Bans Quote by Neil deGrasse Tyson
“He invited people to sign a petition that demanded either strict control of, or a total ban on, dihydrogen monoxide… Yes, 86 percent of the passersby voted to ban water (H2O) from the environment. Maybe that's what really happened to all the water on Mars.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public lecture on scientific literacy, 2015
A satirical petition to ban water illustrates how people can be misled by scientific jargon and fear.
In simple terms: People may reject obvious facts when presented oddly.
Key Takeaway
Question claims and seek evidence.
Themes
critical thinking
science communication
misinformation
skepticism
Mood
cautious
inquisitive
Type
educational
satirical
When to use this quote
- media consumption
- policy debates
- education curricula
- public health messaging
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
public misunderstanding
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people trust authority over common sense?
- How can we improve scientific literacy?
A Different Perspective
Some may dismiss the satire, missing the lesson.
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![“Ben Carson also denounced [Donald] Trump's ban all Muslims proposal saying we do not and would not advocate being selective on one's religion.” quote by Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0d7/rachel-maddow-1240_bans_ben-carson-also-denounced-donald-trump-s_674.jpg)
![“When observers look back 50 years from now, the arguments supporting Florida's ban on same-sex marriage, though just as sincerely held [as views of those who were opposed to interracial marriage], will again seem an obvious pretext for discrimination.” quote by Robert Lewis Hinkle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b38/robert-lewis-hinkle-98058_argument_when-observers-look-back-50-years-from-n_108007.jpg)
