Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Neil DeGrasse Tyson on the Venus Project

Neil deGrasse Tyson
to me
show details 11:32 AM (1 hour ago)
>> From: lol@no.com
>> Date: April 20, 2011 7:45:40 PM EDT
>> To: stachow@amnh.org
>> Subject: [Other] Is it true that you applaud The Venus Project?
>>
>> Robert Dobbs sent a message using the contact form at http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/tyson/contact/other.<br /> >>
>> The Zeitgeist Movement has stated that you applaud the Venus Project. Is this true? I find it hard to believe that you would support such nonsense. Could I please get an official statement on your opinion of the Venus Project?
Thanks for your interest and concerns. I don't make official statements. I am not an agency. I am not a political platform. I simply have conversations with people. The relevant exchange follows, in time order. I note that strong philosophies (be they religious or secular) tend to filter what they see and hear such that what's left over supports their world views. Understandable, if not forgivable.
-NDTyson
*************************
Neil deGrasse Tyson
http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/tyson/</p>
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>> Begin forwarded message:
>>
>>> From: jeffllots@gmail.com
>>> Date: April 19, 2011 1:16:21 AM EDT
>>> To: stachow@amnh.org
>>> Subject: [Other] The Venus Project
>>>
>>> Jeffrey Stoll sent a message using the contact form at http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/tyson/contact/other.<br /> >>>
>>> Dear Mr. Tyson,
>>>
>>> I am currently looking into the Venus Project and I am trying to take a skeptical approach to what my opinion should be of it. I would like to ask a prominent member of the scientific community about their opinion on the project. Thus Mr. Tyson what is your opinion of the Venus Project? Thank you for your time and I apologize for my irregular grammar.
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>> Jeffrey Stoll
> From: Neil deGrasse Tyson <tyson@amnh.org>
> Date: April 19, 2011 12:56:53 PM EDT
> To: jeffllots@gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [Other] The Venus Project
>
> I applaud the efforts of anyone trying to make a difference in the world, however unreachably utopian the mission statement may be. -NDTyson
>
> *************************
> Neil deGrasse Tyson
> Department of Astrophysics
> & Director, Hayden Planetarium
> American Museum of Natural History
> Central Park West at 79th Street
> New York, NY 10024
>
> http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/tyson/</p>
>
> On Apr 20, 2011, at 12:01 AM, Jeffrey Stoll wrote:
>
>> Thank you for responding Mr. Tyson. I was wondering if you have delved
>> deep enough into the project to learn about its concept of a
>> "Resource-Based Economy" and if so I would like to hear from you about
>> your opinion of that single concept. I completely understand your view
>> that with circular cities, no government, and a complete renovation of
>> the education system makes the Venus Project sound like the utopian
>> cities and communes from the various cult-like groups throughout
>> history that have tried to solve societies problems in a similar
>> fashion. Again I apologize for my irregular grammar. -Jeffrey T. Stoll