Astrobiology and Space Exploration

Life is extreme chemical complexity, and knowing that life-forming chemicals are widespread in the universe, it may be posited that the universe, if the conditions are right, is poised for life.

Lynn Rothschild, Research Scientist NASA Astrobiology Institute Ames Research Center, discusses the need for and attempts to create an operational definition of what it means to be alive.

She also discusses evolution in the context of space and time, focusing on the emergence of life in a planetary context on Earth and possibly elsewhere as well as the evolution of intelligence and the search for it elsewhere.

Lectures included in the playlist above:

From Astrochemistry to Astrobiology

The Search for other Earths and Life in the Universe

What is Life?

Evolution

Life in Extreme Environments

How Predictable Is Evolution?

Catastrophic Impacts in Earth’s History

The Search for Life on Mars

Darwin’s Birthday

Life Beyond It’s Planet of Origin

Biologically Reversible Exploration

Advanced Life Support Systems

A Human Place in Outer Space

A Life with SETI

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The Extended Mind

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tomregit
He is no orator, but it may be a technical problem. The mic is poorly placed and sniffing, coughing, throat clearing, and foot shuffling in the audience is as loud as the speaker’s muffled voice But then, I’m comfortable listening to Chomsky so it may be individual taste.
wald0
I give up, not only is his voice very annoying and hard to understand- he mumbles constantly and his presentation is BORING. I don’t even understand how one can make such interesting information this boring, but he has managed. Give this same information to someone like Brian Cox and you have a whole different presentation.
wald0
I am quite sure that this guy has something very important and interesting to say however- unfortunately it seems he attended the Noam Chomsky school for public speaking (LOL). Both of these guys sound like they haven’t had a nights sleep in days. Their voices are very monotone and rough sounding, very quite as well- of course I will concede that in this case that has a lot to do with the sound track of this particular video but still this guy has the same voice problems as Chomsky- just not quite as bad in my opinion. I can’t listen to Chomsky for long unless I want to go to sleep- he sounds so sleepy himself that it puts me right out. That said if you can tolerate the voice this is a great presentation.