this post was submitted on 03 Jul 2025
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Science Memes

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[–] glitchdx@lemmy.world 71 points 11 hours ago (6 children)

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.

[–] Twoafros@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago)

Neil DeGrasse Tyson has a Phd in astrophysics and he has published a lot of papers. He is a scientist and a science communicator. Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye are not the same.

[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 9 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

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.

[–] P00ptart@lemmy.world 1 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

He is a know-it-all ass. He's a self-important dickhead. But I appreciate his role in getting young black kids seeing a role model that they can relate to. That's far more important than his ego.

[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 4 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

Ha! It makes it sound like you're saying that young black kids are self-important dickheads and that's why he's a good role model.

But, yeah, I know what you're trying to say. Despite his social media presence, the image that kids generally see is a very positive one. He's a somewhat stylish (in his own way) guy, who clearly has personality, and is a very accomplished scientist. I just cringe any time he comments on something not related to astrophysics.

[–] P00ptart@lemmy.world 1 points 3 hours ago

Exactly. He doesn't need to ruin movies. We know that movies are for entertainment, it doesn't need to be dissected as fact. And we certainly don't need someone taking our escapism away from us. Let us have this, dude. We need this right now, including from the time he became prominent. He killed Pluto, which I guess is fine because it was accurate, but he didn't need to shove himself into movies and try to ruin our very-much-needed escapism. It's egotistical, and insulting, as if we don't know that it's a movie.

[–] JackbyDev@programming.dev 22 points 9 hours ago

He specifically claims to be a science guy. Not a scientist.

...

BILL! BILL! BILL! BILL!

[–] Melatonin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 21 points 10 hours ago (3 children)
[–] pixeltree@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 points 10 hours ago

Sure but watching him on nova when I was a kid is a big reason I got so into science and engineering so I don't really care

[–] MonkeMischief@lemmy.today 4 points 10 hours ago

Unfortunately same with Bill Nye. He seemed so pissed at getting recognized by people at a Symposium.

Like geeze dude sorry you inspired people as kids and encouraged them to pursue science and they're excited to meet you.

[–] S0ck@lemmy.world 2 points 10 hours ago (3 children)

It's a downside of being educated and fascinated by what you've learned.

[–] BradleyUffner@lemmy.world 4 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago)

I'm educated and fascinated by what I've learned too, and I've managed to not be an pompous ass... Oh wait, nevermind.

[–] Melatonin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 10 hours ago (2 children)

He kisses himself in the mirror

[–] OozingPositron@feddit.cl 4 points 7 hours ago

But only on the lips.

[–] buttnugget@lemmy.world 4 points 10 hours ago

He also has credible sexual assault allegations against him.

[–] zipzoopaboop@lemmynsfw.com 4 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

Mark rober manages just fine without being a pompous ass

[–] MissingInteger@lemmy.zip 2 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Here is Mark Rober shilling for Anduril, an AI weapon company.

[–] zipzoopaboop@lemmynsfw.com 2 points 8 hours ago (2 children)

Well shit. Veritasium? Smarter every day?

[–] MissingInteger@lemmy.zip 2 points 7 hours ago

Here is an advert by Veritasium for Google's car's (Waymo). It's a terrible video. It uncritically shills. It contains garbage "research." Here is a longer breakdown.

[–] Sidhean@lemmy.world 2 points 8 hours ago

Smarter Every Day pushed Young Earth Creation talking points in a video where he tears up remembering his time developing guided missiles :(

I liked Mark Rober until about ten seconds ago, too :(

Its a raw youtube link (I'm a cave-dweller) so I'm putting it here: https://youtu.be/VPSm9gJkPxU?t=1615

[–] NikkiDimes@lemmy.world 12 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Neil does have a PhD. in astrophysics, however.

[–] LustyArgonianMana@lemmy.world 13 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago) (2 children)

Neil regularly gets osmosis wrong and thinks it/distilled water can "suck minerals" from your body, something I was taught repeatedly in basic A&P, biology, and chemistry, that isnt true bc osmosis is the movement of water, not solutes.

[–] NikkiDimes@lemmy.world 1 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

Well, considering that's not astrophysics, I can't say I'm surprised. Not trying to defend the guy; he can be confidently wrong and a dick at times and should be more aware of what he doesn't know. On the other hand, I've never heard anyone say anything bad about Bill.

[–] Doxatek@mander.xyz 6 points 8 hours ago

Neil regularly says super dumb shit lol I don't subscribe to him but I see random clips of him talking sometimes and not getting things right

[–] BCsven@lemmy.ca 5 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

Sure, but he has a Bachelor of Science degree. :)

[–] Glytch@lemmy.world 9 points 8 hours ago

Yeah, but that's BS