On paper, the couple seems unlikely: comedian and columnist Guillaume Meurice and astrophysicist Eric Lagadec. On stage, this tandem sparkles. to create Towards infinity… but not beyondan unclassifiable program that mixes science and jokes, the former France Inter troublemaker now at Radio Nova and author of The Cosmic Odyssey, an intimate story of the stars (Seuil, 2023) started from a quote attributed to Albert Einstein: “ Two things are infinite: the Universe and human stupidity. But when it comes to the Universe, I still don’t have absolute certainty. » From there, everyone changes costumes, but retains their area of expertise: astronomy for Eric Lagadec in a business suit, the observation of human stupidity for Guillaume Meurice in a white coat.
At once educational, fun, engaging and interactive, this sort of two-voice lecture, adorned with photographs taken from the James-Webb Space Telescope, graphs, diagrams and press clippings projected on a large screen at the back of the stage, explores and compare the infinity of the Universe and stupidity. Eric Lagadec is the scholar, the popularizing researcher. “We are the fruit of a cosmic adventure. “Since the beginning of humanity we have looked at the sky”starts. Guillaume Meurice is the disruptor, the specialist in digressions who tries to place scientific facts in the political and social context. “The human being looks at the sky, but also at the C8”reply. Our two speakers for one afternoon, by comparing their points of view, arrive at a common observation: the greatest human stupidity is to sabotage the planet.
Political complicity
Written by four hands, this show was born from the carte blanche that Sébastien Bizzotto, artistic director of the Curieux Festival in Strasbourg, gave, in 2023, to Guillaume Meurice. “I like the idea of bringing people closer to science in a fun way. “So I called my friend Eric Lagadec.”tracks the comedian. The two men met through social networks where they are both very followed. “One day, Guillaume sent me a private message and asked me: “If we enter a black hole, will we be able to recover the dignity of Manuel Valls? “remembers Éric Lagadec. I replied: “If you enter you cannot leave, it is a bit the opposite of the Health prison for marriage in the Balkans.” » In a context of political complicity, their friendship was sealed. The astrophysicist invited Guillaume Meurice to discover the Côte d’Azur Observatory, where he works, and the columnist invited Eric Lagadec to his monthly program “General Tour” on WebTV Blast.
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