– Isaac Asimov, The Roving Mind (1997), (2 January 2 1920 – 6 April 1992)
Scientist and science fiction author Asimov’s output of novels and books popularising and explaining science was prodigious.
As a rationalist he often railed against superstitious and pseudoscientific beliefs that tried to pass themselves off as genuine science and had this to say about data:
“Don’t you believe in flying saucers, they ask me? Don’t you believe in telepathy? – in ancient astronauts? – in the Bermuda triangle? – in life after death?
No, I reply. No, no, no, no, and again no.
One person recently, goaded into desperation by the litany of unrelieved negation, burst out ‘Don’t you believe in anything?’
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘I believe in evidence. I believe in observation, measurement, and reasoning, confirmed by independent observers. I’ll believe anything, no matter how wild and ridiculous, if there is evidence for it. The wilder and more ridiculous something is, however, the firmer and more solid the evidence will have to be.”
In today’s world where there seems to be a culture of me, personal stories, lived experiences and non-celebrity celebrities it is refreshing to remember the true greats of the past and wait for the true greats of the future.
Need more Asimov in your life, want to know where to start with his science fiction, mysteries, limericks, scientific books and essays (and who wouldn’t) click here to learn more: http://www.asimovonline.com/
____________________________________________________________________
PS: I love coffee. BuyMeACoffee, leave a message with a date and time and we can share it, remotely, at the same time, and think about the Cosmos.
In the meantime, take care of yourself and if you can, someone else, too, because as Adam Smith said, “we naturally desire not only to be loved but to be lovely”.
Remember, hope lives here.
Opening image source: https://x.com/LensScientific/status/2075988197847466261
Contact Stargazing Guy for any copyright-related requests or queries @ stargazer1@stargazingguy.co.uk
Stargazing Guy 
Leave a comment