Words of Wisdom — March 11, 2014

Carl Sagan on Science and Technology

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“We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.” – Carl Sagan

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Split-screen image: left side has the words "an excerpt from" on a pale blue background; right side shows the book cover of "After the Spike," which explores how population and environment shape our future, by Dean Spears and Michael Geruso.

Books

More people, more pollution? Dispelling an environmental myth

In “After the Spike,” Dean Spears and Michael Geruso show why policy, rather than high population density, has the most significant impact on the environment.

Illustration of a yellow flower placed inside an empty glass Coca-Cola bottle against a textured, light-colored background, subtly contrasting nature’s simplicity with symbols sometimes co-opted by extremism.

Mini Philosophy

The 4 psychological markers of ideological extremism

How many boxes do you tick?

Microscopic view of green cyanobacteria chains forming spiral and linear patterns against a dark background, highlighting their role within the microbiome.

Books

Why your microbiome may matter more than DNA for your lifelong health

In “The Microbiome Master Key,” Brett and Jessica Finlay argue that we need to stop waging war on all germs and start working with the microbes that make us who we are.

Images show the planet Uranus. The left image highlights its bright rings, while the right image, captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, depicts surprising details of glowing rings and a cloudy atmosphere. Discover more wonders in our solar system with these stunning visuals.

Starts With A Bang

A unique mission to both Uranus and Neptune could launch in 2034

Once every 12 years, Earth, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune all line up, opening a window for a joint mission. Our next chance arrives in 2034.

Infographic displays spacecraft names and missions around the Sun, planets, and moons, illustrating the current and planned science fleet exploring the Solar System.

Starts With A Bang

American science to soon face its largest brain drain in history

Over the first half of 2025, the US has cut science as never before. This disaster for American science may be a gift to the rest of the world.

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Starts With A Bang

Messier Monday: A Spiral Sliver Headed Our Way: M98

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