The Promise and Perils of Explaining our World

Sasha Sagan brings a cosmic perspective to the everyday

“I'm just trying to carry on that legacy of making the world, nature as revealed by science, as thrilling and the source of as much pleasure, not just information, but pleasure and connection and joy” - Sasha Sagan

Sasha Sagan

Sasha Sagan shared this powerful thought with me when reflecting on her life as a parent and the life her parents, the astronomer and astrophysicist Carl Sagan and writer-producer Ann Druyan, sought to provide for her. From her parents Sasha inherited an appreciation for the beauty of nature, and a mission to spread the joy of understanding our complex world. Growing up with profound dinner table conversations, she learned to appreciate the wonder in nature and the universe from a scientific perspective. Their family would engage in deep conversations at the dinner table, always promoting an environment of openness and curiosity. She and her siblings were rewarded for asking hard questions. How cool is that? This also instilled a keen curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. Today, Sasha seeks to share that beauty and wonder and the valuable lessons she learned with others, including her children. As an accomplished writer, her 2019 book "For Small Creatures Such as We" (TAL affiliate link) explores the power of rituals in finding meaning in our lives. Now, she continues to spark awe and connection through her podcast, Strange Customs.

Sasha raised a provocative question during our conversation. Does being secular bring a particular challenge for navigating between the poetic and scientific aspects of the universe? Drawing from her background as a secular Jew and influence by her parents' enthusiasm for understanding complex topics, she celebrates and promotes the feeling of awe and wonder at our world: our very human rituals and strange customs, our uncanny ability to explain the natural world through scientific knowledge, and the grandeur of nature and our tiny, pale blue dot in the cosmos. There’s even room for the magic of evidence-based facts. So how can we learn to balance the secular, scientific, explanatory with the awe-inspiring, ineffable, and sensorial?

Celebrating Idiosyncrasies

Encouraging curiosity and exploration, as well as appreciating the idiosyncrasies which make people unique, is essential for personal growth and understanding of the wider world. Cultivating a sense of wonder and awe opens up the mind to the beauty and diversity of life and provides an opportunity to learn from different customs and traditions. When individuals take the time to learn about and appreciate seemingly peculiar practices or beliefs, it fosters an environment of empathy and understanding.

By celebrating our idiosyncrasies and that of others, we can experience the world more fully and meaningfully. Embracing the diverse customs of the world not only fosters empathy and understanding among people, but it also helps to create a sense of unity amidst the vast range of cultural expressions. Indeed, this is something we tend to see most clearly when looking cross-culturally. When individuals appreciate the many ways in which life can be conducted, they often recognize that the core principles of love, compassion, and mutual respect are universal. Grounding this idea, Sasha shares her beliefs that broadening cultural perspectives through travel and education aids in developing more well-rounded individuals who are able to consider and accept differing worldviews more readily. By welcoming diversity and learning from one another, people can establish meaningful connections and find common ground in the shared human experience.

Making the Strange Familiar

Anthropology plays a crucial role in understanding the myriad ways in which people live their lives, offering insights into both the differences and similarities across cultures. Yep, we find ourselves reflecting on the importance of anthropology in fostering empathy and understanding by making the strange familiar and the familiar strange. Hey, it’s good PR for Anthropology. As individuals explore different customs and rituals, they can also recognize the universality of certain shared human experiences. By engaging with different cultural perspectives, individuals can start to comprehend and embrace the vast array of human experiences, gaining a more profound connection to others in the process. This appreciation of diversity transcends cultural boundaries and fosters a spirit of inclusivity and open-mindedness.

Finding Awe in “Cold, Hard Facts”

One valuable takeaway from observing nature is that the facts themselves, such as the number of stars in the universe, why the seasons change and how that affects our moods, and even how good, ol reproduction actually works, can be awe-inspiring. By embracing a sense of wonder, people can find joy in discovering new information and seeing their interconnectedness within the natural world. This desire to learn and find wonder can be passed down through generations, inspiring curiosity, and a desire to explore life. Sasha recalls her fascination with encyclopedias as a child, feeling captivated by the knowledge they contained. She also expresses her admiration for the Jewish tradition of asking questions and debating, emphasizing the importance of celebrating the idea of not knowing and the process of learning. What we find is life is filled with (natural) miracles and revelations (it’s all a matter of perspective, right?) which can be explored when we nurture curiosity, honor question asking, and commit to learning and observation.

Also of note, this is one of my most personal episodes yet. By that I mean I share a bit more of myself that I typically do on the show. I’ve spoken with guests many times about finding awe in relation to science (Andrea Eller on Evolution and Public Science), rituals and customs (Genderless Gingerbread Figures and the Custom of Costumes - holler for the TAL archives!), and the experience of being human (Charles Foster - Adventures in 40,000 Years of Consciousness). So what made this conversation different? Hint: it has to do with some of those rituals that are hardest to fake, namely what we say and do around marriages and funerals. Tune in to find out ;).

Got the anthrocurious itch?

• Listen to Sasha Sagan's podcast, Strange Customs, which explores the strange and fascinating rituals and customs humans engage in, to deepen your understanding of human behavior and culture.

• Read Sasha Sagan's book, For Small Creatures Such As We: Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World (TAL affiliate link), which explores the profound power of ritual in making meaning and marking important moments in our lives.

Things to try:

• Engage in conversations with family, friends, and colleagues about their own rituals and customs to broaden your perspective on the variety of human experience.

• Practice curiosity and wonder about the natural world, and strive to connect scientific knowledge with a sense of awe and appreciation for nature.

• Stay curious and open-minded in your interactions with others and in your exploration of the world, embracing the idea that there is always more to learn and discover about ourselves and the universe around us.

And now, on to you…sound off in the comments!

Isn't it amazing how we find awe, connection, and joy in the natural world through science and various cultural rituals and customs? What's the biggest question on your mind in this area? 🌿🔬🌍

And on your journey towards embracing diverse customs or reigniting awe, what has been your biggest takeaway? Sound off below - What works? What’s challenging? What advice would you give to others?