The Most Unknown 2018

The Most Unknown is a compelling documentary that embarks on an exhilarating journey with nine brilliant scientists as they travel to remarkable locations around the globe to seek answers to some of humanity’s most profound questions. Their inquiries delve into the origins of life, the concept of time, the nature of consciousness, and the extent of our knowledge about the universe. Key figures in this quest include Jennifer L. Macalady, a microbiologist from Penn State University, and Rachel L. Smith, an astrophysicist at the North California Museum of Natural Sciences, alongside a diverse array of experts such as physicists, cognitive psychologists, and ecologists.

Through this innovative approach, the film emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. It showcases researchers immersing themselves in fields they have never explored before, which ultimately broadens the narrative of scientific storytelling. What unfolds is a deeply human adventure at the core of discovery, serving as a powerful reminder of the significance of posing unanswered questions.

In the Frasassi Caves of Italy, Jennifer L. Macalady](/actor/jennifer-l-macalady) makes a remarkable find—evidence of ancient microbial life dating back millions of years. While she collects samples, she later meets Davide D’Angelo in his lab, where he is focused on the elusive concept of dark matter, which constitutes 85% of the universe yet remains undiscovered. Jennifer highlights a staggering figure: there are 35 billion microbial species in existence, yet humanity has identified merely a million—leaving the vast majority enveloped in mystery.

Moving on, Davide D’Angelo travels to Brussels to collaborate with Axel Cleeremans, a cognitive psychologist probing the origins of consciousness. In a groundbreaking experiment, Davide attempts to control a robotic hand using only his thoughts, contributing to Axel’s quest to establish a clearer definition of consciousness, which he feels is progressing too slowly in the field of science.

Axel Cleeremans journeys next to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, where he meets Luke McKay, an astrobiologist in search of extraterrestrial life. Luke’s exploration of hot springs aims to unravel the origins of life in the cosmos, questioning the potential equivalents of consciousness in alien forms. He comments on the astonishing overlap between microbial diversity on Earth and the vastness of outer space, with DNA sequences resembling cosmic landscapes.

Later, Luke ventures to Hawai’i to meet Rachel L. Smith, who examines star formation from gaseous clouds. With the control center situated in the heart of downtown, the telescope sits at 14,000 feet elevation. Rachel studies carbon monoxide signatures, crucial for understanding star development, while also showcasing live lava flows to Luke, highlighting Earth’s dynamic processes.

Following this, Rachel connects with Victoria Orphan, who investigates life on the ocean’s floor. She reveals that underwater ecosystems, rich in diverse microbial life, prevent significant amounts of methane gas from entering the atmosphere. Rachel shares her experiences, emphasizing that more knowledge exists about outer space than the unexplored depths of the oceans, while acknowledging the critical role these microbes play in combating global warming.

Victoria’s research leads her to Boulder, Colorado, where she meets Jun Ye, a physicist diving into quantum physics and the nature of time. Jun Ye’s work with strontium atomic clocks showcases how they can detect variations in time when impacted by massive objects, opening new understandings about the fabric of time itself.

The journey progresses as Jun Ye travels to the UK to meet Anil Seth, a neuroscientist studying brain function. His research focuses on how we perceive time and whether this perception evolves with age. Anil posits that while technology advances, there may always be limitations in our understanding due to the inherent cognitive boundaries of humans.

The narrative culminates in a meeting between Anil and Laurie Santos at Yale, where she studies free-range monkeys in Puerto Rico to glean insights into human cognitive processes. By conducting various cognitive experiments, Laurie offers a glimpse into how these animals respond to different stimuli. In a beautiful full circle, Laurie reunites with Jennifer L. Macalady, intertwining their explorations and discoveries, enriching the film’s portrayal of the interconnectedness of science and humanity.

Through its compelling storytelling, The Most Unknown not only ignites curiosity but also emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions that can further our understanding of the universe and our place within it.