Podcast: Neil deGrasse Tyson in the Hot Seat

Posted on by onespaceman2000

Last week’s Real Time with Bill Maher included an interview with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, which did not go very well given the line of questioning. Mr. Maher was trying to entrap Dr. Tyson into some anti-woke politics, but he did not play along.

With all the topics Dr. Tyson could address on the show, it was a waste of time for viewers to witness this ambush. Mr. Maher continues to forget that he is a comedian and his guests come onto the show to have some fun. You can listen to the mess here.

Fortunately, the Overtime show after the main show, which focuses on questions from the audience, finally addressed some space-related questions, including one about Mr. Musk’s plans to go to Mars. Dr. Tyson said the costs, risks, and return on investment do not currently justify such a mission. However, he pointed out that once it becomes a space race with China then it may be something worth pursuing.

It was an interesting answer, and yet it seemed to ignore that we already have decided as a nation to go to Mars under the Artemis program even with the cost, risks, and lack of return on investment. It has a different time-table than Mr. Musk’s vision, but it is a plan that seems to be in place at the moment.

Maybe Dr. Tyson believes that too will be a space race similar to what it going on now with China regarding a Moon landing. It seems more likely than not at the moment.

Anyway, ignore the main show and tap into the Overtime show for some fun space-related discussions.

Podcast: Discussion with Ray Kurzweil

Posted on by onespaceman2000

Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews futurist Ray Kurzweil in this repeat StarTalk episode from November 2022 titled “Could We Someday Liver Forever? With Ray Kurzweil.” It is a heavy conversation about living forever as we integrate technology even more into our lives. Throughout the conversation Neil makes reference to a book coming out in 2023. In fact, the book came out in June of this year, which is probably why the episode is available again.

Here is a description of the new book from the publisher:

In this entirely new book Ray Kurzweil brings a fresh perspective to advances toward the Singularity—assessing his 1999 prediction that AI will reach human level intelligence by 2029 and examining the exponential growth of technology—that, in the near future, will expand human intelligence a millionfold and change human life forever. Among the topics he discusses are rebuilding the world, atom by atom with devices like nanobots; radical life extension beyond the current age limit of 120; reinventing intelligence by connecting our brains to the cloud; how exponential technologies are propelling innovation forward in all industries and improving all aspects of our well-being such as declining poverty and violence; and the growth of renewable energy and 3-D printing. He also considers the potential perils of biotechnology, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence, including such topics of current controversy as how AI will impact employment and the safety of autonomous cars, and “After Life” technology, which aims to virtually revive deceased individuals through a combination of their data and DNA.

The culmination of six decades of research on artificial intelligence, The Singularity Is Nearer is Ray Kurzweil’s crowning contribution to the story of this science and the revolution that is to come.

You will want listen to the podcast interview, and afterward you might even want to pick up the book.

Credit: Viking

Podcast: Alan Alda Interviews Astronaut Cady Coleman

Posted on by onespaceman2000

If you missed it, check out Alan Alda’s podcast Clear & Vivid for his recent interview with NASA astronaut Cady Coleman.

It’s a thoughtful interview as only Mr. Alda can do it. Ms. Coleman discusses her experiences on the International Space Station (ISS), which she calls a “floating palace.” Ms. Coleman has been part of three space missions, including two space shuttle missions as well as a stay on the ISS.

Ms. Coleman discusses funny episodes in her career, such as losing control of bbq sauce in zero gravity, as well as her overall feeling that the ISS represents something positive for all of humanity, regardless of the crazy movie plots where the astronauts and cosmonauts are at each other’s throats. She pointed out that the ISS was nominated for a Nobel peace prize back in 2014, which she thought was an appropriate gesture.

Overall, its a good conversation that may give you more insight into how one lives in space in such tight quarters.

Listen in if you get a chance.

Podcast: Getting to Mars and Staying Alive

Posted on by onespaceman2000

If you are interested in the future of humanity on Mars, you may want to tune into Red Planet Radio from The Mars Society. A recent podcast, as well as an upcoming podcast, highlight some things to consider before you pack your bags.

Back on June 15, in the podcast titled “Dr. Antonio Paris, Astrophysicist, Author “Mars: Your Personal 3-D Journey!,” we heard from Dr. Antonio Paris, who is the Chief Scientist at the Center for Planetary Science as well as an Assistant Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at St. Petersburg College, Florida. In this podcast, Dr. Paris discussed the difficulties of traveling in space as well as the types of structures one might need to build to live safely on Mars. He also discussed his recent book, Mar: Your Personal 3D Journey to the Red Planet.

Tomorrow (July 2) another podcast episode will include a three-person NASA panel discussing topics such as general Mars exploration, strategies for sample returns from the Red Planet, and the architecture supporting Moon to Mars missions.

The three panelists are:

  • Nujoud Merancy: Deputy Associate Administrator, Strategy and Architecture Office, in the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate for NASA Headquarters.
  • Eric Ianson: Deputy Director, Planetary Science Division, and Director, Mars Exploration Program and Radioisotope Power Systems Program at NASA Headquarters. 
  • Dr. Lindsay Hays: Program Scientist in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters and Deputy Program Scientist for the Mars Sample Return Mission. 

I enjoyed the first episode and look forward to tomorrow’s discussion.

And don’t forget that from August 8-11 The Mars Society will hold its 27th Annual International Mars Society Convention at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. You can see videos from prior conventions here.

Credit: The Center for Planetary Science, Inc.

Podcast: A Mixed Week for Musk

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Image (Credit): Scene from a Tesla crash. (fox2detroit.com)

While things appear to be going Elon Musk’s way with his ridiculous Tesla pay package, The Wall Street Journal had another story this week that discussed his self-serving management style that should not merit reward. The article, “Elon Musk’s Boundary-Blurring Relationships With Women at SpaceX,” highlights some pretty horrible behavior for a man that then and now believes he is above the law (and all codes of decency).

If you cannot read the Journal article, you can find summaries of the story elsewhere or listen to the Wall Street Journal podcast called The Journal. The podcast is titled “Elon Musk’s Unusual Relationships With Women at SpaceX.”

It is scary that the US space program is so dependent on the behavior of this man, who has already been part of prior Wall Street Journal articles about his drug use.

We need to build greater depth in our space program, be it Blue Origin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab, or others. The dream of a stronger space program could die if we tie too much to one man.