Friday, August 14, 2009

U2

I recently got around to watching the trip James May (from the incredible Top Gear) took in a U2 spyplane to the edge of space. This one: Show/Hide


Breathtaking.

Towards the end, he said that if everyone did this, it would change the world, referring to the Overview Effect.

And I wondered: Would I take an opportunity like this?

I'm not sure.

The answer surprises me. I like adventure, I like space, so what's the holdup? I'm afraid of heights. And those are some SERIOUS heights. And the margins on velocity... ridiculously slim (really, look it up and be amazed at the engineering feat of 50 years ago, that the spyplane works at all).

But I'm not sure I would pass it up either. I mean, adventure, guys! ADVENTURE! NEAR SPACE!

3 comments:

  1. Edge of space or edge of Earth? :)
    And I just realized: fear of height is basically the fear of the power of gravity.Hmm....

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  2. I never thought about it that way. My winning card for "Apples to Apples" is (right now) gravity...

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  3. I would absolutely do it! While I was watching the video I got really excited, but also really jealous that he got to go.

    Also, fuck Blogger. I had finished writing my comment when the page suddenly refreshed because it realized I was already logged in.

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