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We are all connected; to each other, biologically. To the Earth, chemically. To the rest of the universe, atomically.

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, 2014 · Checked on 12 June 2026
We are all connected; to each other, biologically. To the Earth, chemically. To the rest of the universe, atomically.

Analysis

Biologically, all humans share a common ancestor, confirming genetic interconnectedness. Chemically, all life on Earth is composed of elements forged in stars, linking us to the planet. Atomically, the elements in our bodies (e.g., carbon, oxygen) originate from stellar processes, tying us to the universe.

Background

The statement aligns with established scientific consensus: evolutionary biology (common descent), geochemistry (Earth's elemental composition), and astrophysics (nucleosynthesis in stars). Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist, presents these concepts in *Cosmos* to emphasize humanity's cosmic origins.

Verdict summary

The statement accurately reflects fundamental scientific principles of biology, chemistry, and atomic composition.

Sources consulted

— National Academy of Sciences. (2008). *Science, Evolution, and Creationism*.
— Cox, B. (2011). *The Quantum Universe*.
— NASA. (2020). *Stellar Nucleosynthesis: The Origin of Elements*.