Neil deGrasse Tyson MasterClass Review (2024 Upd.) Read on

Last Updated on September, 2024

“Did you watch Neil’s MasterClass?”

“I should have watched Degrasse’s MasterClass sooner!”

“You MUST watch Neil’s MasterClass.”

One could say that I was a bit influenced by peer pressure. But let me tell you how grateful I am that I was.

We all know who Neil Degreasse Tyson is; a very charismatic and intelligent man who has been dominating digital media ever since I can remember. There’s no wonder why people were so excited about it.

But since I was a science fanboy, I ended up buying Neil Degrasse’s MasterClass.

And it was a delight.

So, if you’re looking for a brutally honest review of Neil Degrasse Tyson’s MasterClass, you’re in the right place. Unlike some, I actually watched it and LOVED it.

Don’t believe me yet; let me take you through, and you can be the judge. 

Let’s begin with a quick summary.

Neil Degrasse Tyson MasterClass: A Quick Summary

A gist of Neil Degrasse Tyson MasterClass.

1. The thinking pattern of a scientist
2. How do scientists hypothesize and proceed
3. Different obstacles to scientific thinking
4. Fundamentals of Building and Learning from scientific arguments 
5. How to communicate like a scientist 
6. Different tactics for handling crowds (a scientist’s perspective)
7. And more

Total duration: 2 hours 14 minutes

No. of lessons: 13 lessons

About Neil Degrasse and Why is He on MasterClass?

In fact, that’s the foundation of his MasterClass; scientific thinking AND communication. His thinking pattern as a scientist, communication with science, and scientific reasoning has made him such a rare addition to the MasterClass celebrity list of experts.

Let’s take a look at the course outline next.

Neil Degrasse Tyson MasterClass: Outline

Video Lessons

You already know that MasterClass’s teaching method is based on pre-recorded videos. But these videos redefine online learning thanks to the high production quality and superior engaging approach.

That’s why MasterClass is the Netflix of online learning.

It is surprising to see that quality consistency for all courses, and Neil’s MasterClass seems to be way ahead of most. This is probably because he’s a great communicator.

In this course, you get 13 video lessons rated 4.7 out of 5 stars, running for a collective runtime of 2 hours and 14 minutes.

That makes the average duration of a single video about 10 minutes.

Here’s how the interface of Neil’s MasterClass look.

If you didn’t guess already, everything has the “watched” label because I did. For you, it won’t be the same until you completely finish watching it.

Remember that you get subtitles in multiple languages with the facility to switch video quality from 360p to 1080p. You can also choose the playback speed to slow or go faster too.

MasterClass Workbook

MasterClass wants you to learn as much as you can possibly from these celebrity instructors. Including a branded and thorough workbook for each MasterClass lesson is one piece of evidence for that.

All these books are different and are made with strict supervision, guidance, and quality control by these instructors. After all, it’s a part of their MasterClass; how could they take it any lightly?

Neil Degrasse Tyson’s MasterClass also comes with a workbook of 24 pages. I’m sure you can find the golden workbook cover photo anywhere, but let me show you a glimpse of what’s inside, as THAT’S what truly impresses you.

This quality stays consistent throughout the workbook, and it’s surprising how fast Neil dives into deeper details so swiftly. 

If you’re a hard copy person like me, you can print this PDF for easier reading as they come print-ready.

Access to MasterClass Community 

All MasterClass members prefer the best knowledge; after all, they chose MasterClass.

Now, imagine having the opportunity to discuss all your questions, ideas, and theories with fellow Neil Degreasse Tyson MasterClass learners. That’s a built-in facility via the platform itself.

All you need to do is scroll down on EACH VIDEO to find this:

You can click the “Join The Discussion” button and start a discussion with fellow MasterClass viewers. Don’t be surprised if you bump into an MIT scientist because I did too! 

But rest assured, the community is very welcoming and supportive.

Access to the Full MasterClass Course Library

If someone ever says that Neil Degrasse Tyson’s MasterClass is not worth it, it’s probably because they don’t know the sheer size of the benefits.

It’s true that you will be paying for Neil’s MasterClass, but what if I told you that you get 180 courses across 11 categories taught by 50 celebrity experts, with all the coursebooks (100% access) for COMPLETELY FREE?

