Jul 12 2011
Sagan Series
I am off to TAM9 today, so I only have time for a brief entry.
Carl Sagan was one of my intellectual heroes. I know I have written this before – but he is my role model for the way to popularize science and rationalism. He combined poetry and the awe of the scientific view of the world better than anyone else I can think of. I love just listening to his voice.
That’s why I love the Sagan Series by Reid Gower. He takes Sagan’s voice from Cosmos, and also I think from his books on tape, a sets them to music and imagery. He does a great job, and it’s a nice tribute to Sagan’s legacy. I recommend you check them out.
Also – I was informed that the 6th video in the series is out and a certain neurological blogger makes a brief appearance (something about science in the media). Needless to say I was a bit stunned, and honored, to be placed next to Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye in that context.
Now it’s time to fill my head with all the excellent skepticism at The Amazing Meeting. I will try to find a few moments while there to blog anything interesting that happens.
16 Responses to “Sagan Series”
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Steven Novella,
“I will try to find a few moments while there to blog anything interesting that happens”
I don’t think they’re going to choose you as their PR man
I’ll see you there Steve!
Man, I wish I was going to TAM this year… Oh wait, never mind, I am going this year!
In that case, see you guys there!
Wow, I had seen the first video, but I didn’t know it was a series. That’s pretty awesome.
I’m eagerly awaiting the day that they can simulate Sagan’s voice and just have him as the reader for any given audiobook.
By Carl Sagan:
The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence
Intelligent Life in the Universe
Should be required reading in Texas, Australia and all such cow country climes.
I was happily surprised to see you in the video. You do deserve it.
The video brought tears to my eyes with the description by Sagan of the awe of exploring a new frontier…
Dr. Novella,
I was too young to appreciate Carl Sagan while he was alive, but too old to be fascinated by works of Bill Nye. While I have always been a skeptic at heart, it wasn’t until I was introduced to you through the podcast that I really understood the importance and enlightenment that comes from truly great science communication.
You have honestly, irreversibly, changed my outlook on life for the better. You have motivated me to try and communicate the wonders of this world through the lens of science and skepticism to others in such a respectful, open minded way. I have actually seen a change of perception in the people I know because of conversations I have had with them, stemming from your influence.
I never comment on blogs and signed up specifically to say this. I do think of you as one of the most profound influences in my adult life, and I personally consider you the Sagan of my generation, if not by popularity, then by eloquence, steadfastness, and the true shared fascination of the universe around us as your listeners. I was glad to see you with your peers in this video.
I imagine most people don’t think there is a Sagan equivalent right now… we probably have a collection of people that are contributing in a similar way, but each one on a smaller scale. Perhaps, in some ways this is better as we get multiple perspectives on different topics, but it can fragment.
I am old enough to appreciate Sagan somewhat while he was alive (I’m guessing my age is somewhere between no1nos and Steve’s). In my junior year of high school my physics teacher made a couple of his books required reading, and he did not die until after I graduated. When I was exposed to Sagan initially I did not have the perspective that I do now about him: that he was a unique person in science in terms of advocacy and as a science polpularizer. For all I knew then, he was just one voice of many.
I agree that no one has had such a singular impact in the field of science communication like Sagan. I am not sure if there will be another personality as insightful in reaching into the minds of so many in my lifetime. But with the democratization of media thanks to the internet, I don’t think another giant like Sagan is necessary in order to make significant progress.
While Sagan’s achievements are undeniable, I feel a much more personal bond to Dr. Novella’s work, and I think the internet affords for a great number of advocates like Novella to make an impact that they would not otherwise have the opportunity to do. I also think that the sum of all these individuals’ different perspectives and personalities can influence a greater number of people more deeply than any single man, even one as great as Sagan, could.
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Hear, hear!
Formatting problem!
Those videos are absolutely amazing, thank you for linking them.
It’s always strange to hear people call scientific worldviews “cold” and “heartless”. My eyes literally teared up at video 6 at the idea that these tribesmen knew about Apollo 11.
No one has ever been able to voice the potential of humanity better than Carl Sagan, and the idea of that potential is what I personally use to fill the so-called “spiritual void” I’m told I should have.
I had a similar experience with Sagan that ccbowers had.
I remember in high school he was a peripheral media figure. I did not read his books until he was long gone. Typical human failing, he is almost mythic in proportion to me now, but I never had that feeling about him when he was alive.
Hey Dr Novella, I’m not sure If you’ve herd of this video series on YouTube, but given you’re like for The Sagan Series I think you’ll like this one too, Its called Symphony Of Science.
It’s by a user called melodysheep, he basically uses the words of famous scientists and turns it into music.
It´s true, everyone loves you Steve ( “the model skeptic” #161 http://scienceblogs.com/erv/2011/07/the_decent_human_beings_guide.php#comments)
which is why you have to come out against Watson´s fallacies. Your reputation as a critical thinker is being somewhat tarnished.