Cosmos

[cwolff]

They did a good job on Cosmos and NDT was great of course. Anyone else watch it?


Famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson takes a tour of the Solar System and the known universe before sharing the birth of Renaissance Italian Giordano Bruno's vision of the universe as a limitless expanse of space and time. He then makes an exploration into the Cosmic Calendar, which dates back to the dawn of the Big Bang. The episode ends with deGrasse Tyson narrating how he met his mentor Carl Sagan, who hosted the first Cosmos series.

[Warriorbird]

I did. Nice seeing science notch one up for once.

[cwolff]

I did. Nice seeing science notch one up for once.

They brutalized religion with the Bruno story. I'm going to have to look for the original series on Youtube. Can't imagine they were so graphic then.

[gs4-PauperSid]

Was surprised it was on Fox.

I'll continue to tune in... Been on a space kick since catching the "when we left earth" mini series.

-j

[Nilandia]

I also saw it, and was highly impressed by it. Amazon has the season pass available for free to Prime members, and I've already picked it up. Can't wait to see the rest of the series.


Was surprised it was on Fox.
I got lucky enough to hear Neil deGrasse Tyson live a few months back, and he discussed why it was chosen to run on Fox. If Cosmos aired on a science-focused channel, it would mostly attract viewers who already believe in the power of science. Airing it on Fox would have a better chance of reaching people who would not normally be interested in science, and hopefully convince some to learn more.

Of course, Seth MacFarlane being an executive producer might have something to do with it. Still, Seth is a science geek. He donated Carl Sagan's notes to the Library of Congress in 2012. (http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jun/28/entertainment/la-et-st-seth-macfarlane-carl-sagan-library-congress-20120628)

Gretchen

[Drazaan]

I sadly missed it, but was contacting friends to get their take on how it was. I can't wait to see it, had been re-reading Sagan's Cosmos this last week in anticipation.

I was hoping Annie Druyan would make an appearance or something, but everyone has been telling me it was all Neil. I'm positive it was still excellent.

[Nilandia]

If you get the Nat Geo channel, it will re-air Monday night, apparently with more content. It also appears that it will be available on Amazon streaming, as mentioned previously.

Gretchen

[Astru]

Hopefully it ends up on the internets somewhere so I can watch it. NDT is awesome.

And I'm just going to put this here because it seems appropriate. :)

http://hateandanger.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/neil-degrasse-tyson-astrophysicist-the-universe-is-in-us-recognize-that-the-very-molecules-that-make-up-your-body-the-atoms-that-construct-the-are-traceable-to-the-crucibles-that-were-on.jpg


edit: wtf @ the rep? "poopin pants and poopin pants and poopin pants"

[Nilandia]

Coming back to update about Amazon streaming episodes. They are available, but you still have to pay for them. The season pass is free but it just gives you a small discount to buying the episodes.

Gretchen

[Parkbandit]

Watch it here for free:

http://www.fox.com/watch/183733315515

[Nilandia]

Good call, PB. Should have thought of that, but my reflexes go to Netflix, Amazon and my cable company's on demand.

Gretchen

[Methais]

http://oi47.tinypic.com/2gxmxrl.jpg

[waywardgs]

http://oi47.tinypic.com/2gxmxrl.jpg

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l2feo6KmVN1qzekdio1_500.jpg

[Whirlin]

Just watched it... and honestly, I'm impressed. It's an incredibly effective mix of animation, history, storytelling, and science.

[Astru]

Watch it here for free:

http://www.fox.com/watch/183733315515
Doesn't work outside the US (except military bases, apparently). :(


Maybe this will be the motivation to learn how to spoof IP addresses.

[Back]

Saw it last night On Demand. I found the pace a little bit slow but then again I was not stoned and am no longer 8 years old. It was just as informative and inspiring as the original. Maybe a little cheesier but cheese is ok with this kind of show.

[cwolff]

This looks interesting.


http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2014/03/black-hole-snack-time/

[cwolff]

NDT's talking about the evolution of the eye tonight. I find it interesting because some of the intelligent design believers in my life often bring up the eye as proof of creationism. I wonder how much of this show is influenced by Seth Mcfarlane's hostility to religion. It'd be interesting to have listened in on the discussions that eventually shaped the program.


The eye is an example of a supposedly irreducibly complex structure, due to its many elaborate and interlocking parts, seemingly all dependent upon one another. It is frequently cited by intelligent design and creationism advocates as an example of irreducible complexity. Behe used the "development of the eye problem" as evidence for intelligent design in Darwin's Black Box. Although Behe acknowledged that the evolution of the larger anatomical features of the eye have been well-explained, he claimed that the complexity of the minute biochemical reactions required at a molecular level for light sensitivity still defies explanation. Creationist Jonathan Sarfati has described the eye as evolutionary biologists' "greatest challenge as an example of superb 'irreducible complexity' in God's creation", specifically pointing to the supposed "vast complexity" required for transparency

Wow, he just used the phrase "The greatest story ever told" to introduce a segment about life on Earth. I'm surprised the religious folks are making waves about this program.