Alda and Colbert Talk Science

Alan Alda appeared on The Colbert Report to talk to Stephen Colbert about his interest in science. Alda discussed the World Science Festival, which is being held in New York through the end of this week. "[Science] is so interesting, and basic science is so important," Alda said. "A hundred years ago, when they were just figuring out what was inside the atom, that wasn't really clearly understood by many people. They said only four people could understand relativity. And now, that runs our economy."

Alda also discussed his flame challenge , in which he asked scientists to try to explain a flame to an 11-year-old. The six finalists are currently being judged by hundreds of 11-year-olds, Alda said, and the winner will be announced at the festival this weekend.