Pale Blue Dot - Carl Sagan

The Pale Blue Dot - The Only Home We Have Ever Known - Carl Sagan video
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The Earth is where we make our stand – The Pale Blue Dot and the Only home we have ever known. This photograph of Earth taken by Voyager 1 was dubbed "Pale Blue Dot."

Video narration by renowned scientist Carl Sagan
“From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of any particular interest. But for us, it's different. Consider again that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam."

"The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that in glory and triumph they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner. How frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity – in all this vastness – there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves."

"The Earth is the only world known, so far, to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment, the Earth is where we make our stand. It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known."


S.D. - Online Publisher - Great Mystery Publishing and Hope and Joy Network
We are not helpless. We, humanity, have created these problems the world now faces. It is up to US to fix them, or let the problems we have generated destroy us and every other living thing. Speak up, act on the principles of compassion, vote for those who have policies of welfare, kindness and ecological responsibility, live a lifestyle that helps not hurts the planet and each other, make a small difference, and together we will make a BIG difference. If we act now, if we act together, we can turn this around. Are you ready to make a positive difference?

More information about this video - The Sagan Series is an educational project working in the hopes of promoting scientific literacy in the general population. Created by @ReidGower http://twitter.com/reidgower - Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All copyrighted materials contained herein belong to their respective copyright holders, I do not claim ownership over any of these materials. GMP realizes no profit, monetary or otherwise, from the exhibition of these videos.

Guy Saves Stray Kitten While Travelling Around the World

Beautiful, heartwarming video of Scottish backpacker rescuing a stray kitten on his travels across the world. Dean Nicholson, 31, began his journey in his hometown Dunbar, Scotland, last September and picked up his four legged friend in Bosnia. Dean, who was tired of his nine-to-five job as a welder, kick started his travels by cycling 200 miles to Newcastle where he got the ferry to Amsterdam. He then cycled through to Belgium, Grance, Switzerland, Italy, got a ferry over to Croatia, then on to Bosnia where he found Nala.

Man Gives Up Everything to Save Stray Dogs Abandoned at Dump

This inspirational man and video gives us all hope that humanity is still humane. These dogs are so beautiful and so deserving of love and protection. Thank you to this amazing animal hero.

One of the reasons people become vegan.

If you care about animal welfare, you may have wondered why people who give up eating meat, often eventually give up dairy as well (i.e. become a vegan)? Well, the reason is that the dairy industry is also a meat industry. Baby cows are taken from their Mothers, sometimes only minutes after they are born, so their Mother's milk can be sold to humans to drink, instead of nourishing her baby calf. Then the tiny baby cow is either killed immediately by the farmer, sent to the slaughterhouse, or kept for four to six weeks in a tiny pen or darkened small cell so the baby can hardly move, in order to keep the baby's flesh tender. Then after approximately six weeks, the terrified baby cow is sent to a slaughterhouse to be killed for the flesh on its small body. Those not "turned into veal" (perhaps deemed too small or sickly) are considered "useless by-products" of the dairy industry and either thrown into a pit and buried alive, shot or have their throat cut.

Mother cows are pregnant for nine months before giving birth. After their baby is born, their baby is taken from her. EVERY baby this Mother cow will ever have, will be taken from her.

With a simple change in lifestyle, you can take a stand against #animalcruelty, help the #environment, and feel the #healthbenefits#tellitlikeitreallyis this #FebruDairy

Video: Animal Recovery Mission pic.twitter.com/KiZjiGjRSQ

— #Herbiⓥore 🌱 (@herbivore_club) February 21, 2018

Cows would naturally suckle their calves for 9-12 months, dairy calves are taken away from their mothers almost immediately. Healthy young calves are very energetic and love to play and socialise with other calves.#tellitlikeitis this #FebruDairy pic.twitter.com/llIQfhHshK

— #Herbiⓥore 🌱 (@herbivore_club) February 19, 2018

#Februdairy fact: once a cow has given birth, she and her calf are immediately separated so we can have all her milk. She reacts as any mother would: trying to get her baby back, grieving, lashing out. Cows and calves have been known to cry for weeks. pic.twitter.com/4HfI497U02

— #Herbiⓥore 🌱 (@herbivore_club) February 18, 2018

Tail docking is a mutilation performed daily at dairy factory farms. Inflicted without anesthesia and under filthy conditions, this cruel act often results in infection. pic.twitter.com/NNyyKVEwMl

— Mercy For Animals (@MercyForAnimals) February 21, 2018

#tellitlikeitis

With a simple change in lifestyle, you can take a stand against the #animalcruelty in this video, together we will end this awful industry.

