Changes

==Speaking Out about Scientific Literacy and Science Education==

==Speaking Out about Scientific Literacy and Science Education==

Since about 2015, Mr. Tyson has been very vocal about science education and scientific literacy.  He believes that, for the United States to maintain its preeminence as a nation, it must maintain preeminence in science.  He is particularly concerned about denial of evolutionary science and denial of anthropogenic climate change.  He produced a video, published on Facebook on April 19, 2017, that states his concerns very directly.

Since about 2015, Mr. Tyson has been very vocal about science education and scientific literacy.  He believes that, for the United States to maintain its preeminence as a nation, it must maintain preeminence in science.  He is particularly concerned about denial of evolutionary science and denial of anthropogenic climate change.  He produced a video, published on Facebook on April 19, 2017, that states his concerns very directly.

<ref>https://www.facebook.com/neildegrassetyson/videos/10155195888806613/</ref><ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/degrasse-tyson-science-deniers_us_58f99e89e4b06b9cb91572a1?f1l&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009</ref>

<ref>https://www.facebook.com/neildegrassetyson/videos/10155195888806613/</ref><ref>https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/degrasse-tyson-science-deniers_us_58f99e89e4b06b9cb91572a1?f1l&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009</ref>

{{Cquote|Science is not something to say 'I choose not to believe [[E=mc2|E equals mc²]].'  You don't have that option.  When you have an established scientific emergent truth, it is true whether or not you believe it.|||Neil deGrasse Tyson, April, 2017}}

{{Cquote|Science is not something to say 'I choose not to believe [[E=mc2|E equals mc²]].'  You don't have that option.  When you have an established scientific emergent truth, it is true whether or not you believe it.|||Neil deGrasse Tyson, April, 2017}}

==Quote Fabrication Controversies==

==Quote Fabrication Controversies==

===Fabrication of a George W. Bush quote===

===Fabrication of a George W. Bush quote===

Tyson has been repeatedly accused of fabricating quotes that he uses in his presentations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thefederalist.com/2014/09/16/another-day-another-quote-fabricated-by-neil-degrasse-tyson/|title=Another Day, Another Quote Fabricated By Neil deGrasse Tyson|last1=Davis|first1=Sean|date=September 16, 2014|website=thefederalist.com|publisher=The Federalist|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> The most damning accusation is that he fabricated a quote that he attributes to President George W. Bush. Tyson claims that Bush said, "Our God is the God who named the stars" in the week shortly after 9/11 as a way of separating Christians and Jews from radical Muslims.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_jG5kKfacY#t=33|title=Neil deGrasse Tyson: George Bush and Star Names|last1=Tyson|first1=Neil|date=Unknown|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> However, there is zero evidence that George W. Bush ever uttered that phrase. He had a similar line in a February 2003 speech given after the Columbia space shuttle disaster: "The same Creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghomwBSnM6w|title=George W. Bush: The American Presidency Project|last1=Bush|first1=George|date=February 1, 2003|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> The quote had nothing to do with Islam, nothing to do with 9/11 (it happened a year and a half after 9/11), and no reasonable observer could conclude that the line was meant to separate Jews or Christians from Muslims. Every aspect of Tyson's story about Bush and the quote about stars was found to be false.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thefederalist.com/2014/09/16/another-day-another-quote-fabricated-by-neil-degrasse-tyson/|title=Another Day, Another Quote Fabricated By Neil deGrasse Tyson|last1=Davis|first1=Sean|date=September 16, 2014|website=thefederalist.com|publisher=The Federalist|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref>

