My kids and I have been lounging around a bit these last couple mornings. Yesterday for instance, after fixing a splendid cup of coffee I shuffled over to the couch where I joined my still pajamaed kids. We channel-surfed a bit before landing on an episode of NOVA hosted by David Pogue called Making Stuff: Smaller. Now if you’re not familiar with Pogue I’d strongly advise you to become so, quickly. He’s one of the best science and technology writers on the planet and a sharp, self-deprecating wit to boot. Pogue begins by showing us the humble beginnings of the first computers which required huge rooms filled with vacuum tubes and then transports us to the present and our current silicon chips containing tens of millions of transistors on a square inch wafer. Pogue then gives us a taste of the future; he visits a lab where miniscule robots controlled by external magnets swim through the vitreous humour of the eye to deliver a tiny dose of medicine to a clogged artery…Asimov anyone?
Science absolutely rocks. The future looks bright indeed but for deeper reasons than the really kick-ass phone I’m going to have in a decade. Science brings the world closer together by its very nature. Long ago we discovered something about discovery; we’re much better at it when we work together. The collective work of a million minds has led to a knowledge revolution the likes of which the world has never seen. A scientist in Los Angeles collaborates with a lab in Beijing and their work is validated by teams in London, Toronto and Johannesburg. It happens thousands of times a day and all over the globe. Who knows what mindblowing discoveries lay just ahead because we humans, in this one way at least, have figured out how to work together.
29 Comments
good transformation .. like the painted mood
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Many thanks Klaus–much appreciated!
Very cool treatment…good one!
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Thank you very much Bluechameleon!
Cool composition!
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Thank you very much Frank! I really appreciate the comment and that you popped by my site!
Extremely fun shot, and perfect processing. I hope you’re right about the bright future part too… Sometimes I look at my son and think I owe him an apology. At least he’ll get a cool phone one day, eh?
Thanks Corinna!
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Yes, at the very least there’s that!
Very creative shot Christopher. I wish I could see the future as you do, but I’m a bit of a pessimist at heart.
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I hope with all my heart it’s true Kala. I’ve seen some pretty amazing things happen when reasonable people work together. Thanks so much!
So you grew up in the 80s too? Everything was neon and checkered in the 80s. Nostalgia, sigh.
Thanks for the dose of optimism Chris. I always feel like I should write a letter thanking my 7th grade science teacher for encouraging the natural science nerd in me. Now I know I’m not alone.
I’ve got a teacher that got me on fire for science too–thank goodness for people like that! Thanks Michael!
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Nothing better than the 80s!
really a clever interpretation, strong light saturation, unusual but very interesting in presentation and repetition, well done Chris
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Thanks Fabrizio–sometimes I have the uncontrollable desire to stray from my usual formula. I’m not sure why.
Extreme transformation and funny result, great!
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Thank you Pau! Appreciate that!
I love the photo, Chris. (I think it would make a neat poster.) The title is a good tie-in for your thoughts, too. It’s a great observation. I suppose we can surprise ourselves with collaboration and cooperation; it goes on all around us all of the time, but we are unaware of it. It seems we still may not try it enough. Maybe we also need to remember to be open and willing as well.
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Really appreciate that Phil–thanks! Good things definitely seem to happen when we work together.
Love how you think & show, Christopher, i share this whole. Collective spirits walking in the same direction of sharing. Plus I intend to offer myself a new pair of sunglasses this week, so if you permit it, i’d love to join your dream-team in this super compo
Thanks k@. You’re always welcome to join–and good luck hunting for sunglasses!
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The future will surely be brighter if we all work together
Love your optimistic streak.
Love the post work done on the picture
lovely Chris.
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Thank you very much Anny!
it is so bright that we’re blinded by its brightness
cool image
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It is a little bright for the eyes–in some versions I had to look away! Thanks yz!
you are right, let’s jump together into the possibilty space, there are no limits and probably a lot of surprises. btw. great artistic work, love the image!
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Let’s do it! Thanks very much Michael–I’m usually nervous about breaking from the mold so I appreciate the words of encouragement very much!
fantastic shot
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Many thanks Krunal–much appreciated!
Very creative shot! Works great.
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Thanks Andy!
A brilliant interpretation Christopher! Like the network of scientists you wrote of, this image as an interconnectedness of its very own.
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Greatly appreciated Doug–thanks so much!
Very cool shot you’ve used to illustrate your words. Nice:-)
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Thank’s very much Sherri!
Very creative image!
The future will be creative too!
My compliments!
Best regards from Romania!
You have my vote!
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Thank you Wind, for the comment and for visiting my site!
Well, I want to follow you, I cannot find a gadget! Maybe I will put your link in my blogroll!
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Thank you very much Wind–I really appreciate that! I’m sorry, I’m not sure about the gadget you speak of. I have an RSS link at the bottom of the page but I don’t think that’s what you’re referring to?
fun colors,unique and very different style of photograph
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Thank you very much Ayesha, for the comment and for popping by my site. Much appreciated!
Des lunettes joliment traitées!
Autant de de lunettes que de regards d’individus.
Vision optimiste sur le monde…
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Merci beaucoup RDL!
The image is simply terrific. And – love your optimistic viewpoint..the lighter and brighter side of life!
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Really appreciate that Marcie–Thanks!
Definitely Asimov for me! For the umpteenth time I’m half way through “Prelude to Foundation” as a prelude to the whole series. It’s a fascinating read – and life…
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Couldn’t agree more; I’ve got to go back and read all my old Asimov. Thanks George!
Another great post Christopher and a clever connection between the image and your wonderful musings.
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I really appreciate the words of encouragement Mike–thank you!
lovely!
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Thanks Andrea! I really appreciate the visit!
Technical future brights indeed. But what about men? I’m afraid they won’t improve…
Thank you! Much appreciated.
Fine post-processing of this shot of sunglasses stucked on a grid!
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Yes, PixeLuz you’re right; people always seem to disappoint but maybe there are enough decent people around to make things better. I’m hoping!
nice blog and a great photo!
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Thank you very much Ian–I really appreciate the comment and that you popped by my site!
Gotta love the 80s! Great artistic shot!
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Neon glory–thanks D.K.!
cool composition.
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Thanks a lot Rookie–I really appreciate the comment and your visit to my site!