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joshcryer

(62,536 posts)

109. "Nova ScienceNow" was really bad though. Even with him on it.

Wed Mar 5, 2014, 01:55 AM

Mar 2014

It's literally 15 minutes of science. 10 minutes of intro-outro and 5 minutes (in most episodes) of "what if" possibilities. Then the rest is commercials. The reason it was bad was it was trying to throw too much at you. NOVA on its own is hit or miss, some episodes are really redundant, while others are fantastic.

I'm not blaming Tyson for this though, it's just the media environment he works in. If Sagan were living today he'd still have to deal with it. I honestly think he would fight back against it while Tyson (and also, related, Michio Kaku) sort of embraces it. That's OK, that's what you have to do.

The non-fluff is outside of entertainment media. The Stephen Colbert interview, one of the most ground breaking scientific related interview in modern times. StarTalk Radio, incredible podcast, as are pretty much any podcast that Tyson chooses to grace (even when he's on Joe Rogan it's classed up 100x). His lectures on The Great Courses, simply incredible. I can't think of any course that has been so educational about the universe other than Feynman's stuff (Feynman had a really remarkable way of telling the narrative of the quantum universe).

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I absolutely think this guy has filled the shoes Carl Sagan left behind [View all] nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 OP

A+ Ed Suspicious Mar 2014 #1

Neil deGrasse Tyson is a peach. Luminous Animal Mar 2014 #2

Yup nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #4

We need to keep him front and center in GD whenever possible. Luminous Animal Mar 2014 #7

Oh there is plenty more where that came from nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #9

I know. He's on my twitter feed... Luminous Animal Mar 2014 #10

I prefer the specks of sand and to think of planets nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #11

Fundies are beyond help too. Auntie Bush Mar 2014 #92

Religious fanatics = Fundies nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #93

He just went on my bucket list tavalon Mar 2014 #48

And now he is on mine too nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #58

yes, he is! shireen Mar 2014 #75

Neil deGrasse Tyson spoke about that very thing earlier. longship Mar 2014 #3

Well, you know why I wrote that. nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #5

I agree. Can hardly wait for next Sunday. longship Mar 2014 #6

I know nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #8

Link to Tyson's commentary on Sagan's influence on him. Skidmore Mar 2014 #22

This video is fantastic and amazing. life long demo Mar 2014 #25

Wow! I was the biggest Sagan fan growing up and began college with ChisolmTrailDem Mar 2014 #42

paying it forward BelgianMadCow Mar 2014 #56

Wonderful video clip! Brewinblue Mar 2014 #69

Yeah Skidmore - Thanks! Plucketeer Mar 2014 #117

He's great G_j Mar 2014 #12

mmmmmmmmmmmmm Skittles Mar 2014 #13

I was fairly active on an astronomy oriented forum on 9/11 Fumesucker Mar 2014 #14

The 'lizard brain' is something I have come to recognize.... alittlelark Mar 2014 #16

Yep. I had people tell me as much in literally the same breath as we "have to rescue the Iraqi...... Hassin Bin Sober Mar 2014 #34

When they say "...because Saddam gassed the Kurds", they forget to add lob1 Mar 2014 #68

So many concerned with Saddam gassing the Kurds, Maedhros Mar 2014 #82

+1 iamthebandfanman Mar 2014 #88

He has more humor and 'salt' alittlelark Mar 2014 #15

I knew who you were referring to passiveporcupine Mar 2014 #17

So did I. Every time I see he's a guest on some show, I watch. calimary Mar 2014 #114

It's so refreshing to see public figures speak this way. Firebrand Gary Mar 2014 #18

I can't think of a better successor to Carl Sagen Jasana Mar 2014 #19

+++++ 200000000000 or more, if I get DU right - I'm old. raven mad Mar 2014 #20

No doubt about that Naddy madokie Mar 2014 #21

Money and fundamentalist religion, I migh say.. pangaia Mar 2014 #81

I suppose you're right on that madokie Mar 2014 #89

I've found Tyson to say some inaccurate things. Chathamization Mar 2014 #23

Some 'thing' which you can not specify, cite, refute....but you are certain you are correct Bluenorthwest Mar 2014 #27

same with the creationists they also heard some inaccurate things and turned off leftyohiolib Mar 2014 #29

Wow. Find this guy to be inaccurate and suddenly you're a creationist who thinks they're "more of a Chathamization Mar 2014 #31

What has he said that's inaccurate? Are you an astrophysicist? Avalux Mar 2014 #41

Missed post #33, did ya? N/T Chathamization Mar 2014 #55

I replied to #33 before you posted this. Avalux Mar 2014 #70

So I guess you missed #51. And perhaps the video. N/T Chathamization Mar 2014 #77

Nope, sure didn't. You misunderstood Tyson. I'm done here. n/t Avalux Mar 2014 #78

Here's what was actually said: "Your problem is that the whole saucer spins and that's what a Chathamization Mar 2014 #80

well i didnt say u were one ,only that creationists find scientists to be innacurate b/c the world leftyohiolib Mar 2014 #53

Bill Maher's critics include creationists Chathamization Mar 2014 #54

Links please! nt Logical Mar 2014 #30

Here you go: Chathamization Mar 2014 #33

Spinning flying saucers would interfere with their navigation. RC Mar 2014 #37

Except he�s not saying it�s a bad design, he�s saying it breaks the law of physics Chathamization Mar 2014 #50

The moon's orbit around the earth is not a perfect circle either. RC Mar 2014 #52

