Consider the following...
August 4, 2011 10:24 AM   Subscribe

Bill Nye, the-Sci-ence Guy
Biill Nyye, the Science Guuy
Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill!
Bill Nye, the-Sci-ence Guy
(Science rules)
Bill Nye, the-Sci-ence Guy
(Inertia is a property of matter)
Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill-Bill-Bill-
Biill Nyye, the Science Guuy
Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill!
(T-minus seven seconds)
Bill Nye, the-Sci-ence Guy


Key: italics = Pulled from the most recent link; “quotes” = Direct Bill Nye quote from the most recent link; § = ‘All links in section are straight links to YouTube’; BNtSG = ‘Bill Nye the Science Guy’


Bio [cited]
Born November 27, 1955, William Sanford Nye (A.K.A. ‘Bill Nye’ [no, not that Bill Nye]) is a bow-tie wearing public figure known for his work as an actor, amateur scientist, author, comedian, educator, humanist, inventor, mechanical engineer, and television host.
  • Education
  • Professional Career
  • Boeing engineer (1977-‘80) where he hosted training films and designed a hydraulic pressure resonance suppressor which is still used in the 747 aircraft. He consulted within the aeronautics industry after leaving Boeing.
  • Television | Almost Live! (1984-’92), Back to the Future: The Animated Series (1991 - ‘92), Bill Nye the Science Guy (1993 - ‘98), 100 Greatest Discoveries (2004-2005), The Eyes of Nye (2005), Living With Ed (2007 - Present); Stuff Happens (2008-2009), Solving For X (2009 - Present).
  • Executive Director of the The Planetary Society (2010 - Present) | The Planetary Society creates ways for the public to have active roles in space exploration. We develop innovative technologies, like the first solar sail spacecraft, we fund astronomers hunting for hazardous asteroids and planets orbiting other stars, we support radio and optical searches for extraterrestrial life, and we influence decision makers , ensuring the future of space exploration.
  • Taught at Cornell under the Frank H.T. Rhodes Visiting Professorships (2001 - '05) and as a guest lecturer (2001 - '09).
  • Fellow of The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry | The mission of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry is to promote scientific inquiry, critical investigation, and the use of reason in examining controversial and extraordinary claims.
  • Progenitor of the MarsDials, sun dials which adorn the Mars Rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
  • Awards
  • Won the following Emmies for work on BNtSG: Outstanding Writing in a Children’s Series (’95,’96,’97,’98,’99), Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series (’98), and Outstanding Producer of a Children’s Series (’99).
  • U.S. Forest Service: Distinguished Award for Conservation (1997)
  • The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry’s Council for Media Integrity: Carl Sagan Candle in the Dark Award (1997) | Nye was given the Council’s first “Candle in the Dark” Award for his outstanding contributions to the public’s understanding of science and scientific principles.
  • Council for Elementary Science International: International Science Advocate Award (2000)
  • American Humanist Association: 2010 Humanist of the Year | The Humanist of the Year award was established in 1953 to recognize a person of national or international reputation who, through the application of humanist values, has made a significant contribution to the improvement of the human condition.

TV Show: Almost Live! (1984 - ’92)
About | A local sketch comedy television show in Seattle, Washington ... it featured many spoofs and satires of local television ... [the host] Ross Shafer is credited as the creator of Bill Nye the Science Guy, encouraging Boeing aircraft engineer Bill Nye to demonstrate science experiments on the show. Nye later turned it into the Bill Nye the Science Guy show on PBS. Bill earned his famous moniker when he corrected [Shafer] on the pronunciation of ‘gigawatt,’ prompting the reaction, “Who do you think you are—Bill Nye the Science Guy?"*
  • Shorts §:

TV Show: Back to the Future: The Animated Series (1991 - ‘92)
About | Bill Nye performed scientific experiments during the closing live-action segments in each episode, a spot which later led to Nye getting his own show [BNtSG].
  • Sample Episode §:

TV Show: Bill Nye the Science Guy (1993 - ‘98)
About | [Nye] mixes the serious science of everyday things with fast-paced action and humor. Each show begins with Bill walking onto the set, called "Nye Labs", which is filled with scientific visuals (including many "of science" contraptions announced dramatically, such as "The slingshots of Science!") relevant to the topic of the show. Most episodes contain a mock song parody and music video in the "Soundtrack of Science" by "Not That Bad Records", substituting a scientific roundup of the episode for the lyrics to a popular song. Each show ends with Bill explaining his departure in a clever description of an activity on topic.
  • Full Episodes §:
  • Shorts §:
  • Official Shorts §:
  • 101 Soundtracks of Science §:

