Neil DeGrasse Tyson Interviews Stephen Colbert
Summary
TLDRIn this episode of 'The Late Show,' Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews Stephen Colbert, delving into topics ranging from philosophy to science fiction. They discuss the philosophical question 'Is it better to know or not to know?', with Colbert advocating for knowledge. The conversation touches on the concept of multiverses, the rarity of supernovae, and the impact of human actions on wildlife. They also explore the intersection of faith and evidence, with Colbert sharing his Catholic background and the importance of questioning within his faith. The discussion concludes with concerns about future challenges, including artificial intelligence and environmental issues.
Takeaways
- 🎙️ Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts 'The Late Show' with Stephen Colbert as the guest, reversing their usual roles.
- 🪑 Stephen jokes about being shorter than the host's chair, indicating a playful dynamic between the two.
- 🤓 The conversation delves into their shared 'geekiness' and past experiences discussing deep topics like life, the universe, and everything.
- 🧐 Stephen's philosophical background is revealed, including his time as a philosophy major in college and a thought-provoking final exam question about knowledge.
- 🌌 The concept of parallel universes is discussed, with a humorous take on alternate realities where political situations differ.
- 💡 Stephen emphasizes the importance of knowledge, quoting phrases about not walking blindly in the dark and being a source of light.
- 🌟 The topic of supernovas and their role in the universe, including the creation of gold, is explored with Neil's scientific insight.
- 🌍 Stephen expresses concern about current global issues, including the loss of wildlife and the potential future threats that humanity might face.
- 💔 The discussion touches on the sadness of humanity's impact on wildlife and the role we play in driving extinctions.
- 🤖 Stephen shares his fear of AI, not because it will take over, but because of the potential consequences if it doesn't, given humanity's track record.
- ❓ The conversation concludes with a reflection on unknown future concerns that may be on the horizon a century from now.
Q & A
What is the humorous situation described at the beginning of the script?
-Stephen Colbert is the guest on 'The Late Show' hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, and they joke about Colbert being seated at a lower height than usual, implying a status difference.
What shared interest do Neil deGrasse Tyson and Stephen Colbert have, as mentioned in the script?
-Both Neil deGrasse Tyson and Stephen Colbert share a 'geek bromance' and enjoy discussing topics like life, the universe, and everything.
What philosophical major did Stephen Colbert study in college?
-Stephen Colbert was a Philosophy major in college, where he took a yearlong course on great books and had a final exam with a single question.
What is the single question on the final exam Stephen Colbert mentioned?
-The final exam had one question: 'Is it better to know or not to know?', which the students had to answer using one of the philosophies studied during the year.
How does Stephen Colbert feel about the current state of the world?
-Stephen Colbert believes we are in a 'bad timeline' in the current state of the world, comparing it to a science fiction story.
What is the concept of a 'supernova' discussed in the script?
-A supernova is a powerful explosion of a star, which is one of the processes where elements like gold are created. It's a rare event but common enough across the universe due to the vast number of galaxies.
What is the geekiest thing Stephen Colbert has ever done according to the script?
-Stephen Colbert visited Hobbiton in New Zealand, where he wanted to fit into the small houses and felt a deep connection to the fictional world of 'The Lord of the Rings'.
What is Stephen Colbert's profession and how does it relate to his upbringing?
-Stephen Colbert is a host of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'. His upbringing in a Catholic, intellectual household influenced his approach to faith and evidence.
How does Stephen Colbert reconcile his faith with the pursuit of evidence?
-Stephen Colbert sees faith and evidence as separate entities. His faith comes from a place of gratitude and does not conflict with his appreciation for evidence.
What concern does Stephen Colbert express about the future?
-Stephen Colbert is concerned about the potential for artificial intelligence to take over and the environmental impact of human actions, such as the significant loss of wildlife.
What is Neil deGrasse Tyson's view on the importance of knowing versus not knowing?
-Neil deGrasse Tyson believes it is better to know than not to know, emphasizing the value of knowledge and understanding over ignorance.
