Via Byzantium's Shores, I have learned that there will be a Carl Sagan memorial blog-a-thon on 20 December, the anniversary of his death. I notice there's also a Skeptics' Circle scheduled for the 21st at Humbug! Online…there are opportunities for some synergy here!
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PZ Myers is a biologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris.
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You see, the religious people — most of them — really think this planet is an experiment. That's what their beliefs come down to. Some god or other is always fixing and poking, messing around with tradesmen's wives, giving tablets on mountains, commanding you to mutilate your children, telling people what words they can say and what words they can't say, making people feel guilty about enjoying themselves, and like that. Why can't the gods leave well enough alone? All this intervention speaks of incompetence. If God didn't want Lot's wife to look back, why didn't he make her obedient, so she'd do what her husband told her? Or if he hadn't made Lot such a shithead, maybe she would've listened to him more. If God is omnipotent and omniscient, why didn't he start the universe out in the first place so it would come out the way he wants? Why's he constantly repairing and complaining? No, there's one thing the Bible makes clear: The biblical God is a sloppy manufacturer. He's not good at design, he's not good at execution. He'd be out of business if there was any competition.
Sol Hadden in Carl Sagan's Contact (New York: Pocket Books, 1985), p. 285.
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« Reason #2 to vote for Pharyngula | Main | Carnivalia, and an open thread »
Prepare a tribute to Sagan
Category: Skepticism
Posted on: December 8, 2006 12:00 PM, by PZ Myers
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Comments
Posted by: Sagan Fan | December 8, 2006 12:20 PM
If all atheists were as talented and articuate and caring as Carl Sagan, theists would be in deep shit.
Fortunately, they have Dawkins, PZ Myers and Harris fighting the atheist cause.
Carry on!
Posted by: XPM | December 8, 2006 12:33 PM
Here is a rather good 1995 radio interview of Sagan.
Posted by: toomanytribbles | December 8, 2006 12:54 PM
i was moved to start my blog when i started reading 'a demon haunted world'. i never had the luck to see sagan up close but i consider him to be my favorite teacher.
Posted by: Bro. Bartleby | December 8, 2006 1:21 PM
Of course in the monastery we normally do not post quotes from atheists, but this is one that has been push-pinned on the cork board for a very long time, and it still brings a smile to my face, for of all that dear Carl uttered, it was here that I believe he came closest to Truth:
"If you wish to make an apple pie truly from scratch, you must first invent the universe."
-- Carl Sagan
Posted by: Kristine | December 8, 2006 1:54 PM
Oh, thanks. I was wondering what people were going to do for this anniversary. I owe him a lot.
Posted by: knobody | December 8, 2006 2:24 PM
i have an ongoing tribute to the man. my project has been in effect for just over five years now. i am reminded of Carl on a daily basis. i named my first born child Sagan in his honour.
Posted by: davis | December 8, 2006 4:11 PM
He is on the cover of the current issue of Skeptical Inquirer as well. Yes, toomanytribbles, Demon Haunted World, along with Dawkins's Unweaving the Rainbow, is inspirational.
Posted by: toomanytribbles | December 8, 2006 4:39 PM
i bought a copy of 'the dragons of eden' when i was a kid. i've read it and reread it about once every five years -- the poor book's a mess!
Posted by: Keith Douglas | December 8, 2006 4:43 PM
I don't know what do - I want to contribute, but don't have a blog ...
Posted by: Inoculated Mind | December 8, 2006 4:59 PM
December 20th is also the anniversary of the Kitzmiller v Dover decision. The day ID died.
Posted by: Blake Stacey | December 8, 2006 5:01 PM
I'm in the same fix as Keith Douglas. Maybe we could both write really good comments on somebody else's blog and show up as guest posters?
Posted by: Kristine | December 8, 2006 5:39 PM
You can be a guest on mine. If you want to. ;-)
Posted by: Kadin | December 9, 2006 3:49 AM
OmiFSM! That's my birthday!
I win!