Around 2:30 pm today, the small town of Malone N.Y. shook. Workers at the local Walmart went outside to see if a truck had hit the building. Others thought it was a rare December thunder clap. Super sonic aircraft were the most probable suspect of the window rattling, but there is one other possibility.
A small asteroid entering the Earth's atmosphere could cause a sonic boom, and if it exploded could cause a small pressure wave. The object need not be bigger than a softball, maybe even a baseball, tennis ball or a hockey puck.
The event was experienced as far as Huntington, Que.
I personally called the county fire control and the local state police for information, but they had none. I'm sure if aircraft inadvertantly caused a sonic boom, the state troopers would have been informed.
In May 2011 a meteor exploded near Virginia Beach and the result could be felt in neighboring states. In April one caused several calls to police and fire departments from Wisconsin to Missouri.
Small rocks from space are not uncommon, but an inigma to most people.
The next time you or your house are rattled by something, as long as your water heater hasn't exploded, go outside and look up, if you can find a contrail in a clear sky, it probably was a meteor.
If the cause of today's disturbance turns out to be a couple of military jets, I will look the fool. This is the risk I take as a writer.
Keep looking up.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Watch how fast science moves next year.
2011 brought many new findings in many different fields of study.
When I asked my wife Charlene what she remembered most from last year, she mentioned all the falling stars lately. There are no more now than there ever was. Meteor showers are being announced more often by the media because we can more precisely predict them. The same goes for Man made satelites whose orbits decay. One can find out exactly where to look and when.
The CERN super collider in Europe has begun to collect data hinting that the Higgs boson may exist. This particle experiment will change the way we think about our perception of reality. New tecknologies and therories will come out because of this new way of looking at things.
NASA's Kepler probe has found two planets in the Goldie Locks Zone. By the end of next year I'm betting we will have found a hundred fold.
On August 8th of next year the Mars Science Laboratory MSL, nicknamed Courisoty will land on the martain surface. We will learn even more with every mile it travels.
We've seen a comet pass through a part of the sun and survive.
We put the Space Shuttle to rest and opened the door for the age of commercial space travel.
2012 will not be the end of the world, but the dawn of a new age for science. I predict at least once this new year, you will be caught saying, "Isn't that cool?"; I know I will.
When I asked my wife Charlene what she remembered most from last year, she mentioned all the falling stars lately. There are no more now than there ever was. Meteor showers are being announced more often by the media because we can more precisely predict them. The same goes for Man made satelites whose orbits decay. One can find out exactly where to look and when.
The CERN super collider in Europe has begun to collect data hinting that the Higgs boson may exist. This particle experiment will change the way we think about our perception of reality. New tecknologies and therories will come out because of this new way of looking at things.
NASA's Kepler probe has found two planets in the Goldie Locks Zone. By the end of next year I'm betting we will have found a hundred fold.
On August 8th of next year the Mars Science Laboratory MSL, nicknamed Courisoty will land on the martain surface. We will learn even more with every mile it travels.
We've seen a comet pass through a part of the sun and survive.
We put the Space Shuttle to rest and opened the door for the age of commercial space travel.
2012 will not be the end of the world, but the dawn of a new age for science. I predict at least once this new year, you will be caught saying, "Isn't that cool?"; I know I will.
Friday, November 11, 2011
11/11/11 ...Yea...OK?
November eleventh, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven. As a follower of science I am not too worried that today or any other predicted dooms day date can be forcast without solid proof. One might predict exactly when a comet might hit the earth, or tell when the energy from a gamma ray burst will reach the planet, but with nothing more than an arbitrary date coinsidence; I'm not convenced enough to dig the shelter yet. 2012 doesn't make me want to rent a backhoe yet either.
You would think somebody writing an apocolyptic novel would be more pesimistic, but I expect humans will be around a very long time, long enough to explore the cosmos. I'm not saying we wont experience some major setbacks like plagues or famine. There will always be catastrophys due to changing weather patterns. Movement of the earth's crust due to plate tecktonics will always cause earthquakes, volcanos and tsunomies. The seas will rise, the glasiers will melt, but we will learn to adapt and deal with it. Humans will continue to die. We reside in some of the most dangerous geographic areas on the planet. Sooner or later the earth moves and people are in the way. It's nature.
Should something big occure at one of the many predicted dates, I will be the first person to say WTF.
You would think somebody writing an apocolyptic novel would be more pesimistic, but I expect humans will be around a very long time, long enough to explore the cosmos. I'm not saying we wont experience some major setbacks like plagues or famine. There will always be catastrophys due to changing weather patterns. Movement of the earth's crust due to plate tecktonics will always cause earthquakes, volcanos and tsunomies. The seas will rise, the glasiers will melt, but we will learn to adapt and deal with it. Humans will continue to die. We reside in some of the most dangerous geographic areas on the planet. Sooner or later the earth moves and people are in the way. It's nature.
