Cosmos!

[DizzyArnaz]

I remember watching Carl Sagan's Cosmos as a kid, and I've just gotten around to watching it again. Anyone else a huge Carl Sagan fan?

Here's one of my favorite clips from the show...it's a mashup of Sagan and Stephen Hawking. It you haven't seen it, it's worth seeing. The music by itself is excellent as well.

[youtube]zSgiXGELjbc[/youtube]

 

[luvmysuper]

Carl Sagan was an amazing guy.

Read his book "The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark", it's an awesome book, filled with his style, humor and down to earth explanations of the mysteries of the world.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I also love Sagan. Cosmos was a great show and I really should go back and watch it again. However, Sagan's books have stuck with me a lot longer than the shows. Demon Haunted World is one of his best, but the rest are also worth reading.

 

[BurkDarkpatches]

Along the same lines as the OP's vid:

http://www.youtube.com/user/melodysheep#p/u/4/XGK84Poeynk

I'm glad someone finally found a use for AutoTune. Miss ya Carl!

Steve

 

[raisindot]

I read somewhere that he actually never said the trademark meme associated with him:

"Billyuns and billyuns"

But he loved the spoof so much that he added it to his persona and titled a book with it.

Jeff in Boston

 

[luvmysuper]

I read somewhere that he actually never said the trademark meme associated with him:

"Billyuns and billyuns"

But he loved the spoof so much that he added it to her persona and titled a book with it.

Jeff in Boston

You are quite right sir!

Despite being known for this frequently quoted phrase, he never actually said it during the entire single-season run of "Cosmos".

The actual phrase is "billions UPON billions," and it is from his book "Cosmos" not the series, so he wrote it, he didn't say it.

A galaxy is composed of gas and dust and stars—billions upon billions of stars.
—Carl Sagan, Cosmos, chapter 1, page 3

 

[gaseousclay]

love Carl Sagan. i'll occasionally watch clips from Cosmos via youtube. the Vangelis soundtrack is equally as amazing

 

[Jesus of Baghdad]

Sagan was one of my heroes. Started reading Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors back when it was new (1993?), and then every other book he's written. Met him back then, too, and his wife Ann.
I'm keeping Cosmos for when I have kids... in the next few years. I hope it will inspire them in the same way it inspired me. His death was a great loss, more than most people probably realize.

 

[masonjarjar]

I was always a space junkie from a young age. So I loved COSMOS. I also remember going to see CONTACT on the last day it was playing, there was me and about 6 old ladies in the theater. Great movie. I should read the book.

 

[DizzyArnaz]

It's very calming for me to listen to Sagan when going to sleep. Any worries about the day just melt away when thinking of the vastness of existence. Glad there are other space junkies here in the forum.

 

[col conk]

Carl, was IMO the greatest representative for science in general . A master at explaining seemingly difficult concepts to the public (not by talking down to people) rather excepting that the audience had a certain level of intelligence. He also had a very well rounded background and was well read -being interested in history and religion as well as sciences. His ability to take all of these concepts , create a TV show about science( its history ,its evolution ,cultural influences that detracted or enhanced scientific progress) and tie all this in to explaining the evolution of the cosmos …. Well it is amazing.

“Cosmos “ although its going on 30 years old is still the best series like this ever done.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

His voice will forever be synonomous with the vastness of space...

 

[cheerwind]

I just watched the entire Cosmos series a few months ago. It's decades old, yet remains relevant and informative.

Also,

 

[Fortitudo Dei]

If you enjoy Cosmos, I recommend seeking out Jacob Bronowski's 1973 series The Ascent of Man which in terms of format, laid down the foundation for Cosmos. The connection is more than co-incidental because Adrian Malone who produced The Ascent of Man for the BBC was also the director of Cosmos. The Ascent of Man has a broader scope than Cosmos though as Bronowski states in the title of the book which accompanied the series, it is a "personal view". As such it is perhaps is not as objective as Cosmos but this doesn't mean that it is of any less quality.
One remarkable thing about the programme is that Bronowski often worked without a script and literally gathered his thoughts around a subject area just as he was speaking. It leads to many wonderfully pregnant pauses and it reminds me of my university days and being lectured by a wise professor who spoke in a slow, quiet, considered manner and yet had his audience of students utterly gripped.

Here's the final section from episode 11 (Knowledge or Certainty ). It was improvised by Bronowski on the spot and is considered by some as one of the finest moments in British television history.


[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mIfatdNqBA[/YOUTUBE]

 

[KarthVader]

Sagan is one of those people that I wish I could've met. Like someone said earlier, not only is his voice soothing, but so informative and causes you to think about our existence in this vast universe we live in.

Another person worth listening to Neil deGrasse Tyson. Very astute and humorous fellow.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1iJXOUMJpg&feature=channel[/YOUTUBE]

 

[luvmysuper]

Well, as long as we are bringing up other influential series, I have to add the series "Connections" by James Burke.
No one ever has explained the intricate intertwinings of the past and the present in such and entertaining and enlightened way.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NDvpZErg-Q&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Black Adder]

You folks are really hitting some line drive home runs with your suggestions! Cosmos was great; I never missed it. James Burke had a lot to say and I tried to catch his show whenever I could.

I like David Attenborough, too. Watch the BBC video series, "The Life of Birds" to hear him at his best, IMHO.

For relaxing voices, no one could top Bob Ross and "Joy of Painting!"

Don

 

[Agent8426]

I thought this was a thread about the new "Sex and the City" movie. Just Kidding. I have read several of Mr. Segan's books but I've never seen "Cosmos." I'm guessing it was before my time.

 

[DizzyArnaz]

I thought this was a thread about the new "Sex and the City" movie.

 

[raisindot]

I like David Attenborough, too. Watch the BBC video series, "The Life of Birds" to hear him at his best, IMHO.

I always liked Attenborough, but I was always worried he was going to have a heart attack on air because every time he climbed up a hill he'd be panting whilst narrating.



Jeff in Boston