Why didn't you guys tell me about Carl Sagan?

[Tobin S.]

My step-dad is an amateur astronomer and I noticed that he had a couple of Sagan's books laying around the house the other day. I read the blurb on the back of "Cosmos" and thought it looked interesting. So I asked him if I could borrow it and he said I could.

I've just read the introduction and the first chapter and I can already tell this is probably going to be one of the best books I've ever read. I love opening line to the first chapter, "The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be."

[Lethe]

1. very smart guy

Carl Sagan was....and also he was a pot smoker

[elleng]

2. Really, Tobin?

I thought EVERYONE knew about Carl Sagan!!!

[Tobin S.]

3. See, there you go thinking again

And you kept a fellow liberal in the darkness of ignorance. I hope you feel better now. :spank:

Actually I'd heard about Sagan, I just felt no compelling interest to read him. Now I'm going to have to read everything by him, which is good. :)

[elleng]

5. Yes. Well Tobin, I think you LOOK GREAT!!!

:hug:

[Tobin S.]

7. Thank you. I feel excellent.

:hug:

[pokerfan]

4. For Carl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wupToqz1e2g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuJ3Tjj40P8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBkaP7EY5Us

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln8UwPd1z20

[Tobin S.]

6. Thanks for the links, pokerfan

I enjoyed viewing them.

[slay]

8. Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" - 13 hour PBS series - watch here streaming for free:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqPxqTyjSZM (links to rest of parts are on the right side of the page)

[hippywife]

17. They also have the whole series

on hulu.com. We've been watching it off and on.

[Tobin S.]

19. Thanks slay and hippywife

I appreciate the links. I did see a few short clips of him posted above and I'll be sure to check out the PBS series after I finish the book. He strikes me as a passionate about what he believes and as a compassionate person.

[hippywife]

21. You're welcome.

I've loved him since I was in my late teens. A very long time ago. LOL

I'm glad you've discovered and enjoy him. :hi:

[AllenVanAllen]

9. Carl has a special place in my heart.

He introduced me to the "backbone of night" and I've never been the same again.
Enjoy his work Tobin S. :hi:

[Orrex]

10. Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors is also very good

Welcome aboard!

[sarge43]

11. "We are made of star stuff."

The Cosmos series is a must see. I must have watched it a dozen times and it still has the power to thrill. Not only the facts, the poetry. A picture of the frozen footprint of an early humanoid along side of one left by an astronaut on the moon. "We have walked far."

Recommend The Demon-Haunted World -- an excellent primer on critical thinking and dealing with the bs of pseudoscience and fundamentalist zealotry.

[Forkboy]

13. The Demon-Haunted World is still my favorite, if it's possible to pick one.

Great, great book.

[sarge43]

14. All his books are gold.

This one is 24 karat.

[Schema Thing]

15. that book saved me a ton of time

by reading it shortly after escaping from a cultish, high-control fundamentalist sect, I didn't feel the need to spend years getting involved in other less controlling (but still demon haunted) religions. Gaps do not a god make.

[sarge43]

16. Among his other fine qualities, he was first and foremost a superb teacher. n/t

[Forkboy]

12. The book that changed my life.

All his books were fantastic. Can't even tell you how much I miss the man.

[hippywife]

18. He really was an awesome man and teacher.

We've been watching the series on hulu.com when we have the time to sit down in the evenings and give it our undivided attention. I love listening to him.

He is so greatly missed by so many. I wish he were still around, so much.

:hi:

[nytemare]

20. I blabber about him here about once a month.

I see the video for the series is posted above, the book and series share the same opening lines.

I've read "Cosmos", "Broca's Brain", "Billions and Billions,, "The Demon Haunted World," and am currently reading "Dragons of Eden," and "Pale Blue Dot".

I think "Billions and Billions," and "Demon Haunted World" are my favorites. They are all very engaging.

Also, if you have never seen "Contact," I highly recommend it. Here is the opening sequence, which I think is one of the best opening sequences in film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGyq7d62oPQ

[Tobin S.]

22. I think have seen Contact, but it's been a while

and I had forgotten about that mind boggling beginning. That's the one with Jodi Foster in it, right?

[nytemare]

23. Yep, check your PM.

:D

[Liberal_in_LA]

24. I loved Sagan. Was sad when he died.

[Odin2005]

25. Sagan was THE MAN!!!

I got Cosmos when I was a little kid and it made me a life-long science nut.