Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist: “We are in this universe, but perhaps more importantly, the universe is in us”

Neil deGrasse Tyson is one of the most influential science communicators on the planet. The American astrophysicist has written a long list of bestselling books and was chosen to host the sequel to the legendary TV series Cosmos, originally created and presented by Carl Sagan.

Over the decades, Tyson has become a defining voice in popular science, helping millions of people around the world connect with the wonders of the universe.

Astronomy has always been at the heart of his work, and throughout his career he’s delivered countless memorable lines. One of his most famous reflections captures his entire philosophy: “We are part of this universe; we are in this universe. But perhaps more important than both of those facts is that the universe is in us.” In just a few words, he reminds us that the cosmos isn’t something distant — it’s woven into who we are.

A scientist who brought the universe closer to everyone

Tyson has never hesitated to defend the value of mathematics, especially in a world where many people dismiss it as unnecessary. He often pushes back on that idea, saying, “People think that when they take math in school, there’s the common response like, ‘I will never need to use this for the rest of my life.’ We all remember learning and feeling pretty sure it’s never going to show up again. But that misses the fact - the act of leaning how to do the math establishes a new kind of brain wiring in your mind - a kind of problem solving brain wiring. It’s about what methods, tools and tactics to develop in order to solve the problem that you may never see again for the rest of your life. But you will see other problems where these methods and tools will become immensely valuable.”

For Tyson, creativity is just as essential as logic. He’s described it this way: “Creativity is seeing what everyone else sees, but then thinking a new thought that has never been thought before and expressing it somehow. It’s a perspective that encourages curiosity, imagination, and a deeper appreciation of the world around us.

And that’s why voices like Neil deGrasse Tyson’s matter. Whether he’s talking about the stars, the human mind, or the power of creativity, there’s always something worth learning.

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