Carl%20Sagan%20-%20The%20Demon%20Haunted%20World

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The Most Precious Thing
All our science, measured against reality, is primitive and
childlike - and yet it is the most precious thing we have.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
As I got off the plane, he was waiting for me, holding up a
scrap of cardboard with my name scribbled on it. I was on
my way to a conference of scientists and TV broadcasters devoted
to the seemingly hopeless prospect of improving the presentation
of science on commercial television. The organizers had kindly
sent a driver.
'Do you mind if I ask you a question?' he said as we waited for
my bag.
No, I didn't mind.
'Isn't it confusing to have the same name as that scientist guy?'
It took me a moment to understand. Was he pulling my leg?
Finally, it dawned on me.
'I am that scientist guy,' I answered.
He paused and then smiled. 'Sorry. That's my problem. I
thought it was yours too.'
He put out his hand. 'My name is William F. Buckley.' (Well,
he wasn't exactly William F. Buckley, but he did bear the name of
a contentious and well-known TV interviewer, for which he
doubtless took a lot of good-natured ribbing.)
As we settled into the car for the long drive, the windshield
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