Actually, on the last, no. Carl Sagan had a gift for speaking to people who weren't research scientists, but who were reasonably intelligent and had a thoughtful and scholarly mindset.
One of the things that's made me sad over the years is how many of the people I know that I could show some of his work to, but that wouldn't get just how fantastic and deep some of the points he makes are. I've always felt that taking some time to be a little philosophical and doing nothing but THINKING for a moment is a good idea every now and again. Realizing our real place in the universe and how small things like work, and vacation days, and every other daily concern for us can really make little difference in that bigger picture, is kind of freeing in an aspect.
For me, it helps knowing I could quit my job tomorrow, and the world will NOT end, or I could do something nuts and things will go on. Kinda provides a 'reality check' if you will.
Also, I suggest the music video series with Carl Sagan for anyone who hasn't heard, it meshes a lot of clips from the show with autotuning in a brilliant amalgamation of music and science, I nearly cried listening the first time. http://www.symphonyofscience.com/ My favorite is 'A glorious dawn'.
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Date: 2010-08-14 01:14 pm (UTC)One of the things that's made me sad over the years is how many of the people I know that I could show some of his work to, but that wouldn't get just how fantastic and deep some of the points he makes are. I've always felt that taking some time to be a little philosophical and doing nothing but THINKING for a moment is a good idea every now and again. Realizing our real place in the universe and how small things like work, and vacation days, and every other daily concern for us can really make little difference in that bigger picture, is kind of freeing in an aspect.
For me, it helps knowing I could quit my job tomorrow, and the world will NOT end, or I could do something nuts and things will go on. Kinda provides a 'reality check' if you will.
Also, I suggest the music video series with Carl Sagan for anyone who hasn't heard, it meshes a lot of clips from the show with autotuning in a brilliant amalgamation of music and science, I nearly cried listening the first time. http://www.symphonyofscience.com/ My favorite is 'A glorious dawn'.