Jerry Coyne weighs in. He, of course, thinks Bill Nye shouldn’t debate Ken Ham.
Further to “Live streaming put on hold” for science celeb Bill Nye vs. creation star Ken Ham debate (immediate sellout crowd), advice continues to stream in to Nye not to debate Ham. The latest is from Jerry “Why Evolution Is True” Coyne:
Further, even in this friendly interview Nye doesn’t respond well to the criticism that he’s not really an expert on evolution, nor does he seem especially eloquent.
I suspect that Ham, in a William Lane Craig-like way, is preparing furiously for this debate, and I pray* that Nye is doing likewise. That’s the only way he’ll survive.
With cheerleading like Coyne’s, Nye wouldn’t be worse off with a creationist manager throwing him off his game.
Some readers have suggested that this debate is a very good thing, but I simply can’t agree. I suspect that such optimism stems from their respect for Nye’s accomplishment as a science presenter, and his demeanor as a nice guy. But Nye never had Ken Ham on his children’s show.
And I can’t shake the feeling that part of Nye’s motivation is to stay in the media spotlight. But doing it this way is a terrible mistake.
*I am praying metaphorically
Nye doesn’t need a metaphorical win, he needs an actual one. So does Ham.
Unclear why Coyne can’t “shake the feeling that part of Nye’s motivation is to stay in the media spotlight.” Nye makes a living in the media. He actually sought out this battle by trashing creationist parents. And unlike Coyne, he doesn’t have tenure.
See also: Evolutionary creation vs. young Earth creation at Scopes Trial courthouse?