These categories are diverse, including areas such as movie making, space exploration, writing, the art of negotiating, brand building, marketing, and even cooking.

To be honest, knowing I get access to everything pretty much sealed the deal for me.

Checkout my honest MasterClass review if you want to know more about this e-learning platform 

MasterClass App

MasterClass is ahead of technology, as you may have assumed. That’s why their customers can access the content through the platform’s designated app. It’s simple to operate, and you can resume from the exact time stamp you left the lessons conveniently. 

I urge you not to use any of the unsafe APKs online but install the original app for the most comfortable experience.

Don’t worry; it doesn’t cost you even an extra cent for this feature.

MasterClass Live

MasterClass live sessions came online during the 2020 quarantine period. But these 1-2 hour sessions bring real-time candid knowledge of the platform’s celebrity experts.

Neil Degrasse Tyson’s live can either be accessed via the platform or via YouTube itself.

For one whole hour, Neil Degrasse engages in a very fruitful session that you will most definitely love.

Guest Passes

In addition to all of this, you get another valuable privilege of guest passes. You can share these guest passes with your friends, enabling free access to the platform for 7 days with NO payment.

Of course, they should share payment details, but they won’t be charged if they withdraw within that week.

So, this is the Neil Degrasse Tyson MasterClass outline. Next, let me tell you about the class structure.

Neil Degrasse Tyson MasterClass Class Structure

As I mentioned earlier, Neil delivers the course across 13 video lessons. Here they are in that specific order.

1. Meet your instructor – Duration of 06:20 (Mins and seconds)
2. The Frontier of Science – Duration of 07:16
3. The scientific method – Duration of 14:13
4. Be a skeptic: ask questions – Duration of 12:13
5. Cognitive bias – Duration of 17:14
6. Beware of cultural bias – Duration of 05:23
7. Our systems of belief – Duration of 13:37
8. Scientific measurement: calculating the incalculable – Duration of 08:05
9. Communication: it’s not enough to be right – Duration of 05:47
10. Preparing for your audience – Duration of 12:40
11. Communication tactics – Duration of 16:45
12. Inspire curiosity in your audience – Duration of 07:55
13. The future of our world – Duration of 07:14

And next, let’s look at all the details in depth. Read slowly and carefully, as this section is the heart of this review.

In-Depth Look Inside Neil Degrasse Tyson MasterClass

Section 1: Meet Your Instructor 

I have watched enough of Neil Degreasse Tyson enough to know he is a great conversationalist. But the start of his MasterClass was something else. 

Neil sets a unique mood for his MasterClass, disclosing that we’re participants in cosmic events unfolding.

For a second, it reminded me of Interstellar — I was hooked just like that.

Although typical other MasterClass course introductions are mostly about who they are and what they do, Neil’s MasterClass deviates. Neil discloses what his MasterClass is about; what goes through his mind as he communicates it to the public.

That’s where scientific thinking AND communication make the perfect sense.

It’s fascinating how he further outlines the courses so that every viewer gets the clearest idea of what’s to come. This is also where Neil himself outlines the target audience in a very impactful way. To quote him,

“If you care about being empowered by science literacy, then this class is for you.”

He also outlines what he expects from you at the end of this course.

Which is never to be satisfied with the truth you hear but discover yours, communicate what you learn effectively, and become so question-oriented that it pushes you to be more aware of our world.

For the “meet your instructor” video, I’d say it was crazy impressive.

Section 2: Scientific Thinking

The second section, scientific thinking, contains Lesson 2 (The Frontier of Science) and Lesson 3 (the scientific method).

At the start itself, Neil raises an inquisitive question — the one question you want to see answered before you die, and the answer? I’ll let you hear it from the boss himself.

With the answer, he dives into the frontier of science discussion.

Neil further emphasizes the importance of making mistakes in the arena and then goes on to define ‘badass science’ — to me, it brought an adventurous mood to MasterClass.

The example he uses is how to elaborate on Hypothesis Vs. The theory is mindblowing. It’s mindblowing because we see it so often since the beginning of time, and only those who knew HOW to look for took science ahead.

And in the 3rd video, Neil shares some remarkable astrophysical examples of how scientific methods play in real life. 