Should something big occure at one of the many predicted dates, I will be the first person to say WTF.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Fifty years of reflection
Fifty four years to the day, the Russians launched Sputnik.
On July 20th, 1969, my family and the world witnessed Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin make the first foot prints on the moon.
At the time we (the human species) weren't sure if the moon's crust could even be walked on. Today we know the satellite we thought was a barren wasteland, harbors vast quantities of water valuable for further space exploration.
I was seven when the Eagle landed in the Sea of Tranquility; we watched on a black and white television. Soon after, I came home from school with a book club application. $9.00 was a lot of money when we were paying $20.00 a month for rent, but I still asked my father, ( I was only seven, I didn't know the value of money, plus it came with a model of the LM).
For two months an exact replica of the lunar module rest upon a stack of three books in their original cardboard case. Eventually my father did the math and realized he paid $9.00 for a plastic toy. He then encouraged me to read the books. The books were full of beautiful pictures of rockets, planets (or at least artist's depictions), and stickers.
Once Dad realized I was putting the stickers in the book without reading it, he laid down the law. "You can't put a sticker on, till you read the page!"
I was seven. I did what I was told.
I have loved science for the last forty three years and have witnessed many changes in theories and hypothesis. Lately even Einstein's theory of relativity has been challenged.
Today I celebrate my fiftieth revolution around a star, not unlike all the countless other stars so similar to the one we call the Sun.
In fifty years I have seen the rings of Saturn. I witnessed a moon landing. I've seen the atom ripped to shreds compared to what it was when I was in high school, Plate tectonics didn't exist, and I didn't know why the dinosaurs went extinct, but I do now. At one time in my life there were nine planets, then eight. Today keeping up with how many possible vs comfirmed hits in the data varies from day to day.
Fifty years isn't enough time to answer all the questions I have, but with age comes wisdom, so at least I understand more of the answers I get.
I can only wonder (or write) about what discoveries, changes, or challenges science will face in my next fifty years.
On July 20th, 1969, my family and the world witnessed Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin make the first foot prints on the moon.
At the time we (the human species) weren't sure if the moon's crust could even be walked on. Today we know the satellite we thought was a barren wasteland, harbors vast quantities of water valuable for further space exploration.
I was seven when the Eagle landed in the Sea of Tranquility; we watched on a black and white television. Soon after, I came home from school with a book club application. $9.00 was a lot of money when we were paying $20.00 a month for rent, but I still asked my father, ( I was only seven, I didn't know the value of money, plus it came with a model of the LM).
For two months an exact replica of the lunar module rest upon a stack of three books in their original cardboard case. Eventually my father did the math and realized he paid $9.00 for a plastic toy. He then encouraged me to read the books. The books were full of beautiful pictures of rockets, planets (or at least artist's depictions), and stickers.
Once Dad realized I was putting the stickers in the book without reading it, he laid down the law. "You can't put a sticker on, till you read the page!"
I was seven. I did what I was told.
I have loved science for the last forty three years and have witnessed many changes in theories and hypothesis. Lately even Einstein's theory of relativity has been challenged.
Today I celebrate my fiftieth revolution around a star, not unlike all the countless other stars so similar to the one we call the Sun.
In fifty years I have seen the rings of Saturn. I witnessed a moon landing. I've seen the atom ripped to shreds compared to what it was when I was in high school, Plate tectonics didn't exist, and I didn't know why the dinosaurs went extinct, but I do now. At one time in my life there were nine planets, then eight. Today keeping up with how many possible vs comfirmed hits in the data varies from day to day.
Fifty years isn't enough time to answer all the questions I have, but with age comes wisdom, so at least I understand more of the answers I get.
I can only wonder (or write) about what discoveries, changes, or challenges science will face in my next fifty years.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Self promotion: sometimes it has to be done.
Now that I have you here, I want to show you what my book is about. I hope that showing these links doesn't wind me up in court, but they show exactly what I am trying to do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssC7znywJSo&feature=share "The Second Intelligent Species" is about a couple who experience a mass extinction event just like this one, except nobody knew it was coming. This is what it could look like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlF8APEkh-E&feature=share
Those of you that know how hard I've been working on this, now is the time to comment, cheer, rant, rave, bitch or complain. I need all the support I can get.
Thanks
The Beave.
Those of you that know how hard I've been working on this, now is the time to comment, cheer, rant, rave, bitch or complain. I need all the support I can get.
Thanks
The Beave.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Zombie Land
Once again I find myself pulling my thirty six hours of night shift. A weekend in Zombie Land.
