Carl Sagan

[MasterAdnin]

Hey guys, I haven't been here in a while, but I just wanted to get your opinions on Carl Sagan. I've been reading the Pale Blue Dot recently and I find it fascinating and when I am done I plan on reading more of his stuff. So again, any opinions on the guy? Any book suggestions?

Adnan

[Wilder]

Carl Sagan is incredibly awesome. Case in point:



"the Demon Haunted World" is one of my favorite books of all time. I can't recommend it enough.

[Sphere]

He basically invented the idea of popularizing science, and a for that he deserves enormous credit.

[Solid Snake]

"The Demon Haunted World" is an awesome read and it shows great indepth on his life.

"The dragons of Eden" also pwns, a great read about the evolutionary path we have gone through

I´m myself reading "Broca´s brain" right now, also a great read.

This man, Carl Sagan, is one of the few scientifical figures I admire or look up to. The guy had me rooting for evolution after many years of holding up creationism for ffs! His humbleness (sp?) and outstanding skills to put science in the level of the common man was what made him great.

[MasterAdnin]

Agreed. I man was so down to earth and put everything into such amazing perspective. Also I'm going to take out those books you guys mentioned as soon as I'm done with the Pale Blue Dot. I already have Cosmos reserved at my library.

Adnan

[LegionnaireX]

Carl Sagan was truly a polymath and a genius. He knew a whole lot about a whole lot of things. It is very sad that he died at such a young age. I've read the following:

The Demon Haunted World (Empiricism, Scientifc Method)
The Dragons of Eden (Evolution of Human Intelligence)
Cosmos (Astronomy, Physics, History of Astronomy)
Billions and Billions (Religion, Public Policy, and pretty much everything else)

In addition to being a know it all, he was an incredible entertaining and witty writer. I would recommend all of his books.

[Solid Snake]

I want to read Cosmos so bad, but I cant find it in any library´s near me.....

[Agent Miles]

Imagine deep space probes without cameras. NASA scientists originally wanted streams of raw data, no up close pictures of the planets, or comets or anything else. NASA was implored to include cameras by Carl Sagan. He hoped that everyone on Earth would be interested in the exploration of our universe and knew that a picture would be worth a thousand bits of data to Joe Public. At the original private meeting where Drake unveiled his famous equation, Sagan was also an attendee. I remember watching Sagan on “The Tonight Show” where he had given the host, Johnny Carson, a telescope. Science wasn’t the preserve of old men with thick glasses; it was young guys in turtle necks who were cool. Sagan inspired me to learn everything I could about everything.

[Gordon Freynman]

My opinion on Carl Sagan? Okay, well I only think he is THE GREATEST PERSON TO HAVE EVER EXISTED. EVAR!

But yeah, I personally hold him the highest regard. It's a real shame he isn't around today.

You can watch Cosmos free on Hulu: http://www.hulu.com/cosmos

[MasterAdnin]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will definitely check them out.

Adnan

[Tankbuster]

One thing to be careful about with Sagan is that while he is a great populariser of science in general, he often treads into the realm of historical research, and he's a much less reliable source there: he has a bit of trouble staying objective in those matters, sometimes pushing false or inaccurate ideas to push an agenda.

So watch out for his historical knowledge.

[Maximus Macro]

One thing to be careful about with Sagan is that while he is a great populariser of science in general, he often treads into the realm of historical research, and he's a much less reliable source there: he has a bit of trouble staying objective in those matters, sometimes pushing false or inaccurate ideas to push an agenda.

So watch out for his historical knowledge.

can you give an example cause i really liked his video's about Erastosthenes and library of alexandria.and they seemed historicly adducat

[Tankbuster]

can you give an example cause i really liked his video's about Erastosthenes and library of alexandria.and they seemed historicly adducat

You just mentioned an example: the Library of Alexandria and Sagan's assertion that it was burned by a Christian mob; he also makes statements that the death of Hypatia of Alexandria were the result of a Christian mob being displeased with her science research.

Both are myths and are based on some outdated historical ideas that were abandoned before the 1920's (although they remain firmly rooted in the public consciousness nonetheless); yet Sagan is apparently not aware of later research and is a little bit too eager to use these historical "facts" as a stick to beat Christianity and promote a rather too simplistic "religion vs science" paradigm.

For a synopsis of the gradual degradation in quality of the Great Library, check out this site. It's written by a Christian, but it's well researched.
For a more accurate history of Hypatia (in the context of the new film that is about to perpetuate this myth), check here.

[Maximus Macro]

You just mentioned an example: the Library of Alexandria and Sagan's assertion that it was burned by a Christian mob; he also makes statements that the death of Hypatia of Alexandria were the result of a Christian mob being displeased with her science research.

Both are myths and are based on some outdated historical ideas that were abandoned before the 1920's (although they remain firmly rooted in the public consciousness nonetheless); yet Sagan is apparently not aware of later research and is a little bit too eager to use these historical "facts" as a stick to beat Christianity and promote a rather too simplistic "religion vs science" paradigm.

For a synopsis of the gradual degradation in quality of the Great Library, check out this site. It's written by a Christian, but it's well researched.
For a more accurate history of Hypatia (in the context of the new film that is about to perpetuate this myth), check here.

thx for the links mate im checking them out now

[Portuguese Rebel]

Carl Sagan was a guy i admired. His rationality was second to none and he took the time to try and educate the ignorant. I'm very grateful for that.