We are creatures of the cosmos… we are star stuff…
– Cosmos by Carl Sagan

Carl Sagan was many things: scientist, author, science advocate par excellence. Isaac Asimov once described Sagan as one of the only two people he ever met who was smarter than Asimov himself. His PBS series Cosmos more than likely caused many a geek to consider and pursue a career in science.

We are reminded this week that he was also something else — an avid pot smoker. In an interview with Britain’s Live Magazine, Kristen Dunst spoke about the virtues of moderate use of marijuana and its beneficial effects on creativity.

She said: “I’m not talking about being stoned all day, though. I think if it’s not used properly, it can hamper your creativity and close you up inside.

“My best friend Sasha’s dad was Carl Sagan, the astronomer. He was the biggest pot smoker in the world and he was a genius.”

And with that, we may never quite look at the quotation “we are star stuff” without thinking of a certain sort of stoned giggle ever again.