Our favorite, fearless (and patterned vest-wearing) astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson recently featured a pre-taped interview with Stephen on an episode of “Startalk.” Panelists Adam Conover (“Adam Ruins Everything”) and friend of the blog and scholar Sophia McClennen also joined the discussion to expound upon the interview’s excerpts.
Much of the interview involved Dr. Tyson and Colbert reminiscing about the early days of the “Report,” and the heavy influence of scientists and science-related topics on the old show. Dr. Tyson, having appeared numerous times on the “Report,” marveled at how “scientists [had] a voice in an outlet that wasn’t previously accessible to them.” Neil and Stephen playfully bantered while recounting how much fun it was to argue with Stephen’s willfully ignorant character.
Stephen fondly recalled how his Dad, who was an immunologist and researcher, impacted his worldview, particularly in the area of science. Stephen wisely stated “you can’t feel science at people, but science can make you feel.”
Sophia McClennen commented on the importance of Stephen’s work in defining the meaning of “truthiness,” and how sadly, misinformation has only grown in this age of saturated information. She described the current sociopolitical climate as one of three groups, “the misinformed versus the uninformed versus the informed.” The misinformed class, she argued, are commanding a great deal of the influence in our present time. The panel agreed that in this Age of Misinformation, esteem of science is ever more necessary. However, in his pretaped interview, Stephen acknowledged the limits of the informed, adding, “knowledge is power, and if they [the misinformed] refuse to know, they lose power.”
In a surprise bonus, old friend of the show and “Colbert Report” chaplain Fr. James Martin appeared to discuss the role of science and the Church. Fr. Martin conceded the Church’s historical shortcomings in embracing scientific discovery, but affirmed that science and reason have a firm place in an organization such at the Catholic Church.
Overall, the episode was a family reunion of sorts of old “Report” favorite guests, and a love letter to Colbert’s dedication to science topics both on the “Report” and beyond.
Watch the full episode on Amazon.
Let us know what you think in the comments!
Stephen Colbert on 'StarTalk' Hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson
Our favorite, fearless (and patterned vest-wearing) astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson recently featured a pre-taped interview with Stephen on an episode of “Startalk.” Panelists Adam Conover (“Adam Ruins Everything”) and friend of the blog and scholar Sophia McClennen also joined the discussion to expound upon the interview’s excerpts.
Much of the interview involved Dr. Tyson and Colbert reminiscing about the early days of the “Report,” and the heavy influence of scientists and science-related topics on the old show. Dr. Tyson, having appeared numerous times on the “Report,” marveled at how “scientists [had] a voice in an outlet that wasn’t previously accessible to them.” Neil and Stephen playfully bantered while recounting how much fun it was to argue with Stephen’s willfully ignorant character.
Stephen fondly recalled how his Dad, who was an immunologist and researcher, impacted his worldview, particularly in the area of science. Stephen wisely stated “you can’t feel science at people, but science can make you feel.”
Sophia McClennen commented on the importance of Stephen’s work in defining the meaning of “truthiness,” and how sadly, misinformation has only grown in this age of saturated information. She described the current sociopolitical climate as one of three groups, “the misinformed versus the uninformed versus the informed.” The misinformed class, she argued, are commanding a great deal of the influence in our present time. The panel agreed that in this Age of Misinformation, esteem of science is ever more necessary. However, in his pretaped interview, Stephen acknowledged the limits of the informed, adding, “knowledge is power, and if they [the misinformed] refuse to know, they lose power.”
In a surprise bonus, old friend of the show and “Colbert Report” chaplain Fr. James Martin appeared to discuss the role of science and the Church. Fr. Martin conceded the Church’s historical shortcomings in embracing scientific discovery, but affirmed that science and reason have a firm place in an organization such at the Catholic Church.
Overall, the episode was a family reunion of sorts of old “Report” favorite guests, and a love letter to Colbert’s dedication to science topics both on the “Report” and beyond.
Watch the full episode on Amazon.
Let us know what you think in the comments!