[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Hawkes Presentation.
Hi Jon/Alec.
yes, its a bit of a bummer with work, the global economic crisis reaches even my little island. But at least i have plenty of time to sort out a new job and it may give me some spare time to work on my sub!
Interesting Roger Payne story! Its dissapointing when something you admire turns out to be not what you expected. But thats life i suppose.
Anyway, i perhaps shouldn't have sent the Hawkes link as thinking about it, i dont like to criticise people i havent met and know little about.
Best go, got a ballast tank to weld together.
Regards
James
----- Original Message -----
From: jonw@psubs.org [mailto:jonw@psubs.org]
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Sent: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 11:11:56 -0500
Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Hawkes Presentation.
Sorry to hear about your work situation, James. I've had experience with
the same and so have lots of others. You'll come through ok.
I had a somewhat similar reaction but it surrounded the footage of the Manta
Ray when he was calling it a "lady". Obviously he was deeply moved by the
experience (which I can understand), but I lose interest when experts start
moving out of the realm of scientific realism and relate things from a
romantical perspective. He did sort of put himself above everyone else in
the audience, but I think alot of that is due to his passion for what he
does. When he was describing the encounter with the manta-ray, I found
myself saying, "It's an animal you idiot, not a lady". It doesn't feel
emotions like you do. It doesn't "think" like you do. It's not aware of
what it looks like. It's not aware of any world other than the 50 feet it
can see in front of it. It's only purpose is to eat and procreate.
Years ago I went to see Roger Payne, the biologist big into whale "songs",
who was giving a presentation on his work at a nearby college. Prior to
attending, I was an admirer of his and extremely interested in his work.
During his speech however, I felt he went way beyond science and began
describing his work in romantical terms like "exuberant, uninterrupted
rivers of sound" with "themes" and intelligent meaning behind them. The
evidence he provided in recordings however, hardly met the standard that he
was expousing in his romantical terms. I left the presentation convinced he
was an environmental whacko and never looked back. Whales communicating
somehow? Sure, I can go for that. Whales singing to each other soothing
songs to make them all feel warm and comfy in the ocean? Come on, don't
waste my time with such nonsense.
Getting back to Hawkes, I had a similar feeling to yours with the "rockets"
statement. From a romantic view the statement makes a lot of sense. But
from a practical view, it's absolute rubbish. More than one "expert" has
become so enamoured with their own work that they lose sight of science and
practicality. I think they just look foolish doing it.
Jon
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
[mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org]On Behalf Of James
Frankland
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 9:44 AM
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Hawkes Presentation.
Hi Jon
Only that he seemed very critical of "traditional" subs and people in
general.
I know he's an engineering genius and has spent a lifetime producing
fantastic machines, but i was a little offended by his attitude.
Particually at the "your rockets are pointing in the wrong direction"
comment.
Like i said, it just depends on your opinion and i realise someone with his
experience is in a position to voice his.
I've just been told we are to be made redundant from work, so im probably
just in a bad mood!
Regards
James
----- Original Message -----
From: jonw@psubs.org [mailto:jonw@psubs.org]
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Sent: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:12:05 -0500
Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Hawkes Presentation.
Interesting, I was searching for something unrelated on the internet
yesterday and that video popped up as a link so I followed it and viewed it
a couple of times. I don't think I had a rise in blood pressure though, so
I'm curious if I missed something. Can you expand on your comment a bit?
Jon
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
[mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org]On Behalf Of James
Frankland
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 9:01 AM
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Hawkes Presentation.
this could raise your blood pressure, depending on your point of view....
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/graham_hawkes_flies_through_the_ocean.htm
l
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
The personal submersibles mailing list complies with the US Federal
CAN-SPAM Act of 2003. Your email address appears in our database
because either you, or someone you know, requested you receive messages
from our organization.
If you want to be removed from this mailing list simply click on the
link below or send a blank email message to:
removeme-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Removal of your email address from this mailing list occurs by an
automated process and should be complete within five minutes of
our server receiving your request.
PSUBS.ORG
PO Box 53
Weare, NH 03281
603-529-1100
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
The personal submersibles mailing list complies with the US Federal
CAN-SPAM Act of 2003. Your email address appears in our database
because either you, or someone you know, requested you receive messages
from our organization.
If you want to be removed from this mailing list simply click on the
link below or send a blank email message to:
removeme-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Removal of your email address from this mailing list occurs by an
automated process and should be complete within five minutes of
our server receiving your request.
PSUBS.ORG
PO Box 53
Weare, NH 03281
603-529-1100
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************