Neil DeGrasse Tyson Interviews Stephen Colbert

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

27 Nov 201809:29

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

00:00

😄 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.

05:01

🌌 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

A philosophy major is an academic program focused on the study of fundamental questions and problems concerning existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. In the script, Stephen mentions being a philosophy major in college, which is relevant to the video's theme of exploring existential and epistemological questions, such as 'Is it better to know or not to know?'

💡Geek

A 'geek' is a term often used to describe someone who is passionate about a particular subject, typically related to technology, science, or intellectual pursuits. In the script, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Stephen Colbert refer to their shared interest in deep, intellectual discussions about life, the universe, and everything, highlighting their 'geekiness'.

💡Supernova

A supernova is a powerful and luminous explosion of a star, often occurring at the end of a massive star's life cycle. In the script, the concept of supernovae is discussed as a source of elements like gold and as a metaphor for shining light in the darkness, reflecting the show's theme of seeking knowledge and understanding in a complex universe.

💡Multiverse

The multiverse is a hypothetical collection of multiple universes, including the one we inhabit. In the script, the concept is used to explore the idea of alternate realities, where different outcomes and possibilities exist, such as a universe where Trump is president and Stephen has a worse drinking problem.

💡Evidence-based

Evidence-based refers to the practice of making decisions or forming conclusions based on evidence gathered from empirical data. Stephen's father is described as having an 'evidence-based life,' which contrasts with Stephen's personal faith, showing a tension between empirical evidence and religious belief.

💡Faith

Faith is a belief that is not based on empirical evidence but is held with conviction. In the script, Stephen discusses his faith in the context of being grateful for existence and the world, separate from empirical evidence, illustrating the personal and subjective nature of faith.

💡Existential Question

An existential question is a philosophical inquiry into the nature of existence, being, and reality. The script includes the question 'Is it better to know or not to know?' as a central existential inquiry, reflecting on the value of knowledge and awareness in life.

💡Intellectual

An intellectual is a person who engages in deep thinking and intellectual pursuits. The script refers to Stephen's father as an intellectual, whose idea of fun was to read French philosophy, setting a tone for the video's intellectual and philosophical discussions.

💡Extinction

Extinction refers to the dying out of a species or group of species. In the script, the topic of wildlife extinction is brought up, with Stephen expressing concern about the human role in driving species to extinction, highlighting a theme of environmental responsibility.

💡Artificial Intelligence (A.I.)

Artificial Intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that can perform tasks that usually require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, and decision-making. The script discusses the potential for A.I. to take over the world, reflecting on the theme of technological advancement and its impact on society.

💡Catholicism

Catholicism is a branch of Christianity that is part of the Roman Catholic Church. Stephen identifies as a Catholic and discusses his faith in the context of being able to question the church while still being a believer, showing a theme of religious tolerance and intellectual exploration.

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.