Screaming Into the Void

This episode of Radiolab, recorded live, explores the theme of "voids" through three distinct stories. The first segment investigates a mysterious hum in San Francisco, tracing it back to the mating calls of a bottom-dwelling fish and reflecting on the value and risks of silence. The second story examines humanity's evolving perception of the ocean and the universe, contrasting historical views with modern astronomical discoveries. Finally, the episode delves into the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) and the debate around actively sending messages into space, ending with an excerpt from Samantha Harvey's novel "Orbital," read by Helga Davis, contemplating humanity's relationship with Earth from the perspective of astronauts. The hosts also appeal to listeners for support due to recent funding cuts.