In 1977, as an undergraduate student studying philosophy at Cornell University, I was fortunate to enroll in an introductory astronomy class taught by Carl Sagan. At the time, Dr. Sagan was just beginning to become well known, with his regular appearances on the Tonight Show (when Johnny Carson was hosting), but this was before he achieved great  fame once his Cosmos series was well received. As it 

turned out, many of the themes and ideas that he introduced in the astronomy class that I attended were the very themes that he later explored in Cosmos. 

So why am I mentioning this?

Well, it is nearly 30 years later, and only now in August 2006 (I sheepishly admit) am I watching the Cosmos series for the first time. My impression? It is as fresh, lively, inspirational, and thought provoking as when he presented these ideas to our class back in 1977. Coincidentally, the lamp / clock "Henri Contemplates Carl's Cosmos" was created during this viewing, and the influence of the ideas 
presented, both conscious and unconscious, are unmistakable in the result. So I dedicate this piece to the memory of a great educator and humanitarian, Carl Sagan. (See BELOW  for additional photos of this  
lamp/clock as symbolic references to Dr. Sagan's Cosmos Series)

OK, so this explains Dr. Sagan's influence on the title of this piece. But who is Henri? If you look closely, the name "Henri" is carved into the protractor (which holds the clock mechanism) at the center (Click HERE 
for a photo of this). This led me to wonder about him, who he was, when he lived, and what his intention might have been in carving his name.

Perhaps he was simply attempting to clarify rights of ownership, or was it something more profound? Was it an unconscious recognition of his own mortality, and a conscious expression of self, in defiance? 

My most vivid imaginings see him, sitting in a classroom in the French countryside, bored to tears, waiting for the time to pass, and looking for something, anything, to occupy himself. All of a sudden, he had an inspiration. The protractor became his target, and his scissors the instrument of expression. If these imaginings are correct, then how unfortunate it was for Henri. Unfortunate because he didn't have the quality of instruction that was inspirational, insightful, and fun, the kind of instruction that Carl Sagan nearly always delivered.

"It is the birthright of every child to encounter the cosmos anew, in every culture and every age. When this happens to us, we experience a deep sense of wonder. The most fortunate among us are guided by teachers  who channel this exhilaration. We are born to delight in the world. We are taught to distinguish our preconceptions from the truth. Then new worlds are discovered, as we decipher the mysteries of the cosmos." 
                                                                                               - Carl Sagan

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