Neil deGrasse Tyson Testifies Before Senate Science Committee, March 7, 2012

[@waj4ever16]

Only Neil could get me watching a freaking U.S. Senate committee hearing on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

[@blythecx1253]

hahahaha same here man

[@Zerpderp0]

hear, hear

[@ChrisKsan]

+William Reese Word!!!

[@extrafreshhh]

I was just thinking the same thing

[@007TigerTank]

+Still Bill yep

[@dsettleascii]

It's so sad how we've allowed science to be hijacked by politics.

[@Krystamyth]

They've always been controlled by politics and religion.

[@masonkane5884]

When you need funding, you need to get it from somewhere. If that somewhere is from taxpayers then there really isn't any way to separate science from politics.

[@Krystamyth]

Dave Kane kickstarter? Why not starstarter. Why not source directly from the public. We pay taxes to fund illegal wars, send money to countries that constantly break peaceful ceasefires. We're comfortable funding agm hellfire missiles and the development of failed weapons like the oicw assault rifle and Comanche strike helicopter, but we can't send mankind into the stars.

[@masonkane5884]

I think you are reading far too much into my comment. I personally have little interest in the ethics of how our government spend our tax dollars. I am merely commenting on dsettleascii's statement. NASA, has a large number of private donors BTW.

[@ttopperr]

Science hasn't been as you put it,"It's so sad how we've allowed science to be hijacked by politics.", Government is going to be involved in Science because it is happening in this country if politics wasn't involved in Science that is when you need to be worried. Government is a broken system that always need to be re-sequenced or arranged just as Tyson was stating.

[@MrShelterman]

Can we have more scientists in government. They debate so professionally, civilized and on point, and feels right to put trust in them. The work they do do is amazing.

[@phantommedia9964]

Many of China's politicians are scientists and engineers actually...

[@prezentoappr1171]

@@phantommedia9964 still the one who is using armageddon project is idolvtuber israelites samiri, genshin li yue is ming sseth pre dynastic egypt BUUUT teyvat is afhganistan going by max0r comment section thus taljban prefer to get diplo political civ 6 sid meier victory with zheng he instead of helping the red sky sun meme ughyur latin script

[@berkaltuglu8140]

Take the Technocracy civic

[@martinzitter4551]

He should have told them that Jesus wants us to go to Mars.

[@vovomtb]

Are you really that dumb?

[@martinzitter4551]

Why do you ask?

[@Lucuskane]

MrRespectmyauthorita Cant handle a joke?

[@vovomtb]

I hope it's a joke. I'm tired of these fairy tale characters everywhere.

[@WhiVe87]

MrRespectmyauthorita Don't be a dick,man.We have enough of those.

[@igorflexus9493]

Now Neil is getting more and more famous and can be heared. He is talking for humanity.

[@BlackEpyon]

Ann Druyan described him as the "heir apparent" to Carl Sagan in a conference where Carl's notes were donated to the National Library of Congress. I, for one, completely agree with her assessment.

[@firstaskwhy6502]

he's not speaking for humanity, just those who do not realize the co-relation between science and cultural/economic growth. And those of us that want to see more science and engineering graduates instead of business and liberal arts.

[@persomelizegoo-gullcervesa6684]

no, tyson sold out, he is speaking for the senate, the senate is not representative of the people, its representative of powerful interests during the climate debate

[@daverumpel]

This guy's articulation and mastery of language is unparalleled.

[@NihongoGuy]

Unlike those he was speaking to.

[@esmolol4091]

Carl Sagan was even better, but he was his grandmaster, so it's not neils fault.

[@targaryangirlalways5634]

Well said, you.

[@AnhTrieu90]

Of the entire committee, only three senators shown up. At the end, only two of them remains. So much for the future of NASA.

[@xXscreamingkoalaXx]

He's "preaching to the choir" because everyone else left. smh

[@xxhansonmaxx]

"Doing what has never been done before is intellectually seductive."

[@awheakiri4064]

+Hanson Ma I heard that.

[@eddygci8]

Tell me about it

[@TheStudioManila]

7:51

[@John.Halsted]

This guy just blows my mind...amazing.

[@John.Halsted]

LOL no comment

[@Draco04]

Neil deGrasse Tyson could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in white gloves.

