Commencement speech at N/A, N/A
Carl Sagan was a renowned American astrophysicist, cosmologist, author, and science communicator who played a significant role in popularizing science and astronomy for the general public. While there is no specific commencement address associated with him, Sagan is celebrated for his contributions to science, particularly his work on the Voyager missions, his best-selling book "Cosmos," and his television series of the same name. His passion for exploring the universe and his ability to convey complex scientific concepts in a relatable manner have left a lasting legacy and fostering a deeper appreciation for the cosmos among people of all backgrounds.10 top life lessons by Carl Sagan
- The Insignificance of Earth (Pale Blue Dot): Sagan emphasizes the smallness of Earth in the vastness of the cosmos, using the image of a pale blue dot, to underscore the insignificance of our conflicts and divisions.
- Human Unity in a Shared Home: Sagan unites humanity by pointing out that every person who has ever lived, with all their diversity, existed on this tiny dot suspended in space, emphasizing our shared responsibility for one another.
- Folly of Human Arrogance: Sagan critiques human arrogance and self-importance, challenging the notion that we hold a privileged position in the universe, showcasing the folly of our imagined superiority.
- Cosmic Perspective and Humility: Astronomy, as Sagan describes, provides a humbling experience, fostering humility by reminding us of our small place in the cosmos, diminishing the significance of our individual and collective actions.
- Responsibility to One Another: Sagan calls for a sense of responsibility and kindness among humans, derived from the awareness of our shared vulnerability on this tiny planet, urging us to treat each other with compassion.
- Unique Nature of Earth: Sagan highlights the rarity of Earth as a life-supporting planet, emphasizing that, at least in the foreseeable future, there is no alternative for human habitation, urging us to appreciate and protect our unique home.
- No External Savior: Sagan dismisses the idea that help or salvation will come from elsewhere in the universe, reinforcing the notion that we must address our challenges and preserve our planet without relying on external intervention.
- Temporary Nature of Power and Triumph: Reflecting on the rivers of blood spilled for momentary triumphs, Sagan emphasizes the transient nature of power and glory, questioning the value of conflicts and the pursuit of fleeting achievements.
- The Fragility of Life: By describing Earth as a lonely speck, Sagan underscores the fragility of life and the need to cherish and protect our existence, recognizing that our actions can impact the delicate balance of our planetary home.
- Astronomy as a Source of Wisdom: Sagan concludes that astronomy is a source of wisdom, offering a perspective that challenges human conceits and encourages a more enlightened approach to how we treat one another and our planet.
Best quotes of Carl Sagan‘s speech
"The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena.""In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves."
Video of Carl Sagan‘s Commencement speech at N/A
Commencement speech transcript
Astronomer
In his 1996 speech, scientist and astronomer Carl Sagan related his thoughts on the deeper meaning of a photograph of planet Earth taken in 1990 by Voyager 1 from a record distance, showing it against the vastness of space.
“Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every “superstar,” every “supreme leader,” every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.
The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds.
Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.
The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.
It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.”
May 11, 1996
Submitted by: Leigh Golterman, www.peaceplease.com