[scrabblehack]

B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Cornell....I can’t say he isn’t a scientist.

What were you wanting, a Ph.D.?

[dr_lew]

What were you wanting, a Ph.D.?

That job is rightfully mine!

[TBP]

He’s not a real scientist. There are plenty of real scientists. Nye isn’t one.

[dhs12345]

He probably took his fair share of thermo classes and most MEs do.

He probably has a basic understanding but he is no expert.

[HonkyTonkMan]

Engineers are not scientists. They can be complimentary (scientist explores space, engineer designs telescope, lift vehicle, etc), but are not one in the same.

[piytar]

No, I want someone who understands and actually applies the scientific method. Could not care less about the degrees and credentials.

[piytar]

By the way, I have more degrees than Mr. Nye. But that does not really matter.

[pepsi_junkie]

I see this gripe about Nye and I too wonder at times what it takes to be a "scientist". Does one need a degree on physics or chemistry? What level, BS, MS, PhD? And is engineering now considered some sort of liberal art or perhaps a mere trade? Enquiring minds want to know!

Don't get me wrong, he's not qualified to claim expert status on most aspects of science especially climate science which, in my opinion, almost nobody can rightly claim to be an "expert on" since nobody really understands it that well. Yes, he's a self-righteous, arrogant blowhard but being educated as an engineer doesn't mean he's scientifically ignorant, which seems to be the implication of such critiques.

[Paladin2]

Didn’t Keith Olberman graduate from Cow Cornell?