Immunizing Against Anti-Science with Neil deGrasse Tyson & Peter Hotez

How do you stop the spread of anti-science rhetoric? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Paul Mecurio break down disease prevention and the rise of anti-science with physician and global health expert, Peter Hotez.
Find out about Peter’s work on “forgotten diseases'' and how climate change affects the spread of tropical diseases. We discuss the rise of anti-science and the impacts of the anti-vaccine movement. How do you uncouple anti-science beliefs from political ones? We explore the idea of medical freedom and the responsibility of doctors to balance academic freedom with professional ethics. What does it mean to be a “critical thinker”?
What are some of the strangest conspiracy theories? How can non-scientists contribute to science? Learn about the Dunning-Kruger effect and how to respect freedom while also enforcing scientific belief. We discuss our society’s approach to presenting facts versus opinions.
How do you discuss science with skeptics without starting an immediate argument? Has there always been this much anti-science or is it a product of the internet? Which anti-science movement is the most shocking? Learn about the movie Shot in the Arm and the history of vaccine hesitancy. Do Peter and Neil ever feel like they want to give up on explaining science to people?
Thanks to our Patrons Ivan Stanic, Jeff Collins, HD, Matthew Steinberger, Michael Tikalsky, Kin Chan, and Cynthia Cook for supporting us this week.
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Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
#StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson
00:00 - Introduction: Peter Hotez
3:23 - Remembering Forgotten Diseases
6:08 - The Impact of Climate Change on Tropical Disease
9:03 - The Rise of Anti-Science
12:09 - Uncoupling Science from Politics
22:05 - Strangest Conspiracy Theories
23:50 - How Can Non-Scientist Contribute to Science?
28:09 - Respecting Freedom & Scientific Belief
31:10 - Talk to Conspiracy Theorists
35:39 - How The Internet Amplified Anti-Science
38:40 - Anti-Vax & Demonizing Autism
40:40 - What Would It Take to Give Up Explaining Science
42:49 - The Ramifications of Anti-Science
46:19 - Closing Thoughts

[@StarTalk]

How do you try to combat anti-science?

[@ScrewdriverTUNING]

Science -Education with fact Anti sci - Education with opinion

[@-Subtle-]

The same way you teach people who don't understand things or misunderstand things: Socratic questioning to get them to see their own flaws in thinking that led them to believe falsehoods.

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

I call them out and challenge them with the truth. It's as fun as it is EXHAUSTING!

[@The_Kiosk]

I like to read the studies and then contradict the narrative using actual data.

[@JR-playlists]

Ironically the anti-vaxxers may get to learn about a science term they don’t believe in, after it’s too late; natural selection.

[@Randall_Jenkins]

I just want to give a shoutout to Paul. Every time he is on the show he has done his homework. Reading the guest’s book. Thank you for that!

[@Connect2discxnnect]

Agree. He is also just funny. All his jokes hit with me. Love Chuck but this guy is cool too

[@songOmatic]

He's much more comfortable and works well with the dynamics of the hosts and guests today.

[@noahschumaker5885]

I can tell Peter Hotez isn't Jack Black. But damn he does look like him.

[@sureshnaidu201]

Paul offit is not this interview

[@buzbuz33-99]

The problem with the internet is that it does not monetize truth - to the contrary, you can make more money posting lies than truth. The problem with society in general is that we do not value the truth and have not given people the tools to be able to distinguish truth from lies. We could easily do so and in an entertaining way - by creating entertaining games or shows that require you to determine the truth. However, there is a large vested interest in keeping people ignorant of these tools - which makes people more susceptible to marketing pitches, or to do things that are against their own self-interest.

[@auturgicflosculator2183]

Manufactured consent is built on ignorance, yes.

[@vanessamaldonado5877]

When politicians rely on your ignorance to remain relevant and viable as political option this never will become a reality, the most widespread political tactic in recent times is prejudice and fear of the "other" and politicians cannot allow you to get informed and actually have critical thinking to discern fact from fiction, because otherwise you might realize you have nothing to fear from migrants, minority religions, LGBTQ+ ppl etc.

[@oscarsheen3045]

A problem is that left wing scientists can't leave their politics at the door and accept invites to appear on right wing news. I suppose they don't awnt hard questions or disturb their own political beliefs or who knows? Maybe they sign contracts with MSN that restrict them from appearing to a wider audiencec.

[@s1nd3r3llee]

So true. Sad and all true.

[@DR-nw7xn]

We need to have pfaith in the science "The Science". The holy mRNA elixirs are 100% safe and epfective. This is TRUTH which is why they've made billions in holy 📈 prophets. The Pfizer boosters are the pinnacle of Truth and only apostates who carry blasphemous thought crimes would question the science. 😵‍💫🇨🇳🧫🧬💲📈💉😷📺🏳️‍🌈✝️

[@davidt3956]

The reason why social media and the internet are so key is because of narrowcasting. You no longer have a few outlets that cover things across the spectrum. Now you only have to listen to the things you like and want to hear.

[@michaelpurtell4741]

And disregard the rest

[@elizabethvillalobos186]

But I'm not scientifically literate (MSW), never having made it past 10th grade biology, but I love your channel. I'm subscribed and watch it every day. ❤

[@jamesspry3294]

Don't put yourself down. If you have an enquiring mind, you can learn everything you need/want. No one was born with this knowledge, and I'm sure you know lots of stuff that I don't 😊

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

But you think and that's hot. And if you are curious you're a keeper.

[@moglet12345]

>I can't lay eggs but I honestly enjoy about other people laying eggs -Humankind post 2020

[@auturgicflosculator2183]

Social work is just as important as scientific research.

