Awe Struck
What if each of our elementary particle is a universe one level down and each of us is an elementary particle in the universe one level up?
He who shrank by Harry Hasse
Takes a quantum leap in the thought process. A thought surely worth pursing as Carl Sagan says. Ok, I am in the Carl Sagan rules, mode at this point of time.
Never in the history of science did it find an advocate of his caliber who could write for the layman and it doesnt look like its going to find one in the near future. Brocas Brain, is the first book I am reading and its just 166 pages down with a lot more to go! Why am I writing about this? Raving is usually reserved for authors whose books I've read, either totally, or at the very least, nearing the climax. This guy is an exception. First published in 1978, Brocas Brain tries to give you facts and leaves you alone with them. At no point of time (ok, 166 pages of it at least) are you asked to believe in anything written in it. Never draws a conclusion for you.
Sagan was a NASA astronomer who wrote in English as opposed to books written in scientific mumbo jumbo by other scientific types, he spoke physics, chemistry and biology in a language that even I can understand. (If you are a regular reader of this crappy blog and want to know, what's with the I am so humble attitude, .Sorry you dont get to know). He also happened to have a leading part in launching all early interplanetary space crafts besides winning a Pulitzer prize and reducing NASAs medal inventory by large numbers.
Sagan doesnt trash the conventional lay mans thinking, he lays the facts on the table and tells you to pick the dishes you want for dinner.
From ancient myths to modern day astronomers, they all come in for an analytical review. The reader peering over Sagans shoulder while he examines the legends, is treated to an extremely comprehendible walk through the scientific maze that is normally scratch the head and wait for assistance for unscientific kind of people. Laced with an almost mischievous sense of humor, he maintains a narrative that would give authors of best selling thrillers a run for their money.
Criticizing with dignity takes an effort, and this book is a huge leap in the learning curve. Sagan criticizes with dignity that adds credulity to the criticism. How does one tell which hypothesis is right or wrong? One doesnt. One does it the Sagan way. Simple, provide the facts, and let the reader reach his own conclusions. The reader (in this case me, which in case you havent figured out yet, you need to shut down your computer and go swing from trees.) learns more about the universe and its workings from reading his book than, most followers of obscure religious sects learn in a lifetime. He gives you an interpretation of his thoughts and lets you continue the thinking. Carl Sagan rules! Told you that already? Well, listen to it again.
Name one scripture that lets you think and I will..hmm buying you a holiday villa in Venice is too much, but slightly lesser wagers are acceptable (Ice cream at the neighborhood store?). Religious books give you conclusions and people find it easier to follow them. If I am told the value of pi to its thousandth decimal place its surely easier than being asked to calculate it. We are provided with conclusions during the growing years so we end up with minimum questions and loads of conclusions. (That is a conclusion! But then, I reached it all by myself. Lollipop for Antimatter.)
P.s. I owe it to a friend for bringing Carl Sagan to my attention. Thanks.
All contributions to be sent to:
Recall the three Medal of Honor
Americans for a sane America (that would be the entire population minus the government)
US of A
He who shrank by Harry Hasse
Takes a quantum leap in the thought process. A thought surely worth pursing as Carl Sagan says. Ok, I am in the Carl Sagan rules, mode at this point of time.
Never in the history of science did it find an advocate of his caliber who could write for the layman and it doesnt look like its going to find one in the near future. Brocas Brain, is the first book I am reading and its just 166 pages down with a lot more to go! Why am I writing about this? Raving is usually reserved for authors whose books I've read, either totally, or at the very least, nearing the climax. This guy is an exception. First published in 1978, Brocas Brain tries to give you facts and leaves you alone with them. At no point of time (ok, 166 pages of it at least) are you asked to believe in anything written in it. Never draws a conclusion for you.
Sagan was a NASA astronomer who wrote in English as opposed to books written in scientific mumbo jumbo by other scientific types, he spoke physics, chemistry and biology in a language that even I can understand. (If you are a regular reader of this crappy blog and want to know, what's with the I am so humble attitude, .Sorry you dont get to know). He also happened to have a leading part in launching all early interplanetary space crafts besides winning a Pulitzer prize and reducing NASAs medal inventory by large numbers.
Sagan doesnt trash the conventional lay mans thinking, he lays the facts on the table and tells you to pick the dishes you want for dinner.
From ancient myths to modern day astronomers, they all come in for an analytical review. The reader peering over Sagans shoulder while he examines the legends, is treated to an extremely comprehendible walk through the scientific maze that is normally scratch the head and wait for assistance for unscientific kind of people. Laced with an almost mischievous sense of humor, he maintains a narrative that would give authors of best selling thrillers a run for their money.
Criticizing with dignity takes an effort, and this book is a huge leap in the learning curve. Sagan criticizes with dignity that adds credulity to the criticism. How does one tell which hypothesis is right or wrong? One doesnt. One does it the Sagan way. Simple, provide the facts, and let the reader reach his own conclusions. The reader (in this case me, which in case you havent figured out yet, you need to shut down your computer and go swing from trees.) learns more about the universe and its workings from reading his book than, most followers of obscure religious sects learn in a lifetime. He gives you an interpretation of his thoughts and lets you continue the thinking. Carl Sagan rules! Told you that already? Well, listen to it again.
Name one scripture that lets you think and I will..hmm buying you a holiday villa in Venice is too much, but slightly lesser wagers are acceptable (Ice cream at the neighborhood store?). Religious books give you conclusions and people find it easier to follow them. If I am told the value of pi to its thousandth decimal place its surely easier than being asked to calculate it. We are provided with conclusions during the growing years so we end up with minimum questions and loads of conclusions. (That is a conclusion! But then, I reached it all by myself. Lollipop for Antimatter.)
P.s. I owe it to a friend for bringing Carl Sagan to my attention. Thanks.
All contributions to be sent to:
Recall the three Medal of Honor
Americans for a sane America (that would be the entire population minus the government)
US of A
posted by Antimatter at 9:13 PM
1 Comments:
Here, here is a lollipop for Antimatter.
~N
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