As always, we who must endure sleepless nights followed often by sleepless days, learn to take advantages of any entertainment offered: be it a practical joke, a good lunch packed by a loved one, or a celestrial cornucopia served throughout the summer evenings.
A full moon, the Perseids meteor shower, Jupiter in all its glory, plus four passes of the International Space Station (ISS) gave me something to do other than swill coffee just to keep awake. A mild summer storm with cloud to cloud lightning was topping on the cake.
Staying up all night is an advantage for a star gazer like myself. Of course I wanted to share my good fortune of clear skies with my associates. Some were interested, some were not; understandable when you work with thirty or so different individuals. What did suprise me was two called their spouces and told them to watch for the ISS.
As the one who dragged them outside to see a star-like light slowley streak across clouded skies, I was expected to answer questions posed to me. I could answer most about Jupiter and some of the moons. I did my best to tell how the Perseids came from dust left over from a comet called Swift something or other. Comet Taylor Swift, no that's not it. Anyhow some of them were interested and I want to give them the answers I promised.
1) The ISS travels about 17,227mph.
2) Its altitude moves between 173-286 miles up. It needs to be adjusted about twice a year.
3) It orbits the Earth 15.7 times a day.
4) No, they don't dump their poop in space. It could be used better as a fertilizer.
To watch for the ISS for yourself, click on the link.
I support every dollar spent.
http://spaceflight1.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/
As always, we who must endure sleepless nights followed often by sleepless days, learn to take advantages of any entertainment offered: be it a practical joke, a good lunch packed by a loved one, or a celestrial cornucopia served throughout the summer evenings.
A full moon, the Perseids meteor shower, Jupiter in all its glory, plus four passes of the International Space Station (ISS) gave me something to do other than swill coffee just to keep awake. A mild summer storm with cloud to cloud lightning was topping on the cake.
Staying up all night is an advantage for a star gazer like myself. Of course I wanted to share my good fortune of clear skies with my associates. Some were interested, some were not; understandable when you work with thirty or so different individuals. What did suprise me was two called their spouces and told them to watch for the ISS.
As the one who dragged them outside to see a star-like light slowley streak across clouded skies, I was expected to answer questions posed to me. I could answer most about Jupiter and some of the moons. I did my best to tell how the Perseids came from dust left over from a comet called Swift something or other. Comet Taylor Swift, no that's not it. Anyhow some of them were interested and I want to give them the answers I promised.
1) The ISS travels about 17,227mph.
2) Its altitude moves between 173-286 miles up. It needs to be adjusted about twice a year.
3) It orbits the Earth 15.7 times a day.
4) No, they don't dump their poop in space. It could be used better as a fertilizer.
To watch for the ISS for yourself, click on the link.
I support every dollar spent.
http://spaceflight1.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Mirror image handwriting.
When I was in my early twenties I learned I had an unusual gift: the ability to write cursive with my non-dominant hand in mirror image at the same time as I wrote normally with my right. It wasn't until middle age did I find out just how few people can do that.
One of the most famous people I discovered who could write backwards was Leonardo da Vinci. I don't know if he could write with both hands at the same time or not.
Some dyslectic children can do it when they are young, but not as they get older. I have read it's because a membrane seperating the right hemisphere from the left side of their brain is not fully developed, information is shared by both halfs.
Maybe my membrane has a hole in it, but one thing I have found, is people who like to write are more prone to the talent. Do all writers have a hole in their brains? I suggest we must considering what we put ourselves through.
If there are any writers, artist or psycopaths who can share their stories or shed some light on the subject, please comment. If there are any talent scouts, circus owners or even a neurologist who needs a lab rat out there, give me a call.
One of the most famous people I discovered who could write backwards was Leonardo da Vinci. I don't know if he could write with both hands at the same time or not.
Some dyslectic children can do it when they are young, but not as they get older. I have read it's because a membrane seperating the right hemisphere from the left side of their brain is not fully developed, information is shared by both halfs.
Maybe my membrane has a hole in it, but one thing I have found, is people who like to write are more prone to the talent. Do all writers have a hole in their brains? I suggest we must considering what we put ourselves through.
If there are any writers, artist or psycopaths who can share their stories or shed some light on the subject, please comment. If there are any talent scouts, circus owners or even a neurologist who needs a lab rat out there, give me a call.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Does anyone give a shit what it's called, or does anyone give a shit?
