May 20, 2014

Neil deGrasse Tyson Podcasts, Lectures, and Debates

American astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson is arguably the most exciting public science advocate since Carl Sagan. Through his work as host of PBS’s popular NOVA educational show, and frequent high profile talk-show appearances, he’s provided an affable, no-nonsense, and often-times laugh out loud funny face to a field that many find intimidating. With these two streaming video lectures we’ve chosen from FORA.tv, we’re excited to showcase Tyson’s irascible take on some of the latest scientific discoveries.

Neil DeGrasse Tyson: Death by Black Hole

In this talk Tyson muses on why he’s always getting questions about natural disasters. Starting with a detailed description of what might happen to someone unlucky enough to get sucked into a Black Hole, he then discusses the more realistic threat of asteroids impacting the earth. He asks his colleagues why we often run from these potential disasters, when we might productively devise a means of stopping them from happening in the first place. After all, this is the 21st century!

Neil deGrasse Tyson: The Pluto Files

With the Pluto Files, Dyson regales the audience with the story of how he became the central figure in the debate over whether or not Pluto was an actual planet. Since the most distant body in our solar system was humbled to “planetoid” status, he’s received angry letters from school children and teachers alike, which he feels is indicative of how protective we are over our nearest planetary neighbors. Ultimately, he argues that Pluto’s “demotion” has led to a breakthrough debate over planetary definitions, which in turn has broadened our grasp of how to research, classify, and explore the universe.

And if you want to hear more from Neil deGrasse Tyson then check out his StarTalk Radio Podcast. In this series of podcasts, Tyson answers science questions and talks with scientists & celebrities like Bill Nye the Science Guy, Jon Stewart, and Whoopi Goldberg. Choose from over 80 podcasts:

StarTalk Radio with Neil deGrasse Tyson Podcast

And check out these five debates from the American Museum of Natural History moderated by Neil deGrasse Tyson and featuring panels of leading scientists:

2010 Rose Center Anniversary Isaac Asimov Debate: Is Earth Unique?

2011 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: The Theory of Everything

2012 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Faster Than the Speed of Light

2013 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: The Existence of Nothing

2014 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Selling Space

And if you haven’t checked it out yet you should definitely watch the new “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson. This series is a follow-up to the 1980 television series “Cosmos: A Personal Voyage”, which was presented by Carl Sagan. The new series updates the script and adds in many stunning new visual effects. You can now watch all the episodes of “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” for free on Hulu.com with limited commercial interruption:

Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey

You can find all of the Neil deGrasse Tyson Audio & Video titles on our site right here:

Neil deGrasse Tyson Audio & Video