Are we entering a "Dark Age of Science?" Recent controversies involving phenomena in our universe that include the ongoing debate over dark matter and dark energy, as well as the existence of what some astronomers call "dark comets", have led to controversy about our perspectives on the cosmos... but to what end? Further, are recent cultural and societal events in the world spelling doom for science, including efforts to determine whether we're alone in the universe? Joining us this week on The Micah Hanks Program is Avi Loeb, the Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard University, where since 2007 he has been Director of the Institute for Theory and Computation at the Center for Astrophysics. He is founder of The Galileo Project, and author of books that include Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth and Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars. Avi joins us to discuss his latest work, the search for ET, scientific dogma, and much more. Have you had a UFO/UAP sighting? Please consider reporting your sighting to the UAP Sightings Reporting System, a public resource for information about sightings of aerial phenomena. The story doesn't end here... become an X Subscriber and get access to even more weekly content and monthly specials. Want to advertise/sponsor The Micah Hanks Program ? We have partnered with the AdvertiseCast to handle our advertising/sponsorship requests. If you would like to advertise with The Micah Hanks Program, all you have to do is click the link below to get started: AdvertiseCast: Advertise with The Micah Hanks Program Show Notes Below are links to stories and other content featured in this episode: NEWS: Introducing the 'Woolly Mouse': Colossal Unveils Latest Breakthrough in De-Extinction Technology Rodent for dinner? US residents encouraged to eat invasive nutria STAND UP FOR SCIENCE: Official Website for "Stand Up for Science" SCU CONFERENCE: 2025 SCU Conference AVI LOEB: Avi Loeb | Department of Astronomy DARK AGES: The Dark Age of Science. Names do not constitute knowledge COMMENTARIES: Avi Loeb's Essays on Medium BOOKS: Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars TEXTS: How Did the First Stars and Galaxies Form? The First Galaxies in the Universe Life In The Cosmos: From Biosignatures To Technosignatures BECOME AN X SUBSCRIBER AND GET EVEN MORE GREAT PODCASTS AND MONTHLY SPECIALS FROM MICAH HANKS. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalog of The Micah Hanks Program, as well as "classic" episodes, weekly "additional editions" of the subscriber-only X Podcast, the monthly Enigmas specials, and much more. Like us on Facebook Follow @MicahHanks on X. Keep up with Micah and his work at micahhanks.com .
