StarTalk Radio Cosmic Queries – Science Storytelling with LeVar Burton
Apr 5, 2022
LeVar Burton, beloved actor known for his roles in Roots and Star Trek: The Next Generation, joins Neil deGrasse Tyson for a captivating discussion. They delve into the vital role of storytelling in making science engaging and accessible. Burton shares personal anecdotes about childhood reading experiences and the evolution of storytelling. The conversation also touches on the impact of sci-fi on society and addresses urgent topics like climate change, emphasizing the importance of electric vehicles in creating a sustainable future.
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Casting Roots
- LeVar Burton explains how Roots strategically cast America's TV dads as villains.
- This lowered the barrier of entry for white audiences to engage with the story.
Geordi's Visor
- LeVar Burton imagined Geordi La Forge's visor as a selective filter for the electromagnetic spectrum.
- This allowed the character to focus on specific bands of information, much like our hearing.
Go the F* to Sleep**
- Neil deGrasse Tyson and LeVar Burton discuss the children's book "Go the F*** to Sleep".
- They humorously ponder who was responsible for misplacing it in the children's section.