The Pale Blue Dot
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From: Clemson, SC
The Pale Blue Dot
A while back I posted a video about a picture taken by the Hubble Telescope. A lot of you guys liked it so I'm posting up this one now. It's narrated by the great Carl Sagan and holds a good message, especially after 3:05. If only people would listen.
For those that are too lazy to watch the video, here's a picture and a bunch of text (which is narrated in the video).
Enjoy!
For those that are too lazy to watch the video, here's a picture and a bunch of text (which is narrated in the video).
Originally Posted by Carl Sagan
Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.
The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. 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. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds.
Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.
The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.
It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.
The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. 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. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds.
Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.
The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.
It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.
Enjoy!
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From: Whitehorse, Yukon
I've read almost all of Carl Sagan's books, including Pale Blue Dot & Billions & Billions.
He is (was) a frikkin genious, but unfortunatly you're barking up the wrong tree as many people here are too small/closed-minded to appreciate what he has to say.
It takes a lot of mental energy to evaluate his message, and most people don't want to exert the type of mental energy required to think things through; it's much easier to dismiss Carl Sagan and believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, Unicorns, God(s) & Lepricons.
It's unfortunate, but religious types don't like to let little things like "facts" cloud their judgement.
In case you havn't noticed, this is a large F150 bible-belt community and not very open to the ideas of the late & great Dr. Carl Sagan.
Cool video btw, if you get a chance, he narrated a 7-dvd series about the cosmos, pick it up if you ever get the chance, a very interesting documentary.
Habs
He is (was) a frikkin genious, but unfortunatly you're barking up the wrong tree as many people here are too small/closed-minded to appreciate what he has to say.
It takes a lot of mental energy to evaluate his message, and most people don't want to exert the type of mental energy required to think things through; it's much easier to dismiss Carl Sagan and believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, Unicorns, God(s) & Lepricons.
It's unfortunate, but religious types don't like to let little things like "facts" cloud their judgement.
In case you havn't noticed, this is a large F150 bible-belt community and not very open to the ideas of the late & great Dr. Carl Sagan.
Cool video btw, if you get a chance, he narrated a 7-dvd series about the cosmos, pick it up if you ever get the chance, a very interesting documentary.
Habs
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From: Clemson, SC
In case you havn't noticed, this is a large F150 bible-belt community and not very open to the ideas of the late & great Dr. Carl Sagan.
Cool video btw, if you get a chance, he narrated a 7-dvd series about the cosmos, pick it up if you ever get the chance, a very interesting documentary.
Habs
Cool video btw, if you get a chance, he narrated a 7-dvd series about the cosmos, pick it up if you ever get the chance, a very interesting documentary.
Habs
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From: >wwOwww<
Great post.
I study cosmology allot, and wish I could explain it the way he does.
After I watched your link, I watched several of the others by Sagan.
I don't know why the the theologists don't want to agree with the facts, because it all fits together with any creator.
I study cosmology allot, and wish I could explain it the way he does.
After I watched your link, I watched several of the others by Sagan.
I don't know why the the theologists don't want to agree with the facts, because it all fits together with any creator.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17,118
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From: Burleson, Texas
I've read almost all of Carl Sagan's books, including Pale Blue Dot & Billions & Billions.
He is (was) a frikkin genious, but unfortunatly you're barking up the wrong tree as many people here are too small/closed-minded to appreciate what he has to say.
It takes a lot of mental energy to evaluate his message, and most people don't want to exert the type of mental energy required to think things through; it's much easier to dismiss Carl Sagan and believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, Unicorns, God(s) & Lepricons.
It's unfortunate, but religious types don't like to let little things like "facts" cloud their judgement.
In case you havn't noticed, this is a large F150 bible-belt community and not very open to the ideas of the late & great Dr. Carl Sagan.
Cool video btw, if you get a chance, he narrated a 7-dvd series about the cosmos, pick it up if you ever get the chance, a very interesting documentary.
Habs
He is (was) a frikkin genious, but unfortunatly you're barking up the wrong tree as many people here are too small/closed-minded to appreciate what he has to say.
