Marcelo Gleiser: Astrobiology, The Miracle of Life, and How Science Actually Works

Welcome to The Darin Olien Show. In this episode, Marcelo Gleiser, author of The DAWN of a Mindful Universe, dives into a variety of topics including how science really works, the importance of credibility and accuracy in scientific knowledge, the role of individual actions in addressing the environment, and our connection with nature, astrobiology which is the study of life in the universe, and exploring the possibility of extraterrestrial life and our unique place in the universe. We also discuss environmental science, highlighting our exploitative relationship with nature and the impending environmental crisis, the dangers of misinformation, and the necessity for science to be seen as a community-based truth rather than an individual interpretation. Marcelo Gleiser is a theoretical physicist and public intellectual at Dartmouth College working on basic research ranging from cosmology and applications of information theory to complex phenomena to history and philosophy of science and how science and culture interact. He is devoted to the public understanding of science and is a popular speaker with a strong social media presence and books published in 15 languages. BREAKDOWN (0:07:15) – The importance of credibility in science, the challenges of misinformation, and the evolving nature of scientific knowledge (0:23:07) – The environmental crisis, the role of individual actions, and the power of education and collective change (0:30:22) – The interconnectedness of humans and nature, the physiological benefits of being in nature, and the responsibility humans have to the universe (0:46:37) – Tribalism, human interconnectedness, the changes brought about by the pandemic, and the power of the human spirit and consumerism (0:57:12) – The realm of astrobiology, contemplating the uniqueness of humanity, the possibility of extraterrestrial life, and humanity’s place in the universe links Find more from Marcelo Gleiser: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gleiserofficial/ Book link: https://tinyurl.com/2pjk8sjz Website: https://marcelogleiser.com/ Find more from Darin: Website: https://superlife.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darinolien/ Book: https://superlife.com/fatal-conveniences-book/ Down to Earth: https://superlife.com/down-to-earth/ SPONSORS Thank you to our sponsors: Manna Vitality: Go to www.mannavitality.com and use code DARIN12 at checkout for 12% off. Tech Wellness: Go over to techwellness.com/darin and use code DARIN for 15% off. Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Barùkas: Go to www.barukas.com and use code DARINPOD10 for a 10% discount. I hope you enjoyed this episode of The Darin Olien Show! If you want to support or follow the podcast, here’s how: Subscribe, rate or listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher Follow my Instagram to keep updated on the podcast, weekly deep dives and other projects that I’m supporting (and the occasional Chaga appreciation post) Sign up for my Weekly Email to keep up with what I’m tuned into. For feedback or suggestions, email my team at [email protected] Find the list of brands & products that get the big tick of approval from me here. Comment below to join the discussion!