Neil deGrasse Tyson on "Cosmos," How Science Got Cool, and Why He Doesn't Debate Deniers

[HarveyDarkey]

The host of the stunning new Fox series wants you to understand how science works.
By Chris Mooney
Fri Mar. 14, 2014



Last Sunday's debut of Cosmos, the rebooted series from Fox and National Geographic, made television history. According to National Geographic, it was the largest global rollout of a TV series ever, appearing on 220 channels in 181 countries and 45 languages. And, yes, this is a science show we're talking about. You will have to actively resist the force of gravity in order to lift up your dropped jaw and restore a sense of calm to your stunned face.

At the center of the show is the "heir apparent" to legendary science popularizer and original Cosmos host Carl Sagan: the impassioned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who appeared on this week's episode of the Inquiring Minds podcast to talk about what it's like to fill Sagan's shoes (stream below). On the podcast, Tyson discussed topics ranging from what we know now about the cosmos that Sagan didn't (top three answers: dark matter and dark energy, the profusion of discovered exoplanets, and the concept of parallel universes, or the "multiverse&quot to why science seems to have gotten so supercool again. After all, not only has Cosmos garnered such a reach, but The Big Bang Theory is currently the No. 1 comedy on TV.

"I wake up every morning saying, 'How did I get 1.7 million Twitter followers?'" Tyson joked while discussing science's newfound popularity. "Should I remind them that I'm an astrophysicist? Maybe I should tell them, 'Folks, I'm an astrophysicist. All right? Escape now.'"

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/03/neil-degrasse-tyson-inquiring-minds-cosmos

[valerief]

1. Maybe we should also thank Peter Griffin for this show, although he'd never watch it himself.

Ultimately, we should thank America for loving the irreverence of Family Guy and making Seth MacFarlane so rich that he could be taken seriously to produce the new Cosmos. And all the programmers, past and present, who've built on each others' work to make the new Cosmos able to be so flashy and all the scientists, past and present, who've built on each others' work to make the new Cosmos so scientifically factual (as opposed to Creationismy untenable). And to Fox (arrgh!) Entertainment for delivering the show. And, of course, to Tyson and all the other people responsible for the show.

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/shortcuts/2014/mar/09/cosmos-seth-macfarlane-remade-carl-sagan-tv-series

[calimary]

2. GREAT point! When we were watching last Sunday, it was neat to see Seth MacFarlane's name on there.

I thought - "HOW COOL is THAT?" Now THERE'S an example of someone using his riches to serve the greater good.

[valerief]

3. I love his music, too, but I've always been a closet music-swinger.

http://www.amazon.com/Music-Better-Words-Digital-Booklet/dp/B005H544OG/ref=pd_sim_sbs_dmusic_a_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=00G2VEK1F8CEFW8MJQV8

[Skidmore]

28. MacFarlane was on Maher's show this week.

He is so genuinely excited about this show and working with Tyson. It was nice to see the enthusiasm.

[Blanks]

4. Science has always been cool...

When I was a kid I read comic books. The comic books that I read always featured how great science was.

Sure, the science in the comic books was very often bogus, but among super heroes - it was their knowledge of science that gave them the ability to defeat the bad guys.

There never has been a time when science wasn't cool - it just hasn't been in everyone's face for a while.

[Blue_Adept]

7. But like SF books and movies...

the science in comic books inspired a lot of people down that path. And laid down ideas that scientists would try to explore, emulate and make real. The science of comic books and SF material inspires the reality of technology and science.

[nxylas]

11. The multiverse is a good example of that

Parallel universes had long been a staple of SF when Carl Sagan was still alive, and I believe it was Michael Moorcock who first coined the word "multiverse".

[Blue_Adept]

13. You also have the early start of it in The Flash

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_of_Two_Worlds

It wasn't called the multiverse, but that became a huge part of the DC comics mythology over the years.

[Skidmore]

29. I stoll can't visualize multiverses.

I must be a linear thinker. I guess that show, "Fringe,"is the closest that I ever got to understanding it at a pedestrian level. Weirdness and mad scientists aside.

[valerief]

37. And I first coined 'multisexual' in my first (and very crappy) novel back in 2000.

I have no idea what it means, but I had a character accused of being multisexual.

(Well, maybe I didn't coin it, but it was new to me when I thought of it.)

[Blanks]

26. I was singing the praises of comic books...

Even though the science in comic books was often poorly implemented - science, and how the hero implemented his/her knowledge of science when the chips were down, made me a believer in the power of science.

[wheniwasincongress]

5. He is a great host

He's so calm and cool and assuring... His demeanor and physical appearance make for a great personality in the internet age - he's very meme-y. Meme-ific.

[Gothmog]

6. The first two episodes of this show were great

NDT is a great host

[oldandhappy]

8. I have watched every minute

of both shows so far and been delighted. Thank you to all involved.

[exboyfil]

42. I watch the new show and turnaround and watch the same episode number

in the old show. Some observations:
1. The content of the older show is geared to a higher grade level (like high school). The new show is more middle school.
2. Tyson is a good speaker but he is no Carl Sagan
3. All of the eye candy special effects still do not compete with the effectiveness of the original effects which hold up very well.
4. Tyson has 15 less minutes per episode because of commercials.
5. Please quit threatening the wolf with your fire brand.
6. The animation suffers greatly when compared to the live action historical account.
7. Better explanations in Sagan's presentation about the cellular mechanics, and the graphics are superior.

I appreciate the new Cosmos' effort, but the original is still the best.

[Vashta Nerada]

9. The Big Bang Theory is to science as what The O'Reilly Factor is to news.

With that aside, I absolutely love Cosmos. I'm glad science is making a comeback to popularity. Governments need to take note of this and start funding science, especially in the US.

