The Edge of Space Time with Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

In this episode of Factually! with Adam Conover, guest Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, physicist and professor at the University of New Hampshire, explores the deep connections between cosmology, social justice, and human meaning. She argues that studying the universe isn't escapism but a vital political and philosophical practice—especially in a time of democratic erosion and attacks on science. Drawing from her new book, *The Edge of Space-Time: Particles, Poetry and the Cosmic Dream Boogie*, Prescod-Weinstein uses the neutrino’s quantum oscillation between three 'flavors' as a metaphor for non-binary identity, challenging rigid social norms with the universe’s inherent fluidity. She critiques the historical ties between physics and militarism, advocating for a reimagined science that centers wonder, poetry, and equity. The conversation weaves through the role of metaphor in science, the importance of storytelling in knowledge transmission, and the urgent need to protect scientific inquiry from political interference. Prescod-Weinstein also reflects on her own experiences as a Black queer scientist navigating systemic barriers, emphasizing that science is not neutral but shaped by power, identity, and culture. The episode concludes with a call to embrace 'woke' inquiry—not as ideology, but as a necessary mode of critical awareness that expands our understanding of both the cosmos and society.