It takes a lot of mental energy to evaluate his message, and most people don't want to exert the type of mental energy required to think things through; it's much easier to dismiss Carl Sagan and believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, Unicorns, God(s) & Lepricons.
It's unfortunate, but religious types don't like to let little things like "facts" cloud their judgement.
In case you havn't noticed, this is a large F150 bible-belt community and not very open to the ideas of the late & great Dr. Carl Sagan.
Cool video btw, if you get a chance, he narrated a 7-dvd series about the cosmos, pick it up if you ever get the chance, a very interesting documentary.
Habs
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x2! my uncle might be out a job because of Obama's decision. i could care less about all the "bailouts" if people managed money better and worked harder it would solve alot of problems.
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From: Whitehorse, Yukon
LMFAO Stealth, I knew that was coming. 
You know I couldn't resist man
Anyhow, you & I have fought for so long that I feel we're buddies by default.
So please take my 'shot' as an endearing cheap shot meant to vex my buddies in a good natured sort of way.
Oh man I am still laughing.
You know I couldn't resist man
Anyhow, you & I have fought for so long that I feel we're buddies by default.
So please take my 'shot' as an endearing cheap shot meant to vex my buddies in a good natured sort of way.
Oh man I am still laughing.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17,118
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From: Burleson, Texas
LMFAO Stealth, I knew that was coming.
You know I couldn't resist man
Anyhow, you & I have fought for so long that I feel we're buddies by default.
So please take my 'shot' as an endearing cheap shot meant to vex my buddies in a good natured sort of way.
Oh man I am still laughing.
You know I couldn't resist man
Anyhow, you & I have fought for so long that I feel we're buddies by default.
So please take my 'shot' as an endearing cheap shot meant to vex my buddies in a good natured sort of way.
Oh man I am still laughing.
Anyway, I've always intrigued by what's out there in the space realm. Took astronomy in college. My 12 year old son is a science junkie and loves to learn about the heavens out there. Loves to watch shows about the subject on cable and look in his Grandpa's telescope. You can be a Christian and still be a fan of astronomy.
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From: The Bluegrass State
Interesting...
I rode on a flight back from Phoenix with one of the 'lead' engineers associated with the Hubble project sitting immediately in front of me. Very sharp guy -- that was VERY embarassed about the miscalculations on the lens that was initially discovered after putting it 'up there'.
I rode on a flight back from Phoenix with one of the 'lead' engineers associated with the Hubble project sitting immediately in front of me. Very sharp guy -- that was VERY embarassed about the miscalculations on the lens that was initially discovered after putting it 'up there'.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 664
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From: Whitehorse, Yukon
Yeah, I'm going to have to start reading your posts like I do Raoul's.
Anyway, I've always intrigued by what's out there in the space realm. Took astronomy in college. My 12 year old son is a science junkie and loves to learn about the heavens out there. Loves to watch shows about the subject on cable and look in his Grandpa's telescope. You can be a Christian and still be a fan of astronomy.
Anyway, I've always intrigued by what's out there in the space realm. Took astronomy in college. My 12 year old son is a science junkie and loves to learn about the heavens out there. Loves to watch shows about the subject on cable and look in his Grandpa's telescope. You can be a Christian and still be a fan of astronomy.
I'll say this while we're on the subject...
While I may not agree with everything you believe, I do respect your beliefs just the same, I just wanted you to know that.
I plan to get a telescope one of these days too, I just don't want to get a crappy one.
You know what I always thought was a cool idea of mine? Althought I'm sure other's must have thought of it also...
Take the hubble image that's being viewed currently, and just create a channel on the dish or cable; The Hubble Channel.
While we won't actually be able to control the thing, we will be able to see what they are seeing, and you know this thing is being used 24/7.
I'd pay $5 a month for that. Maybe on the bottom of the screen they just just let us know what we're looking at.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17,118
Likes: 7
From: Burleson, Texas
Right on man, if we can't needle each other from time to time, what's the point?
I'll say this while we're on the subject...
While I may not agree with everything you believe, I do respect your beliefs just the same, I just wanted you to know that.
I plan to get a telescope one of these days too, I just don't want to get a crappy one.
