Joel is collecting links to all the posts written today in honor of the 10-year anniversary of the death of Carl Sagan.
The phrase "Science as a Candle in the Dark", the subtitle of Sagan's magnificient The Demon-Haunted World, evokes such a powerful idea that we are fighting for - the Enlightement.
Coincidentally, today is also another anniversary related to light: on December 20, 1879 Thomas Edison performed the first public demonstration of the electric light. Next year, on the same day - December 20, 1880 - electric street-lights were first swicthed on Broadway. You know I am a Tesla fan, but still, this is a big anniversary of Light, in all the meanings of the word, both literal and metaphorical.
So, here are some quotes about Light, in its various meanings (from Quotes of The Day):
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
- Siddhartha Gautama, 563 - 483 BC
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
- Martin Luther King, Jr, 1929 - 1968
I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.
- Og Mandino
The very society of joy redoubles it; so that, while it lights upon my friend it rebounds upon myself, and the brighter his candle burns the more easily will it light mine.
- Robert South
What is to give light must endure burning.
- Viktor Emil Frankl, 1905 - 1997
When in the dark is it better to move or stand still? If still, you won't bump into anything - but you won't find the light either.
- Norm Howe
Mine might be one of the lamest contributions to the Sagan blog-o-thon, but at least I did get it in on the correct day.
http://johnmckay.blogspot.com/2006/12/carl-sagan-cat-post-today-is-tent…