Sagan: el maestro de todos nosotros
El diario PÚBLICO entrega los domingos un DVD de la serie COSMOS que concibió, escribió (en colaboración con Ann Druyan y Steven), dirigió y presentó Carl Sagan. Es una buena razón más para desear que llegue el Día del Señor.
Como a muchas personas de mi generación, COSMOS supuso una revolución. Los que empezábamos una carrera científica nos animaba a continuarla y, sin duda, fomentó muchas vocaciones científicas entre los más jóvenes. Además, la serie de TV se completó con un libro excelente que se publicó en España en 1980 (el ejemplar de mi colección es de 1980, 4ª edición, con 41000 ejemplares vendidos, lo que debía ser un número alto para la época) y que se ha seguido reeditando (hay al menos edición de 2004).
Hoy, con la perspectivas de la edad, con una carrera científica de casi 30 años y con mucho interés en actividades relacionadas con la Cultura Científica; he visto los dos primeros capítulos de la serie y me descubro ante la gran calidad general de los episodios y lo bien que cuenta la Ciencia.
La serie es destacable por el rigor científico, sin embargo, asequible para todos. Recomendaría que la serie fuese de visión obligatoria en la asignatura de Ciencias para un Mundo Contemporáneo de 1º de bachillerato; pues aunque tiene más de 30 años, sigue siendo actual (los episodios tienen un añadido final rodado 10 años después actualizando información).
Sólo queda decir, parafraseando a Laplace (referiéndose a Euler) «Leed a Euler, leed a Euler. Él es el maestro de todos nosotros.» (título de la excelente biografía de Euler, escrita por William Dunham, que es un libro de fácil lectura). Actualizando la frase: IMITAD A CARL SAGAN, ES EL MAESTRO DE TODOS LOS QUE ESTAMOS INTERESADOS EN LA DIVULGACIÓN Y CULTURA CIENTÍFICA.
Por cierto, recomiendo la visión de este segundo episodio a los detractores (sin usar razones científicas) de los transgénicos. Aunque Sagan no habla de transgénico, sí lo hace de evolución artificial: prácticamente toda nuestra ganadería y agricultura es producto de la evolución artificial.
Bernardo Herradón
IQOG-CSIC
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