Comments on: Retrospectacle For Carl Sagan’s Birthday – A Girl Called Ellie

By: podblack

podblack — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:11:23 +0000

Yes – if you look at the post, I quote:

“Teachers who say ‘Miss Arroway, this is a stupid question. You’re wasting the class’s time.’ “

By: James Spiller

James Spiller — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:43:11 +0000

If I recall correctly, Ellie was embarrassed in class by her teacher, and almost dissuaded from her scientific career. This incident was apparently based on an occurrence in the life of Ann Druyan, except that Ann was dissuaded from a career as a scientist.

(It’s likely I’m recalling this from an interview with Ann on Point Of Inquiry.)

By: James

James — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:13:46 +0000

Sadly, part of the inspiration for Ellie’s history, when she was embarrassed by a teacher, was based on a similar incident in Ann Druyan’s life, only in Anne’s case the embarrassment was sufficient to dissuade her from a career as a scientist.

(I’ve likely recalled this anecdote from a Point Of Inquiry interview with Ann Druyan.)