Go #DairyFree this #FebruDairypic.twitter.com/UGGD49Ovzk

— #Herbiⓥore 🌱 (@herbivore_club) February 22, 2018

On the slaughter line, watching, hearing & smelling what's happening ahead. Dairy kills calves. Reach across the grocery isle & choose delicious #vegan & dairy alternatives instead of putting babies through this. Learn more: https://t.co/SqJrl0TURK #Februdairy #ThursdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/OZ3GArKxMi

— Lisa Marie Ⓥ (@GoVeganTweets) February 22, 2018

The following video reveals that Mother cows want to protect their calves from dairy farmers, because they know what will happen next. The Mother cow knows the farmer will take her baby away (like every previous baby she has had). Cows are not "dumb" animals; they love their babies and are trying to save them.

"Can any dairy farmers explain this video? I thought dairy cows lacked maternal instincts and didn't care about their calves, so what would be the need to warn farmers about the safety risks of interfering with newborns?"- @Jabronisout#Februdairy pic.twitter.com/SsN0COpDPl

— #Herbiⓥore 🌱 (@herbivore_club) February 24, 2018

Cows have to be pregnant to produce #milk. Calves are considered waste products to the #dairy industry. They suckle their tongues or try to suckle the fingers of slaughterhouse workers before being murdered. #ThingsPeopleShouldKnow #DitchDairy #Govegan pic.twitter.com/4qUkyscYNu

— FARM Animal Rights (@FARMUSA) February 26, 2018

Beware very graphic dairy video below.

GRAPHIC: Male calves are the hidden victims of the meat and dairy industry. Taken from their mothers, and slaughtered for veal at just a few months old. 💔 pic.twitter.com/nPKzuEPjfb

— The Humane League (@TheHumaneLeague) February 25, 2018

Day 25: A cow ATTACKS a man as he tries to steal a calf. Another man watches on, laughing.

The dairy industry will say cows & calves are indifferent to each other as their business depends on separating them. It's distressing for both mother & baby.#Februdairy #ShoutAboutDairy pic.twitter.com/ZcvJQLQRjM

— Kate Louise Powell Ⓥ (@KatePow3ll) February 25, 2018

John Webster, Emeritus professor of animal husbandry at Bristol University’s Clinical Veterinary Science Department, considered the world’s leading authority on dairy cows, states that the removal of her calf is the single worst incident in the life of a dairy cow. #Februdairy pic.twitter.com/OlnHry6ljm

— Rebecca Ⓥ🔻 (@Beccaasauruss) February 27, 2018

One #NoBrainerWayToHappinessIs sanctuary, not slaughter!https://t.co/YCcDSlVf1G pic.twitter.com/93aiYHZH3A

— Animal Pen-Pals (@animalpenpals) February 27, 2018

An incredibly heartwarming video - Musician sings to shelter dogs

Such a kind and compassionate act from a true animal hero. A young musician sings and plays his guitar for shelter dogs to make them feel less lonely. Waiting for a forever home for animals in shelters (no kill shelters) can take weeks, months, even years, so this kind act will make an enormous difference in helping to relax and calm these darling dogs.

This guy's singing to shelter dogs to help them feel less lonely 💙 pic.twitter.com/lbru5CSN02

— The Dodo (@dodo) February 20, 2018

A young hero worth remembering and honouring...

This young boy helped save over 3000 others from child slavery. His bravery and live story is one worth remembering, honouring and sharing. A true hero for human rights.

"The Animal Contract" part 1 (duration 15 minutes)

Before the internet, this is how many of us found out what humans were doing to animals.

Fabulous New Wild Animal Sanctuary - Wild Paws Sanctuary Launch Event!

“Cheers to Wild Paws!” A Special Launch Event to Introduce Wild Paws Midwest Animal Sanctuary on October 20th, 2016

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. Wild Paws Midwest Animal Sanctuary (Wild Paws) is excited to announce their launch event on Thursday, October 20, 2016, 6-9 pm, at Insight Brewing Company, one of Minneapolis’ premier craft breweries. Wild Paws’ mission is to rescue and provide a safe habitat for wild animals using sustainable resources; to promote coexistence between humans and wildlife; and to educate the public about the preservation of wild animals and their ecosystems.

To Learn More Click here.

Our team will be at the “Cheers to Wild Paws!” event to meet and greet attendees, as well as share a short presentation about our goals for the future of our organization. We are a collection of animal lovers passionate about protecting our Minnesota resources for today and beyond, and are excited about this opportunity to introduce Wild Paws to the public.

This special event is free and will be hosted at Insight Brewing Company, located in Northeast Minneapolis, 2821 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55413. Children are welcome to join as well, as long as they are being supervised. Limited edition pint glasses will be available for purchase, and Insight Brewing will graciously be donating $2 to Wild Paws for every pint sold. Sasquatch Sandwiches food truck will be on-site selling their Minnesota inspired monster sandwiches and sides!

