Ribbon Cutting: Carl Sagan Pavilion

That smiling rascal is a virtual avatar of yours truly, created for the online digital community, Second Life. The talented designers at The Illusion Factory brought him into being, and they're currently designing The Carl Sagan Pavilion, an online center for anyone who wants to learn about who my father was and what he believed. Very cool what they're doing, and as a science fiction writer it's a thrill to be welcomed into a virtual world inspired by the Metaverse from Neal Stephenson's postmodern cyberpunk masterpiece, Snow Crash. Though the pavilion is still a work in progress and won't be open for a little while, today we held a virtual ribbon cutting. Here's what I said:

Hello. Nick Sagan here. I'd like to welcome you to the future site of The Carl Sagan Pavilion. Today, on the tenth anniversary of my father's passing, The Illusion Factory is building a testament to his life and work, a virtual gathering place for Second Lifers with a sense of wonder about the universe. My dad inspired millions of people to ask the questions that truly matter, generating a passion for science, skepticism and social issues. Even though he's no longer with us, his influence lives on. And now in Second Life, and I hope you'll be a part of it.

There's a video up on YouTube, and here's the link. Watch for the part where I run with scissors!

Comments

[Mark Vincze]

I just wanted to say that I am one of those millions of people that your father inspired. I've been watching the reruns of Cosmos on the Science Channel and they still cause the sense of wonder and amazement that they did when I watched them as a kid.

This Second Life project sounds really great. I've linked the YouTube stream in the video portal on my wesbite, so hopefully more people become aware of it.

--on a completely unrelated note, I just finished reading Idlewild and Edenborn and both books were great. I'll hopefully be receiving Everfree for Christmas. Keep up the excellent work.

[₣łaѕђсaτ]

That's pretty cool! I didn't see the virtual you running with scissors, though... just walking. :)

[Elizabeth]

Weren't you ever told that half-jogging with scissors was a bad thing?

[Elizabeth]

P.S. (completely random) WHEN IS EVERFREE COMING OUT IN PAPERBACK??? I can't afford it, and my library doesn't have it, even though I've requested it and they have it listed in their inventory. I've been dying to read it ever since I finished Edenborn, which was a while before Everfree came out, and it's really annoying me that I can't read it :P

[Nick Sagan]

Mark: I'm with you--I think Cosmos holds up beautifully today, and every time I catch an episode it takes me back to the sense of wonder I felt the first time. Thanks for the kind words and encouragement, and for linking to the YouTube stream.

₣łaѕђсaτ: Looking at it again, you're right, it's not a full-fledged run. It's more of a stagger, or half-jog like Elizabeth says. Still, look at the size of those scissors--it's an accident waiting to happen!

Elizabeth: I'll doublecheck with my publisher, but I think the Everfree paperback hits stores in April/May.

[Joel L. Waldbott]

I have been a fan of Carl Sagan, since the first time I heard of him. I am consumed by everthing he has done. I personal questions for Nick regard possible family connections.
I have Sagan cousins from Upstate New York. The Sagans and Kobels came from the Vilna, Kovno area of Lithuania (Russia, the Pale of Settlement). The settled first in the Saratoga Springs area, then moved to Port Henry, New York. The Sagans were habadashers and the Kobels were Butchers and Beef cattle farmers. If you have any further information, please contact me.

[Josh Gough]

Hi Nick,

When I stared using SL I thought it would be a GREAT idea for a Sagan museum. Glad I wasn't the only one who thought so!

How can I get to it???
Thanks,
Josh

[Josh Gough]

I was finally able to find the Carl Sagan Pavilion. It doesn't appear to be listed in the searchable list.

I made a video tour of the museum as well while reading the essay I wrote for the Blog-A-Thon. It's available on the link in my name to a post I made about Second Life and educational opportunities.

take care!
Josh Gough
http://www.myspace.com/curiouseternal

[Carl Reading]

You have just added another new fan,(those pesty fans)what are you going to do once your fame grows with all those e-mails, letters and everything? it is great that you have real talent and I look foward to your next project , I also hope that some of your work can make it to the movies and add a bit of substance again to the film industry.

[Priscilla Degua Woods]

I am and have been a great fan of Carl Sagan for many years and because of him I was able to leave a religeous cult that he himself mentiond in one of his books. I am greatful to him for saving my life. I am an artist wtiter lyrcist and poet.If you look at my art on my web site you will see the painting I dedicated to carl also I wrote a poem in memory of him. I would like to donate both the painting and the poem to his Foundation. I would appreciate any information on how I may do this.

Sincerly
Priscilla Degua Woods
www.artofdegua.com
pwoods222@hotmail.com
615-673-8910