Videogame: Bill Nye the Science Guy: Stop the Rock! (1996)
About | In the game, a large meteoroid called "Impending Dumé" threatens to make a catastrophic collision with the Earth. A team of scientists develop a laser satellite-controlling computer system called MAAX (Meteorid and Asteroid Exploder) to destroy the meteoroid; however, MAAX develops a personality of its own (in an obvious parody of the sentient computer HAL from the film and novel 2001: A Space Odyssey) and refuses to save the planet unless Earth's scientists can solve seven science riddles. Nye Labs decides to take on MAAX's challenge, and the player, depicted as the newest member of the Nye Labs team, is asked to solve these riddles using Nye Labs' equipment before Impending Dumé hits (represented through an in-game timer).
  • Teacher’s Guide | Attention all Way Cool Teachers! Here's a survey of the educational content in "Bill Nye the Science Guy: Stop the Rock!"
  • Press Materials | CD-ROM game for the whole family
  • TIPS/FAQS | Here's our Nye Labs checklist to success
  • Riddle # 1 Walkthrough | When you can't stand the heat, where you can't take the pressure, prove there's a spot where life grows in great measure.
  • Riddle # 2 Walkthrough | Send me the heart of a hot-headed giant that chills out fast. It eats oceans and lakes then strikes with a blast.
  • Riddle # 3 Walkthrough | Bring me something that lives on Earth then blows up in the sky, where it never eats and doesn't die.
  • Riddle # 4 Walkthrough | Find a river that flows over mountains that are tallest. Here you'll find the largest living off the smallest.
  • Riddle # 5 Walkthrough | Discover a beast that ate fish by the sea and flew like a hawk. It wasn't a bird and now it's a rock.
  • Riddle # 6 Walkthrough | Find a sleeping dog with a churning stomach. When it shakes, it awakes. When it barks, you bake.
  • Riddle # 7 Walkthrough | Unlike you with food, we do not deal, but we are able to make a light meal.

TV Show: 100 Greatest Discoveries (2004 - '05)
About | Scientists have transformed the way we think and live throughout the centuries. What are the most important scientific discoveries of all time? In no particular order, we present the top 100 in eight different categories.
  • Full Episodes §:
  • Shorts §:

TV Show: The Eyes of Nye (2005)
About | [A science show that] was more sophisticated than its predecessor Bill Nye the Science Guy, as it was aimed more toward adults and teenagers than children.
  • Full Episodes §:
  • Shorts §:

TV Show: Living With Ed (2007 - Present)
About | The show follows actor Ed Begley, Jr. in his quest to live his life with a small carbon footprint. The series records the conflicts between him and his less zealous wife Rachelle Carson who many times suffers due to her husband's uncompromising beliefs. One of the most frequent capers Begley engages in is making his home more environmentally friendly, which he competes with his best friend Bill Nye.
TV Show: Stuff Happens (2008 - '09)
About | Where does all our stuff come from? No matter where we are or what we're doing, when we make stuff... stuff happens. On his new show Stuff Happens, acclaimed "Science Guy" Bill Nye explains to viewers what happens when we use stuff, where it goes when we're through with it, and what impact it all has on the environment and the entire planet. Whether it's in manufacturing, use, or disposal, all our stuff affects all our lives and the health of the Earth.
TV Show: Solving For X (2009 - Present)
About | Bill Nye The Science Guy is back with a new passion – math! In this original, all-new series, Bill teaches algebraic principles such as fractions, exponents, and proportions in colorful and unexpected ways. By using Bill Nye’s exciting conceptual approach to learning key mathematic principles, kids everywhere can discover how algebra relates to the world around us. Solving For X has never been easier!
Academic Study of ‘Bill Nye the Science Guy’
About | Bill Nye the Science Guy is a high energy, inquiry-based educational television program presenting science content directed at fourth grade students. This nationally syndicated series is funded by NSF and Disney. Our 1996 evaluation investigated the learning outcomes of school age viewers. In 1998, we profiled student and adult viewers and assessed the impact of various outreach efforts.
  • Evaluation of the BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY Television Series and Outreach, Rockman Et Al (1996) [Full Report: pdf] | The evaluation was charged with exploring the impact of the series on children at home, in school, and in other settings where children can watch television. Both the funders and the PBS station were concerned about science learning outcomes, attitude change, and the impact of the series on girls and minority children.
  • A Study of BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY Outreach and Image, Rockman Et Al (1998) [Executive Summary: pdf] | During school year 1997-98, the BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY series engaged school and home audiences through two major outreach efforts: 30,000 lunch box science kits sent to students at school and home, and 150,000 Teacher’s Guides sent to 4th grade teachers. ROCKMAN ET AL’s Spring 1998 evaluation of the BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY series focused on the use, value and impact of these outreach materials, and also explored viewers’ perceptions of Bill Nye as a science expert.
  • BILL NYE Family Fun Calendar of Science 1999 Evaluation, Rockman Et Al (1999) [Full Report: pdf] | During fall 1998, KCTS produced 50,000 “Bill Nye Family Fun Science Packets” that included a family calendar and a ten-minute video. This outreach packet was meant for distribution to families with school-age children and designed to encourage family science activities at home. KCTS distributed these Packets in sets of 25-1,000 to community organizations, PBS stations, and member agencies of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). This study focused on capturing information about family and child involvement in science activities before and after they receive the BILL NYE Family Fun Science Packet and characterizing the use patterns and impact of the Packet.