Tyson has been repeatedly accused of fabricating quotes that he uses in his presentations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thefederalist.com/2014/09/16/another-day-another-quote-fabricated-by-neil-degrasse-tyson/|title=Another Day, Another Quote Fabricated By Neil deGrasse Tyson|last1=Davis|first1=Sean|date=September 16, 2014|website=thefederalist.com|publisher=The Federalist|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> The most damning accusation is that he fabricated a quote that he attributes to President George W. Bush. Tyson claims that Bush said, "Our God is the God who named the stars" in the week shortly after 9/11 as a way of separating Christians and Jews from radical Muslims.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_jG5kKfacY#t=33|title=Neil deGrasse Tyson: George Bush and Star Names|last1=Tyson|first1=Neil|date=Unknown|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> However, there is zero evidence that George W. Bush ever uttered that phrase. He had a similar line in a February 2003 speech given after the Columbia space shuttle disaster: "The same Creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghomwBSnM6w|title=George W. Bush: The American Presidency Project|last1=Bush|first1=George|date=February 1, 2003|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> The quote had nothing to do with Islam, nothing to do with 9/11 (it happened a year and a half after 9/11), and no reasonable observer could conclude that the line was meant to separate Jews or Christians from Muslims. Every aspect of Tyson's story about Bush and the quote about stars was found to be false.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thefederalist.com/2014/09/16/another-day-another-quote-fabricated-by-neil-degrasse-tyson/|title=Another Day, Another Quote Fabricated By Neil deGrasse Tyson|last1=Davis|first1=Sean|date=September 16, 2014|website=thefederalist.com|publisher=The Federalist|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref>

===Fabrication of a newspaper headline===

===Fabrication of a newspaper headline===

Tyson was also accused of fabricating a newspaper headline that he regularly uses to question the numerical illiteracy of journalists. The quote he uses in his presentations is, "Half the schools in the district were below average."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Y8tG6pJDY|title=Neil deGrasse Tyson - Fear of Numbers - 2012|last1=Tyson|first1=Neil|date=2012|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> He attributes that quote to "Newspaper Headline." However, extensive research using Google and Nexis records has revealed that such a headline does not exist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thefederalist.com/2014/09/10/super-scientist-neil-degrasse-tyson-doesnt-understand-statistics/|title=Super Scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson Doesn’t Understand Statistics|last1=Davis|first1=Sean|date=September 10, 2014|website=thefederalist.com|publisher=The Federalist|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> Although a small handful of news articles contain similar phrases, none contains the verbatim phrase that is quoted extensively by Tyson.

Tyson was also accused of fabricating a newspaper headline that he regularly uses to question the numerical illiteracy of journalists. The quote he uses in his presentations is, "Half the schools in the district were below average."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Y8tG6pJDY|title=Neil deGrasse Tyson - Fear of Numbers - 2012|last1=Tyson|first1=Neil|date=2012|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> He attributes that quote to "Newspaper Headline." However, extensive research using Google and Nexis records has revealed that such a headline does not exist.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thefederalist.com/2014/09/10/super-scientist-neil-degrasse-tyson-doesnt-understand-statistics/|title=Super Scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson Doesn’t Understand Statistics|last1=Davis|first1=Sean|date=September 10, 2014|website=thefederalist.com|publisher=The Federalist|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> Although a small handful of news articles contain similar phrases, none contains the verbatim phrase that is quoted extensively by Tyson.

Even if such a headline did occur, it might well be sensible if it were a shortened form of saying that half the schools in the district were below the state average. But without the story, it is impossible to say whether there was some mathematical stupidity.

Even if such a headline did occur, it might well be sensible if it were a shortened form of saying that half the schools in the district were below the state average. But without the story, it is impossible to say whether there was some mathematical stupidity.

===Fabrication of a Member of Congress quote===

===Fabrication of a Member of Congress quote===

In addition to using a newspaper headline that does not appear to exist, Tyson has also been accused of fabricating a quote which he says was uttered by a "Member of Congress."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thefederalist.com/2014/09/15/did-neil-degrasse-tyson-just-try-to-justify-blatant-quote-fabrication/|title=Did Neil deGrasse Tyson Just Try To Justify Blatant Quote Fabrication?|last1=Davis|first1=Sean|date=September 15, 2014|website=thefederalist.com|publisher=The Federalist|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> Tyson uses this quote in his presentations to illustrate the mathematical illiteracy of politicians. The quote cited by Tyson is, "I have changed my views 360 degrees on that issue."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/albertocairo/status/509742544616321026|title=And it's not just journalists who don't understand data...|last1=Cairo|first1=Alberto|date=September 10, 2014|website=twitter.com|publisher=Twitter|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> Tyson has also used this line in college commencement addresses.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm-8-8401WQ|title=Neil deGrasse Tyson, Doctor of Science|last1=Tyson|first1=Neil|date=May 21, 2012|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref>

