Is “Dune” A Perfect Movie? Neil deGrasse Tyson And Stephen Colbert Agree To Disagree

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
7 Mar 202408:15
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this engaging and humorous conversation, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson returns to 'The Late Show' with Stephen Colbert. Tyson, a New York Times bestselling author known for books like 'Astrophysics for People in a Hurry' and 'Starry Messenger,' discusses his views on the movie 'Dune: Two.' Despite enjoying the film's spectacle, he critiques certain scientific inaccuracies, such as the behavior of sandworms and the design of anti-gravity copters. The discussion also touches on Tyson's cameo in Jennifer Lopez's movie 'This Is Me Now: A Love Story,' where he humorously attempts to inject a bit of scientific reasoning into astrology. The exchange is filled with wit and showcases Tyson's ability to blend science with popular culture, while maintaining his commitment to scientific principles.

Takeaways
  • 📚 Neil deGrasse Tyson is a New York Times bestselling author known for books like 'Astrophysics for People in a Hurry' and 'Starry Messenger'.
  • 🎬 Tyson attended the U.S. premiere of 'Dune: Two' and had some scientific critiques about the portrayal of sandworms and their behavior in the movie.
  • 🎓 He emphasized the importance of adhering to fundamental scientific principles even in science fiction, quoting Mark Twain's advice to 'first get your facts straight, then distort them at your leisure'.
  • 🐛 Tyson pointed out that in reality, you can't 'thump' sand to create vibrations that would be heard by a sandworm, as sand is an acoustic insulator.
  • 🌌 He discussed the scientific inaccuracies in the movie, such as the depiction of how sandworms move, which he compared to the movement of snakes.
  • 🚁 The conversation touched on the design of the copters in 'Dune: Two', questioning why they needed wings when the technology could have been incorporated differently.
  • 🌟 Tyson mentioned that the universe is weirder than we can imagine, bringing up concepts like wormholes, antimatter, black holes, and the multiverse.
  • 🎭 He made a cameo in the movie 'This is Me, Now: A Love Story', where he played the role of Taurus, and tried to inject some science into the script.
  • 🔮 When asked if he could put science into astrology, Tyson humorously pointed out that the Zodiac is actually 13 constellations, not 12, and that most people who think they are Scorpio are probably Ophiuchus.
  • 📺 The interview was filled with a playful banter between Tyson and Stephen, highlighting Tyson's passion for science and his ability to engage in popular culture.
  • 🌝 The discussion provided insights into Tyson's perspective on balancing scientific accuracy with the creative freedom needed for storytelling in movies.
Q & A

  • Which books has Neil deGrasse Tyson authored that were mentioned in the transcript?

    -Neil deGrasse Tyson has authored books such as 'Astrophysics for People in a Hurry' and 'Starry Messenger'.

  • What is Neil deGrasse Tyson's profession?

    -Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist, a New York Times best-selling author, and a popularizer of science.

  • What movie did Stephen and Neil discuss in the transcript?

    -They discussed the movie 'Dune: Two', which is a science fiction film.

  • What is Neil's criticism about the sandworms in the 'Dune: Two' movie?

    -Neil criticizes the portrayal of sandworms, stating that you can't 'thump' sand to create vibrations that the worms would hear.

  • What does Neil mean when he talks about 'thumping' in the context of the movie?

    -In the context of the movie, 'thumping' refers to creating vibrations in the sand to locate the sandworms. Neil argues that this is scientifically inaccurate.

  • What is the title of the book that Neil deGrasse Tyson is promoting in the transcript?

    -The title of the book Neil deGrasse Tyson is promoting is 'Starry Messenger'.

  • What is Neil's view on enjoying movies with scientific inaccuracies?

    -Neil believes in Mark Twain's edict of first getting the facts straight and then distorting them at one's leisure. He suggests that the universe is weirder than we can imagine, implying that movies should strive for scientific accuracy.

  • What was Neil's role in the movie 'This is Me, Now: A Love Story'?

    -Neil played the role of Taurus, an astrological sign, in the movie 'This is Me, Now: A Love Story'.

  • What is the humorous interaction between Stephen and Neil about the zodiac sign Scorpio?

    -Neil humorously corrects the common misconception about the zodiac sign Scorpio, stating that most people who think they are Scorpios are probably Ophiuchus due to the Earth's procession.

  • What is the term used in the movie for the large creatures that travel through the sand?

    -The term used for the large sand-dwelling creatures in the movie is 'sandworms'.

  • What is the name of the device used to detect the sandworms in the movie?

    -The device used to detect the sandworms in the movie is called a 'thumper'.

  • What is the humorous point Neil makes about the design of the copters in the 'Dune: Two' movie?

    -Neil humorously questions the need for wings on the copters in the movie, suggesting that they could have been designed without them and still function.

Outlines
00:00
🎬 Neil deGrasse Tyson's Return to 'The Late Show'

The first paragraph introduces Neil deGrasse Tyson as a guest on 'The Late Show'. Stephen Colbert welcomes Tyson, highlighting his status as a New York Times bestselling author and America's favorite astrophysicist. Tyson is also mentioned as a movie buff, and they discuss the recent premiere of 'Dune: Two'. Stephen praises the film, but Tyson admits he has some issues with the scientific accuracy, particularly regarding the behavior of sand worms in the movie.

