I’ve found that one of the more serious problems that emerge with the onset of age is the fact that my heroes are all leaving. The constellation of wonderful persons I’ve had the privilege of meeting and relating to grows smaller, though I see that at the edges, new novae are always sparkling into existence – which of course provides me with a certain relief.
Gone now is Sir John Maddox, the editor of Nature Magazine who so carefully crafted the JREF's approach to solving the homeopathy farce offered in France. Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman used to call and present me with fascinating observations on the currently-deluded scientists who had made it into the media with bizarre notions of how their craft should be done, but he’s no more with us. And Martin Gardner has left me with so many unanswered questions and observations I’d wish to share with him.
There are quite a few more…
But one giant perhaps best known to the public, that genius named Carl Sagan with whom I shared so many captivating hours, occupies my attention most at this time of the year. I’m one – only one – of a group of persons dedicated to making sure that the USA considers seriously the possibility of making Carl’s birthday, November 9, a nationally-noted occasion. He left us fifteen years ago, yet because of so many great accomplishments, he is still with us via his works. I highly recommend the recently enhanced set of recordings of his epic Cosmos TV series, which so very well demonstrates his charm, wit, and serious approach to being a teacher and an inspiring personality. (The series is available online for free, on sites such as Hulu.com) And any of his 20+ publications, but particularly the books Broca’s Brain [1979] and The Demon-Haunted World [1996] – in my opinion – can serve to launch any sensitive and curious youngster into a scientific career.
This Saturday, here in Broward County, South Florida, we’ll hold the third annual observation of this promotion, and you can see all details at www.carlsaganday.com. If you’re in the area, please join us, won’t you?