I can recommend checking it out, and the Intelligence Squared series of debates in general, but one part in particular got my attention. An audience member asked the panel what exactly the "American spirit" that was being stifled was supposed to be. Dr. Tyson's answer:
So if you think of the American spirit as art programs, if you think of it as music programs, if you think of it as athletic programs, if you think of it as foreign language programs, if you think of it as your child going to school in a safe building structure that's energy efficient, all of those things are being stifled.And Dr. Gramm's (Yes, Phil Gramm has a PhD in Economics. I had no idea.):
To me the American spirit is a belief that based on your own merit, based on your own hard work, no matter who your daddy was or who he wasn't, or who your mama was, that people are going to judge you on your ability, and that you have it within your power to succeed. Now, obviously it's better to be it's better to be clever, and pretty, and rich. But being plain, and ordinary, and poor, those things are not insurmountable obstacles in America. And it's that belief of what we can do, but you can't have unlimited government and unlimited opportunity. You have to make a choice. Art and I aren't against government, but we believe that it has got to be limited if we're going to have that kind of opportunity. And Americans are optimistic people because of who we are and what our history has been. We can't have France's government and be Americans.Two slightly different world views on display.
P.S. Dr. Tyson was introduced as the first female dean of the London School of Economics. It's London Business School! COME ON! You know we have a branding issue. You know this happens all... the... time. Would it have killed you to set them straight?
