Appearing during the first three hours, Astronomy & Physics Professor Lawrence M. Krauss discussed cosmology, science, and evolution and also evaluated how feasible the technology from Star Trek might be. We're just beginning to learn about the scale and geometry of the universe and how it's shaped, he said. "Dark energy" is one of the strangest aspects of the universe, as it exists in empty space, yet takes up weight, he noted.
Backing Darwin's theory of evolution, Krauss said there isn't scientific evidence for Intelligent Design, and that life likely started in an accidental fashion. He also commented that it's implausible we've been visited by ETs because of Earth's "backwater" location, and its vast distance from other star systems.
Here are some of his takes on Star Trek technology:
- Transporter: It won't be possible to move humans this way, but quantum teleportation, now being developed, shows promise for moving objects at an atomic scale.
- Warp drive: Manipulating space to expand could make this possible. Negative energy would be required-- though the amounts needed would be vast.
- Tractor beam-- A lighter object would be drawn towards a heavier one, so as depicted on the show, it was kind of a "blooper."
The last hour of the program featured Full Moon Open Lines. George closed the show playing the song Listening to Coast to Coast by UFO Phil.