Why is Neil de Grasse Tyson popular? He's a bloated blowhard, obviously he is handsy with women He's not really a scientist anymore, he runs a museum.

he doesn't creates knowledge nor participates in any accepted form of peer reviewed scientific discourse... he's not a scientist. He's just a fat guy with a scientific training.

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ViciDraco · 41-45, M

He was an astrophysics researcher. He has authored and co-authored a number of peer reviewed papers. He is no longer an active researcher, but instead focuses upon science communication and education. That's why he does the museum thing. That's why he does podcasts and talk shows. He's communicating about science.

He's popular because he communicates well. He's willing to hold dialogue and peaceful debate with people who disagree with him. He's not a blowhard at all, he's very thoughtful. Does his views threaten some ideological belief you have that you feel a need to attack him?

Sandcastler · 26-30, M

@ViciDraco I agree with this! Though to be fair he probably owes a lot of his fame to his role in the remake of Cosmos too

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ViciDraco · 41-45, M

@TradEmily I'm not sure what you mean by the CV of a failed academic. He's very respected in his field of astrophysics. He's been the science advisor for presidents of both political parties. Before the museum he administrated one of the most famous planetariums in the nation, directly related to his research field. Yes, you didn't hear from him much when he was doing real research. Because his time was spent doing the research. How many scientists do you actually know in the public spotlight to compare him with? He moved into science communication because he had a skill set for it that many researchers and academics do not have. We need more science communicators, not fewer. We've got a real anti-intellectualism problem in this country that needs to be fixed.