“Things were so much better without all this technology”, says the attendant at the postal office. I don’t know if it’s me or what, but every time I walk into a post office, I get to deal with funny attendants. Coincidences, it’s been all week, far too many in my life. Just for the record, I believe technology has contributed to improve many areas of life, though there is, I admit, a dark side to it. Later that day, as I entered a supermarket, a man was walking out talking on his mobile - “I don’t care, I am sending him to prison…” - I overheard him say. That’s not nice I was thinking to myself when SUB surfaced. I really cannot afford to hear stuff like that, it’s the kind of thing that will ignite my imagination. - “ I don’t want to know whether he’s the good guy or the bad guy SUB. Don’t even think about it! We will stick to our grocery list.” it’s only a coincidence I know, but it’s been all week.
Imagination is a great thing, especially these days. I’ve read some amazing articles this week. Some people have loads of imagination, perhaps more than I have myself. Others definitely have a courage that I will never have in my entire life. I know that because I could never do what they have accomplished and are preparing to do next. I could reach the sky and above with my imagination, while my physical being is safely resting somewhere. What a nerve they have! To think that I get my adrenaline going by cycling around town, so risky it is. Then these guys come along and make me feel like a complete fool! - “1960. What about it SUB? it’s been all week” - exploring the unknown, stretching beyond our own limits, without knowing how far beyond our own limits we are in fact venturing. That is scary. I’d like to understand what it is that triggers such ambitions. I read about two amazing missions.
A man, named Felix Baumgartner has jumped from as far as 22 km above the ground. And this is just a test run. He is preparing for the real thing, breaking the record set by Joe Kittinger in 1960. That means jumping from 33 km above the ground. Believe it or not, he comes down at a speed of nearly 1000km/h and opens the parachute only 2 km before hitting the ground. I don’t know but my mind disintegrates just at the thought of it. Imagine the birds flying around in the area? Some of them will be losing more than just a couple of feathers.
James Cameron. He’s planning to go down under the Pacific Ocean, reaching what is believed to be the deepest point on earth. I believe they have found that point with the help of a sonar. But what if there is a gigantic and I mean like huge beast resting down there? The only question mark is whether communication channels will keep functioning all the way through the experiment. That is scary. In 1960, Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh reached what was then believed to be the deepest point, in that same area. It’s not too far from Japan either. I won’t say anything else.
1960 – SUB has been driving me mad all week. It’s the year these two missions were attempted and successfully accomplished for the first time. It’s just a coincidence, I know, but it’s been all week. So I’ve had a closer look and found out other coincidences. In 1960, as many as 16 African colonies gained independence (in 2011 we’ve witnessed the fall of oppressive regimes in the Arab world, needless to say the liberation movement was started and spread on the internet).Sri Lanka 1960, Sirimavo Bandaranaike is the first woman in the world to be elected prime minister (2011, Christine Lagarde is the first woman to be elected head of the IMF). In 1960 the biggest earthquake of the 20th century, magnitude 9,5, hits Cile. The tsunami generated is so huge it goes as far as to reach Japan (March 11, 2011 Tohoku Japan, magnitude 9,1) . I know these are just coincidences. Just can’t help noticing.
Note 1 - about SUB ref. Monday, December the 5th 2011 "About a Druid and his mushrooms"
Last update
30-09-2012
Facebook Is this real? what next, the keys to one's house? I can understand a company wanting to monitor their employees' access to private profiles during working hours. But surely they do not need their passwords to do that. Any system admin could deal with that request. As for private devices well, they should probably rely on specific inside regulations to deal with the issue. - Read more -
Dr. House Sorry to hear one of the most entertaining tv series is coming to a close. Dr House won't be thrilling us with his amazing intuitive work anymore. It's fiction, I know, but still, it's a pity really. - Read more -
Industrial Games I believe this to be a piece of the bigger picture. It makes sense doesn’t it? A glimpse of the future - Read more -
Marmageddon Earthquakes can shake almost anything down to its foundations, but when it takes Marmite with it, leaving a whole nation craving for its favorite sandwich spread, well, it's a true disaster! -
Britannica lightens up After over 200 years the company will stop printing the 32 volume set. The 2010 edition is the last printed version and when stock runs out the encyclopedia will only be available online. Unlike Wikipedia and Google though, it won't be for free. - watch video -
Photo of the week "Baby Quack" by Lalitwist
Understanding is better than killing The One million Mums movement hits again. No longer than a month ago, this conservative group of mums opposed J C Penny’s choice of testimonial, failing in their intent, but did not give up. They recently took on Toys R Us decision to sell the latest edition of Archie’s comic (featuring a gay marriage), a very popular comic series which has entertained over 3 generations and is still going strong. It goes without saying that the number sold out. I believe everyone should fight for their own beliefs and admire those who do, but really. I wonder whether these ladies have considered the eventuality of ever having to look inside their own kids’ closets. I don't know. I'd expect mothers to approach the matter otherwise. Like perhaps understanding how to deal with the issue would be more important than just fighting it or even worst, ignoring it. Don't we usually say "solve the problem?". Admitting there is a problem, "solving" does not mean "erasing". - - Read about it -
The Gentle Barn Getting closer to nature can help us get in touch with ourselves. So much so that pet therapy has been widely adopted for its proven efficient healing process, especialy when applied to kids. From swimming with dolphins to The Gentle Barn. Read Article
Around the World
The Solar Eclipse Marathon This promises to be a spectacular event - whether you're there to run the Marathon or to watch the eclipse. The Solar Eclipse Marathon takes place in Port Douglas, Australia, on 14 November 2012.
Milan March 2012
Jazz nights Marcus Miller will be performing Live in Milano from the 18th through to the 21 of April 2012 - 11.30 pm - at the Blue Note, Via Borsieri 37 - Milano -
SineadO'Connor Sinead has just published her latest album "‘How About I Be Me" which is considered to be one of very best compilation. She'll be perfoming live in Milan on Tuesday the 24th of Arpil 2012- 9 pm - Teatro Smeraldo, Piazza XXV Aprile, 20121 Milan -
Anna Karenina Two unique dates for ballet lovers in Milan. The ballet will directed by Boris Eifman, the founder of the group @ the Teatro degli Arcimboldi- Viale dell'Innovazione, 20 - 20126 Milano - on the 9th and 10th of may 2012 at 9pm
LATEST BOOK REVIEW
I have recently read "Seriously....I'm Kidding" by Ellen Degeneres - you can read my review of the book here
