Cosmic Queries – Living in a Simulation with Nick Bostrom

StarTalk Radio

Scientist, Nasa, Neil Degrasse Tyson, Climate Science, Earth Science, Nature, Astronomy, Science, Multiverse, Spacetime, Astrophysicist, Space, Education, Cosmos, Astronomer, Startalk, Quantum Physics, Physics, Universe, Astrophysics, Star Talk

4.6 • 14.9K Ratings

🗓️ 19 December 2025

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Are we in a simulation? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice take a deep dive into simulation theory, consciousness, and free will with Oxford theorist Nick Bostrom. Is this The Matrix? Originally Aired December 21, 2021.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, StarTalkins, Neil here.
0:03.1	You're about to listen to an episode specially drawn from our archives to serve your cosmic curiosities.
0:10.5	The archives run deep.
0:11.9	If you enjoy this, take a peek at the full catalog on your favorite podcast platform.
0:18.2	There's a lot there to tickle your geek underbelly. Check it out.
0:24.1	Welcome to StarTalk. Your place in the universe where science and pop culture collide.
0:32.8	StarTalk begins right now. This is StarTalk.
0:39.3	Cosmic Queries edition.
0:41.3	Neil deGrasse Tyson here, you're a personal astrophysicist.
0:43.3	I got Chuck nice with me, of course.
0:46.3	Chuck, my...
0:47.3	What's up, Neil?
0:48.3	Faithful co-host.
0:49.3	You know, you're...
0:51.3	We need you for the Cosmic Queries
0:53.3	so that you can mispronounce everyone's name.
0:55.9	Well, that's my purpose in life, Neil.
0:58.4	That's right.
1:00.0	I live to butcher names.
1:02.3	No.
1:04.4	Those poor questioners.
1:06.1	How would you attack my name?
	...

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