Neil deGrasse Tyson Complains That “Dune 2” Isn’t a Shining Beacon of Scientific Accuracy

You know, years ago, I used to really like Neil before he adopted this "Well, ackchually..." shtick over scientific inaccuracies in works of fiction. I find him absolutely insufferable now. It's the same kind of brainworms as CinemaSins.

"Somebody didn't do the research on that," Tyson told the talk show host, making the case that if you pound your fist into a sand dune, it wouldn't actually produce a thumping sound the way it does in the film. "You can't thump sand."

Oh, this is easy. Neil, the thumping isn't for the sand its for the spice in the sand which is a near-magical substance that is tied biologically to the sandworms and when consumed by humans in large quantities lets you see into the future. Are you going to try and tell me a substance which clearly grants its user the ability to see through space-time can't be excited mechanically with thumping it on the ground?

Personally it was the behemoth worms and psychic mind readers that made me think it wasn't a documentary, but YMMV

That man's pedantry is truly beyond parody.

The original book finds itself in a science fiction genre only because anything with spaceships and technology is placed there. For all practical purposes though, it’s a space fantasy.

In other words, complaining about science of Dune is like complaining about poetic meter of a tax report - something you do only with the closest of friends.

NdGT is a pretentious twat who needs to just shut up and sit down.

I swear the only time he’s relevant is when he’s bitching about some science fiction movie not being 100% accurate

Science fiction not science facts. When was the book written again? And why is an Astrophysicist giving opinions on worm biology? Not his area of expertise?

To be fair, he did this in Colbert’s show, which was kinda done in jest/humor. Having said that, the guy does like to “ackchually” stuff a lot, even for fictitious things. And he definitely was his usual smug self even though it was a comedy bit.

Well, Niel, it's not called a "science" film. It's "science fiction."

Professional "That guy" has "That guy" take. Shocking

So I guess transcribing a YouTube video and providing a weak opinion on what was said is considered journalism these days? This is such a low effort article.

I watched the interview and it seems like more of a comedy bit than Neil's actual opinion of the movie overall. Some people just want something to get upset over I guess...

Why does the Internet dog pile onto NDT over every tweet, but seems to try it's best to ignore Alex Jones et al?

When the planet's massive sandworms move, they barrel forward in a straight line. But as Tyson points out, pretty much all legless, worm or snake-like creatures on Earth have to slither in S-shaped lines if they want to move forward.

"Have you ever seen a snake chase you as a straight snake? No!"

Has he ever seen an earthworm???

Neil DeAss Wipeson

I've never understood why people get so upset when he does this. I like it when someone points out the actual physics behind something that you see in films and what was done right and wrong.

Learning that something in a movie isn't scientifically accurate doesn't ruin the movie for me. I already figured it wouldn't be entirely correct and it doesn't have to be correct (unless it's supposed to be educational).

Oh man why does he get off so much on being a complete fuckin boob

Person who's only job is science and who is an expert on science comments about the science of things and people find a way to complain about it.

Let the man die on his silly hills. It's funny and harmless. Pull the damn stick out. Perhaps go pound sand.

I feel like people take these way too seriously, like some of these comments sound like it's personal. Its just a movie/book series if some one wants to poke some fun then just let em.

Oh really? There's no space drug shat out by giant worms that will give me omnipotence? Thanks Neil, I was confused about that.

I don't want to call him a queef because at least those don't stink.

My god, you are a damn astro theoretical engineer or something, do astro garbage and stop talking about themes outside of your field

The guy whonwas in the superman movie?

Did anyone expect it to be?

hmmmm