Here's To Carl Sagan!

I just read something at The Planetary Society's website. Charlene Anderson, Editor of the Planetary Report intro'd a short, heartfelt piece about the 10th anniversary of Carl Sagan's death by saying "I took from the shelf a book I hadn't read in 10 years. Glancing though its pages, I was startled again by the power of its words to move me, emotionally and intellectually. I also was saddened that the man who presented this Cosmos to the world, who profoundly shared his spiritual and scientific wonder of the universe, has been gone for so long."

My first inspiration about space and science occurred while watching Carl Sagan on his PBS series "Cosmos." I was around nine years old, and mesmerized by the way he presented sophisticated ideas in such easily understandable ways. Time really slows down for something--or someone--that moved faster? How cool is that? In a very direct way, Carl Sagan was--no, he is--the inspiration that moves me to create our Cogno space & science board games, and to write the Cogno book series. I want other kids to feel the way I did, as I watched and listened to Carl Sagan many years ago.

As an adult I've read every book he wrote, and, Like Charlene Anderson, each time I revisit one I realize what a remarkable human being he was. If more of us had even one tenth of his curiosity, vision, and balanced philosophies about how others should be treated, well ... this world would be a much better place. If you can, pick up a copy of the book Cosmos, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, Dragons of Eden, Pale Blue Dot, or maybe even his fictional novel "Contact." You'll see what all the fuss is about.

Thanks for the reminder, Charlene.