The World Science Festival

“Infinite Worlds: A Journey Through Parallel Universes”
It’s possible that there are other universes—maybe even one where the 9 train still exists. “This a wonderful idea that could be wrong,” says fest cofounder and physicist Brian Greene. “We’re going to look at it from all angles.”
Retain this fact: Time doesn’t pass at a universal rate; it’s malleable, like your morals.
IQ requirement: Gifted. A desire to understand the “eternal nature of inflationary cosmology” is helpful.
Check it out: NYU Skirball Center, 566 LaGuardia Pl at Washington Sq Park South; June 13 at 8pm, $25.

“Nothing: The Subtle Science of Emptiness”
The scariest ’80s film villain was the Nothing in The NeverEnding Story. At this panel, cosmologist John Barrow and other theorists will stare into the void. This brazen act would have freaked out the ancient Greeks, who were scared to have a zero symbol: “They thought that if you allowed nothing to be something, you’d create a horrible logic contradiction,” says Barrow. “And then their system would collapse.”
Retain this fact: “Nothing is something: In modern science, the vacuum is seething with activity,” says Barrow. Ow. Head. Hurt.
IQ requirement: Genius. Unless you’re a nihilist. (We hear they don’t believe in much.)
Check it out: Tishman Auditorium, the New School, 66 W 12th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves; June 11 at 8pm, $25.

“Battlestar Galactica: Cyborgs on the Horizon”
When we end up fighting in postapocalyptic robot wars, Kevin Warwick is the guy we’ll blame. The self-described “world’s first cyborg” hooked his nervous system up to a computer, making him uniquely qualified to discuss robotics with BSG notables Tigh and Roslin (er, actors Michael Hogan and Mary McDonnell). “Humans building robots that take on a life of their own is a realistic scenario,” claims Warwick. “Autonomous fighting machines…they’re ten, 15 years away.” Oh, frak.
Retain this fact: While cyborgized, Warwick experienced an ultrasonic sense “a bit like a bat.”
IQ requirement: Gifted. Familiarity with Cylons is a prerequisite.
Check it out: 92nd St Y, 1395 Lexington Ave at 92nd St; June 12 at 8pm, $27.

“The Hudson Since Henry: A Natural and Unnatural History”
Never was the Hudson River as badass as it was when Captain Sully landed a plane on it, but it still boasts 400 years of human history. Ecologist Eric Sanderson created a 3D computer model of the river circa 1609, noting that the westerly waterway “went far downhill and is now ecologically robust.” Kind of like Eminem, or stirrup pants.
Retain this fact: When Henry Hudson saw his river for the first time, it was a nice day: “A hot, fair wind was blowing,” says Sanderson.
IQ requirment: Gifted. It ain’t easy stayin’ awake through 400 years of history.
Check it out: New York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West between 76th and 77th Sts; June 11 at 6:30pm, $25.

“Matter: Stories of Atoms and Eves”
Each lab-monkey speaker gets ten minutes at this Andy Borowitz-hosted program, which Nobel laureate Leon Lederman calls “a holiday from gritty science.”
Retain this fact: Lederman says even laureates are sometimes blinded “by the power of nice ladies.”
IQ requirement: Average. It’s plain ol’ English, no math required.
Check it out: The Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South at 20th Sts; June 12 at 7:30pm, $25.

Flash of Genius
Alan Alda, aka Hawkeye, will lead this screening of the titular film about a scrappy inventor. Alda himself was an tinkerer, dreaming up a refrigerator lazy Susan when he was ten.
Retain this fact: Da Vincis like Alda don’t need to call themselves scientists: “That would be like a fan of a movie thinking they were in show business,” he says.
IQ requirement: Average. It’s just a movie, people!
Check it out: Baruch Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington Ave at 25th St; June 13 at 1pm, $25.

“Notes & Neurons: In Search of the Common Chorus”
Stop, hey, what’s that sound? Musically minded neuroscientist Daniel Levitin has jammed with Stevie Wonder and studies how the brain receives music. He and musician Bobby McFerrin will perform and discuss music appreciation: “McFerrin’s a real intellectual,” says Levitin. “In the classic sense. I don’t mean he’s a poindexter.”
Retain this fact: Levitin worked with Blue Öyster Cult and “loves the cowbell as much as the next guy.”
IQ requirement: Average. Everyone knows “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”
Check it out: Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, 899 Tenth Ave between 58th and 59th Sts; June 12 at 8pm, $25.

PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAPS! The World Science Festival: Various locations (212-280-1602, worldsciencefestival.com). Wed 10–June 14, $12–$25.

NEXT Alan Alda interview
We asked Alda about science, ketchup and why he looks better in a suit than a loincloth.