StarTalk Radio – Cosmic Queries: Quantum Consciousness with Charles Liu

Episode Overview

In this Special Edition "Cosmic Queries" episode of StarTalk Radio (Feb 13, 2026), host Neil deGrasse Tyson, co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly, and physicist/astronomer Charles Liu tackle a grab-bag of listener questions at the mind-bending intersection of quantum physics, consciousness, and cosmic mysteries. The conversation, fueled by wit, humility, and curiosity, explores the weirdest ideas in modern science: from the fate of quarks in cosmic doomsdays to the nature of consciousness and the limits of scientific knowledge. With a blend of humor and depth, the episode is equal parts science, philosophy, and fun.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Quantum Doomsday: Will the 'Big Rip' Create a New Universe?

Timestamps: 06:05–14:30

• Question: If the universe ends in a Big Rip, would quarks splitting apart generate new quarks, possibly leading to a new Big Bang?

• Charles Liu: Explains the "phantom energy" scenario required for a Big Rip and why it’s unlikely. When quarks are torn apart (in theory), the result may not be more quarks, but different particles or decay products.

  “You’re thinking of a quantum particle, like a quark, like a classical particle, which feels tidal forces… If you think of it as a packet of energy or quantum information, then as it falls in, it doesn't get stretched physically. It gets changed…” (08:49)

• Dark Energy: Liu reports from a recent astronomy conference that new surveys suggest the cosmological constant (dark energy) might not be constant, meaning our models might need revision.

  "It looks like the universe doesn’t have a constant cosmological constant." (12:15)

• Memorable Moment:
  Chuck Nice jokes, “Not so smart, are you, now, Einstein?" (12:31)

• Takeaway: The Big Rip is unlikely, but we don’t really know what dark energy is. The most we can say: the deepest forces that drive the universe are still mysterious.

2. Light, Relativity & Quantum: Why Can't We Reconcile the Math?

Timestamps: 17:36–23:00

• Question: Why can’t quantum mechanics and general relativity be united? Is light the key link?

• Charles Liu: Explains relativity governs space-time; quantum governs the very small. Their math “just touch” (22:03) but don’t overlap. Light plays a pivotal but not-yet-fully-understood role in both.

• Hopeful Note: New theoretical work (e.g., Jacob Berendes) is exploring bridges using statistical physics and chaos theory.

  “If Jacob and his colleagues are right, then the wave-particle duality is only temporary... this incompatibility is there because we’re not advanced enough in our mathematical construction.” (21:54)

• Analogy: Neil compares the needed breakthrough to how Einstein expanded on Newton: “It’s not like you discard what works; you enclose it in a bigger model.” (22:47)

3. Retrocausality and the 'Block Universe'

Timestamps: 23:03–34:22

• Question: Do some quantum interpretations imply that the past, present, and future all exist simultaneously (block time)? Could time flow both forwards and backwards (retrocausality)?
• Charles Liu: Breaks down the “block universe” where time is like a filled glass:

  “Is the glass [of time] already full and we’re just experiencing it?” (26:39)

• Pop Culture: Ted Chiang’s “Story of Your Life” (becoming “Arrival”), and Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse Five” both explore this idea.
• Experimental Outlook: No current experiments can confirm retrocausality/block time. Maybe one day, with quantum teleportation between Earth and the Moon?
• Memorable Moment:
  “Let me just say this, Chuck, before you. This is not the place to show off.” (24:13 – Chuck ribbing a super-technical questioner)

4. Does Entanglement Use Other Dimensions?

Timestamps: 34:22–36:58

• Question: Are particles instantaneously linked because they’re adjacent in a higher spatial dimension?
• Charles Liu: It’s mathematically possible to model this with added dimensions, but there’s no evidence that’s needed. Physics as it stands doesn’t require a “hidden” dimension.

  “It’s an unknown unknown.” (34:24)

• Fun Aside: The team jokes about Star Trek’s “subspace”—even fiction tackles these ideas differently.

5. Quantum Consciousness: Is Our Mind a Quantum Effect?

Timestamps: 38:01–57:23

• Question: Is consciousness an emergent property of quantum physics? Is free will rooted in quantum uncertainty?
• Charles Liu: Summarizes that consciousness is not well-defined; some, like Roger Penrose, have theorized quantum properties in the brain, but there’s no solid evidence.

