlorate will be by two means: 1.) Destructive Processes: Biological Reduction, Chemical Reduction, or Electrochemical Reduction. 2.) Physical Removal Processes: Anion Exchange and Membrane Filtration. Filtration is what we will use at first.

[@edgarmetums9437]

She rocks, totally interesting and informative. Good show.

[@vickieysacoff4249]

Great discussion and entertaining! Thanks again 😊.

[@meandyouagainstthealgorith5787]

Soil Scientist here. Regolith is an example in which USGS terms don't match with USDA terms. USDA calls such 'regolith' accumulations as Miscellaneous Areas. Dirt is soil that is out of place, such as when it's under the nails, or behind the ears.

[@dawnalarson5646]

This is possibly the best StarTalk edition ever. Her laughter is contagious, the banter was hilarious and the conversation insightful. Thanks for the watch! :-)

[@drakewinwest9888]

Addition

[@njones420]

@@drakewinwest9888 Edition: A broadcast of a radio or television program.

[@martinsassenberg9420]

First, we humans have to prove that we're able to live on our home planet.

[@aeasus]

Funny, informative, and some of the best viewing on YT.

[@adamh8908]

More Kennda Lynch pleeeaaassseeeeeer!!!!!!!

[@hmm5131]

In a recent episode, Neil mentioned how we didn't make planes with the steam engine because it would have just taken too big of a steam engine to fly. Then we get the combustion engine, now we can get that much power in a small enough form factor. Exactly like this, we don't have the tech today to terraform a planet. But we're 1 key innovation away from it being possible. Not seeing this as not just as possible but inevitable (assuming we don't destroy ourselves) is short sighted imo.

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

Mars' magnetic field is too weak. Without restarting Mars' core, there's not enough defence against the Sun's radiation. We could melt all the ice for water and grow all we can but nothing would survive. Colonizing Mars in safety domes is possible but terraforming is still out of reach.

[@vidyaishaya4839]

The key innovation for "terrafoming" an environment in space is lighting. If we can duplicate sunlight for plants, humans, and other animals, then we can live anywhere.

[@sanler2937]

Issie with your reasoning is to think that terraforming relies only on “possible”/“impossible” binary condition. Flying to the moon in 1969 was possible, but not in a practical and sustainable way.

[@MadDragon75]

My favorite part about science is the fact that it can correct itself in due time.

[@cgtactical6619]

We are more like a 100 innovations away from even being close to thinking about it

[@robbierobot5799]

She got me with: "every time we think we 've got microbes understood they go ... yeah ... hold my beer ... watch this" 🤣 @21:00

[@FreemindTv11]

KEEP LOOKING UP

[@SolarisSaber]

If you would have asked someone 300 years ago if it’s possible to fly or go to the moon they’d say it’s impossible Yes, we don’t have the technology now, but who knows what kind of tech we’ll have in 200-300 years.

[@vanivari359]

one can only hope. On the other hand, mankind has a pretty decent understanding now about physics and we reached some hard to break barriers created by nature laws. We also have a very good idea what would be necessary to "terraform mars", which makes it pretty unlikely. Even Scifi is not coming up with new stuff it seems. There is still a lot to understand in physics, especially how all the parts work together, but the probability of surprises gets lower and lower. For example, we have a good idea now how elements work and how they are created in stars and how much energy you need and how instable they are at some point. So the assumption that we will not find an alien ship build out of unknown elements is not nearly as "wild guessed" as it would have been a 100 years ago. Just a very educated guess now, so still a guess - fingers crossed.

[@robo5013]

600 years ago Da Vinci was designing flying machines, so maybe if you asked the average uneducated person 300 years ago if it would be possible to fly then they would have said no. But today most elementary school children have a broader range of knowledge, especially about science, than most people 300 years ago. That statement is a non starter because of the level of knowledge we have today compared to then, and we pretty much have figured out how everything technically works. No matter what kind of tech we have in the future we won't be able to terraform an entire planet to make it work like Earth because no matter what that tech may become physics will still be physics.

[@SolarisSaber]

@@robo5013 to terraform mars you need to heat it up and preferably have a magnetosphere. We already proved on earth it’s possible to pump gases into the atmosphere to heat things up (without even trying). Making a magnetosphere is the tricky part, restarting the planets dynamo core is way beyond human control, even in 300 years, however an external way of making a magnetosphere is much more likely. There have been ideas of using orbiting shields, but my my favorite idea is using Mars’s moons as a station to fire off charged particles into Martian orbit creating plasma torus that’s acts as a artificial magnetosphere. This is not out of human control, escaping the solar system may never happen. If that’s the case then humanity better push to terraform both earth and mars in the coming centuries.

