Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Sleeplessness among students :D
And so my dear friend JianYang asked me to complete a survey for me. And I did, so check it out, it's rather interesting-
Survey Brief & Questions
Thank you for helping me with this survey. There are four things you have to note before we begin.
• Your Name, Age and Contact details will be required for verification purposes
• Should my school contact you >_> please just claim that I did this interview with you face to face and that I don’t know you personally.
• This survey assumes you are a students :/ if you are going into uni, just pretend you are. And do not forget this if my school calls @_@
• Don’t write rubbish =_=
Hi, I’m a 19 year old student from nyp. I go by the name Lee Xuan Rui and you can contact me at 98295665. Well, I would love to give you more details about myself, but with the proliferation of identity theft, I’m sorry, but there’s some precautions one must take, as I don’t want to find any poseurs posing as me.
1. How many hours on average do you sleep a day?
On average I sleep about 5 to 6 hours a day.
2. Do you think you are receiving adequate sleep? Why?
Most of the time I feel that I’m receiving enough sleep for I have enough energy to last me throughout the entire day without me getting too lethargic. Hell, I can even do my tutorials, that is if I felt like doing it in the first place, and run a marathon and still have enough energy to play the guitar afterwards… Alright, maybe the marathon part was a tad of exaggeration on my part. However, I do have my down and emotional days where everything seems to be shaded in grey and when sharp objects constantly remind me of how much pain/pleasure it can cause if I stab someone/myself with it. Now, some might call that a possible case of depression, but I prefer to call it “the blues”. When “the blues” strike, I feel solemn and morose, nothing seems to interest me, it is also marked by a dramatic lack of energy and spirit the entire day. So, all in all, excluding the fact that I might be a vampire or a nocturnal species of homo sapiens, I can conclude that, yes, I’m receiving adequate sleep. Thanks for asking!
3. Are you aware of what the medically recommended minimum hours of rest per day are?
Oh, you bet, 8 hours a day isn’t it? But, after doing a cost-benefit analysis, I can think of more productive things to do with my time, such as fishing, cooking, hunting, dancing, singing, playing, guitar-ing, mowing, jumping, skipping, hopping, rolling, running, bullshitting, teasing, joking, smoking, love-making, oh and doing facebook quizzes.
4. Are you aware of the mental and physical detriments of insufficient sleep?
Ah yes, I don’t want to bore you with too much details but a general lack of sleep causes problems with one’s motor functions, the control of their limbs, thinking, and of course all these combined with the feeling as if one is living in the insides of a toilet bowl. (Although I do know of some people who behave like that even after having SUFFICIENT sleep)
5. On average, how do you spend the waking hours of your days? (Break it down for me roughly in percentages)
I’m lazy to translate it to percentages, so here goes:
8 Hours in School.
1 Hour in Singapore’s renowned transport systems.
1 Hour enjoy my gourmet meals.
1 Hour to enjoy the toilet facilities that I visit when I’m awake.(bathing, shitting, washing, peeing, jerking off, etc.)
1 Hour playing with my guitar and serenading my friends or neighbors.(They told me I have a good voice, but I think they’re just being nice)
2 Hours I spend roaming the streets, nooks and crannies of Singapore.
2 Hours I spend on my computer surfing, doing work of course!
And the final 2 hours spent doing anything I want to do.
6. What are some of the possible reasons, which may lead you to deliberately neglect sleep?
Barring the fact that I’m on a night time crusade to save Singapore City, there are actually plenty of distractions in my otherwise mundane life. For example, a nice television show, movies, hanging out with my awesome mates, dancing to overly-loud music, jamming with my buddies, chatting and talking about my emotions, indulging in intelligent conversations with anyone that’s free on MSN, going after beautiful ladies, and did I forget to mention?, doing quizzes on facebook, and many many more, so go figure!
7. Do you work part-time? If yes, to what extent do you think that the act of juggling school and work affect the quantity of sleep that you receive?
I’m about to give one of my shortest answer yet- No.
