Perserverance - Blog Posts
a random edit I decided to make with me and my friends undertale souls! (song is called:
One More Soul To The Call, from Silent Hill)
it's not my best work but I'm pretty proud of it :]
say it again for the people in the back. women don't have to be rich to accomplish anything. women can and will work just as hard as everyone else for the same opportunities. we do not need the cheat code of being rich!
btw the katy perry/bezos' girlfriend/other four irrelevant billionaires 10 minute space stunt was not the first all female expedition no matter how much they try to market it as such. the first all female mission was in 1963 with soviet cosmonauts Valentina Tereshkova, Irina Solovyova and Valentina Ponomaryova - all three of which were working class and had to pass incredibly hard exams to be chosen from 400 potential candidates. just in case we started falling for the propaganda machine again
SWIPE FOR MORE ➡️ NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover lifted off successfully today, July 30, at 7:50 a.m. EDT (1150 GMT) aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. follow us to explore more at @the_astrophysics_forum . The rover will take about seven months to travel to the Red Planet and, on Feb. 18, 2021, will land in Mars' Jezero Crater to search for signs of life, explore the planet's geology and much more. Tighten your seatbelts and get ready to explore endless universe 🚀 Make sure you follow us @the_astrophysics_forum To stay on board 👨🚀 . . . . . . . #perserverance #mars2020 #spacex #elonmusk #space #nasa #isro #universetoday #universe #hubbletelescope #hubble #milkywaychasers #milkyway #spacetime #spaceexploration #spacetravel #deepspace #astronomy #neildegrassetyson #astronomer #blackhole #earthday #earth #mars #galaxy #science #astronaut #planets #astrophysics #cosmology (at Cape Canaveral NASA) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDRKB0ND3R0/?igshid=suds0lgn488y
Combat, Cure & Craft
Some of the most prosperous and advanced countries have the comfort and ability to create and provide access to libraries. But with education and knowledge having the ability to create and improve communities, even in times of despair there are still those who promote the beauty of books
The National Library of South Africa (Cape Town, South Africa)
Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Alexandria, Egypt)
Syria’s Secret Library (Damascus, Syria)
Gutted, Gentrified and Gone
Libraries are great community spaces that should be free so local residents can learn, explore and expand their minds and creativity. But libraries like our schools, are generally paid for by the income of the local residents, therefore, poorer communities get less funding and therefore poorer quality libraries. Similar to the recent “Aunt Becky” college situation, this goes against the ideals behind libraries and in the US, our equality, and how knowledge, perseverance, education and will is supposed to allow us all to flourish.
A prime example of the differences in communities is nestled within San Francisco. Known for massive hills and hipsters, San Francisco’s Pacific Heights Presidio Branch Library is just six miles away from the Bayview Linda Brooks-Burton Branch Library in Bayview-Hunters Point. There is nothing wrong with the Bayview Library; its open frequently, it’s clean and the local neighborhood seems to enjoy it but with comparison you can see a difference to the Presidio Branch Library. First, the Bayview Library is in an semi-industrial area and has classes geared to computer classes for Adults & Seniors including sales meetings and tax classes. The Presidio library is surrounded by open grass where you can comfortably read outside, has information available about it’s environmental LEED Green Report Card, highlights inter-library loan, foreign language staff and diverse classes of baby and toddler interaction, writing classes and Tai Chi. The Presidio Branch Library has the resources and access residents need to want to visit the library and develop new interests. This is not surprising as Pacific Heights is noted as a rich and thriving community (1) and Bayview has been graded one of the worst based on income and education opportunities (2) and has a history of gentrification and marginalization (3). Libraries don’t have to be pretty and I can understand how they’re not always the most updated but we cannot forget that “a rising tide lifts all boats” and that we are all equal.
(1) https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-pacific-heights-san-francisco-billionaires-row-2014-3
(2) https://www.roadsnacks.net/worst-neighborhoods-in-san-francisco-ca/
(3) https://www.mccalman.co/portfolio/i-am-bayview/
Argo, Catch me if you can, Milk?
