Our guest this week needs no introduction for those in the skeptical and secular world. After all, he has a frakkin’ asteroid named after him.
He’s Phil Plait—science blogger extraordinaire for Discover Blogs, where he authors “Bad Astronomy.” Recently, Plait joined Point of Inquiry for a wide ranging conversation about standing eggs on end, Apollo moon landing deniers, wacky yet endearing Hollywood bad science, something called “spaghettification,” ... and the end of the world.
Phil Plait is a skeptic and an astronomer, and former president of the James Randi Educational Foundation. He lectures widely across the country and is the author of two books, most recently Death from the Skies: These Are the Ways the World Will End.
Hooray!! Now tell us again, why the moon landing is not a hoax?? (Just kidding!) I just found out that the name of the color of the universe has been dubbed cosmic latte! Can you share any thoughts about current multiverse theories?
You’ll enjoy the interview, George. I just listened to it. Phil’s sense of humor came through quite well, and Chris did a good job. Very enjoyable podcast.
George,
I could go back to letting the forums ask questions. But last time I tried it, nobody did so….
chris
Chris, I think some interviews are more conducive to questions than others.
Some I have no questions for, some subjects I don’t know enough about to ask pertinent questions, and sometimes someone just beats me to the punch!
I can’t wait to listen to this one!
The argument is that an advanced civilization might just get rid of civilization in this solar system in the 1,000-10,000 years before we could be a threat (sort of a George W. Bush civilization of mass destruction argument with a pre-emptive strike).
This would have been a nice opportunity to advertise the interview on both your blog and Plait’s and invite questions from both places including this forum.
In general you do a great job in reading the book and asking questions—a more open question would be, what other ideas have surfaced since the 2008 book—Plait probably knows other angles as well..
Comment 61/160 in the Phil Plait link also mentioned the Forge of God by Greg Bear, another good hard science fiction book on the same topic (except it has a sequel Anvil of Stars where Earth remnants fight back). The Killing Star just ends….
I get it. I don’t think every guest can cause quite the ripple that Phil does, because sometimes I’m picking them because they are experts in an *issue* I want to cover, or I’ve heard them speak and just immediately thought, that person would be a great guest (even if they’re not as famous in the science blogosphere as Phil). But I will be aware of this, and try to get the forums reengaged.
Thanks for the consideration Chris. BTW, it was a great interview!
I enjoyed it as well.
Although I do have one quibble. There were a couple of times where your voice trailed off and I couldn’t hear what you said. Then I would hear Phil laugh, so you must have said something. Granted, I was listening via ear buds while driving my car, so it’s certainly reasonable that ambient noise was part of the problem.
I had no problem hearing Chris. I listened to the podcast in my home office, where I have a 225 wpc amplifier driving three-way speakers that sit less than five feet from me. Some people consider that overkill for a 10x13 foot room.
I had no problem hearing Chris. I listened to the podcast in my home office, where I have a 225 wpc amplifier driving three-way speakers that sit less than five feet from me. Some people consider that overkill for a 10x13 foot room.
(Just kidding!) I just found out that the name of the color of the universe has been dubbed cosmic latte! Can you share any thoughts about current multiverse theories?
Can’t wait to listen to the interview.
But nor to worry, Chris, I understand.
