StarTalk Podcast: Coronavirus & Conspiracy Theories, with Michael Shermer & Neil deGrasse Tyson

What’s the difference between being a skeptic and believing in conspiracy theories? How do you remain skeptical without falling down a rabbit hole? On this episode of StarTalk Radio, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice catch up with Michael Shermer, Founding Publisher of Skeptic Magazine and author of Giving the Devil His Due: Reflections from a Scientific Humanist, to explore conspiracy theories and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why do we need free speech? Michael shares the importance of giving everyone a voice and being able to listen. We discuss the consequences of spreading misinformation. You’ll hear why people are confused about what “freedom” actually entails. Michael tells us why the coronavirus is susceptible to conspiracy theories.
Then, we answer fan-submitted Cosmic Queries. Is it better to ignore or confront conspiracy theories? We investigate the need to have a full explanation of events and the idea that the size of the cause should match the size of the effect. Are religious people more prone to being conspiracy-minded?
Michael explains how to sell the idea of skepticism successfully. Where is that line between healthy, cautious skepticism and believing in conspiracy theories? Find out more about the importance of experimentation in order to get to the truth. Discover why there might be a lot of hindsight bias over the next decade about how the world handled the COVID-19 pandemic.
We discuss how China’s early lack of transparency fueled some of the coronavirus conspiracy theories. Lastly, you’ll hear some of the more outlandish conspiracy theories that Michael has come across. All that, plus, we end our show with a reminder about the importance and necessity of vaccines.
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About the prints that flank Neil in this video:
"Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston.
For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver. inuit.com/
About StarTalk:
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

[@PMW3]

"the reason we need free speech is because most of us are wrong" I like that

[@smitabhandari9327]

ok

[@Chungustav]

Wrong

[@garlandsmith3493]

@@Chungustav is this what I have heard as sarcasm...

[@ekstralove1772]

Education eliminates your being wrong. And free speech was present since ancient times. Not to all, but that is not the fault of the notion. The reason you need free speech is because you are privileged enough to assume you dont have enough. And most of the times you are wrong, because that's nature. Educated learn from mistakes.

[@Lonewolf_1313]

👍👍

[@rougnashi]

I JUST found out Star Talk was on YT. This is what I've been missing in my life. ❤

[@bdickins2190]

Don't you just love listening to INTELLIGENT people carry on intelligent conversations? Gives me hope for our future...

[@ilmarilehmus965]

Michael: "She can't be dead and alive at the same time" Schrödingers cat: "Hold my milk"

[@jondunmore4268]

A smart joke for a smart audience. Very serendipitous.

[@nathanjasper512]

Ha ha. Hold my milk but also don't hold it.

[@ChrisPage68]

@@nathanjasper512 Milk or no milk.

[@jwb52z9]

When people try to make a joke like this, I always say, "Yes, science has said that superposition is true. The problem is that it is still literally impossible for 2 diametrically opposing things to both happen in a single reality". In other words, even if math and science say X is possible, it doesn't mean it physically possible in our reality.

[@EsherT3k]

@@jwb52z9 I bet you're fun at parties.

[@ogray9927]

I'm a simple man. I wake up. I bake up. And I watch StarTalk.

[@dyronanthony284]

We brothers man !

[@IjsBlice]

Sharing is caring

[@paulvamos7319]

If everyone on Earth smoked a joint and binge watched Star Talk, there would be world peace followed by world famine because, Munchies are killer man! XD Puff, puff........

[@GuitarJeff]

I am so glad your still doing this show here. Let's me know there are still sane and intelligent people out there. Some days I tell you.

[@smitabhandari9327]

I fear one day they'll stop this because theres not enough support for them

[@insane_troll]

"you're" and "lets", not "your" and "let's"

[@LaoZi2023]

@@insane_troll , you're an insane troll!

[@ewitherell7205]

That's what is so frustrating about social media "conversations" is that most people don't want to know anything more- they want to be right! I find myself in situations with these people who attempt to school me when I'm still asking questions and then it ends when I realize that they really don't care what I think, don't want to know more, don't have any interest in skepticism, but they intend to insult me by letting me know how wrong I am! Gotta get back to real conversation hopefully after we get beyond this virus 😷.

