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The Daily OrangeThe science guy
Bill Nye discusses critical earth issues
By Amanda Allison
Posted: 3/20/08, 12:35 AM EST Section: News
"Although the world has been this warm in the past," Nye said. "It's never been this warm, this fast."
The much warmer Mars was also discussed Wednesday night. Nye told the audience about his father, who was stationed on an island bombed along with Pearl Harbor and later occupied by the Japanese. During a four-year time period, while Nye's father was held prisoner, clocks were confiscated and from there, an interest in sundials developed. Years later, it was Nye himself who persuaded NASA to allow him to build and place a sundial on the Mars rover, where it remains to this day.
Nye and some colleagues even included a message around the sundial, stating "To those who visit here, we wish a safe journey and the joy of discovery." That, he added for the audience, is the essence of science.
This passion for science and discovery Nye hopes to bring back in the coming years. He is currently working on a new show with a branch of The Discovery Channel called "Stuff Happens" and is in discussion with a new Disney executive to create "Solving for X," an online algebra program to assist young math students.
Leaning in, almost whispering, Nye added "he hopes to convince Disney to upgrade the old show." When asked what his favorite episode of "Science Guy" is though, Nye refused to answer, saying only that he watched the "Heart" episode last week and still cracked up.
The comedian, scientist, explorer and inventor told the audience that while he feels like nothing more than a big grain of sand in the world, anyone can change that world.
"You can imagine all of this world," he said. "You can know the passion, beauty and joy of science and you can do something about it."
akalliso@syr.edu
The much warmer Mars was also discussed Wednesday night. Nye told the audience about his father, who was stationed on an island bombed along with Pearl Harbor and later occupied by the Japanese. During a four-year time period, while Nye's father was held prisoner, clocks were confiscated and from there, an interest in sundials developed. Years later, it was Nye himself who persuaded NASA to allow him to build and place a sundial on the Mars rover, where it remains to this day.
Nye and some colleagues even included a message around the sundial, stating "To those who visit here, we wish a safe journey and the joy of discovery." That, he added for the audience, is the essence of science.
This passion for science and discovery Nye hopes to bring back in the coming years. He is currently working on a new show with a branch of The Discovery Channel called "Stuff Happens" and is in discussion with a new Disney executive to create "Solving for X," an online algebra program to assist young math students.
Leaning in, almost whispering, Nye added "he hopes to convince Disney to upgrade the old show." When asked what his favorite episode of "Science Guy" is though, Nye refused to answer, saying only that he watched the "Heart" episode last week and still cracked up.
The comedian, scientist, explorer and inventor told the audience that while he feels like nothing more than a big grain of sand in the world, anyone can change that world.
"You can imagine all of this world," he said. "You can know the passion, beauty and joy of science and you can do something about it."
akalliso@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Henry Rosenberg
posted 3/20/08 @ 2:48 PM EST
Scientifically speaking, the article would be even better if it told us what the evidence is that the asteroid will collide with our home planet.
Amazon Herbs
posted 3/22/08 @ 5:40 PM EST
Very interesting article. I guess we will have to send people in a ship to plant nuclear warheads on the asteroid.
Ben
posted 4/16/08 @ 8:28 PM EST
Sign me up for the Armageddon plan! I'd gladly gamble my life for the prize of never paying taxes again. Btw, Bill Nye is the only person in history ever to look cool wearing a pocket protector/bow tie/lab coat. (Continued…)
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