William Shatner and Neil deGrasse Tyson Explore Quantum Physics, Space Exploration, and Shatner’s Upcoming Heavy Metal Album at Saban Theatre
William Shatner and Neil deGrasse Tyson captivated an enthusiastic audience on Wednesday night at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. The event, titled “The Universe Is Absurd!” featured discussions ranging from quantum physics to Shatner’s experiences in space and the broader implications of the universe.
A Night of Friendship and Discovery
This event marked the second night of a two-part series where the long-time friends shared personal anecdotes and playful banter. They recounted their adventures, including a planned trip to Antarctica in 2024, where they first met. Tyson provided insights into astrophysics, explaining the elusive nature of electrons. He stated, “The electron is so small, we do not know how small it is. Every measurement of the electron is smaller than our attempts to measure it. As far as we’re concerned, it’s infinitesimally small.”
Shatner’s Age and Musical Ventures
Shatner, who is 95 years old, frequently addressed his age during the conversation. He mentioned his upcoming heavy metal album, set to release in October, humorously questioning why people smile when they hear about it. “Why does everyone approach me with a smile when they hear ‘heavy metal album’?” he remarked.
Tyson noted Shatner’s birth year of 1931, which prompted applause from the audience. Shatner responded, “I don’t like being applauded for my age. Applaud me for my heavy metal album.” Tyson also highlighted that the neutron was discovered by James Chadwick the year after Shatner was born, further emphasizing the timeline of scientific discovery.
Insights into Quantum Physics
The discussion shifted back to quantum physics, with Tyson explaining that in the 1920s, scientists learned that the universe is not infinitely divisible. “You reach a point, you have a certain amount of energy, then you have less energy and less and less and less. There’s a point where there’s a unit of energy and you cannot have less than that. That is a quantum of energy,” he explained.
Shatner challenged the notion, recalling how scientists had previously made similar claims about atoms. He stated, “They said it about every new discovery of the entrails of a molecule, of an atom.” When Tyson questioned his choice of the word “entrails,” Shatner defended his terminology, saying, “I’m trying to use the language that I understand. It’s not your language because you are a Ph.D.” Tyson humorously noted that the term did not appear in his thesis.
Shatner’s Space Experience
Shatner recounted his experience aboard a Blue Origin rocket in 2021, describing the ascent as he climbed 11 stories to reach the spacecraft. He recalled noticing gas escaping from a vent and, upon learning it was hydrogen, he thought of the Hindenburg disaster. “So now, with trepidation, I enter the ship and I’m in the chair, a five-point buckle, and the countdown begins,” he said. He vividly described the g-force as “an elephant sitting on your chest,” followed by the sensation of weightlessness.
Upon landing, Shatner was overcome with emotion, stating, “Jeff Bezos was there with a microphone and international cameras, and I’m weeping. I’m crying uncontrollably, and I don’t know why.” He reflected on his travels for a show titled Voice of the Planet, expressing grief over environmental degradation he witnessed, particularly in the Himalayas.
The Nature of Weightlessness
Tyson elaborated on the sensation of weightlessness, explaining that it occurs when individuals are in free fall. He likened it to being in an elevator with cut cables, where the person inside would feel no weight. “So anybody in orbit is weightless because they are continually free-falling toward Earth,” he clarified.
Shatner also pondered the importance of human exploration in space, contrasting it with robotic missions. He stated, “The voyage of exploration… needs to be experienced by a human being. It takes the human being’s experience, it takes the soul, the brain, the conscious and the unconscious being that we are to experience this magical thing called exploration.” Tyson humorously summarized this by noting that no one has ever celebrated a robot with a ticker-tape parade.
Reflecting on Legacy
As the event drew to a close, Shatner shared his evolving understanding of his place in the universe. “I know I feel an affinity toward this mysterious thing we call the universe and I’m beginning to understand my place in the great unknown,” he said. Tyson quipped in response, referencing a historic moment from Star Trek, “Do you know what your place in this great unknown is? You lip-kissed a Black woman on television for the first time.”
The evening concluded with Tyson reading excerpts from his book Death by Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries, accompanied by a pianist. Shatner performed “Rage,” a track from his upcoming album, eliciting laughter from the audience about the concept of a heavy metal album from him.
Following the event, Shatner and Tyson participated in a meet-and-greet with VIP ticket holders, discussing topics ranging from extraterrestrial life to artificial intelligence. The event was organized by Future of Space, which focuses on science and space-themed experiences.
As reported by www.hollywoodreporter.com.
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Published on 2026-05-22 03:11:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk