Skeptic Check: They're Baack!

Could you have had a past life? Is it possible that some part of you is the reincarnation of a person – or maybe an animal – that lived long ago? We’ll hear the story of a young boy who started having nightmares about a plane crash. His parents thought he was the reincarnation of a downed, World War II fighter pilot. But his story might not fly. Also … is there any biological basis for reincarnation? Animals that indulge in the big sleep. Suspended animation is Hollywood’s favorite device for interstellar travel … But could we really put a dimmer switch on human metabolism? Learn how techniques for hitting the hold button for humans might be just around the corner. Guests: •  Cynthia Meyersburg – Research psychologist at Harvard University •  Tori Hoehler – Astrobiologist at the NASA Ames Research Center •  André Bormanis – Screenwriter, producer and former science consultant for “Star Trek” •  Matt Andrews – Biologist at the University of Minnesota, Duluth •  Phil Plait – Astronomer, and author of the Bad Astronomy blog at Discover Magazine •  Mark Roth – Biologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

The surprising connections in science and technology that give you the Big Picture. Astronomer Seth Shostak and science journalist Molly Bentley are joined each week by leading researchers, techies, and journalists to provide a smart and humorous take on science. Our regular "Skeptic Check" episodes cast a critical eye on pseudoscience.