Cosmos: The Show Teaching the Methods of Academic Infighting

Tyson can’t seem to make a point without belittling opposing views.

Tyson says that Sagan was a great influence on him but I can’t detect any of Dr. Sagan’s influence on this show.  Sagan showed us the beauty of science (even with the limited graphics that were state of the art back then).  He offered science to the non-scientific with a love that you could see and hear in his voice.  Even those of us who already knew the science were captivated.  It was like watching a piece of art while the artist lovingly creates it.

Tyson’s presentation is like watching an academic dissertation.  Even though the graphics are very pretty (though, oddly, paired with ugly cartoons), there is no beauty in this version.  It seems to be more about: This is why I’m right and this is why other people are wrong.  It is like reading a novel that is self consciously trying very hard to be significant or watching a sitcom with a laugh track (to point out where it is suppose to be funny).

Pam laments the under representation of women in science.  Over the course of six episodes, he has mentioned one woman in science. I doubt that he is purposely slighting them.  Unfortunately, I can’t say with any certainty that the slight is not purposeful (given his tendencies in the show that I previously mentioned).   I think that it is more likely that the women in science do not advance the point that he is trying to make.

The message of Tyson’s Cosmos is: Scientists are right, do what we say.  Sagan’s Cosmos said: Science is beautiful, come enjoy it with us.