Discover what makes life tick and where it might be headed. Are We Alone explores the nature, history, and future of life on this planet… and life’s possible existence on other worlds. Each themed program connects ideas in surprising and humorous ways to illuminate the origins, the organization, the behavior, and the future of life on Earth. It links this research to the hunt for life elsewhere. The question of whether we’re alone in the universe is one of the big unanswered questions. But how do topics as varied as cyborgs, Botox, dark matter, or the mechanism of human memory pertain to alien life? By understanding how biology, chemistry, physics, and technology function on our planet, we gain insight into what life might be like out there, and where we might find it. For example, the invention of thinking machines would radically affect life for our grandchilden – and suggest that any aliens we find might be artificial intelligence. Discovering the nature of “dark energy” would provide insight into the structure of the universe, and the possibilities for traveling to the stars. Investigating how evolution has shaped the biology of our brains, could suggest the workings of extraterrestrial intelligence. And research into poisons, such as Botox, gives insight into the workings of natural selection. But, wait! There’s more! Are you a doubting Thomas? Good. Thinking scientifically means thinking skeptically. Join us as we separate science from pseudoscience and facts from the phony in Skeptic Check, our monthly episode devoted to critical thinking. Whether it’s astrology, Bigfoot, or just the incessant onslaught of UFOs, we take it all on, wielding the skeptical tools of solid science. It’s Skeptic Check, but don’t take our word for it … !