Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Ode to Aliens Fails to Launch

1. 1. Neil deGrasse Tyson's latest book, "Take Me to Your Leader," will likely appeal to readers who enjoy his "high-low insights" on social media.
2. 2. The book, subtitled "Perspectives on Your First Alien Encounter," is characterized as a "slender trifle" seemingly intended for novelty gift tables.
3. 3. Tyson explains his approach of presenting science mixed with pop culture references to make the content relevant, humorous, and enlightening for audiences.
4. 4. Tyson criticizes fictional depictions of aliens for their human-like features, attributing this to actor limitations, yet overlooks imaginative science fiction novels.
5. 5. The reviewer suggests Tyson lacks genuine interest in science fiction, failing to engage with it on its own terms, exemplified by his critique of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."
6. 6. The review asserts that Tyson's scientific expertise paradoxically "flattens" the appreciation of fictional works and presents superficial scientific concepts.
7. 7. Unlike his engaging public persona, Tyson's book fails to convey his characteristic wit, passion, and informative qualities.