8. How would you rate the importance of the concept of time management?
I would rate it as extremely important. For a moment, imagine a world without watches, a world where we can’t keep track of time. Now, isn’t that a doomsday scenario? Those bloody taxi drivers won’t be able to earn enough because 10 seconds spent idle actually costs us 20cents, but oh no, can’t keep track of time, boohoo, no income. Or I can’t check the time I spent snuggling with a girl at her home and her parents catch me there, woah oh, talk about awkward situations! Finally, isn’t the lack of time management that actually gave Mas Selamat the chance to escape from a toilet? (The guards probably did not realize the really long time he spent in the cubicle, either that or they should probably invest in a clock in that detention area)
9. In your opinion, is there a relationship between how you manage your daily hours and the amount of sleep you get? If no, explain why.
Yes there is.
10. Do you practice good time management in your life?
Oh you bet I do, some people call me the human clock, because I have everything properly fitted into a timetable/schedule. Moreover, I’m so accurate that I always leave school right when the bell rings, now if that isn’t awesome time management I don’t know what is.
11. Do you face any difficulties in falling asleep? If yes, what are the attributive reasons towards your difficulties in falling asleep?
Hardly, but sometimes I fear the boogeyman that’s hiding beneath my bed. Honestly, there is hardly anything that can prevent me from entering the world of the sandman… Offhandedly I can think of, the year 2012 will result in the destruction of the world we know, exams, girlfriends, stress. In other words, the usual mambo jumbo that people give when they can’t fall asleep. I’m not insomniac.
12. Are you aware of any personal bad sleeping habits?
Not really, unless you count reading my notes just for the next day’s exams before sleeping a bad habit?
13. Do you think the Singaporean lifestyle is stressful? Why?
Hardly, because life in general is opening yourself up to this great big ball of shit we call life. And what's the worst thing that can happen? You get bitten in the ass. But let me tell you, my ass looks like hamburger meat, but I can still sit down! I mean, if you look at it this way, how’s life in Iraq like or how about life in North Korea… It’s a question of perspective.
14. Is daily stress a dominant factor contributing to your lack of sleep? If yes, how so?
No, as mentioned, it’s a question of how you view things in life. Just a tip, the best way to relax is a change of work.
15. In your opinion, is 8 hours of rest per day necessary for academic success? Why yes or why not?
Nope. I rather use the extra time to pursue other more interesting and fruitful endeavors. Taking me as an example, I still manage to score a GPA of 3.83 with my 6 hours of sleep which is 2 hours below the status quo. Academic success is when brains meet luck colliding with opportunity and proper preparation.
16. Would you ever consider artificial means (E.g. Spas, Sleeping Pills etc) of alleviating the effects of inadequate sleep? Why?
The only artificial means I will consider is a good cup of coffee. Other than that, I don’t think so. Because to alleviate the effects of inadequate sleep, one just has to simply…sleep. Or maybe take a powernap, or a round of exercise to boost yourself in the morning.
17. What are the external suggestions (Govt. Society. Parents etc) you can propose to increase your personal sleeping hours?
Maybe our most respectable and awesome Government could introduce a sleep easy day once a year. Hey, might as well go into hibernation and sleep for an entire season? Come on, it’s all up to oneself to increase their personal sleeping hours.
18. What are the internal (You as an individual) suggestions you can propose to increase your personal sleeping hours?
Maybe I can introduce a “sleeping quota” a week and I shall try to keep up with the amount of sleep I’ve proposed. Then in order to reward myself, if I reach the quota, I shall spent my extra and restless energy on other activities.
19. What is in your opinion more important, quantity sleep or quality sleep? Would you care to elaborate on your choice of answer?
Definitely quality of sleep, I don’t want to be waking up every few minutes, it would probably foul up my brain’s sleeping cycle and one would still be tired even after “sleeping” for 8 hours in such a fashion.
20. How important is sleep to you?
Sleep is of course important for me as it recharges my body, gives me the energy I need to pursue my goals and work in the day. And there’s this prayer I would like to share with you, it’s about falling asleep.
“Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
When in the morning light I wake,
Teach me the path of love to take.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
Guard me Jesus through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the lord my soul to keep,
thy angels watch me through the night,
And keep me safe till morning's light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the lord my soul to keep,
May angels watch me through the night,
And keep me in their blessed sight.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the lord my soul to keep.
Angels watch me through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Amen
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
Guide me safely through the night,
Wake me with the morning's light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
See me safely through the night,
And wake me with the morning's light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Guide me through the starry night,
Wake me when the sun shines bright,
For Jesus' sake. Amen.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
Guide us through the starry night,
and wake us with the morning's light.
