Some of my most formative years were spent growing up in Washington, D.C., where we had the benefit of being able to take frequent trips to the Smithsonian Institution.  I loved these trips, taking an interest in each of the buildings and exhibits, but I had a particular affinity, as perhaps boys will, to the Air and Space museum.

I saw a fun video earlier which reminded of a film I almost always watched when we would visit the Air & Space Museum, called “Powers of Ten.”  It was a fascinating watch, and I was always hit by the similarity of form that the film explores between the micro and macro levels of existence.

The film was written and directed by noted American designers Ray Eames and her husband Charles, and was produced in 1977.  It has a dedicated website, and there is an interesting Wikipedia page for the film.

Here is the film, a short documentary, in its entirety.  Have a peek!

powers of ten :: charles and ray eames from bacteriasleep on Vimeo.

A very moving video.

On Twitter this morning, I asked “Imagine how you’d feel if you saw that Twitter trending topic was #compassion.”

Of course, even today, with the unveiling of the Charter for Compassion, which grew out of Karen Armstrong’s TED Prize wish, the trending topics on Twitter have not been #compassion, but rather the usual meaningless drivel:

Wow.