Annotated Links #14: Science and Human Acheivement

1. Tucker, Phil. "Web designer building nuclear fusion reactor with parts from eBay." Sync.ca 2 August 2012. Web. 7 August 2012.

Brooklyn-based web designer Mark Suppes has been building a small-scale fusion reactor out of parts bought on Ebay over the past four years. Suppes has no nuclear physics background, but after a video made by Dr Robert Bussard inspired him to take up the challenge of building a working fusion reactor he has remained unfazed. The article is written in straightforward style that ultimately leans more towards reportage than possible human interest aspects of the story.

This article is included here because its subject is a testament to the innovative spirit of individuals and to the power that inspiration has to help people trailblaze.

2. Brandrick, Chris. "Want to live on Mars? Here's your chance." MSN Tech & Gadgets 31 July 2012. Web. 7 August 2012.

Mars One, a Dutch company founded by Bas Lansdrop, is looking to send a team of 10 civilians on a one-way settlement mission to Mars. The company will take on 40 volunteers through an international lottery in 2013 and, after specialized training, 10 of these 40 will be sent on the mission.
Mars One plans to send a communications satellite to Mars in 2016, to follow up with "settlement units" in 2020, and to send the crew itself in December of 2022, arriving on the red planet in April of 2023. The article is written with a slightly incredulous tone, while delivering bare facts. It also includes a link back to the original story as it appeared on Y!Tech.

This article is included because it showcases the audacity that humanity possesses when faced with the chance to delve into totally new territory. If you had no strong connections to Earth, wouldn't you enter the lottery and hope to be picked?

3. Gonzalez, Robert T. "Carl Sagan’s message to future explorers of Mars will cold-cock you right in the touchy feelies." io9 7 August 2012. Web. 7 August 2012.

Gonzalez features the full Carl Sagan quote from which a shorter excerpt has been bandied about the internet of late. The article also includes a brief introduction to the full quote, and mentions the reciprocal relationship between science and science fiction.

This article is included in this edition of Annotated Links because the Carl Sagan quote beautifully expresses why people have sought to climb high mountains, to write long works of fiction or philosophy, and to explore other worlds.

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Closing

Don't miss tomorrow's editorial, where I offer my thoughts on book covers and ebooks, or Thursday's Annotated Links.

Plus, be sure to be around on Friday for Part Two of All-Request August: A search for the good (aside from the laughs) in the Bruce Campbell-starring, terrible-effects-having, quality-filming-using Alien Apocalypse.

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