Neil deGrasse Tyson on Why Science Literacy Matters

This week on Moyers & Company, Bill Moyers concludes his conversation with Neil deGrasse Tyson about why science literacy is critical to the future of our democracy, economy and standing in the world. They also discuss the dangers created by those who would deny scientific fact and block important research.

[billmoyersandcompany]

"[A]s an American, I feel it. I feel the fading of our luster, the fading of our vision statement as a nation." 

In part three of Bill's series of conversations with Neil deGrasse Tyson, the astrophysicist talks about about why science literacy is critical to the future of our democracy, economy and standing in the world.

[franckmerlot]

"If you're science illiterate you're disenfranchising yourself from the democratic process."
Neil deGrasse Tyson

“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that "my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.”

"The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom."
Isaac Asimov

[Parmoss]

Smart people feel smarter watching Neil deGrasse Tyson's YouTube vids.

[NoahDamnGood]

Neil deGrasse Tyson is one of my biggest hero's!!! :)

[MyTemporaryAccount]

It always annoys me when politics is discussed without mentioning corruption. There are very few political issues that are a moneyless dispute, where people have real differences and they're difficult to solve in a democracy. All the big issues being discussed in the media are impossible to solve without corruption. As simple as that.

[ReedoTV]

The closing monologue is more relevant now than ever

[icecreamassassin]

"The major breakthroughs are behind us" my dad who was largely a literalist catholic (not fundamentalist though), said something almost exactly like this. He thought the computer was the apex of technology then after his death, smart phones became a big thing. Streaming on demand high speed internet exploded. There is always another mountain to climb.

[adamlewis]

Seriously, dr. Tyson is my personal hero

[waswestkan]

Neil deGrasse Tyson, care about the future of our country, and his fellow citizens ; he is a top level patriot.

[BIGBADWOOD]

Smart Man ! He asks questions and thinks freely !

[jaanc]

It's a breathe of fresh air that interviews before 2017 wouldn't force Neil to comment on Trump for click-baits. Thanks... god.

[katherinecooper]

Has anyone noted any changes since this was aired?

[rkpetry]

A closing thought on global warming: Half a century ago students learned about the solar cycle (sunspots) and its correlation with global average temperatures and yet the wisdom that then-said there's a two-hundred year cycle, is missing from todays' discussions—so, who proved which, wrong...?

[jt-iosp]

I wish more scientists, philosophers, doctors, and less lawyers and business men would get involved in politics. that's a problem as well imo

[TeemarkConvair]

if one needs the crutch of a god, so be it, it's their right; to use that crutch to trip society, that's UNCONSCIONABLE

[komolkovathana]

20:40. The last quest in lifetime...that why ASKING (sound/core) question is @least as important as to answering it.. (maybe some several hundred years after being asked.)
The real Powerful Questions (based on (sound) curiosity) can change the whole world.!!

[HellangelSakura]

24:20 "God help i know he meant it as a phrase that is used when all hopes are lost. but not the most suitable phrase when Neil just talked about the devastation of putting god on things that we currently can't solve.

[mtstewart]

mr. moyers, until all of the people in the world can use the current level of knowledge we already have and use all of the channeled energy we are inhibited from harnessing due to corporations not realizing ALL of their stranded resources in coal and oil, we are on hold. shackled to their mistakes. when our government again begins to represent us and our values we will stay under the influence of the rich.

[MultiMastermixer]

the last statement" God helps us " he cannot!

[Schmendrik]

LOL- Invoking GOD to help us at the end...isnt that ironic..