[white_wolf]

12. I think you're giving O'Reilly too much credit.

Big Bang Theory never claimed to be anything but entertainment. I highly doubt anyone watches it in order to learn about science, but people do look to O'Reilly to learn about politics. Anyway, aside from that I completely agree with the rest of your post.

[brislington]

17. A bit unfair to a good sitcom

That seems an unfair comparison to me. Oreilly is a propaganda spew pretending to be news and whipping up outrage. BBT is a sitcom pretending to be nothing more than that. On the other hand, setting it in an environment most of us most of us would be unfamiliar with, a post graduate ivory tower academia, and making most of the comedy about the awkwardness of relationships involving academics is quite unusual for mainstream American sitcoms. We usually like our sitcoms about dumb people doing dumb things. The science isn't a main feature of the show, but it is intelligently written and when science is featured it is vetted for accuracy, the white boards in the background actually mean something.

If you don't think it's funny then fair enough, humor is personal, but don't compare it with Oreilly which has no redeeming factors at all.

[Vashta Nerada]

18. I think it's an apt comparison.

[CBGLuthier]

32. Naah, I think the Big Bang Theory is more Amos and Andy than O'Reilly.

Most obnoxious unbelievable collection of stereotypes I have ever seen in one show. And unfunny as hell.

[Jamaal510]

20. +1

I could never make it through 5 minutes of BBT. The humor is too corny for my taste.

[Vashta Nerada]

21. And that laugh track!

Okay, they don't use a laugh track, but still. It's super annoying. "Modern Family" doesn't need one and I know when to laugh when there are funny parts.

[brislington]

22. The laugh track that isn't there is super annoying? Huh?

You realize its a studio audience, right? Modern Family went for the wobbly camera pretend it's a documentary gimmick as used in The Office, so no laugh track, no studio audience. It's a good option, I like it too but some shows still have a live audience. Why does the one for BBT annoy you so? Could you honestly tell the difference between the studio audience's laughter in BBT versus any other mainstream sitcoms studio audience's laughter? Do all studio audiences laughing annoy you?

You don't find BBT funny, you find it annoying, you find Bill O annoying. Is that the extent of your comparison. Two annoying things are the same?

Just trying to understand why a good sitcom (IMHO of course, taste is personal) is equivalent to an appalling news/opinion show IYHO.

[Vashta Nerada]

23. The article in the OP called TBBT a show about science.

It's not about science.

It's about socially inadequate and inept people trying to understand in the world. To be honest, if any of those people on the show were my friends, I'd have blown my brains out years ago. Who in the hell would ever be friends with someone like Sheldon?

[Heidi]

31. I find Sheldon charming.

You'd blow your brains out if any of your friends were profoundly socially inept? I guess that's a step up from blowing their brains out, but it still says quite a lot about you.

[Vashta Nerada]

33. Yes.

I would.

As would many others.

[Heidi]

35. Bless your sensitive heart.

I hope none of your acquaintances or--heaven forbid--your own (future) children have social anxiety, Asperger's or any other condition that you might find annoying, you shining example of empathy!

[Vashta Nerada]

38. Sheldon doesn't have Asperger's.

Chuck Lorre came out and said that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheldon_Cooper#Asperger_syndrome

He's just socially awkward. And controlling of his group. And a know-it-all. And condescending. And a jerk.

I'm glad you guys are getting pissed off that I find a made-up character terribly annoying.

[Hekate]

34. That says a hell of a lot more about you than it does about the Sheldons of the world...

...and it's not flattering.

[Heidi]

36. Indeed.

I have to wonder whether DU's trolldar is in the shop for much-needed repairs.

[cui bono]

10. My 9 year old nephew had "science stuff" on his xmas list.

[kmlisle]

14. If you want to give a child a fun high quality science toy

Here is a great link:

http://www.toyportfolio.com/Awards2.php

The oppenheimer toy awards in the link reconnend high quality toys many with a science educaitn component. The Oppenheimers have a great history in American science and both brothers worked on the Manhattan project. When they were black listed in the 50s and could not work in mainstream science, Frank taught HS science in New Mexico. Many of his students won science fairs and went on to become working scientists. Frank designed the first interactive science exhibits called the Exploratorium and led the way for all the wonderful science museums around the country. Take your kids to museums and buy them toys that fit their interests in science!

[longship]

15. The podcast is very interesting.

Recommended. Chris Mooney is the guy who wrote "The Republican War on Science".

R&K

[HarveyDarkey]

41. That it is, was the point of my OP

[Jack Rabbit]

16. Science is cool: God speaks to scientific creationists

[center]

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[Martin Eden]

19. Cool Pic, but I also see ...

... the very top right shows the strong left shoulder of a man with his head slightly bowed and his right fist raised (like the black power salute at the 1968 Olympics).

[ohheckyeah]

24. I love Cosmos...

Tyson is wonderful and the show describes things so they are actually understandable and enjoyable.

[Hekate]

25. Dumb question: How can I see a rerun of Episode 1?

I'm bummed that I missed it. Saw #2 and loved it -- Dr Tyson is superb!

[Blue_Adept]

27. Easy easy.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/604551

If you have Comcast, it may be On Demand as well. And with whatever provider you have.

[Trajan]

40. My son said he saw it on YT

You might do a search there and at vimeo ... good luck, and let us know ...

[KamaAina]

30. Has he ever had a guest shot on Big Bang?

Like Hawking has? As an astrophysicist, he'd have every reason to be hanging around the lab.

[temporary311]

39. Yep.

Think Sheldon was mad at him about the demotion of Pluto.