Introduce yourselves

[Chook]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

[DippyHippy]

Okay, enough's enough... Kashi's right, let's just keep this for new people to introduce themselves please...

[LambdaWoman]

Ummm, hello there! I am an undergraduate astrophysics major at UC Santa Cruz. I've been using this site for news but just recently I discovered these message boards! Cool! So, umm, hi

[Chook]

Hi LambdaWoman!

Do you know anything about the "Electric Universe"? Yes? Join in ... you'll get lots of comments.

PS - Do YOU know where your towel is?

[LambdaWoman]

Hello Chook, yes, I do in fact know where my towel is. I have several. Many are in the linen closet and a couple are hanging in the bathroom. :-D

I don't really know much about the "electric universe" and as soon as I'm done studying for my Thermal Physics midterm I'll go check it out.

[Fraser]

Welcome LambdaWoman! Glad you found your way to the message boards.

[Tiny]

Do you know anything about the "Electric Universe"?

Space is filled with plasma, the fourth state of matter.

[Algenon the mouse]

Hello! I came here looking for a forum about one of my favorite topics with a lot of intelligent people and found this one!

I am a 6th grade science teacher in seattle with four children. The eldest is currently in Iraq. I am 38 years old, which is young if you are a star.

[DippyHippy]

Hi Algenon!

Welcome to UT! I'm glad you think us intelligent

My future brother-in-law's out in Iraq too... I'd like to wish your son a speedy and safe return, as for all the allied troops abroad.

Dips

[damienpaul]

Welcome fellow teacher Algenon!

Welcome to the forum, I am absolutely flattered that you see us as intelligent, well we are in our own unique ways.

I would like to hear of the school you teach at, perhaps by email...

[galaxygirl]

Hey Everyone!
My name is Rachel and I'm from Massachusetts. I am 14 and when I get older I want to be an astronaut (and hopefully the first one to step on Mars)! I hust wanted to say that I love this forum and the people in it. You all are so cool!

[Chook]

Hi Algenon the mouse,
Welcome!
God bless your son in Iraq - we all wish him a safe and speedy return.
(Our lad's been to both Afgh. & Iraq and returned safely - so we know your anxiety. Just trust... ).

Yeah - you'll find a bunch of GREAT guys and gals here - contribute and enjoy!

[damienpaul]

Wow! 3 complements in just a few postings!!! Intelligent, cool and great - mind you I agree wholeheartedly.

[DippyHippy]

Hi galaxygirl - welcome to the forums!

I'm sure you'll have fun here - I can see you've already jumped right in and posted so that's all good

Good luck in your career - if you have any questions about anything, don't be afraid to ask!

Have fun!

[galaxygirl]

Thanks for the welecome DippyHippy! Like I said, everyone here is so nice and the forum is so much fun! About being an astronaut... what do you think is the best way to pursue a career like this?

[DippyHippy]

Ummmmmmm... :unsure: Dunno *shrug* LOL Study hard! Seriously, start a new topic about it in the Questions & Answers section and I'm sure someone will know or will be able to help you

[Weaselbunny]

Hi, from one Rachael to another B)

[damienpaul]

Hello to both Rachaels, and yes, as ateacher, i can concur with Dips advice - and to always ask questions.

[devilmech]

Hey guys, sorry I didn't introduce myself sooner, I just found this thread B)

I'm Keith, 20, currently in Florida serving year 4 of an enlistment with the US Air Force. I work with military avionics for a living.

I suppose I'll give a bit of background information about myself. I've always had a fascination with space, ever since I was quite young. I was never able to invest myself in it at the time, as my father was a preacher, and I wasn't allowed to read or view anything that wasn't "god oriented". For good reason too, because when I did, the whole religious thing kinda lost the appeal in the cold, hard light of science.

My goals in life are simple really. I want to obtain a degree in astrophysics and to work to help myself, the world, and future generations understand more about our universe and how and why it works. I want to someday be able to start a foundation to bring astronomy and space-related science to schoolchildren in schools where there isn't enough funding to have such a program. Overall, I want to leave the world a more understood place than when I was thrown into it.

From what I've seen, you guys have been an amicable and helpful lot, and I hope I can contribute something, even if it's just asking the right questions to get you thinking.