Resources for Educators
  • Lesson Plan Grades 1-2: Volcanoes Lesson by Meghan Webb | BNtSG - Volcanoes (ep. 74)
  • Lesson Plan Grades 3-4: Water Cycle by Gina Camilli | BNtSG - The Water Cycle (ep. 47)
  • Lesson Plan Grades 3-5: Earthquakes by Steve Ostby | BNtSG - Stop The Rock! (CD-ROM)
  • Lesson Plans: Worksheets for 98 BNtSG Episodes
  • MarsDial Lesson Plan: Just Me and My Shadow | The students will learn to plot collected shadow-length data on a graph and will extrapolate predictions and measurements from that graph.
  • MarsDial Lesson Plan: Show Me the Way to Go Home | Students will develop skills in working with geometric measuring tools in a real-world application by measuring shadow lengths and angles and by using this information to achieve the goal of finding direction.
  • MarsDial Lesson Plan: Mars Calendar Project | Students will learn how the physical and orbital characteristics of Mars are similar to and are different from those of the Earth. Additionally, students will gain insight into the history of time-keeping on Earth and how the various calendars of Earth have evolved.
  • MarsDial Lesson Plan: Schoolyard Sundial | Students will gain an intuitive understanding about the apparent motion of the Sun in the sky over the course of a day and a year, and will better understand what causes seasons on Earth.
  • BillNye.com: Home Demos
  • BillNye.com: BNtSG Episode Guides
  • BillNye.com: Printable One Sheets
  • BNtSG Videos at SchoolTube
  • BNtSG Videos Gamequarium

Podcasts
Interviews
  • Bill Nye Explains Why Evolution Belongs in Science Education | “Science is the key to our future, and if you don't believe in science, then you're holding everybody back. And it's fine if you as an adult want to run around pretending or claiming that you don't believe in evolution, but if we educate a generation of people who don't believe in science, that's a recipe for disaster.”
  • Q and A with Bill Nye as Host of 100 Greatest Discoveries | “For only the last 400 years or so, we humans have had a sense that there is an astronomical universe, and we have a place in it. With this discovery, one can now wonder, "Where did I come from?" and find a meaningful, astonishing answer.”
  • Interview With Bill Nye: The Sundial Guy | "In ancient times, the day was divided only by the shadows, solar time.”
  • Storing Information Outside of Our Brains | "If you memorize the periodic table it will speed you up if you're a chemist, but by and large, the reason you have a periodic table is so that you can store that information outside of your body. That way it frees up some part of your brain to do something else, doesn't it?”
  • How Bill Stays Green | "I get up around 6:30 a.m. I sip a cup of coffee made on a timer. It’s always shade-grown organic coffee. I grind the beans."

Books
  • Bill Nye the Science Guy’s Great Big Book of Tiny Germs | Bill Nye takes you to the microscopic world of powerful germs. He shows you how germs affect your life and even human history. There are 12 great experiments you can do to understand germs. You’ll see for yourself why you should wash your hands. It’s a great big tiny world to learn about. Microbe science rules.
  • Bill Nye the Science Guy’s Great Big Dinosaur Dig | Bill Nye takes you back, back in time when ancient dinosaurs ruled the lands. He shows you what it takes for a fossil to be called a dinosaur. It’s all in the hips. He shows you how the Earth surface has changed in all that time. Better yet, there are twelve tooth-ginding experiments that you can do at home to help understand how remarkable these creatures were. You’ll see that dinosaurs are still among us as birds. He’ll even help you imagine just how long it’s been since the ancient huge dinosaurs made their way on the Earth’s surface. Dig deep and think big.
  • Bill Nye the Science Guy’s Big Blue Ocean | Bill Nye looks into the ocean, exploring marine animals and plants, currents, tides, the effects of earthquakes and tsunamis, and methods of ocean exploration. Full color illustrations, photographs, and experiments are included in each chapter. Dive in!
  • Bill Nye the Science Guy’s Consider the Following | Bill Nye offers readers plenty of science in a fun-to-read format. Starting with a question, each section covers a science discipline (geology, biology, physics, etc.). Simple experiments and a science glossary round out this way cool approach to science.
  • Bill Nye the Science Guy’s Big Blast of Science | Bill Nye takes you on a wild ride through subjects such as the scientific method, matter, fundamental forces, heat, light, electricity, magnetism, waves, weather, and space. Fun drawings and photos of Bill make this book a real blast!

Patents
  • Throwing Technique Trainer | This invention relates to a device and method for training an athlete to throw a ball, and particularly to a device and method that provides guides for optimally positioning an athlete's throwing hand and elbow prior to initiation of the throwing phase for throwing a ball.
  • Ball Retreival Device | The present invention is directed to a ball retrieval device, and specifically, a ball retrieval device capable of connecting to, or being incorporated as part of, a bat. The retrieval device is incorporated as part of a hitting device, such as a baseball bat, during the manufacturing process.
  • Educational Lens | A collapsible lens designed to be used as an educational device is constructed from a pouch of polyethylene plastic that is shaped to form a convex lens when filled with water. The pouch has an edge region positioned adjacent and coextensive with a portion of the radial periphery of the pouch.
  • Toe Shoe | A toe shoe capable of providing support to a ballet dancer's foot while dancing en pointe. The toe shoe preferably includes a toe box in the toe of the toe shoe, an upper, and an outer sole. Support structure within the toe shoe includes a longitudinal support member, a foot encirculating tubular.
  • Digital Abacus

In the Media
  • Video §:

