Creationist Cosmos

[_ronzlo_]

In America there's a rebooted TV series called Cosmos (the original was hosted by Carl Sagan, the new version by Neil DeGrasse Tyson) that explores astronomy & physics and general scientific understanding of cosmology.

Hardline religious creationists are freaking out about it saying they're handing America over to the devil or whatever.

In response, Tyson & Seth MacFarlane did this.

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/fa1a1c ... ist-cosmos

[Genevieve]

Well, what is bothersome about the series, other than its obvious focus on children which made it unwatchable to me, is that it unnecessarily shoehorned some religious criticism into its narrative that didn't contribute at all to the series and that the producers even slightly distorted some of the religious persecution of intellectuals to make it look even MORE like religious zeal than it actually was. Criticisms I've seen echoed elsewhere.

Tyson describing the pondering of scientific discoveries and the vastness of the universe as "spiritual" (or was it huanity's connection with other living lifeforms? I do not remember) was another completely unnecessary addition. How is this supposed to be interpreted? Whatever it measn, it added nothing of substance to the show.

The show is an obvious product of the current tensions between religious people and scientism in America. Which was to be expected with MacFarlane's involvement in the show, but really unproductive. I don't think it deserves airtime on a show devoted to exposing science to children.

[rickyarbino]

Well, what is bothersome about the series, other than its obvious focus on children which made it unwatchable to me, is that it unnecessarily shoehorned some religious criticism into its narrative that didn't contribute at all to the series and that the producers even slightly distorted some of the religious persecution of intellectuals to make it look even MORE like religious zeal than it actually was. Criticisms I've seen echoed elsewhere.

Tyson describing the pondering of scientific discoveries and the vastness of the universe as "spiritual" (or was it huanity's connection with other living lifeforms? I do not remember) was another completely unnecessary addition. How is this supposed to be interpreted? Whatever it measn, it added nothing of substance to the show.

The show is an obvious product of the current tensions between religious people and scientism in America. Which was to be expected with MacFarlane's involvement in the show, but really unproductive. I don't think it deserves airtime on a show devoted to exposing science to children.

Yeah. this is pretty much why I cringe whenever I see cosmology tbh. I fucking love physics, pretty bad at but also interested in astronomy, but fuck cosmology.

[_ronzlo_]

The show is on at like 9 or 10 on Sunday night, so saying that it's pitched at children... nah.

And the spiritual epiphanies of science are totally in keeping with the original - in fact, Sagan was credited with inspiring a whole generation of scientists with his poetic waxings about molecules, methane, and macro-scale physics.

If it were just dry facts, it wouldn't have any appeal.

But I do wish they'd gotten the Giordano Bruno stuff down better.

[rickyarbino]

in fact, Sagan was credited with inspiring a whole generation of scientists with his poetic waxings about molecules, methane, and macro-scale physics.

That really doesn't justify anything. In fact, just makes it worse imo. Literally brainwashing tbh, no better than having a priest glorify god on tv.
And also contradicts your first point about it not being directed at children.

[Genevieve]

The show is on at like 9 or 10 on Sunday night, so saying that it's pitched at children... nah.

It is? Cuz it's supposed to inspire kids, if not teenagers, to get into science the way Sagan inspired Tyson. If this is aimed at adults, then why the fuck do they have cartoon segments with bad voice acting (the accents) that look like they're ripped straight out of 'Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego'? The language, the presentation, it is so childish.

And the spiritual epiphanies of science are totally in keeping with the original - in fact, Sagan was credited with inspiring a whole generation of scientists with his poetic waxings about molecules, methane, and macro-scale physics.

If it were just dry facts, it wouldn't have any appeal.

You can wax poetic about the wonders of the universe without drawing religious parallels. And you are correct, he was credited with inspiring a generation of scientists. Scientists that were youths when the show originally aired.

[nowaysj]

Was just visiting family, they are a tv family, the thing is on from the time the first person wakes up till the last person goes to sleep. It is crushing, like swimming in a pool of Clorox, especially for a no tv whatsoever family. But that new cosmo show came on. Was unwatchable.

It was bathed in that new kind of scientific hubris. Tyson is just pure bad vibes for me. My nwj senses tingle.

[topmo3]

that was funny. havent seen the original series

[scspkr99]

I like Tyson and the original series and can't be doing with this.

[deadly_habit]

[_ronzlo_]

Sort of tangential but the soundtrack to the original is one of the reasons I got into electronic music as a kid (as well as many other people I've met.) Space music FTW.

[Molzie]

[Harkat]

The show is an obvious product of the current tensions between religious people and scientism in America. Which was to be expected with MacFarlane's involvement in the show, but really unproductive. I don't think it deserves airtime on a show devoted to exposing science to children.

That makes me kinda sad to hear. Shouldn't the facts be inspiring enough on their own terms? Do they really need to shoehorn in reddit atheism?

[OGLemon]

science vs religion

It's fine to teach science. Just don't make it seem like another religion.

[nowaysj]

Just don't make it seem like another religion.

Yes, maybe that is what it is. Most assuredly that is what it is. Thank you.

[_ronzlo_]

GTFO w/o a link to the supposed other.

[rickyarbino]

Just don't make it seem like another religion.

Yes, maybe that is what it is. Most assuredly that is what it is. Thank you.

What is/was electronicmusicproduction.org.
Track in your sig is good btw.

[cloaked_up]

tin foil hate thread

[nowaysj]

Thanks, was a website I was developing. @Jess

[_ronzlo_]

science vs religion

It's fine to teach science. Just don't make it seem like another religion.

Except that the holy church of SCIENCE is what brought you your DAW, drum machines, modul8d Reeses, DSF, internet porn, MDMA, youtube, beatport, iPods, lengthened lifespans ( ), lower infant mortality, etc etc etc.

Religion has not given us any of those. All came from labcoated boffins, not kiddyfiddling priests.