Neil gives a crystal clear definition of the scientific method, giving you the power to think on your own. But hey, this is an awarded storyteller, and Neil uses a series of events in planet discovery to show just how practical the scientific method is.

It’s a fantastic story, and I don’t want to spoil it. But one thing is for sure; you’ll be able to teach the scientific method by yourself at the end of this video. 

Section 3: Challenges to Scientific Thinking

You should know the challenges of scientific thinking to overcome them; lesson 4 (Be a skeptic: ask questions), lesson 5 (cognitive bias), lesson 6 (beware of cultural bias), and Lesson 7 (our belief systems).

I particularly liked how Neil describes what it means to be intellectually lazy. I don’t want to spoil it for you, but it immediately makes sense, and you can FEEL the gap if you have that.

For me, I was happy not to find that gap.

Neil establishes the importance of asking the right questions to avoid being manipulated. It takes us back to previous lessons where he taught us that we should be on our own mission to discover the truth.

I particularly loved how he trains viewers to recognize valid evidence when presented. 

There are two sections titled, ‘Skepticism: the path of inquiry to what is true,’ and ‘How true is objectively true.’ 

To demonstrate flaws of bias, Mr. Tyson explains another interesting story about a topic of controversy; the moon landing.

It’s amazing to see how biases (or cognitive biases) greatly influence scientific skepticism. After all, we’re just human.

But these challenges cloud the path to scientific understanding. Across lessons 5, 6, and 7, Neil gives a thorough understanding of some of the most recurring challenges of skepticism, such as,

• How do people expect patterns
• The need to feel special
• All sorts of personal and cultural beliefs 
• Not giving enough priority to Probability

I won’t overly spoil the exact information, but the journey from Lesson 4 to 7 helps you think like a scientist who doesn’t let biases and other challenges obstruct the path to truth.

But I will say that the “Grand Misconception” bias where how people believe a certain claim is true when only 3 of the sources out of 100 say it’s true. It reminded me of rumors during the pandemic.

Neil finishes this section by raising a paramount concern about how your false beliefs could affect civilizations. 

That’s why I wholeheartedly believe that every politician must watch Neil Degrasse Tyson’s Scientific Thinking and Communication MasterClass.

Section 4: Scientific Measurement

I come from a slightly calculation-based background, so a particular Neil quote at the start of lesson 8 (scientific measurement: calculating the incalculable) resonated well.

“Every measurement ever made, and every will be made, has uncertainties built into it.”

Thus comes the topic of approximation.

Neil gives a great example of how comfortable we’re with measurement approximations.

Everything suddenly makes sense as he takes you through this part of scientific thinking since we’re used to communicating objective truths and accepting them as they are.

This is where Neil shows how science heavily depends on approximate measurements. In the scientific thinking arena, it’s essential to understand where we draw the line of approximation. 

For example, assuming gravitational acceleration to be 10 m/s^2 when it should be 9 points is something that is actual scientific thinking.

As we progress, Mr. Tyson describes a critical area of scientific calculations: accuracy and precision.

If you’re unfamiliar with precision and accuracy, Neil Tyson presents a solid understanding of that. Even if you know the theories already, Neil’s explanation is much better. 

As we go forward, you’ll discover an interesting (and possibly alarming) fact about Earth’s second (unit of measuring time) and how precision and accuracy play a major role.

It’s fascinating how you will connect the dots and help you understand how it enables you to polish up your overall scientific thinking patterns.

Section 5: The Art of Communicating Science

Neil Degrasse Tyson cracked a dad joke when we started the 11th lesson (communications tactics), and I audibly laughed. For a planetary scientist, it was clever.

So, when he said humor is a fundamental part of communication tactics, I was proud of myself for expecting that. Little did I know, it was one of the most important moments of Neil Degrasse Tyson’s MasterClass. 

This lesson has six portions that span 16 minutes and 45 seconds. 

After the humor part comes, understanding what drives an audience. Neil emphasizes a very important point that helps you win an audience. He stresses you discover your audiences,

• Average attention span 
• Demographic distribution 
• How far do they seem to understand
• Humor and how it can be used to win attention

And this list goes on. 

Further into the lessons, Neil mentions how people always assume he’s naturally excellent at managing crowds when he has his own “utility belt” — how cool?

According to our instructor, elaborations on using relatable examples are one of the best ways of communication.