Miscellaneous
  • Video §:
  • Other:
  • BillNye.com; Official Website
  • BillNye.com; Video Segments
  • BillNye.com; Photos of Bill
  • BillNye.com; E-Cards
  • BillNye.com; Contact Bill
  • Bill Nye's Climate Lab - a fun place to learn about climate change
  • Retiring the Shuttle Will Set Us Free | "So in this other way of looking at it, the retirement of the Shuttles frees the United States to have NASA (the National Aeronautics & Space Administration) design a new rocket like the well-along Ares machine."
  • Ask a Scientist!: What is spontaneous combustion? Is it a myth? What causes it? | "Let's start with this: Yes, spontaneous combustion due to paranormal or spiritual forces is a myth. It is not real. It's silly. The spiritualists, who die or nearly die by spontaneous combustion, often smell of good ol' gasoline."
  • Ask a Scientist!: What causes the earth to rotate and why? | "When the Earth formed, the dust didn't come together exactly evenly -- almost, but not exactly. This unevenness made the Earth take on a slight spin."
  • Ask a Scientist!: Why can't you put metal in a microwave? | "The microwave energy has to find a place to go. It usually forms sparks that jump from air molecule to air molecule all the way back to the metal sides or bottom of the oven. Where the sparks comes and goes from the aluminum foil or metal paint, it gets hot. The energy is concentrated. It often burns a tiny hole or pit in the metal. It's energy just looking for a place to spread out. It can't; so, don't put metal in a microwave."
  • Nye’s Foreword of the Book Creating connections: museums and the public understanding of current research | “It may be that deep down we are all researches. Don’t we all have an interest in the world around us, the nature of nature?”
  • Nye at the Hybrid Center | "For thousands of years, human transportation has made it possible to move people and our goods all over the world. Our transportation systems have allowed us to feed billions, live all over the world, and exchange ideas with people living just about anywhere on Earth. But now, transportation is causing trouble. We’re using enormous amounts of energy and straining the Earth’s resources. The best of today’s hybrid cars can use less than half the energy of most conventional vehicles and keep both global warming and smog-forming pollution at far lower levels."
  • Bill Nye, the Eye Health Guy? | [Nye] talks about various eye health myths and other information, all while sitting in a laboratory full of bubbling things, microscopes and other science paraphernalia.
  • Nye Boo'd In Texas For Saying The Moon Reflects The Sun | Nothing got people as riled as when he brought up Genesis 1:16, which reads: "God made two great lights -- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars." The lesser light, he pointed out, is not a light at all, but only a reflector.
  • The A.V. Club Austin: Bill Nye vs. Everybody | Beyond the bow ties and toe shoes is a man who has earned the scorn of UFOlogists, fundamentalists, and even a classical oboist.
  • TV Tropes
  • Nye Timeline
  • Nye’s Twitter Account

Humor
(previously, previously, and sort of previously)
posted by troll (99 comments total) 325 users marked this as a favorite
 
HOORAY HOORAY best day ever.
posted by elizardbits at 10:28 AM on August 4, 2011 [3 favorites]


I would have been totally happy with this post if it had just been the first link to the theme song.
posted by silby at 10:30 AM on August 4, 2011 [17 favorites]


It's a good thing I'm quitting this job anyway, because I am clearly not getting any work done for the next three weeks.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:30 AM on August 4, 2011


Such a post. I will hug it and squeeze it and click every link. I've been trying to find some of his non-BNtSG shows (because I have ALL of those already) so I'm glad for these pointers.

BNtSG FanFiction Archive

I totally forgot about this! A few months ago I had a dream that Bill Nye and I were like a science-using, crime-solving team, sneaking around museums and research labs at night. Why did I have to wake up?
posted by DU at 10:31 AM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


Jesus christ. Do people actually want a Wikipedia page as a Meta post?
posted by smackfu at 10:32 AM on August 4, 2011 [18 favorites]


Jiminy cricket.
posted by fiercecupcake at 10:33 AM on August 4, 2011


Holy shit. Wow. This is one troll I'm glad to have around. Amazing post.
posted by Sangermaine at 10:33 AM on August 4, 2011


scroll*scroll*scroll*scroll*scroll.....

Holy crap. It just keeps going....
posted by schmod at 10:35 AM on August 4, 2011 [5 favorites]


excuse me but this is far superior to a mere wikipedia page kthx.
posted by elizardbits at 10:35 AM on August 4, 2011 [18 favorites]


BY THE POWER OF GREYSKULL
posted by louche mustachio at 10:37 AM on August 4, 2011 [6 favorites]




Jesus christ. Do people actually want a Wikipedia page as a Meta post?

No, but I'll take more posts like this please
posted by edgeways at 10:41 AM on August 4, 2011 [2 favorites]


Okay, has this post killed mefi or is it just me?
posted by elizardbits at 10:41 AM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


Daaaaaamn. Thanks.
posted by zarq at 10:47 AM on August 4, 2011


Mod note: our inline youtube player was having trouble grinding through all of those links. it's disabled for this post now so we can have our sites up and running.
posted by pb (staff) at 10:48 AM on August 4, 2011 [13 favorites]


Christus. Timed totally the fuck out. I was digging around for the server status link...

Troll may well have bested Rhaomi for largest link-filled FFP - what say?
posted by likeso at 10:49 AM on August 4, 2011


oh yes oh yes oh yes!
posted by heyforfour at 10:49 AM on August 4, 2011


Rhaomi, is that you?
posted by JHarris at 10:50 AM on August 4, 2011 [2 favorites]


Fucking wow.