In addition to using a newspaper headline that does not appear to exist, Tyson has also been accused of fabricating a quote which he says was uttered by a "Member of Congress."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thefederalist.com/2014/09/15/did-neil-degrasse-tyson-just-try-to-justify-blatant-quote-fabrication/|title=Did Neil deGrasse Tyson Just Try To Justify Blatant Quote Fabrication?|last1=Davis|first1=Sean|date=September 15, 2014|website=thefederalist.com|publisher=The Federalist|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> Tyson uses this quote in his presentations to illustrate the mathematical illiteracy of politicians. The quote cited by Tyson is, "I have changed my views 360 degrees on that issue."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/albertocairo/status/509742544616321026|title=And it's not just journalists who don't understand data...|last1=Cairo|first1=Alberto|date=September 10, 2014|website=twitter.com|publisher=Twitter|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> Tyson has also used this line in college commencement addresses.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm-8-8401WQ|title=Neil deGrasse Tyson, Doctor of Science|last1=Tyson|first1=Neil|date=May 21, 2012|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref>

As with the other quotes which Tyson is accused of fabricating, there is also zero evidence that this particular quote has ever been uttered by a member of Congress. Extensive searches of Google, Nexis, and the Congressional Record found no instance of the quote spoken by a member of Congress.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thefederalist.com/2014/09/15/did-neil-degrasse-tyson-just-try-to-justify-blatant-quote-fabrication/|title=Did Neil deGrasse Tyson Just Try To Justify Blatant Quote Fabrication?|last1=Davis|first1=Sean|date=September 15, 2014|website=thefederalist.com|publisher=The Federalist|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> A similar quote was spoken by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) in 1998, but she was attacking a colleague, not referring to her own views.

As with the other quotes which Tyson is accused of fabricating, there is also zero evidence that this particular quote has ever been uttered by a member of Congress. Extensive searches of Google, Nexis, and the Congressional Record found no instance of the quote spoken by a member of Congress.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thefederalist.com/2014/09/15/did-neil-degrasse-tyson-just-try-to-justify-blatant-quote-fabrication/|title=Did Neil deGrasse Tyson Just Try To Justify Blatant Quote Fabrication?|last1=Davis|first1=Sean|date=September 15, 2014|website=thefederalist.com|publisher=The Federalist|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> A similar quote was spoken by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) in 1998, but she was attacking a colleague, not referring to her own views.

 

 

“You have done a 360-degree turn," Waters said, according to the ''Los Angeles Times''. "I’m a little disappointed. Never in my wildest imagination did I think that you would have such a conflict in views about perjury and lying.”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1998/dec/09/news/mn-52296|title=Never Condoned Lying Under Oath, Hyde Says|last1=Writer|first1=Staff|date=December 9, 1998|website=latimes.com|publisher=The Los Angeles Times|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> If Tyson was referring to Waters' quote, it is unclear why he mangled it and then refused to cite her as the quote's source.

“You have done a 360-degree turn," Waters said, according to the ''Los Angeles Times''. "I’m a little disappointed. Never in my wildest imagination did I think that you would have such a conflict in views about perjury and lying.”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1998/dec/09/news/mn-52296|title=Never Condoned Lying Under Oath, Hyde Says|last1=Writer|first1=Staff|date=December 9, 1998|website=latimes.com|publisher=The Los Angeles Times|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref> If Tyson was referring to Waters' quote, it is unclear why he mangled it and then refused to cite her as the quote's source.