The Most Unknown

The Most Unknown

Year: 2018

Runtime: 88 min

Language: English

Director: Ian Cheney

Documentary

Nine scientists explore profound mysteries in this documentary. Their quest spans subjects from the beginnings of life to the complexities of time and consciousness, pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding. Through collaboration and exploration, they forge connections across various disciplines, revealing the transformative power of shared discovery and the captivating nature of the unknown.

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Timeline – The Most Unknown (2018)

Trace every key event in The Most Unknown (2018) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Introduction to the Journey

The documentary **Most Unknown** introduces nine brilliant scientists embarking on a global quest for answers to profound questions about life and the universe. Each scientist represents different fields, highlighting the interdisciplinary collaboration at the core of modern scientific inquiry.

2

Discovery in Frasassi Caves

Jennifer L. Macalady explores the Frasassi Caves in Italy, where she discovers evidence of ancient microbial life dating back millions of years. This remarkable find emphasizes the vast unknown of microbial species, revealing that only a fraction has been identified by humanity.

Frasassi Caves, Italy
3

Collaboration on Dark Matter

Following her discovery, Jennifer meets Davide D'Angelo in his lab, where he focuses on dark matter, an elusive concept that constitutes 85% of the universe. Their conversation underscores the enormity of the unknown in both microbial life and cosmic phenomena.

4

Exploring Consciousness

Davide travels to Brussels to collaborate with cognitive psychologist Axel Cleeremans, investigating the origins of consciousness. In a groundbreaking experiment, Davide attempts to control a robotic hand using only his thoughts, shedding light on scientific advancements in understanding consciousness.

Brussels, Belgium
5

Search for Extraterrestrial Life

Axel Cleeremans journeys to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, where he meets astrobiologist Luke McKay. Luke's research into hot springs seeks to unravel the origins of life, and he draws parallels between microbial diversity on Earth and potential extraterrestrial life forms.

Black Rock Desert, Nevada
6

Meeting in Hawai’i

Luke McKay travels to Hawai’i to meet Rachel L. Smith, who studies star formation from gaseous clouds. Rachel's examination of carbon monoxide signatures is crucial for understanding stellar development, illustrating the dynamic processes occurring both in space and on Earth.

Hawai’i
7

Underwater Ecosystems

In Hawai’i, Rachel connects with Victoria Orphan, who investigates life on the ocean's floor. Victoria reveals that rich underwater ecosystems prevent methane gas from entering the atmosphere, highlighting the importance of these microbes in combating global warming.

8

Quantum Physics and Time

Victoria's research takes her to Boulder, Colorado, where she meets physicist Jun Ye. Jun's work with strontium atomic clocks demonstrates how massive objects can affect the perception of time, providing new insights into the fundamental nature of time itself.

Boulder, Colorado
9

Perception of Time

Jun Ye travels to the UK to collaborate with neuroscientist Anil Seth, who studies how humans perceive time. Anil argues that our perception may evolve with age, highlighting cognitive limitations that complicate our understanding of time as technology advances.

United Kingdom
10

Cognitive Insights from Monkeys

Anil Santos meets Laurie Santos at Yale, where she studies free-range monkeys in Puerto Rico to understand human cognitive processes. Through various experiments, Laurie offers insights into how these animals react to stimuli, revealing parallels to human cognition.

Yale, Connecticut
11

Reconnection and Interconnectedness

In a beautiful full circle, Laurie reunites with Jennifer L. Macalady, intertwining their explorations and discoveries. This connection illustrates the continuity in scientific endeavors and the importance of collaborative research in uncovering truths about our world.

12

Conclusion of the Journey

The documentary concludes by emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions that drive scientific curiosity. Through the journeys of these scientists, the film showcases the vastness of what remains unknown and the significance of interdisciplinary work in exploration.

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 23:39

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The Most Unknown Summary

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The Most Unknown Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Most Unknown

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Most Unknown

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