There are words so profoundly beautiful that I wish they were floating by so I could catch and cherish them. We are flooded with words and quotes, worthy and unworthy. Which of them shall we read deeply, which shall we remember, which ignore?
For today, my answer includes a few of those spoken by Carl Sagan.
Sagan was a public intellectual and astronomer with the gift of words. He died too early, in 1996, at the age of 62. To the good, he lives on in videos and books.
The eloquence and significance of his thoughts are evident in a less than four-minute video he wrote and narrated, which has been described as “a speech that will change your life.“
Please click the link, then watch and listen.
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This video was produced by a worthwhile YouTube site that goes by the misleading name Word Porn. Trust me, there is nothing pornographic about them or their work. The video is called Pale Blue Dot and was licensed from carlsagan.com/
The top image is Carl Sagan. The bottom photograph, taken by the James Webb Telescope, is called Webb’s First Deep Field.
Amen, brother.
Thanks, Frank!
Looking up at the stars, I know quite wellThat, for all they care, I can go to hell,But on earth indifference is the leastWe have to dread from man or beast.
How should we like it were stars to burnWith a passion for us we could not return?If equal affection cannot be,Let the more loving one be me.
Admirer as I think I amOf stars that do not give a damn,I cannot, now I see them, sayI missed one terribly all day.
Were all stars to disappear or die,I should learn to look at an empty skyAnd feel its total dark sublime,Though this might take me a little time.
From Homage to Clio by W. H. Auden, 1960
Thank you, Evelyn, for the Auden, a part of “Homage to Clio.”
I should add, that the poem is quite brilliant and tells an important story. I had never encountered it before.
one of my favorite people ever, with his combination of wisdom, understanding, compassion, and the ability to communicate this to others. this is a powerful speech, and my ex and I used to watch cosmos and read his books all those years ago, and always be blown away by it. thank you for sharing this, it’s something that all people should read or hear, over and over again.
I am glad it resonates, Beth. Sagan offered his reminder of what our planet represents long before most of us were thinking about this. His comments, in his way, are encouraging if we take his lead and realize that each of us have a responsibility to take good care of our home and the co-inhabitants of our planetary home, just as we do of the houses and apartments we inhabit and those we love. As you say so well, “people should read or hear (it), over and over again.” Thank you, Beth.
Oh my. Eloquence indeed. I’ll never tire of listening to Sagan’s voice, his words. Especially the phrase about our existence, “dust suspended on a sunbeam”. Goes straight to my heart. A prayerful reminder that human conceit, just as Sagan said. Just as you’ve said, Dr. Stein…can be our undoing. Thank you. 💕
Thank you, Vicki. I think the coin is in the air and has not yet come down heads or tails. I believe we can avoid our undoing (Sagan’s words, not mine) if those who have a forum, including bloggers and others, will address this subject at least on occasion, and encourage others to mobilize rather than turn away from what is happening while something can still be done. We must do this not only for ourselves, but, more importantly, for our children and children’s children, and all those we love — indeed, for our plant and animal friends, who still do their best to provide the changing seasonal show of nature’s beauty. Your kindness and encouragement, Vicki, are much appreciated, as always. You are a good soul.
“Encourage others to mobilize”. Yes! ❤️ Thank you.
Dr. Stein, thanks for reminding us of that profound and wise vision left us by Carl Sagan. The image of that “Pale Blue Dot” has remained with me over the years. We are so caught up in our imagined greatness that we lose sight of the cosmic perspective.
As you say, Rosaliene, part of Sagan’s message is that we get carried away with the word “I” and have often forgotten the word “we.” Thank you for highlighting this.
There are many forces actively at work in our world.
There are the greedy selfish people who care not what they do or say. They seem compelled to utter the most heinous and terrible things to divide everyone so that they can become the conquerors.
There are those kind and thoughtful people who do whatever they can to help their fellow planetary inhabitants to have better lives and futures.
It is up to each of us to make our own decisions on how we choose to live our lives.
Keep sharing the good, the helpful, and the inspiring things that can help influence those who are on the fence!
I would disagree with only one point in your always welcome commentary, Tamara. Perhaps you didn’t mean to say it quite as you did. That is, the short sentence that makes up the 4th paragraph. In many states in the U.S., a woman does not have the right to make certain choices about her own body. Amber Nicole Thurman of Georgia had a rare side-effect from an abortion pill. She needed a routine D&C to remove the already dead fetus inside of her. The doctors who treated her refused to act to save her life because they were afraid of being charged with a felony under Georgia law. There was no such law before the Dobbs decision by the Supreme Court.
I wish it were possible for such women as Amber Nicole Thurman to make those decisions for themselves, but it is not at this time. She left behind a six year old son who is now an orphan.
Absolutely beautiful! Talk about a necessary dose of perspective for all our petty ambitions and egoism. Thank you for sharing this incredible speech, Dr. Stein.
I understood it as you did, Wynne. I appreciate your watching it. Not an easy message, but an essential one. Thank you.