Carl Sagan explaining why it is vital for democracy that science and technology is understood by the electorate, and by its representatives. The brilliant science and science communicator understood the danger of a society based on science and technology in which there was a lack of understanding of scientific and technological principles and ideas. In such a society decisions about science and technology will be taken in non-transparent ways by powerful lobbies. Worse still, ignorance of science will also mean that decisions about important issues will be wrong. Sagan was very prophetic. Today issues like climate change, genetic engineering, Artificial Intelligence, energy, drug discovery, advanced weapons, space exploration, to name but a few, are treated by an ignorant press and a mostly ignorant political class as an opportunity to gain political points or better ratings. Science communicators are fighting against the tide of history.