logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
3h 39m

#455 – Adam Frank: Alien Civilizations a...

LEX FRIDMAN
About this episode

Adam Frank is an astrophysicist studying star systems and the search for extraterrestrial life and alien civilizations.
Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep455-sc
See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.

Transcript:
https://lexfridman.com/adam-frank-transcript

CONTACT LEX:
Feedback – give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey
AMA – submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama
Hiring – join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring
Other – other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact

EPISODE LINKS:
Adam’s Website: https://adamfrankscience.com
Adam’s X: https://x.com/adamfrank4
Adam’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/adamfrankscience
Adam’s Books:
The Little Book of Aliens: https://amzn.to/3OTX1rP
Light of the Stars: https://amzn.to/4iMKC6C
The Blind Spot: https://amzn.to/4gOCe4K
The Constant Fire: https://amzn.to/3ZVnxX4

SPONSORS:
To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts:
Encord: AI tooling for annotation & data management.
Go to https://encord.com/lex
Eight Sleep: Temp-controlled smart mattress cover.
Go to https://eightsleep.com/lex
Shopify: Sell stuff online.
Go to https://shopify.com/lex
NetSuite: Business management software.
Go to http://netsuite.com/lex
BetterHelp: Online therapy and counseling.
Go to https://betterhelp.com/lex
Notion: Note-taking and team collaboration.
Go to https://notion.com/lex
LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix.
Go to https://drinkLMNT.com/lex
AG1: All-in-one daily nutrition drinks.
Go to https://drinkag1.com/lex

OUTLINE:
(00:00) – Introduction
(14:22) – Planet formation
(19:32) – Plate tectonics
(26:54) – Extinction events
(31:04) – Biosphere
(34:02) – Technosphere
(38:17) – Emergence of intelligence
(44:29) – Drake equation
(48:43) – Exoplanets
(51:28) – Habitable zones
(54:30) – Fermi Paradox
(1:03:28) – Alien civilizations
(1:12:55) – Colonizing Mars
(1:25:11) – Search for aliens
(1:41:37) – Alien megastructures
(1:47:43) – Kardashev scale
(1:52:56) – Detecting aliens
(1:59:38) – Warp drives
(2:05:45) – Cryogenics
(2:09:03) – What aliens look like
(2:17:48) – Alien contact
(2:28:53) – UFO sightings
(2:40:38) – Physics of life
(3:06:29) – Nature of time
(3:22:53) – Cognition
(3:27:16) – Mortality

Up next
Jun 26
#473 – Iran War Debate: Nuclear Weapons, Trump, Peace, Power & the Middle East
Debate on Iran war between Scott Horton and Mark Dubowitz. Scott Horton is the author and director of the Libertarian Institute, editorial director of Antiwar.com, host of The Scott Horton Show, and for the past three decades, a staunch critic of U.S. foreign policy and military ... Show More
4h 11m
Jun 15
#472 – Terence Tao: Hardest Problems in Mathematics, Physics & the Future of AI
Terence Tao is widely considered to be one of the greatest mathematicians in history. He won the Fields Medal and the Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics, and has contributed to a wide range of fields from fluid dynamics with Navier-Stokes equations to mathematical physics & quantu ... Show More
3h 23m
Jun 5
#471 – Sundar Pichai: CEO of Google and Alphabet
Sundar Pichai is CEO of Google and Alphabet. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep471-sc See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. Transcript: https://lexfridman.com/sundar-pichai ... Show More
2h 17m
Recommended Episodes
Jun 6
Cosmic Queries – Alien Worlds and Extremophiles with Kennda Lynch
What will life be like on other planets? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explore the origins of life on alien planets and extremophiles right here on Earth with astrobiologist Kennda Lynch. (Originally Aired February 22, 2022)NOTE: StarTalk+ Patr ... Show More
54m 6s
Jun 13
"Searching the Skies: Avi Loeb on Galileo, Oumuamua & Interstellar Mysteries"
In this gripping episode of Truth Be Told, host Tony Sweet sits down with renowned astrophysicist Dr. Avi Loeb to explore the frontiers of science and the unknown. From spearheading the groundbreaking Galileo Project—a scientific mission to search for extraterrestrial technology— ... Show More
43m 25s
Dec 2024
Alien Sightings with David Spergel
Are alien spacecraft here on Earth? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice discuss the UAP hearings, unexplained cosmic phenomena, dark matter, and more with astrophysicist and NASA UAP chair David Spergel.NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial- ... Show More
56m 24s
Mar 2025
Encounters x272 - Aliens Among Us
Stolen Organs, Lost Time & UFO Messages in Cabbage?! That's right, this week,we are covering ALIENS! Strap in, fantoms—this week, we’re trading haunted houses for something out ofthis world. We’re diving into real-life encounters with extraterrestrials, and let’sjust say... the s ... Show More
54m 8s
Jul 2024
#248 - God, Aliens & the Truth Behind All World Religions | Jason Jorjani
Watch the after-show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/dannyjones Jason Jorjani is a philosopher & author who received his BA , MA & PhD at State University of New York at Stony Brook. Dr. Jorjani has taught courses on Comparative Religion, Ethics, Political Theory, and the History ... Show More
4h 8m
Sep 2024
Revisiting the Drake Equation with David Grinspoon
Will alien life look like anything on Earth? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice deep dive into questions about astrobiology, revisiting the Drake Equation, and life beyond Earth with NASA astrobiology strategist, David Grinspoon a.k.a Dr. Funkyspoon.NOTE: StarTalk+ Patro ... Show More
51m 18s
Sep 2024
Neil deGrasse Tyson - Are We Alone On Earth? The Truth About Aliens, UFOs, and Life on Mars | EP #118
In this episode, Neil and Peter discuss recent AI, Space, and UFO news, including the stranded astronauts, the Bezos vs. Musk space race, when humans will move to Mars, and more.  Recorded on Sept 3rd, 2024Views are my own thoughts, not Financial, Medical, or Legal Advice. 19:50 ... Show More
1h 43m
Jan 2025
Extreme Winds, Martian Clays & Hidden Stars: #491 - The Interstellar Exploration
Space Nuts Episode 491: The Windiest Planet, Martian Mysteries, and Light Pollution Concerns Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner in this captivating episode of Space Nuts, where they explore some of the most fascinating cosmic discoveries of our time. From the extraord ... Show More
39m 45s
Jan 2025
Apollo Secrets, Cosmic Questions & Martian Mysteries: #484
Space Nuts Episode 484: Unveiling Moon Mysteries, Fermi Paradox Insights, and Mars Terraforming Challenges - A Holiday Special Episode Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson as they delve into the fascinating realms of lunar exploration, the enigmatic Fermi Paradox, and th ... Show More
32m 59s