[@karenmorris674]

Not everyone who has a MSW, is scientifically illiterate.

[@dmac7128]

In the discussion about "news" vs "opinion", prior to 1987 and the elimination of the Fairness Doctrine and Equal Time rules, TV networks actually did display a caption labeled "commentary" or "opinion" during an opinion segment of a news broadcast. Opinion shows didn't do this because they were marketed as such. One common aspect of those who are "anti science" is their perception of what science is. They view it through the lens of belief as if were a religion. They often see science as something that threatens their own beliefs particularly when it comes to evolution.

[@patrikpass2962]

No they dont see it as if the scientific method is a religion. Smart people simply know that science is done by humans and humans can be corrupt. Its about trust in institutions, not the scientific method.

[@vanessamaldonado5877]

@@patrikpass2962 I mean a fair bit of skepticism is always healthy, but there are things that are just logical, for example if a doctor is telling you to take veterinary grade Ivermecting for a new pandemic that at the time there was not a universally adopted treatment, why listen to that doctor specifically instead of the 99.99% of the world doctors telling you it isnt a good idea to use those unproven "treatments"? At some point you gotta realize the entire world cannot be wrong and this one doctor have all the answers, you also have to excerise critical thinking, ppl are not as smart as they think they are just because they question institutions, its also about how do you question them and based on what evidence.

[@dmac7128]

@@patrikpass2962 They do, because they often use words like "believe", belief", and dogma when it comes to labeling science, rather than "what does the evidence or data show".

[@patrikpass2962]

@@dmac7128 uhm. Almost one is against science the scientific method. What people oppose is when the scientific consesus is used to push autoritarian rules. Then these brave dissidents are ridiculed as being "anti science" when they simply don't trust propaganda.

[@rayagoldendropofsun397]

@@dmac7128 There's a link with Science and Religion !

[@CC-gg4oj]

Bill Bryson wrote a book called The Body, in one of his chapters covered pandemics and how unprepared the world was at the time of his writing. The book came about a year before Covid came along. He was spot on.

[@MaryAnnNytowl]

This reminds me: a) my planting zone has changed from 5, to 5a, to 5b, to 6 over the last 30 years, and b) we now have armadillos regularly here, though we were told they couldn't survive the winters, which has also happened over the past 3 decades. It makes me so frustrated that my neighbors, those in my county, etc., that have also lived through these changes, and couldn't have NOT noticed these changes... STILL don't realize that this IS part of the Climate Crisis, and no, it's NOT a very slooooooooow natural change! You shouldn't have lived through changes this freaking dramatic! Your grandkids shouldn't even live long enough that your great-grandparents' climate would be that drastically different to your great-grandchildren's climate. And then, trying to explain to them that this rapid change is also rapidly changing what diseases we are exposed to seems to also be like trying to convince an unpainted brick wall it's not painted. It's not listening... and it's like these deniers are also not listening. They're just like flat earthers, moon landing deniers, and young earth creationists, IMO. They let the facts given out to them go right into one ear and straight out the other, with nary a brain cell noticing them go past. To fight educational illiteracy, vote in better school board members aa well as politicians who will freaking FUND education! That means watching to see if there are any elections in your neighborhood at any time, every single year, NOT just every 4 years.

[@karagi101]

I’ve noticed how much milder and shorter winters are than when I was young. It’s obvious.

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

I'm used to fog coming in through the Golden Gate but now, it's atmospheric rivers. That's what they call rain now, and it is accurate. While watching this, it rained so hard I had to pause the video for a few minutes until it went back to just pouring it was so loud. Like tropical rain but cool. Tomorrow it will be a mountain of white fluffy in the Sierras.

[@Northcountry1926]

well said

[@rdelrosso1973]

@@BariumCobaltNitrog3n As the Planet Warms, the warmer air can hold more water vapor. In California the water vapor comes down as rain. But look up north. So far this winter, Alaska has gotten 100 (one hundred) inches of snow. With Winter not ending until March 20th, Alaska is on track to break its record Snow Accumulation in winter of about 132 inches.

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

@@rdelrosso1973 Yes. Same here, after the rain soaks the coast it turns to white fluffy (if its nice and cold) in the Sierras and dumps a mother lode on Lake Tahoe ski spots. Last year it was dropping 3 or 4 feet per night. Total was 723 inches

[@azztecar]

Thank you for your lifesaving work Peter. Please keep it up.

[@PhilRounds]

I read a book recently called "The Great Influenza" and it's chilling how similar the reactions, socially and politically, were to the Covid19 pandemic.

[@silentotto5099]

I read a lot of history, so I was aware of the anti-mask movement which erupted during the 1918 pandemic prior to the current COVID outbreak. Yet, I was still caught by surprise by how expansive the modern anti-mask movement became. I wouldn't have been shocked by a small number of fanatics, but that it grew to the proportions it did destroyed a lot of the faith I had in my fellow human beings. I honestly thought that, as a society, we'd largely grown beyond such dangerous silliness and was hugely disappointed to find out we hadn't.

[@k.sullivan6303]

I think we were lucky that Covid hasn't been as bad as something like Ebola Virus. I think that once you got that Ebola virus, your chances of dying were much greater.

[@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307]

Did they reduce the 12-17% death rate to near zero by eradicating the problem with immunisations?

[@manictiger]

@@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307 Good point. They also didn't lie about the lethality, like they did with C19, or call experimental gene therapies "vaccine".

[@PhilRounds]

@@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307 They didn't have immunizations.

