TRIBUTE

The Darkened Cosmos: A Tribute to Carl Sagan

ne of the world's strongest and Despite Sagan's fame as popular Omost eloquent voices for science writer and TV personality, his main and reason has been silenced forever. career was in science and academia. Carl Sagan died December 20 in a From 1971 until his death, Sagan was Seattle hospital at the age of sixty-two professor of astronomy and space science after a two-year battle widi the bone and director of the Laboratory for marrow disease myelodisplasia. One of Planetary Studies at Cornell University. the world's great popularizers of science, His main research interests, resulting in Sagan was a preeminent scientist, educa- hundreds of journal articles, were in tor, author, skeptic, and humanist. He planetary atmospheres, the greenhouse was also a founding member and fellow effect on Venus, the origin of life on of die Committee for the Scientific Earth, and the possibilities of extraterres- Investigation of Claims of the trial life and intelligence. Paranormal (CSICOP). Five years ago the American Sagan's award-winning 1980 TV Astronomical Society presented Sagan its series Cosmos and best-selling book by Masursky Award for "his extraordinary the same name turned the ebullient contributions to the development of planetary astronomer into an interna- planetary science. ... As a scientist tional celebrity. The thirteen-part TV trained in both astronomy and biology, series explored scientific understanding up until the end of his life. In his article Dr. Sagan has made seminal contribu- of fifteen billion yean of cosmic evolu- in die March 10, 1996, Parade magazine, tions to the study of planetary atmos- tion from the Big Bang to the origin of titled "In the Valley of die Shadow," he pheres, planetary surfaces, the history of life and human consciousness. spoke movingly of his illness and his atti- the Earth, and exobiology. Many of the most productive planetary scientists Sagan's presentation of his subject was tude toward death as a nontheist and working today are his present and former so fascinating and comprehensible that skeptic: "1 would love to believe diat students and associates." Cosmos attracted an audience of over half when I die I will live again, that some a billion people in sixty countries. The thinking, feeling, remembering part of He contributed to the Mariner, book from the series spent seventy weeks me will continue. But much as I want to Viking, Voyager, and Galileo planetary on the New York Times best-seller list, believe that, and despite the ancient and exploration missions that opened new including fifteen weeks at number one. worldwide cultural traditions that assert planetary worlds to our view and helped Sagan's career as a popularizcr began an afterlife, I know of nothing to suggest devise the interstellar messages carried in the early 1970s when he started pub- that it is more than wishful thinking. aboard the Pioneer 10 and 11 and lishing science books aimed at a lay audi- "The worid is so exquisite with so Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft. NASA twice ence and made his first of twenty-five much love and moral depth, that diere is awarded him medals, one for Excep- appearances on NBC's Tonight Show. His no reason to deceive ourselves with tional Scientific Achievement and one for Distinguished Public Service. book The Dragons of Eden: Speculations pretty stories for which there's little good on the Evolution of Human Intelligence evidence. Far better it seems to me, in Said NASA administrator Dan won die Pulitzer Prize for Literature in our vulnerability, is to look death in the Goldin at Sagan's death: "As much as any 1978. eye and to be grateful every day for the scientific figure of our time, Carl He continued his work as a popular- brief but magnificent opportunity that described for an entire generation—the izcr of science and critical thinking right life provides." generation of the space age—the true

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER Mjrch/Apnl 1997 5 wonders of the universe around us." about his love of science and die impor- "Sagan understood the need to bring tance of the popularization of science: science into American living rooms, to "Science is still one of my chief joys. The friends and colleagues of Carl show its relevance to our everyday lives, popularization of science that Isaac Sagan and others whose lives and to share die excitement and discov- Asimov did so well—die communica- ery," said Neal Lane, director of the tion not just of die findings but of the he touched to share their National Science Foundation. methods of science—seems to me as nat- thoughts about his life and In 1994, die National Academy of ural as breathing. After all, when you're work with our readers. Here Sciences, the nation's most august group in love, you want to tell the world. The are some of those tributes. More of scientists, presented Sagan its Public idea that scientists shouldn't talk about will appear in our next issue. Welfare Medal, given to "honor extraor- their science to the public seems to me dinary use of science for die public bizarre." good." Said Academy president Bruce Paul Kurtz, chairman of CSICOP, Alberts: "In die public view, Carl Sagan's said, "Carl Sagan was one of die leading name may be associated more with sci- scientific skeptics in die world and a ence than that of any other living U.S. critic of antiscientific and irrational atti- Richard Dawkins scientist. This award clearly honors a tudes, and perhaps the leading propo- In my review for The Times of London of very distinguished individual who has nent of the scientific outlook and die The Demon-Haunted World, I mentioned a played a critical role in promoting the methods of science. His untimely loss is chapter heading of Carl Sagan's Cosmor. understanding of science worldwide." deeply felt by the scientific and academic "Who Speaks for Earth?" I went on that it was "a rhetorical question that expects no One of Sagan's colleagues at Cornell community." particular answer, but I presume to give it University, Yervant Terzian, said Sagan In his last book, The Demon-Haunted one. My candidate for planetary ambas- was "the best teacher of science in the