A number of high profile people in science, technology, and so-forth were asked 'what are you optimistic about and why?'

Chris Dibona of Google looks forward to the day when we have high resolution, up-to-date images of the earth (like Google Earth and Microsoft Live but much better). He says,
"One cannot tell you that they are not destroying villages in Sudan if you can view the burned out carcasses of the homes of the slaughtered. One cannot intimate that the impact of a dam is minimal as humanity watches countless villages being submerged in real time. One cannot paint a war as a simple police action when the results of the carpet bombing will be available in near real time on the internet."

He finishes off by saying,
"Can our leaders stand before us and say a thing is not occurring if we can see via our low earth orbiting eyes that it is in fact occurring? Only the truly deluded will be unable to see and then perhaps we can remove them and their psychopaths from power. A more honest existence, with humankind understanding the full, global, impact of its decisions, is in our future if we can reach it."

I was discussing this with Hubby and his intial reaction was, all well and good but instead wouldn't it be better to be optimistic about eradicating poverty, starvation or disease? A valid comment but then I pointed out the following ...

I blogged a while ago about Al Gore and his "An Inconvenient Truth".
(Unfortunately, I've not had a chance to see it yet but I believe it's now out on DVD.) He has now started to train others to give his presentation (on which the movie was based) and the website for this is www.theclimateproject.org

The website loads with a random image from a number of alternatives, one of which struck me quite forcefully so I beg Al Gore's forgiveness in posting the image here (clearly all copyright belongs to The Climate Project):

[In case you have difficulties in displaying the image, it shows the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. 'Haiti has one set of policies' (the land is virtually deforested) and 'the Dominican Republic has another' (a lush green forest growing right up to the border.]

This image very forcefully demonstrates how useful and powerful Chris Dibona's vision of the future would be. Obviously this image was specifically chosen to support Al Gore's campaign and I must say I have been unable to verify this image but it shows how high resolution images can make a dramatic point.

I'll finish this off with what I feel is an appropriate quote from Neil Armstrong:
“It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small.”

The Sky at Night

Following on from my previous post, there was one aspect of our new home that I enjoyed from our first night.

Our bedroom has a sloping roof and we have placed our bed under the window in the roof. So this means on a clear night, I can lie in bed and look up at the stars.

Due to the light pollution in London (and probably the air pollution too), it was very rare to see any but the brightest of stars and then only on a clear night. Most nights the sky was simply a dark neon orange glow. The area in which we now live has much less light pollution so, providing there are no clouds, I have a wonderful view.

Unfortunately, my knowledge of the night sky is woefully inadequate but it's amazing to lie wrapped in my duvet and stare at infinity. Absorbing the depth of space makes me feel incredibly small. The beauty of the universe is awe inspiring.

Rose Scented Glasses

I have always thought of my eyesight and hearing as being my main senses. My sense of smell was secondary. When we moved into our new home, I realised that I was wrong.

It felt very strange for the first few days. Our furniture was in different places, there were boxes everywhere, the flat had an unfamiliar layout. Even though I was in my own bed, it felt as if we were staying over at someone else's house. Then I realised why ...

It didn't smell like home.

It smelt like someone else's home. There was a lingering smell of someone elses cleaning products, someone elses's perfume, probably someone else's pheromones for all I know. Turns out that although we had not discussed it, Hubby had the same feeling.

So I gave the bathroom and kitchen a good clean with my usual products. We dusted and hoovered. We lit our favourite scented candles and bought our favourite air fresheners. It soon felt much more like home.

Seems like my nose is busier than I thought.

Hollywood take note

I was pleased that Dame Helen Mirren won two Golden Globes (for 'Elizabeth I' and 'The Queen'). She is a good actor and I have enjoyed much of her work. In addition, I thought she looked very glamorous showing that you don't need to be nipped and tucked.

I hope the plastic women in Hollywood would realise that you don't have to look like a 20 year old to remain sucessful. I'm sure it's more difficult for older actresses to get work but many of them give into the accepted norm and turn to the knife instead of valuing their talent and experience.

I hope Dame Helen does as well in the Baftas.

I feel rather sorry for ...

Kate Middleton. She's in the news today because of the increasing press intrusion into her life. It showed the scene as she left home this morning. There were about twenty photographers buzzing around her. It made me think, she really must like Prince William to put up with that. She's just his girlfriend. We have no right to intrude into her life like this. Already there is increasing speculation about an engagement. Their relationship should be allowed to progress at it's own speed.

I know Princes William and Harry have a priviledged life but they also do have a life of duty, responsibility and minimal privacy ahead of them. It must be very frustrating to have someone you love treated in this way. I certainly wouldn't want their life for all the estates, jewels and trusts funds.

I really hope that the news agencies all refuse to buy paparazzi photos of Kate when she isn't at official royal events.