[Unedited] Priyamvada Natarajan With Krista Tippett

Cosmic Scale

Priyamvada Natarajan reflects on how cosmology shapes our understanding of personal significance and our place in the universe. She emphasizes the humbling realization of human insignificance against the vast cosmic timeline, yet acknowledges the profound impact humans can have on Earth in a short lifespan 1. This duality is echoed by Krista Tippett, who notes that while our existence is fleeting, our actions leave a lasting imprint on the universe 1.

It's a mere snapshot in terms of the universe and its fate, but we are still capable of doing so much damage.

--- Priyamvada Natarajan

Natarajan also describes her work in cosmology as a form of escapism, offering a perspective that transcends mundane realities and engages with scales beyond human comprehension 2.

   

Embracing Mystery

The concept of mystery plays a pivotal role in both science and philosophy, as Priyamvada Natarajan discusses its influence on scientific thought. She relates this to Albert Einstein's view that mystery is a shared impulse between science and religion, though he distinguished the scientific sense of mystery from religious fear 3. Natarajan highlights the empowerment that comes from solving mysteries, whether in science or through personal curiosity.

There's a natural sense of curiosity that a child has... that sense of wonderment, of having figured something out, being curious, tinkering with it.

--- Priyamvada Natarajan

She notes that the scientific community has become more inclusive and open to diverse intellectual approaches, a change she believes Einstein would have appreciated 3.