Life, Death, and Interstellar Wi-Fi

The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast

Hopefully this podcast will stretch your thinking.

Teddy, a listener from Norwich, England, sent your co-hosts Stuart and William a question to discuss - “For man to leave earth and colonise space, it's felt we need to lengthen our own lifespans somewhat, or become immortal, due to the time needed to cover the vast distances. Will we be doing that travel through avatars, or biological robots that we direct remotely through neurological pathways? If we do that will that mean we as the pilots still aren’t immortal, but the vessel is? Can anything last forever though?”

William highlights the challenges posed by the speed of light, emphasising the significant delay in data transmission. Even Mars, our neighbouring planet, presents difficulties due to vast distances and our current understanding of physics. Interstellar travel remains beyond our reach, and human bodies are ill-suited for space conditions.

William also doubts that extraterrestrial species have visited Earth, given the immense interstellar gaps.

Stuart counters by pointing out our energy limitations on Earth. Prolonged human lifespans introduce medical complexities, making long-distance space travel problematic. He advocates addressing terrestrial issues before venturing into space, as we already leave debris and prioritise mineral extraction. Stuart questions the motivation behind exploring new worlds, considering the inevitable breakdown of robots sent into space.

In summary, the conversation revolves around the feasibility of interstellar travel, our planetary responsibilities, and the purpose of space exploration.

Shreenika, from Western Province, Sri Lanka offers up the second question for discussion - “Never set a question for this podcast before. Thanks for the opportunity. How precarious is human existence?”

Stuart acknowledges the fleeting nature of human existence and asserts that some form of survival will persist regardless of future events. He proposes investigating the origin of the word “precarious.”

William emphasises our ability to control certain aspects, such as wars, while acknowledging uncontrollable threats like meteorite impacts. He raises concerns about the possibility of another pandemic due to increased human proximity.

William suggests that recognizing life’s precariousness should prompt us to appreciate moments and cherish connections with others.

In essence, the conversation revolves around existential uncertainty, human agency, and the value of embracing the present.

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠[e-mail]

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This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice.

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