Carl Sagan - Bryant McGill

# Carl Sagan **Domain:** Astronomy / Science Communication / Literature **Doc Type:** Scientist and Author Node **Maturity:** Evolving **Related:** [[Contact (novel)]], [[Contact (1997)]], [[Planetary Consciousness]], [[Third Culture]] --- ## Definition Carl Sagan (1934–1996) was an American astronomer, planetary scientist and science communicator whose work joined scientific skepticism to cosmic imagination. ## Corpus Context His novel [[Contact (novel)]] and its film adaptation make communication with non-human intelligence an institutional and epistemic problem rather than a simple revelation. ## Relationships [[Contact (novel)]], [[Contact (1997)]], [[Planetary Consciousness]], [[Third Culture]] ## Simple Reminders, Quotations, and Thoughts  > "Every surviving civilization is obliged to become spacefaring for the most practical reason imaginable: staying alive." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot (1994), compressed candidate wording* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording/source has not yet been independently confirmed against a primary source; source clue: Pale Blue Dot (1994), compressed candidate wording.* [[reminders/unverified/Civilization Must Become Spacefaring by Carl Sagan|Civilization Must Become Spacefaring by Carl Sagan]] > "Will we learn to use these tools with wisdom and foresight before it's too late?" > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos television series / planetary survival discussion* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording/source has not yet been independently confirmed against a primary source; source clue: Cosmos television series / planetary survival discussion.* [[reminders/unverified/Foresight Before It's Too Late by Carl Sagan|Foresight Before It's Too Late by Carl Sagan]] > "Once intelligent beings achieve technology and the capacity for self-destruction, the selective advantage of intelligence becomes more uncertain." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Broca's Brain / intelligence discussion, source verification pending* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording/source has not yet been independently confirmed against a primary source; source clue: Broca's Brain / intelligence discussion, source verification pending.* [[reminders/unverified/Once Intelligent Beings Achieve Technology by Carl Sagan|Once Intelligent Beings Achieve Technology by Carl Sagan]] > "It is well within our power to destroy our civilization and perhaps our species as well." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos-era writings, attribution clue* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording/source has not yet been independently confirmed against a primary source; source clue: Cosmos-era writings, attribution clue.* [[reminders/unverified/Perhaps Our Species as Well by Carl Sagan|Perhaps Our Species as Well by Carl Sagan]] > "We are the local embodiment of a Cosmos grown to self-awareness." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos (1980), excerpt candidate* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording/source has not yet been independently confirmed against a primary source; source clue: Cosmos (1980), excerpt candidate.* [[reminders/unverified/We May Be the Cosmos Becoming Self-Aware by Carl Sagan|We May Be the Cosmos Becoming Self-Aware by Carl Sagan]]   > "The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/The Cosmos Is All That Is or Ever Was or Ever Will Be by Carl Sagan|The Cosmos Is All That Is or Ever Was or Ever Will Be by Carl Sagan]] > "Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/Imagination Will Often Carry Us to Worlds That Never Were by Carl Sagan|Imagination Will Often Carry Us to Worlds That Never Were by Carl Sagan]] > "We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it’s forever." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/We Are Like Butterflies Who Flutter for a Day and Think It's Forever by Carl Sagan|We Are Like Butterflies Who Flutter for a Day and Think It's Forever by Carl Sagan]] > "With insufficient data it is easy to go wrong." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/With Insufficient Data It Is Easy to Go Wrong by Carl Sagan|With Insufficient Data It Is Easy to Go Wrong by Carl Sagan]] > "The Earth is a tiny and fragile world. It needs to be cherished." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/The Earth Is a Tiny and Fragile World by Carl Sagan|The Earth Is a Tiny and Fragile World by Carl Sagan]] > "We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and by the depth of our answers." