Chapter 19: No such things as a dumb question
You can discuss Chapter 19: No such things as a dumb question here in this thread.
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Chapter 19: No such things as a dumb question
- Chris OConnor
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- ant
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Re: Chapter 19: No such things as a dumb question
Sagan mentions short term gratification permeating our culture.
I'm wondering what Sagan would think about the culture of today and the apparent addiction (IMO) to instant gratification and and over stimulation?
Does the use of technology have anything to do with it?
The technology of today is largely for entertainment and to make life "easier" so you can have more time to be entertained.
Sagan also mentions how adults seem to be put off by scientific questions.
Materialism and The Secular Society seems to offer no remedy.
Actually, I'd say it exacerbates the situation. Western secular values seem to promote the building of personal identity by the acquisition of material goods as a means to achieve status.
I'm wondering if Sagan will drop the implicit argument that "religion is a detriment to wonder" for a moment and discuss any evidence that a secular society will start people "wondering" more about the natural world.
But, I agree with a lot of what Sagan says in this chapter.
I'm wondering what Sagan would think about the culture of today and the apparent addiction (IMO) to instant gratification and and over stimulation?
Does the use of technology have anything to do with it?
The technology of today is largely for entertainment and to make life "easier" so you can have more time to be entertained.
Sagan also mentions how adults seem to be put off by scientific questions.
Materialism and The Secular Society seems to offer no remedy.
Actually, I'd say it exacerbates the situation. Western secular values seem to promote the building of personal identity by the acquisition of material goods as a means to achieve status.
I'm wondering if Sagan will drop the implicit argument that "religion is a detriment to wonder" for a moment and discuss any evidence that a secular society will start people "wondering" more about the natural world.
But, I agree with a lot of what Sagan says in this chapter.
- Penelope
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Re: Chapter 19: No such things as a dumb question
I'm struggling through this chapter. It is very America orientated, which is OK, but I'm just trying not to merely compare statistics.
We are a small island with history everywhere we look - we have similar problems with some children starting and leaving school and never even learning to read or write.....they sort of slip through the net.....and also many more doing art and creative subjects at university - because the science subjects take much more work.
Little children ask the same wonderful fundamental questions all over the globe......What is the biggest number? How deep can you dig a hole?
However, I think I'll move on to the next chapter now as I can't really think of anything constructive to say here. I mean, short of 'Oh yes, isn't it awful'?
We are a small island with history everywhere we look - we have similar problems with some children starting and leaving school and never even learning to read or write.....they sort of slip through the net.....and also many more doing art and creative subjects at university - because the science subjects take much more work.
Little children ask the same wonderful fundamental questions all over the globe......What is the biggest number? How deep can you dig a hole?
However, I think I'll move on to the next chapter now as I can't really think of anything constructive to say here. I mean, short of 'Oh yes, isn't it awful'?
Only those become weary of angling who bring nothing to it but the idea of catching fish.
He was born with the gift of laughter and a sense that the world is mad....
Rafael Sabatini
He was born with the gift of laughter and a sense that the world is mad....
Rafael Sabatini
- ant
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Re: Chapter 19: No such things as a dumb question
It always seems to be all about us whenever an american says something or comments about the troubles of society.It is very America orientated, which is OK,
some cultures don't want to share the same values.
some people do value life and love to wonder about existence, but they do it using a different lens.
maybe Sagan was guilty of thinking that to look through his lens would be to value life, love nature, and wonder the way it SHOULD BE DONE.
That's wrong.
- Interbane
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Re: Chapter 19: No such things as a dumb question
If they value life and love to wonder about existence, then they necessarily share the same values, regardless of which lens they use to arrive at those values. Did you mean to say they arrive at their values by other means?ant wrote:some cultures don't want to share the same values.
some people do value life and love to wonder about existence, but they do it using a different lens.
“In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.” - Douglas Adams