🌌Human behaviors and interests can be traced back to our evolutionary history
🔍Viruses are highly effective at survival and reproduction
🌍When we die, our energy is released back into the Earth or the universe
🎥Our fascination with movie stars may stem from ancient instincts
💀Our consciousness does not continue after death, but rather fades away with our brain functions
Are humans a virus to the Earth?
—Neil deGrasse Tyson explains that while humans do cause damage and destruction to the Earth, we are not like a virus in the way that viruses infect and kill their hosts. Humans have the capacity to change our behavior and mitigate the negative effects of our presence on the planet.
What happens to our atoms and molecules after death?
—After death, our atoms and molecules eventually return to the Earth or the universe. If we are cremated, our energy is released as heat and eventually radiated into space. If we are buried, our body decomposes and is eventually absorbed by plants and other organisms.
Can our consciousness continue after death?
—No, our consciousness does not continue after death. Our consciousness is a result of neurosynaptic firings in our brain, which cease to exist once our brain functions stop. There is no scientific evidence to support the idea of an afterlife or the continuation of consciousness.
Why are humans fascinated by movie stars?
—Humans are fascinated by movie stars because they trigger evolutionary instincts. In our ancestral past, the person who brought home the food and provided for the tribe was highly valued as a mate. The elevated status of movie stars in modern society taps into these deep-seated instincts.
What is the best way to dispose of our remains?
—Neil deGrasse Tyson suggests cremation as a way to release our energy back into the universe. However, he also acknowledges the option of traditional burial, where our remains can nourish the Earth and become part of the natural cycle of life.
00:00Neil deGrasse Tyson, Gary O'Reilly, and Chuck Nice discuss various topics related to the cosmos and consciousness in this Star Talk Special Edition.
08:30Humans exhibit evolutionary behaviors and interests, such as fascination with movie stars.
25:48Viruses are highly effective at survival and reproduction.
39:01After death, our energy is released back into the Earth or the universe through cremation or burial.
50:18Our consciousness does not continue after death, as it is dependent on brain functions.