World: Science As a Candle in the Dark, sador, my own nominee to present our world." Sagan wrote: credentials in galactic chancelleries, can be Sagan actively supported the work of I worry that, especially as the none other dian Carl Sagan himself. He is CSICOP and was a great fan of SKEP- Millennium edges nearer, pseudo- wise, humane, polymathic, gentle, witty, TICAL INQUIRER. In 1987 at CSICOP s science and superstition will seem well-read, and incapable of composing a conference in Pasadena, he was given year by year more tempting, the dull sentence." CSICOP s In Praise of Reason Award. siren song of unreason more sonorous and attractive. Where have In the Financial Times diis year, I In 1994 CSICOP created the Isaac we heard it before? Whenever our described him as "a beacon of dear light in Asimov Award in honor of Asimov's ethnic or national prejudices are a dark world of alien abductions and 'real- extraordinary contributions to science aroused, in times of scarcity, during life X-files,' of psychic charlatans and New and humanity. The first recipient of diis challenges to national self-esteem or Age airheads, of fatcat astrologers giggling award was Carl Sagan. It was presented nerve, when we agonize about our all the way to the millennium." I met him at the 1994 CSICOP Conference in diminished cosmic place and pur- only once, so my feeling of desolation and Seattle. The award is in recognition of an pose, or when fanaticism is bub- loss at his death is based entirely on his bling up around us—then, habits of individual who throughout his or her life writings. Carl Sagan was one of the great thought familiar from ages past has shown outstanding commitment literary stylists of our age, and he did it by reach for the controls. and ability in communicating the giving proper weight to the poetry of sci- achievements, methods, and issues of sci- The candle flame gutters. Its lit- ence. It is hard to think of anyone whom tle pool of light trembles. Darkness ence to the public. our planet can so ill afford to lose. gathers. The demons begin to stir. When told that the first Asimov Richard Dawkins is the Charles Simonyi award would be presented to Carl Sagan, Said Kurtz: "I am afraid the world has Professor of the Public Understanding of Janet Asimov said, "There is no one bet- just become a bit darker." Science at Oxford University. His latest book is ter qualified for the CSICOP Isaac Carl Sagan is survived by his wife Climbing Mount Improbable (W. W. Norton, Asimov Award than his good friend and Ann Druyan; two former wives; his sis- New York). colleague Carl Sagan. Isaac was particu- ter, Carl Sagan Greene; five children; and larly fond of Carl. He was also in awe of a grandson. He will be fondly remem- Carl's genius, and proud diat he was so bered and sorely missed. Donations in adept at communicating science to the Carl Sagan's name can be made to: The Arthur C. Clarke public through speaking, writing, and Children's Health Fund of New York I was very sad to hear of Carl's untimely die visual media." (317 East 64th St., New York, NY deadi. Though I was aware of his medical In his keynote address at die Seattle 10021) or The Carl Sagan Memorial problems, recent reports had indicated conference, Sagan spoke to an audience Fund (The Planetary Society, 65 N. diat he was making a steady recovery. of more than a thousand. He spoke Catalina Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106). My friendship with Carl, who in Japan

6 March/Apr,! 1997 would be regarded as a national treasure, frivolous a matter. began more than thirty years ago: for my Now that irrational beliefs are more account of our adventure at the 1964 New prevalent dian ever, scientists are finally David Morrison York Worlds Fair, see Roddy McDowall's beginning to understand what Sagan tried Carl Sagan did more than any other indi- Double Exposure, Take Three: A Gallery of to tell them. They have a responsibility to vidual in this century to bring science to the Celebrated with Commentary by the combat die increasing flood of bogus sci- the public in a way that was consistendy Equally Celebrated (William Morrow, ence in bookstores and on magazine honest, thoughtful, and humane. Carl was 1992). stands, on movie and television screens, a natural teacher, always ready to explain Carl was a superstar in that difficult art and even in courses offered by top univer- and defend his ideas. I never saw him where many otherwise capable and bril- sities. Carl's last book. The Demon- asked a question that he was not willing to liant scientists are miserable failures: pop- Haunted World, is a brave and powerful answer in a serious, thoughtful way, and I ular science communication. The book indictment of America's dumbing down, a never saw him face a question that he had and TV series Cosmos still remain one of vigorous plea for better science education. not already considered. He believed that the most widely distributed and admired Carl, R.I.P. You fought a great fight and everyone could understand science and efforts to interpret the momentous find- left the world healthier and wiser than it should be interested in it. His faith in the ings and achievements of the space age. would have been without you. power of human thought did not falter, even in the face of massive misinformation In his later books, such as Pale Blue Dot Martin Gardner's latest books are The Night and unreason. and The Demon-Haunted World, he took Is Large: Collected Essays 1938-1995, and on—ably and daringly—the pseudo- Weird Water and Fuzzy Logic: More Notes Carl was immensely influential in guid- science and nonscience that rots the of a Fringe-Watcher. ing public opinion on science, especially American mind, ranging from creationism and alien abductions to beliefs in astrology. At a time when The X-Files and its clones dominate the airwaves, Carl's loss is doubly tragic. 1 ended my tribute to Carl in Double Exposure by recalling a more recent encounter 1 had via satellite with him and Stephen Hawking: "After a quarter of a century, Carl hasn't mellowed much. I'm sure he'd still be happy to give God a little helpful advice on how the universe ought to be designed." I only wish 1 could believe that he's doing this right now.

