We all have the right to look up, and to wonder. We all have the right to understand, and to seek, and to ask. We all have roadblocks in our path, but the Universe is still out there, peeking around the edges. We have the right to step over our own obstacles.
And we have the ability to know.
If you went to BadAstronomy.com and found yourself here, never fear: the BA Blog has moved to its new home at Discover Blogs. The original BA site (with the Moon Hoax debunking and all that) is still online, too.
Phil Plait, the creator of Bad Astronomy, is an astronomer, lecturer, and author. After ten years working on Hubble Space Telescope and six more working on astronomy education, he struck out on his own as a writer. He has written two books, dozens of magazine articles, and 12 bazillion blog articles. He is a skeptic, and fights misuses of science as well as praising the wonder of real science.
Contact me: The Bad Astronomer "at" gmail "dot" com
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"Reading this book is like getting punched in the face by Carl Sagan. Frightening, but oddly exhilarating."
-- Daniel H. Wilson, author of How to Survive a Robot Uprising
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August 1st, 2006 at 1:51 pm
Nice!
August 1st, 2006 at 2:18 pm
Misty-eyed indeed! It does make you feel good to know that people from all walks of life, different incomes, positions, titles, desires, orientations, etc… have the RIGHT to know. It’s even better when they trancend that right and have a genuine desire to understand.
August 1st, 2006 at 3:07 pm
It is a treat to hear those kinds of stories. :clap:
BTW, I’ve been meaning to do some custodial work around here and am now wondering more about those natal systems he mentioned. When do you see him next?
August 1st, 2006 at 3:18 pm
Beatuiful story.
I have been in a somewhat similar situation too. At my summer job as a trucker some of the other workers asked me stuff about space and such after I told them what I study. It’s nice to hear people that you normally don’t think would be interested in stuff like this ask you questions about it…
August 1st, 2006 at 3:51 pm
Being a custodian in a place like that could be a lucrative gig. A pile of author-signed books can really fetch on eBay.
But really, I love stories such as this. From personal experience I know: people in any of a number of unglamourous positions can be carrying the highest order of faculties around in their heads.
August 1st, 2006 at 3:52 pm
“Afterwards, I could not help wondering, what uncounted numbers among us harbor deep cosmic curiosities, but for want of a stimulus or a catalyst, lay forever undiscovered, hibernating in cold recesses of our minds.”
Well, how about 6 billion earthbound humans? Give or take.
On a personal note. Why dump a bag full of books on someone who has a simple question? Why not take some time to explain it in person? In a manner that the janitor-like-people would understand? Furthermore, I don’t see any connection between ‘personal drama’s’ and a ‘quest for knowledge’. I’m getting a bit of an ‘Ivory tower’ vibe on this particular story. (No offense to mr. Tyson.)
August 1st, 2006 at 6:26 pm
Caspar -
The story doesn’t say whether or not Tyson continues his dialogue with the janitor. I make up that he does, every day. The books are a precious gift, and well intended, but I don’t think Tyson would pass this guy without a word anymore!
A great story and it makes my heart sing!
Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Phil!