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Humans are creatures of truth and myth. The journey to distinguish the two is our story, our history and fate.  The journey began long ago but pivoted as Brahe, Kepler, and Galileo found reproducibility in the clock of the sky sufficient to correct biblical stories but not without repercussions. Like light, time soon revealed truths concealed as Descartes devised the principles of science and set the future in motion. “Measure what can be measured and make measurable what cannot be measured.” – Galileo
The Enlightenment followed, developing the scientific methods and logical reason that we use to derive evidence-based truths and construct our modern world.  Enlightenment values brought us from candles in filth-covered cities to electric lights and space travel; this remarkable modern world where virtually every measure of human well-being is the best it has ever been. Alas, science makes us like gods in our abilities but also in the damage we cause. May we heed Rachel Carson’s wisdom “The Human race is challenged more than ever before to demonstrate our mastery, not over nature but of ourselves.”
Humans are complicated beasts and no matter our genius we did not evolve statistical precision or scientific acumen, instead we must diligently and cooperatively work together to correct our biases and shortcomings. Always prescient, Sagan guides us “We can judge our progress by the courage of our questions and the depth of our answers, our willingness to embrace what is true rather than what feels good.”