I ask not for myself alone,
but for thy children--every one.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the lord my soul to take.”
Finally, it gives me the chance to dream. Everyone deserves to dream, to go to a distant and wonderful place, faraway from all the conundrums of life and all the humbugs one meets in the day. So now, tell me, isn’t sleep essential to you too?
Scribble ur answers here and label them 1-20 please <3
Name:
Handphone:
School and Course:
1.
Survey Brief & Questions
Thank you for helping me with this survey. There are four things you have to note before we begin.
• Your Name, Age and Contact details will be required for verification purposes
• Should my school contact you >_> please just claim that I did this interview with you face to face and that I don’t know you personally.
• This survey assumes you are a students :/ if you are going into uni, just pretend you are. And do not forget this if my school calls @_@
• Don’t write rubbish =_=
Hi, I’m a 19 year old student from nyp. I go by the name Lee Xuan Rui and you can contact me at 98295665. Well, I would love to give you more details about myself, but with the proliferation of identity theft, I’m sorry, but there’s some precautions one must take, as I don’t want to find any poseurs posing as me.
1. How many hours on average do you sleep a day?
On average I sleep about 5 to 6 hours a day.
2. Do you think you are receiving adequate sleep? Why?
Most of the time I feel that I’m receiving enough sleep for I have enough energy to last me throughout the entire day without me getting too lethargic. Hell, I can even do my tutorials, that is if I felt like doing it in the first place, and run a marathon and still have enough energy to play the guitar afterwards… Alright, maybe the marathon part was a tad of exaggeration on my part. However, I do have my down and emotional days where everything seems to be shaded in grey and when sharp objects constantly remind me of how much pain/pleasure it can cause if I stab someone/myself with it. Now, some might call that a possible case of depression, but I prefer to call it “the blues”. When “the blues” strike, I feel solemn and morose, nothing seems to interest me, it is also marked by a dramatic lack of energy and spirit the entire day. So, all in all, excluding the fact that I might be a vampire or a nocturnal species of homo sapiens, I can conclude that, yes, I’m receiving adequate sleep. Thanks for asking!
3. Are you aware of what the medically recommended minimum hours of rest per day are?
Oh, you bet, 8 hours a day isn’t it? But, after doing a cost-benefit analysis, I can think of more productive things to do with my time, such as fishing, cooking, hunting, dancing, singing, playing, guitar-ing, mowing, jumping, skipping, hopping, rolling, running, bullshitting, teasing, joking, smoking, love-making, oh and doing facebook quizzes.
4. Are you aware of the mental and physical detriments of insufficient sleep?
Ah yes, I don’t want to bore you with too much details but a general lack of sleep causes problems with one’s motor functions, the control of their limbs, thinking, and of course all these combined with the feeling as if one is living in the insides of a toilet bowl. (Although I do know of some people who behave like that even after having SUFFICIENT sleep)
5. On average, how do you spend the waking hours of your days? (Break it down for me roughly in percentages)
I’m lazy to translate it to percentages, so here goes:
8 Hours in School.
1 Hour in Singapore’s renowned transport systems.
1 Hour enjoy my gourmet meals.
1 Hour to enjoy the toilet facilities that I visit when I’m awake.(bathing, shitting, washing, peeing, jerking off, etc.)
1 Hour playing with my guitar and serenading my friends or neighbors.(They told me I have a good voice, but I think they’re just being nice)
2 Hours I spend roaming the streets, nooks and crannies of Singapore.
2 Hours I spend on my computer surfing, doing work of course!
And the final 2 hours spent doing anything I want to do.
6. What are some of the possible reasons, which may lead you to deliberately neglect sleep?
Barring the fact that I’m on a night time crusade to save Singapore City, there are actually plenty of distractions in my otherwise mundane life. For example, a nice television show, movies, hanging out with my awesome mates, dancing to overly-loud music, jamming with my buddies, chatting and talking about my emotions, indulging in intelligent conversations with anyone that’s free on MSN, going after beautiful ladies, and did I forget to mention?, doing quizzes on facebook, and many many more, so go figure!
