Ep 104 - Star Wars with Neil Degrasse Tyson
- May 19
- 1 min read
Is the Force real? From Hyperspace to Parsecs, Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson joins us to discuss the science of Star Wars.
Is the Force science or spirituality— or both? In this episode of Unobtainium, Adam, Amy, and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson explore the science, philosophy, and enduring mythology behind Star Wars and its most iconic idea: the Force.
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Unobtainium Podcast, hosts Adam and Amy sit down with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson to unpack the science and mythology of Star Wars. Together, they explore whether the Force resembles anything in real physics, from gravity and electromagnetism to quantum mechanics and multiple dimensions. The conversation dives into hyperspace travel, wormholes, faster-than-light storytelling shortcuts, and the infamous“12 parsecs” controversy, while also examining why Star Wars resonates so deeply on a human level. Along the way, they discuss the Star Wars cannon, good versus evil, selflessness versus selfishness, the psychology of belief, and why the Force works less as hard science and more as a timeless metaphor for power, destiny, and personal transformation. Funny, philosophical, and deeply nerdy, the episode explores why Star Wars continues to shape modern culture nearly 50 years after its release.
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