[@fredyair1]

A public that does not understand how science works can, all too easily, fall prey to those ignoramuses … who make fun of what they do not understand, or to the sloganeers who proclaim scientists to be the mercenary warriors of today, and the tools of the military. The difference … between … understanding and not understanding . . . is also the difference between respect and admiration on the one side, and hate and fear on the other. - Isaac Asimov

[@Burtimus02]

It is not helped by groups intentionally undermining education of science - what it is, why it is as it is, and how it works - for their own agendas. Here I specify creationists/intelligent design advocates and climate science denialists as particularly destructive.

[@LakeTahoeGem]

I just love how people like you try to explain things, like fashion and science! What a farce

[@fredyair1]

@@LakeTahoeGem Fashion?

[@lawrencecrocker4870]

right its the publics fault that scientists have massively lied in the thousands. There is a valid reason to mistrust "science". Scientists are willing to lie for enough money.

[@Blazestar2000]

In my lifetime, as someone who used to teach ecological sciences to the public, I began noticing this evident divide between science and public discourse really kicked up a year or so after the Space Shuttle Program ended (2011). Where I lived here in Florida, the Space Shuttle was a shining beacon for students - an awe-inspiring reminder of what can be accomplished with human commraderie and scientific endevours. In addition to this, Florida's rich ecosystem of fauna and flora captivated many people - and inspired swathes of teenagers to become biologists and what have you. But as the spectacle of space-science died down, and Florida's ecosystem became increasingly tourist-centric, it felt like science was losing its favor and respect within the public's eye.

[@adamcarroll5130]

Now Florida is ground zero for lets adopt dark age policies and see where we go from here

[@MediCowboy]

I am here to learn. I am uneducated by most accounts and Love the stars and space but realized we will never get to the stars if we cannot solve some of the problems here first. Watching these videos have been giving me hope for the future. Hope is almost all I have. I wish I could afford schooling to be able to do something to help but I will help by trying to stay as educated as I can.

[@bernardshaw7585]

Perfect timing just finished my last and was contemplating what book to read next, ordered

[@FirstWayHockey]

What to say to conspirators : “You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe” ― Carl Sagan

[@xEvilRaptorx]

Interesting quote. It also can apply to the "woke" movement as well as conspiracy ppl.

[@johnpristo4161]

I'm from the Philippines This topic really true Sometimes I want to ask questions But I don't know how I watch Startalk every night

[@barryscully1820]

Just because someone has an idea or new theory does not mean that scientists need to prove it wrong, it is up to the person(s) with that idea to give facts/evidence supporting an idea that can then be looked at by others, re-tested to see the evidence holds and or show evidence as to how that data might not be sufficient to be the correct and/or only solution. I know that this is the basis of the concept of science but it is the difficult thing I think to get through to people. When most of politics (and many other areas) is based on the manipulation of emotional responses it is very difficult to get most people to think rationally. It seems the battle that has been lost is to those who use emotional arguments to push for decisions so successfully. My question would be is it possible for humans (not an individual human) to use rationality instead of emotions to make decisions in life.

[@alanjackson1015]

Yes, the dissenting thought needs to provide evidence of why their thought is correct. It is not up to me to prove you wrong. Most people get that backwards

[@markgrossman7974]

The immunologist in me is so glad you brought on Dr. Hotez!

[@easymoneysniper9013]

Weird Joe Rogan doesn't have any of you guys on in virology huh

[@jayare6804]

so much yes to a disclaimer on cable news between fact and opinions / editorials.

[@barbaragemin5117]

Thanks so much to all three of you. I can’t think of any other channel that combines amazing knowledge of science, which is understandable to non- scientists, and great humour. This anti- science video was both fascinating and of course, worrying.

[@TheKayleeanna]

Love the combo of Neil and Paul asking questions. 👌🏾

[@JoeVanGogh]

Well done gentlemen👏👏 Thank you❤

[@PackRatManiac]

I found Dr. Hotez's book on Spotify. I have two autistic daughters and my oldest has a half sibling with autism. I'm hoping his book will help me convince others that vaccines are not the issue when it comes to autism. It's alarming how many people I meet that assume I'm antivaxx because my girls are autistic. Brian Deer also did some great work debunking the work of Andrew Wakefield. I highly recommend his work.

[@lw1zfog]

😂🤦🏽‍♂️🥴 good lord .... you do know that all thirteen original co-authors of the 1998 Lancet case series were members of the Royal Free Hospitals Inflammatory Bowel Disease Study Group ? you do know that the paper never made the claim that the vaccines ‘caused autism’ ? you do know that Brian Deer was actively engaged by James Murdoch, son of Rupert, specifically for the hatchet job role ? you are aware of James Murdoch’s relationship to GSK ? you do understand that the GMC trial had no actual complainants ? you do realise that the paper in question’s co-author Professor John Walker-Smith subsequently had the GMC’s ruling overturned, with the Judge referencing their case as “inadequate and superficial reasoning and, in a number of instances, a wrong conclusion”, & that Walker-Smith was fully exonerated ? .... or were you just diligently repeating what you’d been told to think ?

[@julandazachary2776]

This was a well needed show.. and I'm from Daytona Beach Florida so I was glad for the shout out question ‼️🔥🥰💯

[@jamesspry3294]

Love your work team! Best comment (ever...?) was about people needing to belong, and so they group together with like minded people. That's social psychology right there and explains a LOT! If they need to belong, they can also belong on the "right" side... 😊

[@davidt3956]

I live in a 55+ residence. Today, I talked with a guy who said, out of the blue, that he doesn't believe evolution. There's was nothing I could say to the deluded person, so I didn't even try. I switched the topic.

