I have been a fan of Neil deGrasse Tyson, the famed educator and astrophysicist, for as long as I can remember. I greatly admire his unique ability to distill complex science into digestible pop culture. It’s a valuable skill that remains sorely needed in today’s divisive world.
As director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, Tyson has penetrated the public mind better than any popular scientist. From his acclaimed StarTalk podcast to the reboot of Cosmos, his name is known far and wide in countless cultural circles.
Oh, and he writes books too.
Starry Messenger is the first book of Tyson’s that I have read, and it did not disappoint. It’s an application of a cosmic perspective to the many contentious topics of our shared civilization. From food and beauty to race and law, the entire social structure is on the menu. He takes a one-million-foot view of these subjects and expertly reframes them with a cosmic lens. At the end of each chapter, you can’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.
The chapter on Color and Race is arguably the highlight of the book. Taking the stance of a reverse-Eugenicist, Tyson creates a science-backed narrative that is so comically absurd that it makes you wonder how anyone can be racist at all. It’s a biting insight into how far people will go to seek evidence for their preconceived notions.
Every topic receives a similar treatment and there isn’t a weak link in the bunch. I thoroughly enjoyed each section and will definitely return to them for sanity refreshers. This book is much more than a skillful delve into our biases and blind spots. It’s a full mental reset.
Starry Messenger is an easy recommendation for any reader, but especially for those who wish to break free of the current chaos. Much like suffering through a toxic relationship, you can’t see the insanity until you’re out of it. Tyson pulls you from the morass, points a finger at the bedlam, and gives you a grounded perspective that helps ease the tension. It reminds you, in very plain terms, that humanity is a work in progress.
