The Great Demotions: Carl Sagan on science deflating our conceits [Carl Sagan Tribute Series]

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This video is part 7 of my continuing tribute to the late Carl Sagan.

Previous Episode: The Edge of Forever http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF8YUw...
Next Episode: To The Sky http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOaQzw...
Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

Watch this video with Portuguese narration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca0tEk...

Excerpts were taken from Carl Sagan's Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space. More specifically, from the episode titled The Great Demotions. I edited together the audio from portions of the audio-book and added the video from:

- BBC Horizon: Are We Alone In The Universe
- BBC's Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
- BBC's Enemies of Reason
- Discovery's Into The Universe with Stephen Hawking
- History Channel's The Universe: Alien Galaxies
- National Geographic's Birth of a Solar System

The music is a mixture of songs from the Lost soundtrack, by Michael Giacchino: Achara, Glad To See Me; Here Today, Gone To Maui; and Oceans Apart.

The Carl Sagan Tribute Series will continue, please subscribe to my channel if you wish to be among the first to see my newest videos.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[christosis]

My mother was diagnosed cancer last wednesday and her chances of long-term survival are very slim. I thank you so much for your videos for I've been watching them daily and they're helping me as a solace from all the sorrow this has brought us. I still don't know if I should show my mother Carl Sagan's vision of the cosmos since she is somewhat religious, but for me, his voice is the only one that has ever made me feel calm about the finity of our existences.

[Callum C. J. Sutherland]

Thanks so much for sharing. I'm so happy to hear that my videos have helped you through this difficult time. But I'm also terribly sorry to hear about your mother. I wish I could comfort you by telling you that she's going to a better place, but I don't believe that to be true either. I will say, though, that the fragility of life is what makes it so special. So just do your best to make sure that the last days of her life exemplify that. Even if that means not sharing everything with her.

[Callum C. J. Sutherland]

Also, she will live on through you, just as you may one day live on through children of your own. The mere fact that she exists to begin with, and that you exist as well by virtue of her, is truly remarkable. Watch "The Cosmic Calendar", and consider how many things had to go right for that to happen. Cherish every moment of that, and make sure that your mother leaves this world feeling loved and appreciated. And, again, thank you for sharing your story.

Take care

[AJ Eraki]

i was a muslim for 16 years of my life, just a month or two ago i finally realized just that. its hard to get over my past beliefs but the evidence proves them wrong. ive lived in new zealand all my life and always have been interested in science. your right, every single young man and woman should be given the knowledge, its disgusting how much ignorance is around us. I know because i was once part of that group. I hope one day we all realize our true origins...

[vulvoline01]

Be well friend...

[Rey Gold Evans]

GIVING THE KNOWLEDGE....

[Steven Hernandez]

Carl Sagan change my life and view on how I see the world. He makes me think more and question things:). Thank you!!:) I will always use my reason for things.

[goreziad]

what a great video, thank you!

[vetzal]

i love Carl listening and watching him educate has changed my life deepened my understanding and appreciation for all things on this earth and in the universes, i used to be unable to sleep at night from the fear of death and non-existence even hearing about the eventually death of the sun, of the universe used to give me this deep painful feeling like everything we do here will amount for nothing, i can't recall the last time i've feared death of anything since discovering this great man's work

[mjbailey25]

Love the whole series but I think this is my favorite segment

[ador757]

I too was a slave of religion... George Carllin, Carl Sagan, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, Neil Tyson freed me.

[haromrncieguy]

I listen to Cosmos every night while I go to bed, I will never grow tired of it.

[nimerful]

carl sagan changed my view of being religious to atheist. i am happy now