Arthur C. Clarke's science fiction novels and stories and his nonfiction writing on space tech- nology and the future have been influencing audiences and policymakers worldwide for half a century

Martin Gardner Carl Sagan was one of those rare working scientists who was also a superb science writer and who believed it was his duty to enlighten the general public about the wonders of the universe and of life on one of its smallest planets. I recall a time when he delivered a paper at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science denouncing Velikovsky as an ignoramus. He was roundly criticized by his colleagues. They said he had demeaned his reputation as a serious astronomer by wasting time on so

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 1997 7 on planetary exploration. He participated the respect with which the public viewed how wrong we'd been, in both those in and chronicled the history of the space him were bulwarks against the tides of respects. But he provided me with a pow- age, thoughtfully considering the issues of unreason. Let us use Carl's memory as a erful comment on the book. why we explore and how we can use our weapon in the struggle against pseudo- Carl was one hell of a speaker. knowledge of the planets, and of the bal- science, recalling the way he worked out Audiences always reacted positively to his ance between robotic and human explo- problems as well as the eloquence with message, and he handled questions—even ration strategies. Carl often pointed out which he articulated the discoveries of sci- very belligerent ones—with calm and inci- that ours is the only generation to experi- siveness. I always envied his control in the ence the transformation of the planets face of idiocy and his patience with the David Morrison, Director of Space at NASA from mere specks of light into real worlds, uninformed. each with its own unique geology, atmos- Ames Research Center, was one of Sagan's first graduate students. As a teacher, he constantly instructed phere, and even potential for life. When he his students to "look into it" and "find was a young assistant professor his popular out," rather than merely telling them solu- public lectures at Harvard College tions. I observed him with awe as he Observatory were entitled "Planets are James Randi worked at Cornell when I was privileged Places," a commonplace idea now, but a to be consulted about the design of his step of imagination then. His final book on Another of my giants has fallen. When Critical Thinking course. His constant space science, The Pale Blue Dot, summa- Dick Feynman died in 1988, it was a terri- good humor, sincere smile, and very rized the exploration of eight planets and ble blow. In 1992, Isaac Asimov left us, and expressive hands and face, all made him a more than fifty moons, placing our own I was devastated. Now that Carl Sagan is fine teacher and public speaker, a convinc- blue Earth in its cosmic perspective. He gone, I feel even more deserted by my very ing explainer of the beauty and impor- will be remembered best as the person who limited spectrum of heroes. I feel anger and tance of science. interpreted this generation of exploration sorrow equally. Every four years, it seems I Carl was a trifle annoyed that he had for the public, and who helped create a lose a valuable part of my existence. new way to think about our own planet. been credited with saying, "Billllyuns and My first meeting with Carl was when billllyuns of stars!" He claimed that he'd Carl's final book, The Demon-Haunted we lunched in New York City and he gave never uttered the words, and that Johnny World, was a passionate defense of scien- me his candid opinion of my first book. Carson had first used them in a parody of tific skepticism and an attack on pseudo- The Magic of Uri Geller. He found it, he him. Carl's extensive exposure on the science. The fact that this book was con- said, rather poorly organized and lacking Carson show and his electric presence sidered controversial and received less in documentation. I had to agree that he made him into one of the highest-paid lec- acclaim than many of his expository writ- spoke sooth, and explained that I'd bashed turers on the circuit, and literally a house- ings about science demonstrates how badly it together within six weeks as a rush job hold word. In my extensive travels, I've such works are needed. Understanding the for the publisher. It was felt that Gellers always earned jealous admiration from my nature of science and the way scientists career was pretty well over, only two years association with Carl and with Martin view the world is more difficult for most after he first appeared on the scene, Gardner. One Swiss scientist told me, "I'd people than absorbing and appreciating because the public would soon tire of the kill just to meet either of them!" He the facts of science. I fear that we will miss novelty. Therefore, my book was expected hyperbolized only a bit, I'm sure. to have a very short life. Carl and I had Carl's presence in this area more dian any I once discussed the Cosmos series with many opportunities after that to recall just other. His uncompromising integrity and Carl, and with a mighty sigh he told me he'd had no idea of what the director and editors of the material intended to do with the many shots of him staring off at far horizons while shielding his eyes with his hand to his brow. "One more shot of me standing in a cardboard spaceship and mus- ing over the future," he growled, "and I'd have had a minor fit of artistic revolt!" Even with the several minor failings of the series—all of editing and direction— Cosmos was by far one of the most effective vehicles of the time for bringing science to public. I know of many persons who were first made aware of the true nature of sci- ence by watching and enjoying Cosmos. In The Demon-Haunted World Carl expresses, in one of the most moving and compelling selections from his work, his deep concern over the increasing tempta-

