The video discusses the science behind the movie "The Martian" and specifically focuses on the feasibility of the main character, Mark Watney, growing potatoes on Mars to sustain himself for over a year. The host notes that while the movie takes some creative liberties, the science behind growing potatoes on Mars is surprisingly accurate.
The host points out that potatoes are a nutritious food that can provide most of the essential nutrients for human survival, except for a few vitamins and minerals. They also mention that a person can survive on a diet of only potatoes, citing an example of a man who ate only potatoes for 60 days.
Regarding the use of human feces as fertilizer, the host notes that it is a real practice that has been used for thousands of years, and is still used today in the form of biosolids. However, they also point out that using raw human feces can be problematic due to the presence of pathogens.
The host then discusses the issue of perchlorates in Martian soil, which are toxic to humans. However, after calculating the amount of perchlorates that Watney would be exposed to, they conclude that it is unlikely to cause harm. They also suggest that washing the Martian soil could remove the perchlorates, making it safe for use.
Overall, the video concludes that the science behind growing potatoes on Mars in "The Martian" is more accurate than expected, and that the movie's attention to scientific detail is commendable.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. NASA found water on Mars the same week the movie "The Martian" was released.
2. Mark Watney, the main character in "The Martian", is a botanist who gets stranded on Mars.
3. Watney uses his knowledge of botany to grow potatoes in the Martian soil.
4. Potatoes can provide many of the nutrients the human body needs to survive, except for Vitamins A, B-12, and E, and calcium.
5. A man named Chris Voigt ate only potatoes for 60 days to prove it was possible.
6. Humans can survive on a diet of potatoes alone, but it's not recommended.
7. Using human feces as fertilizer, also known as night soil or biosolids, is a practice that has been used for thousands of years.
8. In 2013, 55% of U.S. sewage solids were turned into fertilizer.
9. The Phoenix Mars Lander found that Martian soil contains about 0.6% perchlorates, which can disrupt the body's metabolic systems.
10. Perchlorates can interfere with the absorption of iodine and the production of thyroid hormones.
11. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a typical human consumes about 100 mg of dirt per day.
12. According to the agency for toxic substances and disease registry, tests were done on healthy volunteers who took perchlorate for 14 days and 6 months with no adverse effects.
13. Long-term studies have shown that exposure to perchlorate at similar levels over several years has no significant effects on the thyroid.
14. Washing the Martian soil with water could remove the perchlorate, making it safe for use as fertilizer.
Note: I've excluded opinions and focused on extracting factual information from the text.