Most of all, we hope to touch you with the soaring spiritual high that comes from grasping science’s central revelation – our oneness with the cosmos. ~ Carl Sagan
I watched the movie Contact based on Carl Sagan’s 1985 novel of the same name, AGAIN, a couple of weekends ago with the family.
For those not familiar, Carl Sagan was an American astronomer, astrophysicist and author who passed away in 1996. He was a Pulitzer Prize winner and author of many bestsellers, including Cosmos, which became the bestselling science book ever published in English.
The accompanying Emmy and Peabody award-winning PBS television series has been seen by a billion people in sixty countries. His ability to capture the imagination of billions and to explain difficult concepts in understandable terms was and continues to be a magnificent achievement.
Last year, as I was watching Contact I wrote about the movie and the “a-ha” moment it created for me, and, I have, in part, quoted some of that below. This time around it was just as powerful a moment when I watched it again this year especially in light of the upcoming release of “Chords of Strength.”
It was near the end of the movie that I was jolted into one of those super aware moments .… you know the kind where time stands still and your senses are on high alert, where you say “A-Ha” because you have just had a blinding flash of clarity.
What jolted me was the point in the movie when an explanation of an experience that had no concrete evidence that it occurred was made by the protagonist, Eleanor (Ellie) Arroway. She says at a Congressional hearing:
I was given something wonderful, something that changed me forever. A vision of the universe that tells us undeniably…how rare and precious we are. A vision that tells us we belong to something that is greater than ourselves, that we are not, that none of us are alone.
I had an experience. I can’t prove it. I can’t even explain it. But everything I know as a human being, that I am, tells me that it was real.
I wish I could share that. I wish that everyone, if even for one moment, could feel that awe…and hope. That continues to be my wish.
Ellie’s explanation of her non-empirical experience fleshes out metaphorically in a relatively few sentences the experience of this David fan journey.
And, as Ellie leaves the Congressional hearing she sees supporters with handmade signs. Signs that say: “Open Our Minds, Open Our Universe.” A-Ha…Open Our Minds, Open Our Universe—simple truth.
So, too, when I listen to the pure and beautiful voice of David Archuleta. David the-master-artist. That voice brimming with the subtleties of what it is to be alive. That voice that catapults one instantaneously to plumb the depths of so many emotions, so many vistas and landscapes that one didn’t expect to experience in a song. That voice that relentlessly draws one’s aesthetic sensibilities to the sublime.
Artists give and the art appreciator takes. So, we take, we take. We take away an awe, a heightened awareness of connection and of the joy of the human experience and of the universe, of being a part of something rare and precious.
And to meet fellow fans in that universe that we cannot prove empirically, that universe of connection, is an unexpected joy. The conduit is, of course, the music and the voice of David Archuleta.
And, now, I anticipate another jolt of super awareness, of connection, of a non-empirical, metaphysical experience, with the upcoming release of “Chords of Strength.” The excitement in the cyber fan community is palpable.
Imagine: “It’s just you and me.”
Kizzi….Contact is one of my most favorite movies. I had not thought about it in quiet some time, now I feel the “need” to watch it again.
“I had an experience. I can’t prove it. I can’t even explain it. But everything I know as a human being, that I am, tells me that it was real.”
“So, too, when I listen to the pure and beautiful voice of David Archuleta. David the-master-artist. That voice brimming with the subtleties of what it is to be alive. That voice that catapults one instantaneously to plumb the depths of so many emotions, so many vistas and landscapes that one didn’t expect to experience in a song. That voice that relentlessly draws one’s aesthetic sensibilities to the sublime.”
You just gave me an “Aha” moment. I remember feeling so in tune with the character as she tried to explain her experience that made complete sense to me and now to correlate that “feeling” with the unexplainable emotion that is brought on by seeing and hearing David described by your beautiful words getting ready for the book, which brought tears just reading the back cover…..what a ride this being a fan of David has been and I feel the best is yet to come.
Thank you Kizzi!!!!
djafan(Quote)
Kizzi! Thanks so much for this wonderful article. It is a gem. I think many of us have ah ha moments when it comes to David. He awakens in us feelings that some of us have maybe forgotten, of hopes that we yearn for, of courage that we pray for, of happiness we want to share. David is magical. Isn’t it great to believe in something that is a wonder, is magical and happy? He motivates me to be a better person, to hang in there, to be grateful, to look at the light instead of the dark. I anticipate that I will have many ah ha moments reading David’s book. I am going to need one big box of tissues for all of the happy tears.
Thanks again kizzi!
munkmusic(Quote)
@munkmusic, munkmusic…oh, yes, the happiness to share.
Kizzi(Quote)
archuletafanscene(Quote)
@archuletafanscene, Awesome, AFS. You are the king of finding the right video. Thanks so much!
Kizzi(Quote)
djafan – yes, what an incredible ride and all the more enjoyable because we all get to share it.
Kizzi(Quote)
Thanks munkmusic. Ditto on the tissues –
Kizzi(Quote)
Kizzi – I loved your original article on “contact” and I love this! and I guess I will confess for all to know what I told you — probably the only one – but I had an uber Crush on Carl Sagan when I was a girl
Nothing got in the way of me getting to watch Cosmos.
djafan – you have me intrigued!
Munkmusic — we all need to have some more aha moments don’t we. Always appreaciate your comments here.
AFS – still at work – so can’t see what I presume is a youtube video – but i think I know what it is
Harriet Goldhor Lerner:
Only through our connectedness to others can we really know and enhance the self. And only through working on the self can we begin to enhance our connectedness to others.
ArchieFanDoc(Quote)
@ArchieFanDoc, AFD, I remember your comment. Yes Sagan was a wise and wonderful guide for those of us who thought the Universe was our horizon. Lover the Lerner quote.
Kizzi(Quote)
Kizzi!!! My gosh, this is beautiful! The whole piece and I really love this…”That voice brimming with the subtleties of what it is to be alive. That voice that catapults one instantaneously to plumb the depths of so many emotions, so many vistas and landscapes that one didn’t expect to experience in a song. That voice that relentlessly draws one’s aesthetic sensibilities to the sublime.”
That is the best description of what it feels like to listen to the Voice I have read. So true, every word. Love this and love the brilliance that illuminates your writing. Shine on.
Angelica(Quote)
@Angelica, Angelica – what a huge compliment coming from the Master WordSmith, herself. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And the feelings you express are mutual.
Kizzi(Quote)
Great post as always, Kizzi. Can’t wait for the book. And can’t wait to hear what you might say about it.
Houstonrufus(Quote)
@Houstonrufus, Houstonrufus. Thank you so much. And, I am very interested in your perspective on the book. I guess people have a copy now in the USA. Alas, I must wait til June 1.
Always a delight to hear from you.
Kizzi(Quote)
I absolutely loved that movie, Kizzi, so much so that I went and read the book too. You picked the perfect scene to describe how we David fans feel.
ozarko(Quote)
Kizzi, thanks! Another great article. Yes, David is the “Maestro” Artist.
Contact is also one of my favorites because of Jodi Foster – she is one of the best actresses aorund!!
china80(Quote)
Ozarko – I too really enjoyed the movie. I can remember the 1st time I saw it with perfect clarity.
china80 – Jodie Foster is a gifted actor. I hope there is material out there for her. She doesn’t make many movies of late and I so hope to see more of her.
Kizzi(Quote)