AIOCS Conversations: Geraint Lewis (2)

Another discussion with Professor Geraint Lewis, an astrophysicist from the University of Sydney’s Institute of Astronomy.

Geraint researches the influence of dark energy and dark matter on the evolution and ultimate fate of the universe, gravitational lensing, and Galactic cannibalism. That said, often he ventures into the land of origin questions, discussing what makes the universe be as it is and why this is so.

He also is an excellent science communicator, tirelessly explaining the mysteries of the cosmos to broad audiences. Readers might like to visit his YouTube channel, maintained together with Dr Luke Barnes, Alas Lewis and Barnes, where they can find solid information presented in accessible ways. Geraint published, alongside two hundred scientific papers, several volumes in cooperation where he and his colleagues address cutting edge matters in cosmology in ways that are appealing to non-specialists.

Following from the previous conversation, and taking his book A Fortunate Universe as a starting-point, the discussion focused on the relation between a finely tuned universe and the existence of life. Is life unavoidable or a rare occurrence in the cosmos? And how about intelligence? Are there any chances for us to meet others? Regardless of what we might say about such questions, one thing is clear: we are here, and this fact seems to be significant.

Against the backdrop of these and other questions, Geraint refers to the possibility of life in the universe, if similar conditions to ours can be found elsewhere. That said, we should apply prudence and make room for the possibility of other forms of life, that perhaps require similar to our own or other conditions. And if life might prove to be possible in various other zones within our galaxy and beyond it, it appears that intelligence is quite a rare occurrence. No matter, we have plenty to think about even in regard to ourselves and others like us that preceded our existence on earth. Had they thought about the same things? Had they thought as we do? While it is likely that we will not be able to answer these questions, it still is fortunate that we can ask them.

Here is the video recording of this conversation:

by Doru Costache

23 March 2022 © AIOCS

My previous conversation with Geraint can be found here

The whole AIOCS Conversations series

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