Podcasts: Big Picture Science (formerly Are We Alone), StarTalk Radio
Big Picture Science: The Big Picture
Hosts: Seth Shostak, Molly Bentley
Guests: Nicolas Humphrey and others
Release Date: July 11, 2011
This past week I listened to two of my favorite science podcasts (both are radio shows), and on both I heard some interesting comments about death.
Since I discovered this show last December, Are We Alone has been one of my favorite science podcasts. The topics are fascinating, the hosts are witty and entertaining, the discussions and guests are knowledgeable and interesting. I learn a lot and have fun at the same time. It's produced by The SETI Institute, the folks who search for signs of extraterrestrial life, but the topics span all of science, not just Astronomy.
This week's show was the first episode broadcast as the new name, Big Picture Science. The topics for this first episode addressed some really big questions: "How did life begin? What’s the universe made of, and what’s the nature of consciousness?, Will the Cubs ever win a World Series? Just kidding about the last one. I think they are Houston Astros fans.
Nicolas Humphrey, the next to last guest, ended his interview with an intriguing insight about consciousness. First I should explain that Humphrey is "a theoretical psychologist, based in Cambridge, "who is known for his work on the evolution of human intelligence and consciousness." (quoted from his website). He has had positions at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and has authored several books, most recently Soul Dust: The Magic of Consciousness
After an exchange with host Molly Bentley about how consciousness gives meaning to human life, Humphrey concluded that "Consciousness made us fear death, and do everything we could not to go into that oblivion. Animals don’t think about death. They don't understand death. Humans for the first time of any animal on Earth faced up to death and do face it every day of their lives. And, of course, we fear death more than anything because we fear the loss of consciousness."
StarTalk Radio: The Political Science of The Daily Show
Host: Neil deGrasse Tyson
Co-Host: Leighann Lord, Comedian
Guests: Jon Stewart, Host of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central, Charles Liu, Professor of astrophysics at CUNY (City University of new York)
Release Date: May 22, 2011
Speaking of science shows that are entertaining and informative, few can match StarTalk Radio. The host, Neil deGrasse Tyson is a well known astrophysicist and the Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Natural History in New York. A professional comedian joins Tyson as a co-host on each show. This episode was funnier than usual because the main host, Jon Stewart, was no less comedic in his unscripted conversations.
But the banter was more than funny: at least one comment by Stewart echoed Nicolas Humphrey's point about consciousness by saying that humans fear death while animals do not. Stewart them remarked that "Because we know we are going to die, science is in essence that search we have to either come up with an answer, or to solve the dilemma, or to ease our minds about the uncertainty."
I've heard that the fear of death and the need for some kind of emotional defense against death is one explanation for why people embrace religion. But this is the first time I've heard of science cast in the same role. Hmm, that's one to ponder.
As enlightening as I found these views, I do have one small quibble with both Humphreys and Stewart. Both assume that animals lack enough consciousness to fear death. Do we really know that for a fact? Is it even possible for us to know without a doubt that animals really do lack any thoughts about their own death? Scientists recently discovered that at least five animal species (some primates, some non-primates) can actually recognize their own image in a mirror. I'm not saying your garden variety squirrel is a mental match for any human. But I would not be surprised if future research reveals even more forms of animal thought that we now have no clue about. At least that what my cat thinks, and who am I to argue?
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