Man, Bill Nye! My elementary school class went to a taping of Original Recipe Bill Nye the Science Guy in DC. Maybe in 91? 92?It was down to me and Sophie Gebrasalassie to get to be the Kid Announcer. The producers ended up putting her on because she was wearing normal kid clothes (like everyone else) and my mom had forced me to wear this poufy polyester satin plaid monstrosity of a dress because Her Darling Might Get To Be On TV. But Bill Nye was really nice, and joked around with us in the green room. I had forgotten all about it until now.
posted by peachfuzz at 10:51 AM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


BILLY QUAN LIVES
posted by JHarris at 10:53 AM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


His faux marriage to Blair Tindall seemed a bit odd.
posted by Melismata at 10:54 AM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


I'm really impressed. I'm also a big fan of Bill Nye. But I'm absolutely stunned that he didn't get any further education beyond his B.A. How is that possible?
posted by norm at 10:54 AM on August 4, 2011 [3 favorites]


Well. I'm impressed.
posted by killdevil at 10:54 AM on August 4, 2011


By Grabthar's hammer, what a post!
posted by Gelatin at 10:57 AM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


Kind of thin for a front page post, maybe flesh it out a bit and try again?
posted by Floydd at 11:00 AM on August 4, 2011 [22 favorites]


This is awesome. I'm about to start teaching an undergrad class in the fall and I can use all the reminders that science can be taught in an awesome, fun, and interesting way that I can get.

(Perhaps the proudest moment of my life was when Bill Nye told me that my research interests sounded cool! And then he took a picture with me. It was awesome.)
posted by ChuraChura at 11:00 AM on August 4, 2011


Bill Nye is the next Chuck Norris. In fact, Bill Nye is so awesome that if you replace every joke about Chuck Norris with Bill Nye, it becomes scientific truth.
posted by katillathehun at 11:01 AM on August 4, 2011 [13 favorites]


Yeah, I was sure I knew that BN had an MA at least.
posted by DU at 11:01 AM on August 4, 2011


This is great! Also, I've been trying to think of the name of that sketch show (Almost Live!) where I first saw Nye, so thanks for that!

"High-fiving white guys! Allright!"
posted by brundlefly at 11:02 AM on August 4, 2011 [4 favorites]


UFF DA!
posted by loquacious at 11:03 AM on August 4, 2011


I'm really impressed. I'm also a big fan of Bill Nye. But I'm absolutely stunned that he didn't get any further education beyond his B.A. How is that possible?

Too busy being awesome.
posted by Jilder at 11:05 AM on August 4, 2011 [5 favorites]


Wow. So you guys really like BIll Nye huh?
posted by Liquidwolf at 11:07 AM on August 4, 2011


This is an amazing post! Thanks troll!
posted by bessel functions seem unnecessarily complicated at 11:10 AM on August 4, 2011


I will see brundlefly's "High-fiving white guys! Allright!" and raise you Sluggy!
posted by I love you more when I eat paint chips at 11:10 AM on August 4, 2011 [2 favorites]


You should have saved this post for December.
posted by Plutor at 11:18 AM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


Love this!

When I was in high school, I had one of those little portable TV/radio/cassette things. And I used it to record a soundtrack of BNtSG songs. They were just too fun!

"Ferns" was my favorite, I think. With John Ratzenberger's insane paleontology lesson. :)

Advancing biologically takes more than just a thought.
Some creatures have changed over time,
And others they have not.
Evolving seems like such a pain.
Sometimes you want to go
Where everything has stayed the same,
And non-seed plants have all remained.
You want a place where major traits
Have largely gone unchanged.
You want a place where everything has stayed the same.

posted by zennie at 11:23 AM on August 4, 2011


This thread will be fodder for my TV watching with the kid for the next two weeks.

I <3 Bill Nye.
posted by Gucky at 11:24 AM on August 4, 2011


Double. Search is your friend, Troll.
(omg, can you imagine? I'd spend 2 days whimpering in the corner)

Joking aside, BN's latest blog post is fantastic. These kids will be telling their grandkids about the day they were working sitting on the curb, working on geometry problems with sidewalk chalk, only to have Bill-frickin-Nye ride up on a bike to discuss the wonders of Euclidian Geometry.
posted by prinado at 11:26 AM on August 4, 2011 [3 favorites]


Beaaaakkkmaaannnnnnnn!
posted by Theta States at 11:30 AM on August 4, 2011 [6 favorites]


I am trying to turn my brain rays towards Bill Nye right now to encourage him to make an account and comment on this post but so far all I have managed to do is give myself a small cluster headache and a bit of gas.
posted by elizardbits at 11:31 AM on August 4, 2011 [9 favorites]


Favoriting this because of all the awesomeness embedded within.

Thanks troll!
posted by Sophie1 at 11:36 AM on August 4, 2011


From prinado's link: "The kids were not around; maybe they were back inside tweeting and booking of Face."

That phrase right there is pure gold.

