Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
You're an interesting species, an interesting mix. You're capable of such beautiful dreams and such horrible nightmares. You feel so lost, so cut off, so alone, only you're not. See, in all our searching, the only thing we've found that makes the emptiness bearable is each other.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Human existence is marked by both beauty and despair, and connection with others helps alleviate feelings of isolation.
Carl Sagan reflects on the duality of human experience, highlighting how we are capable of both extraordinary dreams and distressing nightmares. He emphasizes that despite feelings of loneliness and disconnection, the most significant remedy for our existential emptiness is the bonds we create with one another, suggesting that relationships are essential for a meaningful life.
Themes
HumanityConnectionRelationshipsLonelinessExistence
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used as a reflection in a discussion about mental health and the importance of community support.
More from Carl Sagan
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The hole in the ozone layer is a kind of skywriting. At first it seemed to spell out our continuing complacency before a witch's brew of deadly perils. But perhaps it really tells of a newfound talent to work together to protect the global environment.
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There is a reward structure in science that is very interesting: Our highest honors go to those who disprove the findings of the most revered among us. So Einstein is revered not just because he made so many fundamental contributions to science, but because he found an imperfection in the fundamental contribution of Isaac Newton.
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The simplest thought, like the concept of the number one, has an elaborate logical underpinning.
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