[@willrose5424]

Because aliens are hiding. 😂

[@MaryAnnNytowl]

How very sad. 😢

[@tonyhorn2954]

Neil tells a great story about a conversation he had with a person who said we never went to the moon. he asked the person what proof would change his mind. The person said photographic evidence. So Neil produced an album of photos of various aspects if the lunar mission. The other person said they were all faked by NASA. At that point Neil shut down the conversation as the person was provided the proof they asked for but did not believe it. You will not be able to provide proof for most science illiterates (my description) so shutting down the conversation is usually the best option. We all know the science is out there if you really want to learn. They do not so don't waste your breath.

[@maxmordon7295]

You might try next time the most specific and subtletest sarcastic remarks on the issue (and related ones) saying, for example, 'Oh, yeah, how ιdιστιc it is to collect "samples" to "study" them [literal quotation mark gestures using one's own fingers] inside laboratories, or reading the conclusions reached by "researchers" trying to figure out how life has developed and adapted on Earth... It's so silly!'; off course, you MUST contain your laugh as long as they are watching and hearing you...

[@davidt3956]

@@maxmordon7295He's in his 90s, he's not going to change. It's important to pick your fights.

[@gerrymjrb]

Thanks for doing this.

[@Hikebike365]

Thank you guys for all you do! So many great thoughts and yet so sad to hear that not only are you under appreciated - your actually facing real threats. Pure madness. Listening to Peter talk about it makes my brain and heart hurt. Keep up the good work, many of us appreciate your efforts..... Especially with what your facing (I guess we're all facing it to some degree)

[@defresh3339]

Just heard Paul on Preston and Steve in Philly, seems like a very interesting dude! It's cool to see him on this show, as he does seem to be intelligent! Great conversations here!

[@carmenmccauley585]

"he seems to be intelligent"? Wow. The man is brilliant.

[@clayratliff7727]

I think it would go a long way towards stopping the blending of news and opinion if we would simply stop allowing talk shows to call themselves "news" or use "news" in their names. I would love to see legislation that says you can only be classified as journalism or news organization if you can prove in a court of law that you're reasonably objective.

[@bluejay8047]

Fantastic discussion, gentlemen - thank you Dr Hotez, Dr Tyson, and Mr Mecurio. Please come back.

[@LeftUntilRight]

Great video guys, love the important content you continue to put out in the public sphere. Great to discover you Peter Hotez. 😊

[@dandesjardins2552]

Omg what wonderful shows guys keep up the great work Hamilton Ontario here

[@youbewb5581]

The difference between professional peer reviews and civilian peer reviews(aka social media) is that one has experts trying to poke holes in your theory while the other often does not.

[@troymosher4877]

Good one. I enjoyed this talk.

[@donnafink6262]

Fabulous discussion! Thank you for sharing.

[@ongogablogian3431]

Skepticism isn't the issue. The issue is outright denial of confirmed and established evidence/science derived from multiple, peer reviewed sources in an effort to support ones own preconseptions. Do some people experience negative reactions resulting from vaccinations? Sure. The question is to what degree those negative reactions are outweighed by the positive benefits, i.e., cost, benefit analysis. Overwhelmingly, does society benefit? This shouldn't be controversial.

[@karagi101]

Bingo! It’s the result of very poor education. That’s why we have all these quacks peddling cures and entire fields such as naturopathic medicine.

[@SenatorBluto]

The benefit isn't outweighing the risk.

[@karagi101]

@@SenatorBluto The benefits massively outweigh the risks. Did you see hospitals filling up with vaccines injured people?

[@SenatorBluto]

@@karagi101 Yes, hospitals are filling up with vax injured people and excess mortality is running bafflingly high.

[@SenatorBluto]

@@karagi101 Yes

[@varcitydropout4545]

Great episode! Thank you

[@EricRoss57]

Thank you for a great discussion, gents!

[@eschwarz1003]

Dr. Hotez thank you immeasurably for all the relief from suffering you bestow upon the most vulnerable persons in the world

[@Finnman-ty4lc]

fantastic conversation really liked the topics of conversation

[@betaneptune]

Technology is based on science. And technology works; therefore, the science must be at least that much right.

[@patrickstoker2941]

When I was working as an academic director in Texas for a University, I had a student worker, who despite his background in Chemistry ( with almost straight A averages) firmly believed and advocated the literal young earth creationist views.

[@alexaales7937]

i learn something new every time i watch ST, and i am deeply grateful for that!

[@afrodesiac8064]

People are desperate to make anything politically adverse to them... even if it kills them.

[@-Subtle-]

And they did... in droves. Dying in a hospital bed, telling those on the front line that it was all a hoax. It was so sad.

[@JJ3nkins89]

@@-Subtle- Vax them kids over n over who are at nearly zero risk.

[@jannichi6431]

Think there's more we AGREE on with common facts and science.

[@jannichi6431]

Empathy wasn't there during COVID. Just for the obese or health compromised is what I heard from those refusing to wear masks. I would pop back, but what if YOU are a spreader. The next week they were layed up in bed for a week, and still are today with new variant. CAN "get new shot with Flu shot" Good t-shirt 👕

[@tonyhorn2954]

Politics got in the way of science BIG TIME during the covid disaster. Just one example: Trump saying that Covid was a Democrat fantasy and would be gone by May when the weather gets warmer. It happened in the UK, it happened in Australia. Here in Australia all politicians were on board initially. After a while the bi-partisan report broke down and it became political. Just wait until the next big pandemic comes along. if it is more lethal than covid teh world is done for.

[@philipberthiaume2314]

Science is fact and hypothesis based. A big problem is that the vast majority of ppl have no idea how science works. U cannot disagree with science. U can present a different hypothesis with appropriate studies to support new conclusions and let it be reviewed by peers.

[@Killswitch1411]

but you are allowed to question it and gather more information. Presenting different hypothesis is questioning it and disagreeing once you figure out there is better science to present.

[@philipberthiaume2314]

@@Killswitch1411 agreed but that's not disagreement. Let's use another analogy. No matter how much someone disagrees with gravity, it's still there. No matter how much someone disagrees with vaccines, they still work with overwhelming evidentiary proof that they save lives. The commenter to which we are replying to, states that someone can disagree with any of these notions but they can't. Science is hypothesis and fact based. I think we may be debating nuance perhaps? But the above is my point and I agree with your last comment.

[@Killswitch1411]

Thing is science isn't always fact based its our best information at the time i'd say its more evidence based not fact. Doesn't mean its pure fact. IDC what people wanna put in their body I got every other necessary vaccine require except the Covid vaccine because a Coronavirus is constantly changing and evolving and I'm a healthy young adult knowing the risk and I determined getting the vaccine posses more risk that what I consider reasonable based on the evidence that's been shown. I worked all through Covid in the public and survived with zero complications, because I'm a younger healthy adult. I get not everyone is and what they choose to do is their choice. @@philipberthiaume2314

[@limitisillusion7]

​@@philipberthiaume2314Vaccines work for who exactly? The general population? And are they safe and effective? How can a 3 year old vaccine have long term testing? How can you trust the institutions doing the testing with so much financial corruption present? How can you trust institutions who aren't fully transparent with data? If the average person is unhealthy, whether due to obesity, diet, stress, etc., should a healthy, unstressed person listen to the data that makes generalizations about relative vaccine risks for the entire population? Is it relatively safer for the healthy person with a robust immune system to get vaccinated or remain unvaccinated? And perhaps the most important question of all... Is the control exerted by an authoritarian lockdown and mandate more harmful than a laissez-faire approach in the long-term? The only *fact* is that we don't have long-term answers to any of these questions until the time has passed.

[@gorgeousfreeman1318]

They don't disagree with science, they disagree with a model. They are the opposite side of technophiles, who believe anything the "experts" say is 100% fact. Both are damaging and both are morons. Everything should be questioned, everyone needs a healthy bit of skepticism

[@robotron17]

*Hotez:* "Two doses and you're fully immunized." "This is going to be a long-lasting vaccine" *Hotez, a few months later:* "I've always said, this is a three-dose vaccine"

[@jamespardue3055]

Yes! By all means, make your work more visible and accessible to the public. Push for appearances on mainstream media, push for appearing before congressional committees, get out there with scientists like Neil who have charisma and an ability to explain science, and make it relevant to the public's everyday experiences. Carl Sagan was excellent at that, but honestly, you need a PR Blitz if we're going to have a chance of moving humanity towards the light of logic and reason.

[@TheSolXP]

30:00 I would even take it further and add Sarcasm as a category. On media outlets, especially KZbin, there is no discernment of context or jest, so most people take everything at face value; this is why Snopes exists as a resource (when people want to utilize it).

[@xEvilRaptorx]

Id argue the lack of a sarcasm punctuation mark causes messages to be read wrong

[@shmoobalizer]

happy to be here

[@Blakblooded]

"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti- intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.” ― Isaac Asimov

[@Hotspur37]

Seeing Neil in Toronto on FEB 6th cannot wait for his talk

[@MrChrisdavie]

It’s a shame it came to this, but this is what happens when greed compromises people. There’s a reason there’s mistrust, and the only cure is for full transparency and honesty. We need to remove greed and compromised people from science.

[@starparik]

It’s actually the other way round. There always have been some bad apples in science and there always will be but that never stopped science from progressing. The core problem lies in masses. People’s selfishness, greed and ego. People don’t wanna work hard to educate themselves, they want a life without responsibilities, everything should be easy and spoon-fed. Big corporations take this opportunity to further brainwash these people to turn em into consumer slaves.

[@Alkatross]

Impossible

[@karljenkinson3143]

Who do you consider compromised??

[@distracted-dad]

that's part of the problem. The other part is there is money to be made sowing mistrust. It's an old but effective grift: you can't trust your doctor, you can't trust public health officials, you can't trust pharmaceutical companies, but you can trust me, buy my supplements.

[@astyanax905]

​@@distracted-dadvery well said

[@Snuggles_the_Unholy]

The whole point of science is that it takes into consideration ALL CLAIMS and then asks for data to back it up. If the methodology is garbage, that will wash out. SCIENCE SELF CORRECTS. That is why it is the best way to look at the world, the cosmos, and ourselves. While I agree that there is a profit motive that must be checked an elitist ministry of science would be a disaster. It would take the urge to THINK FOR YOURSELF out of the equation.

[@jadinc77]

Very interesting topic. Would love to see this talked about more. I can relate to the camp of people with conspiracy-theory-embracing relatives and can report that I've had very little success

[@Teacher-Colin]

Thanks Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, Paul Mecurio thanks Dr. Peter Hotez for your informative and easy-to-understand video!

[@davewood4604]

Personally, I would make science compulsory in school and remove religion from school, politics and every other part of society. Unless there is actual evidence for it, belief systems should not be allowed to have any influence on society.

[@rogmac2366]

I'm not an anti-vaxxer, I've had dozens in my time. But, I'd like to know if there has ever been a study on the effects of the mercury content in vaccines on the unborn. I personally don't believe there is any safe amount of mercury.

[@davewood4604]

Elemental Mercury is not the same as Mercury in a compound. It is not elemental Mercury in vaccines. Bare in mind there are many things you consume daily that in their elemental form are far worse then Mercury. You consume, daily highly reactive metals and other things. Look at table salt which is a compound. You would never consume its constiuent components in their elemental forms as they are.

[@Sceince007]

Well there are over 18 very large studies show no difference between vaccinated and the unvaccinated except that the vaccinated don’t have problems with disease they are vaccinated against . Also other studies do show ethyl mercury does not store in infant brains .

[@67piwakit]

I love watching your videos. Please don't ever stop

[@ro11erbeast]

Just ordered Peter Hotez's book. Looking up Shot in the Arm movie. Thanks guys!

[@MondoLeStraka]

I knew a fellow Physics major who was a Mormon who said that he did not believe in science. HUH???

[@astyanax905]

I guess writing a bot script is harder than I thought, this is a very bizarre comment lol... a Mormon is studying physics, but does not believe in science...?? you forgot to add the punchline for the joke

[@norielgames4765]

Spends 4+ years and god knows how much money studying science. Thinks science isn't real. Textbook example of cognitive dissonance

[@jannichi6431]

Overlapping Politics and Theology into Science has made me affirm Radical Righties are coo coo for puffs. Thank goodness for Neil's podcast to push back on the ignorant Anti-Vaxers that believe they know what's best for others without proof.

[@nickwilcox3648]

I can't even begin to understand that person's perspective

[@AlistairGale]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@astyanax905mormons more like morons am I right @astyanax905?

[@luckosteve12]

Thanks you for continuing to use your reach to further public understanding of science.

[@Steven66b]

Great comment and recall on when news had that small slice of time for opinion. The firewall as is said. The idea of news is long forgotten. Thanks

[@pcar928fan]

Fantastic episode! Really enjoyed it guys!

[@xArluin]

First, keep politics out of science. All of the distrust I have of 'science' is the politicization of science outcomes and suppression of dissenting voices, regardless of merit. We need to rebuild the trust of scientific process.

[@ultradevon04]

💯💯💯

[@SupachargedGaming]

If you don't trust the scientific process, that's your problem. Either come up with a better method for finding objective truth - good luck with that - or explain your issue with the scientific process. You want politics "kept out of science"? Politics, which is responsible for the path we take and deals with issues that are almost entirely reliant on science? Blame the non scientific world for politicizing everything, not science for investigating everything. That's the point of science. Suppression of dissenting voices... That's a good soundbite, nothing more. The people saying "No, evolution isn't real, because God did it and people are individuals and special and la dee da" aren't dissenting voices from a scientific perspective. They aren't being silenced, they aren't being ignored. They aren't SAYING anything. Their arguments are inconsistent, they have no data, and if they do, it's often fabricated. IF they have something that genuinely counters a belief held by the scientific community, and they have data, and their data can be independently verified - THEN their perspective is considered. It's not enough to say "The Great Carrot in the Quantum Soup we call Space did it" and expect to be taken seriously.

[@anotherplottwist]

Oooh got in early.. can't wait to finish this one. 🕺🏽

[@timcorston5508]

Wow, one of the best podcasts i’ve ever watched..

[@antwaunkent5654]

Congrats on the new show on Pluto!

[@AnarchoReptiloidUa]

😂😂😂

[@briansanderson827]

Its getting so bad that I know an ER doctor who also is a PHD in Physics who now thinks that there is no longer truth in medicine after the pandemic and prompted a following of crazies here in Nova Scotia Canada

[@Sal3600]

The er doctor has reason to have that opinion.

[@Steve197201]

Maybe the doctor knows something you don't.

[@YOUARESOFT.]

yea people think (or should i say liberals think) that the shot keeps covid away LOL

[@astyanax905]

to be clear, are you saying an emergency room doctor in Canada is practicing medicine with a phd in physics, and not a medical degree? i doubt it very much

[@Alkatross]

Anyone can become a cult leader these days. Especially when lots of people are suffering.

[@emmanuelbeaucage4461]

the way we asperger/autistic are seen in society is in my mind the reason for our tenfold suicide rate. For us, it's not just hurtfull, it's deadly...

[@twylenb]

There are so many things putting pressure on us autistics between people who are ableist out of ignorance or bigotry to then dealing with a lack of services and accommodating environments. And even on top of that, our researchers are not looking at all autistic people. They are biased against including anyone who isn't a cis het white boy, and this has led to doctors not diagnosing people out of those parameters.

[@hatezis]

powerful video, thank you

[@edpra7068]

For me this is unequivocally the most important Star Talk episode ever!

[@quadsquadfamily7484]

All zoom videos make me feel like no one has pants on 😂.

[@rephaelsoudry9750]

I don’t think it’s just anti-science. People seem to have an anti-education mindset these days and it’s kind of hard to blame them. So many people are let down and left behind by current education systems that they seem to just reject education as a whole. History, mathematics, grammar, science. Don’t see many people keep an interest in these anymore.

[@suhailski]

What Hotez says about the politicisation of American universities should concern everyone. Virtually every institution in America is being degraded. If this keeps up, the only organisations that will remain standing will be large corporations.

[@AggelosDRZ]

Neil, to clarify, I'm not a physicist, but I really like to know how things are working around me. Well, I started reading your books, watching and listening to your podcasts, and one day I was like, Well, I can do a better job. I have a national diploma in IT, but it's nothing compared to a CCNA, etc. Also, my current job is in the tourism industry, which I don't like at all; it's just to make a living, so! One day I said to myself, You have to do what you really like. Since then, I have gone over my mathematics, subneting, protocols, and all this geek stuff. My target is to be an IT scientist, and thanks to you, you really inspired me to do better.