7. Do you work part-time? If yes, to what extent do you think that the act of juggling school and work affect the quantity of sleep that you receive?
I’m about to give one of my shortest answer yet- No.
8. How would you rate the importance of the concept of time management?
I would rate it as extremely important. For a moment, imagine a world without watches, a world where we can’t keep track of time. Now, isn’t that a doomsday scenario? Those bloody taxi drivers won’t be able to earn enough because 10 seconds spent idle actually costs us 20cents, but oh no, can’t keep track of time, boohoo, no income. Or I can’t check the time I spent snuggling with a girl at her home and her parents catch me there, woah oh, talk about awkward situations! Finally, isn’t the lack of time management that actually gave Mas Selamat the chance to escape from a toilet? (The guards probably did not realize the really long time he spent in the cubicle, either that or they should probably invest in a clock in that detention area)
9. In your opinion, is there a relationship between how you manage your daily hours and the amount of sleep you get? If no, explain why.
Yes there is.
10. Do you practice good time management in your life?
Oh you bet I do, some people call me the human clock, because I have everything properly fitted into a timetable/schedule. Moreover, I’m so accurate that I always leave school right when the bell rings, now if that isn’t awesome time management I don’t know what is.
11. Do you face any difficulties in falling asleep? If yes, what are the attributive reasons towards your difficulties in falling asleep?
Hardly, but sometimes I fear the boogeyman that’s hiding beneath my bed. Honestly, there is hardly anything that can prevent me from entering the world of the sandman… Offhandedly I can think of, the year 2012 will result in the destruction of the world we know, exams, girlfriends, stress. In other words, the usual mambo jumbo that people give when they can’t fall asleep. I’m not insomniac.
12. Are you aware of any personal bad sleeping habits?
Not really, unless you count reading my notes just for the next day’s exams before sleeping a bad habit?
13. Do you think the Singaporean lifestyle is stressful? Why?
Hardly, because life in general is opening yourself up to this great big ball of shit we call life. And what's the worst thing that can happen? You get bitten in the ass. But let me tell you, my ass looks like hamburger meat, but I can still sit down! I mean, if you look at it this way, how’s life in Iraq like or how about life in North Korea… It’s a question of perspective.
14. Is daily stress a dominant factor contributing to your lack of sleep? If yes, how so?
No, as mentioned, it’s a question of how you view things in life. Just a tip, the best way to relax is a change of work.
15. In your opinion, is 8 hours of rest per day necessary for academic success? Why yes or why not?
Nope. I rather use the extra time to pursue other more interesting and fruitful endeavors. Taking me as an example, I still manage to score a GPA of 3.83 with my 6 hours of sleep which is 2 hours below the status quo. Academic success is when brains meet luck colliding with opportunity and proper preparation.
16. Would you ever consider artificial means (E.g. Spas, Sleeping Pills etc) of alleviating the effects of inadequate sleep? Why?
The only artificial means I will consider is a good cup of coffee. Other than that, I don’t think so. Because to alleviate the effects of inadequate sleep, one just has to simply…sleep. Or maybe take a powernap, or a round of exercise to boost yourself in the morning.
17. What are the external suggestions (Govt. Society. Parents etc) you can propose to increase your personal sleeping hours?
Maybe our most respectable and awesome Government could introduce a sleep easy day once a year. Hey, might as well go into hibernation and sleep for an entire season? Come on, it’s all up to oneself to increase their personal sleeping hours.
18. What are the internal (You as an individual) suggestions you can propose to increase your personal sleeping hours?
Maybe I can introduce a “sleeping quota” a week and I shall try to keep up with the amount of sleep I’ve proposed. Then in order to reward myself, if I reach the quota, I shall spent my extra and restless energy on other activities.
19. What is in your opinion more important, quantity sleep or quality sleep? Would you care to elaborate on your choice of answer?
Definitely quality of sleep, I don’t want to be waking up every few minutes, it would probably foul up my brain’s sleeping cycle and one would still be tired even after “sleeping” for 8 hours in such a fashion.
20. How important is sleep to you?
Sleep is of course important for me as it recharges my body, gives me the energy I need to pursue my goals and work in the day. And there’s this prayer I would like to share with you, it’s about falling asleep.
“Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
When in the morning light I wake,
Teach me the path of love to take.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
Guard me Jesus through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the lord my soul to keep,
thy angels watch me through the night,
And keep me safe till morning's light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the lord my soul to keep,
May angels watch me through the night,
And keep me in their blessed sight.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the lord my soul to keep.
Angels watch me through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Amen
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
Guide me safely through the night,
Wake me with the morning's light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
See me safely through the night,
And wake me with the morning's light.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Guide me through the starry night,
Wake me when the sun shines bright,
For Jesus' sake. Amen.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
Guide us through the starry night,
and wake us with the morning's light.
I ask not for myself alone,
but for thy children--every one.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the lord my soul to take.”
Finally, it gives me the chance to dream. Everyone deserves to dream, to go to a distant and wonderful place, faraway from all the conundrums of life and all the humbugs one meets in the day. So now, tell me, isn’t sleep essential to you too?
Scribble ur answers here and label them 1-20 please <3
Name:
Handphone:
School and Course:
1.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
oh, so you're the very close guy friend huh?
A woman has a close male friend. This means that he is probably interested in her, which is why he hangs around so much. She sees him strictly as a friend. This always starts out with, you're a great guy, but I don't like you in that way. This is roughly the equivalent for the guy of going to a job interview and the company saying, You have a great resume, you have all the qualifications we are looking for, but we're not going to hire you. We will, however, use your resume as the basis for comparison for all other applicants. But, we're going to hire somebody who is far less qualified and is probably an alcoholic. And if he doesn't work out, we'll hire somebody else, but still not you. In fact, we will never hire you. But we will call you from time to time to complain about the person that we hired.
Monday, April 27, 2009
In The Air Tonight, beatbox style!
An amazingly soulful performance on board NYC subway by Naturally 7.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
men and women in clubs..
In the context of Singapore, there are mainly 3 types of people in local clubs; this is of course, stereotyping or assuming that each of us possesses either of the 3 traits.
Group A for Women:
They are realistic, understands what powers they need; usually falls under 24 and above age category. Got a good grasp of what their life is gonna be like, looks forward for men with cars, stable income, a good managerial position in their job with good prospects.
They are also intelligent creatures as they've more or less seen it all and thinks that "men are always men" mind set.
Group A for Men:
Knowing how Group A Women feels and what their wants/needs are; these men are always men beings will usually, get a job, get a car, go clubbing, look for girls who are looking for these type of men, spend money, buy beer, fetch her home and usually with an aftermath. Age group? As young as 18, trying to get a car and look "I am out there".
Of course, this is again, assuming on the men are always men mind set. You think you don't belong to any of the groups so far? Read on.
Group B for Women:
This group is a rather simple group to comprehend. The Women falls under below- 24 age category.
Some call them xiao lians, xiao mei mei, girls with thick make ups, low cut dresses, short skirts. Barely making it above 21 or even legal sometimes, they look out for fun, good-looking, if possible, rich and hunky guys to have fun with.
Thinking as if they know it all, these age group of people tend to get cheated very easily and on some special occasions, they transform into single mums which some think sometimes its pretty cool. Why? Buy 1 get 1 (or more) free mah.
Group B for Men:
Simpleton, No Brainer, Grinders, sometimes still takes allowance from Papa/Mama. They like to get, or rather, think its cool to get wasted and get laid in clubs/hotels/homes. Often thinking they're quite good looking, they'll hump almost anything that walks on 2 legs; even bapoks.
If you still don't think you fall in this category... Though I think you should, move on.
Group C for Women:
They are what I called the minorities. In local clubs, you'll see a small group of Women... Well I haven't really seen any so far.
These small groups of Women are there for just 1 purpose, have fun, relax, and drink. Ultimate hard to get chics of them all as they have no intentions of knowing new friends, they're just here in one corner to get their own clic going.
They perhaps, hold a proper day time job, and are the most decent group of them all.
Group C for Men:
Some may say its because they're gutless, they're look-less, or they're just useless.
Small group of non-grinders, non smokers, but just casual drinkers. There to dance, enjoy, perhaps know new friends, but have no intentions of getting laid. Perhaps moral issues? Perhaps humji? Don't matter; this group possesses the utmost moral values of them all.
