Neil DeGrasse Tyson interviewed by out-of-character Stephen Colbert

The Kimberley Academy in Montclair, New Jersey hosted a fascinating, one-hour chat between Neil DeGrasse Tyson -- Hayden Planetarium director, TV science host, and all-round good guy -- with Stephen Colbert in a rare, out-of-character appearance.

Stephen Colbert Interview - Montclair Kimberley Academy (via Kottke)

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

MORE: ethics • philosophy • Science • video • youtube

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http://www.summerseale.com/ Summer Seale

I can guarantee that I’m watching this as soon as I get home from work in a little while. Thank you for posting it. =)
Disassembly

Neil posted this link a day or so ago and the Hayden Planetarium servers had trouble coping – he’s since linked to a youtube version. The Planetarium servers seem to be handling it okay at the moment, but in case they go down again, here’s that youtube version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXh9RQCvxmg

It’s a long interview (at 1hr30), but well worth anybody’s time – if you can’t fit it in, there’s a great bit on increasing scientific literacy (in his final Q&A question) from 1:12:20 onwards which is probably the highlight of the whole thing, in as much as it’s possible to pick one.
bman08

Is there an audio version? I’ve got a long drive coming up.
- Paul Renault
  
  Downloadhelper for FF is your friend…
milkman

I’m already plenty interested in physics, science, etc… But I make a point to watch anything that has Neil in it because he does a great job explaining, is fun to listen to, and generally forces new information into my head without me noticing. Our society needs to target THESE people as stars and listen to what they have to say – not the morons on Jersey Shore or worse [looking at you foxnews, cnn, msnbc, etc...]. Rant and soapboxing complete.
Jorpho

I am sold on “Colbert out of character”.

That man makes Sacha Baron Cohen seem like a talentless hack, I declare.
lost feliz

I’m guessing Colbert’s kids go to the school.
Caleb Cohen

Best 90 minutes I’ve spent on the Internet in a very very long time…
gws

Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s rant toward the end (on building up scientific literacy) was one of the most compelling things I’ve watched in a while.
regondi

“…two most famous star-crossed lovers in American literature.” -oops.
Brandon C

“with Stephen Colbert in a rare, out-of-character appearance” needs to lose that comma. It is not appearances that are rare for Colbert, but rather being out of character.
ZikZak

Watching this made me happy
Ellavemia

Neil answers, “What’s a wolf moon?” But what is a three-wolf moon?
http://www.chrisdodds.net/ Chris Dodds

Sooooo good. We need more science educators like Tyson.
jackrabbitslim

This was my wife’s introduction to NDT and she is totally into him. I showed her his wikipedia page and she told me that he’s the most interesting man in the world. Good thing he’s married.
Mitchell Glaser

It’s fascinating to contrast his style with Carl Sagan’s, isn’t it? Both brilliant men, very good at off-the-cuff discussions of complex science, but where Carl had an almost elegiac style Neil seems to radiate more of a football coach enthusiasm. As inspirational as Carl was, bless his turtleneck, I think Neil might draw more kids into the field. And we need them so badly!
http://twitter.com/strugglngwriter strugglngwriter

If they could just condense this whole thing into a pill and get everybody to take it, I think we all would be in much better shape.
- Cowicide
  
  I’m sure the pill would be red.
pete_thedevguy

The audio is a little different in each ear and it’s driving me crazy.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=668282813 Holly Goodhead

You’ve got to love a smart funny man who is actually a rocket scientist. Put together with another smart funny man… MAGIC. If I wasn’t so old and he’s married already..NDT would be my dream husband.
Richard Lord

I now want think geek to sell a printed Tee with Neil in a Wrestling suit and a utility belt, Belting opera for Science. He is my hero.
robdobbs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YXh9RQCvxmg#t=371s
http://twitter.com/gfish Matthew Dockrey

Is it just me, or did Colbert make a reference to the old Larry Niven short story Neutron Star?
gullevek

I just watched this yesterday night. Very fascinating, best hour I spend in front of youtube in a long time, beaten only by the excellent Thorium 2011 Remix (otoh that was two hours)
http://twitter.com/ledfIoyd Bradey Macklin

Was Colbert “out of character” though?
- donniebnyc
  
  I would say he was definitely out of character. While they are both funny, Stephen Colbert is a smart and thoughtful guy. “Stephen Colbert” otoh is clearly an idiot.
ocatagon

One of the best interviews I’ve ever seen. Whatever you’re doing tonight will not be as interesting as this.