You didn't pay attention to the context of Tyson's answer. Avalux Mar 2014 #43

Tyson says that the rotating ship breaks the law of physics Chathamization Mar 2014 #51

Watched the video Gore1FL Mar 2014 #72

"Your problem is that the whole saucer spins and that's what a fool would build." Chathamization Mar 2014 #74

Interesting. So how many PhDs in astrophysics do you have? phleshdef Mar 2014 #100

Clearly, a PhD vaccinates you from being able to say innaccurate things Chathamization Mar 2014 #115

It certainly gives Tyson more credit than you. phleshdef Mar 2014 #120

Turning off your critical thinking skills as soon as you see �PhD� is a good way to quickly fill Chathamization Mar 2014 #121

The point was, Tyson is highly credentialed and widely recognized as legit. phleshdef Mar 2014 #124

As is James Watson. N/T Chathamization Mar 2014 #125

"Science entertainer?" Nevernose Mar 2014 #99

The similarities are endless.... Jeff In Milwaukee Mar 2014 #122

I have yet to hear him say anything in accurate. nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #46

Who would I trust more: an anonymous poster on a message board or Dr. Tyson? Vashta Nerada Mar 2014 #113

Truly the heart of science: which person should I uncritically believe? Chathamization Mar 2014 #116

Science isn't about believing. Vashta Nerada Mar 2014 #118

Exactly. The foundation _should_ be the evidence, not trusting a particular media personality.N/T Chathamization Mar 2014 #119

Sagan was a childhood hero... Adrahil Mar 2014 #24

I think that's true shenmue Mar 2014 #26

It is life changing. N/T deathrind Mar 2014 #28

I like Brian Cox as well... Tireman Mar 2014 #32

Him too! pipi_k Mar 2014 #38

He is good too. nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #44

I figured it was going to be him! nt raccoon Mar 2014 #35

Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Michio Kaku are awesome chrisa Mar 2014 #36

Oh yeah... pipi_k Mar 2014 #39

Kaku writes very clearly in his popular science books nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #49

Love'em both to pieces Leith Mar 2014 #62

He's the guy playing with the concepts of time I believe. 1awake Mar 2014 #40

I love this guy. If I weren't 74, I'd have his baby. Cleita Mar 2014 #45

I've only seen him on Bill Maher postatomic Mar 2014 #47

brilliant post, nadin BelgianMadCow Mar 2014 #57

I remember SDI all too well MisterP Mar 2014 #59

The quote is so spot on damnedifIknow Mar 2014 #60

NdGT is a gem amidst the garbage that is "infotainment" in the 21st century Little_Wing Mar 2014 #61

I hear you, but once you start down that road, you'd might as well through away your TV. nm rhett o rick Mar 2014 #63

I think they are both great in their own rights. Thanks for posting Nadin. rhett o rick Mar 2014 #64

Shh, ignored might get ideas!!!! nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #65

LOL. You have a point. nm rhett o rick Mar 2014 #66

Thanks Nadin Brewinblue Mar 2014 #67

K&R! Phlem Mar 2014 #71

yes, i knew who u were referring to b4 clicking thread. he's become the go to sci guy Liberal_in_LA Mar 2014 #73

Yes he is. He's another brilliiant scientist with the common touch Warpy Mar 2014 #76

!!! Fawke Em Mar 2014 #79

wow sad-cafe Mar 2014 #83

how does a country that gives the world this guy also produce limpballs? Doctor_J Mar 2014 #84

That is an extremely good question nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #85

But. . .but. . .but. . .he's black. Shouldn't he be stealing my TV or selling drugs? Nanjing to Seoul Mar 2014 #86

Well... walking away from the funny and massive sarcasm nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #87

True 'dis... nikto Mar 2014 #90

Apropos of Tyson's point, he has also said: Bernardo de La Paz Mar 2014 #91

Thinking back to college... winter is coming Mar 2014 #94

I don't know drmeow Mar 2014 #95

When Cosmos re-airs there are going to be nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #96

If people had a cosmic perspective they wouldn't buy into these silly Earth-centric religions. Arugula Latte Mar 2014 #97

I think he has more influence, but he's nothing like Sagan. joshcryer Mar 2014 #98

Tyson, Cosmos co-creator and Sagan's widow have been working together for YEARS to get this going. phleshdef Mar 2014 #104

"Nova ScienceNow" was really bad though. Even with him on it. joshcryer Mar 2014 #109

It is great to have such a positive role model for kids. BlueStreak Mar 2014 #101

Absolutely. nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #102

Just my opinion - obviously - but I think Carl Sagan would have BobTheSubgenius Mar 2014 #103

Now that you mention that, might be generational. nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #105

Look up the letter he sent... deathrind Mar 2014 #106

Thank you for this Amazing Post.... CherokeeDem Mar 2014 #107

Been working my way through nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #108

Tyson > Sagan. nt. NYC_SKP Mar 2014 #110

I can't go that far Brainstormy Mar 2014 #111

kick glinda Mar 2014 #112

However, he seems too tall Wise Child Mar 2014 #123

I like him get the red out Mar 2014 #126

K&R! I couldn't agree more. myrna minx Mar 2014 #127

He's responsible for demoting Pluto NewJeffCT Mar 2014 #128

So many inside nerd jokes in the Big Bang Theory. nadinbrzezinski Mar 2014 #130

Tyson is mighty cool, but Sagan was on another level paulkienitz Mar 2014 #129