Global Warming, Climate Change, Mass Extinction: no matter the title given to the storm, the shit's gonna hit the fan.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110621/sc_nm/us_oceans
Some reject any and all evidence put forth by climatologist. The idea that climate change can be observed in a lifetime is unheard of in geological time scales. Anyone over thirty can see the changes. One generation observing changes in the local climate is a sure sign that a spike is occurring right now. Climate change should not happen that fast. Most changes in the past took thousands of years. What's happening on the planet today is being expedited by our waste. The air, our fresh water, our oceans, even the land beneath our homes is contaminated by one toxin or another. Fish in the seas are eating plastic, large areas of the ocean are dead due to a lack of oxygen. Coral reefs are bleached white as the living sea creatures that built the structures have died out.
When will the human race realize our petty differences are meager to the problems we will face as a species?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110621/sc_nm/us_oceans
Some reject any and all evidence put forth by climatologist. The idea that climate change can be observed in a lifetime is unheard of in geological time scales. Anyone over thirty can see the changes. One generation observing changes in the local climate is a sure sign that a spike is occurring right now. Climate change should not happen that fast. Most changes in the past took thousands of years. What's happening on the planet today is being expedited by our waste. The air, our fresh water, our oceans, even the land beneath our homes is contaminated by one toxin or another. Fish in the seas are eating plastic, large areas of the ocean are dead due to a lack of oxygen. Coral reefs are bleached white as the living sea creatures that built the structures have died out.
When will the human race realize our petty differences are meager to the problems we will face as a species?
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
How a science fiction writer thinks
The subtitle for this blog is sci fi for the working guy. I try to take the most recent news about science and talk about it so the guys at work can relate to it. Let's face it, few people follow news about super colliders or new discoveries in space. While they are interested in sports, politics or union matters, I follow science. They explain what a two point conversion is to me, and I try to explain why we only see one side of the moon.
Here's three stories to think about.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20110406/sc_livescience/45billionyearoldantarcticmeteoriteyieldsnewmineral
Wassonite is a newly discovered mineral found in a meteorite. Composed of sulfur and titanium, this rare mineral has never been found in nature on the planet until now, and this sample came from space. Why haven't we found this before? We have lots of sulfur and titanium, so why is this mineral so unique? We are learning so much from meteorites. They were formed in the violent creation of our solar system 4.5 billion years ago. Nothing on earth has been able to recreate the same mineral naturally. I can see some science fiction writer imagining Wassonite mines on some asteroid in quadrant 5-c.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110406/sc_afp/scienceusphysics_20110406155429
The CERN Large Hadron Collider in Europe has been looking for the same kind of bump in the data that this site has encountered. These two facilities, among many others look for the smallest parts of what we call real.
When I went to high school the atom was made of neutrons and protons, orbited by electrons. Now Quantum mechanics involve such a diverse group of particles, one can't keep up. The proof of this one particle, this force of nature, is important enough that many countries spend billions to build the massive underground labs to conduct these experiments. What will the future be like once the scientist learn to control the Higgs-boson.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110329/ts_yblog_thelookout/for-12-year-old-astrophysics-prodigy-
Watch for this guy. Diagnosed with autism, he is one with mathematics and is questioning some of Einstein's equations. Many with autism display an ability to do things we call miraculous. Isn't it possible that they can see areas of reality that we who are "normal" can not. Is it possible that they are the chosen ones. More fodder for the science fiction writer.
Things are going to change fast in the realm of science, will the human species adapt fast enough to comprehend the data at the speed it is becoming available?
Here's three stories to think about.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20110406/sc_livescience/45billionyearoldantarcticmeteoriteyieldsnewmineral
Wassonite is a newly discovered mineral found in a meteorite. Composed of sulfur and titanium, this rare mineral has never been found in nature on the planet until now, and this sample came from space. Why haven't we found this before? We have lots of sulfur and titanium, so why is this mineral so unique? We are learning so much from meteorites. They were formed in the violent creation of our solar system 4.5 billion years ago. Nothing on earth has been able to recreate the same mineral naturally. I can see some science fiction writer imagining Wassonite mines on some asteroid in quadrant 5-c.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110406/sc_afp/scienceusphysics_20110406155429
The CERN Large Hadron Collider in Europe has been looking for the same kind of bump in the data that this site has encountered. These two facilities, among many others look for the smallest parts of what we call real.
When I went to high school the atom was made of neutrons and protons, orbited by electrons. Now Quantum mechanics involve such a diverse group of particles, one can't keep up. The proof of this one particle, this force of nature, is important enough that many countries spend billions to build the massive underground labs to conduct these experiments. What will the future be like once the scientist learn to control the Higgs-boson.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110329/ts_yblog_thelookout/for-12-year-old-astrophysics-prodigy-
Watch for this guy. Diagnosed with autism, he is one with mathematics and is questioning some of Einstein's equations. Many with autism display an ability to do things we call miraculous. Isn't it possible that they can see areas of reality that we who are "normal" can not. Is it possible that they are the chosen ones. More fodder for the science fiction writer.