8 March/Apnl 1997 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER tion of , superstition, and about the difference between evidence and process of scientific inquiry. One article he unreason, especially as the new millennium belief will go forward into the future, to wrote for Parade magazine that extolled approaches: "Whenever our ethnic or the benefit of all. CSICOP brought in thousands of new national prejudices are aroused, in times of subscribers. In his personal correspon- Jill Tarter is director of the SET/ Institutes pri- scarcity, during challenges to national self- dence and meetings with mc, he was effu- vately funded Project Phoenix in Mountain esteem or nerve, when we agonize about View, California, and a CSICOP fellow. sive in his praise, but he was also ready and our diminished cosmic place and purpose, able to offer constructive criticism of us or when fanaticism is bubbling up around and make suggestions about topics that we us—then, habits of thought familiar from should investigate. He always insisted diat ages past reach for the controls." When Paul Kurtz we be fair and impartial in our analyses. these take over, "The candle flame gutters. At his sixtieth birthday celebration in Its litde pool of light trembles. Darkness Carl Sagan was not only a good friend, but 1994, which Barry Karr, executive director gathers. The demons begin to stir." one of die strongest proponents of CSI- of CSICOP, and I attended, Carl again Well, dammit, one of those candles has COP on the national and international criticized pseudoscience and defended gone out. The burden now falls on us to scene. A charter fellow of CSICOP, Carl constructive skepticism. Although Carl provide as much light as we can generate, was ever willing to criticize claims of the Sagan was a resolute proponent of the sci- to banish the darkness and make sure it paranormal. entific outlook and scientific mediodology docs not triumph over us. If you ever I can attest to his personal courage and throughout his life, he was open to cre- doubt tiiat your voice is needed to bring a independence. In 1975, I organized a ative new theories on the frontiers of sci- little rationalism or truth to others who protest among scientists—the first of its ence; but he insisted diat these be corrob- may need it, re-read diese words of Carl kind—to the widespread growth of astrol- orated by the evidence. For example, Sagan. The demons must not be permitted ogy and issued a statement, "Objections to although he argued that the search for to rise. We owe that much to die memory Astrology," co-authored by Harvard extraterrestrial life is a great adventure for of this fine man. astronomer Bart Bok and science writer the human spirit, he was skeptical of those Lawrence Jerome, and endorsed by 186 who proclaimed that UFOs were from James Randi, conjuror and investigator of psy- leading scientists from the National outer space. chic claimants, is author o/"FIim-Flam! and Academy of Sciences, including 19 Nobel In the last months and weeks before his An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Prize winners. Carl declined to sign it, Hoaxes of die Occult and Supernatural. death, he hoped diat the latest therapies of because of its tone. Although a strong medical science might stem his illness and critic of astrology, he thought the state- save his life. Alas, he did not survive. His ment would be ineffective. The next year, death is a profound loss to CSICOP and however, when we founded CSICOP, he die entire . Jill Tarter accepted my invitation to become a fellow and joined with enthusiasm. Paul Kurtz is founder and chairman of the All of us working on the search for Committee for the Scientific Investigation of extraterrestrial intelligence (SET1) owe a The following year I invited him to Claims of the Paranormal. special debt of gratitude to Carl Sagan; respond to an article by Immanuel sadly, we can no longer look forward to Velikovsky in a special issue of The repaying that debt in person. The best Humanist I was editing on the topic possible form of repayment would have "Controversies on the Borderline of been to present die extraordinary evidence Science." His article, tided "Analysis of required to support the extraordinary Worlds in Collision," sharply criticized claim that we share our universe with Velikovsky. I remember how angry other intelligent creatures from worlds Velikovsky became with me for giving beyond Earth. Such evidence still eludes space to Sagan. For years Carl had been us. Its discovery (we hope) lies in die receiving vituperative attacks from the cult future, and Carl Sagan, die man, now lies of Velikovsky; they had never forgiven him in the past. But Carl Sagan, die ultimate for his criticism of Velikovsky at an AAAS skeptic, will go forward into the future. meeting in 1974. But Carl never wavered Each student he taught, each colleague he in his readiness to attack junk science and worked widi and challenged, each person paranormal claims. who has read his final book, The Demon- Carl volunteered his services to CSI- Haunted World, will have experienced COP time and again. He was the keynote firsthand the best possible example of speaker at two of our national confer- what it means to embrace the scientific ences—in Pasadena in 1987 and Seattle in method. To the extent that diey follow 1994—and we bestowed our In Praise of diis example and pass it along to dieir stu- Reason and Isaac Asimov awards on him. dents and colleagues, they insure that And he took every occasion that arose to Carl's passion for science and his message defend skepticism as essential to the mi Photo: Thomas Flynn.

SAGAN TRIBUTE continued on page 12 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 1997 9 tani contribution lies in his dedication to restrial life. But they were the conclusions sharing that view of the universe with the to which the data and his research led him. Alan Hale lay public of our society. In a world awash Again and again as a scientist, he followed I first met Carl Sagan at a DPS (Division of in scientific illiteracy and pseudoscientific his own admonition to be especially skep- Planetary Sciences/American Astronom- nonsense, his was a solid and unmistakable tical when one's deepest hopes or fondest ical Society) meeting during the late 1980s, voice of science and reason. As we enter the wishes were at stake. twenty-first century facing a host of scien- when I stopped him after he'd given a paper Christopher F. Chyba received his Ph.D. under and asked if he could stand to meet one tific and technological challenges that we Carl Sagan at Cornell University. He is now more graduate student "who had always are only now beginning to fathom, his was an assistant professor of planetary science at the wanted to meet Carl Sagan." Despite the a voice that we could ill-afford to lose. It is University of Arizona. fact that he was on his way to an impend- incumbent upon those of us who remain to ing engagement, he took a few moments of carry on the torch of reason, and to bring his time to discuss some details of his paper about the vision of the future that Carl with me. Since that time I had the privilege Sagan instilled in the minds of those who so Leon M. Lederman of meeting and chatting with Dr. Sagan at admired him. I can think of no major problem influenc- odier conferences, and while the moments ing humanity, in personal lives, in com- I had with him were usually quite brief, Alan Hale is co-discoverer of Comet Hale-Bopp munities, the nation, and the planet, that they are moments I treasure. and is director of the Southwest Institute for Space Research in Cloudcroft, . is not, in some deep way, influenced by Carl Sagan's tireless and dedicated our scientific age and which cannot be work toward answering some of the most illuminated by a grasp of science—science basic questions as to who and what we are as a way of thinking, science as a clarifier served as a significant inspiration to me to Christopher Chyba of issues. Carl Sagan understood this and take up the search myself and make my used his great talents as an erudite and own contributions toward understanding Everywhere in the universe Carl Sagan vibrant communicator. He set an awesome these questions. Through his work on the looked, he saw possibilities for life. But example for all of us. Scientists must Viking and Voyager missions, and his consider several of Carl's most important embed communication as an essential part efforts to understand the formation of contributions to planetary science. At the of their metier. The greater the scientist, solar systems and the very origins of life outset of his career, he demonstrated that the more important is this ethic. itself, he has helped enormously in unrav- a runaway greenhouse effect would raise By his own passion for planetary sci- eling the mysteries of the universe around Venus' temperatures to hundreds of ence, by his active concerns in national us. We have all benefited from the hum- degrees above the boiling point of water— science policy, and by his unique and bling, yet awe-inspiring, view of the uni- making life (as we know it) nearly impos- heroic efforts in public understanding, verse his work has helped reveal to us. sible there. He later went on to show that Carl Sagan has set new standards for the the seasonal color changes on Mars that All his scientific achievements notwith- conduct of scientists. had been observed from Earth were prob- standing, I believe Dr. Sagan's most impor- ably due to global dust storms, rather than We need a Carl Sagan Award for Public (as had been previously proposed) an Understanding of Science. Friends of Carl, THE-i BESTSELLER expanding and receding seasonal wave of industry, and concerned citizenry should MORETHAN FIVE MILLION COPIES IN vegetation. Finally, in later research, he be able to assemble the endowment for a discovered the "early faint-Sun paradox," substantial annual award to call attention demonstrating that, assuming our own to and fan the flame that Carl Sagan kin- Sun had evolved like a typical G-dass star, dled. CARL SAGAN it would have been substantially fainter at Leon M. Lederman is director emeritus of the iDEMOVIUlATED WORLD the time of the origin of life on Earth, so Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and a the early Earth would have been much 1988 Nobel laureate in physics. colder. Without a higher greenhouse effect on early Earth, or some other mechanism, COSMOS surface temperatures would have been too —)jax>MKi«na cold for liquid water to exist, and therefore Clifford A. Pickover inhospitable for life. A similar problem I mourn the passing of Carl Sagan with would have existed for early Mars. great sadness. Sagan helped us understand Each of these discoveries shares one the universe both through his television characteristic: It makes life or the origin of series Cosmos and his many publications life in our own solar system seem signifi- describing worlds beyond our own as well cantly less likely than would otherwise as the worlds within ourselves. As I grew have been the case. These results obviously up, Carl Sagan was an inspiration, and flew in the face of Carl's well-known now that my own popular science books enthusiasm for the possibility of extrater- are taking off, I feel an emptiness that I