[@whatdamath]

small correction: 5G was pionered by NASA back in 2008 (not China) and was initially released in South Korea 2 years ago, which ironically also had one of the lowest COVID rates to date.

[@tripmd310]

what is with people thinking that 5G causes coronavirus? People don't contract covid19 from 5G. 5G compromises the immune system and causes cellular degeneration, reducing the ability to fight off such diseases and infections, potentially causing the mortality rates of such sicknesses to be elevated.

[@marto7537]

@@tripmd310 Sometimes it is wise to give advise only if you understand the issue. So what in 5g hurts cells? Is it the wavelength, the frequency or the amplitude of these waves?

[@ag-bf3ty]

@@tripmd310 How do photons thousands of times less energetic than visible light "compromise the immune system"?

[@rollinmark8952]

No need for a correction Anton, Neil was joking..

[@NWCRYPTOADVISOR]

What about gravity?! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXfWgYmsl9xomtk

[@Corbain222]

If I may “everything does happen for a reason, it just doesn’t happen for your reason”

[@M3galodon]

I think I can improve upon that: “everything does happen for a reason, it just doesn’t _necessarily_ happen for your reason”

[@jamescrawley7993]

@@M3galodon I like it! Needs to be PRINTED on a T shirt!! Right!

[@MerkDolf]

@ChronicAdaptor0420 Yes everything has to happen for a reason, no one wants to believe that they are an accident.

[@-8_8-]

Not really. Unless you want to say the fact that things had to happen this way, and that's why we are here, is reason instead of effect. Also, reason, in this definition, is what you make. Reason is yours, it doesn't exist outside the brain. It's up to you to give reason to the world as you see it. It's one of the most powerful tools we have. To decide what's important and why.

[@hoooty87]

@Josh Thurman yes it's not everything happens for a reason the way ppl think of reason it's "everything that happens has cause and affect"

[@spencerlaplata3960]

YES I'm so glad you're doing a series of segments on this topic!!! Thank you!!!

[@susiehulcher1494]

“You are not free to drive on the left side of the road”… Perfect comeback to anyone spouting ‘Muricuh!’

[@ChrisPage68]

We aren't free to drive on the left - it's the law here in the UK. 😉

[@sleeper_san619]

Sounds like someone who would rather pretend the other side doesn't exist rather than have an adult conversation about what we believe is right.

[@kikevallezburgh8884]

Nothing more pathetically ignorant than still falling for that right wing left wing paradygm!!!

[@georgecisneros5281]

Or left road, right road, in this case.😂

[@Israelart25]

Although I don’t reccomend it, Yes I am. I’m not a person, I’m a living man. The only two laws I need to follow are, “love they neighbor” and “love thy creator” look up person and man in black law dictionary

[@thoughtsbeforesleep]

I had my KZbin autoplay turned on and it brought me here. I guess the KZbin algorithm knew how much I would love it :)

[@anthonydavis4829]

Neil, you're a true genius and a great educator. Chuck, you're a great wingman.

[@SidequestPrinting]

Ahh why you gotta do Chuck like that... 😂

[@bigcity2085]

Heck yeah. But I don't think we got anywhere,really. We didn't solve nor answer....anything; we just highlighted the questions.

[@HVYContent]

Nah Chuck adds the picante to the knowledge chili

[@ActionJackson669]

@@HVYContent mmmmm, knowledge chili

[@pnut3844able]

They balance each other well

[@Gundesalf]

People are often extraordinarily uncomfortable with uncertainty. It's so overwhelming not knowing that they will accept the word of anyone who claims to know, even if just supported by misinterpreted information, fallacies and even lies. People who say "We don't know" are unacceptable for them. The smartest, may not be comfortable with uncertainty either, but at least smart people prefer probabilities over absolute answers that can be flawed. Even if they fail, they will at least find comfort on knowing they tried their smartest best. Also, smart people are more likely to be fascinated when proven wrong. Learning is awesome.

[@andrewolson5471]

This seems generally true! I feel like I'm the exception, because I would rather have an "I don't know" answer over getting a BS answer.

[@KynBleiddVI]

@@andrewolson5471 but atleast with a bs answer you can see where their thought pattern is and how they came to the conclusion

[@x1tekja]

It's something I've noticed seems to be embedded in our culture, there are both merits and certainly more pitfalls that can befall this line of reasoning. The hard part is figuring out who you can help and who just won't listen to you. And not that they will never learn but simply they need somebody else to restate it in a different fashion. I like how he went into the conversation about how not to try to sound condescending when trying to teach somebody on any topic. And it speaks to an idea that; it's just a matter of finding the right teacher and figuring out how people learn. And keeping in mind that the Socratic method can only go so far with certain individuals, otherwise you might go crazy.

[@theresefotiou7097]

Soo--- "not knowing" is "so overwhelming that 'they' will accept the word of anyone who claims to know, even if just supported by [misinterpretation], fallacies, [or] lies". Are you referring to 'conspiracy theorists' when you say that? Or toMichael Shermer and his followers?

[@Gundesalf]

@@theresefotiou7097 Conspiracy theories. I have no clue who Shermer is (yet). I'll look it up, though. Thanks.

[@livliv4169]

I so miss the Saturday morning Pinky and the Brain cartoon show that I used to watch religiously!!! I miss the more simple days of cartoon relief for our natural skepticism, unanswerable questions and imagination!

[@paulvamos7319]

Watch the Simpsons! I swear that Matt Goring was a time traveler!

[@claykeough7898]

Well said! I miss quality entertainment in general. The 80s n 90s really had stacks of it in many genres that kept my mind creative and now I just shake my head at most of it as preaching, regurgitated, cringe worthy, tone def nonsense because creators can't create anymore without checking so many boxes. 😫

[@martinrippel9751]

I have found that becoming comfortable with simply not knowing some ultimate explanation for things, has helped me become a much more contented person who enjoys simply being curious.

[@jarrettludolph6000]

This is the best astrophysics/science KZbin channel.

[@ragamuffin4907]

Other than Vsause

[@purelife6846]

@@ragamuffin4907 no still the best.

[@matttthewcheng]

@@purelife6846 AcapellaScience: Hold my Entropic Time. *Just personal opinion. I wanted to be part of the conversation.

[@IjsBlice]

It's awesome but science festival's channel is pretty dope too

[@godiragetsenooi1910]

Neil... My favourite astrophysicist 🙂

[@parameswarnarzary6996]

Me too

[@gothicmoonchild3629]

❤️🤘

[@deepeshbhatt]

How many u know ?lol

[@callicordova4066]

Stephen Colbert said the same thing. But I agree with you, he's awesome and someone I would like to meet.

[@jezzter4293]

Wow, my first time watching StarTalk. Great conversation very inspiring. I’m a huge fan of Dr Tyson in astrophysics, his skills go far beyond that 🖐

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

"Your freedom to swing your arm ends at my nose." Pure gold.

[@asokanponnusamy]

Not very original. A G Gardener

[@ragamuffin4907]

"When a rocket blows up on the launchpad, it's not a failure it's an experiment rich in data". 5 stars to that

[@thomaslane1547]

It is if you recorded the telemetry.

[@svsguru2000]

The people inside the rocket may disagree.

[@spacedout4061]

@@svsguru2000 only like, two rockets have exploded with passengers, they are talking about cargo rockets that only carry sattelites

[@100GTAGUY]

It's still a failure, you just were able to learn from said failure.

[@BraveCat9927]

@@100GTAGUY Yea they sure like to use a lot of buzz words that end up changing the context to a less realistic one. A rocket blowing up on the pad is not an experiment rich in data, like you said its a failure to be learned from. A successful experiment will mostly always be rich in data, no?

[@jakecruise90]

Love that Hitches painting on the left.

[@michaelwells6378]

Was about to point that out as well!

[@chriselrod1733]

THANK YOU! It was driving me crazy...I knew it was somebody I knew but I was drawing a blank. I can't believe I couldn't come up with it! Fml...alzheimers setting in.

[@craigdougan8484]

Does anyone know the artist?

[@ricardoalmeida4719]

Yep. And Sam Harris above him.

[@riccochettv8638]

I love this show. Let me add that our government has laid the red carpet for conspiracy theories.

[@Ambersdf]

yup!

[@Buzz-rh4dz]

Ever wonder why they've done that?

[@AA-vr8ez]

conspiracy theories are what low IQ people use to explain things too complex for them to understand.

[@DarkKnux09]

This REALLY deserves more views... more people have to listen to this discussion so they can remember what being fair, really means. A lot of people have to start critically thinking, no matter how scared you are. It's important to hear every side before you cast any kind of judgement, and to understand that both sides should respect each other, at least in some degree.

[@dont_test_me_bish]

Odd, I heard a few arrogant old guys chuckling like they had all the answers and anyone who though otherwise was a conspiracy theorist lunatic.

[@ogray9927]

Love the painting of Christopher Hitchens behind Michael.

[@69T57]

Actually it's Larry Flynt

[@BlackEpyon]

@@69T57 Similar, but no. That's Hitch.

[@karlitasilva7083]

I know right! who you think Is the one on top? Sam Harris?

[@AbsenceOfLogic]

@@karlitasilva7083 I'm guessing that's his shrine (😛) to the "Four Horsemen of the Non-Apocalypse". Dennett and Dawkins are potentially opposite of the portraits of Harris and Hitchens. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Atheism#%22Four_Horsemen%22

[@sectionq1]

Was just about to ask if it was lol Thanks!

[@jarrettludolph6000]

Neil Degrasse Tyson AND Micheal Shermer in the same video, I'm in.

[@jarrettludolph6000]

What the heck 😂😂

[@chriscunliffe1542]

@Bernie Family , Bernie, who I like, is not a skeptic or an astrophysicist.

[@domiro8156]

ME TOO..............

[@jtknutson8775]

Was a fan of shermer for a long time, used regularly buy skeptic magazine. Forgot about him. Glad to find him again. Especially now

[@thenobleone-3384]

September 11th changed my way of thinking. That was a scary day. I was only 10 yrs old at the time. Not only that Hurricane Katrina.

[@chriskroll2279]

Yeah. No plane hit building 7 and it didn't epstien itself at free fall speed. There was no WMDs found in Iraq and Gain of function Dr. Fauxchi funded wuhan. Plenty of conspiracy without the theory.

[@karl4601]

The Hitchens poster behind Michael is definitely nostalgic.

[@69T57]

That's not Hitchens it's Larry Flynt

[@rikkifurey5670]

I have a lot of hitch's books and I miss his talks and I miss his witt and his calm way of taking idiots to pieces lol

[@tofu8688]

@@69T57 Not true, it's Mr.Hitchens on the bottom

[@todddougherty9492]

Chuck Nice even though I’m here for Dr. Tyson, I do love everything you bring to this channel. 🍺

[@pnut3844able]

Yes he adds much needed comic relief to break up things that can often get monotonous

[@barbaralachance5836]

Chuck is absolutely essential to startalk ❤️

[@arjenbootsma6881]

Nice touch in Michael Shermer's background: a portrait of Christopher Hitchens!

[@uhlsome2784]

Every time Chuck plugs the Patrion Patrons for being their sponsors, I always get a baseball commentator vibe. Best voice 😁

[@kilomilo917]

This is a very informative series on the coronavirus.

[@yaredtadesse8470]

yes sir!!!

[@pheonixxam5812]

Who believes in zombies?

[@Kensworld28]

Smart people humor is the best type of humor! Love these guys man

[@kikevallezburgh8884]

Until you start to actually think for yourself and find out that these types are full of themselves???

[@whatisglife]

Same ‼️

[@padgaidgeorge7388]

Not a conspiracy theorist but these ppl sure sound like sheeple , just repeating wots on MSM

[@dennisbergstrom2109]

Until you realize that there is a difference between smart and having a degree

[@pnut3844able]

@@StellarSurge cool story bro

[@omarlors]

Wow, Neil deGrasse Tyson interrupted a lot less than usual in this video, I guess he really respects Michael Shermer

[@pnut3844able]

Well the topic is also outside of his wheelhouse

[@cvchaparro]

I'd love to hear a discussion about COVID-19 between Neil and Bret Weinstein.

[@VladSWG]

Michael Shermer has a rendering of Christopher Hitchens on the wall behind him. Smart, smart man. I approve 👍 👌 🖖💖

[@oscar24x]

Yes. I approve too!

[@jaybabcock4612]

Ooooohhh. I thought it was Tony Soprano, which was baffling...

[@bradweir6993]

Sam Harris above?🙄

[@martingarcia1723]

i'm gonna go with Tony Acosta and say it's Larry Flint

[@labbeaj]

Who the heck is Christopher Hitchens and why should I care?

[@carlosvence]

Watching your MasterClass Ad before watching Star Talk, Love it!

[@marianwhit]

I tend to be somewhat immune to conspiracy theory, but the whole smart meter and inching towards surveillance capitalism thing gives me the creeps. I would so love to see the discussion of these issues...a lot of the other claims about smart meters seem to be bunk, but seeing how China is squashing Hong Kong and suppressing its minorities is pretty worrisome. It seems like we are tossing data about ourselves, privacy, and ability to move anonymously aside, but free to be utterly awful and mean to each other via the perceived anonymity of the internet.

[@CMKloser]

Never assume you are immune to anything. Keep asking questions and think for yourself. Truth should never be afraid of investigation, it should only lead to a greater truth. I know I will never have all the answers, but I always question my reality.

[@nmarbletoe8210]

I think there's thing we could call paradoxical paranoia. It's paranoia, but if we weren't paranoid, it would be real. .

[@pnut3844able]

Immune to conspiracy theories means you are a sheep, in the purest sense of the word. You cannot think for yourself or think outside the box. You must follow society's "norm" and believe everything the government and media tells you. I'm not saying every theory is true, or that even half of them are. I'm saying to be open minded and stop being indoctrinated.

[@pnut3844able]

@@CMKloser exactly

[@damianpos8832]

@@CMKloser right so why not just host a podcast with someone on the same skill level who disagrees about covid ?...You know to debunked them in real-time. THAt would be helpful in a fight against conspiracies....but i geuss cenzorship is the way to go

[@boxfan6656]

This is one of the programs which announces commercial breaks. KZbin's AI seems to be unaware of these breaks and would rather interrupt NdGT mid-sentence, but not the other speakers. . . .

[@wetbreadstickcapo8507]

I wonder what everyone will think 100 years from now learning about this in 5th grade social studies

[@yt_baphomet]

They will say 135,000+ were dead before their leader wore a mask and some people denied a virus' existence as it affected millions.

[@beaker8111]

I also wonder what a post-apocalyptic 5th grade class will look like...

[@gyozakeynsianism]

^ a comment on a video called "Coronavirus & Conspiracy Theories" ^

[@shawnwales696]

They will refer to this as "the crazy times".

[@spacedout4061]

@@Huge_Echman um

[@MrDnB89]

The belief that people change their mind through rational debate is so delusional. Some people are so far gone that ignoring them, or not platforming them, is the only answer.

[@ishe728]

I believe that but it is still worth to debate with them sometimes, you may learn something from them or at least a bit of why they are that way. If it gets nasty then your not going to get anywhere with them though.

[@spacedout4061]

Many conspiracy theorists unfortunately are too far gone and refuse to believe anything

[@the-outsider]

That may be right at times but if you don't try to have an open discussion with someone you will never know if they are in any way able to change their mind or not. You can't just lump everyone you don't agree with as too far gone to talk to, that just makes you no more willing to take on new points of view as you think they are.

[@SanPeacefam]

@@wasdwasdedsf Everyone has a right to beleive in themselves. But to preach about something without evidence isn't going to help anyone. And to disregard other people who are talking based on their perspective's evidence is just dumb. There's a massive community of science providing it's evidence of truth. I'm not saying it can't be proven otherwise one day.. But in order to see what's most likely true.. you have to try to believe what someone with evidence says until you prove them otherwise. And that's when debates come in.. Where we should discuss ideas on change of opposing ideas. When we both have evidence. And ww should essentially, eventually, conclude to a sounding argument by listening to each other. But nothing works when no one listens to each other or show love.. or better yet. Peace.

[@kikevallezburgh8884]

Let's start with this hypocritical example of shameless bias??? Kool!!

[@Zagy21]

The more I listen to Star Talk the more I like Chuk’s jokes.

[@pricekeene511]

not me

[@andyhughes1776]

"We wish to find the truth, no matter where it lies. But to find the truth we need imagination and skepticism both. We will not be afraid to speculate, but we will be careful to distinguish speculation from fact." - Carl Sagan

[@isabelab6851]

You can’t be alive and dead at the same time...what about Schoedinger’s cat? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 silly humor! This is a great topic!

[@johnfarmer3506]

According to emergent view you can. If no one is observing does the tree falling make a sound.

[@joshuamccarroll2188]

what if you're undead ?? - Can you really turn up missing though ??

[@jakemoeller7850]

Isabel, I thought the same when I heard that.

[@lachazaroony]

Schrodinger*

[@isabelab6851]

lachazaroony thank you! I do not always check what is being spelled (a bit small for my old eyes). Now that you point it out...yes..it is not spelled right.

[@alejandrooos1]

The best way to avoid conspiracy theories is through education and research

[@spacedout4061]

Conspiracy theorists are educated and do research, it's often to do with childhood problems like divorce, and any research they do is on sketchy websites and after that any real research they do is biased

[@flavius7524]

@@spacedout4061 It's not really research if it's biased, it's just an attempt to prove that you are right regardless of reality

[@spacedout4061]

@@flavius7524 precisely, but they call it research anyway. I have seen the same thing with Christians, only using a single site to explain to you why they are right, despite the site being obviously biased and so are they

[@alejandrooos1]

@@spacedout4061 but thats not research. they are using the word "research" but not really applying it, therefore is not research

[@jakecostanza802]

No Regrets divorce makes you believe in conspiracy theories... are you just a joker?

[@Slavecutter]

I firmly believe that all the people in this video' aren't wearing pants.

[@angrymanspeaks]

Sorry. I don't know how to get your name to come up correctly. I assume your name is pronounced Michile, or mi-ki-el, or the like.

[@gino1876]

That's a conspiracy!

[@LaoZi2023]

@@angrymanspeaks , He'S a Russian 'bot, don't fall for his conspiracies!

[@jaybenka8595]

No pants but still more intelligent than 90 percent of us...

[@victorbuster1]

now that's just logic

[@Rallik]

this was so lovely, thank you very much! :) thoroughly enjoyed

[@ejmtv3]

Right on the spot on the Free Country mentality! As a non-American it was a total CRINGE for us to throw that free country card on everything just because you dont want to obey.

[@alexanderjames5689]

This is connecting a lot of dots for me, Ive been thinking a lot about belief systems and information in 2020 And how you can literally believe anything to be true

[@stevedrake6529]

One of the few people that Tyson can’t interrupt every 10 seconds. That’s very refreshing

[@chris123chris82]

These guys are incredibly entertaining all while being extremely educational. My favorite KZbin channel for sure

[@LeilaKincaid]

Yes! I heard that Blue Oyster Cult song in my head and was so happy to see Chuck mention it! LOL

[@AlexMartinez-dc4pe]

Same here 👍

[@mojavedesert5896]

Hats off to Chuck for the BOC reference! BOC - a band of numerous science and space themes in their songs.

[@lackofwords]

@2:00 At first I thought that was a really impressive water droplet gloss decal on the cover of the book...

[@lifeisajokerick]

I love Neil's master class ad!! I just wanted to express that.

[@brian9731]

Many conspiracy theorists don't think they're conspiracy theorists. I was working with a colleague who has all sorts of conspiracy ideas and actually said, "I don't want to get all conspiratorial ..."

[@ninatrentham8908]

Are you in your “jammies” Neil? Nice!

[@tylerguest8041]

Looks like a track suit

[@davidt3956]

While most conspiracy theories are nonsense, but never forget that just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you...

[@AhatiMaat]

theres nothing conspiracy about a theory

[@shexec32]

I side with Chuck on the "Method of Teaching Science" segment (37:28-39:10). Even if it were possible (and it isn't) to teach Science as just a list of non-chronological facts, there will always be room to accommodate new discoveries & results into your scientific brain, and your demonstration of being able to accommodate new theories represents a teachable moment to your students on just how the scientific method works. When I was taking science classes in the late 90s, there were all kinds of new discoveries (the cloning of Dolly the Sheep, the Human Genome Project, Mad Cow Disease, the discovery of the Top Quark, neutrino mass, new states of matter) made which conflicted with the content of my textbooks. I was able to incorporate these new ideas thanks to the Chuck Nice method of teaching discoveries.

[@erinmcginnis4991]

Great episode. As always, I learned alot. Thank you

[@tomiloger2910]

The first thing that caught my eye is Hitche's portrait...Great episode by the way!

