Hear, hear. But it is impressive that the universe is conscious (in us and other sentient life) to observe and react to itself. -- Joe ________________________________ From: Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, March 9, 2012 8:56 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Tyson on starstuff 4, 5 threads with the same subject line and most with too many quoted posts included. Those who complain about "emal clutter" have only themselves to blame. Learn how to reply to a list serve. ;-) I've decided that I don't care what others think about the age of the earth (and, by extension, the universe). I know what I think, and I only care if they try to legislate their beliefs on me and my children. In the meantime, such things should be taught according to consensus among the experts. When spiritual leaders all have physics degrees, I may give them more credence than I do now. Likewise it might be a good idea for more physicists to obtain divinity degrees. Government is the art of compromise. Would that more modern politicians thought like Goldwater. He was especially fearfull of what would happen if fundamentalists came into power. He was justified in his thinking. Any group who is not willing to compromise in government is dangerous. Dave was wondering why he was here. I can't answer that specifically, but I'm sure I know why I'm here. Among other things, it involves drinking beer, enjoying fine food, drawing and sketching, driving fast cars, gardening, building telescopes and other bits of useless hardware, loving my family and friends, and peering out into the sky while contemplating where I am and what lies beyond. Tyson is a good popularizer and communicator. But he is just a link in a chain, and repeats everything Sagan told us decades ago. "We are a way for the universe to know itself" -- Carl Sagan. Good night, my friends. Enjoy this world, whether it be 6,000 years old or over 4 billion. Pretty remarkable planet, either way. :-) _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".