Taken together, the quote sketches an ethic for a scientific civilization. As our instruments extend our vision deep into space and time, we are tempted either to despair at our smallness or to ignore the implications entirely. Sagan proposes a third way: let the cosmos teach us proportion, then live more gently because of it. The more we comprehend the universe’s vast indifference, the more deliberately we must choose to be caring, turning our brief moment on this “pale blue dot” into a conscious act of warmth. [...]