[@robo5013]

@@SolarisSaber Making planet sized shields is science fiction, not science. Same with plasma guns from those tiny little asteroids that orbit Mars and will one day crash into it. Where are you going to get the materials to create a planet sized shield? Don't say we'll just mine asteroids, see below about cost. How long would it take to construct? If you create a shield to block the solar winds you'll also be blocking the light. How do you propose to heat the planet? Build tens of thousands of coal and gas fueled power stations? Constantly ship that fuel there? Send hundreds of millions of cars and drive them around? That's part of what's heating Earth right now. By less than 2 degrees Celsius in two hundred years. You need way more than 2 degrees warming on Mars. Humans in space lose about 1-2% of their bone density in hips and spine per month. Women giving birth on mars will shatter their pelvises and break their spines. We don't even know if a human fetus will develop in space. What affect does weightlessness, or Mars' much lower gravity, have on a developing fetus? We evolved to live on Earth, not another planet. In the end, even if all the thousands of problems were technically solvable who's going to pay for it? It would require capitol to be invested in those solutions. Capitol is only invested for profit. What's the profit motive of colonizing Mars? Don't say to 'save mankind.' That's not a profit motive, just look at what people do to make a profit at the expense of other's well being throughout history and today. Human nature is human nature and will not change. There will never be a Star Trek like utopia. Colonizing Mars isn't science, it's science fiction. And remember that fiction means make believe. It's a fantasy, not something that will become reality.

[@goldengoose97]

I would start by terraforming our own planet and reverse the climate change, before trying to terraform a whole nother planet.

[@Shadow__133]

Just make sure to build a huge snow piercing train before attempting that 👍

[@bradyoung1714]

We are terrible at that here. We end up thinking it's a good thing and just end up introducing an invasive species. I'd rather do this on another planet first where we're removed from the equation. You could fix the problems here simply by not destroying it in the first place

[@dannymartial7997]

Small minded take. Congrats, you have caveman brain

[@xBRVTALx]

Reversing climate change? You realize climate change is a natural planetary effect and reversing it would be like trying to prevent volcano eruptions. Volcanoes serve a purpose just like climate cycles serve a purpose.

[@priatalat]

Imagine wanting to literally fight mother nature. You act like the climate of the earth hasn’t been changing for billions of years already. Suddenly you have these pretentious monkeys called humans that think can change the climate of the earth.

[@rastersplatter]

Knowledgeable, funny, and interesting guest. And the comedian wasn't too bad. Great infotainment!

[@_luis_rojas_]

Amazing show!!!! Enjoyed so much 😂 she's great!

[@canvargun]

I'm wondering this: Without an active iron core that creates magnetic shielding, would it make sense to create atmosphere on Mars?

[@tonymuscatello6288]

It would if there's enough CO2 on Mars to keep replacing the atmosphere eroded by the solar wind. The head of the MAVEN Mars orbiter says there's not enough left after billions of years to do that. Adding asteroids with volatiles would help, but it'd be necessary to do it slowly because a huge impact would blow away the atmosphere as well.

[@canvargun]

You need to regularly add to the system which is not sustainable in my opinion.@@tonymuscatello6288

[@ocoet3575]

​@@tonymuscatello6288no magnetosphere means no protection from sun and cosmic radiation

[@tonymuscatello6288]

​@@ocoet3575My understanding is that a thick Mars atmosphere would last over 100,000 years, more than 10 times as long as civilization on Earth. Humanity should be able to come up with an artificial global magnetic field before then.

[@ocoet3575]

@@tonymuscatello6288 it will never happen , what are u saying is practically impossible

[@karlgoebeler1500]

I would start with moving Ceres X8 into orbit around Mars Ratio of Earth/Moon Stabilize Mars rotation maybe even restart core with Gravitational tidal Drag creating magnetic field. Same time chucking "Snowballs" Go figure. Time period 200 to 1000 years.

[@josephsworkshop75]

Wonderful guest. Well done again.

[@ArnfinnRian]

Always so solid! Great work!

[@wangtoriojackson4315]

If we put earthworms on Mars, would we have to call them marsworms?

[@dhanushmanoj3572]

Marsquake..! You legend!

[@TheJosephoenix]

When it comes to humans....never say never... maybe not today, but we don't know what tomorrow brings

[@kirkwagner461]

Great conversation. Really like this lady.

[@catoftruth1044]

topics are getting more and more interesting, Neil

[@joannmay-anthony1076]

I believe that we need a core like earth's inside mars to produce a magnetic area around the planet to maintain an atmosphere and I don't believe just teraforming will do that. So as far as a new life like planet like earth is really worth considering unless you can produce a solar storm protection system around mars.

[@Edge-wx7hv]

we'd only really need a sunshade made of mirror satellites or magnetic satellites at a barycenter between the sun and mars to block the solar wind, (and tap it for power, even). that doesn't help with the lack of an ozone layer (gonna need to live underground one way or another) or the low gravity, which last one may force us to just accept that any atmo we add is gonna need to be replaced routinely. (to say nothing of making dang sure nothing happens to the sunshade)

[@happinintendo]

Loved her! Great show

[@imoldgregg8]

Humans can do anything given enough time.

[@ETR_Unicorn]

I bet you can't grow wings.

[@JLopezz]

I would love to see humans try to create a new world and living in Mars.... will it happen in my lifetime is the question....

[@EmpyreanLightASMR]

How about we take care of our own planet first. We've literally been doing the opposite for thousands of years.

[@bobothebob4716]

We happened upon a perfect environment for us to live in and we can't even keep that going : /

[@MrSaS-uu7fm]

No bro

[@rayhenry862]

No lol

[@ogelsmogel]

It might happen some day, but that's far, far in the future.. I do hope we some day manage to thrive on another planet, because Earth won't be here forever.

[@carroll11000]

LOVED this discussion !!!

[@jamesturner2013]

Neil's a real inspiration. I'm so happy when he's on. What a guy! Can't stop talking abkut Cosmos lol

[@EmpyreanLightASMR]

Someday, I hope you guys do StarTalk episodes in the same room again. It's been nearly four years.

[@anewman]

He is. Just not every week and with guests that live nearby

[@Kleyguerth]

I don't. A channel that minds climate change and is focused on expertise over presentation media quality does not need to make guests fly over/drive over for the sole benefit of having better microphones and cameras.

[@mozkitolife5437]

Fantastic episode

[@j72ashley]

Peabody? Nice. Well done sir

[@dapperspaghettimonster]

She really opened my mind to the studies I'm wanting to get into and hearing I only need a bachelor's degree for it is nice! Loved this episode!

[@sumuduprasadini]

Love the way you guys present ❤

[@estherbradley3218]

This was great! Thanks for sharing

[@dammy_henry]

One of the best episodes i've seen! i laughed and learned!

[@lebronjamesharden3958]

dang this was a great episode!

[@sbloome77]

Very entertaining and informative thank u 😊

[@ndirangugichuki6260]

Hey, could you make a video about the " wait calculation " ?

[@universalfreebeats2859]

Just Marvlous ..... Hats off Guys Respect

[@larryselkirk426]

Thanks for this one.

[@gastonneal724]

Great job Dr,’s.

[@keithnance4209]

That was a great episode. Lots of laughs.

[@lady_draguliana784]

27:00 to be fair to the ATIP program about UAP's, the overall, primary focus was on the occurrences of poorly understood weather causing things like ball lightning, and sensor artifacts that shouldn't be, and optical illusions, and how that might threaten aircraft...

[@ClintonFerrara]

Great show.

[@erikhendrickson59]

Paul is one funny man. Great show, as always.

[@monkerud2108]

You would feed it mass and charge at different rates ofc, the energy would come from the mass mostly, but the charge would be critical for control. Especially if you are going to juggle many such black holes at once in the same generator .

[@KC-nd7nt]

I vote for chuck doing all ads from here on out . Flawless delivery

[@mrafam626]

This was incredible! I love you Neil! 🥲

[@sekaramochi1944]

Please please please never stop ❤️

[@jroar123]

Question? Will we need to take iodine as a daily medication to prevent Ammonium Perchlorate ("AP") from bonding with your thyroid?

[@Bruce-xx7ww]

This is going to be fun.

[@rodirichwuda3438]

Pose a path to where trees are growing and course the 'T' to enrich the brook area or forest culturing with specific oils?

[@analuisasolis4467]

First thanks i always love listening to your conversations😊😊😊

[@rei_carvalho]

Thanks!

[@GrumblingGradient]

wonder how deep the perchlorates go in the soil. If it is just part of the top layers maybe you could use the lower layers to grow food without the risk of perchlorates.

[@iwannaseenow1]

Please have her on again.. and the comedian. Great episode!

[@katherandefy]

That was wonderful

[@sarang47]

This was an explainer FOR Neil!!

[@t.o.double9497]

What a delight she was. Very entertaining and charismatic.

[@alexfleener]

All smiles thanks 🙏

[@Russia-bullies]

Can we not assume that e. t. can read,speak,listen & write & assume that it communicates in ways we have yet to comprehend?Thanks for the informative & entertaining show.We should consider using photons as a means of long distance comm in space.

[@monkerud2108]

In soil, you also usual have other referees like fungus usually, you could say that soils usually change through a sort of "adiabatic" slow process of succession, something dies falls onto an already established microcosm and so on, what this is about is trying to create a completely new simplified soil that is already in such a pseudo equilibrium, which is difficult, we have been dealing with the problems of that sort for a really long time, in agriculture, and whennwe do that it introduces a broken equilibrium in the succession process of soils as part of the biosphere, this problem is sort of the same kind of problem as that but in a more elementary way than changing the plants to grow there andnraking up the soil layers. I think we need more commedians on it. 🍻

[@jackweston3011]

Chuck you need to take some pointers from this guy, he's excellent!