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Carl Sagan - Pale Blue Dot

carlsagandotcom · other · Watch on YouTube

Cosmology & astrophysicsSpace exploration & spaceflightPhilosophy & ethics

What it is

Carl Sagan's narration of the Pale Blue Dot passage, reflecting on the Voyager photograph of Earth as a tiny speck in space. It is a short meditation on humanity's smallness and shared home.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN commenters return to it for perspective, comfort and Sagan's soothing voice, and suggest watching it periodically.

  • 5 people recommended it
  • 5 different months
  • 5 strong recommendations
  • first 2011, last 2026

What HN commenters said

  1. “Sagan is absolutely amazing. It really does put things in perspective.”

    Sagan's Pale Blue Dot passage puts things in perspective.

    jwatzman, 2011-02 · Strong recommendation · in “The Size of the Human Radio-Broadcast Bubble in the Milky Way Galaxy”

  2. “His voice is soo smooth and relaxing”

    Sagan's smooth voice narrating amazing content.

    Crazyontap, 2018-12 · Strong recommendation · in “Ask HN: Which audiobooks did/do you like?”

  3. “Puts everything in perspective, and makes everything feel insignificant”

    Comforting perspective on loss and insignificance.

    WhiteSage, 2019-10 · Strong recommendation · in “Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)”

  4. “It always makes me happy to listen to Carl Sagan's words”

    Makes the commenter happy to hear Sagan's words.

    shafyy, 2021-05 · Strong recommendation · in “I’ve had the same supper for 10 years”

  5. “Another thing I believe needs to be watched periodically is Pale Blue Dot”

    Should be watched periodically.

    bayindirh, 2026-03 · Strong recommendation · in “Artemis II is not safe to fly”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: carl sagan, pale blue dot, voyager, perspective, space

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