This is the smartest thing I’ve ever seen NDT say
His way of talking pisses me off so fucking bad. Everytime he says something even vaguely poignant or interesting he has to deliver exactly the same. Trying to sell it like it’s a massive mindblowing moment when what he said was the astronomical equivalent of “2+2=4”. All with the most intensely smug look on his face.
His remake of Cosmos was so incredibly disappointing. Especially making the absolute bizarre decision to make it half cartoon.
I didn’t mind the cartoon portions. Weaving a story with science is pretty cool. But Neil was a really shitty choice to take over for Sagan and his frequent meddling with the series made it nearly unwatchable. His voice is just so fucking grating. Every line delivered like he’s some wise and all knowing being. Arrogance unparalleled. Only confirmed by StarTalk and every appearance he has made on everything. Not to mention the pervy shit he’s guilty of.
You’re looking at it wrong. He isn’t saying those things for people who already know them. He’s a teacher. His job is to transmit the same enthusiasm he has to someone else who is just hearing a thing for the first time. I don’t get smug from him beyond the confidence of knowing what he said is interesting and true.
That is irrelevant to my complaint. His tone of voice is the problem. It has nothing to do with the method of teaching someone or using enthusiasm. It’s his remarkably smug and arrogant attitude when he does so.
Wow! I’m have a real Baader-Meinhof phenomenon thing going on! Seen a new fun fact on these little ones a few days ago, fell down a rabbit hole reading a bunch of new stuff on 'em. Then yesterday, a podcast I listen to did a segment on them, right after an intro about their Baader-Meinhof effects reported by listeners to their stories. Thanks!!
The graphic novel Paper Girls features a giant living tardigrade, if you want a preview.
NDT channeling Reddit and The Oatmeal ca. 2012
