12. CARL SAGAN: Make the most of this life
Carl Sagan (1934-1996) was an American astronomer, cosmologist, author and the coolest nerd ever. He was famous for making science accessible to anyone with half a brain. His 1980 documentary series, Cosmos, inspired a whole generation of people and I think it’s the greatest television series ever made. I only watched it for the first time five years ago (I wish I saw it when I was 14 instead of 24), but since then I’ve devoured all of Sagan’s books and watched Cosmos again about a thousand times. His work explained so much to me: the history of the cosmos, evolution, civilisation, the beauty of science, the perils of superstition and pseudoscience, the origin of religion – basically life, the universe and everything. Carl Sagan was the teacher I never had.
- Sagan wrote the above quote in an article for Parade magazine in 1996 while in hospital and facing death himself. It’s a beautiful article and you can read the whole thing here.
- I highly recommend you watch Cosmos (it’s on Youtube). Yes, It was made over 30 years ago and it looks a bit dated, but I can honestly say it was life-changing for me.
- If you don’t have a spare 13 hours, then these short 10-minute Sagan tribute clips edited by Milky Way Musings are a good place to start.
- Seth MacFarlane (yes, the Family Guy creator) and Neil deGrasse Tyson (often said to be this generation’s Carl Sagan) are making a Cosmos sequel that will air next year.
- I find Carl Sagan’s voice to be soothing and pleasantly hypnotic. Others think it sounds like Agent Smith from The Matrix.
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Thanks Em – damn, I should have showed it to u first!
I’m Indian and yep its totally like a sikh. No probs though.. Ur cartoons are too good. I think I’m gonna take you as an inspiration and will try the comical interpretations of poems cuz whenever I read a particular piece .. I always wanted express my opinions in some way.. writing appeared kind of corny to me. THis is cool.. Will try this stuff this summer itself. Thanks a lot. Keep drawing.
I’m also a big fan of Carl, and I totally agree with your comment on his voice. I’ve seen the DVDs for Cosmos in which each episode contains a prefix errata to correct where current science (at the time of the DVD production) corrects any facts stated.
Did your extensive reading also include his Novel? I haven’t actually read this, but I did enjoy watching the movie adaption (Jodie Foster starring).
Cosmos was one of my favorite documentaries. I particularly liked his big calendar where the Big Band was on January 1st, Life on Earth around December and man’s total recorded history in the last few seconds before midnight on December 31st.
Hey David, do you know if Cosmos has ever aired on Aussie TV?
It certainly was, that’s when I first watched it. I thought I was in High School at the time, but IMDB says it was released in 1980, so I must have watched it while I was in College (probably 1st year). But definitely early 80′s. I even bought the Vinyl LP soundtrack so pre-CD era, and it was most likely on ABC.
Actually, Carl wrote quite a few books. But, if you’re referring to Contact (of course), I read it. Frankly, Hollywood once again butchered a master work with their treatment of it, though not as horribly as HeinLein’s Starship Troopers.
It’s a rare thing when Hollywood doesn’t turn a jewel into a lump of coal.
You are aware that Carl was involved in that production, right? They worked closely with him on the shape of the story. It’s doubtful he would have thought it as “butchered” as you did. I read the book before the film and I thought they did a great job. Books and films, dude. Different media, different treatments.
Carl Sagan didn’t sound like Agent Smith from The Matrix. Agent Smith sounded like Carl Sagan. ;^)
My bad – you’re right Marley. Hugo Weaving totally ripped Carl off.
No, he didn’t. He was asked to do Carl by the Wachowskis.
I love this comic strip.
We should stop pointless fighting and just enjoy life.
I still miss Carl
I <3 you Carl!
I’m with you Eduardo.
This is all around fantastic. Thank you for a morning smile!
You’re welcome!
Dr. Sagan significantly influenced my outlook on the universe. Maybe it was because I watched COSMOS back when I was in my early teens.
Mi-ster An-der-son,
There are billions and billions of stars out there…
–
Furry cows moo and decompress.
This is wonderful. You have used Carl’s Big Words and pretty much the World Events of the last 10 years to tell a story that is ultimately about individuals improving their lives. Keep it up; you’re a genius!
Thanks so much Chris – too kind mate!
