Chapter 29 thank you

For many years I had the pleasure of teaching an advanced seminar on critical thinking at Cornell University.I have always been able to select students on the basis of ability, culture and professional aspects across the University.We emphasize both writing proficiency and oral presentation skills.At the end of the course, students choose some widely debated social issues that they are very interested in, and two groups practice the whole process of oral argument at the end of the period.However, in the weeks leading up to the argument, we told them that each of them was tasked with making the other party's point of view in a way that would satisfy the other.In this way, the other side will say, "Yeah, that's a good expression of my point of view." In the group written discussion, they explore their different points of view, and this process of argument has given them a better understanding of the opposite. Perspectives help.Some of the topics in this book were originally presented to these students in their debates.I have learned a great deal from them accepting or criticizing my views, and here I would like to express my gratitude to them.I would also like to thank the Cornell Department of Astronomy and its chair, Yewente Terzian, for allowing me to teach this course, which despite its title Astronomy 490 has very little astronomy in its actual content.

Portions of this book have been published in The Show, a supplement to a Sunday newspaper throughout North America with a weekly readership of 83 million.The enthusiastic feedback I received from readers has greatly increased my awareness of the issues discussed in this book, as well as the variety of public perceptions.At some points in the book I have included excerpts of letters from The Show readers that gave me a sense of the inner world of the American public. Walter Anderson, the editor-in-chief of Show, and David Currie, the senior editor, and the editors and researchers of this remarkable journal have greatly improved the presentation of my ideas in many places.They also allowed me to express opinions that might not have been published in popular publications that seldom talked about the First Amendment to the U.S. Federal Constitution.Portions of the book first appeared in The Washington Post and The New York Times.Part of the final chapter is based on a lecture.That speech was in April 1992, on the East Portico at Montesiro - the "back of the nickel" - and I had the privilege of speaking at the U.S. Citizenship Oath Ceremony with people from 31 other countries .

My views on democracy, the scientific method, and public education have been influenced by many people over the years, many of whom I refer to in the text of this book.But here I want to point to the people who inspired me: Martin Gardner, Isaac Asimov, Philip Morrison, and Henry Steele Commager.Due to space limitations, many other people who provided me with easy-to-understand and clear examples, and those who helped me correct mistakes caused by negligence, are not listed here one by one.But here I want to tell them that I am very grateful to them.I must also expressly thank the following friends and colleagues who carefully reviewed all or part of the original drafts of this book.They are: Bill Orrich, Susan Blackmer, William Cromer, Fred Frank, Kendrick Franzer, Martin Gardner, Ella Glazer, Fred De Golden, Kurt Gottfried, Lester Greenspole, Philip Klass, Paul Kurtz, Elizabeth Loftus, David Mollin, Richard De Overscher, Jay Aurea, Albert Penebeck, Frank Price, James Landy, Theodore Rozak, Doryl Sagan, David Sapistein, Robert Sepp, Steven Salter, Jeremy Stone, Peter Stroker and Yevant Tezer.

I am also grateful to my book agent, Morton Jankrow, and his staff for their wise advice.Ann Godover and others who contributed to the publishing process at Random House - Enrica Gadler, J.K. Lambert, and Rosenbloom; reviewed by William Barnett Full manuscript; publication process also supported by Andre Barnett, Laurel Parker, Karen Gobrecht, Cindy Weta Vogel, Gene Ryan, and Christopher La plug help.Also indebted are those of the Cornell library system, including the Department of Theocracy and Superstition Rare Edition Books Collection, which was originally conducted by the university's first president, Andrew Dickson White.

Some of the four chapters in this book were written in part by my wife and longtime collaborator, Ann Druyan, who is also the secretary of the American Association for Science.The organization was founded in 1945 by the original scientists of the Manhattan Project to examine the ethical issues of the use of science and high technology.She also provided extremely constructive guidance, advice, and critiques of my writing, the content, and style of this book at every stage of my writing over the past 10 years.I can't put into words what I learned from her.I know I'd be honored to find someone who can give me advice, comment, humor and inspire.I have a deep admiration for these traits in her.She is still the most ideal lover in my life.