Authored by Derek Hunter via The Daily Caller,
TV host Mike Rowe is known for his measured, devastating take-downs of people who attack him or his work. He has perfected the art of subtly twisting the knife in the side of critics with calm, cool language.
This skill was on display Thursday when Rowe responded to a woman criticized his politics on Facebook.
Rowe narrates the show “How The Universe Works” on the Science Channel. The woman, Rebecca Bright, called Rowe an “anti-education, science doubting, ultra-right wing conservative” who should be fired.
“I love the show How the Universe Works, but I’m lost on how the producers and the Science Channel can allow anti-education, science doubting, ultra-right wing conservative Mike Rowe to narrate the show,” Bright wrote, according to Rowe. “There are countless scientists that should be hired for that, or actors, if you must, that believe in education and science that would sound great narrating the show, example: Morgan Freeman. Cancel this fools contract and get any of your scientists so often on the show to narrate it.”
In his response, Rowe started off by exhibiting his knowledge of the subject of the show and killing Rebecca with kindness:
It is my sincere desire to provide readers of this site with the best unbiased information available, and a forum where it can be discussed openly, as our Founders intended. But it is not easy nor inexpensive to do so, especially when those who wish to prevent us from making the truth known, attack us without mercy on all fronts on a daily basis. So each time you visit the site, I would ask that you consider the value that you receive and have received from The Burning Platform and the community of which you are a vital part. I can't do it all alone, and I need your help and support to keep it alive. Please consider contributing an amount commensurate to the value that you receive from this site and community, or even by becoming a sustaining supporter through periodic contributions. [Burning Platform LLC - PO Box 1520 Kulpsville, PA 19443] or Paypal
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Well hi there, Rebecca. How’s it going?
First of all, I’m glad you like the show. “How the Universe Works” is a terrific documentary series that I’ve had the pleasure of narrating for the last six seasons. I thought this week’s premiere was especially good. It was called, “Are Black Holes Real?” If you didn’t see it, spoiler alert….no one knows!!!
It’s true. The existence of Black Holes has never been proven. Some cosmologists are now convinced they don’t exist at all, and the race to prove their actuality has become pretty intense. Why? Because so much of what we think we know about the cosmos depends upon them. In other words, the most popular explanations as to how the universe actually works, are based upon the existence of a thing that no one has been able to prove.
As I’m sure you know, it’s OK to make assumptions based on theories. In fact, it’s critical to progress. But it’s easy these days to confuse theory with fact. Thanks to countless movies and television shows that feature Black Holes as a plot device, and many documentaries that bring them to life with gorgeous CGI effects and dramatic music, a lot of people are under the assumption that Black Holes are every bit as real as the Sun and the Moon. Well, maybe they are, and maybe they aren’t. We just don’t know. That’s why I enjoyed this week’s show so much. It acknowledged the reasons we should question the existence of something that many assume to be “settled science.” It invited us to doubt.
Oftentimes, on programs like these, I’m asked to re-record a passage that’s suddenly rendered inaccurate by the advent of new information. Sometimes, over the course of just a few days. That’s how fast the information changes. Last year for instance, on an episode called “Galaxies,” the original script – carefully vetted by the best minds in physics – claimed there were approximately one hundred billion galaxies in the known universe. A hundred billion! (Not a typo.) I couldn’t believe it when I read it. I mean, the Milky Way alone has something like 400 billion stars! Andromeda has a trillion! How many stars must there be in a universe, with a hundred billion galaxies? Mind-boggling, right?
Well, a few weeks later, the best minds in physics came together again, and determined that the total number of galaxies in the universe was NOT in fact, a hundred billion. They were off. Not by a few thousand, or a few million, or few billion, or even a few hundred billion. The were off by two trillion. That’s right…TWO TRILLION!!
But here’s the point, Rebecca – when I narrate this program, it doesn’t matter if I’m correct or incorrect – I always sound the same. And guess what? So do the experts.
