Book

Cockell, Charles S., 1967-

Taxi from another planet : conversations with drivers about life in the universe / Charles S. Cockell.

Cambridge, Massachusetts : Harvard University Press, 2022.

xiii, 288 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm

"Taxi drivers love to talk, and when astrobiologist Charles Cockell is their passenger, they love to talk about aliens. This humorous, insightful collection gathers essays inspired by conversations with cabbies, ranging over the possible nature of alien societies, the inevitability of life, and links between environmentalism and space exploration"-- Provided by publisher.

Extraterrestrial beings -- Public opinion.

Life -- Public opinion.

Evolution -- Public opinion.

Taxicab drivers -- Attitudes.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Are there alien taxi drivers? -- Would alien contact change us all? -- Should I be worried about a Martian invasion? -- Should we solve problems on Earth before exploring space? -- Will I go on a trip to Mars? -- Is there still glory in exploration? -- Is Mars our planet B? -- Do ghosts exist? -- Are we exhibits in an alien zoo? -- Will we understand the aliens? -- Might the Universe be devoid of aliens? -- Is Mars an awful place to live? -- Will space be full of tyrannies or free societies? -- Do microbes deserve our protection? -- How did life begin? -- Why do we need oxygen to breathe? -- What is the meaning of life? -- Are we exceptional?

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