(NSFW)

Time-lapse photography of the preparation process for the Space Shuttle. Pretty amazing little video.

“Anyone who sits on top of the largest hydrogen-oxygen fueled system in the world; knowing theyre going to light the bottom–and doesnt get a little worried–does not fully understand the situation.”

–John Young, after being asked if he was worried about making the first Space Shuttle flight STS-1.

(via Starts With A Bang.)

The Yanks’ top four starting pitchers — Burnett, Sabathia, Andy Pettitte and Javier Vazquez — are earning a combined $63 million this year. That’s nearly twice the Pittsburgh Pirates’ entire payroll

via The 50 highest-earning American athletes

Facebook’s popularity is based on the reality that human beings are social creatures. Staying connected with people we know is innate to us. But maintaining separate social groups that we don’t want to clash is also innate.

via The Five Stages of Facebook Grief

In some ways, it’s a good thing. Maybe we’d all be a little better off if we could provide a more unified persona to the world. It would be bad if we simply became more private and less authentic, but what if we all just relaxed a little bit about the social norms that cause us to shield big and real parts of ourselves.

It’s interesting to note which groups we want to self-censor for. Our parents’ generation, our workplaces, religious groups. Maybe it’s good for everybody if those groups are forced to confront a more accurate picture of our lives.

via callmejay on MeFi

Obviously I agree with the latter idea, since my entire online persona is tied back to my real name. My website links to my CV right next to my twitter feed filled with snark. In short, I’ve decided that I won’t apologize for who I am.

As a final thought: the world is headed towards a point where everyone has embarrassing pictures online. This is, for all intents and purposes, the same as a world where no one does.

Chocolate Bunny from Lernert & Sander on Vimeo.

Yep, I was at work today and had that exact thought.