GWC Podcast #188: Cosmos, Part I

Podcasts Galactic Watercooler
#1

In this episode we get down on some science fact! Highlights: we get the “billyons and billyons” jokes out of the way up front, enjoy Cosmos’ wonderful mix of astronomy and humanities, ponder the role of man in the keeping of history, discuss the difference between fact and opinion, enjoy the awesome circle of inspiration between science fiction and science fact, wonder if exploration will continue at the rate it did during Cosmos’ production, and watch Audra lose about $0.47 American.

[Direct Download](http://media.libsyn.com/media/galacticawatercooler/GWC-Podcast-188.mp3)Blog Post

#2

Very funny and whacky.

“There was probably some T&A involved in how you were made.” OMG I laughed so hard.

Mutant B team was great too.

Here are some space junk maps:
http://www.esa.int/esaMI/ESOC/SEMN2VM5NDF_mg_1.html
http://cellar.org/iotd.php?threadid=1012

#3

I can’t believe there are so few comments on this episode! I listened to it as soon as it came out and LOVED every minute. One of your best episodes, guys.

I had never seen Cosmos before and didn’t really know anything about it, but started watching it on Netflix so I could follow along with GWC. I’m up to episode four now and am really really enjoying it. It’s weird, but so good. Can’t wait to finish the rest of the episodes, and to listen to the rest of the arc when it comes out. I keep recommending it to everyone I know (=both Cosmos and GWC)! I can only imagine how inspiring and life-changing it would be to watch Cosmos as a kid, like Sean.

#4

Actually that kinda took me by surprise as well…but if a few people check out the series and get something from it then it’s worth doing in my book. :smiley:

I have enjoyed this material since I can remember and sharing it with others is better still!

#5

I remember the first time I saw cosmos was in a science class in school.
The only reason at that age I took any notice was the way he spoke.
Its captivating.

#6

I wouldn’t take it personally. Isn’t it harder to discuss or debate science fact than science fiction? Well, unless you don’t believe in the science, but let’s not get into that.

#7

I have put off listening until I can re-watch all of the content of the Cast. I am only through ep 2. so I will come back when I listen to the Cast.

off to the call in show * wooooosh *

#8

Busy weekend here, haven’t been able to listen to the cast undisturbed, hence, I can’t post an informed comment on the cast yet. One thing I want to point out for people who are looking to purchase this 13-episode extravaganza is that Amazon is close to $100, while iTunes is less than $26. Quite a difference…

For watchers in the US, it’s still free and on Hulu.com.

#9

The subject matter is great but I would rather read it. If they had shown this to me in school I would have been that kid in the back that fell asleep. Come to think of it, maybe they did show it and I did fall asleep…

#10

You would miss out on the incredible (especially considering that this series came out in 1980) special effects. In the case of Cosmos, they really had an impact in getting the subject matter to hit home.

#11

I think a lot of us who are interested in Space got our start from one book/documentary. I’ve been into Sci-Fi as long as I can remember, but what really got me into the science of space was this book called “The Universe” by James Muirden. Its sort of an enclopedia, but its short enough and has enough pictures I was able able to read the whole thing when I was 7 or so.

I still have it, none worse for wear:

It’s a bit outdated now (copyright 1987 - Yikes!) and even when I was reading it, but it did an amazing job of introducing space to me. Hearing Sean talk about Cosmos definitly reminded me of how I feel about that book.

#12

I too had a book… copyright 1985, even more yikes! It was my favorite book when I was kid, though I found it very annoying that the text explained that one day the sun would explode, but didn’t give me any idea of when!

#13

OMG! I saw that book in a library or somewhere when I was younger and totally wanted it. Thanks for reminding me!

I wonder if I can find a copy some how.

Edit: I think the book I’m thinking of was Our Universe by the same author. Trying to find a picture of the cover.

#14

Guess I have to blame Carl Sagan a bit for steering me in to the field of Physics. Watched Cosmos as a kid and got completely sucked in to stars and astronomy.

It’s hard to have more fun than when performing experiments in a lab where one try to study processes that could explain how organic matter could be formed in dirty ices out in interstellar space. Too bad though that it’s hard to get the funding to be able to continue.

#15

Wow, those are new books! Mine are like from the '70’s (Jeebus Cripes!)! The U.S. Space program (Gemini & Apollo esp) got me hooked on science and science fictions (hey there were rockets and space ships on the cover, I’mma read it!) and Cosmos airing got me hooked on Astronomy and a little bit of Cosmology. Even thought about taking some college courses…but saw how much math was involved…and I suck at math…big time.

Great podcast. Really am enjoying re-visiting Cosmos. :smiley: And good to hear Juan on the casts too!

#16

Thanks to Fenatic for finding the cover of Our Universe. I couldn’t find a picture of the cover anywhere.

Looks like the book I was thinking of really was The Universe and not Our Universe. It’s weird because I felt like I read The Universe before its copyright year.

#17

I loved this 'cast. I love Cosmos and it is great to see it getting play today and staying fresh. Great arc idea.

Do talk about the music some.

#18

I love the evolution section in #2, it reminded me of this Fatboy Slim video:

//youtu.be/elX3Ol9ommc

(pardon the tremendous math error in the beginning)

#19

Really enjoying re-watching Cosmos. Just finished Episode 2 and starting Ep 3.

#20

I think Chuck and I are about the same age. My 20th high School reunion is next year, so unless Chuck was a child prodigy, we should only be a year or two apart.

Since Cosmos seems to have been so influential for “our” generation (or at least “my” generation), I wonder what the kids of today will be talking/thinking about 20 years from now as their inspiration? Will it be something from Discovery, Science, or History channels? Will it be the fact that we have mobile pictures from the surface of Mars? Will it be the International Space Station? Will it be space tourism? Will it be Carl Sagan and the Cosmos series itself?Whatever their inspiration, I can only hope that this next generation is able to make as many scientific strides as my generation has seen since graduating high school.

I want my flying car after all.

Shooter out.