Since the beginning of the Project X discussions, I've wanted to present this episode of Carl Sagan's Cosmos series (episode 12: Encyclopedia Galactica) as it not only covers the whole motivation behind space exploration, but connects it clearly with the explorers of the 15th-19th centuries(conquistadors (city of gold) connection is touched on) and the transformation of society by discovering seperately-evolved cultures:
If you groove on this, check the episode after, 13 - Who Speaks For Earth?, which is more passionate, yet spiritual in a way that you'll be shocked to see from a scientist presenting you with hard science.
Carl Sagan's Cosmos - Ep 13 - Who Speaks For Earth?
In fact, Sagan conveys how the scientific understanding of the forces of the universe can give a person spiritual buoyancy without needing any kind of silly dieties or superstitions. He even calls the entirety of UFO/alien anecotal story-telling as predictably false, but clearly giving a convincing case that we need to take on the centuries-long task of contacting whatever technical civilisations are probably outside of our solar system. He convinces me that if you understand the gradual forces of chance behind our own history--ones that could create organisms (and eventually conscious beings) on our planet--you could see how, given the size of the universe, that it is fairly inevitable to exist elsewhere. This arguement is bolstered by the information gathered about our own tiny solar system since the show first aired. We've found water, complex organic carbon-based molecules needed for replicating proteins to emerge on Mars and extraplanetary moons just in the last 10 years. Given the billions of stars and planets...yet this is all in the realm of hard science, which is so poorly understood outside of academia. (maybe similar to theatre? ;) )
BTW, here is the entire golden record (Pioneer & Explorer missions) audio online:
http://goldenrecord.org/sounds.htm
1 comment:
This is really great stuff. I found myself super bolstered by typing and working while listening to greetings in 55 languages! I recognized maybe one of every 15 and it made me re-realize just how strange language is to hear if you have no idea what is being said. I am wondering if we can do something with this a la Jerry trying to sing/speak French in rehearsal on Sunday Jan 6.
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