Carl Sagan - Who Speaks for Earth

Excerpted from "Cosmos" Episode 13 "Who Speaks for Earth"

"The global balance of terror, pioneered by the United States and the Soviet Union, holds hostage all the citizens of the earth. Each side persistently probes the limits of the other's tolerance, like; the Cuban missile crisis, the testing of anti-satellite weapons, the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars. The hostile military establishments are locked in some ghastly mutual embrace, each needs the other.
But the balance of terror is a delicate balance, with very little margin for miscalculation. And the world impoverishes itself by spending a trillion dollars a year on preparations for war, and by employing perhaps half the scientists and high technologists on the planet in military endeavors.

How would we explain all this to a dispassionate extraterrestrial observer? What account would we give of our stewardship of the planet earth? We have heard the rationales offered by the superpowers. We know who speaks for the nations, but who speaks for the human species? Who speaks for earth?

From an extraterrestrial perspective, our global civilization is clearly on the edge of failure in the most important task it faces; preserving the lives and well-being of its citizens, and the future habitability of the planet.
But if we are willing to live with the growing likelihood of nuclear war, shouldn't we also be willing to explore, vigorously, every possible means to prevent nuclear war? Shouldn't we consider, in every nation, major changes in the traditional ways of doing things, a fundamental restructuring of economic, political, social and religious institutions?
We have reached a point where there can be no more special interests or special cases, nuclear arms threaten every person on the earth.

Fundamental changes in society are sometimes labeled 'impractical' or 'contrary to human nature', as if nuclear war were practical, or as if there were only one human nature. But fundamental changes can clearly be made, we're surrounded by them. In the last two centuries, abject slavery, which was with us for thousands of years, has almost entirely been eliminated in a stirring world wide revolution. Women, systematically mistreated for millennia, are gradually gaining the political and economic power traditionally denied to them. And some wars of aggression have recently been stopped or curtailed because of a revulsion felt by the people in the aggressor nations. The old appeals to racial, sexual, and religious chauvinism, and to rabid nationalist fervor are beginning not to work. A new consciousness is developing which sees the earth as a single organism, and recognizes that an organism at war with itself is doomed. We are one planet."

- Carl Sagan

[whouster]

I do hope younger generations are discovering the wisdom and humanity of Carl Sagan. Not just a brilliant scientist, but a great communicator, teacher and philosopher. What a truly wonderful 'uman being.

[meangreen]

"an organism at war with itself is doomed"

One of my fav quotes.

[shakeshock]

One of the greatest mind of last century. Words are profound and we need them now more then ever.

[kevinpierce]

I wish this man was still here to speak up for us

[StraussBR]

"The cuban missile crisis, testing of anti-satellite weapons, the Vietnam and Afghanistan war, the hostil military establishments are locked in some gastly mutual embrace, eatch needs the other" What a powerful statement

[EnveeH]

Very sad that there are so many divisions between humanity in todays day and age. I fear we may have already failed, but we cannot give up. Sagan had the right vision, we must continue to perpetuate true equality and freedom in the name of our species.

[High_Altitude_Observer]

Carl Sagan spoke these words in 1980. It could very well be yesterday.

[unesyu]

Wish there is more like you in this destructive planet we are living in now.

[hardware]

"A new consciousness is developing which sees the earth as a single organism, and recognizes that an organism at war with itself is doomed. We are one planet."

[lesliebaldwin]

Well said, wish I’d started listening to this man 50 years ago, God, please help us all

[chesterfinecat]

This program aired in 1980. Today, May 5, 2014, there is no Soviet Union but the "balance of terror" remains on a knife edge. Syria's cities are ruined. Ukranian cities are on fire. Sectarian bombings are common globally. The USA leads the world in arms sales, $66.6 billion out of $85 total in 2011 (NY Times). Those who speak Russian and English can hear the 180 degree propaganda about each conflict: one side's "terrorist" is the other side's hero.

Thanks Carl, 30 years ago you identified the problem but humans are not "stewards" of the earth or anything else. They are a grasping monkey with a brain that has exploded its population by gorging on fossil fuels until there are 7.23 billion to fight over diminishing resources. There were only 2.5 billion in 1950 but growing fast to 4.5 billion in 1980. The UN hopes for a plateau at 11 billion since the current rate of 1.14% would double humans to 14.4 billion by 2075.

Today Neil DeGrasse Tyson has inherited Carls task of communicating the scientific facts and imperatives for humanity. He does so with grace, humor and integrity with a soft sell. Unfortunately he is not being heard either.

I find it very odd to be in this position and wonder if my insanity makes an apocalyptic future for my grandchildren seem inevitable. I do not feel that I'm a crank: I earned a BA in mathematics, minor in chemistry, a Masters in a non-science field, followed by a 40 year career managing ski resort transit systems, service as an elected official on the county level and was appointed to state office by the governor before retiring. How have I joined those tolling bells of doom?

Consider the facts yourselves but I feel the human species is headed for a population bottleneck. I'm not sure what action to recommend since nothing seems adequate to the challenge. I do not own guns and am not a "prepper" but I would try to enjoy life to its fullest, develop self-sufficiency locally, study and think about how this riddle can be solved. Good luck from an old man who hopes he's deluded on these points.

[cevinstiawan]

this world really need more people like him in this situation

[CLQastro]

Architects and my love of astronomy brought me here

[justinratcliffe]

Keep in mind this was in 1980. Imagine what Carl would have to say about the 2020s if he were still alive today. Oh man he'd have a field day thought impossible

[davideasterlow]

I have long said that every leader from every country should be locked in a room, given bread and water and told to listen to the 35minutes or so that end with this commentary. I would also add that they will not be let out again until they can see that war etc. is not the way forward. Talking and agreements hold the key to the worlds survival.

[ryGreg]

The best. This is the best speech ever made.

[vorzy]

😇Thank you for bringing back the original video. It has the greatest impact.

[spoonerthe]

The quote "The old appeals to racial, sexual, and religious chauvinism, and to rabid nationalist fervor are beginning not to work. A new consciousness is developing which sees the Earth as a single organism, and recognizes that an organism at war with itself is doomed. We are one planet." is used in the latest architects album Lost Forever//Lost Together in the song red hypergiant. They are trying to spread this message around to the current generation so we all realise the worth in the world, Truly inspiring quote which is once again being shown in a way that many more people will hear about it.

[thearchitect]

You know what is truly a doomsday warning, when an inspiring clip of such a wonderful person receives a little over 1200 views and clips of mindless, pointless filth has over millions and millions of views. That is really quite pathetic! 

[TheSentientCloud]

"We are one planet." Pretty sure Sagan is a comrade, which makes him more awesome <3