"Excuse me while I continue my booking of Face..."
posted by jillithd at 11:42 AM on August 4, 2011 [2 favorites]


Epic post! And a huge relief. Before clicking [more inside] I was afraid it was going to say "...is dead at the age of [too young]."
posted by papercake at 11:43 AM on August 4, 2011


Beaaaakkkmaaannnnnnnn!

Oh, man, Beakman's World was my childhood science-fix before I started (obsessively) watching BNtSG. I recently re-watched an episode -- the whole run is on NetFlix -- and realized that a) growing up in Brooklyn I never noticed how distinct his accent was and b) his female assistants are pretty much the origin story of my predilection for punk girls.
posted by griphus at 11:44 AM on August 4, 2011 [5 favorites]


his female assistants are pretty much the origin story of my predilection for punk girls.

You know one of his assistants was a man, right? OK, a rat, but still male. ;)


I have most of the entire run of Beakmann's World and BNtSG downloaded. Watching them all again is one of the main motivators for having children...
posted by Theta States at 11:50 AM on August 4, 2011 [2 favorites]


Not sure if trolling...
posted by zombieflanders at 12:06 PM on August 4, 2011


Why you wanna make MeFi's Own Adam Savage cry?

(jk, I'm sure he'll favorite this epic post too IF he ever has the time to read it.)
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:07 PM on August 4, 2011


You should have saved this post for December.
posted by Plutor

I'll be accepting this as my late birthday gift! Wow. Just Wow.

BNtSG came on while I was in college; my young children didn't like him as much as I did but I made them watch. My husband, kids, and I knew all the songs. I hope they appreciate it someday.
posted by _paegan_ at 12:11 PM on August 4, 2011


My kids have become pretty obsessed with Beakman's World on Netflix (which is still Nye-less). The eight-year-old recently lost a bet to my husband that she could make toast land jelly-side-up after watching a Beakman toast-dropping demonstration. She was in tears, partly because she lost the bet, but mostly because "B-But it worked for Beakman!!" She eventually figured out the problem, but there was a lot of jelly on our kitchen floor by the time she worked it out.

I'm not sure if I want to show them these links or not. They might not let me use my computer for anything else for a few months.
posted by Dojie at 12:17 PM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


Bill Nye is the kind of person who makes me want to do things with my life. This is fantastic.

(Also, no, I didn't need to sleep this month.)
posted by Turkey Glue at 12:17 PM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


I was plowing my way through the links on the deleted post. So glad this is back up (and additional material included). I will post again when I get through all the links. I figure October 22 at this rate.
posted by AugustWest at 12:18 PM on August 4, 2011


We raised our children on Bill Nye. Terrific stuff.
posted by doctornemo at 12:22 PM on August 4, 2011


BEAKMAN 4 LIFE. I always felt Bill Nye was a corporate sabotage of Beakman's World. Has it all been a dream?
posted by cavalier at 12:31 PM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


...This was for a bet, right?

My first job out of college was at a boutique PR firm and Bill Nye the Science Guy was one of our clients (Reading Rainbow was another - it was a cool firm). I had occasion to meet and speak to Bill quite a few times and he really was as warm and funny and quirky in person as he comes across as on the show. He's of Norwegian ancestry, and when he found out I was from Norway, well, that was it - I was in. He'd ask me all sorts of questions on Norwegian culture and crack the usual (and some not-so-usual) jokes, and we even had plans to meet up during the Lillehammer Olympics (though it didn't happen in the end.) Whenever I answered the phone, he'd say 'widdershins, is that you? It's Bill!' and, if he had time, he'd launch into a story about some idea he'd had for the show, and you'd never guess he was a TV celebrity talking to the lowest person on the PR totempole. He really is a sweet and genuine guy with a real love for learning and teaching - just a good person to have in the world.
posted by widdershins at 12:40 PM on August 4, 2011 [19 favorites]


This guy is no Mr. Wizard.
posted by darksasami at 12:42 PM on August 4, 2011


I, too, welcome our Metapedia overlords.
posted by swift at 12:45 PM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


Such a senseless conflagration of luxury!

But ... it's science, so: well, there it is!
posted by Twang at 12:54 PM on August 4, 2011


Wow, that's quite a post. Not to detract from that (I couldn't keep all those links straight), but the first link I followed, to "Green Lake Expresso Thief" actually lead to "More Hot Air". Corrected link.

Now, to watch the rest of those links…
posted by JiBB at 1:07 PM on August 4, 2011


Fav'd SO HARD.

Confession: For a while there was a Friday night Bill Nye mini-marathon on my local public TV station. I watched all of it an danced during the intro FOR EVERY EPISODE.
posted by sararah at 1:08 PM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


Holy...

Bill Nye is my hero. If I could never watch any other television but his show, I would be okay with it. The best part is, I started watching him on PBS in grade school, and science teachers were still showing us his videos right through high school. And it was still entertaining.
posted by Gordafarin at 1:09 PM on August 4, 2011


Dude you set the fucking bar on a post. Hol-ee sheet.
posted by daHIFI at 1:10 PM on August 4, 2011


TV Show: Solving For X (2009 - Present)
About | Bill Nye The Science Guy is back with a new passion – math!


Okay now I'm really curious about this one. I'm not sure if even Bill Nye could get me to enjoy math.
posted by Gordafarin at 1:14 PM on August 4, 2011


I hung out with Bill Nye at a party once.

