Of course, Mr. Tyson will never run for president, and I would only hope he stays as far away from the fraudulent world of politics. However, I’d like to expose the greatness of this man, including his endless contributions to the scientific community, and to the human race as a whole. Be it lobbying for NASA, or addressing critical issues in his lectures, Tyson has all the prerequisites of a great leader.
First off, with regards to humble beginnings, Tyson was born and raised in the notorious Bronx neighbourhood in New York City’s northernmost borough. Tyson was one of three children born to gerontologist Sunchita Marie and sociologist Cyril Degrasse Tyson. His passion for astrophysics was sparked at nine-years-old, while on a visit to Pennsylvania, where he fell in love with the night sky. Ever since, Tyson had meticulously studied astronomy, quickly earning him a reputation in the field as a young prodigy. In fact, Tyson excelled so greatly, that at age 15, he began giving lectures on the subject. When he applied to Cornell University, the noted astronomer Carl Sagan got hold of his application, and began to heavily recruit Tyson, hoping he could further fuel that fiery passion of his. Although Tyson chose Harvard instead, he remained closely acquainted with Sagan.
His undying thirst for expedition and discovery, and his drive for curiosity are greatly appreciated and admired by his peers and fans; he spreads a contagion of scientific jurisdiction to the public, targeting and eradicating scientific illiteracy worldwide. A particularly favourite topic of his is the ignorance of climate change. His opponents consist of a disheartening number of politicians and CEOs who continue to ignore the signs of climate change, and refuse to accept defeat when they are publically confronted by Tyson. Often, Tyson is the undisputed frontrunner of all debate victories; he is rarely proven wrong or caught off guard, as if he is the reigning expert on all topics. Though he may occasionally lose his cool, Tyson, and his arsenal of dismantling one-liners, has silenced a number of heated debates with enticing nonchalance. In his many appearances on The Bill Maher Show, Tyson has not only educated his opponents, but his vast audience as well. He’s won arguments on popular topics such as politics, science, physics, and the general well-being of the planet, often against those who hold greater expertise than him. Specifically, his public humiliation of the former CEO of General Motors, Bob Lutz (and his blatant ignorance of climate change), strengthened the argument that CEOs may be responsible for the lack of progress in the fight against environmental challenges. Furthermore, Tyson holds numerous awards including NASA’s Distinguished Public Service medal, the Shoty award in science, and many more. He is also the author of several noted books such as Death by A Black Hole and Space Chronicles: Facing The Ultimate Frontier. Last but not least, he is the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space, and a research associate in the Department of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History. Truly, he is a man of many talents.
Enough about his endless stockpile of skills and talents; let’s examine why Neil Degrasse Tyson has specific qualities pertaining to leadership. Firstly, his philosophy represents every aspect of a healthy, balanced society; for instance, he refutes the inclusion of creationist thought in science classrooms, but does not disregard the importance of Sunday schools. Secondly, he speaks out against, scientific illiteracy. by promoting multilateralism when dealing with international relations. In doing so, he refrains from associating himself with any “isms,” social movements, or political parties, in order to avoid any prejudgements that might arise if he did. Third and foremost, he values education more than any other factor of human life. When asked if there is a motto he lives by, he replied with “Learn something new every day, and lessen the sufferings of others”.
Tyson, who is perpetually bursting with excitement and enthusiasm, has been spilling his curiosity and love for science all over the globe, infecting others with his fiery passion about the universe and its inhabitants. His remarkable outlook on life has surely affected me and the way I perceive the world around me, and has continuously restored my faith in the future of our planet.
Perhaps it is not his academic pedigree, or his notable resume, that should convince you of his extraordinary nature, but, rather, this short, conclusive quote that Tyson used to describe his fervent passion for astronomy: “so strong was that imprint [of the night sky] that I’m certain that I had no choice in the matter, that in fact, the universe called me.”
Now, that ladies and gentleman, is a person I’d want to represent the world I live in.