StarTalk with Neil deGrass Tyson

[davekill]

Neil deGrasse Tyson's StarTalk radio show and podcast is described as: Science, pop culture & comedy with the director of the Hayden Planetarium, his comic co-hosts, celebrities & scientists.

I came across a wonderful two part interview he did with Nichelle Nichols that I can highly recommend.
Available as a free download on iTunes or from the site here -
http://www.startalkradio.net/feed/shows/

Or direct here...
Part-1
http://media.startalkradio.net/uploads/shows/STR-S02E24-2011-07-11-a-conversation-with-nichelle-nichols.mp3
Part-2
http://media.startalkradio.net/uploads/shows/STR-S02E25-2011-07-18-nasa-and-nichelle-nichols.mp3

Nichelle talks about her early career as a singer and dancer, her acting days as Lt. Uhura on TOS, and her later roll as a spokesperson for NASA and the influence she had on the modern era of space exploration.

[ChrisMC]

Yes, this is one of my favorite listens. He's a great personality.

[davekill]

This week (NOV. 25) Dr Tyson interviews LaVar Burton and Brent Spiner at San Diego Comic-Con.
Cool interview...
"questions like 'Who would win at chess, Spock or Data' and 'Why did Geordi need a visor in the 24th century?' They explain how their characters' unique relationship sprang from an obscure audition scene."

http://www.startalkradio.net/show/the-best-of-both-worlds/

[Bromptonboy]

I really like Dr. Tyson- I'll definitely have to get this one.  Not to redirect this topic, but I only hope that he tones down the comedy when he re-does Cosmos.  His style is decidedly different from Carl Sagan - which is OK in my book since I enjoy both.  IMHO Cosmos should be more formal - not sure if that is right word I am looking for - maybe 'reverent'.  I was hoping for Michio Kaku on the remake.   

[davekill]

I really like Dr. Tyson- I'll definitely have to get this one.  Not to redirect this topic, but I only hope that he tones down the comedy when he re-does Cosmos.  His style is decidedly different from Carl Sagan - which is OK in my book since I enjoy both.  IMHO Cosmos should be more formal - not sure if that is right word I am looking for - maybe 'reverent'.  I was hoping for Michio Kaku on the remake.   

Noooooooooo!

But to be fair his message needs to be repeated as often as possible.
I hope Cosmos does that for a new generation.
http://youtu.be/3_F3pw5F_Pc

[davekill]

Dr. Tyson has a good point - things have been looking down lately, worse than no space shows on TV anymore.
Without our Space Shuttle, we no longer have a manned space program.
The possible cancelation of the James Web Space Telescope reflects NASAs overall shrinking importance in the publics eyes.

A quote I think of sometimes from one of my favorite Sci-fi Captains;
"See, in the last few years, we've stumbled. We stumbled at the death of the President, the war, and on and on. And when you stumble a lot, you...you start looking at your feet. Well, we have to make people...lift their eyes back to the horizon, and see the line of ancestors behind us, saying, "Make my life have meaning." And to our inheritors before us, saying, "Create the world we will live in." I mean, w-we're not just...holding jobs and having dinner. We are in the process of building the future."

[davekill]

Michio Kaku on the future U.S. science programs
Prolly not what the folks at Cosmos had in mind for their spokesman lol!

http://youtu.be/e7D3_eGaO5k

[Bromptonboy]

Go Dr. Kaku!   The guy had obviously wound him up - since there is heat in his voice - but still dignity - which is what Cosmos needs.  :)

[davekill]

Oh this is cool, Dr. Tyson asks Wil Wheaton Star Trek questions.

http://youtu.be/0wO8yvV2UX0