Outlines
😄 Neil deGrasse Tyson Hosts Stephen Colbert: A Geek Bromance
In this segment, Neil deGrasse Tyson, known for his astrophysicist background, humorously takes over as the host of 'The Late Show' with Stephen Colbert as his guest. They engage in light-hearted banter about status and Colbert's position as the host of his own show. The conversation quickly dives into their shared passion for deep topics, referencing a past discussion about life, the universe, and everything. Tyson brings up a philosophical question about the desire to know or not to know, which they explore with a mix of humor and intellectual curiosity. Colbert shares his college experience as a philosophy major, highlighting a thought-provoking exam question that ties into their discussion. The exchange showcases their 'geek bromance' and mutual interest in pondering life's big questions.
🌌 Stephen Colbert's Faith and the Future of Humanity
This paragraph delves into Stephen Colbert's personal beliefs and how he reconciles his faith with evidence-based reasoning. Colbert, who comes from a religious Catholic background and has a father who was an immunologist, discusses the separation between faith and evidence. He emphasizes that his faith is not about rejecting evidence but rather about approaching life's mysteries with gratitude. Colbert also addresses the topic of artificial intelligence and the potential future threats it may pose, expressing concern about humanity's current trajectory. The conversation shifts to environmental issues, with Colbert and Tyson discussing the alarming decline in wildlife due to human activities. They ponder what unknown challenges future generations might face, ending with a humorous note about the possibility of super-intelligent jellyfish taking over.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Philosophy Major
💡Geek
💡Supernova
💡Multiverse
💡Evidence-based
💡Faith
💡Existential Question
💡Intellectual
💡Extinction
💡Artificial Intelligence (A.I.)
💡Catholicism
Highlights
Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts Stephen Colbert in a unique role reversal on 'The Late Show'.
Stephen Colbert jokes about the height difference between the host's chair and his own.
Colbert's past as a Philosophy major is revealed, with a focus on the question 'Is it better to know or not to know?'
Tyson and Colbert reminisce about their past 'geek bromance' and deep discussions on life and the universe.
Colbert humorously suggests that in a parallel universe, he might be praising Trump.
The conversation touches on the rarity of supernovae and the vastness of the observable universe.
Stephen Colbert shares his memorable experience visiting the Hobbiton set in New Zealand.
Colbert's religious upbringing and his approach to faith in the face of evidence are discussed.
The importance of questioning one's faith and the compatibility of Catholicism with intellectual curiosity are highlighted.
Colbert expresses his concern about the future, particularly the potential for AI to take over and the current state of wildlife.
The alarming statistic that 60% of the world's wildlife has disappeared since 1970 is mentioned.
Tyson emphasizes the role of humans as the primary drivers of extinction in the modern era.
Colbert humorously speculates about super intelligent jellyfish as a future concern.
The conversation concludes with a reflection on the unknown future concerns that may arise in the next century.
Transcripts
WELCOME BACK TO "THE LATE SHOW."
I'M NEIL deGRASSE TYSON.
YOUR PERSONAL YOOFLT.
YOU KNOW MY GUEST TONIGHT AS THE HOST OF SOMETHING CALLED "THE
LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT."
PLEASE WELCOME MY FRIEND, STEPHEN COLBERT!
♪ ♪ ♪ ( APPLAUSE )
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ) >> RIGHT THERE.
>> Stephen: OH, MAN.
>> SO HOW DO YOU LIKE BEING FIVE INCHES LOWER THAN THE HOST'S
CHAIR?
>> Stephen: IT FEELS RIGHT.
IT FEELS RIGHT.
IT'S ABOUT RIGHT.
YOU GOTTA HAVE STATUS OVER THERE.
>> I'M JUST SAYING.
>> Stephen: YOU HAVE TO HAVE STATUS.
YOU DESERVE IT.
HOST OF "THE LATE SHOW," YOU GOT THE STATUS RIGHT THERE.
>> I'M READY FOR THIS.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE KNOW OR KNOW AS DEEPLY AS
I KNOW HOW GEEKY YOU ACTUALLY ARE.
WE'VE GEEKED OUT TOGETHER A COUPLE OF TIMES.
>> Stephen: IT'S MY FAVORITE THING TO DO WITH YOU.
>> WE HAD A LITTLE GEEK BROMANCE.
>> Stephen: OPEN A BOTTLE OF RED WINE AND GET OUR GEEK ON.
>> A FEW YEARS AGO WE ACTUALLY DID A SHOW IN A SCHOOL THEATER.
WE JUST TALKED FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF ABOUT LIFE, THE UNIVERSE
AND EVERYTHING.
