"C J Campbell" wrote:
"The candle flame gutters. Its little pool of light trembles.
Darkness gathers. The demons begin to stir."
-- Carl Sagan "The Demon Haunted World,"
1995.

I read this prophetic passage in the light of 9/11, the
xenophobic reaction of the political right, the resulting
attempt to grab power at all costs on the part of the
political left, the rise of New Age mysticism and violent
religious fundamentalism, the polarization of the country
over abortion, the environment, nuclear power, etc.; the
incredible acceptance of junk science in the court room,
people fearful of little airplanes dropping nuclear
weapons on them....

Well, I have to wonder how long it will be before we sink
into the long night of another dark age.

Amen. There seems to be no leadership for dispassionate critical
thinking. While Greenpeace et al. wail that the sky is falling, the Bush
administration deliberately ignores any scientific research that
conflicts with its policy objectives. Meanwhile, "Scientific
Creationism" becomes an idea seriously discussed by school boards and
textbook committees, polls reveal that most Americans believe in
astrology, "posperity preachers" attract throngs, and no conspiracy
theory is too bizarre to attract followers.

We smugly assume that our technically sophisticated information culture
somehow protects us from the follies of ignorance. In fact, it may be
overwhelming us with propaganda and superstition.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM
(remove pants to reply by email)