05:01
🌌 Tyson's Critique of 'Dune' and Sci-Fi Movies

In the second paragraph, Tyson elaborates on his critique of 'Dune: Two', pointing out the unrealistic portrayal of sand worms and their behavior. He humorously suggests that if one wants to avoid sound transmission, they should fill a space with sand, as it would muffle sound. Tyson also discusses the unrealistic depiction of the worms' movement, comparing it to snakes. The conversation shifts to the concept of the multiverse, with Stephen correcting Tyson on its origin, and they touch on Tyson's cameo in the J. Lo movie 'This Is Me, Now: A Love Story', where he humorously attempts to inject some science into astrology.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Astrophysicist
An astrophysicist is a scientist who studies the physical properties and phenomena of celestial bodies and the universe. In the script, Neil deGrasse Tyson is referred to as America's favorite astrophysicist, highlighting his role as a popularizer of science and his expertise in this field.
💡New York Times Bestselling Author
This term refers to an author whose books have been highly popular and have made it to the bestseller list published by The New York Times. Neil deGrasse Tyson is introduced as such, indicating the success and influence of his written works on astrophysics and science communication.
💡Starry Messenger
Starry Messenger is a book authored by Neil deGrasse Tyson. It is mentioned as being available in paperback, suggesting its continued relevance and accessibility to a wide audience. The book likely deals with astronomical topics, given Tyson's expertise.
💡Movie Buff
A movie buff is a person who is enthusiastic about movies and has extensive knowledge about them. Neil deGrasse Tyson is described as a movie buff, indicating his interest in cinema and his ability to critique films, especially those with scientific or speculative elements, as seen in his discussion about 'Dune: Two'.
💡Dune: Two
Dune: Two is a reference to a sequel in the Dune movie series, which is based on the science fiction novel by Frank Herbert. The script discusses Tyson's and Stephen's opinions on the film, with Tyson focusing on the scientific inaccuracies, tying into the theme of blending science with fiction.
💡Sand Worms
Sand worms are fictional creatures from the Dune universe that inhabit desert planets. In the script, the discussion around sand worms pertains to their behavior and the scientific plausibility of their depiction in the movie, showcasing Tyson's critical thinking and commitment to scientific principles.
💡Thumper
A thumper in the context of the Dune universe is a device used to emit vibrations that attract sand worms. The script uses the term to illustrate a point about scientific accuracy in the movie's portrayal of how sand worms detect prey, which Tyson critiques.
💡
💡Fremen
The Fremen are the indigenous people of the desert planet Arrakis in the Dune series. They are mentioned in the context of riding sand worms as a rite of passage. This concept is used to highlight Tyson's critique of the movie's adherence to the source material's scientific logic.
💡Anti-gravity
Anti-gravity refers to the concept of repelling gravitational forces, often a feature in science fiction. In the script, Tyson questions the design of certain vehicles in the movie that defy gravity, pointing out potential scientific inconsistencies.
💡Mark Twain's Edict
This refers to a quote by Mark Twain that Tyson mentions: 'First get your facts straight, then distort them at your leisure.' It underscores Tyson's perspective on the importance of scientific accuracy as a foundation for creative freedom and storytelling.
💡Multiverse
The multiverse is a concept in which there are multiple universes that exist parallel to our own. Tyson discusses this concept, noting that it was coined by a fantasy writer, to illustrate the point that even the most outlandish ideas in fiction can have roots in scientific thought.
💡Astrologer
An astrologer is a person who practices astrology, which is the study of the supposed influences of the celestial bodies on human affairs. Tyson humorously refers to himself as America's most famous astrologer, indicating his recognition of the public's confusion between astronomy and astrology, and his role in clarifying scientific facts.
Highlights

Neil deGrasse Tyson returns to 'The Late Show' as a guest, welcomed warmly by Stephen Colbert and the audience.

Tyson is introduced as a New York Times bestselling author of books like 'Astrophysics for People in a Hurry' and 'Starry Messenger'.

Stephen Colbert mentions Tyson's new book 'Starry Messenger' is now available in paperback.

Tyson discusses his role as a movie buff and his recent attendance at the U.S. premiere of 'Dune: Two'.

Tyson expresses his enjoyment of 'Dune: Two', calling it 'quite the spectacle'.

Despite his enjoyment, Tyson points out scientific inaccuracies in the movie, particularly regarding the behavior of sandworms.

Tyson humorously debates with Colbert about the acoustic properties of sand and the feasibility of sandworms hearing vibrations.

Tyson criticizes the movie's depiction of how sandworms move, comparing it to the movement of snakes.

Colbert defends the movie's creative license, suggesting that the sandworms could have special adaptations for movement.

Tyson comments on the movie's design of flying copters, questioning the need for wings on these anti-gravity vehicles.

Colbert and Tyson engage in a playful debate about the scientific plausibility of the movie's elements.

Tyson shares Mark Twain's advice on distorting facts for storytelling, after establishing them accurately.

Tyson emphasizes the universe's inherent weirdness, potentially surpassing human imagination.

Colbert corrects Tyson on the origin of the term 'multiverse', attributing it to fantasy writer Michael Moorcock, not a scientist.

Tyson discusses his cameo in the movie 'This Is Me, Now: A Love Story', where he played an astrological sign character.

Tyson humorously attempts to inject some science into astrology for his movie role, even suggesting changes to the script.

The conversation ends with a teaser for more discussion with Neil deGrasse Tyson after the break.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

TimesTalks: Neil deGrasse Tyson

Neil deGrasse Tyson & Kelly Clarkson 'Go To Space'

Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains the Universe While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones

Neil deGrasse Tyson on the Afterlife, Origins of the Earth and Extreme Weather

Neil deGrasse Tyson and Brian Greene Discuss Oppenheimer

Stars Ask Neil Their Deep Questions

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
Neil deGrasse TysonAstrophysicistScience CritiqueMovie DuneHumorScientific PrinciplesCultural CommentaryFilm AnalysisLate ShowGuest AppearanceAstrologyScience vs Fiction