#350 – Betül Kaçar: Origin of Life, Ancient DNA, Panspermia, and Aliens

Betül Kaçar is an astrobiologist at University of Wisconsin. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– House of Macadamias: https://houseofmacadamias.com/lex and use code LEX to get 20% off your first order
– Mizzen+Main: https://mizzenandmain.com and use code LEX to get $35 off
– Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/lex to get special savings
– ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod to get 3 months free
– GiveDirectly: https://givedirectly.org/lex to get gift matched up to $1000
– Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex to get 25% off premium

EPISODE LINKS:
Betül’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/betulland
Betül’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/betul.kacar.astro/
Kacar Lab: https://kacarlab.org/
Betül’s TED Talk: https://go.ted.com/betulkacar

PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MAi0BvDc6GTFvKFPXnkCL
RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips

SUPPORT & CONNECT:
– Check out the sponsors above, it’s the best way to support this podcast
– Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman
– Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman
– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman
– Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman

OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(08:20) – History of life on Earth
(16:25) – Origin of life
(39:11) – Genetic language of life
(52:08) – Life and energy
(1:02:50) – Ancient DNA
(1:21:48) – Evolution
(1:33:19) – Alien life
(2:01:19) – Panspermia
(2:07:41) – Restarting life on Earth
(2:20:23) – Where ideas come from
(2:27:54) – Science and language
(2:36:31) – Love
(2:37:55) – Advice to young people
(2:42:29) – Meaning of life