• glitchdx@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    bill nye is not a scientist, and he never claimed to be one. He is a science communicator, a role he has done well for some time.

    Same with Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

    • merc@sh.itjust.works
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      2 months ago

      Not the same with Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

      I’m not his biggest fan, but I fully respect his scientific credentials. He has a PhD from Columbia. He published at least a dozen papers. There’s no question that he’s a scientist, a manager of scientists, as well as a science communicator.

      The problem is that his success seems to have destroyed his humility. It’s not that he brags about being so incredibly smart. It’s more that he doesn’t ever seem to sit back and say “hey, maybe this isn’t something where my contributions won’t be appreciated”. I think his science communication is doing more good than harm. I think he’s a great role model for little black boys who think all scientists are white, or that they’re all stuffy nerds with no personality. But, I think he’s at his best when he’s in a show where there’s a script and an editor. On social media and on free-form podcasts, he comes off as a know-it-all ass.

      • P00ptart@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        He is a know-it-all ass. He’s a self-important dickhead. But I appreciate his role in getting young black kids seeing a role model that they can relate to. That’s far more important than his ego.

    • Twoafros@sh.itjust.works
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      2 months ago

      Neil DeGrasse Tyson has a Phd in astrophysics and he has published a lot of papers. He is a scientist and a science communicator. Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye are not the same.

      • LustyArgonian@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        Neil regularly gets osmosis wrong and thinks it/distilled water can “suck minerals” from your body, something I was taught repeatedly in basic A&P, biology, and chemistry, that isnt true bc osmosis is the movement of water, not solutes.

        • NιƙƙιDιɱҽʂ@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          Well, considering that’s not astrophysics, I can’t say I’m surprised. Not trying to defend the guy; he can be confidently wrong and a dick at times and should be more aware of what he doesn’t know. On the other hand, I’ve never heard anyone say anything bad about Bill.

      • pixeltree@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        2 months ago

        Sure but watching him on nova when I was a kid is a big reason I got so into science and engineering so I don’t really care

      • MonkeMischief@lemmy.today
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        2 months ago

        Unfortunately same with Bill Nye. He seemed so pissed at getting recognized by people at a symposium.

        Like geeze dude sorry you inspired people as kids and encouraged them to pursue science and they’re excited to meet you.