Things are going to change fast in the realm of science, will the human species adapt fast enough to comprehend the data at the speed it is becoming available?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The people of Japan are in our thoughts
The disasters in Japan involve the whole world, not just one country. Not only do we send rescue teams, money and supplies, but we also send scientist who study the impact of the disaster.
Preventing loss of life is the final goal. Learning how the Earth and its atmosphere works is the only way to limit the causalities. Sadly, the best time to study earthquakes and tsunamis, comes after the fact.
It takes events like the last two tsunamis, Class 5 hurricanes and tornadoes, or other calamities to learn how to cope when they do occur. Unfortunately people die.
We have learned from tragedies in the past. A tsunami warning system was activated, and saved many. I'm sure hundreds died while taking refuge in the top floors of their homes. This earthquake and wave were bigger than most were expecting, and even some of the larger buildings were washed away.
The threat of a nuclear meltdown is a real threat, and the situation grows worse everyday. I'm sure reactors will no longer be permitted to be built on active fault lines. Engineers will develop homes able to withstand tsunamis by designing them with reinforced foundations in the shape of a flatiron to deflect a massive wave, with high sturdy rooftops for people to wait out the deluge.
Any area on a geologically active planet could experience catastrophe at any time. There are hazards from space that could strike not only one country, but could effect the entire globe; so far, we haven't experienced anything greater than solar flairs, but I'm sure someday we will. Learning about these natural events will benefit us in the future.
Preventing loss of life is the final goal. Learning how the Earth and its atmosphere works is the only way to limit the causalities. Sadly, the best time to study earthquakes and tsunamis, comes after the fact.
It takes events like the last two tsunamis, Class 5 hurricanes and tornadoes, or other calamities to learn how to cope when they do occur. Unfortunately people die.
We have learned from tragedies in the past. A tsunami warning system was activated, and saved many. I'm sure hundreds died while taking refuge in the top floors of their homes. This earthquake and wave were bigger than most were expecting, and even some of the larger buildings were washed away.
The threat of a nuclear meltdown is a real threat, and the situation grows worse everyday. I'm sure reactors will no longer be permitted to be built on active fault lines. Engineers will develop homes able to withstand tsunamis by designing them with reinforced foundations in the shape of a flatiron to deflect a massive wave, with high sturdy rooftops for people to wait out the deluge.
Any area on a geologically active planet could experience catastrophe at any time. There are hazards from space that could strike not only one country, but could effect the entire globe; so far, we haven't experienced anything greater than solar flairs, but I'm sure someday we will. Learning about these natural events will benefit us in the future.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The Meteorite Men must be jumping for joy.
The price of found meteorites just went up. Check out this link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110306/sc_nm/us_meteorites_life
Now every cosmic find will be studied within a micro-inch of its life.
Will our search for life on other planets stall while we turn our tunnel vision on meteorites? Obviously the cost of studying pieces of space which have already arrived on the planet is far smaller than gathering particles of dust hundreds of miles above our atmosphere.
We must continue all research. Someday the questions will be answered, until then we must keep looking everywhere.
One question that this story brings to my mind is: don't fossils need liquid water to form? If this is true, then this fossilized bacterium must have formed on a larger body. I don't think a fossil could form in the dry vacuum of space. If this an example of extraterrestrial life, it needed to be knocked off some body large enough to hold liquid water by an impact, or there is one other possibility. Is it feasible another solar system existing long before ours, was blown apart by a super nova, spreading the seeds for life all over the cosmos. Remember our solar system is only about 4.5 billion years old; it's estimated the universe is over 13.5 billion years old.
Life could have evolved several billion years before our solar system was even thought of.
Brings a whole new meaning to the saying: Sparkle in your fathers eye.
Now every cosmic find will be studied within a micro-inch of its life.
Will our search for life on other planets stall while we turn our tunnel vision on meteorites? Obviously the cost of studying pieces of space which have already arrived on the planet is far smaller than gathering particles of dust hundreds of miles above our atmosphere.
We must continue all research. Someday the questions will be answered, until then we must keep looking everywhere.
One question that this story brings to my mind is: don't fossils need liquid water to form? If this is true, then this fossilized bacterium must have formed on a larger body. I don't think a fossil could form in the dry vacuum of space. If this an example of extraterrestrial life, it needed to be knocked off some body large enough to hold liquid water by an impact, or there is one other possibility. Is it feasible another solar system existing long before ours, was blown apart by a super nova, spreading the seeds for life all over the cosmos. Remember our solar system is only about 4.5 billion years old; it's estimated the universe is over 13.5 billion years old.
Life could have evolved several billion years before our solar system was even thought of.