[@JaySandesara94]

+Draco04 And yet cannot convince the US congress to fund NASA

[@MyAddicted123]

How disrespectful of those sitting next to the chairman, talking during the hearing and the woman even turning the chair around to speak to someone on the backrow. What a repugnant way.

[@MrSupergee]

It's funny that so many people don't care for science, or science funding, but they forget that most of the things around them was made by possible science and engineers. Including the device you're typing on.

[@markust6039]

+Leandro Silva Thats the thing. solutions to our issues are lightyears away. Humankind needs something to look up to. If we try to fix everything down here we will stagnate. going into daring space missions advances collective thinking, all kinds of science and gives inspiration to billions. we will never be able to fix injustice and poverty, even the richest and best countries on earth have homeless people, murderers, dumb people etc. The most important mission of humankind is to advance and understand and we have gone off that course the last 40 years. What use is of 10$ bigger wellfare check when you could have technology to reduce the ammount of people who need those checks. Its a longer strory but anyways, it comes down to what is our mission as a race and intelligent community? is it just to exist or is it to sail into the unknown?

[@Ricokz]

+Leandro Silva Say that to space tourism.

[@dane.ted.]

Most things? Try everything!

[@jagerlionruiz8639]

And the fact that most technology NASA is given to the american Industry.

[@jagerlionruiz8639]

Also of course it is not, but hindering its progress does not help either.

[@mrgadget1485]

I am not even a US citizen but I felt goosebumps of his passionate speech

[@Groniger123]

If you Americans want to lead, be wealthy, create new jobs and improve humanity listen to this guy. It's just that simple folks!

[@Shaisization]

It's not that simple, saying it in that context is but when trying to carry out those tasks is much more difficult because it's financially demanding, time consuming and a whole lot of other things. But with the damage already done to the economy of America is much difficult to reverse than what has already been done to it. So my question to you is exactly how can you improve humanity? I see it as guiding our kids in the manner of which they choose a career path that fits their personality but also exposing them to all types of learning whether it takes place on a football field, or in the class room or at home but eventually it comes down to the parents to expose their children to such opportunities. The only way the government can participate in this is by funding schools, events, and opportunities that will allow children to get first hand experience and ALLOW THEM TO DECIDE and become something they aspire to be. Back to your statement about leading as Americans, the only way to lead as Americans is to: 1. Create a more sound environment where education has a bigger impact on children than media. 2. Have balance,structure, and discipline in schools where education and new experiences is the priority. (I'm not excluding sports) 3. Expose younger children to sciences, math, history and culture in ways that intrigues them and not bore them in learning. 4. Most importantly, embrace good character traits and build great habits which will carry them throughout life. 5. The only thing government can do to assist is to fund schools to improve education not to sustain it. (Big difference between improving and sustaining) 6. To lead as a country in any field, the country's people have to be ambitious and driven. And for those people to have a level of success which can bring change and possible give their country the lead in any field their government needs to buy in to their ambition and determination. Therefore it cannot be done alone, it is a collective effort from the government and its people to come together and meet similar goals and how to acquire them. Not to go on a rant or anything but from just experience and being able to see from both point of views I conclude to that. Done.

[@Groniger123]

I agree on the fact that i make it sound easier than it is but i do truly believe that math and science will play a big role in order to fix the economy and other social problems. You might know Elon Musk, American youth needs inspiration from those type of people. He is a good example what America can mean for the young children. We should stop the media make children scared of Math and science and we should definitely avoid by sending wrong messages about math that it is only for nerds. We should first fix those things. Thank you for reply

[@gobbly1337]

Shais Naveed It's just a question of priorities. The TARP bailout was larger than the entire 50 year budget of NASA. The Fed has been pumping about 5 times that figure into the economy since then. We've spent about that on wars in the last 14 years.

[@amperzand9162]

I've been doing research on this topic lately: Wikipedia claims the entire fifty-year expenditure of NASA, adjusted for inflation, is about 800 billion dollars. The US military's annual budget at this point in history is approximately 590 billion dollars.

[@I.M.Q7119]

I know this many years long past-and maybe it’s already been done-but I don’t think one penny from every American is too much to ask.

[@taisgdl]

This man should be president of the USA.

[@escraftTH]

No, director of the ministry of science.