AND IN THERE, YOU EXPRESSED A CONCERN ABOUT WANTING TO NOT
KNOW-- OR IS IT BETTER TO KNOW OR NOT KNOW?
>> Stephen: THAT IS-- THAT IS THE QUESTION.
THAT IS THE THE FIRST QUESTION.
>> THIS IS WHEN YOU-- THIS IS WHEN YOU DIP PHILOSOPHICAL.
>> Stephen: SURE, THAT'S THE FIRST QUESTION.
WHEN I WAS FIRST IN COLLEGE I WAS A PHILOSOPHY MAJOR--
>> I DIDN'T KNOW, THAT A PHILOSOPHY MAJOR.
>> Stephen: YEAH.
>> THAT'S GOOD.
>> Stephen: I TOOK A YEARLONG COURSE WHERE WE READ ESSENTIALLY
THE GREAT BOOKS AND AT THE END OF IT, THERE WAS ONLY ONE TEST
ALL YEAR LONG, AND THERE WAS ONLY ONE QUESTION ON THE TEST,
AND WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE QUESTION WAS BEFORE WE WALKED
INTO THE ROOM.
AND WE WERE TOLD, "YOU HAVE TO READ ALL THE MATERIAL.
THERE WILL BE ONLY ONE TEST AND THAT IS THE ENTIRE GRADE FOR THE
YEAR."
AND THE QUESTION WAS, "IS IT BETTER TON OR NOT TO KNOW?
SUPPORT YOUR ANSWER WITH ONE OF THE FOS FLEES WE HAVE STUDIED
THIS YEAR."
>> OH!
WHEN WE FIRST BROACHED THAT SUBJECT, THAT WAS SEVEN YEARS
AGO.
WE ARE IN ANOTHER TIME.
IN POSSIBLY A PARALLEL UNIVERSE.
>> Stephen: I THINK-- I THINK--
>> WHAT SIDE OF THAT ARE YOU ON RIGHT NOW, THE KNOWING OR NOT
KNOWING?
>> Stephen: WE'RE DEFINITELY IN THE BAD TIME LINE RIGHT NOW.
WE'RE IN A BAD TIME LINE IN THE SCIENCE FICTION STORY RIGHT NOW.
>> THIS IS THE SPLIT UNIVERSE.
>> Stephen: THIS IS THE SPLIT.
OR THE OTHER ONE IS A SPLIT.
WHONS.
>> THERE COULD BE A UNIVERSE WHERE TRUMP IS PRESIDENT AND YOU
ARE PRAISING HIM.
>> Stephen: THERE IS.
>> IN THE MULTIVERSE THAT IS A POSSIBLE UNIVERSE.
>> Stephen: THERE IS.
AND THAT ONE I HAVE AN EVEN WORSE DRINKING PROBLEM THAN I DO
IN THIS ONE.
I'VE TIPPED OVER.
OKAY.
SO WHAT'S THE ANSWER NOW?
IS IT BETTER TO KNOW OR NOT TO KNOW?
IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE ASKING ME NEIL deGRASSE TYSON.
>> I HAVE MY ANSWER.
I WANT YOUR ANSWER.
>> Stephen: I'M NOT ASKING YOU.
I'M THE GUEST ON THE SHOW RIGHT NOW.
I DON'T EVEN CARE WHAT YOU THINK ON THIS SHOW.
THIS IS MY SHOW.
I THINK IT'S BETTER TO KNOW.
>> BETTER TON.
I AGREE.
BETTER TO KNOW.
>> Stephen: YOU CAN'T WALK BLINDLY INTO THE DARK.
BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS.
DO NOT HIDE YOUR LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL.
YOU SET IT UP ON A HIGH PLACE THAT IT MIGHT LIGHT THOSE AROUND
YOU.
>> BE THE SUPERNOVA IN THE DARKNESS OF THE COSMOS.
>> Stephen: RIGHT.
SUPER NOVEMBER AS-- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW THIS, NEIL
deGRASSE TYSON, SUPER NOVEMBER AS THAT'S WHERE GOLD COMES FROM.
>> THAT'S ONE OF THE BY-PRODUCTS OF BLOWING STUFF UP IN THE
UNIVERSE.