Brings a whole new meaning to the saying: Sparkle in your fathers eye.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Something to think about
Just what if we do find other life in our solar system, or other intelligent life orbiting around a star, many light years away? How would that change your view of who we are as a species? Take a look at some of the estimated numbers on this link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110220/ap_on_sc/us_sci_cosmic_census
Our description of the universe as we know it has changed several times in the past, lately it seems to be changing every year.
I study science, and am still amazed at what the findings are showing, as are the scientist making the discoveries. The human species is going to experience an overload of data coming in from our scientific experiments. The problem will not be in the collection of said data, but the explanation of what that data means to the layman.
One problem is proving the data true enough to get it in the media. Today's media uses most science related stories as fillers if there is nothing better to take up the time slot. I'm sure if some Reality TV celebrity fell on her ass, it would get more time. How unfortunate.
Check out this link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110211/sc_nm/us_russia_poll_education_science
Do we want to get to this point? Ignorance is not bliss. We must keep up. I wonder what the numbers would be if we took the same pole the Russians did. China is knocking on our door when it comes to advancing in science studies.
I am not a political person, nor a religious man, but from my point of view, it's time to believe in some of the data, and consider...what if they're right. How could a monumental discovery change the way I look at my view of reality?
Our description of the universe as we know it has changed several times in the past, lately it seems to be changing every year.
I study science, and am still amazed at what the findings are showing, as are the scientist making the discoveries. The human species is going to experience an overload of data coming in from our scientific experiments. The problem will not be in the collection of said data, but the explanation of what that data means to the layman.
One problem is proving the data true enough to get it in the media. Today's media uses most science related stories as fillers if there is nothing better to take up the time slot. I'm sure if some Reality TV celebrity fell on her ass, it would get more time. How unfortunate.
Check out this link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110211/sc_nm/us_russia_poll_education_science
Do we want to get to this point? Ignorance is not bliss. We must keep up. I wonder what the numbers would be if we took the same pole the Russians did. China is knocking on our door when it comes to advancing in science studies.
I am not a political person, nor a religious man, but from my point of view, it's time to believe in some of the data, and consider...what if they're right. How could a monumental discovery change the way I look at my view of reality?
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Prediction in review
On November 12th, 2010, I posted a prediction of a small impact being forecast in the news. Today a car sized asteroid will buzz the Earth, too small to be seen by the unaided eye. See the link http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20110209/sc_space/carsizeasteroidtopassclosebyearthwednesday
It seems like these stories are in the news more and more often. Are there more asteroids now than ten years ago? No, it's just that our technology is far more advanced than it was ten years ago.
I'll keep this short so those of you who haven't read the post of Nov. 12th can, and those of you who have, can re-read it. Thanks for following.
It seems like these stories are in the news more and more often. Are there more asteroids now than ten years ago? No, it's just that our technology is far more advanced than it was ten years ago.
I'll keep this short so those of you who haven't read the post of Nov. 12th can, and those of you who have, can re-read it. Thanks for following.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Who doesn't like science?
It amazes me that the youths of today don't find science interesting. How can children not be curious about their surroundings? A toddler's first sentence is very often, 'What's that?' and they will point at everything they come across, until the cute game becomes quite annoying.
At what age does our thirst for knowledge fade? Does it vanish, or is it set aside while we develop social skills?
Once children enter the school system, they are bombarded with new facts. Their minds are saturated and the thirst is quenched. Once they reach puberty, other thirst need quenching.
It wasn't until middle age that my insatiable quest for science knowledge hit its peak. My children have grown up, leaving me more time to look for answers. The internet supplies vast amounts of facts to anyone who makes the effort to look; so why aren't they looking? Check out the link provided.
Here's an idea: each day a science question would need to be answered correctly to gain access to a phone. Research would need to be done from another source. I bet teenagers would race to the library to be the first through the doors when it opens in the morning.
If we could incorporate science instead of violence into an X-Box 360 game, that would hook a few more.
We must improve how we educate our children so they can compete with the rest of the planet.
The nerds shall inherit the Earth.
At what age does our thirst for knowledge fade? Does it vanish, or is it set aside while we develop social skills?
Once children enter the school system, they are bombarded with new facts. Their minds are saturated and the thirst is quenched. Once they reach puberty, other thirst need quenching.
It wasn't until middle age that my insatiable quest for science knowledge hit its peak. My children have grown up, leaving me more time to look for answers. The internet supplies vast amounts of facts to anyone who makes the effort to look; so why aren't they looking? Check out the link provided.
Here's an idea: each day a science question would need to be answered correctly to gain access to a phone. Research would need to be done from another source. I bet teenagers would race to the library to be the first through the doors when it opens in the morning.
