Neil deGrasse Tyson begins his MasterClass on Scientific Thinking with a guarantee. The most important moments of your life are decided not by what you know but by how you think. And this MasterClass is aimed at rewiring your brain for thought.
That’s the marvel of science literacy. It gives you the ability to solve problems in your life from different perspectives. This MasterClass is designed to empower you in your probing of what’s out there, in your quest for what is objectively true. Not only that, but to give you a toolkit for solving problems on a personal level, societal level, and global level.
Neil deGrasse Tyson Teaches Scientific Thinking MasterClass Review
Neil deGrasse Tyson acknowledges that there are already “a gazillion hours” of footage him talking about the universe, black holes, and God.
But he has reserved something special for this MasterClass.
This class is focused on showing you what’s going on inside of him as he communicates with the public. He shared his mental models, methods of thinking, and the scientific tools that enable us to go from ignorance to understanding to an ultimately established objective truth.
This MasterClass shows you not just how to find objective truth, but to communicate to others how to get there.
Don’t underestimate the value of such an aim. It’s one thing to be able to know something. It’s quite a different, more difficult thing, to be able to teach what you know to others, to show others the way to truth.
This MasterClass is a look at a side of Neil deGrasse Tyson that has never been revealed before.
And his aim is to get you unsatisfied with your state of mind that is content with not caring what the objective truth is. He wants you restless and asking questions of everything, constantly uncovering new truths.
The MasterClass kicks off with a fascinating module entitled the “Frontier of Science”, which involves a deep discussion on the difficulty of asking the right questions.
This was a particularly evocative discussion for me personally because this was the year where I learnt to fall in love with questions themselves, and in the questions find the answers.
We then get into a discussion about repeated predictability, theories, and hypotheses, all of which are backed up and put into context with some startlingly interesting examples from the realm of astrophysics.
One of my favourite modules was on how to be a skeptic.
Here we look at what constitutes intellectual laziness, with some nuance that you may not have considered, and then look at a system for combatting it and cultivating curiosity that leads to truth.
I loved in particular deGrasse Tyson using the example of how to properly respond to someone claiming to have curative crystals for your ailments, complete with a list of questions, then extrapolating these lessons to a real life geological example.
Another favourite module of mine was the in-depth gripping module on cognitive bias.
I’ve been interested in the psychology of cognitive bias for years, so hearing a deep analysis of the phenomenon was a really treat.
Not only was this module a run-down of the most insidious cognitive biases and how they crop up in your everyday life, but deGrasse Tyson also gives you ways to combat these common thinking errors.
We learn how to recognise and counter cognitive biases like the urge to feel special, the urge to find patterns (like pareidolia), the influence of a singular testimony over data, confirmation bias, and cultural bias.
And the whole way through, deGrasse Tyson picks up more and more steam, getting excited to the point of screaming, and making me want to jump up out of my chair.
I know a million people have already said this, but if he had been my science teacher in school I definitely would have paid attention. I certainly would have got a better grade, a top grade. And the direction I took might even have been different.
- Check out the Neil deGrasse Tyson MasterClass here.
Another module I got a lot out of, as someone who is focused on honing their public speaking skills, was the module on preparing for your audience and the one on communication skills.
Every year deGrasse Tyson tries to give at least one high school commencement speech at a public school each year, and everything in this module includes the mindset and preparation tips that he uses for this.
If I could recommend just one module to you, without knowing anything about you, it would be this one hands-down. It contains the most important mindset trick you need to learn and will benefit you throughout your life.
Most people don’t know this.
But whether you’re applying for a job or college, meeting new people or starting a new business, thinking about the world from this perspective is the single most valuable thing you can do.
Particularly I loved his specific advice on how to tailor your talks to children. But deGrasse Tyson also muses on how you might tailor your talks to different demographics, like seniors, or the military.
Who is the Neil deGrasse MasterClass for?
If you loved the Chris Hadfield or Garry Kasparov or Jane Goodall MasterClass, you will love this class.
If you love scientific enquiry and feel endlessly curious about the world, you might love this MasterClass.
If you leave museums bubbling with questions, you might love this MasterClass.
I think this MasterClass would make excellent viewing in science lessons.
If I was a Science teacher that wanted to enthuse my students, I play them this MasterClass.
If I was taking my exams and still in high school, I would watch this MasterClass in between my homework assignments.
I will say this about the Neil deGrasse Tyson MasterClass that might influence whether or not it’s for you.
I personally haven’t watched too much of Neil deGrasse’s content, although what I have watched I’ve enjoyed. So a bigger fan of the man might enjoy this more than I did (and I really enjoyed it).
On an educational level, I can see that a lot of what Tyson discusses is foundational and basic.
If you’ve already spent many years indulging a passion for critical reasoning and science, this content is unlikely to be new to you.
You may, however, get a lot out of having it as an entertaining and well-packed refresher.
For me, this stuff was new because I am not a science guy. So I got a lot out of it, but I know that’s due to my ignorance in this fascinating field.
Should you get the Neil deGrasse Tyson MasterClass?
For me, I wouldn’t get the MasterClass as a one off. But as part of the MasterClass catalogue you get when you purchase the All Access Pass, it’s a very nice addition.
If I were looking at getting just this MasterClass, I’d have to be very much more naturally interested in science and the class would have to be a bit longer.
The video production, topic, and delivery style is massively on point, but I would like a bit more for my money.
However, with the Pass being just twice the price of one class (not to mention buy one get one free) and giving you access to what I believe it the best online educational and entertainment resource, it’s an absolute bargain.
So if you’re interested in Neil deGrasse Tyson, try and spring for the All Access Pass and it’s 100% worth it.
