This is too good not to share:
I was a big fan of 2001: A Space Odyssey when it came out in 1968 (I was in high school at the time). I was already a science fiction fan by then, so it was a dream movie for a guy like me. Later, in college, I majored in film and television, so came to appreciate the artistry of the film on a whole new level: as a visual tone poem by Stanley Kubrick.
It remains one of my favorite films, perhaps more for the memories and early exposure than for it being a great film that stands the test of time (although I rather think it is and does). I still see it as a very beautiful film; the visual poetry remains. The soundtrack also is quite extraordinary, I think.
But I’m still waiting for those commercial TWA flights to the moonbase!
Anyway, enjoy the video. It’s a trailer for 2001 as if it were cut today (making the film a Thriller … in space).
Funniest thing I’ve seen all week, and I’m indebted to the Bad Astronomer, Phil Plait, for posting it! If you like space or astronomy (or science or cool things), this is a blog site you want to visit daily. One of the best out there, as far as I’m concerned.
Logos con carne 
January 16th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
Wow, because of your mentioning Bad Astronomer on this post I took a look and was treated to quite a picture! Today’s. I don’t know much of what I see in the sky by name but recently I identified Cassiopeia (saw the constellation for years but didn’t know its name) and on December 14, I was treated to the Geminids. Saw a major one, really far, huge fire ball at the tip, falling at a very wide angle from the horizon (they have a special name, I think?). It was 9 pm, very cold, and my dog and two cats stood in the field next to me. What a moment. So much to learn… but it’s happening.
I’d visited Bad Astronomy before because it’s one of your Science Smythies, but nothing beats the power of repetition, ‘ey? Thanks.
January 16th, 2013 at 4:45 pm
That sounds lovely! I used to be able to do some star gazing during my evening walks with Sam (in the winter, anyway, when it gets dark early). Cass is an old friend, and so is my winter “buddy” Orion (he’s in the south sky). He has a dog, too (Canis Major)! His dog’s shoulder, the star Sirius, is the brightest stars in the sky (and fairly close to us, too).
Did you go to Phil’s old site on Discover or his new site on Slate? (I need to update the blog roll plus add that Lunar Pic of the Day site you sent me!)
Power of repetition, indeed. I keep coming back to the subjects that are tough (like Immanuel Kant) and nibbling at them some more. Over time some of it is beginning to stick and make sense!
January 16th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
I’ve been wishing for a friend for yonks to show me the ropes in the sky, and look here now… Orion I’d also seen part of but didn’t know its name until a little while ago, and I see Jupiter and the Pleiades all the time. Sometimes I watch them with the binos. So cool. I’ve seen Sirius many times in France when it was low over the horizon but now I’m not sure where he is. I’ll look out for Canis Major! I checked out Phil’s new site.
It’s always because of Pantouf that I go outside and watch the nightsky. She made me see a snowy owl and a painted turtle in Canada and just the other day four roes that crossed the snowy forest path right behind us (P suddenly looked around which is why I saw them). P is my tracker. 🙂
What makes you interested in Kant?
January 17th, 2013 at 8:22 am
If you follow the three stars of Orion-buddy’s belt (follow them down to the left), they point almost straight at Sirius.
That’s the thing about dogs, that great hearing! Wonderful for keeping aware of what’s going on around you!
Kant is one of the corner stones of later-era philosophy. It appears his philosophy is not deemed complete or 100% successful (but then I’m not sure any philosopher is considered 100% successful). He was one of the first to attempt to derive a moral philosophy from first (logical) principles. That’s an area he is considered less than successful in, but he made more progress than most, so that’s noteworthy. Many have built on what he did, either in trying to extend his views or refute them. And I find as I explore him that I share many of this views, and that makes me curious to explore more.