Cosmos - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Ace_O_Spades · 03-06-2005, 11:02 AM

Cosmos, for those who don't know, is a 13 part television series created in the 70's by Carl Sagan, Anne Druyan, and B. Gentry Lee aiming at educating the population on the vastness of the Cosmos, the history of the universe, origins of humans, and human history.

I've watched a few episodes of the series, and am currently reading the book version. I'm finding it EXTREMELY educational and surprisingly easy to read for what is essentially trying to be the "series that explains everything"

I wish I could show this to every man, woman, and child on earth. It was made in the 70's, but has only required minor changes and substitutions to allow for current knowledge.

My favorite part is Episode 2 of the series called "One Voice in the Cosmic Fuge" where he traces human origins from amino acids to now. Mind blowing.

So yeah... Go Cosmos! I suggest you all pick up the book if you're interested in astronomy, or the origins of humans (NOT Astrology, although he does talk about that particular pseudoscience in detail) to check it out.

guthmund · 03-06-2005, 02:23 PM

I'll certainly second that.

As a matter of fact, anything with Sagan's name attached, I'd recommend reading/viewing. In fact, I'd recommend reading/viewing it twice.

Brian Greene is another recommendation. I really enjoyed his series about string theory on NOVA. The book is equally entertaining and thought provoking.

SiN · 03-06-2005, 03:30 PM

cool thread

My mom has had the Cosmos book for several years, sadly i've never gotten around to reading it.

I've been an under-developed closet Astronomy Geek for as long as I can remember ... i think this thread is inspiring me to at least go find some things to download

Ace_O_Spades · 03-06-2005, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiN

I've been an under-developed closet Astronomy Geek for as long as I can remember ... i think this thread is inspiring me to at least go find some things to download

Might I suggest Celestia:

http://www.shatters.net/celestia

Nikilidstrom · 03-06-2005, 05:28 PM

Every Tueaday on the Discovery Science Channel is space night. The last show I watched on there was Cosmic Odyssey, and they had an amazing discussion on the evolution of string theory into brane theory. It was far more in depth then the usual Discovery show, and was very educational.

By the way, that Celestia looks great! downloading it now.

yellowgowild · 03-06-2005, 11:42 PM

The first time I saw Cosmos I was 14 years old and utterly amazed. I had no idea there was so much to be in awe of around us. They say that Carl Sagan wasn't an important scientist because he never really discovered anything, but I think he contributed more than most because he popularized science for the masses, sparking everyones curiosity in the world around them and inspiring people to become scientists themselves.

I met him once, at a local television station where he was promoting one of his books. Really nice guy, very patient with everyones ignorance, including my own. I think when he died, one of the bright lights in the world went out.

Ace_O_Spades · 03-07-2005, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowgowild

I think when he died, one of the bright lights in the world went out.

My first year Psychology professor always talked about him, that's when I sarted getting interested in his work.

He also wrote a lot of work on the scientific method and fighting ignorance and pseudoscience.

03-06-2005, 11:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ace_O_Spades The Death Card Location: EH!?!?	Cosmos Cosmos, for those who don't know, is a 13 part television series created in the 70's by Carl Sagan, Anne Druyan, and B. Gentry Lee aiming at educating the population on the vastness of the Cosmos, the history of the universe, origins of humans, and human history. I've watched a few episodes of the series, and am currently reading the book version. I'm finding it EXTREMELY educational and surprisingly easy to read for what is essentially trying to be the "series that explains everything" I wish I could show this to every man, woman, and child on earth. It was made in the 70's, but has only required minor changes and substitutions to allow for current knowledge. My favorite part is Episode 2 of the series called "One Voice in the Cosmic Fuge" where he traces human origins from amino acids to now. Mind blowing. So yeah... Go Cosmos! I suggest you all pick up the book if you're interested in astronomy, or the origins of humans (NOT Astrology, although he does talk about that particular pseudoscience in detail) to check it out. __________________ Feh.

03-06-2005, 02:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
guthmund big damn hero	I'll certainly second that. As a matter of fact, anything with Sagan's name attached, I'd recommend reading/viewing. In fact, I'd recommend reading/viewing it twice. Brian Greene is another recommendation. I really enjoyed his series about string theory on NOVA. The book is equally entertaining and thought provoking. __________________ No signature. None. Seriously.

03-06-2005, 03:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
SiN strangelove Location: ...more here than there...	cool thread My mom has had the Cosmos book for several years, sadly i've never gotten around to reading it. I've been an under-developed closet Astronomy Geek for as long as I can remember ... i think this thread is inspiring me to at least go find some things to download __________________ - + - ° GiRLie GeeK ° - + - ° 01110010011011110110111101110100001000000110110101100101 Therell be days/When Ill stray/I may appear to be/Constantly out of reach/I give in to sin/Because I like to practise what I preach

03-06-2005, 05:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
Nikilidstrom Stick it in your five hole! Location: Michigan, USA	Every Tueaday on the Discovery Science Channel is space night. The last show I watched on there was Cosmic Odyssey, and they had an amazing discussion on the evolution of string theory into brane theory. It was far more in depth then the usual Discovery show, and was very educational. By the way, that Celestia looks great! downloading it now.

03-06-2005, 11:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
yellowgowild Psycho Location: Tampa	The first time I saw Cosmos I was 14 years old and utterly amazed. I had no idea there was so much to be in awe of around us. They say that Carl Sagan wasn't an important scientist because he never really discovered anything, but I think he contributed more than most because he popularized science for the masses, sparking everyones curiosity in the world around them and inspiring people to become scientists themselves. I met him once, at a local television station where he was promoting one of his books. Really nice guy, very patient with everyones ignorance, including my own. I think when he died, one of the bright lights in the world went out.