Friday, September 18, 2009

Tyson Suggests: The Demon-Haunted World - Science as a Candle in the Dark

The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan

Compared to your standard history of science books, which describe individuals, timelines, and advances, Carl Sagan's The Demon-Haunted World takes on the history of the scientific method and casts it as a method of dispelling myths and fictitious notions. Written by one of the foremost thinkers in his arena, Sagan shows how--in our scientifically-advanced world--superstitions, conspiracy theories, and junk science still thrive and sends out the clarion call to develop more awareness through education and application of critical thinking. A discussion between Sagan and his cab driver may strike a cord with many of us, where the cabbie lays out his belief how life on Mars has been proven by the face on the surface on the planet--showing how pervasive our lack of scientific literacy can be.

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