[@johnyepthomi892]

Hitch never left.

[@akifnobody318]

Is there any country other than America where people actually fight over wearing masks in the middle of a global Pandemic?

[@ericpelletier7721]

Akif Awakened there is also a lot here in Canada. I think you can safely assume it’s the case basically everywhere.

[@hlr3932]

oh ya, lots of places. Maybe they don't say it out loud , but would be passive-aggressive about it!!

[@OneBiteoftheCherry]

Hmm, I think a lot of people are moaning here in England, but I think that's mainly because it's only just been put in place...4 months in to a pandemic.

[@Haribon221]

In my country rather than fighting over it some people would just sneakily not wear a mask and only wear them when authorities are around.

[@delicitymd6670]

Honestly one of the best episodes I’ve watched in awhile (not saying I didn’t enjoy the previous ones) few questions and lots of big brain talk

[@rayb1091]

You said it right. People forget that their rights ends where someone else rights began.

[@damianpos8832]

well, the problem is that you have been incriminated into thinking, that any kind of risk no matter how minuscule is worthy of abolishing freedom and individual responsibility in favor of a big government solution for your benefit ..but carry on pretending you can use any kind of critical thinking

[@dieseldogg8004]

Revisit your Corona virus conspiracy theory segment. What a difference a few years makes.

[@7divad37]

I'm surprised the Neill says at 6:23 "you need free speech to combat conspiracy theories". I believe that conspiracy theories can only flourish where free speech exists. I am a huge believer in conspiracy theories, as they become a gateway to a field of research that I would not have gone down in my normal life, hence expanding my knowledge, and interests in different subjects. If someone was to call me a conspiracy theorist as a derogatory term, I simply ask them: How many buildings collapsed in New York on 9/11? Strangely enough, the few people who I have asked that question, do not know the correct answer, so conversation over.... They are welcome to educate themselves on the answer.

[@urieowrjdf]

I did not like the title of this show....but I really am happy I watched it. Great show!

[@ryanjohnwisniewski599]

Interesting conversation. I enjoyed alot of what was said before the end.

[@Chris-hx3om]

I work in diagnostics, and diagnostics is as much about find out what is/does work as finding what doesn't...

[@BlairCoron]

Thank you StarTalk for being the voice of reason in these times

[@aliciadinar1600]

Thank you for this amazing episode gentlemen. So Shermer brought up an interesting point. Those of religious beliefs, or spiritual faiths all have a common expression: "everything happens for a reason". My question then is, does that imply that sciences' core philosophy is the opposite of that: that everything is simply a coincidence/has no set philosophical reason?

[@seandoc8463]

Yes, this has been proven.

[@lennoxgordon6557]

Wonderful discussions as usual between you and your guest speaker. I would like to hear from Dr. Lanka (German research doctor) on the protocols used in isolating this particular virus. This has been a particular concern given the obvious rush to develop a vaccine in an environment of so many uncertainties/ unknowns.

[@Jay-om8gr]

Faucci and the surgeon general clearly said masks don’t work. It was more than the supply chain issue. And the surgeon general tried explaining it away a week ago and failed epically

[@gyozakeynsianism]

They along with many other scientists said masks aren't particularly effective protecting the wearer. They ARE particularly effective protecting other people if you carry the virus (which might be the case even if you don't have any symptoms).

[@mozuesolympian2988]

I will never download raid shadow legends

[@vitunao]

I'm in

[@LividCreature]

You’re free to not do that den

[@Jempath]

Conspiracies are truths that people do not want to accept!

[@smallstudiodesign]

My two favourite guys! T&N : Tyson & Nice!

[@LokiDWolf]

Great conversation about conspiracies, lies, truths, science and perception about the world's current event: COVID-19. And VERY recent!

[@keepmoving1185]

Eddie Bravo needs a chill pill

[@Ibanezz369]

LOOK INTO IT BRO!

[@9sheri9]

Thank you for this, Neil ❤️🤓

[@janusatthegate6201]

Learning how to communicate honestly is like learning how to teach. It's a talent.

[@donaldaribam]

The way Shermer answers every question by diverting it to an area he is about familiar with.