That's all I've got.
posted by tristeza at 1:23 PM on August 4, 2011


realizing that bill nye in almost live was "that" bill nye from youth was a great mindfuck for 7th grade me. i love that he went from being a consultant for boeing to being a bow-tied missionary of SCIENCE! it is so inspirational!
posted by beefetish at 1:29 PM on August 4, 2011


Beaaaakkkmaaannnnnnnn!

I'll see your Beakman and raise one Dr. Science.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 1:32 PM on August 4, 2011


Well, I know what I've got planned for the next month or so.
posted by asnider at 1:36 PM on August 4, 2011


This post makes me unspeakably happy.
posted by sc114 at 1:37 PM on August 4, 2011


I wouldn't normally do this kind of thing over here, but:

<3
posted by Room 641-A at 1:47 PM on August 4, 2011


In grade 9, I scored in the 99th percentile in the Science category of the PSAT.

Bill Nye the Science guy is largely responsible for that.

(I later went on to fail basic high school chemistry -- twice -- but it's probably best not to dwell on that too much.)
posted by Sys Rq at 1:51 PM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


How come I can't favorite something more than once?
posted by not_on_display at 1:51 PM on August 4, 2011


Jesus Christ. Got tired for waiting for another best-post-of-the-month contest or something? I'm going to be entertained at work for like a year.
posted by penduluum at 2:14 PM on August 4, 2011


Troll, this is badass. Thank you.

About to introduce my daughter to Bill Nye.
posted by pianoboy at 2:17 PM on August 4, 2011


if this doesn't force bill nye to join metafilter then nothing will.

that was the intention here right?
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:21 PM on August 4, 2011 [3 favorites]


Remember, the Science Guy is not a doctor. He has a bachelor's degree.... IN SCIENCE.
posted by norm at 2:58 PM on August 4, 2011


Back when my eldest was about 2-3, we were out walking across the Ballard Locks. We look up, and who do we see? Bill Nye.

He was happy to take a picture with her. We knew he was going to be somewhere a few years later, and took the mounted picture for him to sign, which he gladly did. A cool, funny dude.


Oh yes, and Speedwalker!
posted by Windopaene at 3:19 PM on August 4, 2011


Wow, wow, wow. What a great antidote for this sad week! Many thanks!
posted by Surfurrus at 3:23 PM on August 4, 2011


Posts like these deserve something more grandiose than [more inside]. Just doesn't do it justice.

Related: Flagged as [mindboggling].
posted by Chichibio at 3:41 PM on August 4, 2011


Just wanted to say thanks.
posted by real_paris at 4:13 PM on August 4, 2011


Sorry Bill, but Mathnet is the best math education show ever!
posted by wheelieman at 4:20 PM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


Also this is the SUPER FPP META RUNDOWN OF SCIENCE!
posted by wheelieman at 4:26 PM on August 4, 2011


JHarris: Rhaomi, is that you?
I appreciate the compliment, but I'm no Rhaomi. This post is merely a collation of links, quotes, and excerpts, with little original meat. Rhaomi has an editorial style that brings substance and flavor together into unmatched food-for-thought cuisine.
Plutor: You should have saved this post for December.
What happens in December? *Clickety tappety click* Oh.
zombieflanders: Not sure if trolling...
Well, I certainly trolled the internet for links! *Ba-Dum Pssh*
JiBB: Wow, that's quite a post. Not to detract from that (I couldn't keep all those links straight), but the first link I followed, to "Green Lake Expresso Thief" actually lead to "More Hot Air". Corrected link.
Arrgh! And it's one of the first video links. There may be two or ten more link errors in here (and I've noticed a handful of cosmetic inconsistencies), but I guess blemishes are inevitable in work produced on a laptop with a touchpad. Thanks for the heads-up. If anyone else notices false links, please mention it.
daHIFI: Dude you set the fucking bar on a post. Hol-ee sheet.
Nah, Rhaomi set the bar, and it's made of spiked diamonds.
pianoboy: About to introduce my daughter to Bill Nye.
You are the reason this post exists.
posted by troll at 4:39 PM on August 4, 2011 [3 favorites]


I used to watch Almost Live! just for Bill Nye, right before he went mainstream. Well, that and The Lame List; or, What's Weak This Week.

I can't tell you how happy I was that he got exported to the rest of the world.
posted by narwhal bacon at 4:54 PM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


Sys Rq, didn't you ever tune in to Jim Stan, the Chemist Man?
posted by JHarris at 5:00 PM on August 4, 2011


I taught science for ten years to fourth and fifth graders (my B.A. is in art, go figure, and yeah, I'm an English teacher now), and often the ONLY good way to explain some of the concepts was a BNSG video. And I am the last person to pull out a video when I want to teach something.

Wonderful. Favorite favorite favorite.
posted by Peach at 5:20 PM on August 4, 2011


Bill Nye was a big help when I was homeschooling my three kids. We all loved these shows........
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 5:42 PM on August 4, 2011


tl;dr

(Kidding! Kidding! Totally kidding!)

This is pure blue awesomeness. Thank you.