  “We haven’t yet defined consciousness… Philosophers will argue everything is conscious… it’s just the different levels that matter.” (41:58)

• Debate: If all matter is conscious at some level, why don’t soccer balls have agency?
• AI and Uploading: Conversation shifts to artificial consciousness, “digitizing” minds, and the limits quantum uncertainty puts on copying a human mind. No “download” would be truly identical.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Neil: “The best evidence that nobody understands consciousness is how many books are written on the subject.” (46:02)
  • Charles: “If we are thinking that consciousness is quantum in nature, we can’t digitize it.” (53:52)
  • Neil: “You cannot know the state of every particle... quantum physics prevents that knowledge.” (55:44)
  • Chuck: “You just ruined their whole show, Charles.” – after Charles explains why the premise of “Altered Carbon” couldn’t work, even in principle. (54:24)

6. Science Ignorance: Flat Earth & Anti-Vax Debunked

Timestamps: 61:39–68:22

• Question: What scientific misconceptions really make your jaws drop?
• Each panelist shares examples:
  • Neil: People think there are penguins in the Arctic (not just Antarctic), and bears in Antarctica (there aren’t). Also: flat earth, and the roundness of Earth as proved by time zones and sunsets.
  • Charles: Vaccine hesitancy tops his list—one of the best-tested sciences, victim to misinformation.
  • Chuck: The anti-vax movement has caused real harm and death (cites Samoa measles outbreak fueled by RFK Jr’s misinformation).
• Meta-Reflection: The group explores the difference between innocent ignorance and denialism, the educator’s joy in teaching the curious versus the frustration with “I watched a 20-minute YouTube video so I know better than experts.”

  “Our greatest power is to be able to say, ‘I don’t know,’ and not feel bad about ourselves about it.” – Charles (69:35) “Not knowing plus curiosity is ever growing.” – Chuck (70:44)

7. Are We All One? Shared Consciousness and Human Connection

Timestamps: 71:52–75:48

• Question: Watching monks marching in unison, a listener asks: Are we, at some level, one being?
• Discussion: Humans can synchronize physically and emotionally. Neil notes this is a human, not uniquely “monk” thing (soldiers do it, too!). Chuck reflects on his ayahuasca experience: “You actually feel a oneness with all that is the universe itself.” (74:13)
• Charles: Finds similar connections in choir singing—humans can create collective unity without years of training or drugs.

8. Book and Comedy Special Plugs

Timestamps: 76:09–77:57

• Charles Liu’s “Handy Quantum Physics Answer Book” is praised as a comprehensive guide that “puts it all together.” (76:17)
• Chuck Nice’s comedy special “Just Smart Enough” is available free on StarTalk’s YouTube channel.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Neil deGrasse Tyson:

  • “The best evidence that nobody understands consciousness is how many books are written on the subject.” (46:02)
  • “You cannot know the state of every particle down to the last particle that’s running your brain, because quantum physics prevents that knowledge.” (55:44)

• Charles Liu:

  • “Our greatest power is to be able to say ‘I don’t know’ and not feel bad about ourselves about it.” (69:35)
  • “If we are thinking that consciousness is quantum in nature, we can't digitize it…” (53:52)

• Chuck Nice:

  • “Not knowing plus curiosity is ever growing.” (70:44)
  • “You just ruined their whole show, Charles.” (54:24)

Useful Segment Timestamps

• Big Rip and Quantum Catastrophe: 06:05–14:30
• Reconciliation of Relativity & Quantum Mechanics: 17:36–23:00
• Block Universe & Retrocausality: 23:03–34:22
• Quantum Entanglement & Extra Dimensions: 34:22–36:58
• Quantum Consciousness & Free Will: 38:01–57:23
• AI, Mind Uploading, Limits of Digitizing Consciousness: 53:28–57:23
• Ignorance, Flat Earth, Anti-Vax: 61:39–68:22
• Human Oneness & Collective Experience: 71:52–75:48

Episode Tone and Atmosphere

The episode is a lively, nerdy, and accessible blend of deep philosophy and practical curiosity. The team keeps things humble, never pretending to have all the answers, but celebrates science as a process of perpetual questioning—emphasized by their willingness to admit what is unknown. Jokes and pop culture references (from Star Trek to ayahuasca to Neil’s family trivia) enliven the conversation, making complex topics feel approachable and relevant.

Bottom Line:
If you’re fascinated by the mysteries of quantum physics, the possibilities and limits of consciousness, or just want validation that even the world’s foremost scientists don’t have all the answers—this episode delivers insight, integrity, and plenty of laughs.