BS: Carl Sagan

Subject: BS: Carl Sagan
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 04:41 PM

His work: opinions?

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: Peace
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 04:43 PM

What is it you want opinions about?

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 04:44 PM

I've got lots of opinions. And at a great sale price, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: jeffp
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 04:49 PM

Haven't heard any of his CDs.

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 05:15 PM

Like it. Interesting.
That do you?

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: pdq
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 05:30 PM

...(when) Apple Computer began developing the Power Macintosh 7100. They chose the internal code name "Carl Sagan," in honor of the astronomer.

Though the project name was strictly internal and never used in public marketing, when Sagan learned of this internal usage, he sued Apple Computer to use a different project name...

Though Sagan lost the suit, Apple engineers complied with his demands anyway, renaming the project Butthead Astronomer.

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: Don Firth
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 05:34 PM

Solid background as an astronomer and a pioneer in the field of exobiology (now referred to as astrobiology), the serious study of the potential of extraterrestrial life. He was one of the major forces in setting up the SETI project. An examination of his background shows that his credentials are indisputable and his scientific achievements, particularly in the field of planetolgy, are impressive.

In my opinion, Sagan has done a great service by spreading his enthusiasm for science to a large number of people through his books and the award-winning Cosmos television series. He, like Isaac Asimov, had a real knack for explaining complex concepts in terms that most people willing to stretch their minds a bit could easily grasp, without watering down the concept.

He has taken some flak from other scientists who sneer at his "popularizing" of science, but frankly, I put that down to simple envy. I admire Sagan for the breadth and depth of his knowledge, his advocacy of the scientific method, his combination of wide-ranging concepts tempered by skeptical inquiry, and his humanism. I also admire him for his desire to share his enthusiasm for science, and his unique ability to communicate that enthusiasm to people at large. His untimely death from a form of leukemia at the age of 62 was a great loss.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: michaelr
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 07:17 PM

Long-time stoner, he was.

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: number 6
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 07:37 PM

I though highly of his line of coffee brewers.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: bobad
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 07:44 PM

Coffee brewers???

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: Alba
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 07:51 PM

Any relation to Carole Bayer Sager, perhaps a Brother or Uncle ?

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: Alba
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 08:02 PM

Eh what was I NOT thinking when I posted above! Please no one answer that as it has been a difficult day for me in some ways..*smile*
Jude (The totally obscure!)

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: open mike
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 08:36 PM

musical note:
His son, Bruce Sagan (a mathematician)
is an accomplished musician and teacher
in the Scandinavian music styles ,
playing nyckelharpa,
and he played a concert last sat.
in New York. He also moderates a
Scandinavian news group/list serve.

Concert in NYC with Bruce Sagan and Elaine Comparone

Saturday, March 10, 2007 7:30 PM | First Moravian Church

Hear traditional Swedish music and sonatas by Loiellet and Telemann, played by Bruce Sagan, nyckelharpa & Elaine Comparone, harpsichord.

Lexington Ave. & 30th St. (SW corner)New York City


In 1993 he recorded "Spelstundarna" with Andrea Hoag.

He is also music director of the Nordic Fiddles and Feet camp at
Buffalo Gap Community Camp in Capon Bridge, WV

He also plays music in the Balkan tradition.

so, now can this go back up above the b.s. line?

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: Wolfgang
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 07:50 AM

Carl Sagan's Life and Legacy (link goes to new Skeptical Inquirer article)

He is one of my science heroes.
However, sometimes he let his political opinions interfere with sound science. These were the weakest moments in his great career:

Quickly capping 363 oil well fires in a war zone is impossible. The fires would burn out of control until they put themselves out... The resulting soot might well stretch over all of South Asia... It could be carried around the world... [and] the consequences could be dire. Beneath such a pall sunlight would be dimmed, temperatures lowered and droughts more frequent. Spring and summer frosts may be expected... (Sagan, op-ed article 1991, about the impact of the first/second gulf war)

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: Linda Goodman Zebooker
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 08:02 AM

I'm amazed to read about the son, Bruce Sagan and his connection with Balkan and Scandinavian music (and Buffalo Gap)!

I was totally mesmerized by the television series, COSMOS, which I watched in black and white. I loved the explanation of the "water thief", an ancient tool for collecting water though full of holes itself. I loved how the great music was integrated in the shows, hearing "Air for the G String" for the first time. It was one of my favorite beginner-piano pieces, but I'd never heard it done by an orchestra.

Living in the DC area, I was fortunate enough (in perhaps 1980?) to attend a talk that Carl Sagan and my idol Isaac Asimov gave together on the need for future space exploration. I miss them both.

Linda

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: Alec
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 08:09 AM

"We are as butterflies,
who flutter for a day
and think it is forever"
Carl Sagan.
I love that quote.

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: John Hardly
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 08:22 AM

Carly Sagan was, as I remember, married to James Taylor for a while.

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: mmm1a
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 02:15 PM

Carly Simon was married to james Taylor.
   
                mmm1a

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 03:44 PM

Carl Sagan, Isaac Asimov, and George Gamow may be the three most guilty of titilating young science wannabees of the past century.

Yet some of our universities don't seem to think it's very important to be able to write, clearly or otherwise, - if you're "just gonna be a scientist."

John

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: skarpi
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 04:35 AM

Hallo all , Bruce came to my house last year I think and I got
some of his cds , what good man he is as his wife . We had a great time
here at my home I hope I geta change to meet them again .

All the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 06:01 AM

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: GUEST,Dickey
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 10:51 PM

I loved his Cosmos on TV but I remember his prediction of a nuclear winter or global cooling because of the oil well fires in Kuwait in 1991 was a turkey.

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: Alba
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 12:04 AM

That is cool Skarpi...
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: open mike
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 02:22 AM

oh yes, that international meeting was arranged by yours truly..
i saw that Bruce was indeed on the way to Iceland and wanted to
check out some of the music scene there....so, ta da@ networking
happens! hoor5ay for the mudcat and the internet!

Subject: RE: BS: Carl Sagan
From: Donuel
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 12:24 PM

I finer has never breathed.
Michiu Kaku is currently filling Carl's popular niche.