Bill Nye, The Science Guy

Bill Nye, The Science Guy

The Science Guy

Bill Nye, scientist, engineer, comedian, author, and inventor, is a man with a mission: to help foster a scientifically literate society, to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work. Making science entertaining and accessible is something Bill has been doing most of his life. In Seattle Nye began to combine his love of science with his flair for comedy, when he won the Steve Martin look-alike contest and developed dual careers as an engineer by day and a stand-up comic by night. Nye then quit his day engineering day job and made the transition to a night job as a comedy writer and performer on Seattle's home-grown ensemble comedy show “Almost Live." This is where “Bill Nye the Science Guy®" was born. The show appeared before Saturday Night Live and later on Comedy Central, originating at KING-TV, Seattle's NBC affiliate. While working on the Science Guy show, Nye won seven national Emmy Awards for writing, performing, and producing. The show won 18 Emmys in five years. In between creating the shows, he wrote five children's books about science, including his latest title, “Bill Nye's Great Big Book of Tiny Germs." Nye is the host of three currently-running television series. “The 100 Greatest Discoveries" airs on the Science Channel. “The Eyes of Nye" airs on PBS stations across the country. Bill's latest project is hosting a show on Planet Green called “Stuff Happens." It's about environmentally responsible choices that consumers can make as they go about their day and their shopping. Also, you'll see Nye in his good-natured rivalry with his neighbor Ed Begley. They compete to see who can save the most energy and produce the smallest carbon footprint. Nye has 4,000 watts of solar power and a solar-boosted hot water system. There's also the low water use garden and underground watering system. It's fun for him; he's an engineer with an energy conservation hobby. Nye is currently the Executive Director of The Planetary Society, the world's largest space interest organization.

3mins
A young Norwegian has a burning question about evolution and human feelings. Is it only our bodies that evolve, or do our emotions adapt to the world, too?
2mins
What happens when an entire classroom participates in #TuesdaysWithBill? Bill dishes out some useful live advice.
2mins
William wants to have kids someday. William has cystic fibrosis, an inheritable disease. How should he approach this dilemma?
1mins
Young Aaron asks the Science Guy about the uncountable lengths of space. Bill responds with a challenge.
4mins
Such a question assumes we'd be able to contact aliens should we find them. Bill's not entirely sure we'll be able to.
4mins
The Science Guy argues that most anti-abortion legislation is derived from outdated beliefs that predate smart science by 50 centuries.
3mins
This week's question arrives via Big Think producer Elizabeth -- What's Bill Nye frightened of? In two words: climate change.
7mins
Bill takes us on a journey through a skeptic's brain to answer a question about spiritual existence.
1mins
The universe is going to keep going with or without us. All we can control is how much we learn and explore.
4mins
Bill Nye is an engineer by trade, so you know his answer to this one is going to be good. Learn how the rudder of a Boeing 747 can potentially inspire an inventor to develop a better brand of prosthetics.
5mins
It's Tuesday, which means we've got another submitted question for Bill Nye to answer. The topic this week is the same as last week: black holes.
2mins
This week's question arrives from the Philippines, courtesy of Amy. Bill dissects the question before giving several possible answers.
2mins
Asked what a universal superintelligent designer would be like, Bill Nye the Science Guy takes an evolutionary approach: In a way, we designed ourselves. #TuesdaysWithBill
3mins
An anonymous viewer asks Bill whether homosexuality makes sense from an evolutionary and genetic standpoint. Bill's response? Homosexuality exists across species and none of them are dying out anytime soon.
3mins
On this week's Tuesdays With Bill, Lillian has the whole summer ahead of her, and wants to know what kind of science-related activities she can do outside of the classroom.
5mins
On this week's Tuesdays With Bill, Rachel, a Columbia University student, asks two questions for the price of one: What would happen if a human being went the speed of light, and why don't we just eject our trash into outer space?
10mins
So let's talk about fracking. It isn't a terrible idea in theory, says Bill Nye the Science Guy, but it can't be allowed to go unregulated. This is because new technologies have promoted irresponsible fracturing practices with severe environmental and public health consequences.