[@Kim_Jong_Un1254]

Cash is the best motivation that you will ever have.

[@Kim_Jong_Un1254]

And don't you worry about those lies.

[@RobsKoiPond]

Media and government telling people that the covid shot will prevent the spread did not help the cause. Mandates didn't help because people felt forced rather than being able to sit and discuss it with thier Dr. The truck driver protests in Canada were associated with mandating the shot for truck drivers entering the USA a year after the shots came out. That went over like a lead balloon.

[@silvershadow013]

Immunizations have been required for a long time to go to school and college. Mandating vaccines is not new.

[@RobsKoiPond]

@@silvershadow013 People can opt out of them, medical exemptions, religious exemptions etc. In the case of covid they refused to allow the exemptions. The laws were not applied in the same manner. Which is why they are losing court cases over it. FYI. I'm not anti vax. I got mine. Just making a point on how this was all approached by the government.

[@tonyhorn2954]

It may have been different in your part of the world. but in my part nobody EVER said it would stop you getting covid or prevent the spread. It was always advertised as a way to help prevent you getting a severe case of Covid and help you avoid hospital or death.

[@kuramiian]

lol mandating new unapproved vaxx was. 22 times higher adverse reaction rate.@@silvershadow013

[@kuramiian]

so you are like 2 years old maybe? cause there are still videos you can find saying you take the shot and there is no more risk for you or your relatives you just stop the spread and etc....officials were saying that in the start when just 2 weeks of lockdowns were thought will help.then when they realized it doesn't stop spread or prevent death they came with the idea you need 2 shots cause one wouldn't cover full protection and kept adjusting and adding potential negative reaction in real time testing on ppl.@@tonyhorn2954

[@jorda.2412]

Dr John Campbell

[@WarmFuzzyVibes]

Yessss! Dr. John Campbell!

[@astyanax905]

LOL. This is the guy that told people to use horse dewormer right? I'd sooner take medical advice from a random 10 year old than listen to that guys insane garbage

[@user-pj5ub5cp9k]

The not a Doctor John Campbell who spreads disinformation about Covid and vaccines? That John Campbell?

[@astyanax905]

Ah yes, a Dr in Truthology from Christian Tech.

[@kuramiian]

not just him but yeah he is very good in reading official data and explains it quite good asking the right questions that those guys in here would never dare. im a follower of him and sir Andrew Bridgen,Senator Rand Paul,Senator Rinnick from australia and few more youtube doctors

[@Denrici89]

@startalk I have a question about gravity. I just followed a course in elektricity and transport or energy and warmth. So as we know how electricity works and can create magnetic poles with an electric coil, like we have on earth. And our brain works like electric impulses, so we people are kinda like electrical charged. Can we asume that earth is like an electric coil and pulls us towards it with magnetic force? That could maybe help understanding string theory. Cause some plantes have more pull force, cause the coil is longer = strings wind up around the planets. I'm just a beginner in electrical things, but i like to think about this stuff.

[@kieranmcelrea7495]

They’re all soldiers in the fight for science, thank you for your work

[@Sub_Zer090]

As someone who actually took the vaccine and I’m 100% pro science a few things bother me about this guy, the main one is that Neil said you should clean up your own house. Joe Rogan had offered him 100K to debate his side with RFK jr and he made every excuse under the sun not to do it. He only speaks to echo chambers and everyone else is ant science according to him. I want him to actually debate and defend science if he’s so Correct about Everything.

[@-Subtle-]

It's not a 1:1 debate. That's a false dichotomy. You have one side: a scientist The other, a politician. Debates are supposed to be between two people with equal knowledge and expertise IN THE SAME field. I drive a car but that doesn't mean I'm an expert on repairing cars. I don't get to have debates with car mechanics on how to best repair cars.

[@alanjackson1015]

Debating is only worth doing if the other person would be willing to change their mind, and has some knowledge. The Anti crowd will not change, no matter what you present. Look what happened to Bill Nye and his debate of Ken Hamm. It was a disaster for Nye. And Hamm was asked, what would make you change your mind? His answer "Nothing." When Nye was asked "Evidence". It is not a good idea to debate the loons

[@SenatorBluto]

Going into the 5th year of the "pandemic" it's too late. Vax maniacs like Hotez would never deign to defend their indefensible BS and so a lot of us have become ANTI-VAX when we weren't before.

[@erikhendrickson59]

He *_DOES_* look like a Young J.B. though~

[@flyforfun3757]

17:51 A question about the “contrarian experts”. Over the entire community of experts in this field, what is the percentage breakdown of those who fall into the category of “contrarian experts” versus the “true experts” (for lack of a better term)?I think it would be very important to know these numbers for obvious reasons. Majority rule matters.

[@TooshanSrivastava]

what a great episode thank you!! 🤩

[@WaySheGoesBubs21]

This is the dude that refused to debate rfkjr. He criticized him and then refused to defend it in a debate

[@-Subtle-]

Debates should be between two people of similar knowledge on a given subject. I don't know how to repair cars. I have no reason to go on the car repair KZbin channel and debate with car guys on the best way to repair cars. Why would Jr even be qualified to debate?

[@karljenkinson3143]

I would have lost respect for NDT if he wasted his time debating rfkjr. As is often said, never argue with an idiot.....

[@davidpetrosky]

The debate would have made no sense. RFK Jr. Needed to find someone else with a PHD in idiocy.

[@WaySheGoesBubs21]

@@davidpetrosky are you implying that rfkjr doesn’t know what he’s talking about?

