http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p86BPM1GV8M

"Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors, so that in glory and triumph they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot."

I feel so insignificant that I must now stock up even more stuff 'cuz I can't leave the planet. I will gladly rule my imperceptible corner of the nearly imperceptible pixel on the canvas of the cosmos.

Sagan was such a sap!

I didn't need that to feel insignificant, I can manage it just fine on my own.

Have you seen The Universe on the Discovery Channel? Pretty cool.

If you get the chance see a short movie (probably find it somewhere on the net) called “The Power of 10”, it was made back in the early 70’s, about 10 minutes long and was used to teach the metric system in schools, I remember seeing it again at the Smithsonian. It shows a couple having a picnic lunch and expanding the viewing field in powers of 10 as it goes out to behold the universe and then it heads in the negative direction to the sub-atomic view. It gives one the impression that at the extremes in both directions, some of the views have very much the same perspective as their counterpart.

Pete

That was on the History Channel, and yes, it was very cool. Another really great one is called "Origins" which was on PBS.

In the words of Douglas Adams, you are "an invisible dot on an invisible dot, with a sign on it saying 'You Are Here'."

Hi CityBoyGoneCountry,

Boy, that was particularly sentimental and bathetic from Carl Sagan.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8tmLvzubP3I

WARNING - Not for the squeamish.

Is it any wonder why the world is the sh-t hole that it is? When a man adopts the attitude of "kill em all" he's admired. But when a man tries to convey the preciousness of life he's ridiculed.

I've never been accused of being an optimist. I'm usually quite the pessimist, actually, which is why I'm on this website planning for worst-case scenarios. But the one thing that I remain optimistic about is the one thing that makes everyone else pessimistic. I don't think we, as a species, are doomed to self-destruct. I think we can avoid it. I think we will avoid it. We have the potential to do such fantastic things, the likes of which those of us who are alive today can't even begin to imagine.

It's not going to be easy. It will hurt, and hurt bad, for those who prophecy doom are themselves the bringers of doom. They will kill and be killed. But eventually, others will come to their senses and take the future of humankind onward to a better condition.

I have to believe that.

Sorry, my bad. I'll have to keep a lookout for the other one.

I have no problem with people attempting to make and keep the peace on the planet. I understand that humanity has a great responsibility to protect and nurture the planet. I'm just not a Sagan fan in regards to his deeper philosophy and worldview.

The only time I'll adopt the "kill'em all" mentality is if an invasion of our shores starts. I will live in peace with all who come to this country with the same idea of living in peace and harmony. If they come bent on destruction, then they should prepare to meet their own. Then I will return to my peaceful life.

The TV series mentioned above are pretty slick. Great science stuff in there. I still marvel at how special a place we live. I love Earth!!! What a great planet!!!