[@joesatmoes]

+taisgdl If he ws president, then he wouldn't be able to do *anything*

[@ozdunstan8850]

+taisgdl no I vote for Niel to BE president of EARTH

[@vnjabee]

+OZ Dunstan I second that. (and I'm not American :)

[@bernardoivanhiguerainzunza7643]

Yes!!! He should be president of the U.S.

[@hugh7641]

It does not matter how much money they invest in STEM, if students are not motivated, there will not be any innovation. I am a Senior Aerospace Engineering student and I know that in the near future, I will be making a decent salary. However, I will not be making what reality tv stars, pop singers, or youtube stars make. I think the most common perception among people today is "Why spend so much time in college, studying such a complex subject, when we can make more money acting stupid online or on tv?" While in china they are producing hundreds of engineers, here in the states we produce one honey boo boo.

[@Coastingonlife]

Hugh G Jesus Christ You nailed it

[@sjpugsie]

Give us the goal and the funds to achieve it Mr. President, Congress and other Representatives and America will thrive!

[@badbeardbill9956]

There are plenty who are inspired. But we can inspire more by actually doing something. The Apollo program inspired tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands. We then saw amazing things happen, and now... it's gone. Inspiring people requires others to do something. We see more youtube stars, reality tv stars, and pop singers because our space program is not properly funded to act as an inspirational medium. We get so much more exposure to these things than we do space travel and exploration. To expose people to that, to get people wanting to become engineers and scientists and physicists we need more exposure. This is a nation that, as a whole, spends more money on its prisons than its space program.

[@TheT0Ds]

Let me prephase by saying, I too am an aerospace engineering student. I can only speak for myself and a few of my friends, but our motivation doesn't derive from money. To some extent it does but we just care that we have enough money for a decent living. As long as that condition is met I dont care for any more luxuries. My prime motivation is to be a pioneer. I just hope that the majority of students in the field think like myself

[@jazlanahn5027]

If you have "Scio" that is connected to the internet look up: "GOODBYE CHALLENGER" - "THE NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON" - "NASA" ... We have a monster on our hands.

[@antiHUMANDesigns]

It's almost scary how good he is at speaking.

[@vikranttyagiRN]

Goddamn it is. Neil is life

[@himanshusehra7484]

@@vikranttyagiRN Neil 😎

[@yerusalemabreha4578]

Not scary, intelligently beautiful.

[@AlejandroFernandezcmu]

Spectacular. NdT's skills as an orator are absolutely incredible. He sounds eloquent not only because of the language he uses, but how he convinces people through common sense in simple terms.

[@Xnerdz1]

Senator Bill Nelson (Democrat): Introduced and first to respond, showed his shared passion with Neal, congratulated his articulated effort more than one time. Senator John Boozman (Republican): Restated some points of Neal's discourse, congratulated him as well, asked a rhetorical question. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (Republican): Left the room when Neal started to talk.

[@MPAZ22]

Never thought I'd watch half an hour of Senate proceedings. You are amazing, Dr. Tyson.

[@jazper_anello]

"I assert that these are not isolated problems, that they're the collective consequence of the absence of ambition that consumes you when you stop having dreams." Thank you, Dr. Tyson; I really needed to hear that at this hour.

[@KunJayMaster]

How enriched this country would be if instead of Obama we would have Dr. Neil as president, we can only dream...

[@bealtesandfloyd]

eh having Neil as president instead of Obama wouldn't change anything. Neil may be inspirational, but there's no way he himself could change the bitter divide in Congress. Some of the criticism Obama has received, especially towards Obamacare, has been genuine, but if you think he's the sole problem for all of our country's problems, you're dead wrong.

[@targaryangirlalways5634]

Instead of Trump

[@targaryangirlalways5634]

Instead of Trump

[@rebecahernandez7090]

I cannot stand when people bad mouth this man. His is actually trying to do some good in this crazy world.

[@Kemoswavvy]

I am watching this in 2017 and am still baffled that the "higher ups" haven't gotten the message yet.

[@michaely4317]

This man is so brilliant and he is right on point. N D T is the man!

[@Sogenking]

If you want to build a ship don't drum up people to collect wood. Don't assign them tasks and work but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea. -Some guy 2012

[@unfathomablekiffness9470]

That is definitely one of the most robust ideals I've heard in a long time.

