It’s been nearly three decades since Bill Nye the Science Guy first aired on PBS in September of 1993. In the years that followed, Nye, a former mechanical engineer and the show’s titular host, would become America’s most well-loved science teacher, educating millions of children (and plenty of adults) about basic scientific principles like biodiversity and the forces of gravity.
In a recent interview with Discover, Nye reflects on more than just the series that made him famous, sharing thoughts on his legacy, science communication, and the rise of the anti-science movement in the U.S.
It was Nye’s madcap humor and wacky demonstrations, however, that truly made the show shine. In an episode about ocean life, he explains that seawater is teeming with tiny, microscopic organisms, orplankton, meaning that food is plentiful everywhere.
Then, as if to emphasize his point, he takes a gulp of seawater before spraying it all ...
