“I don’t have opinions that I require other people to have.” -Neil deGrasse Tyson, American Hero

NASA scientist and Pluto advocate Alan Stern challenged Neil deGrasse Tyson to a debate about teeny Pluto’s planetary status, and Tyson declined.

“As a general rule, I don’t debate people,” Tyson wrote. “Done it once or twice before, but abandoned the effort. What’s behind it is that I don’t have opinions that I require other people to have. So debates don’t interest me for this reason.”

WHAT’S BEHIND IT IS THAT I DON’T HAVE OPINIONS THAT I REQUIRE OTHER PEOPLE TO HAVE.

Previously, Tyson refused to debate conservative pastor Joel Osteen (“I don’t debate people’s belief systems”) and put CNN on blast for doing too much gotta-hear-both-sides. The thing is, Neil “Science Is Trending” deGrasse Tyson definitely has opinions (one could also say alignments with scientific consensus) that he basically requires you to have, but you’re just gonna have to get on his level on your own. Neil deGrasse Tyson has never read internet comments. Neil deGrasse Tyson grabs cups from the Starbucks pickup counter that says “Niall” and “Neal,” and he shrugs calmly and goes on with his day. The gawd Neil deGrasse Tyson will not be flapped, he’s unflappable. [NBC, via]