Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Society relies heavily on science and technology, yet most people lack basic understanding of it.
In this quote, Carl Sagan points out the paradox of modern society: while we are surrounded by incredible advancements in science and technology that shape our everyday lives, a significant portion of the population remains uninformed about the very foundations that support these tools and innovations. This awareness gap can lead to a disconnect between the benefits of knowledge and the general public's understanding of its implications.
Themes
SocietyScienceTechnologyKnowledgeEducationDependence
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the importance of science education, this quote can highlight the need for greater public understanding.
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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