In a thought-provoking, humorous, and engaging style, Dorion Sagan combines philosophy, science, and an understanding of illusion to probe the deep questions of existence.
Operating on the precept that the universe is far weirder than we might imagine, Sagan ñ son of acclaimed scientists Carl Sagan and Lynn Margulis ñ uses his knowledge of philosophy, science, sleight-of-hand magic, and the fantastical writings of Philip K. Dick to explore some of the deepest questions we face on Earth. He provides fresh insights as to why we are here, the nature of technology, the prognosis for humanity, the living nature of our planet, and a reasoned explanation to why our universe is probably just one of an infinite number.
Notes from the Holocene is a prime example of the writing coming from a new generation of scientific writers. It will inspire readers to think for themselves while leaving them chuckling with tongue-in-cheek anecdotes - a rare combination that Sagan delivers with ease. And yes, as geneticist J.B.S. Haldane says, ìthe universe is not only stranger than we imagine, but stranger than we can imagine.î
Magic, Science, and the Search for Ultimate Reality
ìA heterogeneous hymn in the key of Gaia, Notes from the Holocene sets Dorion Sagan, coauthor of an indispensable suite of popular science books, free to compose inspired mind jazz riffing among the best available science, a select database of world literature, and an arsenal of tasty anecdotes.î Bruce Clarke, President, Society for Literature, Science, and the Arts, and original bassist for Sha Na Na (1969-1973)
ìNotes from the Holocene is a pop culture trek of reality reminiscent of The Hitchhikerís Guide to the Galaxy, but rife with scientific, religious, and philosophical neurotrinkets, many original enough for scholarly pursuit.î Jessica Whiteside, Professor of Terrestrial Paleoenvironments, Brown University
ìDorion Saganís Notes from the Holocene is at once profound and hilarious. Melding science and speculation Sagan puts forth the ìbig questionsî ñ who and what we are ñ in the context of 4,000,000,000 years of life on Earth and the far briefer context of human thought. When you finish reading Notes from the Holocene you will feel both humbled and exhilarated to be a part of the history and presence of Earthís biosphere. Youíll not only know you live on a planet, youíll feel it.î Lois Brynes, President, Deep-Time Associates
ìDorion Saga has vividly expounded what I experienced viscerally while living in the artificial world of Biosphere 2: that we are literally, and not figuratively, all parts of our biosphere. He brilliantly expands this into a unifying, science-based cosmology ñ and it is thrilling. For anyone trying to make sense of the seeming chaos of our world today, Notes from the Holocene is a must read.î Jane Poynter, author of The Human Experiement
In a thought-provoking, humorous, and engaging, style, Dorion Sagan combines philosophy, science, and an understanding of illusion to probe the deep questions of existence.
Operating on the precept that the universe is far weirder than we might imagine, Sagan ñ son of acclaimed scientists Carl Sagan and Lynn Margulis ñ uses his knowledge of philosophy, science, sleight-of-hand magic, and the fantastical writings of Philip K. Dick to explore some of the deepest questions we face on Earth. HE provides fresh insights as to why we are here, the nature of technology, the prognosis for humanity, the living nature of our planet, and a reasoned explanation to why our universe is probably just one of an infinite number.
Earth
Water
Air
Fire
Twelve Mysteries
Index
Dorian Sagan
Writer, editor, and sleight-of-hand artist Dorion Saganís articles have appeared in Wired, The New York Times, The New York Times Book Review, Natural History, The Sciences, Pabular, Cabinet, and other magazines. His books include What is Life, Origins of Sex, and Into the Cool.
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