Cosmos: Possible Worlds Season 1 Episode 7 The Clean Room

The Clean Room is the seventh episode of the first season of the show Cosmos: Possible Worlds. It serves to explore the concept of cleanliness and its fundamental role in the progress of human history. The episode is set against the backdrop of a pristine clean room in a state-of-the-art laboratory. The cleanliness of this space is essential as even the smallest particle can disrupt or contaminate the experiments and research conducted within it. The episode takes the viewer on a journey that highlights the role that cleanliness has played in a variety of fields.

One of the first focuses of the episode is on the importance of hygiene in medicine. We take a look at the revolutionary advancements in surgery that occurred in the 19th century due to the work of Joseph Lister. Lister recognized the critical role that cleanliness played in medical treatment and developed methods for reducing infections through antiseptic practices. As a result, mortality rates fell drastically, and surgery became a safer practice for patients. The episode then goes on to show the role that cleanliness played in the development of vaccines, where scientists learned that cleanliness was critical in preventing the spread of diseases.

The next example of cleanliness is explored is in the field of space exploration. We see how the development of clean rooms, like the one the episode is set within, was essential in creating technology that could explore beyond our planet. The episode delves into the work of planetary geologist, Ellen Stofan, as she talks about the Mars rovers. The rovers were built in ultra-clean environments, and even the slightest contamination could have led to the search for extraterrestrial life failing. This section of the episode beautifully illustrates how new discoveries occur, not through wild theories but by the meticulous pursuit of cleanliness and precision in scientific practices.

The power of cleanliness on the environment is also a key part of the episode. The focus is primarily on the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan. The episode highlights how the cleanup at the site aimed to be precise in removing all traces of radioactive materials from the environment. The process involved many difficulties, but the daunting task demonstrated the significance of cleanliness when dealing with the environment on a massive scale. The episode then goes on to show how our oceans are in dire need of similar treatment due to the high levels of pollution, urging people to take immediate action in protecting our natural surroundings.

Towards the end of the episode, we see how the importance of cleanliness has affected our understanding of the human genome. We speak to geneticist Eric Lander, who explains the sequencing of the human genome as a fundamental tool for medical advancements. However, Lander also explains that the genome is highly complex, and reading it correctly is a difficult task. He highlights how errors in reading the genome can have significant consequences, including incorrect diagnoses and unsuitable treatments.

As the episode comes to a close, host Neil deGrasse Tyson reflects on how cleanliness has been a critical aspect of human progress, and how its importance will continue to play a significant role in our future. The Clean Room has taught the viewer an essential lesson on the influence of cleanliness in a variety of fields, from medicine to space exploration, and has encouraged us to take action in protecting our natural environments. It is an insightful representation of the intricate nature of human progress and how diligence in scientific practices is crucial in unlocking the secrets of the universe.