Rowe then slowly turned his keyboard to Rebecca’s idea that he should be fired because doesn’t “believe in education and science,” and it gets brutal:
When I wrote about this discrepancy, people became upset. They thought I was making fun of science. They thought I was suggesting that because physicists were off by one trillion, nine hundred billion galaxies, all science was suddenly suspect, and no claims could be trusted. In general, people like you accused me of “doubting science.” Which is a curious accusation, since science without doubt isn’t science at all.
This is an important point. If I said I was skeptical that a supernatural being put us here on Earth, you’d be justified in calling me a “doubter of religion.” But if I said I was skeptical that manmade global warming was going to melt the icecaps, that doesn’t make me a “doubter of science.”
Once upon a time, the best minds in science told us the Sun revolved around the Earth. They also told us the Earth was flat, and that a really bad fever could be cured by blood-letting. Happily, those beliefs were questioned by skeptical minds, and we moved forward. Science is a wonderful thing, and a critical thing. But without doubt, science doesn’t advance. Without skepticism, we have no reason to challenge the status quo. Anyway, enough pontificating. Let’s consider for a moment, your very best efforts to have me fired.
You’ve called me an “ultra-right wing conservative,” who is both “anti-education,” and “science-doubting.” Interestingly, you offer no proof. Odd, for a lover of science. So I challenge you to do so now. Please provide some evidence that I am in fact the person you’ve described. And by evidence, I don’t mean a sentence taken out of context, or a meme that appeared in your newsfeed, or a photo of me standing next to a politician or a talk-show host you don’t like. I mean actual proof of what you claim I am.
Also, please bear in mind that questioning the cost of a college degree does not make me “anti-education.” Questioning the existence of dark-matter does not make me a “dark-matter denier.” And questioning the wisdom of a universal $15 minimum wage doesn’t make me an “ultra-right wing conservative.” As for Morgan Freeman, I agree. He’s a terrific narrator, and a worthy replacement. But remember, Morgan played God on the big screen. Twice. Moreover, he has publicly claimed to be a “believer.” (gasp!) Should this disqualify him from narrating a series that contradicts the Bible at every turn? If not, why not?
Anyway, Rebecca, my beef with your post comes down to this – if you go to my boss and ask her to fire me because you can’t stand the sound of my voice, I get it. Narrators with unpleasant voices should probably look for other work anyway, and if enough people share your view, no hard feelings – I’ll make room for Morgan.
But if you’re trying to get me fired simply because you don’t like my worldview, well then, I’m going to fight back. Partly because I like my job, and partly because you’re wrong about your assumptions, but mostly because your tactics typify a toxic blend of laziness and group-think that are all too common today – a hot mess of hashtags and intolerance that deepen the chasm currently dividing our country.
Re-read your own post, and think about your actual position. You’ve publicly asked a network to fire the narrator of a hit show because you might not share his personal beliefs. Don’t you think that’s kind of…extraordinary? Not only are you unwilling to engage with someone you disagree with – you can’t even enjoy a show you claim to love if you suspect the narrator might not share your view of the world! Do you know how insular that makes you sound? How fragile?
I just visited your page, and read your own description of you. It was revealing. It says, “I stand my ground. I fear no one & nothing. I have & will fight for what’s right.”
Maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t think the ground you’re standing on is worth defending. If you truly fear “no one & nothing,” it’s not because you’re brave; it’s because you’re unwilling to expose yourself to ideas that frighten you. And while I can see that you like to fight for what you think is “right” (in this case, getting people fired that you disagree with,) one could easily say the same thing about any other misguided, garden-variety bully.
In other words, Rebecca, I don’t think you give a damn about science. If I’m wrong, prove it. Take a step back and be skeptical about your own assumptions. Take a moment to doubt your own words, and ask yourself – as any good scientist would – if you’ve got your head up a black hole.
Having said all that, I think you’re gonna love next week’s episode. It’s called Multiple Stars! Check it out, Tuesdays at 10pm, on Science.
Best,
Mike
Does it matter what color Rebecca is? Would it matter if we suggested Bill Cosby is a great speaker, too, with a good sense of humor?
