Thursday, November 13, 2008

The Magic Story

I once happened to stumble upon a website on self–development and kind of stuff, with a lot of books listed for that purpose. They all appeared too very elaborate for a person like me to go and take a look at. But then, I was specifically attracted by a book called 'The Magic Story', that I settled down to read it at once. It seemed to me to be a bit of what I call ‘different’ from the usual self–improvement books claim themselves to be. It is a book for the desperate person who struggles to face the realities of life – in short for everyone. The message has been put forth strikingly for the common man. More should be attributed to the way in which the message has been put forth – frankly, naïve. The content is nothing more than fifteen pages and is split in two, with a part about how the book changed a man’s life overnight. All that is known of its origin is that it was written in the seventeenth century. And the author is of course, unknown.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Space Elevator!


A space elevator, which can be used to transport materials from earth to the space, is being planned to be built by the Japan Space Elevator Association. The project is estimated to cost around $9 billion and is seen as a good alternative to space launch used nowadays. It will save cost and energy significantly.

The elevator will work based on the technology used in Bullet trains. Strong nanotubes made of carbon, tethered to the Earth’s surface will reach a satellite docking station that will be in orbit above the Earth. The centrifugal forces of the Earth’s spin will keep the cables taut. This space elevator, doubtlessly, will be a world wonder which will take the place of the tallest structure ever built. It is expected to be 180,720 times taller than the CN Tower in Canada, which is 533 meters tall. It will stand one fourth the distance to the moon, in height.