1 2 March/April 1997 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER can't share new projects with him. researcher (which, of course, Sagan also publicly active in die promotion of science Strangely, just today I received galley was) but an unpopularizer (a common and skeptical thinking. Sagan continued proofs of my book The Alien IQ Test in breed of scientist, unfortunately). Carl to inspire. Shortly after the founding of which I had a humorous chapter devoted Sagan will be missed by many of us, and the National Capital Area Skeptics in to die abduction of Carl Sagan by aliens. retroactively perhaps, if there are sentient 1987, I attended my first national confer- Sadly, the humor now seems misplaced, beings elsewhere, by many others as well. ence sponsored by CSICOP Sagan was and I've asked Basic Books to remove the the keynote speaker. His words were full of reference to Dr. Sagan before the book's John Allen Paulos is a CSICOP fellow and the urgency, tempered with humor. I have publication diis spring. author of Innumeracy and K Mathematician found myself reaching back and quoting Reads the Newspaper. These days perhaps one measure of a him when I've needed a nugget of skepti- science-popularizer's greatness is the num- cal thought diat would make sense to a ber of wonderful web pages devoted to reporter or an audience. Few had his abil- ity to make skepticism sound so sensible, him or her on the World Wide Web. Chip Denman There are thousands of sites mentioning natural, and necessary. Carl Sagan or discussing his ideas. These I was an undergraduate at Cornell, where The public no longer has him to reach sites, along with his books, will continue Sagan taught. Even in the mid-70s, Sagan out to diem from their Sunday papers, to reverberate long after his death. (1 have was widely known to the public as an elo- where few scientists dare to tread, and to gathered together links to some these quent advocate of science and reason. thrill diem widi the excitement of good thought-provoking Sagan sites on my Even before Cosmos, he was recognized science and good thinking. I am sad for home page at http://spron.physics.wisc. from his appearances on the Tonight Show that. edu/pickover/home.htm.) with Johnny Carson, an avid amateur astronomer. And Sagan was also regarded Chip Denman is manager of the Statistics Wc arc all molded and remolded by Laboratory at the University of Maryland, as one of die best teachers on campus. I those who have inspired us, and though where he also teaches "Science and regret that I did not take his ASTRO 101; their lives may pass, we remain, nonethe- Pseudoscience" for the University Honors less, the products of their influence. No my friends who did enjoyed it and him a Program. He is past-president of the National one as fascinating as Sagan can ever cross great deal. Capital Area Skeptics. die path of our destiny without leaving At one time I considered pursuing some mark upon it forever. astronomy as a field of study. Our under- graduate astronomy club held a meeting Clifford A. Pickover. of the IBM Watson in which Sagan came to talk about how Research Center, is the author of a dozen pop- Shawn Carlson best to prepare for a career in astronomy. ular science books including Black Holes: A There were no more than twenty of us in I didn't know Carl Sagan personally, but Traveler's Guide and Keys to Infinity. a generic classroom. Sagan draped himself like many of his admirers, I sullenly fol- across die desk at the front of the room lowed die progress of his terrible illness. and just chatted casually. His advice: don't After seeing his last appearance on the take undergraduate astronomy courses— news show Nightline, when he was physi- John Allen Paulos those were mainly meant for dabblers, to cally weak and displaying the devastating please the masses. Instead, he urged, study effects of chemotherapy, I guessed diat the Carl Sagan and 1 corresponded a few times m.uh and physics, die essential tools for in recent years, and his death prompted serious astronomy. So I did, as a double me to reread his letters. In one written just major. I eventually realized that I was after a Washington Post article had dis- enjoying the math more than the physics, cussed the snideness sometimes directed and so, one course short of the physics toward scientific popularizers, he asked requirement, I dropped physics and dou- about my experiences with the phenome- bled up on die math. I filled die hole in non. With characteristic simplicity he my schedule with courses in probability wondered, "I'm interested in understand- and statistics—and almost at once 1 found ing this very peculiar sense that these sub- that this was die focus I had been search- jects (science and mathematics) are to be ing for. kept for an elite." Sagan reached expan- sively beyond the elite. Through his pio- So, I did not become an astronomer. neering and exuberant efforts, a whole But Sagan's friendly advice to this young generation has glimpsed some of the undergraduate indirectly brought me to power and beauty of scientific ideas and my chosen field of mathematical statistics. become wary of the ubiquitous quackery I owe him much for that. that too many scientists leave uncontested Others sometimes criticized Sagan for for fear of being labeled a popularizer. This being a "popularizer"—as if diat were a fear is based on a confusion. The opposite bad thing! I wish science had more who of a popularizer is not an eminent were even half as effective. As I became