If we could incorporate science instead of violence into an X-Box 360 game, that would hook a few more.
We must improve how we educate our children so they can compete with the rest of the planet.
The nerds shall inherit the Earth.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Mammoth meat, the new beef.
Read the link.
I think this is a good idea. Think about it; WOOLLY Mammoths are covered with what must be wool. Think of all those poor sheep that freeze to death after being sheared. One mammoth could save the lives of several sheep. The meat alone could solve the the problem of famine all over the planet. And those ivory tusk could make pianos affordable enough, everyone will be able to own one. The planet will be filled with music. Cloning mammoths could change the world.
Now some critics will claim that we shouldn't do this. I will try to convince them we should.
1) Extinct animals should not be cloned. I say everyone should get a second chance, even mammoths; after all, some think we we're the reason they disappeared in the first place. Maybe Noah just didn't have enough room on the Ark, they are very big animals.
2) If we clone one extinct creature, we will want to clone others. So...wouldn't you want to own your own Giant Sloth? Of course you would, who wouldn't? What about Neanderthals? We could use them as slaves...to raise the mammoths. They should know how.
3) There won't be enough food to feed the enormous beast. Just clone some ancient tree or shrub they like to eat (duh).
4) Mammoths died out at the time the glaciers receded, they couldn't survive Climate Change (Global Warming). That's why you shear them (double duh).
I hope you enjoyed my little poke. It was all in fun. Actually I don't condone enslaving cloned subspecies of Man. Neanderthals are people too.
I think this is a good idea. Think about it; WOOLLY Mammoths are covered with what must be wool. Think of all those poor sheep that freeze to death after being sheared. One mammoth could save the lives of several sheep. The meat alone could solve the the problem of famine all over the planet. And those ivory tusk could make pianos affordable enough, everyone will be able to own one. The planet will be filled with music. Cloning mammoths could change the world.
Now some critics will claim that we shouldn't do this. I will try to convince them we should.
1) Extinct animals should not be cloned. I say everyone should get a second chance, even mammoths; after all, some think we we're the reason they disappeared in the first place. Maybe Noah just didn't have enough room on the Ark, they are very big animals.
2) If we clone one extinct creature, we will want to clone others. So...wouldn't you want to own your own Giant Sloth? Of course you would, who wouldn't? What about Neanderthals? We could use them as slaves...to raise the mammoths. They should know how.
3) There won't be enough food to feed the enormous beast. Just clone some ancient tree or shrub they like to eat (duh).
4) Mammoths died out at the time the glaciers receded, they couldn't survive Climate Change (Global Warming). That's why you shear them (double duh).
I hope you enjoyed my little poke. It was all in fun. Actually I don't condone enslaving cloned subspecies of Man. Neanderthals are people too.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Dealing with rejection...NEXT!
Today's post has nothing to do with science or nature.
This morning I received yet another rejection, or realized I misinterpreted a kind gesture; again my expectations were higher than they should have been. Either way it feels like a kick in the stones. As I sat and thought about how I felt and what I should do, it came to me. I need to write about it, while the feelings are still keeping my blood pressure above my norm.
Writing this so quickly after swallowing a large dose of ego will settle my stomach. Maybe this is why I write.
My wife woke up, and had to make her own coffee. I was too into my "Hobby" to make her day today.
She needed to use the computer, but I refused to surrender. "Use your own laptop," I yelled. Then I remembered where my bread is buttered. I may have to cut this short, my wife needs the computer.
Although today's eyeopener wasn't as much a rejection, the result is: I go back to square one. But as I write, I think.
Even though the agent I was hoping would put my book on the best seller list probably won't, he did give me some good advice, "Build a platform".
I did, or you wouldn't be reading this right now. Thank you to all who do. I refuse to quit. If nothing, its therapeutic.
What doesn't kill you, will make you stronger. Peace to all mankind.
This morning I received yet another rejection, or realized I misinterpreted a kind gesture; again my expectations were higher than they should have been. Either way it feels like a kick in the stones. As I sat and thought about how I felt and what I should do, it came to me. I need to write about it, while the feelings are still keeping my blood pressure above my norm.
Writing this so quickly after swallowing a large dose of ego will settle my stomach. Maybe this is why I write.
My wife woke up, and had to make her own coffee. I was too into my "Hobby" to make her day today.
She needed to use the computer, but I refused to surrender. "Use your own laptop," I yelled. Then I remembered where my bread is buttered. I may have to cut this short, my wife needs the computer.
Although today's eyeopener wasn't as much a rejection, the result is: I go back to square one. But as I write, I think.
Even though the agent I was hoping would put my book on the best seller list probably won't, he did give me some good advice, "Build a platform".
