Like what a lovely endorsement to imperialism, but he is wrong. To begin with Italy didn’t even exist in 1492. It was a series of competing states not as powerful as consolidated nation-states such as France and the soon to be Spain (back then Castile, Leon and Aragon). However, “Italy” did produce many outstanding individuals in the sciences and arts including explorers. Christopher Columbus was from the Italian Republic of Genoa and “discovered” the Americas on behalf of the Spanish Kings.

The reason is not that the Italians didn’t value explorers and navigators but that they were busy fighting each other, bluffing each other, and trying not to get absorbed by Spain and France. The reason is that the Italians didn’t have the circumstances to consolidate power in a central authority in the region like France, England and Spain did.

So nice seeing Neil endorse early modern imperialism and not even being historically accurate about it. I wish hard science nerds would stay in their lane and shut up about political history. This nigga should be researching why his ego hasn’t destroyed us like a black hole would.

Tyson pisses me off so much like all the time