[@noahmontgomery6948]

he quotes it from a french aviator from the early 20th century

[@BorGohainJ]

+Tony Abraham It's a quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Best remembered for his novella "The Little Prince".

[@kokofan50]

This wasn't a committee; this was 1/14 of 28 member committee.

[@klansix]

well, did he get what he asked for?

[@SpaceKSCBlog]

No. Only three senators were present when he sat down, and one (Kay Bailey Hutchison) walked out shortly after he started talking. To change the budget of any federal agency is a long process that involves authorization committees in both houses of Congress, and then you have to get past the appropriations committees which decide whether or not to actually release the money that's been approved. You don't just walk in to ask for money and they hand it over.

[@weiberfeind]

Pale Moon and he shouldn't. He's self-serving and wants other people to fiance his ideas. Also I am opposed to people he insults(Chrisitans and Religious people) being forced to subsidize his programs. I know if someone insulted me I would not want to pay for anything they want funded.

[@weiberfeind]

SpaceKSCBlog Excerpts from Mises "Who should pay for Science" *There is no reason for taxpayers to support trips to the moon, particle physics, or any other research not directly serving defense against external or internal aggression, the core function of government. Funds for basic research can be allocated by the market.* *All government does is channel resources, thereby influencing what problems will be explored and who will do the exploring. The question is whether the government has any more business doing this than it has deciding what shows run on Broadway. An author wishing to have his play produced solicits the support of investors, whose decision to buy in is influenced by idealism plus the number of tickets the play is thought to sell. It is not too much to ask scientists wishing to perform experiments to find backing in the same way.* *Not all knowledge is worth having. Nobody cares how many blades of grass there are in Central Park. Some knowledge that might be worth having cheaply-like what all your associates really think of you-is too expensive. You have better things to do than snoop around the office all day. The human race does not have the resources to answer every question. Choices must be made. On the principle that those who want something should be the ones who pay for it, those who want a particular question looked into should be the ones who finance the looking.* *Ernest Rutherford once said, "If a piece of physics cannot be explained to a barmaid, then it is not a good piece of physics." Rutherford may have exaggerated, but if the barmaid can't understand the physics, why should she be expected to pay for it?* mises.org/library/who-should-pay-science

[@nevertheless123]

weiberfeind scientists are so self serving...they are too curious and would like to explore the universe using rigorous scientific approach (ah who cares?) to uncover truths about the universe that will open people's minds (again who cares...the bible says it all right?). And they insult stupid (religious) people who stick to thousand year old texts. How terrible of scientists. We should not pay smart people since they insult stupid people by their curiosity. Scientists are so terrible and self serving!

[@Casaintern]

Pale Moon I believe he did. I found this article that actually says NASA is to be overfunded which is amazing. Not sure if the source is trust worthy, if anyone else is more informed please let me know! It's a pretty sad thing that the US is losing it's leading edge on space exploration, especially considering the masses of potential funds that could be injected into NASA! Edit (forgot to leave the article :P) www.geek.com/science/nasa-is-expected-to-get-more-money-than-it-asked-for-in-2015-1611591/

[@bobangelo2268]

Neil is completely right, when I was younger I always wanted to become a astronaut and even at the age of 8 was looking more things of how to get to the moon better because I wanted that, I grew up watching Doctor Who and being told "We will be going to Mars" or "We will be going to the Moon" and then when I turned 14 and saw the Mars One project I wanted to work harder because the idea of being able to go there excited me but when I started to realise that (I realised it at about 9 but I always thought they would bring it back) NASA wasn't getting the money it needed I sat back down and didn't really care any more because I had nothing to aim for and now I'm on D's and C's (GCSE) because I have nothing to aim for. Neil is 100% correct, if you go into a 8th grade class (year 9 in UK) or even lower, a 4th grade class (year 5 in UK) and say "Who wants to work on the parts of a spaceship" the smart kids will stay quite but the others will say "ME!!!", if you ask "Who wants to go to space?" every dam kid in that class will shout "ME!!!!!". If you ask "Who wants to work on making a Volvo" very few will say "me", if you say "Who wants to be a scientist and ask the government for funding to be able to make a new type of polymer" very few will stand up. To people who say "but we will still need people making cars and polymers", yes but if you noticed during the cold war with everyone wanting to go to space there was new innovations and more automation took off meaning fewer people had to work in factories and more could work on the dream of space meaning there was more money for people meaning the government got more money meaning the government didn't have to borrow as much because it already had the money coming in from people getting better jobs with higher salaries and spending more money making things cheaper meaning people could buy more and believed in the country more... As to the case of polymers (which is more of just a example than a specific area) we can still put people towards that because people will still want to do that but people will be thinking "ok, let's finish this up quick so I can get onto the next thing" because they want to speed that up so they can get onto the more exciting space stuff. The people who say "we don't have enough money" we do, we just spend it more on security services such as the NSA which is completely fair and granted but the NSA is now being allowed to take pictures people upload of themselves to the internet but are not allowed to take pictures from the official database such as passports meaning the government has to give them funding to look for those pictures and get those pictures instead of giving them the official pictures for free, things like that can be skimmed off and put onto NASA until gradually the amount of money the government spends on crap can goto NASA.

