Science and Inquiry discussion

For June 2013, we will be reading Cosmos by Carl Sagan.

You can use this thread to post questions, comments, and reviews, at any time.

This one is a classic. I plan to join in!

I may be up for a reread; think I still have my 30-year-old copy upstairs...

Hee-hee, I've got two 30-year old copies round here somewhere. I forgot I had one and ordered a used one via amazon. :)

Kenny wrote: "Hee-hee, I've got two 30-year old copies round here somewhere. I forgot I had one and ordered a used one via amazon. :)"

I suppose it might be hard to get a new copy!

Looks like there's plenty of editions (many fairly recent), and it looks to be available for ereaders as well.

I suspect there may be untouched collectors editions out there wrapped in plastic and just waiting on a big enough ebay bid. :)

Amazon in fact lists 'New' versions at reasonable prices and as Susanna says, ebook versions as well.

Unfortunately the new editions don't have most of the pictures (I don't know how important these are).

I love Pale Blue Dot and have been meaning to get around to this older book for a long while, so I'm ready.

Yep, I had my old much-loved copy upstairs. It's now downstairs, and I've read a few chapters.

An old friend.

There are a good many pictures, David. Most pages of mine have them.

I haven't done a group read for awhile, but I'm in for Cosmos. I can't believe I haven't read this one, as I've been wanting to for awhile. Anyone else planning on also watching the miniseries?

Mine seems to be from 1985 (it says "first Ballantine books edition"), and comes with quite a few pages of pictures in the center (these are color), as well as some in-text figures. Upon skimming, it doesn't seem like it would be great on the Kindle.

I know a few years ago they were running the mini-series, with new pictures from Hubble etc., on ... I think it was the Science channel.

I'm struck how you could tell exactly when this was written and went to press, from what pictures are used about Jupiter (Voyagers 1 and 2) versus Saturn (Pioneer 11).

Really enjoying this reread.

ETA: Shouldn't this one be in "currently reading" instead of Wizard?

Just read the intro, although I'm waiting to finish my current non-fiction book before I really dip into it. Very excited to read this, and as each chapter follows an episode of the television series quite closely, I will be watching those in tandem.

If anyone is interested, Radiolab (a WNYC program syndicated on many NPR stations, if you're unfamiliar) had a great "Space" episode where they interviewed Sagan's widow, Ann Druyan, about Voyager. It's definitely worth a listen.

I've had this book for a while and haven't read it yet. Now seems to be the best time.

Cameron wrote: "I've had this book for a while and haven't read it yet. Now seems to be the best time."

Same here! Good timing.

I also plan to join in on this month's read. I vaguely remember watching the miniseries, but that was a long time ago... so I'm quite excited to start reading the book.

I am also in for this one.

I'm also joining as I've just read it. It's a fantastic book and one I will reread many times.

BTW In case anyone doesn't know they are doing a remake of Cosmos next year with Neil deGrasse Tyson hosting -

http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/13/432...

That's fantastic news!

This book was great!

I'm back to report that I've really enjoyed Cosmos. A superb read in many aspects. I didn't feel it was outdated or anything, even though I knew quite a bit about the Voyagers and such. I guess that's because of Sagan's storytelling abilities :)

I've written a review on Cosmos, but it's mostly my thoughts and the impact the book has had on me.

Cosmos is a great book. However, I can't seem to get through it. I have just read about two-thirds of it, and it's not interesting to me. The reason is that for me, there is nothing new here.

Just started reading Sagan's Cosmos. I fear that my appreciation will be similar as that of David: I have read a lot on astronomy and cosmology, so it is more for the style that I read it than for learning something new. But never mind! I'll finish it as my first read within this group.

David wrote: "Cosmos is a great book. However, I can't seem to get through it. I have just read about two-thirds of it, and it's not interesting to me. The reason is that for me, there is nothing new here."

So glad I'm not the only one! I guess I've read too many popular science books. I'm considering putting this by my bedside table and finishing it in bits and pieces.

For me, it's always interesting to see how views on a book differ among people. Cosmos managed to hold my attention, and I would have probably read it in one go if I hadn't been bogged down with obligations. I guess the book was interesting to me because I don't read much of the popular science genre?

Finished it just in time. I found some bits slow, outdated and tangential, but I felt the breadth of the discussion, both scientific and philosophical, made it worthwhile overall. The illustrations are excellent!

Casey wrote: "David wrote: "Cosmos is a great book. However, I can't seem to get through it. I have just read about two-thirds of it, and it's not interesting to me. The reason is that for me, there is nothing n..."

I am also struggling to get through it ...

For a fan of astronomy who doesn't have a lot of indepth knowledge in the field it was a very good read. I enjoyed it.

I really don't know how this would read, now, if I were reading it for the first time. I didn't learn anything, because I first read it 30+ years ago.

But it was a fun trip down memory lane.

Hi :).

With the newer Cosmos starting Sunday night, I'm wondering:

1. Is anyone else here going to watch it?
2. Is anyone planning on skimming/rereading the original Cosmos book?

I checked the original book, plus Boca's Brain, out from the MSSU library, but I'm not sure I can finish either before Sunday.

Theresa

I think I will watch it.

I'm planning to watch it. Or at least give it a try.

I think I will at least give it a try.

I watched the first episode. The last ten minutes were quite moving.

I enjoyed it.

The original series and book brought about such a transformation in my thinking, having been raised in one of those cartoon anti-science religious households, that I find myself of two minds about the new one.

1. Hopeful that someone else will get the same impact I did.

2. Sad that people feel Sagan is not relevant to today's youngsters and worried that NDGT, as cool as he is, can fill those huge shoes.

Well, he's trying hard, and I can't think of anyone else who would do better. Good luck to him.

Smithsonian: Why Carl Sagan is Truly Irreplaceable

I think this article is mistitled. It's a paean to Sagan, but doesn't really talk about why he's irreplaceable.

I'm still reserving judgment on the new Cosmos.

Doesn't seem to be an actual link, Betsy.

Fixed. Sorry.

Nice article, thanks for sharing it.

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "Well, he's trying hard, and I can't think of anyone else who would do better. Good luck to him."

I agree. He is trying and he does a good job in general. I don't think he's as good at inspiring scientific wonder as Sagan was, but it's impossible to separate my emotional biases from that judgment.

I certainly did not intend my comment as anything against NDGT, as I am a fan.

Betsy wrote: "Smithsonian:
Why Carl Sagan is Truly Irreplaceable


I think this article is mistitled. It's a paean to Sagan, but doesn't really talk about why he's irreplaceable.

I'm still reserving judgm..."

I agree that it's not really about why he is irreplaceable, but I like the piece anyway.