Venal Scene

Wednesday, January 07, 2004

Does That Mean We Bombed Mars?

NASA: 'Shock and awe' at images from Mars

I'm excited. The pictures look great. It gets me juiced about the space program again.

I was a little put off by that quote we've seen all over the news regarding the pictures: "Shock and awe." I can get fussy about imprecise language. It's not how I'd describe my reaction. I can't understand how it could describe anyone's reaction.

I mean, "Shock?" Tell me what's shocking about this:

image courtesy NASA Mars Exploration Project

Beautiful, yes. Thrilling, yes. But I do not experience "shock." This is pretty much what I expected: a lot of red sand and rocks.

"Awe" I can almost see. I look at this image and wonder at our ability to set robotic foot on another planet; at the infinite possibilities of God's creation; at the efforts of our technicians, engineers and scientists that made this possible. But awe at this specific picture? Again, no. Again, it's red sand and rocks. Go out to the volcano flats in Northern California and you'll see pretty much the same thing.

However, this morning I received an email from a friend of mine who works in the commissary at NASA. Apparently the images we've been seeing have been doctored. This is what the government doesn't want you to see:

When I look at this image, I too experience Shock and Awe. Shock that Mars is capable of supporting complex life, and awe at the hardiness and majesty of the Barsoomian Musk Ox.

posted by Dan 10:18 AM
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Monday, January 05, 2004

It All Falls Into Place Somehow

I needed two things before rehearsals begin.

1. A Stage Manager.

2. A Big Reclining Chair.

I got both. My Stage Manager is great. He's got it together. He'll run a tight ship.

And yet, I'm even happier that I got the recliner. I had no idea where I was going to get one, short of the Salvation Army. And as we all know, all Salvation Army furniture is infested with SARS-carrying dust mites.

I think those are against Equity Showcase code.

posted by Dan 9:40 PM
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