Tethers in space

First, let me say that I'm very happy to see NASA taking the route of a prize, much like the X prize, to promote a speculative new technology. For a relatively small sum (at least by U.S. government agency standards!), they will either harness the competitive energies of the civilian sector, or they will get (for free) the collective judgment that the objective is impossible. Good move, and very un-government-like. I applaud it.

In the specific case of tethers, they've set a very tough objective — especially because the primary objective of the prize is a space elevator (a tether from the Earth's surface to a satellite in geosynchronous orbit). If all of this is just blarney and blather to you, take a gander at this short Wikipedia article on the subject.

Personally, my main concern with a space elevator tether system is their vulnerability to micro-meteorite and "space junk". Lives and an investment of billions of dollars could be taken out by an empty Coke can (figuratively speaking) whizzing around in orbit. Not a pretty picture...

A role for Iraq

Tigerhawk found some interesting facts about Arab book production and consumption, and speculates on the reasons why and how Iraq could change things. Basically his idea is that Iraq could turn into an engine for the translation and production of information in Arabic languages. This engine would be enabled by a free and open press, and an Arabic population that also happens to know English. Interesting stuff...

Sweet irony

Osama bin Laden can't be a stupid man. Therefore he must realize that the train of events that his infamous attacks of 9/11/2001 set in motion are taking the world down the exactly opposite course than the one he intended. What sweet irony!

Imagine this... Sometime in the past few months, perhaps shortly after the Iraqi elections. Osama is crouched in some rude hut in the wilds of Afghanistan, or perhaps northeastern Iran. Up until this moment, he's been thinking that despite a few tactical reverses, his war on America is enjoying some strategic success. Then there is "the moment" — one I'd give anything to personally witness — when it dawns on him that the world's reaction to the 9/11 attacks is going to defeat his movement.

Perhaps I exult prematurely. But I think not.

Quote for the day

Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.

   Charles de Gaulle