Neil deGrasse Tyson says America has lost its exploratory compass at Rice's 100th commencement

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson recalled President John F. Kennedy's famous "We will go to the moon" speech at Rice Stadium and discussed the drivers of exploration, but what he most wanted to talk about at Rice University's 100th commencement ceremony May 11 was Apollo 8.

"It was unheralded but it was the first mission to leave Earth and go somewhere else," Tyson said of the 1968 mission around the moon that prepared NASA -- and humanity -- to land on another world less than a year later.

[iamric]

These graduates were so fortunate to have such an inspired speaker/person to speak at their graduation. I just truly wonder how many appreciated this? The buildings that were shown in the video were amazing, .

[RYk]

If people would stop serving "nations" and "leaders" and "gods" and instead would start serving OUR species, thing could be much different.

[kotaniyumiko]

I respect this guy SO much <3 That was such an inspiring speech, his devotion to teaching us science is amazing <3 <3 <3

[JoelPR]

All I can say is the fact that he is correct in everything he said in that speech. Which leads to the relevant How do we take war and money from the list of "drivers" to simply "galvanize" a continuous R&D effort/policy that will always make a difference that will prevent the first one and always generate the latter? Which by the way, is exactly his point.

[hestheman]

I'm a History graduate student and I have to say he has an incredible grasp of History. Very revisionist (which is good and not a pejorative in any sense), and I appreciate that.

[theheavyweight]

One of the greatest speeches ever. I watch this from time to time to lift up my spirits and outlook for the future

[MrHutch]

Dr. Tyson is amazing, wish he had been the key note speaker at my commencement. So motivating are his words.

[newleibniz]

In reply to gheorghe cojocaru below: This is not the spot where Kennedy gave his famous speech.  I was there, with other students all wearing ridiculous looking Freshman beanies, in Rice Stadium during Freshman Week of 1962. Upper classmen were upset that the speech was given before they got to campus. There was sparse attendance, since Rice had a total of only a few thousand students and its stadium is huge - one of the early Super Bowls was played there. All I remember from the speech was, "Why does man want to go to the moon? Why does Rice play Texas?!" Tensions with Cuba were high back then, and when Kennedy was speaking a small plane flew low and directly over the stadium with a banner that said, "Enforce the Monroe Doctrine." You'll never see anything near a president like that again.

[bphlatsax]

How cool it must be for Neil Degrasse Tyson to speak when you graduate...awesome!!

[WynandBothma]

This is so inspiring... now I want to study at Rice University :)

[MindRapeHa]

I love this man. I dream that I'll be able to meet him one day. Love you Neil deGrasse Tyson <3.

[CJH]

Is it only me who thinks he sounds more nervous than usual?

[rustedgreen]

I don’t think people realize he gives the SAME EXACT SPEECH (word for word) EVERY WHERE. He didn’t even bother to change it!

[bequineclark]

Thank you Dr. Tyson for being a great role model and for making the universe exciting and most interesting! Great commencement speech and Congrats on Astroid Tyson!! Thanks for the history of our country's journey to the moon and mars.

[EXIx]

I would be absolutely thrilled to have Dr. Tyson speak at my graduation.

[WorthlessWinner]

The scientific community prefers robots because they're cheaper, less risky, don't need to come home and able to get a lot more samples done quicker. Niel wants human astronauts because he thinks people need "scientific heroes" to motivate them. I'm unsure if he's right but given the relatively low cost and high potential rewards, i think it's worth funding.
We have robots because they're a lot cheaper basically.

[mehdibaghbadran]

It’s so nice to discovered in the universes, with the empty hands !

[kk]

Lots of love from India dear Tyson! You are a president material!!

[TheAcadianGuy]

Because exploration is in our blood.
Exploring creates technological advancements and innovations.

[madcrazymonk]

He's not against space X at all. In fact he has one of the head of space X on his Startalk podcast. Plus, he's never demeaned any private space enterprises. GAWD DAYM.