ideas about science and the cosmos
Inspirational Science
The Sagan Series
Oct 5th
The Sagan Series
If you are seeing this instead of a video player, flash or javascript is not enabled. Or my video code is broken, doh!
Direct Video LinksIf the player does not work for you.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
I stumbled on this new series recently. There are a few others that I’ll assemble together soon. Check out their facebook page if you like it https://www.facebook.com/thesaganseries
Ode to the Brain
Mar 30th
Been a long time for sure, but I’d hate to miss sharing this, another installment of the Symphony of Science.
There is a new wave of reason
Nov 24th
It’s been a while since I last updated, but I’m excited that the wait is over for the next installment of the Symphony of Science series. It’s clear the music is still true to the spirit of the series, inspirational and entertaining.
If you’re like me and wanna hear this on loop : http://www.postnuclear.net/youtubeaudio.php?urlv=1PT90dAA49Q&lp&ap&hq
Journey to the Moon
Jul 6th
The latest offering from Symphony of Science this time focuses on the moon landing. Hopefully it’ll let you take a moment to grasp how significant it is seeing humanity land on another world. You often hear the famous quote “One small step..”, but I find it’s easy to overlook just how far reaching its significance is.
“In some way when those two Americans stepped on the Moon, the people of this world were brought closer together. That it is that spirit, the spirit of Apollo, which America can now help to bring to our relations with other nations. The spirit of Apollo transcends geographical barriers and political differences. It can bring the people of the world together in peace.”
-Richard Nixon
“Shortly after stepping onto the Moon, astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin spoke with President Nixon by phone, in what the President described as “the most historic phone call ever made from the White House.”
Are we to venture out into space?
Jun 22nd
This bold question asked by Carl Sagan makes us ask ourselves, are we ready? when will we be?
For all our failings, despite our limitations and fallibilities, we humans are capable of greatness.
This excerpt is from Sagan’s book ‘Pale Blue Dot : A vision of the human future in space’.
While Cosmos is a great piece of work, I hope this clip may interest you into seeking out Carl Sagan’s other contributions, such as his books.
You can listen to the first 5 chapters of this audiobook on a YouTube playlist here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpb7j3-1REM&feature=PlayList&p=38D15D3C59501F95&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=11
Wonders of the Solar System
Jun 14th
BBC2′s Wonders of the Solar System is an awesome series in which Professor Brian Cox highlights how the laws of nature have created amazing wonders across our entire Solar System. I’ve been working hard to bring some excellent scientific series here, in one convenient place, and this series doesn’t fail to invoke a sense of wonder at the reality and workings of our universe. Professor Brian Cox brings the passion and inspiration of science that the world needs more of. I’m also thrilled to see BBC is keeping up their trend of producing high quality, interesting, and engaging documentaries and series to keep the public interested in science.
You can see other things the BBC has be doing in the feild of science media here http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/, but sadly their native player doesn’t work for people in the U.S. I’ve been keeping track of what BBC puts out and try to capture it on YouTube and bring it here to this sites video collection.
Wonders of the Solar System Trailer
When you’ve decided you want to watch this entire series, you can watch all 5 episodes here.
On another note, how the hell does Brian Cox look so young, he’s 42!
Science is the greatest of adventure stories
Jun 10th
Brian Greene, string theory evangelist, introduces his big idea to help open the Ideas Festival. Greene connects this to a need for better understanding and education of science in the American education system.
Greene illustrates so precisely just how essential science and discovery is to the human species. His ending quote sums up my main argument for the need for public interest in the universe :
The wonders of the cosmos transcend everything that divides us.
Gazing into the depths of space
May 6th
Every now and again, as does everyone, I find myself consumed with the drama in my life. Personal interactions, local troubles, global issues. These are all important, sometimes even crucial. But when I can, I try to remember to leverage myself out, to try to gain some perspective.
Gazing into the depths of space, plummeting into the environs of a hundred quadrillion suns… that’s where true perspective can be found.
- Phil Plait of BadAstronomy.com
Some say science doesn’t make company with love, art, creativity, beauty, emotion and inspiration. Some say that science is cold, hard and calculating. Some say science has given us nothing but charts, graphs, formulas and numbers.
To this I have only one word : Perspective
Dangers of Science Denial
Apr 19th
Another great video, this one from BadAstronomy which highlights the dangers of science denial, and the road to failure if we choose to pursue a failed understanding of science.
Source : http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2010/04/18/michael-specter-talks-denialism/
How much would you pay for the universe?
Apr 15th
Niel deGrasse Tyson goes excellently explains why he feels we need to push the frontiers of exploration and why it’s important to sometimes look up.
Source : http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2010/04/14/neil-tyson-sounds-off-nasa/