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?

One of the best books in the skeptical or popular science literature, IMO, along with his equally good Bad Astronomy. Excellent!

One of the best books period. Too bad we never got the chance to ask questions. I have about 10^92 of them…  :-) Can’t wait to listen to the interview.

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

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! :cheese:
I can’t wait to listen to this one!

George,
I could go back to letting the forums ask questions. But last time I tried it, nobody did so….
chris

I was surprised that while you were on the topic of aliens, you didn’t dig more into Hawking’s warning this spring and the recent discussion on the topic
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-hawking-aliens-20100508,0,757774.story

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).

Phil Plait even got into this in his blog—the aliens might just send robots to do the dirty work—
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2010/04/26/in-which-i-disagree-with-stephen-hawking/

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..

available for $6.00 or less from Amazon..
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61ISFu1bbqL._SL110_.jpg

The hard science fiction book “The Killing Star” by Charles Pellegrino and George Zebrowksi gives a detailed account without the HG Wells happy ending.
http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Star-Charles-Pellegrino/dp/0688139892

George,
I could go back to letting the forums ask questions. But last time I tried it, nobody did so….
chris

Last time you haven’t had Phil Plait on your show.  ;-) But nor to worry, Chris, I understand.

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….

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2010/04/26/in-which-i-disagree-with-stephen-hawking/

George,

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.

chris

Thanks for the consideration Chris. BTW, it was a great interview!

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.

Anyone else notice anything with the volume?

Take care,

Derek

Now I’ll have to listen again, darn…. ;-)

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.

:lol:  :-P %-P

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.

But does it go to 11? ;)

Take care,

Derek

I don’t know. My ears give up at about 2.5.

But does it go to 11?

Why not just make 10 that much louder?

It’s a Spinal Tap reference… As Emily Litella (Gilda Radner character) would say: “Nevermind.” :)

Take care,

Derek

I caught it.

And where’s my Stonehenge monument?  The dwarfs are getting impatient.

I caught it.

And where’s my Stonehenge monument?  The dwarfs are getting impatient.

Then my memories of the movie are spotty at best…  :red:

Take care,

Derek

Nevermind.  I am now caught in one of my stage props and the roadies are trying to pry me out.  I am continuing to play, however.