[@masonkane5884]

Wow. If you were worried about NASA's budget at the age of nine you must be a billionaire by now.

[@bobangelo2268]

hehehe no, I just knew that the government wasn't giving them as much money as they should be

[@Travel_export]

Bob Angelo exactly:P

[@shippyshiphead]

Bob Angelo You sound exactly like me. I was a straight A student in elementary school, I loved dinosaurs and all things archaeological. I loved trying to find dead animals in the forest, finding out what bones represented what animals. An animal that was just bones and nothing else. We also use to look up scat from birds in the woods and see what animal it came from. The whole thing was awesome. But then came 4th grade. My education was switched from math and discovery, to other cultures and art. Everyone was more worried about the history of the United States. So, we went to down math and discovery to some old guy art from Europe and what Australians eat during the holidays. Fun... Let's just say, my interest for math and science died from there. I stopped caring in general. My grades went from straight A, to C and D average. I went to college and dropped out. Now later in life, I am once again interested math and science. I want to go to university and study, but not sure what exactly, but I am point to physics. I tried chemistry and it seemed limited to what I could study. I love the passion Malcolm X puts behind his speeches and in what he believes. I use to look up to that man, but now it's Mr. Tyson.

[@ghgghgyuhkljjijijui]

Bob Angelo I hope you work on the carbon nanotubes for the ribbon for the space elevator.Dont give up.Think about it the astronauts scientists etc of today who are fortunate enough to be doing their dream are also happiest.For them no day is work.So dont sell out if you can,Do your contribution the "one giant leap" the human race needs anyway.I dont think Wernher Von Braun thought on his deathbed "Gee I wish I hadnt designed the Saturn V".No.The human race cant afford NOT to "do the other things" as Kennedy said.Youl be glad you did.

[@beth-rg8bm]

Brilliant man... wish more people would take his words and suggestions more to heart!

[@patbrennan6572]

mr tyson; you may be frustrated by people that make the wrong decisions in government, but you have an obligation to do whats right for the good of mankind. we strongly depend on people like you. 'i cant thank you enough.; patrick; from canada

[@TheThaughtpeddler]

Tyson for PRESIDENT 2016! This guy could lead a mob of antelopes into a pride of lions.

[@ghgghgyuhkljjijijui]

John Adkins My sentiment exactly!TYSON FOR PRESIDENT! He could jump start the world.

[@TheThaughtpeddler]

MC Mark Markson Tushay, Politics is really a pseudo science anyways.

[@Xnerdz1]

To paraphrase Catbug: why would you do that!?

[@francinetodarpeters486]

love it. I as also agree "Tyson for president"

[@dylonjinkins2680]

Christian nation voting for a scientist? Ha we wish

[@darrkstarg]

The wonderful part about NdT is that regardless of his intelligence, he is also able to express himself in a way that most people should understand and not just other intelligent people. That may be the most distinctive part of his entire personality.

[@thudor1]

Tyson/Nye 2016, for a more logical future!

[@adagemjord]

Lawrence Krauss as the Secretary of State.

[@shippyshiphead]

Too many Christians would say no to that. :) See the Mississippi river? Now, take all states from there and go to the Atlantic. Then add Texas, Oklahoma, and Arizona and these are all the states that will say no.

[@jasoncarto]

No. I wouldn't want this man mired in the ugly ignorant world of politics.

