StarTalk Live: The Particle Party (Part 1)

Post Date: 28 October 2012

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Season 3, Episode 18

Neil deGrasse Tyson leaning on Bill Nye the Science Guy, Photo Credit: © Elliot Severn, All rights reserved

A lighter moment from StarTalk Live at The Bell House, 7/11/12: astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium, and Bill Nye the Science Guy, CEO of the Planetary Society. Photo Credit: © Elliot Severn, All rights reserved

On the heels of the discovery of the Higgs boson, Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson celebrated by throwing a “Particle Party” at the Bell House in Brooklyn, NY on July 11, 2012. Neil was joined onstage by his old friend Bill Nye the Science Guy and Kyle Cranmer, one of the CERN physicists who actually helped discover the Higgs. Now it’s your chance to join them on a journey into the subatomic heart of the fabric of existence. Of course, it wouldn’t be a StarTalk Live without comic co-host Eugene Mirman, who was also joined by comedian Scott Adsit of 30 Rock and Sara Vowell, author and social commentator. Part 1 starts with a discussion of the 4 forces and 12 particles that make up the structure of nature and ends with the story of how the Higgs boson was discovered and why it’s so important.

Co-Host:
Eugene Mirman, comedian

Guests:
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Kyle Cranmer, NYU Assistant Professor of Physics and CERN physicist
Scott Adsit, comedian, 30 Rock
Sarah Vowell, author

Music:
Higgs Score (the sonification of the data from the Higgs particle research) by Domenico Vicinanza
“Gravity” (Live) by John Mayer
“Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO
“Every Grain of Sand” by Emmylou Harris
“Magnet and Steel” by Walter Egan
“When The Lights Go Out” by Five
“Energy” by Keri Hilson
“E=MC2” by Big Audio Dynamite
“Radioactive” by The Firm

34 Responses to StarTalk Live: The Particle Party (Part 1)

Steve on October 28th, 2012 at 7:15 pm

NDT is my man crush.

André Alexandre on October 28th, 2012 at 8:32 pm

Loved this StarTalk, I’m new to this but I believe I will keep on checking these talks, because you guys make a great work, are very funny, and of course, entertain people (and that is the main point) but also alert people to the work and wonders of science, and in some way inspire people be aware of science literacy.

Linda on October 28th, 2012 at 8:53 pm

I love this show. It makes my brain tickle!! Thanks Dr Tyson!

Loryn on October 28th, 2012 at 10:07 pm

We loved the first part. When do we get to hear the rest? 0_0

Bassel on October 28th, 2012 at 10:42 pm

I love how NDT is becoming a science rockstar.
Also Nye is a hero. seriously.
Although i didn’t know many of the names who were on this show, you guys all rock!

Shaun Bizecker on October 29th, 2012 at 1:54 am

Loved the backstage footage a few weeks back, glad this is finally up! Can we get the full video of this?! LOVE YOU GUYS!

Samara Rodarte on October 29th, 2012 at 2:04 am

I really really really loved this. So much. Having Bill Nye on was like having someone advocating for people who aren’t Scientists, explaining everything so simply. This whole episode just made me feel like a little girl. I really loved it. I think Neil & Bill should have their own show, talk about science news and have special guests like this! I don’t think anyone who loves science would have a problem with that!

Aldridge517 on October 29th, 2012 at 9:03 am

Listening to this while doing my homework. Great show.

Drew Mcdowell on October 29th, 2012 at 11:10 am

Hey Andre, you should check out the older episodes too! This show is awesome, and I’d recomend the live at the Bell House episodes.

Brandon Brown on October 30th, 2012 at 11:21 am

What a treasure to see such a group of geniuses and comedians in one segment. A pleasure and an honor!

The Rapping Engin33r on October 31st, 2012 at 5:26 am

Love Star talk! NDT is the man! Nerd is the new cool, deal with it jocks.

Clayknoll on November 1st, 2012 at 2:03 pm

I wiiiiiiish these were longer, they are soooooooo goood

Dennis_Russia on November 2nd, 2012 at 11:37 am

Great show! I laughed hard, all the jokes are intelligent and make you think while entertaining. I can’t wait to see the second part on the site. Neis made a good point about faster than speed of light neutrino, I was astonished by the “discovery” myself, I almost believed in the new extension to the eistein’s physics, but then they said it was a mistake in the measurement of it’s speed. Hope it’s not gonna happen to the boson they finally discoved.

Sean Morrison on November 2nd, 2012 at 4:39 pm

Neil DegrasseTyson for President!

Pedro Reyes RMA, NCPT, BLS on November 2nd, 2012 at 5:59 pm

You bring the new science to the masses understandable. I know it’s not new, just newly experimented. Now I know why the dollar store didn’t have any more helium for my kids party. The scientists of today are doing the things that scientists of old only could dream about. Great work!

Luis Angel on November 4th, 2012 at 11:30 pm

One of the best interviews I have ever heart heard… Can’t wait till part 2 comes out!

Leo on November 5th, 2012 at 6:01 am

Nice talk, I could do without the added in laughing though

Maarten Peels on November 5th, 2012 at 7:49 am

I’m the scientist of the future and I like this.

Jason on November 5th, 2012 at 8:27 am

Where has this podcast been all my life? That was totally great. Definitely hooked. What a cast!

LiamMalice on November 5th, 2012 at 6:04 pm

Particle Alchemy better be coming in the next 2 decades or all science-land will be receiving a strongly worded letter from me.

Jeff on November 5th, 2012 at 8:13 pm

We’re going to hold you to that promise, Maarten.

Jeff on November 5th, 2012 at 8:15 pm

I got to talk to Bill Nye in the green room before the show and I know what you mean, Samara. I second your idea for Neil and Bill having a show together.

Jeff on November 5th, 2012 at 8:17 pm

Particle Party Part 2 is slated for Nov 11th, Liam. So you can save your strongly worded letter for a glowing comment… it’s as good as Part 1!

Nick Goad on November 6th, 2012 at 9:14 am

Can’t wait for Nov 11th then, Jeff! Love this podcast, keep up the great work gents! =)

Dylan on November 6th, 2012 at 2:07 pm

Lemme axe you DIS

Jeff on November 6th, 2012 at 6:45 pm

Thanks, Nick.

Shervin on November 7th, 2012 at 11:14 am

Where can I see the video?

Lynn on November 9th, 2012 at 6:43 pm

This needs to be televised.

Chris on November 13th, 2012 at 10:36 am

You got NDT, Bill Nye, Eugene Mirman, and Sarah Vowell in the same room to talk science…Man I love this show…

Larry Olson on November 25th, 2012 at 10:23 pm

I can’t wait until they figure out the photon discrepancy which is novel and something that doesn’t match their calculations.

Lori Koonce on December 10th, 2012 at 2:41 pm

OMG, all my favorite things in one podcast. NDT and Bill Nye are amazing where Science are considered, and Sarah Vowel is amazingly funny.

Cheryl Geller on February 6th, 2013 at 11:11 pm

I laughed my ass off. I’m a layman – a graphic designer with zero math skills – and a quantum physics groupie and this was absolutely amazing. Thank you so much! -chery;

Andrew on February 15th, 2013 at 12:15 pm

Oh my god, this is amazing…..just speechless. NDT and BNTSG are what got me into science and astronomy

Andrew on February 15th, 2013 at 12:16 pm

And thank you for having moderation, keep all the ignorant people who do not know what they are talking about