A Conversation with Astrophysicist J. Richard Gott III

Why haven’t we found evidence of alien civilizations? Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with astrophysicist J. Richard Gott III to talk chess, tachyons, and what the Fermi Paradox and Copernican Principle say about humanity’s place in the cosmos. Plus, they rank super-genius movies.

The conversation takes us on a tour of the big questions: how many moves can truly exist in a game of chess, the future of artificial intelligence in games like Go, and mind-bending theories about the universe itself. Gott even unpacks the infamous Fermi Paradox, examining why the galaxy isn’t filled with extraterrestrial visitors. Hear stories from his time at Princeton to the origins of his career alongside legends like Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking.

Later, we debate the possibility of humans colonizing other planets, discussing everything from budget limitations to the philosophical arguments for seeking life beyond Earth. Rich shares memories of working with Hawking, what he calls the “Copernican answer” to survival, and his fascination with time loops, tachyons, and bubble universes. Where did all the antimatter go? Learn about Jinn particles in time travel and whether we should be a multi-planet species.

We also rank the most iconic films that tackle intelligence—from Good Will Hunting to A Beautiful Mind. Another episode that’s filled with scientific wonder, humor, and speculation as we tackle some of the universe's deepest mysteries.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: J. Richard Gott III
04:52 - What is the Maximum Number of Moves in Chess?
17:52 - Thinking About the Fermi Paradox & The Copernican Principle
Should We Colonize Mars
38:55 - Exploring Exotic Theories: Where Did All the Antimatter Go?
45:49 - Bubble Universes & Higgs Bosons
51:05 - What is a Jinn Particle?
57:04 - The Depiction of Genius in Pop Culture
1:13:43 - Ranking Genius Movies