[galaxygirl]

Welecome to the UT forums devilmech!

[DippyHippy]

Hi Keith... welcome to UT!!! Don't worry, I won't be singing any Dusty Springfield songs while you're around

[devilmech]

No clue bout Dusty Springfield, but it sounds ghastly enough :P

[DippyHippy]

LOL Okay, maybe it was just a hit in the UK, but she did a song in the 60's called "Son Of A Preacher Man" - I think it was in Pulp Fiction or Jackie Brown actually LOL

Oh dear, jokes aren't funny when you have to explain them LOL

Alright, back to the topic...

[devilmech]

lol, all you had to do was mention 'Son of a Preacher Man'. Sorry, my lightbulb doesn't click for pop culture much, seeing as how I wasn't exposed to any of it till I ran away at 16

[Faulkner]

I want to someday be able to start a foundation to bring astronomy and space-related science to schoolchildren in schools where there isn't enough funding to have such a program.

Excellent, Devilmech! Image a worldwide education system where kids are brainwashed with the "Cosmos" from Day One!! It would be sure to grab their attention...and then all the other disciplines could be introduced in a way that connects them all up...not separated like they are in schools & universities today. Kids perhaps wouldn't get so bored with such dry "useless" topics as maths & physics & chemistry. But connect them all up under the umbrella of SPACE and you might capture a young interested audience!?

[Chook]

Hi devilmech,
On a more sober note I hope that, one day, you return to what your parents taught you. You'll find that they aren't that far off-track.

On a lighter note - give us your best joke on "For the Clowns of the forum" topic.

Welcome again!

[Faulkner]

On a more sober note I hope that, one day, you return to what your parents taught you. You'll find that they aren't that far off-track.

Sounds like you know something I don't, Chook? Enlighten us, please!

[devilmech]

Originally posted by Faulkner@Feb 20 2004, 08:52 AM
Excellent, Devilmech! Image a worldwide education system where kids are brainwashed with the "Cosmos" from Day One!! It would be sure to grab their attention...and then all the other disciplines could be introduced in a way that connects them all up...not separated like they are in schools & universities today. Kids perhaps wouldn't get so bored with such dry "useless" topics as maths & physics & chemistry. But connect them all up under the umbrella of SPACE and you might capture a young interested audience!?

Why would they be brainwashed? I don't see where teaching astronomy in schools could lead to brainwashing. What would they be brainwashed for? I'm not following you :blink:

[devilmech]

Originally posted by Chook@Feb 20 2004, 09:18 AM
Hi devilmech,
On a more sober note I hope that, one day, you return to what your parents taught you. You'll find that they aren't that far off-track.

On a lighter note - give us your best joke on "For the Clowns of the forum" topic.

Welcome again!

Will do so with the joke thingy, assuming I can think of one that's not lame.

As for returning to my religious roots, I sincerely doubt that I would ever choose to willingly subjugate myself to the cult of fear and misunderstanding of science that is Christianity.

It is not my wish to offend you, nor to be preached to, so in the interests of good will, I hope we can avoid further discussion of the matter.

[Faulkner]

...maybe "brainwash" was too strong a term... I meant it in a good way!? :blink: I meant, if you're gonna brainwash ANYTHING into your kids, brainwash ASTRONOMY into 'em!!! At least they'll enjoy it, and they won't have evil side-effects like all the other silly brainwashing that goes on in those cruel factory-fodder schools we so vehemently insist in incarcerating our "beloved" children in!!! :P

I think it's healthy for a kid to grow up with his/her head, not in clouds, but in PLANETS & STARS & GALAXIES!

That's still brainwashing, but its benevolent...and it's tied to reality, not artificiality.

What we got now is teaching kids how to be schizophrenics: separate all the subjects into distinct, unconnected disciplines...teach them illogical "obedience to the law" (as if it's some natural god-given thing, not something that (in reality) changes year by year, even day by day)...use either your right hand or left hand (NOT BOTH&#33 - (what DAMAGE this must do to our brains!!&#33...etc etc...stupid stuff we've all grown up with...(and is never fully explained/rationalized/justified)...

Ermmm... OK, you asked! heh :P