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 The SpaceWriter's Ramblings |
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Anything and everything about science, especially astronomy and the cosmos. NOTE: This blog has migrated to a new address. Please update your favorites link accordingly.Visit my web site at Posting times are Powered by
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6.19.2007 Warning LabelsI was reading the label on the side of a package of fresh sliced pineapple today and it said, "Best if enjoyed by August 10, 2007." Being the literal type, I immediately thought to myself, "So, I can only enjoy pineapple? What if I'm not a big fan of pineapple, but I eat it anyway? Am I ordered to enjoy it? And why that date? Does it turn into slop on August 11?" That got me to thinking about all the little "directives" that companies lay on us as we use their products. They go through great lingual contortions to avoid saying the bare truth, which is, in the case of the pineapple, "This stuff'll go bad if you don't eat it soon." (Which would be more sensible, and I'm all about being sensible, and critical thinking, and all that stuff...) Anyway, when I read those disclaimers, I sense the fine touch of a personal injury lawsuit when I see things like that on product containers. So, then I got to thinking about what these same "safety" disclaimers would look like if applied to other things, like: The Universe: objects in deep space are more distant than they appear. The Sun: best if enjoyed by 8 Billion SSE (Solar System Era). Earth: please use sensibly. Nuclear Weapons: keep out of reach of children Supernovae: contents may explode under pressure Star-forming regions: warning—construction ahead Gamma-ray Bursters: explosive content, handle with care Methane atmospheres: may be harmful if swallowed The Big Bang: accept no substitutes And, of course, one of my favorite speed-limit truisms: 186,252 miles per second: light-speed, it's the law! UPDATE: After reading this entry, Mr. SpaceMusic thought those "sayings" were so clever I should do something with them. So, I did. You can get them on t-shirts now, through my Cafepress Store. I've created some unique designs using NASA space images and the sayings above. Each purchase tosses a buck or two my way to help support my website and my writing habit. Check 'em out!Labels: amateur astronomy, humor, irony, limits, wag posted by CCP on 6/19/2007 01:21:00 PM | *
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Earth Hour! Do it for the Planet!
Blog RollPlanetarium-relatedLoch Ness ProductionsPurveyors of fine planetarium shows, music, and services. INTENSELY Good Space Music from a master in the genre! My cool astronomy cause: ScienceThe sites below belong to space and astronomy enthusiasts. I make every effort to check them and make sure they are still appropriate. However, I am not responsible for their content, nor do I endorse any of it by simply linking to them. As with all Web surfing, please exercise caution. Adot's Notblog A fellow traveler blogger and astronomy enthusiast! Astronomy Blog An astronomy blog pondering the big questions Astronomy Cast Astronomy Podcasting from Pamela Gay BadAstronomy.com Bad astronomy discussed and debunked along with fun stuff about really good astronomy! Chris Lintott's Universe Musings from an Oxford Astronomer. Cosmic Variance Random Samplings from a Universe of Ideas. Dave P's Astronomy blog Observational Astronomy and other TidBits European Southern Observatory Fine Ground-based astronomy images. Gemini Observatory Fine astronomy in infrared and visible wavelengths. Griffith Observatory's page. I wrote their exhibits! Observing The Sky Nightly Observation Reports from dedicated skygazers. The Official String Theory Web Site. Time to feed your mind! Pharyngula Evolution, development, and random biological ejaculations from a godless liberal. Cast off your blinders and come on in! Science Made Cool A compendium of discoveries, inventions and commentary. Slacker Astronomy Astronomy with a Slacker Twist. Space Telescope Science Institute The best from Hubble Space Telescope The Eternal Golden Braid Astronomy, Space Science, and Science Fiction Commentary. The Inoculated Mind Bills Itself as a weekly science mindcast. Thought-provoking, honest. Truth. UniqueThe Hairy Museum of Natural History
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