StarTalk Radio and The Battle of Intelligence  

If you know me, the you already know that I heart Neil DeGrasse Tyson, as well as all things Cosmos. I was afraid that when I started downloading this podcast that I would officially turn into a major geek. Instead, I found a podcast that is intellectual as well as really, really funny.

There is a lot of geeking out on all things science and engineering. One recurring guest is Bill Nye! This is like my childhood coming into my radio on the daily. I am even a bigger geek than I thought I was. I get to learn new things (my favorite pastime) while also laughing on the way to work. What I didn’t expect to learn was that

It seems like intelligence isn’t all that valued in society.

If so, then those of us who like to increase our smarts wouldn’t be in such a minority. I wouldn’t encounter people who as me “Why do you have to keep learning new things?” as though I am wasting time with frivolity and not taking advantage of all my opportunity. Ironically, if that was my life I would have a reality show and be a well paid celebrity.

Its not just the questions that get me wondering about the value we place on intelligence. It is also the stories that I hear on the podcast. The scientists who come on the show feel the need to preface their statements with things like “its not just me saying this, its science” because so many times they have been at the center of controversy. It seems that we have become a culture that is ok with having opinions, but not in the habit of researching and understanding why we feel this way, beyond our own feelings. What’s worse, is that we criticize those that do by calling them names.

Its a shame.

Especially during a time when information is so accessible. There is no excuse for being ignorant. You don’t have to be a astrophysicist to care about learning, and you don’t have to undergo formal education to have the authority to know what you are talking about. You just have to have to care enough to learn more about the things that you believe. There are many people who fought and died for us to have the chance to learn. Don’t let their sacrifices be in vain. Use your brain and your heart.