… NO I am not crying… just cutting up some onions in my ofice boss…
It’s ok to admit it Colin
Did you see what you’ve done to me? Now I’m crying. Thank you!
Wow – i’m making grown men cry – this is great!
This should be translated into multiple languages.
Beautiful work. Thank you for this.
As Dr. Plait says, Carl Sagan “had a way with words that made them not just profound, not just inspiring, but also warm and rich and enveloping.” I fully agree with that sentiment, and think that everyone should read his books. Even if they already have a Ph.D. in Baloney Detection, they should read his words just because of the great way he says things.
By the way, Ann is teaming with Neil deGrasse Tyson to update the Cosmos series. I know when I showed it to my daughter, she was put off a bit by it’s very antiquated special effects. Kids these days…
Wonderful job. Its nice that Carl Sagan continues to inspire other human beings to do good work. Thats all the afterlife we need.
translated into multiple languages… Thank you for your pen
translated into multiple languages….Thank you for your pen
That’s very cool – thanks
Thanks GAV, it is up-beat to know through you creation that there are so many of us who are like minded with Carl Sagan. In us humanity has a hope:)
You’re right, although sometimes it seems we’re in the minority
2 out of the 5 comics I’ve read on your site just now have brought me to tears. Haw man. You really have something here.
Thanks Jason – what as the other one that made u cry?
Love LOVE your illustration! Coincidentally, I wrote something (kind of) similar recently. It’s called An Unlikely Idea http://trustthedevilyouknow.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/an-unlikely-idea/
Thanks mate – nice post
You get that wrong !
It is not about love, it is about PING PONG !
I would love to give you money for poster sized prints of these… *hint*
prints soon – promise
Just found out about you via Reddit. Fantastic stuff, I’ll be checking back often.
Your work is amazing. That’s all I can say.
He’s not making very good use of those virgins…
He’s only got forty and they’ve got to last him for eternity.
Ha – i thought an orgy scene might be a bit much
You need to sell prints of these. Seriously. I would be happy to buy one or two for a good price if the physical quality was good.
Please, please make prints of these, I’d be happy to buy digital or actual print! Fantastic work.
Coming soon
Make them come sooner-er!
Perfectly illustrated to match Carl’s brilliant words. Wish he was still around, but at least we have folks like you around to re-ignite the passion in his writing.
Sir, you’ve just conquered my feed
Muah ha ha – i feel so powerful!
Love these! BTW another great source for some Sagan mashup goodness is symphonyofscience dot com . . .
And I have a question: what’s your policy on relinking or embedding these for other blogs? I’d like to use your “Fear is the mindkiller” on a post that’s tickling my fancy but wanted to ask first.
Just send me an email with exactly how you’re going to use it – i’ll probably be cool with it
I was actually really happy to stumble across this picture the other day. Thanks for doing this.
Like you, Sagan’s work has had a major impact on my life. This world would be a much better place if there were more people like him.
The final comment on Sagan’s voice – so true…!
One of my favourites, along with this: http://zenpencils.com/comic/17-frank-herbert-litany-against-fear/
<3
This just made me misty-eyed during my morning commute. It’s so wonderful. I first encountered Sagan during college years, and at almost every profound sentence I would say: this man gets it. He’s my spiritual, science teacher unofficially.
still my favorite one. Really beautiful. The Ping Pong Democracy imagery is beautiful.
Fantastic blog! This has to be my favourite strip, with the ping pong sequence at the end. Keep up the great work!
Fantastic!
You have captured all the essence in Carl Sagan’s words. One of my all time heroes.
Very nice boss! Carl Sagan was one of the best science writers. I can still feel the awe he evoked in me when describing the cosmos. Almost poetic writing!
“Carl Sagan was the teacher I never had.”
That’s one of the most awesome definitions of him I’ve ever seen or heard.
Is it alright to put part of this in my personal website if perhaps I publish a reference point to this site?
Ok.
omg Gav- this was you?? I got sent this in two different emails on the same day a while back. Glad to hear that this is going viral and you’re getting success with this, all the best!
You should also check out Joseph Campbell. What Sagan did for astronomy, Campbell did for culture.
You’re a genius yourself! To take a very inspirational quote from Carl Sagan and put such a heartwarming story in it… genius!