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I think it will end up being a pretty good series. I still might like Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking and How the Universe Works more but again, this was only the first episode. I think it did a pretty good job establishing how we got to this point culturally. Now, lets hear more about the science!
My only problem with the series is that he starts this off as a intro to modern astrophysics. They will run out of material to cover about space unless they go deeper and risk losing audience when it gets too difficult to understand such as talking about Black Holes and Singularities and String Theory. I think they will hop over to nature and non-space topics. It's difficult to captivate a broad audience on public TV. I do wonder how many deeply religious folks are watching this show and say it's a bunch of baloney.
I have to admit to being a bit disappointed. I had really high hopes for this series - especially I was looking forward to my kids seeing it. I think this is series aimed at kids or an introduction to science for adults. I liked the first program as a general introduction but after seeing episode 2, I think it is too dumbed down, even for kids.
There were too many sideways / subtle references to god. Just stick to the science. Why even mention there are people who don't think evolution is a fact? That's unnecessary. Just explain evolution.
It is very disjointed too. One minute talking about DNA in trees and animals, the next making a visit to Titan. At some points it came across more like science fiction than science fact with the 'spacecraft of the imagination' taking a dip into Titans methane sea which seemed to have no point to it. I also thought Neil DeGrasse Tyson looked uncomfortable a couple of times. I didn't feel he was all that engaging.
Maybe it will pick up in episode 3.
But as it stands I have see far better explanations of the topics covered on other science programs. Still it's better than nothing.
To know why Cosmos "hints" at religion requires one to know a little bit of a background on Dr. Tyson and where he's coming from. I could go on and on explaining it but this video basically tells it all.
In other interviews, he's stated that he's worried that religious fundamentalists are attacking science a little too much and gaining traction with the American public. He's worried that the United States will fall deeply behind other nations such as China and India when it comes to discoveries advancing our economy.
To know why Cosmos "hints" at religion requires one to know a little bit of a background on Dr. Tyson and where he's coming from. I could go on and on explaining it but this video basically tells it all.
In other interviews, he's stated that he's worried that religious fundamentalists are attacking science a little too much and gaining traction with the American public. He's worried that the United States will fall deeply behind other nations such as China and India when it comes to discoveries advancing our economy.
Thanks for sharing that Adric. Interesting (and surprising to me) to hear this from Neil DeGrasse Tyson - I heard him being interviewed once and he refused to say where his religious convictions lay. He refused to call himself an atheist, but from this I guess that is pretty clear.
And he's absolutely right. It is worrying how many people in America reject science in favour of god. It's astonishing frankly.
Still I don't think drawing attention to it helps either because as soon as you start bring up religion, people switch off, throw up their barriers and rebel. Just present the science and let people make up their own minds. That's my view anyway.
He doesnt call himself an atheist because he's an agnostic. Athiests disbelieve, agnostics dont think its a valid question, similar to "Do you believe in 5 headed dragons?" -- Religion is just not a compelling hypothesis and the data is so flawed on every level and is highly inconsistent.
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Episode 2
Maybe it will pick up in episode 3.