You know what I always thought was a cool idea of mine? Althought I'm sure other's must have thought of it also...
Take the hubble image that's being viewed currently, and just create a channel on the dish or cable; The Hubble Channel.
While we won't actually be able to control the thing, we will be able to see what they are seeing, and you know this thing is being used 24/7.
I'd pay $5 a month for that. Maybe on the bottom of the screen they just just let us know what we're looking at.
I'll say this while we're on the subject...
While I may not agree with everything you believe, I do respect your beliefs just the same, I just wanted you to know that.
I plan to get a telescope one of these days too, I just don't want to get a crappy one.
You know what I always thought was a cool idea of mine? Althought I'm sure other's must have thought of it also...
Take the hubble image that's being viewed currently, and just create a channel on the dish or cable; The Hubble Channel.
While we won't actually be able to control the thing, we will be able to see what they are seeing, and you know this thing is being used 24/7.
I'd pay $5 a month for that. Maybe on the bottom of the screen they just just let us know what we're looking at.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 664
Likes: 1
From: Whitehorse, Yukon
Wifey & I are still camping, same place as last year, and we just got back from Massena, NY, went for dinner at Ponderosa, and bought some DVD's at Wal-Mart.
So we left the dogs in the trailer for a couple of hours, no biggie right?
We leave the roof air on low, the radio on their favorite station, lots of kibble & fresh water, and kongs full of peanut butter. I even left my cell number with the nice couple at the next campsite... just in case.
We get back, I turn the laptop on, and guess what? As I'm reaching for the mouse, all that's there is a wire with no mouse on the end of it.
One of the little chit rats chewed the mouse off, lol. We found it under my pillow in the camper,
I hate using the little touch pad thingy, not used to it.
Wal-mart is open 24 hrs here so I'll be taking a trip into town.
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From: >wwOwww<
I'm not of Budhist faith, but this is a good collection of ideas, and falls within the understanding of our universe.https://www.discountbooksale.com/p66...lity.html?ec=1
You may think I'm crazy, but there are truths, in all of the religions, that seek the creator.
From the details of the book:
Galileo, Copernicus, Newton, Niels Bohr, Einstein. Their insights shook our perception of who we are and where we stand in the world, and in their wake have lef...t an uneasy coexistence: science vs. religion, faith vs. empirical inquiry. Which is the keeper of truth? Which is the true path to understanding reality?After forty years of study with some of the greatest scientific minds, as well as a lifetime of meditative, spiritual, and philosophic study, the Dalai Lama presents a brilliant analysis of why all avenues of inquiry-scientific as well as spiritual-must be pursued in order to arrive at a complete picture of the truth. Through an examination of Darwinism and karma, quantum mechanics and philosophical insight into the nature of reality, neurobiology and the study of consciousness, the Dalai Lama draws significant parallels between contemplative and scientific examinations of reality. This breathtakingly personal examination is a tribute to the Dalai Lama's teachers-both of science and spirituality. The legacy of this book is a vision of the world in which our different approaches to understanding ourselves, our universe, and one another can be brought together in the service of humanity
You may think I'm crazy, but there are truths, in all of the religions, that seek the creator.
From the details of the book:
Galileo, Copernicus, Newton, Niels Bohr, Einstein. Their insights shook our perception of who we are and where we stand in the world, and in their wake have lef...t an uneasy coexistence: science vs. religion, faith vs. empirical inquiry. Which is the keeper of truth? Which is the true path to understanding reality?After forty years of study with some of the greatest scientific minds, as well as a lifetime of meditative, spiritual, and philosophic study, the Dalai Lama presents a brilliant analysis of why all avenues of inquiry-scientific as well as spiritual-must be pursued in order to arrive at a complete picture of the truth. Through an examination of Darwinism and karma, quantum mechanics and philosophical insight into the nature of reality, neurobiology and the study of consciousness, the Dalai Lama draws significant parallels between contemplative and scientific examinations of reality. This breathtakingly personal examination is a tribute to the Dalai Lama's teachers-both of science and spirituality. The legacy of this book is a vision of the world in which our different approaches to understanding ourselves, our universe, and one another can be brought together in the service of humanity