December 2017 •

Why do fossils matter? In the simplest explanation, fossils are one of the strongest lines of evidence for evolution. Fossils allow us to examine the rich diversity of ancient life that lived on our planet millions and millions of years before the arrival of modern humans. We can understand how life evolved, observe invertebrate transitions, and contribute to our tree of life, placing a magnifying glass on the evolutionary history of all Earth’s biodiversity.

I found an interesting video created by Ethan Cowgill that briefly explains why fossils matter in a cinematic storytelling manner. Ethan runs a channel on YouTube called The Living Past. It’s always inspiring when discovering those who are positively impacted by science so much, that they must share that science seduction with the world. Thank you Ethan.

Carl Sagan, the scientist who worked on NASA’s Voyager probe missions, was a powerful science communicator who literally seduced the minds of millions of viewers through his charismatic storytelling. Carl Sagan understood the power of media and the power of storytelling. He synthesized both to deliver the beauty of the cosmos and science to millions of viewers through standard television desktops.

One of Carl’s most powerful examples of science through storytelling is his use of the ancient Japanese Battle of Dan-no-ura and the Heiki warriors. He used this story to demonstrate the process of artificial selection: