Cosmic Queries – Surviving the Laws of Physics with Steve-O

About This Episode

How fast is a porta-potty slingshot? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and professional stuntman and comedian, Steve-O, break down the science of Jackass, explosions, and what it takes to survive the laws of physics.

Learn about Steve-O’s book A Hard Kick in the Nuts and his “Bucket List Tour” as he details the stunts he’s wanted to do his whole life. We talk about the laws of physics and the art of being a professional stuntman. Should Steve-O take a physics class? We explore the physics of intentionally crashing a smart car with a human inside it. Is there a way to do it safely? What’s the fastest you can go without getting seriously injured? What about going off Niagara falls?

How high did the porta-potty slingshot go? Steve-O details one of his most iconic stunts and the story behind getting excrement for it: it’s more complicated than you would think! What is Steve-O’s biggest injury? When has physics screwed him over the most? Find out whether Steve-O has left the gene pool or not and his stunt involving an intentional vasectomy.

We explore the methane released into Steve-O’s fart mask and the blast of an underwater fart explosion. Steve-O asks his burning questions to Neil: what happens after we die? We explore near death experiences and the nature of consciousness. Discover why Steve-O speaks Portuguese in his sleep. All that and what Steve-O has learned from a lifetime of terrible decisions. 

Thanks to our Patrons Graylyn, Paul Vortman, Chalice (Shalese) Davis, James Bennet, and Joe for supporting us this week.

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