The Most Unknown

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.