Neil connects how stimulating curiosity and using analogies can get a crowd moving more than you’d expect. The 12th lesson, “Inspire curiosity in your audience,” is a gold mine.

Neil also talks about non-verbal communication cues and creating and using soundbites. It’s fascinating to see how all of these factors come together to form effective communication,

It’s admirable how Neil constantly uses real-life examples, and that motivates you to believe that everything is doable (they are!). 

Finally, you’ll learn how to leave your audience thinking and craving for more asa master of audience communication tactics.

After all, you’re in MasterClass of scientific thinking and COMMUNICATION.

Section 6: The Future of the World

This is the last lesson of this magnificent course.

At the start itself, Neil clearly communicates why he is here for and not for. If you’ve been following the course up until this point, it makes sense.

In this lesson, Neil brings out a little anecdote from the 1920s and shows how a certain question and its answer potentially define the frontier of science. 

It’s intimidating when a celebrity astrophysicist tells you he knows the objective truth but needs something else from you. This is the exact moment you have been waiting for. 

“You have the torch.”

That’s when you realize that Neil Degrasse Tyson has changed how you think forever.

Customer Testimonials for Neil Degrasse Tyson MasterClass

So, what do Neil Degrasse Tyson MasterClass customers have to say? Let’s check it out next.

This sums up how I felt; Neil is definitely a great role model.

This student seems to focus on something I love; biases, and also, notice that pinch of humor; that’s the Neil Degreasse Tyson effect! It’s happy to see most people recognize science communication that makes MasterClass by Neil Degrasse Tyson worth it.

Mark also recommends the course, and he’s true; Neil’s quirkiness makes everything easy to understand.

Alternative Classes in MasterClass Similar to Neil Degrasse Tyson MasterClass

I’m sure Neil’s MasterClass will trigger a whole new thirst for knowledge for critical thinking and scientific knowledge. Luckily, the MasterClass team expected that, and that’s why there are alternative classes for Neil.

For starters, you can consider Paul Krugman MasterClass, which helps you change your mindset via economic principles. 

If you want both a cosmic feel AND a change of thinking, you’ll love Chris Hatfield’s MasterClass on space exploration.

He’s the former commander of the ISS (international space station), who teaches you what it takes to explore space, space travel, life as an astronaut, and many more interesting aspects.

Are there more? Yes!

If you want more alternatives, Matthew Walker’s MasterClass on the science of sleep is ideal. Matthew is a professor of neuroscience and psychology at UC Berkley who dives deep into the concept of sleep. Pretty interesting.

On top of all these, you also get Bill Nye’s MasterClass on science and problem-solving. In this class, you’ll discover how Bill navigates information by thinking critically thinking, backed by a scientific approach.

Remember that there are 180 courses in MasterClass, and you can explore them by taking your time.

Other MasterClass reviews:

• Garry Kasparov Chess MasterClass Review
• Bill Nye MasterClass

Neil Degrasse Tyson MasterClass Cost

You should know that Neil Degrasse Tyson’s MasterClass price is technically the MasterClass platform price. As I explained, when you get access to this MasterClass, you automatically get access to all the courses.

MasterClass gives you access to their platform through 3 plans.

Individual Plan

For all three plans, you get one account. The difference is the number of devices you can watch MasterClass simultaneously.

The individual MasterClass subscription comes with one account, and accessibility is possible via only one device. This is more suitable for people who want access to MasterClass alone.

This monthly plan for this is $15, and it is billed annually at $180. Remember that you get 180 courses, which is only $1 per course. 

But there is one downside of the individual plan, which I’ll explain with the Duo plan.

Duo Plan

The duo plan is designed for couples, partners, or even best friends. With one account, you can watch MasterClass on two devices simultaneously.

The monthly plan’s gap from the individual plan is only $5 more, which is $20 monthly. Duo plan’s MasterClass cost is billed annually at $240. For 180 courses, it’s just $1.3 per course.

The main difference between the individual and duo plans is that offline viewing is enabled in the duo plan but not in the individual.

Family Plan

What if your family or the best friends wanted to watch Neil’s MasterClass, or what if they wanted to try different MasterClasses?

The answer is the family plan that enables you to watch MasterClass with up to 6 simultaneous devices with one account.

