To balance the outright silliness of Snooki Snex, and to provide some breathing space for those who are reeling from the shootings in Arizona today, or bracing for more flooding rains in Queensland this coming week, or facing pain and trouble this weekend (there seems to be a LOT, holy moly), I wanted to provide four minutes of peaceful space. I hope you are ok, and if you’re feeling like I am today, I hope this helps you as well.
I don’t wish to open political discussion here, as there are ample places all over the internet to have those conversations. I mean to remind myself that we are connected, and that ultimately, perhaps we can find more between us in common.
There’s something about that video that always makes me a little teary-eyed and I don’t know why. I agree with you, though—it’s past time that we all remember that we are all connected.
Oh thank you for re-playing that. It is on my ‘save list’, but I am always happy to encounter it.
Like Tina C, I usually end up reaching for some tissues whilst watching this clip. Just about the BEST use of Auto-tune. Love it.
Inhale, exhale—in the words of Jayne Ann Krentz, in Sweet Starfire—“All is serene”.
Thank you. We shouldn’t need reminding that we are all connected, but all too clearly we do.
P.S. I miss Carl Sagan and Richard Feynman.
Absolutely brilliant. Thank you, I posted it to my Facebook ergo, we are connected.
Thank you. Thank you.
Thanks for this. You know, every time I listen to Carl Sagan doing the electronic song thing (what’s that called?), I hear Ernie from Sesame Street. Especially when he says “A still more glorious dawn awaits.”
I love Symphony of Science, “A Glorious Dawn” is my favorite. Thanks for sharing it, my day was certainly in great need of Carl Sagan. (Such an amazing man.)
Thank you for posting this today, Sarah. I love this video; I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who gets a little teary over it. Beautiful.
My captcha is alone47. Wrong!—we’re all connected.
My friend showed me this, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who finds these videos touching and awesome! Thanks for posting!
Sarah, thank you so much for posting this. I was away from TV, internet, etc., today, so I didn’t learn of the tragedy in Arizona until this evening.
Not only is the video amazing in its technology and its message, it so makes me miss Carl Sagan. He was a brilliant instructor, his charm and patience made the unknown a little more “knowable” for the rest of us. If he were here, he would see that as a species, we’ve triumphed in many ways. And failed miserably in so many others.
AMH
Thank you for reposting this Sarah. Not matter how many times I have seen (a lot), I get misty-eyed every time.
That was lovely, Sarah, and many thanks. I’m reminded of something Eckhart Tolle says about nature. The next time you’re outside appreciating the trees, birds, and other flora and fauna, don’t give them names as you look at them. Simply think of them as part of life, i.e., we’re all connected.
Thanks for posting this, although for a much different reason than everyone else has listed. Yes, it’s a great message, but when I see Carl Sagan it takes me back to my physics class sophomore year—every time Coach Ray had a sub we would watch a Carl Sagan video and my best friend Sarah and I would entertain ourselves later laughing over favorite cheesy lines, “fabulous” sets and those awesome, awesome blazers he always wore. Sarah died our sophomore year of college of Ovarian Cancer, and seeing Carl Sagan is one of those things that always makes me smile and think of her. So thanks.
Thanks for posting that. Science often gets painted as being a bit cold, and a force for banality, but there is a unique wonder and beauty in seeing the universe clearly, that can inspire and exalt just as well as religion can.
Elemental –
If I may take your thought one step further: I do not see any particular division between religion and science.
Is there a higher form of worship than to study the patterns of God’s universe? I respect those that have a different answer, but for me the answer is no.
No Bible story, which I respect as important teaching stories, has ever come close to create a sense of awe and wonder as what we currently understand to be the origin and nature of the universe. It is my understanding of science that has created unshakable belief in something greater. It is so laughably improbable that we are even here, let alone sipping lattes while typing on blogs. Every day, every advance in humanity, large or small, is truly amazing.
I hope I haven’t offended with above, as I know I’ve dabbled on sensitive areas. 🙁 I just understand the gentleman who wanted grab everyone on the street and try to let them understand and see what I see. 😉
Sarah, thank you. Can I tell you how much I love Carl Sagan? Total. Crush.
Anyhow, I love that vid. I’ve had it bookmarked for a long time and I just watch it occasionally to ground myself.
I smiled when I saw Neil deGrasse Tyson & Bill Nye, the Science Guy, in there. I really enjoy people who are passionate about science.
It was what Sagan said that most touched me, however.
“We are a way for the Cosmos to know itself.”
wow
x + Richard Feynmann = Win.
Feynmann is one of my all-time favourite people.
Great video Sarah.
I love this video! It always helps me gain perspective.
Lol Security word: Theory82