from
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-12436915/Astronomer-Carl-Sagans-1995-prediction-America-resurfacing-saying-scarily-accurate-think.html

Astronomer Carl Sagan's 1995 prediction of America is resurfacing with
some saying it's scarily accurate... so what do you think?
The prediction is full of warnings that some think are a little too
close to reality
It foretells a world of misinformation and the rise in big tech
Sagan was a pioneer in the study of the possibility of
extraterrestrial life
By MADISON BURGESS

UPDATED: 10:07 EDT, 23 August 2023

Back in 1995, the Astronomer Carl Sagan made a prediction of what a
future version of America would look like - and some people think it's
disturbingly similar to the world today.

From 'clutching our crystals' to 'awesome technological powers' being
'in the hands of very few,' the scientist's prediction is full of
warnings that some think are a little too close to reality.

Sagan was an astronomer, planetary scientist, astrophysicist and more -
he was well known as a pioneer in the field of exobiology, which is the
study of the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

He helped to assemble to first physical messages sent into space as well
as being among the first to determine that life could have existed on Mars.

The astronomer constantly appealed to NASA to extend its exploration of
the Universe.

Sagan was an astronomer, planetary scientist, astrophysicist and more -
he was well known as a pioneer in the field of exobiology, which is the
study of the possibility of extraterrestrial life
+5
View gallery

Sagan was an astronomer, planetary scientist, astrophysicist and more -
he was well known as a pioneer in the field of exobiology, which is the
study of the possibility of extraterrestrial life

Sagan was known for sharing complex scientific views, in an effort to
educate the masses - he wanted to have open minds and active imaginations
+5
View gallery

Sagan was known for sharing complex scientific views, in an effort to
educate the masses - he wanted to have open minds and active imaginations

As the prediction resurfaces, people are even questioning if Sagan had
access to a time machine.

The prophecy which describes a dystopian America, came from a passage
from his book called 'The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in
the Dark'.

The book explains the scientific method to people outside of the field
and encourages them to learn critical and skeptical thinking.

It has a focus on distinguishing science from pseudoscience, with
mentions of witches, UFOs, extrasensory perception (the sixth sense),
and faith healing.

Sagan was known for sharing complex scientific views, in an effort to
educate the masses - he wanted to have open minds and active imaginations.

The passage that's got people talking, foretells a world of
misinformation, the rise in big tech and the influential media.

It reads: 'Science is more than a body of knowledge; it is a way of
thinking.

'I have a foreboding of an America in my children’s or grandchildren’s
time—when the United States is a service and information economy; when
nearly all the key manufacturing industries have slipped away to other
countries;

'when awesome technological powers are in the hands of a very few, and
no one representing the public interest can even grasp the issues;

The passage that's got people talking, foretells a world of
misinformation, the rise in big tech and the influential media
+5
View gallery
The passage that's got people talking, foretells a world of
misinformation, the rise in big tech and the influential media

The scarily accurate passage is again circulating around social media,
with users shocked at it's eerie message
+5
View gallery

'when the people have lost the ability to set their own agendas or
knowledgeably question those in authority;

'when, clutching our crystals and nervously consulting our horoscopes,
our critical faculties in decline, unable to distinguish between what
feels good and what’s true, we slide, almost without noticing, back into
superstition and darkness.

'The dumbing down of America is most evident in the slow decay of
substantive content in the enormously influential media, the 30-second
sound bites (now down to 10 seconds or less), lowest common denominator
programming, credulous presentations on pseudoscience and superstition,
but especially a kind of celebration of ignorance.'

The scarily accurate passage is again circulating around social media,
with users shocked at it's eerie message.

Someone called the prediction a 'chillingly accurate description of the
path to decline' and another said he 'hit the nail on the head'

Sadly, Sagan was unable to see whether his prophecy came true as he died
aged 62 in December 1996 -he suffered from a rare bone marrow disease
called myelodysplasia
+5
View gallery
Sadly, Sagan was unable to see whether his prophecy came true as he died
aged 62 in December 1996 -he suffered from a rare bone marrow disease
called myelodysplasia

One person said 'Ever-increasingly convinced Carl Sagan just had a time
machine'.

Others added 'Nailed it, unfortunately' and 'So ahead of his time'.

Share or comment on this article: Astronomer Carl Sagan's 1995
prediction of America is resurfacing with some saying it's scarily
accurate... so what do you think?
e-mail
239
shares
Add comment

"a425couple" wrote in message news:dE4GM.464519$U3w1.247005@fx09.iad...

Back in 1995, the Astronomer Carl Sagan made a prediction of what a
future version of America would look like - and some people think it's
disturbingly similar to the world today.

-------------------------

The trend was visible by the 1960's, one leading indicator was the media
shift from heroic characters such as stoic cowboys we could strive to
emulate to hapless losers the audience could feel superior to. This 1966
play may be considered to mark the turning point from hero to anti-hero:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosencrantz_and_Guildenstern_Are_Dead

I was involved in both high tech and film/theatre so I saw the widening gap
between rapidly advancing knowledge and the increasing angst and
superstition of those it left behind.

I think it hit Britain earlier, as evidenced by the nihilist attitudes of
"Major Tom" and "A Clockwork Orange".

Ignorance isn't bliss, it leads to cognitive dissonance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance

Last weekend at a flea market a dealer in mineral crystals told me her
clientele was sharply divided between geologists and New-Age mystics, so I
identified myself by asking if she had any Perovskite.