Neil deGrasse Tyson

He is an absolutely amazing astrophysicist who has made such a massively positive contribution to the public understanding of science! Neil deGrasse Tyson makes science accessible to those who have not learned the scientific lingo. He has become the public face of astrophysics as the late great Carl Sagan was throughout his life.

Here's a clip of Dr. Tyson speaking about the end of the world or NOT:


Click here for video of the full program given by Neil deGrasse Tyson entitled, "The Pluto Files." So enlightening. Makes astrophysics open to all!

So naturally, as a Canadian, I wondered, "Who is our Neil deGrasse Tyson?" Then I realized we do have Canadian ambassadors of science: Marc Garneau and David Suzuki for course!

Wouldn't it be great if Marc Garneau became the Canadian Minister of Industry, Science, and Technology? One can still dream!

Also, "The Perimeter of Ignorance" is an article by Dr. Tyson worth reading in its entirety.

Science is a continuous pursuit: "As my island of knowledge grows, so does my perimeter of ignorance." I love that quote!

The state of science in Canada

CBC reported on the lack of science funding in the latest Canadian federal budget (announced on January 27, 2009). This also included a lack of new funding to Genome Canada (a not-for-profit). As a result, many of our brightest and best medical researchers will leave us and make their wonderful discoveries elsewhere! We need our best scientists to stay in Canada. And we also need to attract world-wide scientists to come to Canada to part-take in our research industries!

CBC also covered the call of scientists to end the politicization of science. They pointed to many dangerous political decisions made "including the closure of the office of the National Science Adviser, the firing of the head of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and what it calls "political appointments" to the board of Assisted Human Reproduction Canada."

When will Harper get it, that funding science is vital to the success of our nation? This should NOT be a partisan issue! Every political party should understand the importance of science!