Perfectly because:
they are men and reflect the fact that
the world’s scientific and political power structures were overwhelmingly male
dominated at the beginning of the modern UFO era in 1947. This patriarchal worldview
has played, for better or worse, a major role in shaping the process of discovery and
engagement.
both were astronomers: one, little
known but accepted by mainstream science, was brought into the field to examine the
evidence as an extension of the government’s political agenda, and was later
compelled by that evidence to reject that agenda.
the other, world renown, made
mainstream science uncomfortable with his aggressive thinking. His pioneering work
on the issues of extraterrestrial life coupled with his fame posed perhaps the greatest
public threat to the government’s posture. Yet, he ultimately rejected the
evidence and embraced that posture.
Both helped to radically change our
view of the world and will be rewarded with history’s highest honors. Yet one
must be profoundly wrong on the most important historical event in human history.
They faced each other across an
intellectual divide this website is dedicated to bridge.
Had they lived to experience this most
extraordinary change of paradigms together, they would have been gracious in the implied
victory and defeat.
Their greatness lies not so much in
being right or wrong on one particular issue, but in their willingness to engage the
public and make science important and exciting for all of us. It is for this and to
them the Paradigm Clock is dedicated.
[Hynek bio]
[Sagan bio]
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