Are You More Neil Degrasse Tyson or Bill Nye?

By: Allison Lips
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Are You More Neil Degrasse Tyson or Bill Nye?
Image: Wiki Commons by The White House

About This Quiz

Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye are friends and work together on StarTalk. However, they have very different personalities. Bill Nye's biggest influence is Mr. Wizard, which comes across in the fact that his shows tend to mix silly humor with important science lessons. 

On the other hand, Neil DeGrasse Tyson's biggest influence is Carl Sagan and his shows tend to focus on the wonders of the universe. However, you shouldn't underestimate either on of them because both Nye and Tyson are passionate science educators, who understand that its important to keep people interested in science. 

While millions of kids grew up watching Bill Nye back when he was still billed as Bill Nye the Science Guy, Nye has shifted his attention to shows meant for adults, such as Bill Nye Saves the World. As for Neil DeGrasse Tyson, his shows have always focused on reaching adult audiences, but can still be watched with your family. 

Are you a huge fan of Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye? Do you think you're more like one over the other? Will you find out you're really a mixture of the two? Maybe you'll find out that you're nothing like Tyson or Nye? There's only one way to find out! Answer a few questions and we'll let you know who you aspire to be! 


Who is your favorite scientist?
Richard Feynman
Stephen Hawking
Albert Einstein
Nikola Tesla

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How would you describe your sense of humor?
Silly
Witty
A little of both
Sarcastic

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Outside of science, what is your main talent?
My ability to make people laugh
My athletic ability
My ability to communicate
My musical ability

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Who do you prefer to educate?
Kids
Adults
Both
Myself

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If you were a famous science educator, what would your main way of educating people be?
Television
College lectures
A little of both
I'd be too doing research to have time for people.

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Which branch of science is most appealing to you?
A little bit of everything
Astrophysics and space
Mainly space, but I love learning everything
Biology

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If you had a TV show, what would it's format be?
Children's program
Documentary
Talk show
News program

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How do you feel about "The Big Bang Theory"?
I watch it all the time.
It's a fun show.
I catch it when I can.
I hate it.

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If you were given the opportunity to go into space, would you?
Only if someone created a real life version of "The Magic School Bus."
Absolutely!
Need to hear more about the plan.
No.

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Which quote from a scientist speaks to you the most?
"The more you find out about the world, the more opportunities there are to laugh at it." - Bill Nye
"The Universe is under no obligation to make sense to you." - Neil deGrasse Tyson
"Science is the key to our future, and if you don't believe in science, then you're holding everybody back." - Bill Nye
"All religions, arts and sciences are branch of the same tree." - Albert Einstein

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What is your opinion on Pluto?
Don't underestimate Pluto.
It's complicated.
It's a dwarf planet, but it's no less cool.
Pluto should still be a planet.

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Do you insist movies should be scientifically accurate even if it has nothing to do with the plot?
It's nice, but not important.
Yes.
I'll make a mental note. Why ruin the movie for everyone?
It's just a movie. Don't overthink this.

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If you were offered your own television show, which of the following would you watch first for inspiration?
The Science Guy
Cosmos
StarTalk
Mythbusters

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Which musical artist do you listen to when you need to get pumped up?
"Weird" Al
Barry White
They Might Be Giants
Bon Jovi

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When you're getting hands on with science, which tool are you most likely to use?
Things found around the home
A telescope
A scaled model of whatever we're discussing
Bunsen burners and flasks

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Which famous site would you visit on vacation?
California Science Center
Mauna Kea Observatory
The Museum of Natural History
The Louvre

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How important is a formal education?
As long as you're learning, it doesn't matter.
Very important
Helpful, but not necessary
I don't really have an opinion on this.

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After science, what was your second favorite subject in school?
History
Music
Mathematics
Gym

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Where either of your parents in the sciences?
No, but they are very intelligent.
Yes
Mom was, but dad wasn't.
Depends on what you consider a science.

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Growing up, what was the primary way you learned?
My science kits
Books and my telescope
Watching educational TV shows
In class

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Who influenced your love for science the most?
A few excellent teachers
My parents
Carl Sagan, Albert Einstein, and all the other greats
I haven't really that about it.

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What science issue do you feel is the most pressing these days?
Lack of evolution education
NASA funding
Global warming
War is a bigger issue than any of these.

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What do you hope your legacy is?
Science can be fun
People gain an appreciation for how big the universe is
More people are interested in science
That I love my family

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When you're not working, what are you probably doing?
Watching a stand up comedian
Listening to music
Reading for pleasure
Playing video games

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Do people ever dismiss you because your degree isn't a perfect match for what you currently do?
All the time
No, I am the expert.
Sometimes, but they don't know what they're talking about.
I don't listen to what anyone has to say.

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Would you ever go on a reality show?
Yes, but it has to be a respectable one.
No, but I'm open to podcasts.
Depends on the situation and how much I'm getting paid
Yes, I love reality TV.

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If you weren't doing something related to science, where would your career have taken you?
I'd be doing stand up comedy.
I'd be a college professor.
I'd be hosting a podcast.
I'd be a musician.

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What do your friends say makes you unique?
You're unique combination of intelligence and humor.
You're passion for space.
Your ability to make complicated topics understandable.
Your desire to never be boring.

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Would you ever name your child after someone or something in the science field?
Possibly, if the name wasn't too far out there.
Yes, in fact I have.
Maybe a dog.
Um, no.

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How big an influence was Mr. Wizard on your work?
I wanted to be like him growing up.
He's fun, but I have a very different personality.
Every science educator before me is an influence in some way.
Who is that?

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