The mind-bending probability of our existence | Sean B. Carroll: Full Interview

 It could have gone very differently...

The mind-bending probability of our existence | Sean B. Carroll: Full Interview | Big Think

What if your existence hinged on a single cosmic accident that took place millions of years ago? Biologist Sean B. Carroll examines the chain of events that made humanity’s domination as a species possible.

From the specific chemistry of an asteroid to Earth’s shifting atmosphere, Carroll unpacks how a series of fortunate events made our planet the perfect cradle for mammals.

...and, as for your individual existence once humans exist? You are one it 70 trillion!

00:00:00 Part 1: The role of chance in the creation of life

00:00:16 What are the odds that life exists on any given planet?

00:00:48 What developments led to life on Earth?

00:01:58 Where do you begin our origin story?

00:04:51 What is unique about the last 3 million years on Earth?

00:06:04 What mass extinctions has Earth faced?

00:07:33 What events allowed humans to flourish?

00:15:37 Why was the K-Pg asteroid so devastating?

00:18:25 How did life on Earth rebound from the K-Pg asteroid?

00:19:57 How much have we evolved since the age of hunter-gatherers?

00:24:16 Are we lucky to be here?

00:27:20 Part 2: The resilience of nature.

00:27:30 Would nature heal itself if humans ceased to exist?

00:29:36 How much of an impact have humans had on Earth?

00:33:16 Can we think of Earth as an organism?

00:37:16 What are the “Serengeti rules?”

00:39:48 What is the leading cause of biodiversity loss?

00:46:56 How resilient is nature?

00:51:12 What did COVID teach us about nature’s ability to rebound?

00:53:09 Why is biodiversity critical to human flourishing?

00:54:04 What can we do to protect both us and the planet?

01:00:39 Is there time for the planet to rebound?

01:04:42 PART 3: The evolution of human experience.

01:04:52 Has the quality of human life improved over time?

01:06:27 What impact has medical science had on humanity?

01:08:23 How have agricultural advances changed lives?

01:10:12 Why is it important to understand the rules of life?

01:09:14 How are our bodies regulated?

#environment #nature #biodiversity #ecology

The Deepfake Detective | Particles of Thought

NOVA PBS Official

The Death of Science in America | Stand Up for Science MARCH 7

 

The End of Science in America
This is a video about how science in this country is screwed.

It's Up to Us to Save Science in America
Find your local event or ACT locally with Stand up for Science: standupforscience2025.org

Plant Heist - Succulent Smuggling Documentary (SXSW Official selection)

Plant Heist - Succulent Smuggling Documentary (SXSW Official selection)

Thousands of Succulents, millions of dollars. a real world theft of highly prized plants that are worth BIG money.

In northern California, a Game Warden uncovers an illicit network of succulent poachers after mysterious packages containing native plants are reported, and with the help of citizens, biologists, and authorities, he races against time to halt the destruction before permanent damage is inflicted on the land. Winner of Emerald award Coronado Film Festival 2021 ✳️A note from the Filmmakers Hi there, it all began with reading a news article in The New Yorker describing the case and Officer Freeling's big break. We decided to call him up and ask to talk on camera about it, not really knowing where it would lead but understanding it was incredibly bizarre and interesting. We self-funded the whole project and are proud of what we were able to pull off with very little money. We're very grateful to have been accepted into prominent festivals like SXSW and Doc NYC. In documentary filmmaking, finding an audience that cares about the issues in your film is crucial, so festivals are huge. Please share the video; the more people who know that plant poaching is a real issue, the better! UPDATE⚠️: Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 223 by Assembly member Chris Ward (D - San Diego) into law, making it unlawful to sell, or possess with the intent to sell, any Dudleya illegally taken from its natural habitat on state lands. AB 223 makes it unlawful to sell or possess with the intent to sell any Dudleya illegally taken from its natural habitat and establishes minimum penalties of $5,000 per plant for the first offense, and $40,000 per plant for any subsequent offenses.

– – – It appears that there are so many Dudleya in cultivation now that the market for expensive poached and exported plants has collapsed 🙂 However, there is still plenty of poaching going on for other species of cacti and succulents. 🌵 Only take photos! and don't buy poached plants 🦊 Well, I should probably say that there are still probably some that will still want the "big wild plant" and pay big bucks for it. Definitely for other species... 😒

The Cactus Hunters with Jared D Margulies

Illegal trade in cacti and succulents is endangering many species.

🌵 Only take photos! and don't buy poached plants 🦊 

https://youtu.be/_HWRRWzFcko?si=Y5Aet0rSD3K409_M

Kill Your Lawn | NYT Opinion

#killyourlawn :: Kill Your Lawn | NYT Opinion

– Seen from above, it’s not the undulating rows of square houses that make American suburbia so recognizable. It’s the wide rivers of lush, almost neon-green grass that cut through the landscape. And on long, hot summer days, the lawn is where suburban living reaches its idyllic peak.

But while the lawn may be a powerful symbol of American postwar prosperity, it’s also an ecological dead zone that’s sucking the nation’s aquifers dry.

In this video essay we argue that it’s time to kill your lawn, not just to save the planet, but for your own health and sanity too. And while the idea of euthanizing such a beloved member of the family might seem harsh, we show the alternatives that could make the loss more bearable.

BIODIVERSITY, CLIMATE, ENVIRONMENT, KILLYOURLAWN, PLANTS, WATER, NATIVE PLANTS

#environment #climate #plants #water #nativeplants #suburbia

Kill Your Lawn Season 2 Teaser

Mar 30, 2024

First Episode Airs April 24th on EarthxTCrime Pays But Botany Doesn't