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365DaysOfPhilosophy 87 - Book Resource Pale Blue Dot - A Vision of the Human Future in Space
As I record this, I’m sitting in the courtyard of Federation Square in Melbourne, on my way to do further work with the Cosmic Shambles LIVE tour, so please forgive any chirping birds, conversations by passers-by, and the sounds of distant trams!
A section of this book was read aloud by SBS TV presenter and journalist Lee Lin Chin at the Sydney event for the Cosmic Shambles Live tour. It’s considered one of the most inspirational and even poetic science books of the 20th century, with the history of space exploration (up to the publication date of 1994), and a reflection on the place that humanity plays in the grander scheme (if there is one!) of existence.
The grander scheme is possibly the biggest message that Sagan has in this book — is there really one? After pointing out the geocentric theory of the universe was disproved (with much social resistance!) by scientific discovery, he explores the solar system and the possibility of life elsewhere.
While ‘goldilocks-zone’ planets may be more possible than it was during Sagan’s time, his message about how this should make us reflect on the delicate nature of our own planet still holds true. Sagan points out the crash-landing of Shoemaker-Levy 9 into Jupiter could very well be the fate of earth if it were in the path of a comet, and thus encourages further scientific investment in both exploring what is in the outer reaches of space, as well as conserving life on earth.
It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.
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As I record this, I’m sitting in the courtyard of Federation Square in Melbourne, on my way to do further work with the Cosmic Shambles LIVE tour, so please forgive any chirping birds, conversations by passers-by, and the sounds of distant trams!
A section of this book was read aloud by SBS TV presenter and journalist Lee Lin Chin at the Sydney event for the Cosmic Shambles Live tour. It’s considered one of the most inspirational and even poetic science books of the 20th century, with the history of space exploration (up to the publication date of 1994), and a reflection on the place that humanity plays in the grander scheme (if there is one!) of existence.
The grander scheme is possibly the biggest message that Sagan has in this book — is there really one? After pointing out the geocentric theory of the universe was disproved (with much social resistance!) by scientific discovery, he explores the solar system and the possibility of life elsewhere.
While ‘goldilocks-zone’ planets may be more possible than it was during Sagan’s time, his message about how this should make us reflect on the delicate nature of our own planet still holds true. Sagan points out the crash-landing of Shoemaker-Levy 9 into Jupiter could very well be the fate of earth if it were in the path of a comet, and thus encourages further scientific investment in both exploring what is in the outer reaches of space, as well as conserving life on earth.
It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.