Unpacking the Podcast Battle Between Neil deGrasse Tyson and Terrence Howard
This week, the actor Terrence Howard and astrophysicist Neal deGrasse Tyson are in a clash that defies the boundaries of rap battles. Last month, Howard, a guest on the popular Spotify podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience,” shared his life journey and his unwavering love for science and theoretical studies. To my surprise and the internet's surprise, he also disclosed that he had previously shared some of his theories with Neil deGrasse Tyson. The scientist and the sources he had referenced dismissed him, setting the stage for a heated intellectual confrontation.
Although I don’t think this interview was intended as a diss track, many perceived it as such, leading Neil deGrasse Tyson to respond publicly. In a recent episode of his podcast “StarTalk Radio Show,” Tyson discussed the 36-page paper that Terrence Howard had sent him and his reasons for critiquing it.
He then used his platform to explain the norms of academic research and the peer review process, emphasizing its congenial nature rather than a means to dismiss others’ work. This response to Howard highlights the crucial role of the public in engaging with intellectuals and the responsibility of academics in this interaction.