>> Stephen: WHY DON'T WE SEE MORE SUPERNOVEMBER AS IF THERE
ARE SO MANY STARS AND THEY'RE SO BRIGHT AND POWERFUL, AND
SUPERNOVAS ARE FAIRLY COMMON, RIGHT?
WHY DON'T WE SEE THEM MORE OFTEN?
>> YOU SEE THEM EVERY NIGHT WITH TELESCOPES.
( LAUGHTER ).
>> Stephen: I HAVE NO-- WAIT A SECOND.
>> NO, NO, NO.
>> Stephen: DON'T YOU DARE-- YOU JUST SAID THAT LIKE YOU
MOVED, LIKE, CHECKMATE.
>> YES!
>> Stephen: WHAT IS THAT?
WHAT DID YOU CHECK MATE?
WHY DON'T YOU INVITE THE REST OF US.
>> IT GOES LIKE THIS.
SUPERNOVA ARE INDEED RARE, BUT THERE'S 100 BILLION GALAXIES.
SO IF YOU HAVE A SAMPLE SIZE LARGE ENOUGH, RARE THINGS BECOME
COMMON.
>> Stephen: WOW... WOW...
( LAUGHTER ) >> WHAT IS THE SINGLE GEEKIEST
THING YOU'VE EVER DONE?
>> Stephen: WHEN I WAS DOWN IN NEW ZEALAND--
>> I WENT TO-- TO-- TO THE PLACE.
>> Stephen: WHAT PLACE?
YOU WENT TO HOBBITON.
>> I WENT TO HOBBITON.
>> Stephen: SO BEAUTIFUL.
>> OH, MY GOSH.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE I WANTED TO BE LITTLE TO FIT IN THE
HOUSES SO I NEVER HAD TO LEAVE YOU.
>> Stephen: DIDN'T GO INTO BAG END-- DID YOU GO INTO
BILBOA'S AND FRODO'S HOME.
>> YES.
>> Stephen: I DID, TOO.
>> I HAD TO CRAWL IN THERE.
>> Stephen: I WENT INTO THE FULL-SIZE ONE, NOUN DOWNIN NEW
ZEALAND ON THE SET OF THE HOBBIT.
AND I WAS STANDING THERE AT THE MANTELPIECE WITH THE FIREPLACE,
YOU KNOW, WHERE BILBO AND GANDOLF HAVE THEIR ARGUMENT
ABOUT WHETHER HE SHOULD LEAVE THE RING FOR FRODO.
I PUT MY HAND ON THE MANTELPIECE AND LOOKED DOWN AT THE FIREPLACE
AND MY WIFE SAID-- I MARRIED THE RIGHT GIRL-- MY WIFE SAID,
"LET'S LEAVE HIM ALONE FOR A WHILE," TO THE KIDS.
ABSOLUTELY TRUE.
I HAD TO BE ALONE IN THAT ROOM.
( LAUGHTER ).
>> YOU GO UP THERE-- IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, BECAUSE WE
GO BACK, YOU GREW UP IN A RELIGIOUS HOUSEHOLD AIR,
CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS HOUSEHOLD.
>> Stephen: I AM STILL IN A RELIGIOUS HOUSEHOLD
>> AND YOUR FATHER WAS A MEDICAL DOCTOR.
>> MY FATHER WAS AN IMINOLOGIST.
>> IT WAS SORT OF AN EVIDENCE-BASED LIFE.
>> Stephen: MY FAWFGTHS A REAL INTELLECTUAL.
HIS IDEA OF FUN WAS TO READ FRENCH PHILOSOPHY, LIKE FRENCH
HUMANIST CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY.
>> OF COURSE.
>> Stephen: THE FAMOUS SAYING, "THE ONLY SADNESS IS NOT TO BE A
SAINT."
>> YEAH, WE DO THAT, RIGHT.
YEAH.
>> Stephen: SO, YEAH, THAT'S MY DAD.
>> OKAY, SO HOW DID YOU RESOLVE THE URGES OF A BELIEVER TO
REJECT EVIDENCE IN FAVOR OF FAITH?
>> Stephen: (BLEEP).
WHAT ARE YOU TALKI TALKING ABOUT >> Jon: BEEP!
>> Stephen: THE URGES OF A BELIEVER TO REJECT EVIDENCE.
WHO SAYS-- THAT'S SPOKEN BY SOMEBODY WHO IS NOT A BELIEVER.
