Are We Alone? SETI Institute Science Radio: 12 July Edition: The Universe in Theory

Are We Alone? SETI Institute Science Radio

Hosted by Dr. Seth Shostak

July 12, 2006 (available for download July 13, 2006) The Universe in Theory

There are a few important things we know about the universe - it's 13.7 billion years old, it was once smaller than the head of a pin, and it's expanding at a pace that becomes more breakneck each second. But in theory, our cosmos could hold many more surprises.

Join us as an astrophysicist argues that the universe has a meaningful message for humans who, despite Copernicus, occupy a special place at its "center."

Also, could the discovery of life elsewhere throw religion into a tailspin?

And why the wacky laws of quantum physics not only ensure that an electron can be in multiple places at once, but might be keys to both quantum computers and -- possibly -- teleportation.

Guests:

• Paul Davies, a theoretical physicist and cosmologist at the Australian Centre for Astrobiology at Macquarie University
• Joel Primack, a physicist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Nancy Ellen Abrams, science writer -- authors of The View from the Center of the Universe
• Marcus Chown, a science writer and author of The Quantum Zoo

Are We Alone? is broadcast on Discovery Channel Radio Sirius 119 Wednesdays at 2:00 and 9:00 a.m., and 9:00 p.m. EDT, with a third repeat airing Sundays at 11:00 p.m. EDT.

The show is also available as a download on this site and is podcast as SETI:Science & Skepticism. Podcast information

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