Papa keep preaching.

Are popular scientists modern day preachers?

We've all heard of Bill Nye (the Science Guy), Richard Feynman, Harold Kroto and Neil deGrasse Tyson. We've listened to their talks, we've heard their opinions on physics and the world, we've seen countless quotations attributed to them. They are really like the MacGyvers of today, attempting to popularize science among youngsters. Just with less action and more enthusiasm.
But just like MacGyver, they do not limit themselves to chemistry or physics, they wander into the realm of philosophy. They show us dreams of the possible, they give us images of what is from a different perspective. It is not just the perks of being smart that they demonstrate, they use simple analogies to explain mindboggingly complicated processes, and by that they inspire greatness. They really are geeks.

The problem herein is that they are everywhere, and they keep saying the same. That makes them very similar to pious door-to-door 'faith sellers'. Sure, spreading one's religion is great, but stuffing it down others' throats is a bit over the line. One cannot ignore the fact that science bears strong resemblance to religion. The facts we've been taught have been the results of many people agreeing with each other on the topics, like preachers have discussed and agreed on questions of faith. People of authority confirming each other's beliefs, nothing more. The saying 'physics is great because it does not stop working just because you don't believe in it' is irrelevant, because it is the same with many religions. Just because you no longer believe a higher being exists somewhere and is observing the stupid things we do does not suddenly make it not be so. There may yet be someone or something peeking at us through either a really nifty eye or an advanced piece of technology. If you used to believe that everything falls down because God made it so, starting to believe in gravitons does not conflict with your original belief, and everything will continue to fall down.
The standpoints in science and religion change every once in a while. While we might no longer believe that Earth is the center of the Universe, we no longer stone, hang, or perform other life-ending acts of violence upon people that do. We are warming up to the idea of everything consisting of strings, and Catholic church is warming up to homosexuality. Even the topics that science and religion assess are the same, trying to lead us, humans, to a more harmonious coexistence with each other. It is not just 'strength through unity, unity through faith'. It is 'unity through like-mindedness'. While it might not sound as powerful, it is none the less the case. People who believe in the same scientific standpoints are more likely to get along peacefully than those who don't. Note the usage of the word 'believe', because that is exactly what we are dealing with - beliefs.

Popular scientists are modern day preachers. Unpopular scientists are modern preachers. It does not matter how many people listen to you, as long as you keep 'spreading the word', telling people what you find reasonable to believe in, you are a preacher of sorts. You might not be trying to convert people to religious sects, but you are trying to make them think like you. You are trying to change or enhance their beliefs and/or the way they think. The Aristotelean method of inquiry works so well because it is not just telling people what to think, it is telling them how to think. And once you have taught someone to think the way you want them to, you've spread your belief. And you will be a preacher.