This Wednesday, McCaw Hall in Seattle will host an engaging event titled “Rocking: The Universe is Absurd.”
Renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson will share the stage with TV icon William Shatner, as they delve into a conversation that promises to span topics from space and humanity to the absurdities of the universe.
Tyson noted that this evening is not just a chance encounter: “It’ll be a fun exchange of our ideas about the world,” he said. “There’ll be a part of it that will track the forces that operated on us in our childhood, that helped us or directed us to become who we are today.”
The genesis of this event can be traced back to an earlier meeting when Tyson and Shatner found themselves performing together on a ship in Antarctica.
As they engaged in a spontaneous dialogue about life, the universe, and a myriad of topics, the audience’s enthusiasm led their host to suggest, “we should take this on the road.”
Tyson and Shatner quickly identified Seattle as a fitting location to launch their roadshow due to the strong support they have in the region.
The conversation is expected to touch on important contemporary issues, including the recent defunding of scientific research.
Tyson expressed his concern, stating, “It’ll come back and bite us in the ass. If I may use that word in polite company. And in so doing, we’ll wake up and say, ‘oh my gosh, how come six other countries in the world have passed us by economically, technologically, scientifically?'”
He further elaborated on how this neglect may have consequences for the United States, as other countries continue to advance in research and innovation.
Tyson poignantly pointed out that science isn’t exclusive to any specific nation. He remarked, “If we choose to not research something, that doesn’t prevent another country from doing exactly that same research.”
Shatner, who famously traveled to space in 2021, shared a deeply personal reflection on his experience.
He described how, upon looking out into the vast darkness of space, he was struck by a profound sense of loss.
“I saw dark, I didn’t see the magic of the stars and the moon and the sun flying… I looked out at blackness and saw death when I turned around and looked back and saw the blue and the pink and the brown and the essence of life on our little planet.”
Shatner admitted he did not initially understand the depth of his emotional response.
After landing, he felt a wave of grief overtaking him, ultimately realizing it was tied to his concern for Earth and its well-being.
In light of this poignant experience, Tyson humorously suggested a radical solution for world leaders: “The lesson is, we’ve got to take every leader of the world, send them into space and only bring them back when they come to an agreement on addressing climate change.”
Shatner responded with a serious note, addressing the denial many feel when confronted with harsh realities.
He likened it to someone ignoring their financial responsibilities:
image source from：https://www.knkx.org/arts-culture/2025-06-17/william-shatner-neil-degrasse-tyson-seattle-space-science-future-climate-hope
