'Cosmos' 2nd episode: Neil deGrasse Tyson condescends toward doubters of evolution

March 17, 2014

[EveningStar]

Last night, I watched the second episode of "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" (the reboot of the 1980 series). It was entitled, "Some of the Things That Molecules Do."

One of the things Tyson dealt with in this episode was evolution.

Now, I myself do subscribe to the theory of evolution, but I found Tyson's treatment to be offensive, condescending, and smarmy.

I thought it was an in-your-face chip-on-the-shoulder response against skeptics of evolution.

I thought this was supposed to be a science show, not a political show.

But this is just my opinion. What is your opinion?

If you missed the episode and wish to see it, it will replay on the National Geographic Channel. You can also watch it online at Fox and Hulu.

[GeronL]

Who thought this was going to be about science and not politics? I don’t think they are capable of that any longer

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I found Tyson's treatment to be offensive, condescending, and smarmy.

Those three words describe Tyson to a "T".

I didn't bother with Ep. 2 and won't see any of the others. A waste of time, really.

[Viennacon]

Its tied to Seth MacFarlane who despises Christians. What did you expect?

[spincaster]

Wont watch it!Plain and simple.

[EveningStar]

I had hoped it would be about science and not politics, but the first two episodes have proved me wrong. :(

I will continue to watch, though.

[papertyger]

...I found Tyson's treatment to be offensive, condescending, and smarmy.

That's because it's all they've got if you don't share their assumptions.

[Ghost of SVR4]

Tried to watch EP.01, drifted off to sleep. Heard some rumblings about this episode deriding others for not thinking the way the series does. Guess I’ll be skipping the rest of this already washed up series. (IMO as well, Through the Wormhole’s choo-choo has gone around the bend; un-watchable.)

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

:: It was entitled, “Some of the Things That Molecules Do.” ::

Interesting, by the title.

As a chemist (away from the rarefied air of therotical physics for some time), I must ask, can molecules “evolve”? I know they can decay and, even subsequently return to their natural state but, can Lead (Pb) become Gold (Au)?

[The Cajun]

Probably won't be watching anymore, noticed he threw in a little plug in for global warming to boot.

Really thought the series would be cutting edge discoveries and new speculations, it dang sure isn't that.
Just a rehash of older stuff, Sagan did it better.

[UNGN]

I’m totally fine with the condescension over Evolution.

At least he is using actual facts to make his case. Dog breeding is an excellent example of the power of genetic selection to “evolve” a species.

My beef is the condescension over CO2 caused “catastophic” global warming that is gut churning.

There are no actual facts to support this, only 30 years of hyped BS and fudged numbers. ANY questions and you are labled an unscientific DENIER!.

It’s just short of labeling someone a “Witch” if they don’t think CO2 will cause the world to end in the next 100 years.

[Vermont Lt]

I think there is room for both...

I think that evolution creeps along over time. I just think there was some intelligent design in creating humans.

[papertyger]

...I know they can decay and, even subsequently return to their natural state...

Funny that: how things fall apart easier than they go together...

[Vermont Lt]

Perfect? Please explain to me how cancer is perfection.

[Zathras]

I’ve got this one tivo’d to check out.
Always have a soft spot for basic chemistry.

[papertyger]

Dog breeding is an excellent example of the power of genetic selection to “evolve” a species.

Then you don't understand what evolution claims.

[Dr. Thorne]

Not interested. Watch The Privileged Planet instead.

[fr_freak]

I thought this was supposed to be a science show, not a political show.

Let me tell you something now so you can avoid heartbreak and confusion in the future:

ALL TV IS POLITICIZED NOW. All of it - from sitcoms to the evening news. It is ALL propaganda. Movies too. The gatekeepers in Hollywood won't allow any dissenting thoughts.

[EveningStar]

As I said, I do subscribe to the theory of evolution. However, I believe that presenting it in a condescending way on a science show is out of place and counter-productive.