What I've Learned Lately: From Neil deGrasse Tyson

"The universe is under no obligation to make sense to you." - Neil deGrasse Tyson

This is the first instalment of my new series of articles: "What I've Learned Lately" (W.I.L.L. Power). I absolutely love podcasts and this series will highlight those that I recommend with specific episodes with some takeaways. Some of my guiding principles are to maintain a beginner's mind, staying curious, and to keep learning. Today's featured educator even makes me think differently about that.

NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON ON THE JOE ROGAN EXPERIENCE

Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist, cosmologist, author, and science communicator. He's also super insightful.

Joe Rogan (@JoeRogan) is an effective, entertaining interviewer. I only wish he had more guests like this versus his usual array of celebrities. Joe is much more than a comedian and MMA fanatic. He is well read and knowledgable on a wide range of subjects.

TAKEAWAYS

Neil can blow your mind faster than they can jet pack between the International and Chinese Space Stations (you have to listen to the podcast) on the movie Gravity.

He eloquently describes how students should be taught about cognitive biases in school in order to not be duped by charlatans. He also highlights how we need to help facilitate learning that gets you from facts to knowledge to wisdom to insight.

• They cover so many topics in this brilliant podcast. Neil critiques physics in movies like The Force Awakens, The Arrival, The Space Between Us, Monsters Inc. and more. Follow him on Twitter (@NeilTyson) for more movie breakdowns with respect to science.

• He dives into why dark matter should actually be called dark gravity (or even Fred).

• There is a disturbing amount of space junk circulating the earth.You can actually view it on Stuff In Space.

• A bucket list item might just have to be visiting the Meteor Crater in Northern Arizona.

• He goes into why he is not a debater, but an educator, and if he cannot convince someone in less than 5 minutes about a particular are, in general, he will leave it at that.

• The winner of a debate is often the more charismatic person/team, not necessarily who is correct.

He has a new book coming out in a couple of months: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, available for preorder now.

There's so much gold in this podcast, it is well worth the >2 hours investment of your time.

I listen via the Podcast Addict android app. Here's the direct link to the podcast.

Stay curious. Maintain a beginner's mind. Keep learning. Keep moving.