Moyers and Company: From a Universe of Wonder to the Politics of Earth (Video)

Description

• Scientific Literacy and Politics  In the clip introducing an interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson, Tyson talks about the importance of scientifically literate voters.Click here for a video preview.
• Introducing Tyson Interview Tyson’s argument that religion should stay out of the science classroom proved controversial. Increasing numbers of Americans reject evolution. U.S. educational performance is mediocre. Moyers introduces Tyson for another interview.
• Politics and Science  Moyers says politics can trump science, citing Republicans’ rejection of evolution. Tyson says local control of education allows this, but science gains public support by delivering technological progress.
• Need for Scientific Literacy Tyson argues for the need for widespread scientific literacy to maintain a technological society and create voter knowledgeable on relevant issues.
• American Academic Performance  Tyson relates China’s economic rise relative to the U.S. with its superior performance in science and mathematics. However, innovators have to go beyond regurgitating information on a test, he notes.
• Inequality and Education  Some argue that child poverty leads to poor U.S. educational performance. Tyson talks about the danger of unequal access.
• American Decline  Tyson warns of American decline from its post-war peak, noting the decline of Islam from its golden age. As a scientist, Tyson doesn’t care whether others get ahead but, as an American, he does.
• Future of Innovation  Physicist Jonathan Huebner believes humans are running out of world-changing inventions. Tyson rejects this, noting similar predictions at the turn of the 20th century.
• Unasked Questions   Asked what question he would most like to see answered, Tyson says the best questions are those we don’t yet know enough to ask.
• Politician Rejects Science  People often reject facts contradicting their political and religious beliefs, as with evolution and global warming. See Congressman Paul Brown denounce several scientific theories as lies from hell.