Science Archives

Interstellar Space Travel—Carl Sagan’s Take

Is interstellar space travel feasible? What did the late Carl Sagan think about space travel? In his book Cosmos, the late astronomer Carl Sagan spoke about the possibility of interstellar space travel. He believed that it may be possible in the future with the use of nuclear fusion technology. He also said that we would likely need to use multigenerational spacecrafts if we wanted to make any significant progress. Here’s what Carl Sagan had to say about space travel.

The Stanford Prison Experiment: Zimbardo Lied?

What was the Stanford Prison Experiment? What do the results of the experiment tell us about human nature? In 1971, a team of psychologists led by Stanford professor Philip Zimbardo turned the basement of the Stanford psychology department into a “jail.” Zimbardo recruited 24 male college students, half of whom would play the role of guards and the other half the role of prisoners. After a few days, the guards began to treat the prisoners with brutality—they subjected them to strip searches, emotionally and verbally tormented them, and even physically abused them. Here’s why we shouldn’t make sweeping conclusions about

Carl Sagan’s Baloney Detection Kit: Check Your Beliefs

What’s Carl Sagan’s baloney detection kit? How can you use it to get at the truth about science and everything else? Scientists are trained with what Carl Sagan calls a “baloney detection kit.” They’re given tools for critical thinking and healthy skepticism that help them cut through the fog in the pursuit of truth. Sagan argues that we all need this kit, whether we’re trying to figure out the truth about the moon landing or an ad’s claim about toothpaste. In The Demon-Haunted World, Sagan explains how commercial culture tends to discourage critical thinking, shares three questions that foster healthy

The Importance of Being Optimistic About the Future

Why Having No Hope for the Future Causes Depression

Why should we be optimistic about the future? Why is infinite knowledge vital for our future? There are so many pessimistic predictions about the future, but there are based on our current knowledge. Accepting that there is more to learn can better improve lives and create an optimistic outlook for the future. Read why The Beginning of Infinity‘s author David Deutsch says infinite knowledge creates infinite optimism.

The History of Astronomy: From Chaos to Cosmos

What does the history of astronomy look like? What is the birthplace of science? In his book Cosmos, Carl Sagan outlined the history of astronomical thought, from 600 BC to the 17th century. He tells the story of how Thales of Miletus broke the status quo by rejecting the supernatural all the way up to Newton’s discovery of gravity. Here’s a brief timeline of the history of astronomy.

3 Ways Science and Society Are Woven Together

How can we get rid of stereotypes and racism? How can we give more political power back to the people? How can we use science to advance civilization? The more we apply scientific thinking and values to the world at large, the better the world will be. That’s the view of Carl Sagan. In The Demon-Haunted World, he argues that scientific understanding and principles can eliminate bigotry, fight tyranny, and bolster democracy. Keep reading to learn more about this important connection between science and society.

The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch: Overview

What is David Deutsch’s book The Beginning of Infinity about? What are the main takeaways of the book? In The Beginning of Infinity, David Deutsch makes a counterargument to the belief that there is a finite amount of knowledge in the universe. Deutsch rejects the idea that humanity will someday know everything there is to know. Read below for a brief overview of The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch.

Earth’s Place in the Universe: Do We Matter?

What is Earth’s place in the universe? How big is the universe? Is our planet significant? The late astronomer and scientist Carl Sagan described Earth’s place in the universe—both physically and significantly. He paints a picture of just how vast the universe is and how inconsequential our blue-green planet is. Here’s why humans should be humbled by the size of the universe.

What Is Social Learning? The Reason Humans Survived

What is social learning? How does the ability to learn through imitation help Homo sapiens endure? Social learning is learning through imitation. According to Rutger Bregman, the author of Humankind, humans’ capacity for social learning was instrumental in the survival of our species. He argues that social learning is the key factor that made Homo sapiens survive and Neanderthals (who were bigger and stronger) die out. Keep reading to learn about the role of social learning in human survival.

What Is Anti-Science? Carl Sagan Debunks 4 Criticisms

What is anti-science? Is it different from scientific skepticism? What are some of the most common criticisms of science? Science isn’t perfect. It should be challenged, questioned, and even criticized. Some of these criticisms, though, don’t hold water and amount to what could be called anti-science. This is the view of Carl Sagan, who discusses anti-science and addresses four of the most common criticisms that scientists face: science is evil, science is too narrow, science changes too fast, and we might be better off not knowing. Let’s take a look at how Sagan explains anti-science and unpacks these four criticisms.