[@seandoc8463]

As a British chess champion I approve of the cover of this bloke's book.

[@NeatOner_]

You are the 🐐 MR Tyson Thank you for always spreading the truth and raising awareness 🙏🏼

[@ryvyr]

So curating a magazine is different than schools selecting speakers? Does the 1st Ammt apply to a global private business, regardless if it seems better to be nationalized?

[@jaybajan]

Neil wearing that grandpapa pimping robe. Lol flexing

[@Chris-hx3om]

"The minute you believe there's someone is behind the scenes pulling the strings"... It's called 'going down the rabbit hole'...

[@arandom1024]

The problem is that most of the time that "rabbit hole" doesn't exist, unfortunately there are just the right amount of genuine rabbit holes where conspiracy theories can't/shouldn't be dismissed outright.

[@spacedout4061]

@@arandom1024 unfortunately there are still theories that can be disproved and dismissed pretty easily due to overwhelming evidence to the contrary, for example, the flat earth conspiracy

[@ice9snowflake187]

If you have to suppose something exists for which you have no evidence or indication, that must exist in order for your theoretical conspiracy to exist, then the conspiracy probably doesn't exist.

[@randyx007]

@@ice9snowflake187 is it not plausible that we let 911 happen to invade a foreign country (that had nothing to do with it) lol?

[@ice9snowflake187]

@@randyx007 It's plausible, but there's more to it. Anyway what's the point, by now?

[@robpatty6062]

Nice painting of the "Hitch". Greatly missed in these times

[@troythegreat7369]

Y'all are down to earth awesome.

[@worer850]

That building 7 free fall collapse always had me scratching my head. No plane hit it . .. just saying Shermer

[@ChrisPage68]

Show your evidence.

[@dont_test_me_bish]

@@ChrisPage68Search: "building seven" +"pull it"

[@smackfanxion]

BigBrains: "Freedumb means I can do whatever I want." Me: "Learn to fly."

[@glrmoliveiras]

What is the name of that lamp thing behind Neil?

[@aboriani]

Honest question, why they do take brakes every 10 minutes or so?

[@tylerfreeman5041]

Why is "I don't know," so hard.

[@dannyguerra8057]

Pride

[@Mastervitro]

There is plenty of evidence to suggest controlled demolition took down the 3 trade center towers, while the idea of them falling at near free fall with the 2 main towers collapsing top to bottom with less mass on top accelerating into more mass seems unlikely(unless Newton's laws changed). But I'm sure your career is more important than facts.

[@kimbalcalkins6903]

They just try to sweep WTC7 under the rug. After building 7 I will never trust any kool aid this government is peddling. The arrogance of these speakers is hurting a lot of people, are they really ignorant of what embalmers are telling us?

[@matthewseymour5165]

Fantastic discussion. I must admit I try not to get personal with conspiracy theorists but I find on the web it's extremely not just to be met with hostility

[@retiweisberg7906]

Thank you for the amazing video. Loved the humor too.

[@nickmedina6776]

Love how youtube slaps their “coronavirus ‘facts’” disclaimer on this, thank you overlords I is dumb

[@LaoZi2023]

@KingTater, it's not quite that simplistic. You can't negate everything someone says because they have a political view point. The view point might make sense to a side that you don't agree with, but some of the information may be correct.

[@anwn3981]

@@LaoZi2023 you're right, some of the info is correct. Like when the WHO said asymptomatic people have not been shown to transmit the disease. But they're also led by Tedros, a gofer for the WHO's biggest funder, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

[@pnut3844able]

Gotta push that narrative, they are controlling the sheep through scare tactics.

[@justanotheryoutuber3532]

36:00 I like how he admitted that the government lied about not needing mask inorder to protect themselves due to their not being enough mask at first but then quickly changed the subject talking about learning new info instead of talking about how the government lied.

[@anwn3981]

You've got it all wrong, friend. Needing to wear the mask is the lie.

[@CassieJFox]

Wearing a mask is the sheep following the lies spewed by government and the Elite owned maistream media.

[@edwilembameg6077]

I like Michael Shermer’s way of engaging these serious issues with a light touch of Sarcasm yet pointed arguments.

[@hurley3000gt]

In all my years of listening to Tyson, I've never seen him act so respectfully with someone he is talking with than Shermer here