Bill Nye explains ‘we’re all one species’ in new TikTok science video – CNET [CNET]
![Bill Nye](https://i0.wp.com/cnet4.cbsistatic.com/img/I4ZAKPFA7mZKhpqO8JVP8fYHXMM=/1092x0/2017/12/15/a0c10867-f58f-4d3b-a72f-f0d406a11b24/billnyesavestheworld.jpg?resize=800%2C0&ssl=1)
Bill Nye the Science Guy saves the world yet again.
Eddy Chen / NetflixIf anyone can give humans hope that we should start treating each other as equals regardless of our skin color, it’s Bill Nye the Science Guy.
In a TikTok video posted Sunday, Nye used a world map to illustrate how ultraviolet light works on each continent. Using his usual passionate presentation style, Nye explains how the closer you are to the equator, the more your body is exposed to ultraviolet light, and less if you are farther away.
“Now, here’s the same map of the same continents with just one color, and it turns out that everybody on Earth is descended from people that lived here in Africa,” Nye explained in the video.
Bill Nye is fed up. And I’m with him. Trust science.
“We’re all one species.”
I’m here for all of this…pic.twitter.com/Moc7qLsjNq
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) July 19, 2020
Over centuries as humans migrated around the world, the color of our skin changed.
“Our skin is where we make vitamin D; if you don’t get enough ultraviolet, then you don’t get enough vitamin D,” Nye continued. “But if you get too much ultraviolet, then you break down your folates. You have to have it in perfect balance. And because the ultraviolet varies, the color of our skin varies. That’s why we have different color skin.”
But this wasn’t just a simplified scientific explanation of why we all have different skin colors. Nye also wanted to drive home a bigger lesson. We are all the same underneath, and we need to treat each other equally, instead of by the color of our skin.
“We’re all one species,” Nye concluded in his video. “But we’re not treating each other fairly. Not everybody is getting an even shake. So it’s time to change things.”
The short TikTok video is a viral hit at over 3 million views, as well as trending on Twitter on Sunday. Nye’s fans reacted with praise for the science message encouraging equality for all.
Single handedly breaking it down for even the dumbest of our species. #billnye for PRESIDENT https://t.co/ksOPwNiDPJ
— Bonnie Somerville (@BonSomerville) July 19, 2020
“Single-handedly breaking it down for even the dumbest of our species. Bill Nye for PRESIDENT,” actor Bonnie Somerville tweeted on Sunday.
Who else thinks we should call Bill Nye the science saint? https://t.co/rlA0z9d8Dk
— James Kosur (@JamesKosur) July 19, 2020
“I nominate Bill Nye as Earth’s new life coach!” Fox NFL Sunday host Jay Glazer tweeted.
Here are some more great reactions to Nye’s video.
@BillNye scientifically calling out all the racist fucksticks on this fine Sunday. https://t.co/rtOGgQvzCB
— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) July 19, 2020
I find it hilarious that Bill Nye joined TikTok on some ”cut the shit” energy. 😆 pic.twitter.com/Pwjw3Vnq9G
— ℝ𝕒𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕟𝕒 (@Rashona) July 19, 2020
Basically, Bill Nye used science to say #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/VWbxf5gVS9
— Mychal (@mychal3ts) July 19, 2020