On Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Book...

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:39:41 -0400

In my introduction to astronomy class, my students voted on a book to read as a side project for my class. They choose Neil deGrasse Tyson’s book “Death By Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandries.” We have split the book into 11 parts, so they will be reading 4 essays per week. Tomorrow is the second class discussion on the book. I wonder what they will think of some of the comments by Tyson, specifically the comment about why it’s kind of silly to think Stonehenge is so cool. He proposes that most folks don’t know even the basics of astronomy so these stones that are in a few astronomically pertinent positions seem phenomenal to us. It’s a cynical perspective, yes. But as an educator it’s good to remind myself to stay in perspective. Yet, I’ve visited Stonehenge before, and I have to say that I’m visiting Stonehenge and Avebury again this January. Peace!

My Cosmos

On Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Book...