The percentage of these 3 groups are: 45% - 45% - 10%
Then again, the speculations of such, are just solely from my own observations. Then again, if you DO fall under Group A or B. Why not ask yourself this; what the heck are you doing as of yet?
- Anonymous
Group A for Women:
They are realistic, understands what powers they need; usually falls under 24 and above age category. Got a good grasp of what their life is gonna be like, looks forward for men with cars, stable income, a good managerial position in their job with good prospects.
They are also intelligent creatures as they've more or less seen it all and thinks that "men are always men" mind set.
Group A for Men:
Knowing how Group A Women feels and what their wants/needs are; these men are always men beings will usually, get a job, get a car, go clubbing, look for girls who are looking for these type of men, spend money, buy beer, fetch her home and usually with an aftermath. Age group? As young as 18, trying to get a car and look "I am out there".
Of course, this is again, assuming on the men are always men mind set. You think you don't belong to any of the groups so far? Read on.
Group B for Women:
This group is a rather simple group to comprehend. The Women falls under below- 24 age category.
Some call them xiao lians, xiao mei mei, girls with thick make ups, low cut dresses, short skirts. Barely making it above 21 or even legal sometimes, they look out for fun, good-looking, if possible, rich and hunky guys to have fun with.
Thinking as if they know it all, these age group of people tend to get cheated very easily and on some special occasions, they transform into single mums which some think sometimes its pretty cool. Why? Buy 1 get 1 (or more) free mah.
Group B for Men:
Simpleton, No Brainer, Grinders, sometimes still takes allowance from Papa/Mama. They like to get, or rather, think its cool to get wasted and get laid in clubs/hotels/homes. Often thinking they're quite good looking, they'll hump almost anything that walks on 2 legs; even bapoks.
If you still don't think you fall in this category... Though I think you should, move on.
Group C for Women:
They are what I called the minorities. In local clubs, you'll see a small group of Women... Well I haven't really seen any so far.
These small groups of Women are there for just 1 purpose, have fun, relax, and drink. Ultimate hard to get chics of them all as they have no intentions of knowing new friends, they're just here in one corner to get their own clic going.
They perhaps, hold a proper day time job, and are the most decent group of them all.
Group C for Men:
Some may say its because they're gutless, they're look-less, or they're just useless.
Small group of non-grinders, non smokers, but just casual drinkers. There to dance, enjoy, perhaps know new friends, but have no intentions of getting laid. Perhaps moral issues? Perhaps humji? Don't matter; this group possesses the utmost moral values of them all.
The percentage of these 3 groups are: 45% - 45% - 10%
Then again, the speculations of such, are just solely from my own observations. Then again, if you DO fall under Group A or B. Why not ask yourself this; what the heck are you doing as of yet?
- Anonymous
Monday, April 13, 2009
Susan Boyle - Singer - Britains Got Talent 2009
47 Year old Susan Boyle wows the judges with her performance in the auditions for Britains Got Talent, singing I dreamed a dream from Les Miserables. That's some awesome vocals right there man, woo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY&fmt=18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY&fmt=18
Thursday, April 9, 2009
the pale blue dot
From Wikipedia:
Here's the video of Carl Sagan's - pale blue dot, watch it, it's well worth your time:
Voyager 1 was launched on September 5, 1977. Sagan had pushed for Voyager to take a photo of the Earth when its vantage point reached the edge of the solar system. On February 14, 1990, having completed its primary mission, NASA commanded the spacecraft to turn around to photograph the planets of the Solar System. Between February 14, 1990 and June 6, 1990, one image Voyager returned was of Earth, showing up as a "pale blue dot" in the grainy photo.
Sagan gives the distance as 3.7 billion miles in his book. According to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory HORIZONS software system, the following table displays the distances calculated from Voyager to the Earth on the dates indicated.
The picture was taken using a narrow-angle camera at 32° above the ecliptic, and created using blue, green, and violet filters. Narrow-angle cameras, as opposed to wide-angle cameras, are equipped to photograph specific details in an area of interest. The light band over Earth is an artifact of sunlight scattering in the camera's optics, resulting from the small angle between Earth and the Sun. Earth takes up less than a single pixel — NASA says "only 0.12 pixel in size.
Here's the video of Carl Sagan's - pale blue dot, watch it, it's well worth your time:
Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.
The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds.
Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.
The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.
It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
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