Neil deGrasse Tyson Takes On Bad Science

Neil deGrasse Tyson recently gave a talk at the Purdue Northwest Sinai Forum. He spoke to a large crowd of high school and college students. Tyson is known for his direct and bold way of communicating science. He warned about the rise of anti-intellectualism in society. He said that beliefs like the Earth being flat can be dangerous when influential people promote them. Tyson made fun of those who believe the Earth is flat, including the rapper B. o. B. He also talked about "Mad Mike Hughes, " who built a rocket to prove the Earth is flat but died in the attempt. Tyson joked about the Darwin Award, which is given to people who die doing something incredibly stupid. He said it helps reduce the number of really foolish people. Tyson explained that the lunar eclipse proves the Earth is round. He said the curved shadow of the Earth during an eclipse shows it is a sphere. He also talked about how people want to believe in aliens. Tyson pointed out that eyewitness testimony is not reliable. He joked about UFO sightings, saying that throwing a hubcap in the air can create a UFO photo. Tyson discussed the James Webb telescope and its amazing discoveries. He also talked about Americans' attitudes toward science and mathematics. He showed data that the United States ranks poorly in numeracy skills and belief in evolution. Tyson made jokes about superstitions, like avoiding the number 13 in elevators. During the question-and-answer session, Tyson answered questions about young galaxies and the boiling point of water. He explained that the boiling point of water changes with altitude. He also talked about the unique conditions on Mars, where water can be solid, liquid, and gas at the same time. Rik Urschel, the president of Urschel Laboratories, was excited to bring Tyson to speak in Northwest Indiana. He has been a fan of astronomy since he was a kid. The event was a big success, with a large turnout of students eager to learn from Tyson.