Professor Brian Cox: How To Find Your Place In The Universe

This is a conversation about science, philosophy, the meaning of life, and the unfathomable size of the universe.

Professor Brian Cox is a physicist, known for his astronomy and cosmology series’, including The Universe and Stargazing Live. He has performed on several sell-out arena tours, setting the Guinness World Record for the biggest selling science tour. Before his career in science, at age 18 Brian embarked on a musical career, forming a band with the ex-keyboarder from Thin Lizzy. Brian shares stories of his 5 years as a professional musician; as a keyboard player in the bands Dare and D:Ream. Having achieved in D in Maths A-level, Brian discusses with Jake and Damain how this experience taught him his greatest lesson: the importance of practice.

In this episode, Brian imparts invaluable wisdom on the pursuit of greatness and knowledge, and his belief that “very few people are naturally great”. He shares his secrets on summoning the courage to ask difficult questions and the importance of saying “I don’t know”. They discuss the greatest threat to humanity: human stupidity, and Brian offers insights on creating global cooperation in a world with the power to destroy itself.

Jake, Damian and Brian tackle life's biggest questions, whilst exploring life's more personal subjects: self-doubt, fear and finding confidence.

0:00 Starting out
9:19 Asking stupid questions
15:18 Brian's passion
20:08 Communication
26:43 Learning to experiment
31:55 Aliens
39:00 Brexit
41:28 Brian's personal life
46:48 Selling out arenas
51:24 Self-doubt
57:31 Quickfire questions

[Robgermain]

“Nothing is easy, it requires practice and it requires attention to detail. As well, take responsibility for getting it right” - if you get anything out of this interview, that’s the best advice you can give to just about anyone. Bravo Professor Cox…that insight you’ve shared is greatly appreciated. 👏

[ueckbueck]

26:16 "the success is about acquiring knowledge about doing it better next time. it's not about everyone thinking you were right."

[EricEstesEleutherian]

Brian Cox has been one of my favorite science advocates for the longest time. Absolutely love his approach & candor.

[AriaDhanang]

Brian Cox may be a great scientist, but he is an even greater human being.

[michaelhayes]

Professor Cox never dissapoints, his ability to engross you is fanttastic, a perfect successor to Sir Attenborough.

[mastodn]

Brian is a gem of a human being. I love listening to him talk about science. And your questions helped lead to one of the better interviews of him that I've seen.

[TheJorjewilson]

I’ve had a crush on Brian Cox for 15 years. His enthusiasm for the natural world is infectious. I relate.

[jakap]

In Britain people get called "national treasure" for too quickly...Professor Cox, like Sir Attenborough should be the golden standard. These are the people we need to drive the humanity forward...

[mycatismolly]

What a fantastic gentleman. We are lucky to have this guy.

[deborahcassidy]

"We may be the only civilisation in the Milky Way. Meaning is a property of intelligence. We have a galactic responsibility to maintain meaning. If we destroy ourselves, we eliminate meaning" - Prof. Brian Cox. It's not very often my mind is blown but my brain has melted 😳

[brad]

Brian’s ability to speak plainly and actually help others understand is best I’ve heard. If someone understands a thing, they should be able to explain it simply. He always is able to explain simply.

[susanharkema]

His humility is mesmerizing. I wish more people were as humble-attractive as Brian is.

[esraamousa]

"You can't force your child to do something, but you can give them the encouragement when they find something that they are interested in"
👏👏

[paulcarter]

If only all educators could possess this guys obvious passion for his subject, and his natural inquisitiveness..

[rachellee]

The level of humility in Brian Cox is just stunningly astounding. Such a pleasure to just be a fly on the wall for this convo. Thank you!

[joshknightson]

I could listen to Brian cox all day, he has the most soothing voice and he's so knowledgeable and passionate!

[davidlangelaan]

What I admire about Professor Brian Cox is not just his knowledge and dedication to his fields of science and the Cosmos, and his communication skills of those subjects but, he never has a bad word for anyone. He is the Sir David Attenborough of the scientific world.

[AshFaran-deqh]

This man has one of the most significant communication skills, combined with top-notch academic knowledge, magnificent passion, and great humility, making him a recipe for success in any intellectual and collaborative endeavor.

[markmanderson]

yet again Brian proves why hes such a gem of a human being and why he is so loved in the UK, some of us recall him playing keyboard ;) can watch Brian all day long, hes up there with Mr Attenborough in his own fields.

[norismercado-qoli]

He is humble and honest with his teachings a great human being