Isn’t it awful I have to wonder that first thing when someone is accused of being anti-education, science doubting, ultra-right wing conservative and Morgan Freeman the recommended replacement?
Rebecca is a white woman. I’ll bet money on it.
Savage….
Typical fucking liberal – her knowledge was zero.
Mike Rowe is Awesome
This little snowflake’s head probably imploded when she read his response. How dare he not agree with her!
These spoiled self-centered little shits praise themselves for being so inclusive, yet they want to shut down, ban, or destroy any opinion that’s different from their own. They are too stupid and too conceited to even see their own hypocrisy.
Personally, I like to quote Noam Chomsky back to them. It makes them even crazier than they already are when you disagree by quoting one of their own.
“…If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all…” — Noam Chomsky
Well said Mike! I haven’t watched the show, but I will now. Thank you for helping the “bully” see a constructive way to correct her wayward way. (Far to many “ways”) -30-
The show is fantastic. Visuals are stunning, the music is awesome, and the scientists are funny and entertaining while being very informative. And Rowe’s voice, and his subtle sarcastic wit, add much to the enjoyment of the series.
What is really interesting is the speed at which ‘knowledge’ is changing. I have watched the show from the beginning, and a show from 1st season that says “X” is contradicted with new information from 2nd or 3rd season saying “Y.” I was not aware that the information was changing as they recorded the voiceovers, but the fact that the makers of the show acknowledge these changes and actively work to push the latest and/or more correct information is great.
What really makes the show is the overall sense of wonder and amazement that all the people involved, from Rowe to the scientists to the artists, have for the truly mysterious universe we live in. And the scientists openly question what we ‘know.’ And freely state that they have been wrong. Without repercussions, other than having to learn new things.
The previous week’s show, on the latest information ‘we’ ‘know’ about Pluto was just jaw-dropping.
Watch the whole series if you can. It’s worth it. And it is one of those shows you can watch multiple times per episode just because they are that great, and toss so much info at you.
He did a good job as a show host on QVC and he did a nice job on CNN for several seasons with his show, just before the election he left CNN. He narrated shows on many of the establishment channels on cable tv. Busy guy.
I’m glad there are people in this world who are much smarter than me.
Some of these smarter do good works and some not so much. I guess
I’ve got to take the good with the bad. Mike Rowe, from everything I’ve
seen, is a good.
Niggers always seem to promote other niggers even if they are not
qualified. See how the woman said Morgan Freeman should narrate
the show instead of Rowe?
The woman, I’d bet, is NOT black. She’s a white SJW deeply immersed in white privilege/white guilt brainwashing.
Awesome
The only real black hole is the one between Rebecca’s ears.
The jury is still out on Mike Rowe, but right now, I am skeptical. My concern is he may be nothing more than a paid spokesman for the well-placed and politically powerful who want to insure a steady supply of cheap labor. For example, Mike is pitching the “you don’t need a college degree” line, but he has a degree in communications from Towson University. I would love to ask the politicians pushing that agenda “are you sending your kids to college or trade school”?
Don’t get me wrong, I grew up in a blue-collar town, and I saw thousands of dads earning a good living in industry & construction. But those jobs are gone, and the union appenticeship programs are disappearing. And Mike Rowe knows this. When Mike is ready to talk about the wage & benefit packages at these non-college jobs, I will be ready to listen. Until then, well, his resume does include “salesman”, and this sounds like a sales pitch.
“The mikeroweWORKS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that rewards people with a passion to get trained for skilled jobs that actually exist….and challenging the persistent belief that a four-year degree is automatically the best path for the most people.”
http://profoundlydisconnected.com/foundation/
AND:
“Over the last few years, the Charles Koch Foundation has supported mikeroweWORKS in a meaningful way, and together, we’ve made a positive impact on hundreds of people. I’m proud of that, and grateful for the support.