SKEPTICAL INQUIRER March/April 1997 13 end would come soon. And yet when die from It's a Wonderful Life) could show us sad news of his death did arrive a few what the world would have been like had weeks later, it moved me far more than 1 Carl Sagan never been born, I'm quite sure Daniel R. Alonso ever thought it would. we would find it a markedly poorer place; I am a federal prosecutor. I also was a stu- We all know of Sagan's accomplish- less literate with far fewer eyes turned sky- dent of Carl Sagan's at Cornell in the fall ments as a researcher and of his unparal- ward. of 1986. Just last week, a friend and I were leled stature as the "showman of science" discussing which living American we Shawn Carlson writes "The Amateur (to quote Time magazine). But if histori- admired most. Without hesitation, I Scientist" department for Scientific American ans mark only these, they will be selling magazine and is the founder and executive named Carl Sagan, which might have his legacy far short. The ultimate measure director of the Society for Amateur Scientists. sttuck my friend as odd. After all, it's not of a great life lived is the impact one has often that a lawyer reserves his greatest had on other lives. And by diis account- admiration for a scientist. ing, Carl Sagan was a great man indeed. To me, it made perfect sense. As a fed- His life and works will ultimately con- Nicholas Humphrey eral prosecutor, I am very much in the tribute to far more good in the world than business of skepticism. It's my job not to even he could have known. I think of Carl Sagan in the summer of take things at face value, but instead to 1987 at the Moscow conference of the I was still an undergraduate when investigate in a logical and thorough man- International Physicians for the Pre- Cosmos, perhaps Sagan's greatest master- ner, hoping to arrive finally at the truth. It vention of Nuclear War. He spoke out piece, first aired. It was quite unlike any also made sense because I was fortunate to with his matchless combination of author- documentary I had ever seen. Sagan's pas- have known briefly the man I admired so ity and passion against the self-perpetuat- sion for science shined through. And his much, as I was his student. The skills Carl ing absurdities of the Cold War, the folly eloquence at translating scientifically Sagan taught me—both personally and of the arms race, and the irrationality of obtuse concepts for the masses was, for through his writings—have served me well the policy of nuclear deterrence. He had me, inspirational. I loved it! Indeed, in my chosen profession. been doing some sums: by his calculation, Cosmos helped inspire me to become a sci- the total defense expenditure by the In the fall of 1986, I told Professor ence writer. As I sec it, every column I since the end of World War Sagan that I wanted to be a prosecutor and write for Scientific American propagates a asked him to recommend me for law little more of Sagan's influence. II would by now be enough to buy up school. He graciously agreed, but not every saleable object on the North I'm confident that dozens of other sci- before dissecting my intended career American continent—every building, ence writers were equally inspired, and for choice in ten different ways and ruminat- every work of an, every TV set, every all of their work Sagan deserves a litde ing about it for a while. As those who automobile, every silk stocking, and every credit. Further, there must be hundreds of knew him much better than I did sutely stand of timber. Meanwhile half the world working scientists whose passion for sci- know, this was his usual way, and it had its was starving. Sagan's quiet anger at the sit- ence was sparked, or at least helped along, intended effect in this case of really mak- uation he described, and his own determi- by Sagan's zeal. A n d with hundreds of mil- ing me think about where I was headed. nation to use all his powers to change it, lions of viewers worldwide, Sagan's Cosmos spread to everyone in his large audience— In my work today, I do quite a bit of advanced science literacy tremendously. and perhaps it also spread beyond. dissecting and ruminating of my own. Indeed, if Clarence (the sprightly angel Thinking about Professor Sagan ten years Gorbachev received a delegation from later, I'm pleased that he was there to share the conference that same day and lis- my career choice with me and impart me tened thoughtfully as they pressed for with skills I needed to succeed. Now, as I the Soviet Union to take the initiative continue down my own path, I think toward disarmament. Within a few fondly of my Cornell professor, who was months the process had begun. Sagan taken from us all—lawyers, scientists, and was a model of the socially responsi- many others—long before his time. ble scientist. He loved truth, beauty, and life, whether at the level of sci- Daniel R. Alonso is an assistant United States ence or public policy, and hated attorney in New York City superstition, narrow-mindedness, and false prophecy. He was one of those rare people capable not only of interpreting the world but of chang- Javier E. Armentia ing it: and he did both. I remember, in 1980, that man on the Nicholas Humphrey. author of screen, waving his hands, explaining Consciousness Regained: A History of astronomy as no one before had done on the Mind and Soul Searching, is a pro- TV. I was studying physics, and he con- fessor of psychology at the New School for vinced me to become an astronomer. So he Social Research, New York. did for many of my colleagues and many of