I did, or you wouldn't be reading this right now. Thank you to all who do. I refuse to quit. If nothing, its therapeutic.
What doesn't kill you, will make you stronger. Peace to all mankind.
Friday, January 7, 2011
'The sky is falling, the sky is falling.'
OK, some birds fell out of the sky, some fish died. Does this signal the end of the world? I think not. Check out the link, "Mass bird deaths...".
Natural phenomenon like these happen all the time. Until only recently we wouldn't have heard about such things. The advent of modern cell phones has made the world a smaller place. What takes place on the other side of the world, is breaking news here in an instant.
If some birds dropped dead in your town twenty years ago, do you think it would make the national news?
As for the fish kill, get used to it. Our oceans are dying. We are in the middle of a mass extinction event, one that started at the time the glaciers were receding, and continues today. Extinction events don't happen over night, even the extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by several contributing catastrophes over a period of thousands of years. A massive impact, along with increased volcanism changed the planet's atmosphere, thus severely limiting the survival odds of the most successful animals ever to walk the planet.
Do I think these avian fatalities are proof of the most recent extinction event? Probably not, I'm sure something more acceptable than stress caused by fireworks will be found to be the cause.
Now the fish thing: yes, I do believe this has something to do with an extinction event. There are rafts of garbage floating out in the Pacific ocean, as well as other bodies of water. Our fertilizers are draining into the oceans and are a major cause of algae blooms. Fish are delicate creatures; subtle changes inflict major damage. How long did your pet fish live when you were a kid? FLUUUSSSHHH.
Until we find another planet to call home number II, we'd better take care of this one. Peace to all Mankind.
Natural phenomenon like these happen all the time. Until only recently we wouldn't have heard about such things. The advent of modern cell phones has made the world a smaller place. What takes place on the other side of the world, is breaking news here in an instant.
If some birds dropped dead in your town twenty years ago, do you think it would make the national news?
As for the fish kill, get used to it. Our oceans are dying. We are in the middle of a mass extinction event, one that started at the time the glaciers were receding, and continues today. Extinction events don't happen over night, even the extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by several contributing catastrophes over a period of thousands of years. A massive impact, along with increased volcanism changed the planet's atmosphere, thus severely limiting the survival odds of the most successful animals ever to walk the planet.
Do I think these avian fatalities are proof of the most recent extinction event? Probably not, I'm sure something more acceptable than stress caused by fireworks will be found to be the cause.
Now the fish thing: yes, I do believe this has something to do with an extinction event. There are rafts of garbage floating out in the Pacific ocean, as well as other bodies of water. Our fertilizers are draining into the oceans and are a major cause of algae blooms. Fish are delicate creatures; subtle changes inflict major damage. How long did your pet fish live when you were a kid? FLUUUSSSHHH.
Until we find another planet to call home number II, we'd better take care of this one. Peace to all Mankind.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
1-1-11 Does this date freak you out as much as it does me?
Everyone gets excited about the new year. Personally, my wife and I will be moving into our new home, (remodeled hunting camp). OK, its a Mancave; but don't tell my wife. She doesn't read this, so shush.
Scientist feel the same anticipation when it comes to receiving new data, leading to new discoveries, or proof that their theory's are right.
Some of the most watched experiments, are being done at the CERN Large Hadron Collider in Geneva. Here the smallest are studied. The parts that make up atoms are dissected, and you'd be surprised how many there are. Does anyone from my hometown remember when our area was a candidate for a Super Collider?
Every day the Kepler Space Telescope looks for new planets orbiting other stars. Its been finding them. 500 and climbing. How many will be found in 2011? I would love to see a map of the known universe in 2021. I need to lay off the pork chops and bacon.
We discover more about the planet we live on every year. This year we learned about alien life living right under our feet. Where will the next new form of life be living?
There are so many questions to be answered. The answers take us just a little closer to understanding.
Happy New Year, Peace to all Mankind.
Scientist feel the same anticipation when it comes to receiving new data, leading to new discoveries, or proof that their theory's are right.
Some of the most watched experiments, are being done at the CERN Large Hadron Collider in Geneva. Here the smallest are studied. The parts that make up atoms are dissected, and you'd be surprised how many there are. Does anyone from my hometown remember when our area was a candidate for a Super Collider?
Every day the Kepler Space Telescope looks for new planets orbiting other stars. Its been finding them. 500 and climbing. How many will be found in 2011? I would love to see a map of the known universe in 2021. I need to lay off the pork chops and bacon.
We discover more about the planet we live on every year. This year we learned about alien life living right under our feet. Where will the next new form of life be living?
There are so many questions to be answered. The answers take us just a little closer to understanding.
Happy New Year, Peace to all Mankind.
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