Mindthunder

Scientific research is a fundamentally human endeavor. Our innate curiosity drives us to explore and understand the world around us. But as Scott and Casey dig in on this grand topic they learn it can get complicated. Fast. We explore the impact of funding sources on the scientific processes and outcomes. We look at the human incentives for rewarding scientists and ask, are we rewarding the right things? As usual, we find some answers, but even more questions. 

We've sent humans to the moon. We've sent probes to every planet in our solar system. But we've never tried to go to another star before. Yuri Milner has launched the Breakthrough Starshot Initiative to do just that: send man-made probes to the Alpha Centauri system 4.3 light years away. Casey and Scott dive into this initiative, what it will take to make it happen technically, economically, and what it means for human space exploration.

Show notes: What do you do? 5:20 - "The Season 6 finale for 'Game of Thrones' drew the largest audience in the history of the series, with 8.9 million viewers tuning into HBO on Sunday night, according to Nielsen." 17:12 - Who built the pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex? Skilled workers feasting on prime beef? And when? Graham Hancock is the writer whose name Casey was seeking. 21:30 - Five-year plans of China - first plan put in place in 1953; thirteenth plan put in place in 2016 (no apparent hundred-year plan)   Popularity of the name "Millard" in the U.S. over time: Teddy Roosevelt was Assistant Secretary of the Navy between April 19th, 1897 and May 10th, 1898. 12:30 - New Horizons team (pre-cursor to the full-fledged NASA mission) was formed in December 2000, so the mission has been in the works for fifteen-plus years. 13:34 - Breakthrough Starshot (and The Herlihy Boy) 27:30 - "Yo we like a twig in the nile we just flowin'" - Lovely Daze by DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince 28:10 - Ken Burns's Stanfor

What is the most environmentally sustainable diet? What is the healthiest diet? Mindthunder digs deep on farming and nutrition, and uncovers more questions that need answered.

In a world full of glasses, contacts, and LASIK, Mindthunder asks: was it always like this? What are the respective roles of genotype and phenotype in modern vision? Casey and Scott search for answers in genetics, environment, behavior, and diet with their trademark "seat of the pants" style.