Cosmic Queries – Science Storytelling with LeVar Burton

About This Episode

What science concepts have we not seen in fiction? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice sit down with actor and national treasure LeVar Burton to discuss future science and storytelling, and to answer fan questions. 

What if you actually saw the whole electromagnetic spectrum? We discuss LeVar’s role on Star Trek, the evolution of technology through human civilization, and the digital age. Does science fiction play a special role in storytelling? We break down speculative fiction as a political act and Neil’s interaction with Ray Bradbury. 

What is LeVar reading? Learn about LeVar’s podcast, LeVar Burton Reads, and what you should be reading next. We dive into questions from our patrons like: How did you deliver Star Trek jargon in a believable way? What unexplored science concept would be enjoyable to watch? What is your favorite episode of Star Trek: Next Generation? Find out what we think it would take for humanity to band together and how we can make science literacy more accessible. 

Next, we explore future climate solutions and electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Bolt EUV. We break down the accessibility of electric vehicles and common worries about them. Can I take road trips? Is my Chevy going to die on the way to the levee? Discover how we’re going to get anti-green movement people to go electric. All that, plus, when the #$%& are we going to get wormholes already?! 

Thanks to our Patrons Gabriel Paavola, Robert Marchal, DarenW, Im The Wiener Dog, vamsee krishna jayanthi, Stan Russell, Balackey, Chris Page, Paul Anderson, and Angy Phillips for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.