Posted by Pat on October 19, 1999 at 22:17:32:
In Reply to: Sagan's dreams posted by Tom on October 15, 1999 at 14:18:32:
: I can't speak to Sagan's scientific work, but clearly much
: of what he says about the history of science in his books appears
: to have been dreamed up.
Pat:
The structure of the benzine ring, for example, was first elucidated by Kekule in a dream.
Most creative people keep track of their dreams and use them. Whether they really describe an inner life or are merely an unconscious confabulation to cover random neuron firings, it makes no difference. There is much to be learned by studying such confabulations.
I'd be interested in the part of his history you think is inaccurate. Tell us about it.