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Currently Playing: Are You REALLY Made Of Stars?

What happens when the universe throws a random curveball at one of the most precise communities on Earth? Cosmic rays high-energy particles from deep space are invisible, unpredictable, and capable of interfering with electronics in ways gamers never expect. Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens explore a surprising story from the speedrunning community, where split-second timings and frame-perfect precision collide with the chaos of the cosmos. How did a tiny particle from a distant supernova end up altering a world record attempt? And why does this single event highlight the hidden role of chance, physics, and electronics in competitive gaming? From the science of cosmic rays to their real-world impact on gaming hardware, this episode uncovers the strange intersection of the cosmos, human skill, and digital records, revealing how even the universe can play a part in our most meticulously measured achievements. Join Professor Hannah Fry and YouTube educator Michael Stevens as they uncover the strange, revealing story of the human tear: why we cry, what our tears communicate, and how this uniquely human response shapes the way we connect. ----------------- For more information about Cancer Research UK, their research, breakthroughs and how you can support them, visit ⁠⁠https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/our-research/rest-is-science?utm_source=therestisscience&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=goalhanger_podcast_partnership ⁠ Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), The Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and The Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ. ------------------- Find The Rest Is Science all over the internet by ⁠clicking ⁠https://linktr.ee/therestisscience⁠ ------------------- Video Editor: Oliver Oakley Video & Social: Bex Tyrrell Assistant Producer: Imee Marriott Producer: Becki Hills Senior Producer: Lauren Armstrong-Carter Head Of Digital: Samuel Oakley Exec Producer: Neil Fearn