Ive watched with bemusement, Americas-or at least part of Americas- giddy,gushy and gullible love affair with all things Neil Degrasse Tyson. My bemusement has turned to amusement at seeing the horrified and betrayed reactions to his stance on Monsanto and Genetically modified foods First let me say, as far as I am personally concerned, I couldnt care less. My eating habits have always been atrocious, and never having been a drinker or smoker, I figure I have a little leeway. Everybodys got something that is slowly killing them, even if its only time. On the other hand, I understand the concerns of other people, and the fact that many other of the worlds countries have banished Monsanto carries some weight with me. Tyson argues that all new forms of technology experience ignorant pushback until they become acceptable, and he is certainly correct in that. But unlike many other technologies, this one is using us as often unknowing and unwilling Guinea Pigs. Tyson is a science popularizer, and Id certainly be the last one to deny this country needs more people like him. But, like Sagan before him, he pays a price for his mainstream popularity and support. He is a MAINSTREAM science popularizer, who has complete autonomy when discussing pure science. But when science becomes laced with politics, there are certain subjects which will always be verboten. Sagan himself was a huge proponent in his early years for the possibility of alien visitation, until he became the spokesperson for the mainstream and began to mercilessly attack anyone who dared broach the subject. Tellingly, toward the end, he again began to soften on the matter. When you think about it, he is no different from any media personality who depends upon the largess of corporate owned media outlets to make a living. Dont misunderstand: Im not condemning him for it, but as with all media, I take him with a grain of salt when he discusses politically charged issues.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 01:38:28 +0000
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