An Astrobiologist on Project Hail Mary
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What is the significance of Project Hail Mary in the sci-fi genre?
Exploring both interstellar and interpersonal space-time continuums. The Last Show with David Cooper. Man, I love sci-fi. And there is a spring blockbuster that you're going to want to see, Project Hail Mary, a movie starring Ryan Gosling. It's got aliens, it's got interstellar space travel, and it's got sun-eating microbes. And to discuss this, I am joined by astrobiologist, astrophysicist, and abiogenesis aficionado, Professor Sarah Rugheimer from the University of Edinburgh. She's got a course called Experiencing James Webb on Great Courses Plus being released on the 27th. Sarah, welcome to the show.
Thank you for having me.
All right. How many stars did Roger Ebert give the movie? I think it was out of four. Was that his thing? What would you rate the movie?
I loved it.
What themes does Sarah Rugheimer explore in Project Hail Mary?
So I would say four star. I really love this science fiction movie. I think everyone should go see it.
Do you think it was just because it was playing to your field of searching for aliens and it had aliens or do you think it stands great on its own?
I think it stands great on its own. I mean, of course, I'm biased. However, it exceeded my expectations. So I had read the book. I liked The Martian better than Project Hail Mary. That's a controversial opinion amongst Andy Weir fans. And then I went to the movie and I'm like, this is even better than I remember. I really enjoyed it. The music, the filming, the humor. It's great.
It is fun.
How does Sarah Rugheimer rate the movie compared to the book?
Okay. I thought it was very good, but here's my issue. And there's a hole to be poked in my issue. Have you ever seen the movie Arrival with Amy Adams?
Love that movie.
For those who haven't seen it, it's got a deep thinking element to it. Basically, these aliens come to Earth. They teach us their language. And it's kind of like, well, why don't they just use English? They're pretty smart aliens. But by teaching us their language, we start to perceive time differently. We don't see it linearly anymore. There's something in their language that changes us. And it gives you this big... thinking thing and for me or what was the one in the 90s where um with uh Jodie Foster uh contact yeah contact that one had a big thinking component too and I just feel like this movie Project Hail Mary it was like every fun sci-fi concept that we'd already known remixed together into a good fun summer movie that isn't really a thinker and for me sci-fi is kind of like a deep thinker for me to love it prove me wrong
What are the emotional arcs presented in Project Hail Mary?
I think that's a fair criticism, to be honest. You know, so I didn't come away thinking grand thoughts. What I liked about it was the emotional arc of the main character and sort of him overcoming his own problems, internal problems. Without giving away anything. And I think that was the part that to me is what I thought about after the movie. But in terms of the science fiction or whatnot, no, it's not like a high concept. Definitely Arrival is maybe one of my top.
I think it's my favorite movie.
It's in my top three favorite movies. So you're competing with something very high up there. And, you know, it's maybe not that, but it is amazing.
I think Arrival, other than like some, you know, Japanese classic that's not in English that I sound pretentious for recommending for like a modern movie that is like a blockbuster hit. Arrival is my favorite movie. There's actually a point against my argument, which was kind of cool. Sun eating bacteria infects the sun.
How does the film portray the concept of alien life?
That is actually new. I feel like.
And probably sci-fi. Don't worry about that. Yeah.
No, I just mean when we think of life and what life could be out in the cosmos, it would look nothing like, you know, us. And so this movie kind of had both. There was a rock like alien that, yes, it was a rock, but it was kind of a human in vibes. But then there was just totally alien. And I mean that in the purest sense of the word life. If we find life out there, I feel like it would be more similar to the sun bacteria than it would the rock. And I have no basis to make this claim. And why believe me when people can believe you who actually studies this stuff?
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the significance of Project Hail Mary in the sci-fi genre?
0:02–0:53
2
What themes does Sarah Rugheimer explore in Project Hail Mary?
0:53–1:30
3
How does Sarah Rugheimer rate the movie compared to the book?
1:30–2:28
4
What are the emotional arcs presented in Project Hail Mary?
2:28–3:28
5
How does the film portray the concept of alien life?
3:28–4:21
6
What criticisms does the discussion highlight about the movie's depth?
4:21–5:06
7
How does humor play a role in Project Hail Mary?
5:06–5:50
8
What insights does Sarah provide about the scientific elements in the film?
5:50–9:09
Speakers
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