Neil deGrasse Tyson replies to Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

TL;DR

Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address laid the foundation for scientifically enlightened governance, which plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the nation.

Transcript

I got a phone call when the Abraham Lincoln Library Foundation and they asked me would I mind composing 272 words of my own reflecting on Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address I'm gonna read you what I wrote one and a half centuries ago Civil War divided these United States of America yet in its wake we would amel as one nation indivisible during th... Read More

Key Insights

• 📝 The Civil War united the divided United States and led to the formation of the National Academy of Sciences, tasked with advising on the benefits of science to the country's residents.
• 🔬 The National Academy has grown significantly over the years, now encompassing numerous fields of study that were not even imagined during Abraham Lincoln's time.
• 💡 Quantum physics, discovered in the 1920s, plays a crucial role in driving today's world economy through computer revolution and information storage.
• 🌍 Climatology and its understanding of climate change might be our only hope for saving the planet from the consequences of global warming.
• 🗝️ President Kennedy acknowledged the National Academy as the seedbed of our nation's future due to its range and depth of scientific achievements.
• 🚀 Innovations in science and technology are now the primary engines of economic growth in the 21st century, reflecting the importance of scientific progress.
• 🦅 Abraham Lincoln's commitment to scientifically enlightened governance is an often overlooked aspect of his legacy, which continues to be crucial for the progress and survival of our nation.
• 🙌 It is important to remember Lincoln not only for his role in the Civil War and the fight against slavery but also for setting the United States on a path of scientific advancement and enlightened decision-making.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address contribute to the establishment of the National Academy of Sciences?

Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address led to the establishment of the National Academy of Sciences, which aimed to advise the government on ways science can contribute to the health, wealth, and security of the nation's residents.

Q: What fields of science are now encompassed by the National Academy of Sciences?

The National Academy of Sciences, comprising more than two thousand members, now includes numerous fields of science, some of which were undreamt of during Abraham Lincoln's time.

Q: How does science and technology contribute to economic growth in the 21st century?

In the 21st century, innovations in science and technology serve as the primary engines of economic growth, creating opportunities for societal and economic progress.

Q: What role does climatology play in our current world?

Climatology, especially in the face of climate change, is becoming increasingly important as it may hold the key to saving our planet and preventing its detrimental consequences.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address led to the establishment of the National Academy of Sciences, tasked with advising the government on the ways science can benefit society.

• The National Academy now encompasses numerous fields of science, some of which were unimaginable during Lincoln's time.

• Science and technology are now considered the primary engines of economic growth, underscoring the importance of Lincoln's emphasis on scientifically enlightened governance.