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/We Make Our World Significant by the Courage of Our Questions and by the Depth of Our Answers by Carl Sagan|We Make Our World Significant by the Courage of Our Questions and by the Depth of Our Answers by Carl Sagan]] > "Exploration is in our nature." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Exploration/Exploration Is in Our Nature by Carl Sagan|Exploration Is in Our Nature by Carl Sagan]] > "We began as wanderers, and we are wanderers still." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Exploration/We Began as Wanderers and We Are Wanderers Still by Carl Sagan|We Began as Wanderers and We Are Wanderers Still by Carl Sagan]] > "We have lingered long enough on the shores of the cosmic ocean." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Exploration/We Have Lingered Long Enough on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean by Carl Sagan|We Have Lingered Long Enough on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean by Carl Sagan]] > "We are ready at last to set sail for the stars." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Exploration/We Are Ready at Last to Set Sail for the Stars by Carl Sagan|We Are Ready at Last to Set Sail for the Stars by Carl Sagan]] > "If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/If You Wish to Make an Apple Pie from Scratch You Must First Invent the Universe by Carl Sagan|If You Wish to Make an Apple Pie from Scratch You Must First Invent the Universe by Carl Sagan]] > "Matter is composed chiefly of nothing." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/Matter Is Composed Chiefly of Nothing by Carl Sagan|Matter Is Composed Chiefly of Nothing by Carl Sagan]] > "Books permit us to voyage through time, to tap the wisdom of our ancestors." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/Books Permit Us to Voyage Through Time to Tap the Wisdom of Our Ancestors by Carl Sagan|Books Permit Us to Voyage Through Time to Tap the Wisdom of Our Ancestors by Carl Sagan]] > "Every one of us is, in the cosmic perspective, precious." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/Every One of Us Is in the Cosmic Perspective Precious by Carl Sagan|Every One of Us Is in the Cosmic Perspective Precious by Carl Sagan]] > "If a human disagrees with you, let him live." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/If a Human Disagrees with You Let Him Live by Carl Sagan|If a Human Disagrees with You Let Him Live by Carl Sagan]] > "In a hundred billion galaxies, you will not find another." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/In a Hundred Billion Galaxies You Will Not Find Another by Carl Sagan|In a Hundred Billion Galaxies You Will Not Find Another by Carl Sagan]] > "We are made of starstuff." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/We Are Made of Starstuff by Carl Sagan|We Are Made of Starstuff by Carl Sagan]] > "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/We Are a Way for the Cosmos to Know Itself by Carl Sagan|We Are a Way for the Cosmos to Know Itself by Carl Sagan]] > "Understanding is a joy." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Understanding Is a Joy by Carl Sagan|Understanding Is a Joy by Carl Sagan]] > "Knowledge is prerequisite to survival." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Knowledge Is Prerequisite to Survival by Carl Sagan|Knowledge Is Prerequisite to Survival by Carl Sagan]] > "Our species is young and curious and brave and shows much promise." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/Our Species Is Young and Curious and Brave and Shows Much Promise by Carl Sagan|Our Species Is Young and Curious and Brave and Shows Much Promise by Carl Sagan]] > "The universe seems neither benign nor hostile, merely indifferent to the concerns of such puny creatures as we are." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/The Universe Seems Neither Benign nor Hostile Merely Indifferent to the Concerns of Such Puny Creatures as We Are by Carl Sagan|The Universe Seems Neither Benign nor Hostile Merely Indifferent to the Concerns of Such Puny Creatures as We Are by Carl Sagan]] > "Our feeblest contemplations of the Cosmos stir us." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/Our Contemplations of the Cosmos Stir Us by Carl Sagan|Our Contemplations of the Cosmos Stir Us by Carl Sagan]] > "We know we are approaching the greatest of mysteries." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/We Approach the Greatest of Mysteries by Carl Sagan|We Approach the Greatest of Mysteries by Carl Sagan]] > "National boundaries are not evident when we view the Earth from space." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/National Boundaries Are Not Evident When We View the Earth from Space by Carl Sagan|National Boundaries Are Not Evident When We View the Earth from Space by Carl Sagan]] > "We are children equally of the earth and the sky." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/We Are Children Equally of the Earth and the Sky by Carl Sagan|We Are Children Equally of the Earth and the Sky by Carl Sagan]] > "The best antidote for pseudoscience, I firmly believe, is science." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Broca’s Brain* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/The Best Antidote for Pseudoscience I Firmly Believe Is Science by Carl Sagan|The Best Antidote for Pseudoscience I Firmly Believe Is Science by Carl Sagan]] > "Every new set of discoveries raises a host of questions which we were never before wise enough even to ask." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Broca’s Brain* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Every New Set of Discoveries Raises a Host of Questions Which We Were Never Before Wise Enough Even to Ask by Carl Sagan|Every New Set of Discoveries Raises a Host of Questions Which We Were Never Before Wise Enough Even to Ask by Carl Sagan]] > "Science sometimes requires courage—at the very least the courage to question the conventional wisdom." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Broca’s Brain* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Science Sometimes Requires Courage at the Very Least the Courage to Question the Conventional Wisdom by Carl Sagan|Science Sometimes Requires Courage at the Very Least the Courage to Question the Conventional Wisdom by Carl Sagan]] > "The extraordinary should certainly be pursued." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Broca’s Brain* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/The Extraordinary Should Certainly Be Pursued by Carl Sagan|The Extraordinary Should Certainly Be Pursued by Carl Sagan]] > "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Broca’s Brain* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Evidence by Carl Sagan|Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Evidence by Carl Sagan]] > "The search for patterns without critical analysis, and rigid skepticism without a search for patterns, are the antipodes of incomplete science. The effective pursuit of knowledge requires both functions." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Dragons of Eden* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Knowledge Requires Pattern Seeking and Critical Analysis by Carl Sagan|Knowledge Requires Pattern Seeking and Critical Analysis by Carl Sagan]] > "Curiosity and the urge to solve problems are the emotional hallmarks of our species." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Dragons of Eden* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Curiosity and the Urge to Solve Problems Are the Emotional Hallmarks of Our Species by Carl Sagan|Curiosity and the Urge to Solve Problems Are the Emotional Hallmarks of Our Species by Carl Sagan]] > "Mathematics is as much a ‘humanity’ as poetry." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Dragons of Eden* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Mathematics Is as Much a Humanity as Poetry by Carl Sagan|Mathematics Is as Much a Humanity as Poetry by Carl Sagan]] > "The future belongs to those societies that treat new ideas as delicate, fragile and immensely valuable pathways to the future." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Dragons of Eden* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/The Future Belongs to Those Societies That Treat New Ideas as Delicate Fragile and Immensely Valuable Pathways to the Future by Carl Sagan|The Future Belongs to Those Societies That Treat New Ideas as Delicate Fragile and Immensely Valuable Pathways to the Future by Carl Sagan]] > "The price we pay for the anticipation of our future is anxiety about it." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Dragons of Eden* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/The Price We Pay for the Anticipation of Our Future Is Anxiety About It by Carl Sagan|The Price We Pay for the Anticipation of Our Future Is Anxiety About It by Carl Sagan]] > "The path to the future lies through the corpus callosum." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Dragons of Eden* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/The Path to the Future Lies Through the Corpus Callosum by Carl Sagan|The Path to the Future Lies Through the Corpus Callosum by Carl Sagan]] > "It is important to distinguish between the amount of information and the quality of that information." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Dragons of Eden* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/It Is Important to Distinguish Between the Amount of Information and the Quality of That Information by Carl Sagan|It Is Important to Distinguish Between the Amount of Information and the Quality of That Information by Carl Sagan]] > "There is no guarantee that the universe will conform to our predispositions." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Broca’s Brain* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/There Is No Guarantee That the Universe Will Conform to Our Predispositions by Carl Sagan|There Is No Guarantee That the Universe Will Conform to Our Predispositions by Carl Sagan]] > "The scarce commodity is systematic training in critical thinking." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Broca’s Brain* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/The Scarce Commodity Is Systematic Training in Critical Thinking by Carl Sagan|The Scarce Commodity Is Systematic Training in Critical Thinking by Carl Sagan]] > "I like a universe that includes much that is unknown and, at the same time, much that is knowable." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Broca’s Brain* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/I Like a Universe That Includes Much That Is Unknown and at the Same Time Much That Is Knowable by Carl Sagan|I Like a Universe That Includes Much That Is Unknown and at the Same Time Much That Is Knowable by Carl Sagan]] > "A universe that is unknowable is no fit place for a thinking being." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Broca’s Brain* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/A Universe That Is Unknowable Is No Fit Place for a Thinking Being by Carl Sagan|A Universe That Is Unknowable Is No Fit Place for a Thinking Being by Carl Sagan]] > "The ideal universe for us is one very much like the universe we inhabit." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Broca’s Brain* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/The Ideal Universe for Us Is One Very Much Like the Universe We Inhabit by Carl Sagan|The Ideal Universe for Us Is One Very Much Like the Universe We Inhabit by Carl Sagan]] > "Real science is as amenable to exciting and engrossing fiction as fake science." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Broca’s Brain* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Real Science Is as Amenable to Exciting and Engrossing Fiction as Fake Science by Carl Sagan|Real Science Is as Amenable to Exciting and Engrossing Fiction as Fake Science by Carl Sagan]] > "Look again at [Earth]. That's here. That's home. That's us." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/That's Here That's Home That's Us by Carl Sagan|That's Here That's Home That's Us by Carl Sagan]] > "[Earth is] a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/A Mote of Dust Suspended in a Sunbeam by Carl Sagan|A Mote of Dust Suspended in a Sunbeam by Carl Sagan]] > "The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/The Earth Is a Very Small Stage in a Vast Cosmic Arena by Carl Sagan|The Earth Is a Very Small Stage in a Vast Cosmic Arena by Carl Sagan]] > "Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/Our Planet Is a Lonely Speck in the Great Enveloping Cosmic Dark by Carl Sagan|Our Planet Is a Lonely Speck in the Great Enveloping Cosmic Dark by Carl Sagan]] > "The Earth is where we make our stand." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/The Earth Is Where We Make Our Stand by Carl Sagan|The Earth Is Where We Make Our Stand by Carl Sagan]] > "Astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/Astronomy Is a Humbling and Character-building Experience by Carl Sagan|Astronomy Is a Humbling and Character-building Experience by Carl Sagan]] > "[The distant image of our tiny world] underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/The Pale Blue Dot Calls Us to Kindness by Carl Sagan|The Pale Blue Dot Calls Us to Kindness by Carl Sagan]] > "Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/Preserve and Cherish the Pale Blue Dot the Only Home We've Ever Known by Carl Sagan|Preserve and Cherish the Pale Blue Dot the Only Home We've Ever Known by Carl Sagan]] > "Once we overcome our fear of being tiny, we find ourselves on the threshold of a vast and awesome Universe." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/Once We Overcome Our Fear of Being Tiny We Find Ourselves on the Threshold of a Vast and Awesome Universe by Carl Sagan|Once We Overcome Our Fear of Being Tiny We Find Ourselves on the Threshold of a Vast and Awesome Universe by Carl Sagan]] > "We are right to rejoice in our accomplishments." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/We Are Right to Rejoice in Our Accomplishments by Carl Sagan|We Are Right to Rejoice in Our Accomplishments by Carl Sagan]] > "It does no harm to the romance of the sunset to know a little bit about it." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/It Does No Harm to the Romance of the Sunset to Know a Little Bit About It by Carl Sagan|It Does No Harm to the Romance of the Sunset to Know a Little Bit About It by Carl Sagan]] > "Modern science has been a voyage into the unknown, with a lesson in humility waiting at every stop." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Modern Science Has Been a Voyage Into the Unknown with a Lesson in Humility Waiting at Every Stop by Carl Sagan|Modern Science Has Been a Voyage Into the Unknown with a Lesson in Humility Waiting at Every Stop by Carl Sagan]] > "If we crave some cosmic purpose, then let us find ourselves a worthy goal." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/If We Crave Some Cosmic Purpose Then Let Us Find Ourselves a Worthy Goal by Carl Sagan|If We Crave Some Cosmic Purpose Then Let Us Find Ourselves a Worthy Goal by Carl Sagan]] > "The visions we offer our children shape the future." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/The Visions We Offer Our Children Shape the Future by Carl Sagan|The Visions We Offer Our Children Shape the Future by Carl Sagan]] > "Dreams are maps." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/Dreams Are Maps by Carl Sagan|Dreams Are Maps by Carl Sagan]] > "Better by far to embrace the hard truth than a reassuring fable." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/Better by Far to Embrace the Hard Truth Than a Reassuring Fable by Carl Sagan|Better by Far to Embrace the Hard Truth Than a Reassuring Fable by Carl Sagan]] > "We are the custodians of life’s meaning." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/We Are the Custodians of Life's Meaning by Carl Sagan|We Are the Custodians of Life's Meaning by Carl Sagan]] > "Knowledge is preferable to ignorance." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/Knowledge Is Preferable to Ignorance by Carl Sagan|Knowledge Is Preferable to Ignorance by Carl Sagan]] > "The significance of our lives and our fragile planet is determined only by our own wisdom and courage." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/The Significance of Our Lives and Our Fragile Planet Is Determined Only by Our Own Wisdom and Courage by Carl Sagan|The Significance of Our Lives and Our Fragile Planet Is Determined Only by Our Own Wisdom and Courage by Carl Sagan]] > "Sailors on a becalmed sea, we sense the stirring of a breeze." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/We Sense the Stirring of a Breeze by Carl Sagan|We Sense the Stirring of a Breeze by Carl Sagan]] > "Telescopes are time machines." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Pale Blue Dot* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/Telescopes Are Time Machines by Carl Sagan|Telescopes Are Time Machines by Carl Sagan]] > "For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Demon-Haunted World* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/For Me It Is Far Better to Grasp the Universe as It Really Is Than to Persist in Delusion by Carl Sagan|For Me It Is Far Better to Grasp the Universe as It Really Is Than to Persist in Delusion by Carl Sagan]] > "Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Demon-Haunted World* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/Science Is Not Only Compatible with Spirituality It Is a Profound Source of Spirituality by Carl Sagan|Science Is Not Only Compatible with Spirituality It Is a Profound Source of Spirituality by Carl Sagan]] > "Every question is a cry to understand the world." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Demon-Haunted World* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/Every Question Is a Cry to Understand the World by Carl Sagan|Every Question Is a Cry to Understand the World by Carl Sagan]] > "There is no such thing as a dumb question." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Demon-Haunted World* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/There Is No Such Thing as a Dumb Question by Carl Sagan|There Is No Such Thing as a Dumb Question by Carl Sagan]] > "Books are patient where we are slow to understand." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Demon-Haunted World* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Books Are Patient Where We Are Slow to Understand by Carl Sagan|Books Are Patient Where We Are Slow to Understand by Carl Sagan]] > "Books are key to understanding the world and participating in a democratic society." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Demon-Haunted World* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Books Are Key to Understanding the World and Participating in a Democratic Society by Carl Sagan|Books Are Key to Understanding the World and Participating in a Democratic Society by Carl Sagan]] > "We are all fallible, even leaders." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Billions and Billions* [[reminders/Civilization/We Are All Fallible Even Leaders by Carl Sagan|We Are All Fallible Even Leaders by Carl Sagan]] > "Absolute certainty will always elude us." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Demon-Haunted World* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Absolute Certainty Will Always Elude Us by Carl Sagan|Absolute Certainty Will Always Elude Us by Carl Sagan]] > "Really, it’s okay to reserve judgment until the evidence is in." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Demon-Haunted World* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Really It's Okay to Reserve Judgment Until the Evidence Is in by Carl Sagan|Really It's Okay to Reserve Judgment Until the Evidence Is in by Carl Sagan]] > "[The balance between openness to new ideas and skeptical scrutiny] is how deep truths are winnowed from deep nonsense." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Demon-Haunted World* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/How Deep Truths Are Winnowed from Deep Nonsense by Carl Sagan|How Deep Truths Are Winnowed from Deep Nonsense by Carl Sagan]] > "Science confers power on anyone who takes the trouble to learn it." > **— Carl Sagan**, *With Science on Our Side, The Washington Post* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/Science Confers Power on Anyone Who Takes the Trouble to Learn It by Carl Sagan|Science Confers Power on Anyone Who Takes the Trouble to Learn It by Carl Sagan]] > "Not explaining science seems to me perverse. When you’re in love, you want to tell the world." > **— Carl Sagan**, *With Science on Our Side, The Washington Post* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Not Explaining Science Seems to Me Perverse by Carl Sagan|Not Explaining Science Seems to Me Perverse by Carl Sagan]] > "Science is far from a perfect instrument of knowledge. It’s just the best one we have." > **— Carl Sagan**, *With Science on Our Side, The Washington Post* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/Science Is Far from a Perfect Instrument of Knowledge by Carl Sagan|Science Is Far from a Perfect Instrument of Knowledge by Carl Sagan]] > "Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Broca’s Brain* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/Science Is a Way of Thinking Much More Than It Is a Body of Knowledge by Carl Sagan|Science Is a Way of Thinking Much More Than It Is a Body of Knowledge by Carl Sagan]] > "Our passion for learning is our tool for survival." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Cosmos* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/Our Passion for Learning Is Our Tool for Survival by Carl Sagan|Our Passion for Learning Is Our Tool for Survival by Carl Sagan]] > "Science arouses a soaring sense of wonder." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Demon-Haunted World* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/Science Arouses a Soaring Sense of Wonder by Carl Sagan|Science Arouses a Soaring Sense of Wonder by Carl Sagan]] > "Claims to knowledge require adequate evidence before they can be accepted." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Demon-Haunted World* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/Claims to Knowledge Require Adequate Evidence Before They Can Be Accepted by Carl Sagan|Claims to Knowledge Require Adequate Evidence Before They Can Be Accepted by Carl Sagan]] > "There are no forbidden questions in science." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Demon-Haunted World* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/There Are No Forbidden Questions in Science by Carl Sagan|There Are No Forbidden Questions in Science by Carl Sagan]] > "Arguments from authority are worthless." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Demon-Haunted World* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Arguments from Authority Are Worthless by Carl Sagan|Arguments from Authority Are Worthless by Carl Sagan]] > "Nearly all our problems are made by humans and can be solved by humans." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Billions and Billions* [[reminders/Civilization/Nearly All Our Problems Are Made by Humans and Can Be Solved by Humans by Carl Sagan|Nearly All Our Problems Are Made by Humans and Can Be Solved by Humans by Carl Sagan]] > "[Making our technological world a safe and balanced ecosystem] is up to us." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Billions and Billions* [[reminders/Civilization/Caring for Our World Is Up to Us by Carl Sagan|Caring for Our World Is Up to Us by Carl Sagan]] > "Be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Billions and Billions* [[reminders/Exploration/Be Grateful Every Day for the Brief but Magnificent Opportunity That Life Provides by Carl Sagan|Be Grateful Every Day for the Brief but Magnificent Opportunity That Life Provides by Carl Sagan]] > "Science asks us to take nothing on faith." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Billions and Billions* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Science Asks Us to Take Nothing on Faith by Carl Sagan|Science Asks Us to Take Nothing on Faith by Carl Sagan]] > "Science considers deep skepticism a prime virtue." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Billions and Billions* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Science Considers Deep Skepticism a Prime Virtue by Carl Sagan|Science Considers Deep Skepticism a Prime Virtue by Carl Sagan]] > "Science is, at least in part, informed worship." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Varieties of Scientific Experience* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Science Is at Least in Part Informed Worship by Carl Sagan|Science Is at Least in Part Informed Worship by Carl Sagan]] > "The enterprise of knowledge is essential for the welfare of the human species." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Varieties of Scientific Experience* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/The Enterprise of Knowledge Is Essential for the Welfare of the Human Species by Carl Sagan|The Enterprise of Knowledge Is Essential for the Welfare of the Human Species by Carl Sagan]] > "At the molecular level, we are all virtually identical." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Varieties of Scientific Experience* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/At the Molecular Level We Are All Virtually Identical by Carl Sagan|At the Molecular Level We Are All Virtually Identical by Carl Sagan]] > "Complex organic materials are everywhere." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Varieties of Scientific Experience* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/Complex Organic Materials Are Everywhere by Carl Sagan|Complex Organic Materials Are Everywhere by Carl Sagan]] > "Extinction is the rule, survival is the exception." > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Varieties of Scientific Experience* [[reminders/Extinction/Extinction Is the Rule by Carl Sagan|Extinction Is the Rule by Carl Sagan]] > "If there’s nothing in here but atoms, does that make us less or does that make matter more?" > **— Carl Sagan**, *The Varieties of Scientific Experience* [[reminders/Scientific Literacy/If There's Nothing in Here but Atoms Does That Make Us Less or Does That Make Matter More by Carl Sagan|If There's Nothing in Here but Atoms Does That Make Us Less or Does That Make Matter More by Carl Sagan]] > "The universe is a pretty big place. If it’s just us, seems like an awful waste of space." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Contact* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/The Universe Is a Pretty Big Place by Carl Sagan|The Universe Is a Pretty Big Place by Carl Sagan]] > "For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Contact* [[reminders/Cosmic Perspective/For Small Creatures Such as We the Vastness Is Bearable Only Through Love by Carl Sagan|For Small Creatures Such as We the Vastness Is Bearable Only Through Love by Carl Sagan]] > "We all have a thirst for wonder. It’s a deeply human quality." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Contact* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/We All Have a Thirst for Wonder by Carl Sagan|We All Have a Thirst for Wonder by Carl Sagan]] > "Nature’s a lot better at inventing wonders than we are." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Contact* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording or authorship still requires direct inspection of the named work.* [[reminders/unverified/Nature's a Lot Better at Inventing Wonders Than We Are by Carl Sagan|Nature's a Lot Better at Inventing Wonders Than We Are by Carl Sagan]] > "Humans are very good at dreaming." > **— Carl Sagan**, *Contact* [[reminders/Exploration/Humans Are Very Good at Dreaming by Carl Sagan|Humans Are Very Good at Dreaming by Carl Sagan]]  > "The sky calls to us. If we do not destroy ourselves, we will one day venture to the stars." > **— Carl Sagan**, *1980, Cosmos* *Verification Status: Unverified — exact wording/source has not yet been independently confirmed against a primary source; source clue: Cosmos, 1980.* [[reminders/unverified/The Sky Calls to Us If We Do Not Destroy Ourselves We Will One Day Venture to the Stars by Carl Sagan|The Sky Calls to Us If We Do Not Destroy Ourselves We Will One Day Venture to the Stars by Carl Sagan]] ## Sources / Provenance - [[articles/Beyond the Sea|Beyond the Sea]]