Camille Flammarion
Camille Flammarion (1842-1925) was a French astronomer and author who wrote several seminal works of early science fiction (a genre that was then much more charmingly referred to as “scientific romance” and almost never featured robots going berserk).
The reason I’m posting this is to show off this lovely quote:
What intelligent being, what being capable of responding emotionally to a beautiful sight, can look at the jagged, silvery lunar crescent trembling in the azure sky, even through the weakest of telescopes, and not be struck by it in an intensely pleasurable way, not feel cut off from everyday life here on earth and transported toward that first stop on the celestial journeys? What thoughtful soul could look at brilliant Jupiter with its four attendant satellites, or splendid Saturn encircled by its mysterious ring, or a double star glowing scarlet and sapphire in the infinity of night, and not be filled with a sense of wonder? Yes, indeed, if humankind — from humble farmers in the fields and toiling workers in the cities to teachers, people of independent means, those who have reached the pinnacle of fame or fortune, even the most frivolous of society women — if they knew what profound inner pleasure await those who gaze at the heavens, then France, nay, the whole of Europe, would be covered with telescopes instead of bayonets, thereby promoting universal happiness and peace.
- Camille Flammarion, 1880
I really love the optimism of that era. Right up until around WWI, the western world sincerely believed that scientific and technological innovation basically corresponded with moral advancement. If you’ve followed this blog for any period of time, you may have noticed that I have a certain affection for the Victorian age; that hopefulness is probably the main reason (apart from spats, of course).
This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 at 11:00 pm and is filed under books, history, old dead white guys, science. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
One Response to “Camille Flammarion”
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ArachneDefiant said on January 1, 2009 at 9:49 pm:
I think my soft spot for the Victorian age stems from the fact that they covered table legs with little skirts. Why, you ask? Because any leg, (especially that well-turned oak support) could stimulate ‘improper’ thoughts. Apparently my apartment is full of nudist furniture.