1 4 March/April 1997 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER my students. Later I discovered the writer, single pixel—a pale blue dot. "On (that ketball team. He went on to tell me that the skeptic, die scientist . . . and he again dot] everyone you love, everyone you when he was a post-doc at Cornell, many convinced me of many things. No doubt know, everyone you ever heard of, every students there said they chose to apply we will miss Carl Sagan. But I know that human being who ever was, lived out their because of Carl Sagan's presence. We his work and his life have been of great lives.... The Earth is a very small stage in laughed at the irrelevance of both of these influence to many people: we, those who a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of reasons, but later I remembered that must continue working to popularize sci- blood spilled by all those generals and Cornell was one of the few graduate ence, skepticism, and critical thinking. emperors so that, in glory and triumph, school- to which I applied twenty years they could become the momentary mas- ago, shortly after the Viking mission Javier E. Armentia is president of Alternativa ters of a fraction of a dot." Carl Sagan saw landed robots on Mars. Science may never Rational a las Pseuaociencias (ARP) and direc- the big picture. surpass basketball in the hearts of most tor of Planetario de Pamplona, Pamplona, Spain. More important, Carl Sagan was pas- school administrators, but the fact that a sionate about bringing the big picture to scientist can serve as a university recruiting others. He was above all else a teacher, and device should give us all hope. I think an extraordinary one. After his Mark Boslough is a physicist at Sandia talk, he sat down and for nearly an hour Barry Williams National Laboratories, specializing in large- took questions from the audience. People Australian Skeptics scale impacts. lined up at the microphone to ask him I am sure that all Australian skeptics and all about life on other planets, UFOs, the who experienced the feelings of wonder nature of science, and his views on reli- and love of science that he inspired will feel gion. I sat there in awe. deeply the loss of Carl Sagan. He was truly Colin Groves Sagan looked perfectly at ease, in his a frontline warrior in the battle against natural environment, while answering Carl Sagan was a leading scientist and one ignorance, superstition, and the "armies of those questions. And what questions they of the world's foremost science communi- the night." He was far too young to have were! Many of them would have left me, cators. His books and television programs left the scene and, although I never had the and I suspect most readers, exasperated. were required fare for everyone interested pleasure of meeting him, I will miss him. in whatever branch of science. His suc- In The Demon-Haunted World Sagan cesses in swaying doubters and waverers said there is no such thing as a dumb ques- may relate both to his scientific rigor and tion. He really believed this. Never did he to his deeply humane personality, which show a lack of patience. Never once did he shone through his presentations and his Swedish Skeptics answer in a way that would make the writings. Scientists, educators, and skep- questioner feel silly. He used each question Carl Sagan's books have had a major tics everywhere will miss him greatly. impact in Sweden, both through transla- to teach something. He might say that he didn't know the answer, "but, let me tell tions and in the original English. There are Colin Groves is in the Department of few other writers of popular science who you a related story," and he would proceed Archeology and Anthropology at Australian have reached as many enthusiastic readers to use the question as a jumping point for National University, Canberra, Australia. in our country. To us in the Swedish something better. The questioner always Skeptics, his writings have been a constant seemed satisfied. We skeptics lost a friend. source of inspiration. And they will con- But more, we lost a teacher. tinue to be so, for Carl Sagan was a man Mike Sofka is president and co-founder of the whose influence will last much longer Inquiring Skeptics of Upper New York. than his own life.

For the board of the Swedish Skeptics. Per- Olof Hulth (chairman) and Sven Ove Hansson. Mark Boslough One week before Carl Sagan's death I vis- ited a friend who is a professor at a large southwestern university. We stayed up late Michael D. Sofka that night talking about our research and I had the great pleasure of hearing Carl sharing our gripes about the lack of sup- Sagan speak in 1994 at the State port for science and the decay of educa- University of New York at Albany. This tion standards. My friend pointed out that THE was just before the publication of Pale his university prioritizes athletics above all Blue Dot, and his talk included a short else. Unfortunately, he said, that's the sen- DEMON-HAUNTED reading from that book about the Voyager sible thing to do because such a large frac- photograph of Earth. In this photograph, tion of the applicants say that they arc \\ OR.LD taken at Sagan's insistence, Earth was a interested in the school because of its bas-

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