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FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: Christina on April 21, 2010, 12:26:00 PM

Title: Another reason why Carl Sagan is bad ass ...
Post by: Christina on April 21, 2010, 12:26:00 PM
He advocated smoking weed. (http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99/n882/a01.html)

And not only that, he wrote this in some essay:

"I can remember one occasion, taking a shower with my wife while high, in which I had an idea on the origins and invalidities of racism in terms of gaussian distribution curves,'' wrote the former Cornell University professor.  "I wrote the curves in soap on the shower wall, and went to write the idea down."

I don't really smoke anymore because weed makes me dumb(er), and I can't move faster than one-quarter speed the next day. But I always liked this tidbit about him, because he was clearly an awesome guy ... like right up there with Fred Rogers awesome. One of the most amazing people there ever was.

 
Title: Re: Another reason why Carl Sagan is bad ass ...
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on April 21, 2010, 02:01:06 PM
He advocated smoking weed. (http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99/n882/a01.html)

And not only that, he wrote this in some essay:

"I can remember one occasion, taking a shower with my wife while high, in which I had an idea on the origins and invalidities of racism in terms of gaussian distribution curves,'' wrote the former Cornell University professor.  "I wrote the curves in soap on the shower wall, and went to write the idea down."

I don't really smoke anymore because weed makes me dumb(er), and I can't move faster than one-quarter speed the next day. But I always liked this tidbit about him, because he was clearly an awesome guy ... like right up there with Fred Rogers awesome. One of the most amazing people there ever was.

 


I'm adding that to my favorite quotations on Facebook.
Title: Re: Another reason why Carl Sagan is bad ass ...
Post by: Trembling Eagle on April 21, 2010, 04:39:11 PM
I bet he was a very giving lover.


nohomo
Title: Re: Another reason why Carl Sagan is bad ass ...
Post by: crumbum on April 21, 2010, 07:34:02 PM
I read that essay as well, and it almost made me want to give pot another try. I used to dabble and would sometimes have interesting insights that were worth holding on to, but gave it up cause it also made me paranoid and hyper self-conscious.
Title: Re: Another reason why Carl Sagan is bad ass ...
Post by: Steve of Bloomington on April 21, 2010, 08:33:46 PM
Now mushrooms, though...
Title: Re: Another reason why Carl Sagan is bad ass ...
Post by: Pidgeon on April 21, 2010, 08:43:41 PM
He advocated smoking weed. (http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99/n882/a01.html)

And not only that, he wrote this in some essay:

"I can remember one occasion, taking a shower with my wife while high, in which I had an idea on the origins and invalidities of racism in terms of gaussian distribution curves,'' wrote the former Cornell University professor.  "I wrote the curves in soap on the shower wall, and went to write the idea down."

I don't really smoke anymore because weed makes me dumb(er), and I can't move faster than one-quarter speed the next day. But I always liked this tidbit about him, because he was clearly an awesome guy ... like right up there with Fred Rogers awesome. One of the most amazing people there ever was.

 


Weird; I was thinking earlier today about how much I appreciate both guys. Not an ounce of cynicism in both of 'em.
Title: Re: Another reason why Carl Sagan is bad ass ...
Post by: Tor_Hershman on April 23, 2010, 05:09:54 AM
Prof. Sagan's program was wonderful AND a splendiferously noble attempt, moi can really dig that.
(http://alkaspace.com/is.php?i=97125&img=chaomos.jpg)

(http://alkaspace.com/is.php?i=97124&img=Mr_Rogers_Cemet.jpg)
Moi still enjoys watchin' Mr. Rogers, especially Mr. McFeelly's [SP?] videos, EXCEPT for one 'habit' of Mr. Rogers...as me wee song states.
http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=112789
YIKES! Moi seldom, 'cause ain't nobody no-way ever doez one mostly, reads a review of moi's work, however.....me just saw this one on the page & it'zzzzz bad ass - for sure.....
"Couldn't resist the title - there are some strong elements of Frank Zappa and Frank Crumit as well - if you can imagine such a fusion - really enjoyed this nutty and entertaining track, so honest and inventive complete with quirky sound effects. So refreshing to get away from some of the pretentious arty farty stuff you seem to get everywhere. This would have fitted in perfectly with the mood of -We're only in it for the Money - by The Mothers. Great stuff."  

Stay on groovin' safari,
:o Tor :o
Title: Re: Another reason why Carl Sagan is bad ass ...
Post by: sparkatus on April 23, 2010, 03:27:06 PM
I was just about to post that he was also an excellent bongo player, but that was the similarly bad ass physicist, Richard Feynman.

The BBC has just screened a series entitled Wonders of the Universe, which I would highly recommend, presented by perhaps the heir to Sagan's throne, Professor Brian Cox. He has the same sense of genuine awe about him when witnessing something remarkable, and succeeds in bringing the potentially dry subject matter to life. He invited UK comedians including Chris Morris to tours of the Large Hadron Collider facility at CERN, his day job, regularly does mini-lectures at gigs with comedians and indie rock bands, and also used to play keyboards in this band, before quitting to finish his PhD.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj4wcuo9Mgo[/youtube]
Title: Re: Another reason why Carl Sagan is bad ass ...
Post by: Pidgeon on April 23, 2010, 07:40:29 PM
Tor, how much time a day do you spend doing those image mashups?
Title: Re: Another reason why Carl Sagan is bad ass ...
Post by: Tor_Hershman on April 24, 2010, 12:19:10 PM
Tor, how much time a day do you spend doing those image mashups?
Not enough!
(http://alkaspace.com/is.php?i=97157&img=OpBerry_Crunch_.jpg)

Then, Pidgeon, check who's the #1 maker of parody sleeves @ Am I Right
http://www.amiright.com/photoshops/
Title: Re: Another reason why Carl Sagan is bad ass ...
Post by: orator on April 24, 2010, 06:22:47 PM
I was just about to post that he was also an excellent bongo player, but that was the similarly bad ass physicist, Richard Feynman.

The BBC has just screened a series entitled Wonders of the Universe, which I would highly recommend, presented by perhaps the heir to Sagan's throne, Professor Brian Cox. He has the same sense of genuine awe about him when witnessing something remarkable, and succeeds in bringing the potentially dry subject matter to life. He invited UK comedians including Chris Morris to tours of the Large Hadron Collider facility at CERN, his day job, regularly does mini-lectures at gigs with comedians and indie rock bands, and also used to play keyboards in this band, before quitting to finish his PhD.


Yeah, I just watched all of it this week. Besides being really interesting and informative, it was just gorgeous to watch. He's doing a followup to it that I think is going to air next year. Can't wait.

edit: Oh, and I think it's called Wonders of the Solar System.
Title: Re: Another reason why Carl Sagan is bad ass ...
Post by: dave from knoxville on April 24, 2010, 10:28:33 PM
Brian Greene's pretty great if you get interested in the other end of the telescope.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/program.html (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/program.html)
Title: Re: Another reason why Carl Sagan is bad ass ...
Post by: sparkatus on April 25, 2010, 04:52:39 AM
edit: Oh, and I think it's called Wonders of the Solar System.

You are right, of course. I'll be awaiting the follow-up eagerly, I work with someone who has a massive crush on Professor Cox, so I'll be sure to hear about it in good time, I'm sure.
Title: Re: Another reason why Carl Sagan is bad ass ...
Post by: JustSheaNo on April 26, 2010, 10:25:22 PM
AC... He's also a member of the NJ Hall of Fame!