• glitchdx@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    28 days 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.worksEnglish
      1·
      28 days 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.