[@WaySheGoesBubs21]

@@-Subtle- because he’s spent his life suing these companies and reads peer reviewed publications on the subjects that he talks about. And raises good questions on why in 1989 did everything start skyrocketing. Like autism, many different allergies, athsma etc. he just asks why and points to things that happened that fit the timeline.

[@matthewboyd443]

Great show!

[@deimoseridani7306]

the freshest breath of air i've had in so long.

[@catylynch7909]

Wonderful exchange, gentlemen. Thank you.

[@dribrom]

Anti-Science is a political viewpoint. It's a very libertarian "don't tell me what to do" ideology.

[@YOUARESOFT.]

exactly, only suckers bow down

[@newspin2477]

Anti-science is happening on both sides. As I watch this video, it tells me more and more which side Neil has picked. If they say it's bad to be a critical thinker... just use your logic to consider that statement...they are effectively telling you not to think for yourself.. just trust us. Is it really a good idea for scientists to be discouraging people from educating themselves?

[@norielgames4765]

Politics should never mix with science. It never bears good results. Plus, science is all about reality, no one is telling you what to do, you're just rebelling against reality.

[@notarealperson87]

libertarianism is the "do you know who my dad is?" of philosophy

[@silviavalentine3812]

​@@YOUARESOFT. the idea is to refuse to accept hierarchy, not logic itself.

[@DunwellAntwi]

Free advice. Don't ever say "debunk" when Neil is around.🤣🤣🤣

[@Texas.T]

You can debunk him daily.

[@myflippinggoodness8821]

20:35 Happy to see that Neil has a good understanding of rhetoric

[@Rac3r4Life]

As an atheist born into a very Christian household, i have always prided myself being a rational thinker. It has been very depressing watching hosts of people hop on this anti-science bandwagon.

[@-Subtle-]

I call it magical thinking. They'll always believe a protector will come and save them so why not pollute, why not be ignorant, why not destroy what others build.

[@microsoftguy3324]

Once people go to crazy town, they are lost. Not because it is not possible for them to realize their beliefs are crazy, but because they have invested too much. They have argued with the sane people. They have promoted those selling the crazy. They would rather die than admit they were wrong. It is part of who they are now.

[@patrickjordan2233]

🎯

[@jannichi6431]

Yet, the hypocrisy comes out over time. Very malleable and easily influenced. But I see your point with the Clan mentality.

[@soupbonep]

I wanted to hear Dr. Peter Hotez say, "We're gonna need a bigger boat." He's not Jack Black in disguise, he is Richard Dreyfus in disguise.

[@richardflowers6458]

Thank you Startalk , Neil , and all associated to give Peter Hotez a platform to speak against the outrageous claims coming from our United States Congress all for the effect of distraction , rather than materially bettering peoples lives. Thank you!

[@Hunky_guy_very_sexy]

Sure, vote for whoever you want.

[@milescoleman910]

I’ll listen to this later. I hope the massive excess deaths that are happening in most countries around the world will be addressed. It would be unscientific if only the ‘non science’ people were talking about it.

[@Agarwaen]

it won't.. because it's absolute horseshite that belongs in idiotic antivaxx echochambers.

[@user-pj5ub5cp9k]

It has been addressed where I live. It's all good. Vaccines save lives.

[@astyanax905]

​@@user-pj5ub5cp9kYeah, its not that hard for me personally to admit i don't know as much about medicine as my family doctor does, so I trust him when it comes to medicine. it really is that simple.

[@sixvee5147]

“I accepted to come to this meeting to have a sober and mature conversation. I’m not in any way signing up to any discussion that is alarmist. There is no science out there, or no scenario out there, that says that the phase-out of fossil fuel is what’s going to achieve 1.5C.” - Sultan Al Jaber, President of COP 28, also CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Mukhtar Babayev will be the president for COP 29; he is also a former executive of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijian Republic. Seems more and more likely, scenario SSP5-8.5 of the IPCC assessment may come to fruition (or at least the higher end of the spectrum). I say enjoy what you can, while you still can; pity the generations to come.

[@jannichi6431]

LNG Fracking Chemicals, now that's an allergy😤 Appreciate your knowledge of the conflicts of interest in the $$$ trillions that will be spent on Climate plus the unnecessary wars caused by fossil fuels. Hacking the Arctic and launching missiles can't be HELPING the atmosphere. Then there's China and India that don't seem to LIKE clean Air.

[@LakeTahoeGem]

And the Philadelphia experiment which didn’t turn out so well

[@deepelements]

I love the way Peter mind works please have him on more. He's one of the good guys

[@Snuggles_the_Unholy]

Fauci was telling people they should and how to take care of themselves. The president was telling people to DRINK BLEACH. Kinda wanna go with the first one.

[@hindsight2022]

Tell me you're an unlearned idiot without telling me you're an unlearned idiot .

[@lukeallison88]

Fauci is one of the greatest criminals of all time

[@lukeallison88]

Straight up lie

[@limitisillusion7]

Ya, but can you possibly imagine any nuanced point of view between those two? That's where they don't want you. Find out how many lies were told by Fauci and Biden/Trump administrations about covid, then you'll have an upper bound on how many lies it takes to create distrust in a government. "If you get the vaccine you will not get covid." Oh look, Pfizer also funds the media corporations who told us that. Hmmm, maybe these vaccines were poorly tested, rushed out, and maybe I should also not drink bleach. That's called "nuance."

[@Sceince007]

@@hindsight2022in have not had one person who could think for himself and was against Dr Fauci . Thanks for telling us about yourself