The World's Largest Coalition of Nontheists and Nontheist Communities!

Carl Sagan Fans

Information

For fans of Carl Sagan's writings and productions like Cosmos and The Demon Haunted World. No one else in recent memory did more to bring science to the masses than Sagan. Join a group of others who enjoy his work!

Members: 449
Latest Activity: Mar 2

6 members like this

The Eternally Curious Carl Sagan

Carl Sagan had a curious mind for his entire life. In his book The Demon Haunted World he lamented the death of curiosity in high school students that he attributed in part to parents' obsession with either having an answer or making a question sound stupid when asked by their children.

Despite his critics, many in the scientific community itself, Sagan brought the human story of science to people, recognizing the responsibility to educate people in a way that spoke first to their humanity and second to their logic. We will do well to emulate this approach in the 21st century as we contend with all manners of illogic and unreason that he warned of in The Demon Haunted World.

His PBS series Cosmos still stands alone as a pinnacle of achievement in science communication. I wrote an essay for the ten-year-anniversary of his death entitled "The Eternally Curious Carl Sagan". You can read it here:

http://joshuagough.blogspot.com/2007/06/eternally-curious-carl-sagan.html

Sagan reading a passage from his book Pale Blue Dot

Discussion Forum

View All

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of Carl Sagan Fans to add comments!

Comment by Oprah's Vajayjay on September 17, 2008 at 10:28am: Sagan was always a father figure to me. So was Frank Zappa!

Has anyone looked on Audible for The Demon Haunted World? I'm one of those who can't really sit down to read anymore (-got a 3 yr old to contend with) but I LOVE my iPod and can't live without it.

Comment by Hugo on September 3, 2008 at 3:28am: Seen the latest post on Pharyngula?
On the high velocity rotation of interred organic remains

Disgraceful!

Comment by Josh Gough on August 22, 2008 at 12:56pm: Speaking of Demon Haunted World, is there an audio version of it?

If not, I'm sure it might be against the rules, but what about collaborating and doing a lightning read of it where several of us collaborate to create an audio version? That way, the people who are not likely to actually sit down and read it will have a less effort alternative they can fit into their iPods or cars.

Just a thought, though I know it's probably not legal. We could discuss it with the publisher.

Comment by Daniel Florien on August 21, 2008 at 3:13pm: Sagan had a big influence on how I think, directly and indirectly. Too bad he's gone!

Comment by Larian LeQuella on August 20, 2008 at 6:11am: I wonder if you could "trick" theitards into reading The Demon Haunted World? I mean, they'd see the title and take it literally, right? Am I just being a little snarky?

Comment by matt on August 16, 2008 at 1:54pm: Sagan rules. I try to force everyone I know to read The Demon Haunted World, which should be mandatory reading for every human. The world needs more people like him.

Comment by Christopher Sisk on August 13, 2008 at 1:05pm: My hero. Is it strange that I hear his voice when I read science books and that it makes them even more enjoyable?