Carl Sagan's last interview, part 1 of 3

Carl Sagan's last interview, part 1 of 3

Carl Sagan gave his last interview with Charlie rose on May 27th 1996. He discussed pseudo-science, religion, unfounded claims, his personal love affair with science and his struggle with myelodysplasia as well as other elements of his last book: The Demon-Haunted World.

I thought it was important that a high quality copy of this interview, with proper audio video sync, was made available on youtube.

The Demon-Haunted World changed my life in ways more profound than I thought possible. That book, and the name of Carl Sagan, should be known to every high school graduate.

"Better the hard truth, I say, than the comforting fantasy. And in the final tolling it often turns out that the facts are more comforting than the fantasy."

Part 1 of 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jod7v-m573k
Part 2 of 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDKSZO-aACk
Part 3 of 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxeN6Wf7mbU

CORRECTION: It's come to my attention that Carl gave one other television interview before his death. It was aired on ABC's Nightline on December 4th 1996. A short clip from that interview can be seen below. Please ask ABC to make the entire interview available.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=_JX_-jaJOrU#t=79s

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Carl
• Sagan
• interview
• psudo-science
• myelodysplasia
• demon-haunted
• world

[eatcarpet]

I wonder what he would have thought of Buddhism, he should have looked into it.

[bishop8000]

In theological discussion with religious leaders, I often ask what their

response would be if a central tenet of their faith were disproved by science.

When I put this question to the Dalai Lama he unhesitatingly replied as no conservative or fundamentalist religious leaders do: in such a case Tibetan Buddhism would have to change. Even if it's a central tenet like reincarnation? Even then, he answered. However, he added with a twinkle, it's going to be hard to disprove reincarnation.

[infideluxe]

@bishop8000

"However, he added with a twinkle, it's going to be hard to disprove reincarnation."

Interesting. So even the Dalai Lama doesn't require proof for certain claims. He only requires proof of nonexistence to convince him to the contrary.

[bishop8000]

@infideluxe You sound surprised... That's what all religious people do: believe some irrational bull crap and then erroneously shift the burden of proof onto the skeptics for failing to disprove it. I.E. "You can't prove there's no unicorns, therefore it's rational for me to believe in unicorns." In logic, it's called the "negative proof fallacy."

[infideluxe]

@bishop8000

Right.

So I guess it's both endearing and yet disappointing that the Dalai Lama would twinkle forth such blather. I sometimes like to think that Buddhism is above all that. I know there are devotional elements to it, though.

[bishop8000]

@infideluxe They're every bit as superstitious as the other religions. It just worked out that Buddhist MORALITY is better in line with secular values.

[MartinGianola]

Carl changed my life.

[Mrsiepel]

RIP One of our finest thinkers.

[toniaraujorocha]

Carl Sagan virou o José Serra.......

[saganemc2]

i miss him:(

[SirGeorge8600]

I almost want to cry not seeing him with his beautiful hair :-(

[hiroshidude]

@bishop8000 Reincarnation happens if you don't break away from the cycle of hatred; Transcendence within and on a quantum level with all things. In a sense you are trying to become one again with the very thing that is bearing your existence. You can also take the Big Bang into Buddhism and it will be compatible

[infideluxe]

@Gright

Well, all this does happen. But let's not call it reincarnation, which means specifically the rebirth of a soul in a new body. It seems that this kind of conflation of science and religion leads to huge misunderstands, similar to charlatans like Deepak Chopra co-opting quantum physics to prove god.

It would make more sense to call it recycling, or perhaps there's a more descriptive term that covers it. I'm just extremely skeptical of appropriating "spiritual" terms for science.

[Gright]

@infideluxe

@bishop000

In a sense, reincarnation is real. When and organism dies, its molecules have a chance of being used as nutrients that feed plants and animals. There is also a chance said molecules could be used to create new cells or animal gametes. The carbon cycle and other life cycles recycle molecules all the time.

Obviously this is far from the karma influenced/caste system that is part of the Buddhist reincarnation belief, but it is a scientific way to look at reincarnation.

[infideluxe]

@bishop8000

Something to feel thankful for, at least.