Image via Wikipedia
Neil DeGrasse Tyson is probably rolling his eyes, again. He was named “Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive” by People Magazine in 2000, and even now, folks just won’t let it go. There are about 17,200 other articles with this title listed on Google, a mere three percent of the total articles mentioning him (556,000). With numerous books, articles, television programs, speaking engagements, and appearances on The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and The Tonight Show to his credit, Neil DeGrasse Tyson has plenty of professional accomplishments to showcase. And yet, it’s the idea of the Sexiest Astrophysicist that keeps coming back, like a Shoemaker-Levy comet.
As far as I could find in my research, Neil DeGrasse Tyson remains unchallenged in holding this title. Are there up-and-comers in this sexiness category, being watched and judged by People staffers? Will this be breaking news? Who was the previous title-holder, now presumably departed?
The green room, backstage at the "Sexiest Astrophysicist" Pageant
The Physics Department at Texas A&M University-Commerce has compiled a list of famous physicists and astrophysicists, with their photographs, so you can have a look for yourself.
I felt strangely conflicted, viewing these images, looking into these brilliant and interesting faces and judging them for their relative hotness. My vote goes to Enrico Fermi. Very, very sexy.
You won’t find many photos of women in this gallery. Maybe they’re all slaving away at the telescope, with no time for photo-ops. Maria Goeppert-Mayer is the only woman pictured on the TAMU-Commerce site. Google images turned up the very attractive and brilliant Beth Brown from NASA. Most of the other images are of the swirling cosmos. Sexy? Not sexy?
The people whom I find most attractive, exciting, and interesting, are those who have that intangible attribute called “It.” You know “It” when you see “It.”
Clara Bow, the original "It" Girl
“It” goes far beyond the shallowness of physical attractiveness, and has nothing to do with lust or the biological imperative. “It” is a life-force, an inner brilliance, an energy, magnetism, and ease with oneself. “It” manifests itself in passion, in excellence, and in an urge to share with others. People who have “It” are dynamic. They attract and inspire.
If you watch any YouTube videos of Neil DeGrasse Tyson, you’ll see and feel his total commitment to share the wonders of the cosmos, to advocate for science education, and to prepare the next generation for the challenges that lie ahead. His Unique Perspective, sometimes controversial, will surely be a catalyst to expand your thinking beyond your habitual limits. Neil DeGrasse Tyson has “It.”
“It” is the very best inside each one of us. “It” is that spark, the key to your own brilliance, creativity, effectiveness, and sense of mission to make the world — YOUR world — better. You can never lose “It,” but it must be fed, nurtured, and used, stretched, let out to run and express itself, recharged, re-booted! You nurture “It” by putting yourself in the presence of “It.”
Each of the speakers coming to Houston, Texas on October 15, 2009 for The UP Experience has “It.” Don’t miss it!
Posted by MaryBeth Smith
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