Atheists & Agnostics

NeoGreen

(4,033 posts) Mon Nov 13, 2017, 09:32 AM Nov 2017

Quod erat demonstrandum, mea culpa...

Last edited Mon Nov 13, 2017, 11:58 AM - Edit history (1)

Hey all,

In the spirit of Scientific Method where past errors are presented and corrected when new information is discovered, I am making this post because it has come to my attention that our 2016 March Meme Madness Final Word, was a mis-attributed Carl Sagan quote that should be properly be attributed to Patricia "Pat" Christine Hodgell:

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Carl_Sagan

"If it can be destroyed by the truth, it deserves to be destroyed by the truth."

"That which can be destroyed by the truth, should be." — P. C. Hodgell, in her 1994 novel Seeker's Mask.

I do not believe it detracts from our collective sentiments and intent or our the fun in selecting, but just wanted to set the record straight.

If anyone has the time and inclination and the skills to create a quality image, please post a new graphic with the corrected quote and attribution.

In Peace and Reality,
NG

(re-posted as a separate stand-alone because I wasn't sure if this would have been missed in the pined thread.)

On edit: Oops, I meant to include the following:

2 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Quod erat demonstrandum, mea culpa... (Original Post) NeoGreen Nov 2017 OP

just curious how it came to your attention RussBLib Nov 2017 #1

I just came across it when... NeoGreen Nov 2017 #2

RussBLib

(9,666 posts)

1. just curious how it came to your attention

Reply to NeoGreen (Original post)

Mon Nov 13, 2017, 05:38 PM

Nov 2017

just curious.

Is there any real difference between the two versions?

NeoGreen

(4,033 posts)

2. I just came across it when...

Reply to RussBLib (Reply #1)

Tue Nov 14, 2017, 08:12 AM

Nov 2017

...I was looking for some additional quotes by Sagan.

The quote attributed to Sagan: "If it can be destroyed by the truth, it deserves to be destroyed by the truth."
Apparently does not show up in his writing or speeches (and I'll readily admit I didn't do an exhaustive search of any original source documents).

The apparent origin of the quote is by author P. C. Hodgell, in her 1994 novel Seeker's Mask: "That which can be destroyed by the truth, should be."

This was presented in the wikiquote webpage for Carl Sagan:
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Carl_Sagan

Hope this helps,
NG

Reply to this discussion