Starts With A Bang — June 29, 2016

New Starts With A Bang Podcast: Interstellar Travel

And the wisdom from an exclusive interview with Larry Niven.

Ever since humanity had the thought that the distant, twinkling stars might be Suns like our own, with their own planetary systems and chances at life, we’ve dreamed of extending humanity’s reach to the galaxy and beyond. What are our actual chances of doing so, technologically, scientifically and practically? This podcast — based on an exclusive interview with Larry Niven — explores what’s possible.

The new Starts With A Bang Podcast, on interstellar travel, is now live and free to listen-and-download for all!

Made possible by the generous donations of our Patreon supporters. Become one and help us unlock the next creative goals and rewards today!

Collage of classical art suggesting a theme related to somatic markers.

Business

How “somatic markers” can transform your decision-making

Ditch the old brain vs. heart assumptions, and instead think about a heart-led brain.

A black and white image of a bunch of spheres, symbolizing the multiverse concept discussed by scientists.

Starts With A Bang

How logic and reasoning can fail as scientific tools

In logic, 'reductio ad absurdum' shows how flawed arguments fall apart. Our absurd Universe, however, often defies our intuitive reasoning.

A wooden sign indicating "assisted migration rep 2" in a pine forest under a clear blue sky.

Life

Moving trees north to save the forests

As the world warms, trees in forests such as those in Minnesota will no longer be adapted to their local climates. That’s where assisted migration comes in.

Historical map illustration depicting a planned city layout with a circular central area and radiating streets.

Strange Maps

Ohio’s Circleville ditched the grid system. Then it got squared.

A small Ohio town tried to escape America’s addiction to rectangular grids. It didn’t last long.

Bullet Cluster separation mass gravity x-ray lensing

Starts With A Bang

Flagship NASA space telescope faces a penny-pinching death

NASA's only flagship X-ray telescope ever, Chandra, still works and has no planned successor. So why does the President want to kill it?

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Starts With A Bang

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