Mind-blowing stuff

 1. Mind-blowing toughness in an animal: Water Bear

Yes, this is the water bear. Thanks to mudfooted.com 

Water Bears, known formally as Tardigrades, are microscopic creatures that are tough as nails. They are able to survive in extreme environments that would kill almost any other animal. Some can survive temperatures of −273 °C (−459.400 °F), close to absolute zero, temperatures as high as 151 °C (304 °F), 1,000 times more radiation than other animals, and almost a decade without water. In September 2007, tardigrades were taken into low Earth orbit on the FOTON-M3 mission and for 10 days were exposed to the vacuum of space. After they were returned to Earth, it was discovered that many of them survived and laid eggs that hatched normally. (Wikipedia)

2. Mind-blowing idea espoused in a mathematical theorem: Banach Tarski paradox

The Banach Tarski paradox is a mathematical theorem that states that a solid sphere can be divided into pieces such that the pieces can be reassembled into two spheres, with each sphere the same size as the original sphere. Colloquially, it is also termed as a pea can be broken into pieces and reassembled to form the sun. It is mind-blowing because it just doesn't make sense! The key things to realize is that the sphere mentioned here is a mathematical sphere not a physical sphere, and the cardinality of infinite numbers.

3. Mind-blowing awesomeness in a human: Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris destroyed the periodic table because he only recognizes the element of surprise. Chuck Norris counted to infinity twice. Chuck Norris's computer doesn't have the CTRL button because he's always in control. Kids wear Superman pajamas, Superman wears Chuck Norris pajamas.
For more proof, please refer to the true to life accounts below.


4. Mind-blowing hotness in twins: The Davalos Twins

I don't know all the twins on earth, but I am pretty sure we have the hottest set of twins ever right here in the persons of Camila and Mariana Davalos.(pics thanks to egotastic.com)

5. Mind-blowing violence in a book: 120 days of Sodom
120 Days of Sodom tells the story of four wealthy male libertines who resolve to experience the ultimate sexual gratification in orgies, while locked away in a castle. As the days pass by, their activities become more and more violent and gross. Let's just say the novel involves a lot of s**t. I don't want to publish violence in this blog, so let me just refer you to this Wikipedia article.

6. Mind-blowing awesomeness in music: Soothsayer by Buckethead
A youtube comment said it best: "The True Story of the Origin of the Un­iverse: there were two all powerful gods of awesome who fought before the universe was created. Their names were Buckethead and Chuck Norris. They fought for eternity until Chuck Norris kicked his most powerful round house kick at Buckethead while Buckethead shredded the most epic solo ever and their two titanic attacks collided and ripped a hole in the fabric of time and then the most massive explosion ever recorded occurred. This event is known today as the Big Bang."

If you like the song, you might like the entire album.

7. Mind-blowing horror due to a disease: Fatal insomnia
Just imagine what it would be like one day to wake up and never fall asleep again, to be tortured in a twilight world of perpetual insomnia, lying in bed, exhausted but with eyes wide open, listening to the groans and whispers of the night -- sleepless, until death mercifully claims you. That is fatal insomnia. (MSNBC)

8. Mind-blowing sniper: Simo Hayha

Finnish sniper Simo Hayha killed 705 Russians in the Winter War of 1939. Consider these:

• He accomplished this feat in 100 days
• He did it in six feet of snow 
• The temperature was 20-40 below zero
• A task force, a team of counter snipers, and artillery strikes tried to take him (just him) out. But they all failed. Instead, the task force and counter snipers were all taken out.
• He didn't use a scoped rifle.

Foolishness is part of human nature...

Tim Jackson mentioned the following in a TEDTalk, and I paraphrase: We're using money we don't have (credit cards etc) to buy stuff we don't need, that don't make a lasting impact ("flavor of the month"), to impress people who don't really matter to us.

I believe this applies to life in general. People like to spend their energy doing things that don't make a lasting impact.

Happy New Year song!

Happy new year everyone!

Let me share with you a song I discovered recently by a great band called Thanatopsis. The song is aptly entitled "New Year."



If you like their songs, you can buy them here.