Franklin's Focus 8/15/10


A Must Read of a Carl Sagan Gem


A reader graciously sent me the URL for a fine piece written by the late Carl Sagan. I had the honor of meeting and chatting with this man several times during the years he and I belonged to the same skeptics organization. That always pleased me. He was always amiable and open to chatting with fellow members, even those of us who were of far lesser intellect. When I wrote my book on rational self-counseling, he was one of the first persons I sent a copy to. That act led to his using the message of my chapter eight as a basis for the 12th chapter of his last book. I've never felt more honored than I did when I came across that tribute in Sagan's last book and saw my name printed in his wonderful book.


During the years I heard him delivering the official annual speech for the organization of skeptics we both belonged to, I never heard him utter a single word I disagreed with. I am an animal rights person, and so was Carl. He once argued that whales probably have higher IQs than humans. His argument was extremely convincing, and I believe his thesis was right on the mark. I favor legalizing pot, and so did Carl, who smoked a joint every day of his adult life. And so on. He was simply a great guy. If reason had a pantheon of skeptics, he would surely be one of those enshrined in that group.


I won't babble further and let you use the following to visit a great piece by the great Carl Sagan. I'm sure you'll love it.


http://snardfarker.ning.com/profiles/blogs/does-truth-matter-science




Warmest regards,
Richard