September 9, 2008

Stephen Colbert, the Adam of space: Mock TV newsman's genetic material part of mission to preserve humanity

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

Of course he already thought he was, but millennia from now, when whatever life form looks back on humanity, Stephen Colbert will be the Homo sapiens prototype.

Colbert, 44 , Comedy Central's mock-conservative newsman, is sending his DNA to the International Space Station next month in an attempt to stave off human extinction. No joke.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

"I am thrilled to have my DNA shot into space, as this brings me one step closer to my life-long dream of being the baby at the end of [the 1968 classic sci-fi film] 2001," Colbert quipped in a news release.

Colbert's digitized DNA will join a motley crew of semi-celebrity genes, including those of Digg creator Kevin Rose, fantasy fiction writer Tracy Hickman and Grammy Award-winning country crooner Joe Ely. The genetic fingerprint of American Gladiator Matt Morgan (a.k.a. Beast) promises to inject some machismo into the extraterrestrial species.

The celeb presence in space is part of Operation Immortality, an effort to preserve humanity founded by video game designer Richard Garriott. Garriott, 47, the son of astronaut Owen Garriott, created the games Ultima and Tabula Rasa. He's traveling to the space station next month aboard the Russian Soyuz as a client of Space Adventures, according to his Web site. Price tag for his space odyssey: $30 million.

Garriott will deposit the "immortality drive" — the DNA, documentation of humanity's achievements and messages from ordinary earthlings — at the space station.

Garriott said Colbert was just the man for the job. "In the unlikely event that Earth and humanity are destroyed, mankind can be resurrected with Stephen Colbert's DNA," he said in a statement. "Is there a better person for us to turn to for this high-level responsibility?"

(Image courtesy of Comedy Central)

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American