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Loading ...Space Burke
eschatonic
Is it me or what?
Here we are firing up another bunch of astronauts on their way to THE International Space Station which is then going to be replenished by a space truck carrying 5 tons of stuff and it’s not even on the telly. (Not in NZ anyway).
Now, which part of that paragraph isn’t actually stupendously exciting, filled with human achievement and hope for the future?
Back in the early 1970’s there was a history of technology focussed TV series called ‘Connections’ which was written and presented by a dude called James Burke who later became a science historian and the leading figure of the Knowledge Web Project.
He once postulated the wacky notion that a forthcoming revolution in communication and computer technology would allow people all over the world to exchange ideas and opinions instantaneously. Since this was back in the days when a 2400 BIT per second modem came in an 19 inch rack case and way before any permanent computer to computer connection was established between say London and New York you have to admit the guy had insight.
The BBC TV series was, however, a thinly disguised excuse for Jimmy to clock-up a bizillion air miles visiting every nice location on planet earth. Nice work if you can get it. He was 20 years ahead of his time in lots of ways. For example he appeared dressed in all black and had the proto-geek look all fixed out, this was something really daring for the BBC. Burke was at the top of his TV game riding the wave of his Apollo coverage as the BBC’s man in Cape Kennedy (now Canaveral again). The dude in black was on first name terms with astronauts and the British public held their collective breath while Jimmy digested and interpreted NASA speak on our behalf. Each episode of ‘Connections’ would start along these lines, “What connects this ordinary household lightbulb with the fabled Library at Alexandria via this topless beach bar in Acapulco”. He wasn’t afraid to stretch the absolute truth either if it started getting in the way of a spot of apres ski in Val d’Isere pausing briefly for a glimpse of the Grand Prix at Monaco of course. Man - that guy was my hero.
If you haven’t already done so please take the time to have a butcher’s at Jimmy’s site. It’s seriously cool.
Back in ’69 we bought newspapers to see pictures of humans standing on another planet (ish) but now it’s to see Patsy Celeb getting out of a limo with no knickers on. Anyone feel a bit sad?
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