The charge increment from the Duo plan is just $3, making the monthly family plan $23 per month, billed $276 annually. Technically, it’s just $1.53 per course.

Remember that you can upgrade or downgrade to any plan in the billing section, and it’s just a matter of a few clicks.

Up next is the refund policy.

Neil Degrasse Tyson MasterClass Refund Policy

Similar to the pricing, the Neil Degreasse Tyson MasterClass refund policy is essentially the platform’s refund policy.

It’s simple; you get 30 days to cancel and get a refund. Although you can cancel after 30 days, remember that the subscription is annual and you won’t get a refund.

The process is very simple:

Go to the profile menu to find settings, which is in the right corner. You can then go to account settings inside it, and inside that, you’ll see the cancel membership button under the membership section of the page.

My Experience With Neil Degrasse Tyson MasterClass

As a person who loves science, everything interstellar, and of course, Christopher Nolan, I live for everything scientific. I’ve watched so many YouTube videos and read so many books.

But even if you combine all of them, I feel Neil’s MasterClass is far superior.

From the start itself, I watched everything at once. His non-verbal cues, the stories he uses, and the overall communication strategy are mindblowing.

Neil doesn’t just explain how scientific thinking and communication work; he makes you feel it; he burns the patterns into your brain so intensely that you don’t even realize it.

The course structure and the variety are absolutely impressive. From the surface, it might look simple. But Neil lays down a solid foundation and effortlessly builds up complex theories on one another. 

When you stop for a second, you realize, “Did I just understand that?”

The teaching style of Neil Degreasse is what every school needs. 

You’d notice pop-ups asking you to refer to the workbook for more information as you go. So, don’t be upset if you don’t understand some stuff when you read the book before starting the lessons. Some theories need context to be understood.

If you asked me what were my favorite lessons, I’d say it was 3, 4, 5, 9, 11, and 13. This is strictly personal, as I’m more for learning theories and experiments based on them. 

Because, in the end, you see the world differently, Mr. Tyson encourages you to adhere to these scientific principles in everyday life. I wholeheartedly believe that my critical thinking skills and science knowledge have improved immensely and helped me improve.

You can rest assured Neil Degrasse’s MasterClass is one of the most engaging and informational sources of online education you’ll ever encounter. I happily rate it 9.7/10 — 0.3 deducted for the dad jokes.

Is Neil Degrasse Tysons MasterClass Worth it?

Neil is very interesting to listen to, and I’m sure you already know that. But is it worth paying MasterClass to learn scientific thinking and communication?

Yes, it is.

As I explained in-depth, Neil handpicked and quality-controlled these lessons. A person of his caliber wouldn’t want a ghostwriter to finalize his script, of course. That’s why you feel that each choice is mature, suitable, informative, and gets the job done.

Having a “meet your instructor” lesson that educates the viewer is a telltale sign that Neil’s MasterClass is fantastic.

Tyson’s workbook is the cherry on top that increases the value. 

On top of all this, remember that you get full access to many similar and completely different courses regardless of the subscription. That makes this one of the best online courses of all time.

All of these characteristics are solid proof that Neil’s MasterClass is worth it. As the maestro himself teaches you, one should see proof when presented.

Who is This MasterClass for?

The beauty of MasterClass is that it allows individuals to learn at their own pace, making it suitable for people with busy schedules. Unless MasterClasses like cooking or gardening, 

Neil Degrasse Tyson refers to a unique area that doesn’t require that many “skills”; hence, it’s suitable for just about anyone who wants to explore a new field.

If you love topics such as the big bang theory, incalculable communication, black holes, and the general cosmic perspective, Neil Degrasse Tyson MasterClass is a goldmine.

Pros and Cons of Neil Degrasse Tyson MasterClass

Conclusion

MasterClass has been the hallmark of remote/online education since it came alive. Amongst almost 180 courses (for which you get free access), Neil Degrasse Tyson’s MasterClass stands out. 

This is because he doesn’t teach you a limited skill like cooking; he teaches you how to think and communicate effectively like a scientist because he has such a deep understanding of what he’s talking about. 

I guarantee you; you won’t think or communicate the same after you successfully finish Neil’s MasterClass; it changes your life, and you should consider accessing it.

I hope this review helped you. Enjoy watching MasterClass!

FAQs