[@richardowensnr6243]

2017... 5 years on and the economy is even worse than back then, what a pity they did not heed Neil's advice...

[@rolandlastname5532]

Before this video I watched his May 2012 keynote speech where he comments on this senate testimony, where he expected to speak to the entire commission of 25 senators, instead, only 3 showed up.

[@VershawnLee]

The senator is hilarious... You are preaching to the choir and the preachers... we are reading from the same hymn book... we gotta keep on keeping on... This guy is full of one-liners!!

[@FlyingRock225]

There are a few senators that support NASA, dunno if hes one of them.. but still.

[@AntshKhel]

FlyingRock225 He is. He was an astronaut too. Problem is toeing the line between what you want and what you think your constituents expect.

[@Wibbletaru]

FlyingRock225 Sen. Bill Nelson (the guy with the one-liners) has been a NASA supporter for his entire political career. He was also a mission payload specialist for STS Columbia in 1986, making him one of the few folks who actually knows what is at stake when talking about funding NASA and science.

[@nathanmckenzie904]

Honestly, if I had known about Sagan, or NdT had been prominent when I was growing up I would have paid a lot more attention to science and math than girls

[@andrewsvega2023]

+nathan mckenzie It is never too late!!!!

[@SickMetalAddict]

+nathan mckenzie That's pretty much my life now lol

[@bohanxu6125]

As a physics major, I think the opposite :D (jk btw science is my girl ...jk...)

[@zechdesouzaful]

I thoroughly admire the grin he gives after stating that he has the lifespan as NASA as it truly does offer a glimpse of his love for the organization and all that they envision to accomplish.

[@benjaminbritt7862]

Amazing speech.

[@nemodot]

HOW MUCH WOULD YOU PAY FOR THE UNIVERSE!

[@suelkoka]

EVERYTHING!

[@russellrichter3473]

How are these people part of the USA senate? They're fucking morons not even uneducated not even stupid just absolutely fucking dumb

[@ejcarr32]

Isn't it amazing how he speaks better off the cuff than from a written statement. Truly a great speaker.

[@21972012145525]

Same with George w. Bush. Look it up

[@MingDynasty700]

If the best and brightest of a country goes to banking or real estate sector, the country is doomed.

[@wingwaabuddha]

drop the patriotism nonsense, ignore the country aspect, its irrelevant..its human nature to explore. I suppose Neil is just trying to appease the politicians.

[@Gboneandthebiz]

He's making the case that no matter what humans feel, scientific advancement always makes loads of money for us in the future

[@NetAndyCz]

The trouble with science, at least frontier science is, that it makes money 20-50 yeears down the road, sometimes even 100 wwhen it comes to weird aspects of mathematics. Politicians need to think more short term than that.

[@badbeardbill9956]

The direct and indirect benefits of the space program are enormous. The total amount of money generated from space travel and exploration and exploitation is trillions of dollars. Trillions. And this is just the beginning. Growing the economy is easy to do.

[@greezm60]

People of Earth. LOL. Pass this video on to your friends, siblings, parents, anyone else. Nothing will be accomplished unless you pass the dreams of a better future into the minds of children. Thank you for uploading this, I love Dr. Tyson, and I love how enriched my mind feels after just listening to this man for even a minute. So thanks again. And finally, don't stop dreaming.

[@simonsolomon1431]

I worked in metal and welding industry and construction. I still dream that in my lifetime we could work in outer space or mars. I don't care if the pay is the same as long as I could make the experience and tell my progenitors I'm one of the people who built it.

[@Keymaster2022]

This makes me want to science something!

[@eagleowl3664]

Did the senator just said "tight fiscal times?" We're spending hundreds of billions of dollars for useless military hardware, despite being way ahead of defense in the world, let alone having like thousands of nukes. So much for the Military Industrial Complex and "national security."

[@V3n0Mous1]

Religion: The most effective "squasher" of curiosity... I might also add that this is the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.. (Republican controlled (surprising))... Let that one sink in....

[@rattguy7321]

Actually some republicans have shown more of an interest in space exploration while democrats are more concerned with earth science in order to better understand global warming and climate change.

[@jacksonthesyndicalist2771]

"Religion: The most effective "squasher" of curiosity" no.

[@jacksonthesyndicalist2771]

Terence Francis back up your statistic there fella

[@jacksonthesyndicalist2771]

Terence Francis Like i said you must first back up your statistic that physically can't be true. You also assume scientists = curiosity.

[@austinrainbolt2254]

Davos Seaworth No. Its "Science IS curiosity." Thats literally what it is.

[@daviemtsuko490]

Dr Tyson, I am really grateful for your ferocious defence of science. If mankind really understood that science is the real thing we would have been living on Mars and Europa already.

[@molochsorcery4357]

And The Orgasmatron would be a real machine by now too.

[@onlynhmusic]

This speech made the universe smile . Thank you Dr. Tyson

[@Roxidius]

NDT for president!!!

[@Roxidius]

I'd drag my friends and family kicking and screaming xD

[@TheOneandOnlyDeelax]

yes please! I would vote for him!

[@Cynnx7]

oh no please, politics is something that kills innovation and creativity. Something that science is all about. If you combine the two together politics ... or rather politicians working in that department will try to put a stranglehold on it. Science should be funded accordingly to how much the nation wants to give to science and it's creation. Science should start with the people themselves dreaming about it, wanting, and making it! We don't need leaders for it, that's the best thing about it!

[@CupidFromKentucky]

I don't want him as president. When you become president you have an entire party that ends up disliking you. I prefer everyone remain loving Neil.

[@richarddarlington1139]

I really don't know what Dr. Tyson was hoping to accomplish here. He might just as well have been talking to a sheet of plywood.

[@001hamish]

It would be interesting to know how many politicians sit on this panel considering there would appear to be 29 chairs at the main table with only 3 seats filled......

[@jazz4randall]

What a waste of time .. a Genius Scientist trying to teach politicians about science.

[@jazz4randall]

@Truth Matrix On second thought, you are right.

[@Bikewithlove]

Randall Ulmer - Not really, we paid for it & we get to hear him just the same. That includes future politicians.

[@iamoffended8616]

We, uh… You have articulated, uh.. Yes, uh.. I'm from the south, uh… America, uh...

[@urulai]

He makes a great point, if I think about all my games of civilization the one thing that stands out the most is that the civilizations that strife for development, for exploration, for expansion (not necessarily conquest) endure and grow stronger. While the civilizations that lack that drive, that don't take the risks fall behind.

[@matiasgipler4724]

The guy in the right is just trying to steal camera....... just saying

[@FIyingDumpling]

this guy should write Obama's scripts

[@homeroyomero]

Also should give him advice. Now more than ever .

[@Niko92Productions]

Or just take his place...

[@austinrainbolt2254]

FlyingDumpling He probably does. lmao

[@demiurge_n_dragons]

Only 3 of 24 senate members showed up. 2 out of 3 of them have investments and financial interests in NASA. What about all the other senate members that took this for granted/ were not there?

[@craignicklin4573]

amazing, i love him so much it hurts(male love), his love for science is truly wonderful.

[@toymaker-te8fq]

Amen.......................... He forgot to say "Amen" after his prayer. :-/

[@Herzyyyy]

toymaker94566 he didn't forget.

[@russellrichter3473]

What?

[@williest1]

"we are singing from the same hymn book" - and there you have it.

[@norwegcat]

Now compare this testimony against Republican Ted Cruz's "Green Eggs and Ham". What a freakin joke!

[@templecharas]

we are not goin to mars but we are goin to iraq or afganistan

[@scbluesman13]

That comment was at 15:48. Great couple of statements there about scientific learning, economic boom, and cultures accepting new ideas.

[@LordDangerify]

The Senators have such boring, dead voices.

[@btirador]

NGT for president.

[@bealtesandfloyd]

he and Bill Nye should run together

[@TjSpenc]

Phil Brown yes! I'd vote for them!

[@ZeusKnocksYouOut]

at the end when he was talking about the gdp per capita. i cant find a graph that goes down like he explained... can someone link me what he was talking about?

[@LiveForPanda]

he is a great speaker

[@drumcircler]

Dr. Tyson presents pearls to swine.

[@purerider]

The senator had a great way of deflating the argument. All he did was agree and not commit to action.

[@deetjay1]

Sorry Dr. Tyson...This is a GOP majority you wax nostalgic before...Uplifting intelligencia for dead men ruling...Try the senate...

[@Nick00105]

*psssst* read the title of the video. See where it sais "senate" ? :D

[@deetjay1]

Nick00105 He's looking for understanding from generally scientific retards...and the Republican party... The senate has a bunch of those...but thanks for the correction...

[@Bizzhatesme]

He addressed the senators by name and title at the beginning of the video....

[@gmosphere]

NDT, total badass

[@olveramarturo]

I admire this man. To actually stand up to those Senators and tell them "YOU HAVE STOPPED DREAMING!"

[@thefpvlife7785]

The 108 thumbs down must be trumpanzees

[@jeffreydumaplin3690]

This is inpirational. We need people like him to advance science and our civilization in general.

[@narcssius]

I don't get how people don't want to find out what's out there.

[@Cowh1470]

this comment section is aids. it is so depressing to read some of these, as a united States citizen I am disgraced of our lack of curiosity. I give as much money as I can to scientific foundations every year. Space is fascinating and I'm so sad that now that we can finally explore space technologically we just don't want to. why? why are we suddenly so content with this one pale blue dot? there is so much more.

[@justaguyyy]

Exactly, people are completely ignorant to scientific evolution. And I feel nothing but pity for the human race.

[@mindthebrick9516]

# fund nasa

[@amacuro]

Tyson has answered that question several times in the videos of him in KZbin. You can check them out, they are awesome. He basically says that advancing that frontier has unknown and unquantifiable risks and that private enterprise couldnt succeed because of the lack of investors

[@kokofan50]

I own a copy of Space Chronicles, and no where did I read him espouse what you said.

[@cjdvise]

What happened to the whole "half penny" thing? It makes perfect sense yet 7 years later I haven't seen jack with this.

[@rugbyperson15]

Thanks Hutch for bringing me here:)

[@brendanwilliams8235]

So did they give more money?

[@xoverzero]

I do not understand why he's not the head of the committee he's speaking to.

[@ohheyitskevinc]

Dr Tyson mentioned this hearing in one of his later talks or Startalk (I forget which). He mentioned that only 3 senators bothered to show up to this - all because they were senators with NASA facilities in their states. No other senators bothered. These are our representatives and only 3 on the transportation committee were present at this. Keep an eye on your representatives and what they bother to attend, and if they skip any - choose others who will go.

[@fnl62fnl62]

I just noticed scientists speak directly to the point whereas politicians tend to take many turns and roundabouts to get to the nearest destination.

[@jesseveentjer2736]

This guy is highly inspiring to listen to, greetings from holland .. go innovation!

[@scbluesman13]

"Everyone feels like tomorrow is something they want to invent, and bring into the present". That seems to be to be the core of his entire argument. That is the beauty of scientific exploration and learning.

[@Eldsdragon]

i'm touched by his passion. this much passion is only told of in movies.

[@michaeljacobs4733]

8 years later and we are not further along in this potential big picture.

[@mikestmp]

Curious do the people in the senate only attend to what they deem a legitimate issue? Because there was like 3 speaker there and those who would be apposed were not there at all. I am for it but seeing that the lack of attendance to important issues seems to devalue the need for a senate in the first place. You know take the budget from there. I know... good luck with that right?

[@same.7383]

You make a valuable point eddywi11 by referring to the fraction of constructive debate on KZbin as enriching to those who participate in healthy Internet discourse. However, while acknowledging virtual arguing's broad effects, is it really worth it? Are we not perpetuating our society's inadequacies with interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, and debate? How will this constantly mediated interaction affect our skills to interact in the most crucial context: face-to-face interaction.

[@JXZ-JAM]

Who is the Rep. presiding as chairman?

[@ninjastep87]

EVERYONE NEEDS TO SEE THIS!!!

[@xelink]

I'm usually against government programs. With that said I believe that the biggest problem in America is our culture. Neil makes a good point.

[@Chifos0]

where did you find that estimate i would like to read that article.

[@yksnimus]

so...what about puting on the description what is this about?

[@TheScientistA4]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall some recent reports suggesting that all atomic structures will eventually decay. Unfortunately, I can't remember where I read about it. As an aside, I think Dr. Tyson's argument is altogether quite good. He has touched on a valuable point, which is the ease of upward social mobility.