4 ms·

For me, the best thing about today (among so many wonderful things) is the pure and utter inspirational value of every moment. I remember being glued to my tv

For me, the best thing about today (among so many wonderful things) is the pure and utter inspirational value of every moment. I remember being glued to my tv when I watched the first shuttle launch in 81. For me, that inspired a lifelong passion for astronomy, which led to a PhD, and eventually a successful tech career. Today, I sat with my daughters and watched the launch live and then went outside an hour or so later to watch the dragon (just visible) chase the ISS along the horizon in the twilight. (Needed starwalk and some binoculars to find it). My 11 year old, was literally jumping up and down with excitement and was still telling me about her plans for Mars when I kissed her goodnight. My 13 year old straight out said, “I want to go to university in the states so I stand a chance of getting a job in that control room.” This is exactly the sort of think I want my children to witness - what humanity can accomplish when we work together.

mncharity 6y ago
I thought this[1] was nicely done, and potentially inspiring for students. [1] Planet Hunter https://vimeo.com/419873718 https://vimeo.com/419873718
- mncharity 6y ago
  Though what I'd really like to see... Different subcultures have very different norms for thesis defenses. Some, molecular bio around MIT for instance, have atypically extensive "thank you" postludes. Extensive as in say quarter-hour slide shows. The defense audience is mostly the lab community, friends, family. Slides of parents and siblings and family, BFFs, sometimes undergrad friends, sometimes inspiring HS or college teachers, professors and mentors, SO's and pets, grad friends and lab mates, trips and parties and pranks. Stories and tears. Some of them are retrospectives on a life. Sometimes the struggle of it is apparent. Often that it was a great deal of fun. I speculate that it might be nifty for inspiring kids. "I can seem myself there". Defendees, and their families, are diverse. The defenses are public, and do get taped. But I've never seen an accessible video of one. Perhaps with covid come fall. Anyway, I thought I'd mention it, in case it nudges someone. Hmm... Kunle Demuren has a thesis defense Monday Jun 1 at 10 on zoom...

mncharity 6y ago

I thought this[1] was nicely done, and potentially inspiring for students. [1] Planet Hunter https://vimeo.com/419873718 https://vimeo.com/419873718

mncharity 6y ago
Though what I'd really like to see... Different subcultures have very different norms for thesis defenses. Some, molecular bio around MIT for instance, have atypically extensive "thank you" postludes. Extensive as in say quarter-hour slide shows. The defense audience is mostly the lab community, friends, family. Slides of parents and siblings and family, BFFs, sometimes undergrad friends, sometimes inspiring HS or college teachers, professors and mentors, SO's and pets, grad friends and lab mates, trips and parties and pranks. Stories and tears. Some of them are retrospectives on a life. Sometimes the struggle of it is apparent. Often that it was a great deal of fun. I speculate that it might be nifty for inspiring kids. "I can seem myself there". Defendees, and their families, are diverse. The defenses are public, and do get taped. But I've never seen an accessible video of one. Perhaps with covid come fall. Anyway, I thought I'd mention it, in case it nudges someone. Hmm... Kunle Demuren has a thesis defense Monday Jun 1 at 10 on zoom...