THERE IS NO URGE TO REJECT EVIDENCE.
I DON'T THINK THAT MY FAITH IS RELATED TO EVIDENCE.
THEY'RE DIFFERENT THINGS.
MY FAITH APPROACHAISE MYSTERY.
MY FAITH COMES FROM A PLACE OF A NEED TO BE GRATEFUL.
LIKE, MY FAITH COMES FROM A PLACE WHERE I AM GRATEFUL FOR
THE WORLD.
AND I CANNOT ANSWER THE QUESTION, "WHY IS THERE
SOMETHING INSTEAD OF NOTHING?" AS YOU AND I HAVE DISCUSSED MANY
TIMES.
UNTIL YOU CAN TELL ME WHY THERE IS SOMETHING INSTEAD OF NOTHING
I SEE A PLACE TO PLACE MY GRATITUDE FOR MY EXISTENCE, HOW
STRANGE IT IS TO BE ANYTHING AT ALL.
AND FROM THERE, I CAN EXTRAPOLATE INTO MY OWN
TRADITION, WHICH IS CHRISTIANITY AND CATHOLICISM, AND MY
GRATITUDE FOR CHRIST, THROUGH HIM ALL THINGS WERE MADE.
( APPLAUSE ) >> HE REHEARSED THAT, I'M SURE!
>> Stephen: BUT I LIKE EVIDENCE.
I LIKE EVIDENCE, BECAUSE IT IS BETTER TO KNOW THAN NOT TO KNOW.
I WAS TAUGHT BY INTELLECTUAL CATHOLICS WHO BELIEVED YOU COULD
STILL BE A CATHOLIC AND STILL QUESTION YOUR CHURCH.
( APPLAUSE ) YEAH, WHICH SOMEBODY ONCE SAID
TO ME-- SOMEBODY ONCE SAID TO ME, "OH, SO YOU CAN BELIEVE YOU
CAN BE A CATHOLIC AND DISAGREE WITH YOUR CHURCH?
THERE'S A WORDINAR.
IT'S A PROTESTANT."
( LAUGHTER ).
>> LAST QUESTION HERE-- WHAT ARE YOU MOST WORRY ABOUT IN THE NEXT
CENTURY?
A CENTURY AGO PEOPLE WERE WORRIED ABOUT POPULATION AND...
WHAT'S THE ONE WHERE YOU CAN'T BREATHE?
>> Stephen: BREATHE.
>> BREATHING.
>> Stephen: TUBERCULOSIS.
T.B.
>> THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT TUBERCULOSIS, POPULATION
OVERRUN.
TODAY THAT'S NOT WHAT ANYBODY IS WORRIED ABOUT.
WE HAVE ASTEROIDS, CLIMBED CHANGE, A.I. TAKING OVER.
A BOX THAT WILL RUN YOUR LIFE.
>> Stephen: I'M AFRAID A.I.
WON'T TAKE OVER.
RIGHT NOW IT'S JUST US RUNNING THE SHOW, AND I DON'T KNOW IF
YOU'VE SEEN HUMANS' TRACK RECORD, IT'S NOT THAT GOOD.
>> IT'S NOT THAT GOOD.
THAT'S WHY WE WORRY WHEN THEY DO TAKE OVER THEY'RE DONE WITH US.
>> Stephen: WHAT UPSET ME THIS WEEK, THE STORY, SINCE 1970, 60%
OF THE WORLD'S WILDLIFE-- LIKE VERTEBRATES, EVENTUALLY, HAS
GONE AND I THINK.
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
BUT BY OUR HAND.
>> Stephen: THAT'S SAD.
>> WE HAVE ENTERED A NEW ERA WHERE WE ARE THE PRIMARY DRIVERS
OF THE WORLD'S EXTINCTION, NOT ASTEROIDS.
IT'S BAD.
BUT WHAT WORRIES ME MORE IS 100 YEARS FROM NOW WHAT, WOULD BE ON
THEIR LIST THAT WE DON'T EVEN KNOW YET THAT WE SHOULD BE
WORRIED ABOUT?
( LAUGHTER ) >> Stephen: SUPER INTELLIGENT
JELLYFISH.
>> STEPHEN COLBERT, EVERYBODY!
( CHEERS AND APPLAUSE )
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