P.S. -- A good friend of mine had Bill Nye the Science Guy as the speaker at his Caltech graduation. The student a cappella group he belonged to serenaded Bill onto the stage with his own theme song. I was insanely envious, especially since the speaker at my graduation was Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles, who bored us into unconsciousness with his 75 minute speech. Sigh.
posted by chuq at 5:47 PM on August 4, 2011


[EXT. METAFILTER FRONT PAGE]

A crowd of MEFITES and a TROLL are assembled on the FRONT PAGE.
troll
750 links of Nye! 100 individual awesomes per link! For a grand total of 75,000 Bill Nye the Science Guy awesome points!
The MEFITES cheer and applaud.
troll
75,000...

elizardbits
I hope nobody I know walks by and sees me standing in awe staring at this post in my pajamas.

jonmc
If they know MeFi, they won't think anything of it.

JHarris
Fire it up, troll!
TROLL hovers his finger over the POST BUTTON.
troll
I dedicate this post... to the spirit of childlike wonder.

Mefites
Awww...

troll
Drumroll please.
The MEFITES look puzzled.
troll
Drumroll.

Mefites
Oh! Uh... [drumroll sounds]

troll [singing]
Joy... to... the world! [drumroll sounds]
TROLL clicks the POST BUTTON. The FRONT PAGE is awash with the blinding yellow-green of HUNDREDS OF LINKS. Suddenly, all the pages on MetaFilter begin to DIM.

[INT. METAFILTER ORBITING HQ]

EMERGENCY LIGHTS are flashing, and a KLAXON sounds. PB reaches for the YOUTUBE VIEWER SWITCH and flips it to OFF. The METAFILTER SERVERS slowly hum back to life.

[INT. REDDIT]

Blinded by the dazzling light, /R/FIRSTWORLDPROBLEMS and /R/MENSRIGHTS stumble down the stairs, spilling CHAMPAGNE everywhere.

posted by Rhaomi at 7:01 PM on August 4, 2011 [11 favorites]


As someone who attended college in the Seattle area in the early 90s, I humbly thank you, Troll.

SPEEDWALKERRRRRRR!
posted by Fleebnork at 7:30 PM on August 4, 2011


my pajamas have snowboarding santa monkeys on them so they are especially embarrassing.
posted by elizardbits at 8:31 PM on August 4, 2011 [2 favorites]


I still have the Not That Bad Records music videos ("the faster you push me/the farther I get/you're adding velocity", or "whether the weather is hot or whether the weather is cold/that's just one thing you need to be told/climates are different all around the world/they affect every plant, animal, boy, and girl") and some full episodes on...VHS tapes, recorded off of the TV.

This compendium right here: [+]^∞
posted by simulacra at 8:32 PM on August 4, 2011


Uhh, woah dude. AWESOME.
posted by XhaustedProphet at 10:12 PM on August 4, 2011


Sys Rq:
(I later went on to fail basic high school chemistry -- twice -- but it's probably best not to dwell on that too much.)"

Dude, chem is like, not even the same kind of science (SCIENCE!) as this stuff. Words cannot express how my little heart broke when I found out that science involved math, and was not just about dinosaurs and cool experiments and dioramas. My dreams of being a Science Guy (gal?) myself, shattered.
posted by Gordafarin at 2:26 AM on August 5, 2011 [1 favorite]


I'm surprised that Bill's shame{less|ful} endorsement of the "ionator" Ionized water cleaner (previously in the blue) wasn't in this encyclopedic entry.

That this video is no longer on their site perhaps speaks of a retraction of the endorsement...I'd love to know details.
posted by dylanjames at 8:33 AM on August 5, 2011


Bill Nye discussing lunar volcanoes on Fox News
posted by homunculus at 6:38 PM on August 4


Beat me to it!

I love the moment - the transcendental moment - when you can *see* and *feel* Nye realise that he's talking to a complete and utter moron.
posted by Decani at 12:09 PM on August 5, 2011 [2 favorites]


Almost comprehensive my dear Troll, you left out the two attractions at Walt Disney World Nye is featured in: the Universe of Energy at Epcot, and Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom
posted by wheelieman at 6:25 AM on August 6, 2011


Good lord, I actually have a real MA and I haven't gone anywhere.

I'm going to blame the name:

Deathalicious something something washing the dishes.

That must be it.
posted by Deathalicious at 6:38 AM on August 10, 2011


That is the most insane thing I've ever seen.

Unlike a lot of you, I stumbled here via troll's profile page, and I'm part way scrolling down thinkin' "this can't be a normal post WTF have I just clicked?"

And coz this thing is so huge I've still got time to have an argument with myself. "Seriously dude, this is a post... can't be a post... is too a post..."

Then I finally get to the end and see this in small print:

(previously, previously, and sort of previously)

For the win. Laughing at the computer screen.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 9:10 AM on August 10, 2011 [1 favorite]


Wow. Thanks!
posted by safetyfork at 10:07 AM on August 13, 2011


Wow. (Came here via the solar noon clock thread.)

Bill Nye is the reason I understand RAM. I think I was 22 or 23, watching on a day off maybe (?) and caught an episode on computers (this one?) -- he explained RAM using a metaphor of a table with books open on it, the books having been brought out from the library, and the size of the table determining the number of books that could be open at any one time. That just made so much sense to me...and it made me look smart in front of my co-workers later. :)
posted by epersonae at 2:14 PM on August 29, 2011 [1 favorite]


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