Are You REALLY Made Of Stars?

The Rest Is Science

Goalhanger

Physics, Science, Mathematics

4.5 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 16 December 2025

⏱️ 35 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What happens when the universe throws a random curveball at one of the most precise communities on Earth? Cosmic rays high energy particles from deep space are invisible, unpredictable, and capable of interfering with electronics in ways gamers never expect. Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens explore a surprising story from the speed running community, where split-second timings and frame-perfect precision collide with the chaos of the cosmos. How did a tiny particle from a distant supernova end up altering a world record attempt? And why does this single event highlight the hidden role of chance, physics, and electronics in competitive gaming? From the science of cosmic rays to their real world impact on gaming hardware, this episode uncovers the strange intersection of the cosmos, human skill, and digital records, revealing how even the universe can play a part in our most meticulously measured achievements. Join Professor Hannah Fry and YouTube educator Michael Stevens as they uncover the strange, revealing story of the human tear: why we cry, what our tears communicate, and how this uniquely human response shapes the way we connect.-------------------For more information about Cancer Research UK, their research, breakthroughs and how you can support them, visit ⁠⁠https://cancerresearchuk.org/restisscience⁠⁠Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.-------------------Find The Rest Is Science all over the internet by ⁠⁠clicking here.⁠⁠-------------------Video Editor: Oliver OakleyVideo & Social: Bex TyrrellAssistant Producer: Imee MarriottProducer: Becki HillsSenior Producer: Lauren Armstrong-CarterHead Of Digital: Samuel OakleyExec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Cancer Research UK.
0:08.2	Imagine this. Inside all of us, billions of cells follow millions of instructions written in microscopic code.
0:16.4	And when a new cell grows, it copies those instructions, but the smallest error can lead cancer to develop.
0:23.0	Right. And this is the reason why there isn't a single cure for cancer, because, you know,
0:26.3	there are more than 200 different types. Each of them have got different distinct characteristics,
0:32.1	you know, different challenges, different mysteries. And that means that trying to cure cancer
0:36.1	isn't like following a single path. It's like trying to map out an entire forest. That's right. And that means that trying to cure cancer isn't like following a single path. It's like
0:37.9	trying to map out an entire forest. That's right. And Cancer Research, UK, is the world's largest
0:43.5	charitable funder of cancer research. I mean, their work spans more than 20 countries with over
0:49.0	4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses pushing knowledge forward to save and improve lives worldwide.
0:55.6	You know, over the last 50 years, the work that this charity has done has helped to double
1:01.4	cancer survival in the UK. And you have to think about that is more parents at the dinner
1:07.1	table, right? That is more friends at their birthday parties. That is more people
1:10.9	who are living longer, better lives. For more information about Cancer Research UK, their research,
1:17.6	breakthroughs and how you can support them, visit cancerresearchuk.org forward slash rest of science.
1:29.8	Hello, welcome to the rest of science with me, Hannah Fry.
1:32.5	And I am Michael Stevens.
1:34.1	Question for you, Michael.
1:35.8	What are we made of?
1:37.1	We're all made of stars.
1:39.9	Yeah.
1:40.6	Or are we?
	...

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