William Shatner & Neil deGrasse Tyson think ‘The Universe is Absurd’

In this episode of The Business, host Kim Masters brings together two iconic figures—actor William Shatner and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson—for a wide-ranging conversation that blends humor, science, and existential reflection. The duo discusses their live show, *The Universe is Absurd*, which originated from a chance encounter on a cruise to Antarctica and has since evolved into a theatrical exploration of science, imagination, and the limits of human understanding. Shatner reflects on his Star Trek legacy, including the chaotic production of the first film and the unexpected cultural resurrection of the franchise through syndication. Tyson shares his journey as a young science enthusiast who discovered Star Trek only through reruns, humorously critiquing its unrealistic door mechanisms while marveling at its visionary concepts. Their dialogue delves into the nature of truth, the reliability of science, and the growing crisis of misinformation in modern society. Both men grapple with the idea that the universe itself may be fundamentally absurd—full of dark matter, unexplained forces, and paradoxes—yet science remains our best tool for uncovering objective reality, even as it evolves over time.