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.

[MegaGiskard]

GENIO ABSOLUTO DE NUESTRA ERA

[dondiemarte]

Carl Sagan made science sexy! :)

[misslola0602]

Oh Carl Sagan, our tiny world weeps for the loss of you

[hiroshidude]

@baldieman64 Peculiar knowledge doesn't intrigue you, but hey, a fool deems himself wise.

[baldieman64]

@hiroshidude Ah, you got me. Atheist I am, but no, I know very little about astrology as I utterly dismissed it after several prolonged conversations with a fairly well known and published Australian astrologer.

He was mixing and matching Chinese, Egyptian and European astrology and rapidly confirmed my belief that he was delusional.

About the only thing I know about Mayan Astrology is what the Nibiru whack-jobs are currently spouting.

I have every intention of making plans for 2013 though

[hiroshidude]

@baldieman64 Also, on the notion of you claiming my notion on 'mystical knowledge'. (as you surely already do know what I think after reading less than 1000 word characters) I have never discredited Sagan, Attenbourogh, Hitchens, or whatever idol you hold close to you. Now you could say all the wisdom I may learn through the stories of religion, the teaching of alchemy, or the esoteric knowledge of the occult, could very well be a bunch of curiosity.Your comfort of what is already there is yours

[hiroshidude]

@hiroshidude Not saying I am a firm believer in the Myth of Progression in the long run, as time is a subjective experience. All we know or do is star stuff; the stuff made of dreams, the splendor of how SACRED all things are, even space.

[hiroshidude]

@baldieman64 If you are so aware of the correct spellings of what I was meaning, then you must know about the astrology of ancient Mesopotamia and Mayan. If you believe in the notion of Myth of Progression, as you surely do come off as a another "pretentious scientific atheist", then you must be aware of the depth of conceptualization is built upon by previous ideas. Due to the hierarchy of most societies, and how limited reading/writing was, you could only learn through fairy tales. Play nice.

[baldieman64]

@hiroshidude You're back to the metaphysical BS again. It seems to be a comfort blanket for you.

You can keep your Vesica Piscis, your sacred geometry, your Masonic/Templar secrets and your Kabbalah, Greek and Egyptian nonsense. There is no place for them in the modern world.

These ridiculous notions of mystical knowledge giving an insight into the divine are exactly what Sagan was against.

I will share two bits of knowledge with you though - the correct spelling of "Piscis" and "sacred".