Are there any Carl Sagan fans out there?

[Jackson4Gore]

Hey guys, as you know I am a big supporter of Al Gore and a friend. I have often heard him speak greatly of his friend Carl Sagan, so last night I decided to purchase my first book authored by him. I bought "Billions and Billions" and have hardly been able to put it down. It is very good reading and thought provoacking.

Is there anyone else out there that likes to think of themeselves as being intellectually curious?

[nytemare]

1. Have you watched "Contact" yet?

I thought it was a very compelling movie, and relaxing for some reason.

I continue to thumb through "Broca's Brain". I am one who reads about 5 books at once, depending on my mood.

He is a very honest writer, and very evocative. He makes you interested in what he is writing.

[Az]

2. Sagan is the closest thing to a hero I have

You really need to read his book Demon Haunted World. I believe it should be required reading in schools. But this is saddly unlikely after witnessing how the fundies reacted when he passed away.

[nytemare]

4. Having "billions and billions" of enlightened people

is too much to ask.

[cynatnite]

5. Could you tell me?

I didn't hear much, but in those days I paid little attention. I was very saddened by the loss since I used to watch him regularly on TV. I loved the way he said 'billions'.

[Az]

8. In those days

I was more involved in direct theist/atheist debate. Let us just say that some of the more venomous fundamentalists were quite vocal about their condemnation of Sagan for being a nonbeliever and his ultimate destination.

[Dr.Phool]

12. Yes, Demon Haunted World was the best!!

I read it a few years ago, and I think I'm going to read it again.

[shelley806]

20. Please tell me about this book. n/t

[CoffeeCat]

3. I love Carl Sagan...

"Contact" is one of my favorite movies--definitely in my top 5.

"Cosmos" was wonderful.

I saw Sagan speak at a conference, and he was incredibly witty and interesting.

There was a microphone set up, and he invited participants to ask him any question. I had my question all formed in my mind, but I was too shy to ask it.

I've always regretted it!

The world needs more Carl Sagan's, that is for sure.

[deminks]

6. We saved the whole Cosmos series

and showed it to our children. Will save it for our grandchildren as well.

[Clark2008]

27. I was only allowed to watch sparse few shows on television as a child

Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, The Electric Company, Cosmos, In Search Of and, as a treat on Saturday nights, Sony & Cher and/or Donny & Marie.

I do the same for my son - he only sees worthwhile television.

"Contact" was the last movie I took my grandmother to see before a stroke rendered her nearly absent.

:hi: from the home of Al Gore - Tennessee. You will LOVE Carl Sagan.

[classof56]

7. I have been a Carl Sagan fan since the series "Cosmos" on PBS.

That was what, over 20 years ago? I was totally intrigued, and his intellect just amazed me. I'm one of those Christians who believes that God gave us brains so we could use them and intellectual curiosity is not a sin. Wow! Speaking of Cosmos, the series' musical score by Vangelis just blew me away. Went out and bought the album and used to soar through the galaxies and the billions and billions of those stars Carl talked about while listening to the sound track. Pretty incredible, the places Carl took us. Did he used to call us star stuff? I like to think he's among the stars now. But...that's just me. On top of everything else, he was so darned good looking. How lucky Al Gore was to know him--and lucky you to have Al as a friend!

Tired Old Cynic

[deminks]

9. Vangelis

I can still hear the theme song.

[Az]

10. ITs available on DVD now

With updates and additions by Ann Druyan. Its great to see him up there again.

[shelley806]

17. Thanks so much for this post...it expresses the best of my memories

of Carl Sagan, and his melodic "Billions and Billions"...I was so intellectually high on life then, and so convinced that enlightenment was simply the next phase of human evolution. I am also one of those Christians who has always believed that Science and God complement each other; no contradiction at all. The study of science restored my faith during a time when I was agnostic and questioning everything. Nature is close to perfection. Think of the periodic table of elements, of the structure of water, of the structure of DNA, of the existence of human life, of chlorophyll...We humans seem to screw things up.

I loved Carl Sagan. Please someone tell me about this book The Demon Haunted World. It was posted on DU several nights ago, just as a part of someones messsage, but I was interested and wrote the title down. Haven't had time to search for it.

[Az]

19. Full title: Demon Haunted World: Science as a candle in the darkness

Its a testimony of how to use reason and science to grow closer to the truth. One of the most inspirational segments for me was Sagan's reporting of an encounter with a cabdriver. This cabbie was full of interest in things that seemed scientific and had a deep desire to know what was going on in the universe. But he had gotten ahold of so much bad science and misinformation that he was bubbling on about crop circles and other paranormal explanations.

In the book Sagan gives us the gift of the Baloney detection kit. You can find it here as well as reviews: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0345409469/qid=1111295902/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/002-0244400-5199215?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[shelley806]

23. Thanks so much Az for the info, link and full title...Truth is a light in

darkness...(and the light shineth in the darkness and the darkness comprehended it not)

[DesEtoiles]

11. You have to get "Cosmos" the book, Pale Blue Dot, Demon Haunted World

[FreepFryer]

13. Huge fan. Sagan made a fundamental contribution to pop. science

By speaking in terms easily understood, he inspired an entire generation of professional and amateur scientists alike.

Rest in Peace, space traveler.

[Az]

16. This is the aspect of the man I most treasured

So many in the sciences are simply horrible at conveying the wonders of the field. Better suited to having their nose pressed into a book than speaking to people most make poor spokespeople for the field. Sagan was able to convey the wonder that is the universe. He made it permissible to question the great mysteries and expect to find answers with some hard work. He taught a new generation that it was ok to unweave the rainbow.

[shelley806]

18. Oh very beautifully put...He was like a scientific poet! n/t

[Gemini Cat]

14. I just finished reading "Contact" a couple of days ago.

I liked the movie, but I loved the book.
I read "Cosmos" years ago. I need to read a lot more of his work.

[Quixote1818]

15. Billions and Billions of Terri Schiavo Threads

:silly:

[JanMichael]

21. I am. But liking him is not the only way to be "intellectually curious".

Or was your post a two-parter?

[Synnical]

22. Well-Come to the world

of Saganites.

His "Baloney Detection Kit" rocked my thought process.

I've been an atheist since I was a teen-ager, but still thought "something out there" might influence, well something.

Sagan taught me skepticism. My teachers never taught me to demand evidence for any belief I held.

Sagan did. "Demon Haunted World" is a must read.

As are all his other books.

Sagan made science popular. I miss him.

[Cleita]

24. Yes, I loved Sagan even back when his fellow

astronomers were attacking him for being a populist. Well, duh oh, he did try to make the universe more understandable to the common folk. I wish they would rerun his series "Cosmos" one more time. Although it is dated now, maybe some other "populist" astronomer will step up to the plate and update it with all the new discoveries since then.

[jsw_81]

25. Carl Sagan is one of my heroes

All of his books -- especially "Broca's Brain" and "Pale Blue Dot" -- are terrific and "Cosmos" (Sagan's thirteen-part series on science, history, philosophy etc.) is without a doubt one of the greatest television programs ever made; I've watched the whole thing several times. It's a must see for anyone who likes Sagan; I believe you can get the series on VHS/DVD at Amazon.

It's a real shame that Sagan died at such a young age (62), and it is very sad to see how so many Americans apparently ignored his lessons about the dangers of fundamentalism, superstition, and conservatism. I think he would be absolutely appalled to see what has happened to this once-great nation in the years since his death.

[Hardrada]

26. People have to question their beliefs at some point

in order to make sense of the world around them and of their own lives. Carl Sagan helped people do this in respect of the validity of the scientific method. I wish some successor to him would step forward.