by Alex Alvarez
4:51 pm, October 13th, 2012
On Saturday, MSNBC’s Craig Melvin spoke with the science guy himself — Bill Nye — about two congressmen who have recently spoken out about evolution. Todd Akin, for instance, made headlines when he referred to evolution as not “even a matter of science.” Then, Congressman Paul Brown weighed in, calling evolution and other scientific theories as “lies from the pit of Hell.”


RELATED: Todd Akin On Evolution: ‘I Don’t See It As Even As A Matter Of Science’


Nye clarified that evolution is something that has been discovered as
opposed to “made up,” adding that there is overwhelming evidence in
favor of the scientific theory. And, being a seasoned teacher, Nye even
brought out props — including roses — to explain past experiments
concerning evolution.
He was bothered by both men’s assertion that the Earth was only
something around 6,000-10,000 years old. Using the technology behind
smoke detectors (more props!) to explain, Nye stated that the Earth is,
in fact, something more like 4.5 billion years old. “That’s science;
those are facts,” said Nye. “You can’t just close your eyes and make
them not true.”
After being shown clips of both Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann
discussing evolution, Nye dismantled Bachmann’s claim that there is
some “controversy” about it within the scientific community. “But
there’s no controversy amongst scientists,” he said. “There’s
controversy among…” He then said that to arbitrarily “set aside those
discoveries” made by our ancestors “betrays, really, the best in us,
betrays the best use of our brains.”
Nye also pointed out than an embrace of scientific technology will
result in greater innovation and, as such, more jobs. Later on, he
hesitated to weigh in on Romney’s thoughts on evolution because, as he
said, he did not want to discuss other people’s religions. But he did
have a word of advice for viewers: When it comes time to vote, he said,
keep climate change in mind.