Ep 55. Neil deGrasse Tyson

As a respected scientist and popular science communicator, Neil deGrasse Tyson is a familiar face to many Americans. In The Daily Show with Jon Stewart season 20 episode 55, Tyson makes an appearance to discuss his book, The Pluto Files. But the conversation quickly turns to other topics, including climate change, the Mars Rover, and Tyson's viral video about a scientific inaccuracy in the movie Titanic.

As always, Jon Stewart injects plenty of humor into the interview, beginning with a quick quip about Tyson's bow tie. But despite the levity, the conversation quickly heats up as the two men delve into the politics of science. Stewart asks Tyson whether science has become too politicized in recent years, and Tyson doesn't hold back in his response.

"We've always had a strain of anti-intellectualism in this country," he says. "And it's so deep that it rears its head periodically, where people just don't want to believe what science is telling them."

Tyson goes on to explain how this anti-intellectualism has played a role in the current debate over climate change, arguing that many people simply don't want to accept the scientific consensus on the issue. But he also cautions that scientists need to do a better job of communicating with the public, in order to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the general public.

The conversation then moves on to the Mars Rover, which had recently sent back some stunning images of the red planet. Tyson takes the opportunity to explain why he believes that space exploration is important, despite its high cost.

"We become better as a nation when we do things that are hard," he says. "Going to the moon was hard, building the space shuttle was hard. But it's those things that elevate us. It's where we build our confidence, our capacity to dream, and our sense of what's possible."

Finally, the interview wraps up with a discussion of Tyson's Titanic video, in which he points out a scientific inaccuracy in the scene where Jack draws Rose naked. Tyson explains that he felt compelled to create the video after seeing the movie for the first time, because the scientific error was so glaring.

"It wasn't so much that they got it wrong, it was that they didn't need to get it wrong," he says. "There's no reason for that scene to exist. And the fact that it does exist means that somebody thought that getting this detail right was less important than some sort of gratuitous nudity."

Overall, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart season 20 episode 55 featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson is an engaging and thought-provoking conversation about the intersection of science and politics. Tyson's insights into the challenges facing the scientific community are sure to resonate with viewers, while Stewart's humor keeps the discussion from getting too heavy. Whether you're a science buff or simply interested in current events, this episode is definitely worth a watch.