All stories, even documentaries, are subjected to interpretation and a point of view. We choose to dig deeper into a character, see past some flaws or ignore particular qualities because we all come from different perspectives that have been building over our entire lives. The ‘world of Hollywood’ is about dramatization, intrigue and even stories that are unbelievable all on their own get tweaked to be shown on the big screen not only because of time constraints or believability but because otherwise they’d be too hard to follow in the short run.
While these stories based of true events should promote the idea that it is not 100% accurate, that shouldn’t give these film the license to completely discard the truth because for the stories that are based on actual events, their overall strength comes with their ability to inspire either by the actions that occur during the story and to not translate the truth would not only due a deserve to the real events and the viewers and the films potential, but also to the world that comes after this films release that could have been inspired. (shit sentence i know, I’m tired). Overall my point is that these and other stories while being entertaining and mostly meant to be entertaining and may not be accurate or may put a rosier picture on some truly horrible events or circumstances, if you feel inspired whether out of rage over an injustice or happiness by someone’s success--go with it, change the world, fight for a better society, better world, deeper understanding even in a small scope. Just dig deeper
Movies that make you think--if you let them
There are many movies that with a final scene turn the whole show on its head, make you try to figure things out as you go along, or fit so well together –these movies aren’t for the night at the end of the week where you’re tired or trying to relax, these are movies that make you think, keep your heart pounding not with action or violence but just suspense and intrigue (yeah, some of them also have those but that’s not what keeps people talking)
Gone Girl (2014)
Gone Girl was mentioned to me by one of my best friends whose really into movies and is a pretty smart guy all around. Knowing me, he also knew I’d like the question of the relationship between the married couple and the truth. While it was on my list, his recommendation pushed me to get to it sooner.
While the movie is good and has you thinking from the start, along with growing sympathy, the true story shoots up halfway thru with the wife’s reveal—something that could have but should not have been slipped in earlier (obviously). Here we delve further into the gray area, who is right, who is wrong, is there absolution for the husband and how can he get out of all this and how guilty is he really in everything that occurs.
There were many things I didn’t like about the movie, especially the character of the wife, but while it’s a movie I can’t bring myself to see again, I may one day as I still think about it.
Gattaca (1997)
Gattaca was a movie, that due to personal circumstances, I saw many, many time. Focused on how genetics shape our lives, this movie becomes more realistic every day and jumped back into my head late last year with the Chinese scientist who (may) have genetically engineered twins to be HIV resistant. A simple plot, lightly explained how genetics impact everything and how much of our DNA is everywhere—but more so it brought out the core questions related to humanity and the many levels of how our genetics should be used as decisions about our lives. The main character has been able to lead a superior life, regardless of his inferior genetic makeup, but also exceed beyond the identity his has assumed. Forget heart and effort, will and perseverance—he promotes the idea that he the genetics test provides nothing but statistical probabilities, not absolute facts (in how they are used in this film, there obviously very clear cut yes and no things with genetics).
On another level, which you may choose to explore, is the reminder that the law hardly ever is equal with society—it is always behind, and how while genetics may allow for a “higher chance” of success for the human race, it will not rid people of their human qualities. But again, the work is on you
Missing Midnight
Why couldn’t I live any longer in the blue light
Drinking it up like a lycanthrope at midnight
Now an owl among the eagles in the harsh sunlight
Wishing for cover for my burning plight
Half lidded eyes forced to endure the yellow hue
Begging for the return of the midnight blue
To burst into a fleeting flight feeling anew
Akin to a bat chirping happily as they flew
Why couldn’t I live under the shining moon
Dancing in it like a vampire humming a heartless tune
Forever an owl among the eagles in the hot afternoon
Desiring to be a silken moth in a comfy cocoon
I shall endure the seething glare of the sun
Never giving them the joy of becoming undone
For I absolutely refuse to get up and run
Even if the eagles love to make fun
Free of Your Lie
How could you look me in the eye
And mutter such a grand lie
Without any thinking
Your eyes unblinking
Not caring as you walk away
Having undoubtedly nothing to atone or to say
As I bleed out from all the shame
Inflicted from your blasphemous blame game
How could you look me in the eye
And mutter such a grand lie
While giving your once friendly smile
That has now become toxically vile
Seeing your smile at school used to cut me
It left numerous scars on my heavy hearted body
Now it is a worn down blade to me
As I finally roam ever so free