You don’t need a union to make a decent income in the trades. Residential construction has been mostly non-union for decades. Wages are suppressed by illegal aliens, though. So you should favor a border wall and deporting illegals. Unless, of course, you’re a baizuo.
Where to begin?
1-First, even Trump has NO intention of building a border wall. (first Mexico was going to pay for it, then he will build it when Congress grants the money, most recently he comingled the terms “wall” and “border security” into a meaningless talking point, and watch, next he will say he never meant a real physical wall.
2-Even if we did build, say a 12′ wall, they would get 13′ ladders. The wall is meaningless unless we can hire personnel to patrol it, and we can’t afford that.
3- deporting 11 million illegals (assuming you can find them):
11,000,000 ÷ 50 passengers per bus = 220,000 buses (good luck!)
4-Finally, and this the big one, no politician, of either party, Trump included, has any intention of deporting the cheap labor their deep pocket donors benefit from.
Regarding “You don’t need a union to make a decent income in the trades”, well that depends on several factors including:
A-what do you consider a decent income? If that’s $14.00 and hour and zero benefits, knock yourself out. But one day you will find yourself in your late fifties, still paycheck to paycheck, and asking “what the hell happened”?
B-is your employer an asshole or a decent guy? If he’s a decent guy, he’ll give you a fair shake and won’t exploit the most productive years of your life for his personal gain. If he’s an asshole, get the f*** outa there! It won’t get better next year; he’s not gonna wake up on Christmas morning like Scrooge. There are employers out there who see employees as an asset, and not mearly an expense, or a necessarry evil. If you’ve got one of these employers, stay with him.
Marsh, we have Border Patrol already that can police the wall. That’s their job. Get them out of the office and on their feet (or in vehicles).
Don’t understand the downvotes for Marshrabbit. Not a fan of Walmart Mike myself. Mike goes where the money he is, he doesn’t stand for much. Total huckster
Wow, Mike Rowe! I’ve only seen snippets of him on “Dirty Jobs” on the gym TV’s. He seemed likable. Now I’m QUITE excited to get connected with “How the Universe Works” and if Mr. Rowe is indeed the author of those fine words and excellent observations, I may just have a new man crush!
Wip , Thank You for noticing my brilliance. I’m glad I’m smarter than you to!
I like the show alot .It just reveals how awesome and powerful our Lord really is. Sometimes I laugh at these ” scientists ” and their Worthless speculations about Creation but the show is worth the watch.
Suprise, surprise- hammering fools with the truth is still the best medicine.
tole that bitch!
I’m wondering if Rebecca the thick had enough brains to think through his reply or if she just flew into a tantrum. My guess is #2.
F__k Oprah!
Mike Rowe for President.
Most Leftists who use “education” and “science” in their leftist arguments don’t have much of the former and don’t understand the latter.
Regarding Mike Rowe’s point about theories of science changing or being proved different from originally thought true, I am reminded of my eighth grade math teacher who used to love to say:
“Math is the one and only pure science.” How true.
I’ve always considered math more of a language than a science.
His response was great. As for unions.my dad didn’t like them but as I have grown older I noticed only union members seemed to make a decent living.They also had representation. nonunion folks just take what they are given or quit. I hope my children can get a job that pays enough to buy a home and drive a new car and afford their health insurance, I sure don’t see any nonunion jobs paying these kinds of wages. I wish a had known this many years ago, I have never belonged to a union and I have always been poor, Moneywise anyhow.
Mike Rowe has a thing called common sense and he can get you to use yours sincerely. He’s not the type of man that laughs at you or makes fun of you if you don’t know things. He is just out there with the people who love to be a American and work for a fair wage to be able to raise a family buy a house drive a truck(car) and afford a vacation to show the kids just how great America is. To see it for ourselves. Develope our own opinions and contribute to make our lives better. Stop the poor me and all the hate that brings. I can’t , I won’t , I don’t want to. How’s that working for you. He’s just asking you to open your eyes and see with them.
Scientists were not saying the sun revolved around Earth, or that Earth was flat. Those ideas were being circulated by the church-run state.