Wild Paws is 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of wild animals as well as educate the public about the natural history of native species and focus on human-animal relationships and how we can coexist. Wild Paws will not breed, buy or sell animals and believes wild animals should not be kept as pets.

Contact: Julie Lillie
(763) 302-9319
http://www.wildpaws.org/
https://www.facebook.com/WildPawsMN/
Thank you to Julie for this post.

No More Puppy and Kitten Mills! Adopt don't shop...

The Reality of Puppy Mills video - Puppy mills are large breeding facilities where dogs live in deplorable conditions, often without necessary food, water, or veterinary care. This is a look inside. Duration: Two and a Half Minutes


The Hellish Life of a Puppy Mill Dog (video) Duration: four and a half minutes


Did you know that puppy mills were the idea of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the post-Second War Era, encouraging farmers to raise puppies as an alternative “crop.” Treated as livestock, the puppies were mass-produced in cages and barns.
This paved the way for pet stores to open in response to the growing supply of puppies. More about puppy (and kitten) mills here.

Save a life and make a shelter pet adoption, your only option, when you are looking for a pet to add to your family.

A Severely Neglected Dog Gets A Fairytale Rescue (video)

One more good reason to adopt and not shop. So many animals are in need of loving homes, we don't need breeders (either certified or backyard breeders, and certainly NOT puppy mills) contributing to the global pet over-population problem. We need homes for the animals that are already here, rather than adding more and more animals each breeding season. Please desex/neuter your pets, and when you are ready to add a new fur baby to your household, visit your local shelter to rescue an animal, rather than give money to a breeder to keep this terrible cycle of animal abuse and death going.

The Song of the Endangered Species (video duration: two and half minutes)

A song on the plight of so many of our beautiful world's animals (and plants). Thanks to Al Brenner for this great song.

Probably the most important videos you will ever watch!

We only have one small planet to take care of, and we are killing it. We need to change our ways immediately, if all living things that depend on our beautiful world, including humans, are to survive. A must-see!



Another video about mother earth, similar to the first video in this post, but with other important factors and information covered.



A stunning video showing the diversity and wonder of the amazing planet, we call home.

Koko the Gorilla Meets Robin William - Touching and insightful video!

Koko is extremely proficient in (human) sign language. 'Carers for the world's most intelligent gorilla claim she was 'close to tears' following news of Robin Williams' death - 13 years after video captured the two becoming fast friends." Story here.


Who says other animals, other than human animals, don't feel emotion?!

The Inspiring Story of Tiny Belle (video). She suffered 12 Years in a Puppy Mill

But now she lives in a loving forever home, has learned that life can be full of kindness and adventure. Ten minute video (accompanied with beautiful music) to make you cry with joy.

200 Horses Rescued From Horrible Abuse, Now Living a Happy Life (video)

Many of the horses seen here, were rescued from the horror of the HRT industry, kept pregnant and in tiny stalls, before usually being shipped off to slaughterhouses for pet food. The HRT industry uses these horses for their pregnant horse urine to create drugs for women with menopause. Basically, these HRT industry horses are kept in the horse equivalent of battery hens, or factory farmed pigs.

Duchess Sanctuary—operated by The Fund for Animals in partnership with The HSUS—is a 1,120-acre facility located outside of Oakland, Ore., that was established in 2008 as an oasis for about 200 formerly abused, abandoned, neglected, and homeless horses.



Below are several photographs showing the abuse poor horses, used to produce menopause drugs, suffer. These horses also have every foal they give birth to, taken away and sent to a slaughterhouse; just like dairy cows who have every baby calf they give birth to, taken away from their grieving mother within hours of birth, their tiny babies sent off to be slaughtered for veal/profit).

Pesticides killing bees, killing off birds too!

The bee-harming pesticides are worse than we imagined. Research suggests that neonicotinoids aren’t just decimating bee colonies -- they’re hurting birds too. Researchers found that in areas with high concentrations of neonicotinoids, bird populations declined every year. This means our worst fears are coming true -- neonicotinoids may be moving up the food chain and killing our birds and our bees.

(This post is courtesy of SumofUs.org)

For the sake of the birds, the bees, and the whole food chain, we are challenging one of the biggest neonicotinoids producers of them all: Bayer. In two weeks, we’re going straight to Bayer’s door with our massive petition -- and we hope to have your name in our massive petition box. Please sign and share this vital petition here.

It's not just the bees anymore. Neonicotinoids are killing our birds too. It’s time to get Bayer to stop producing these chemicals.

We already knew that bees, insects, and small creatures that consume neonics are facing a decline in population. But the researchers are suggesting that Bayer’s neonicotinoids are even more harmful: Birds that eat food that consumed neonics are dying too.

The researchers searched extensively for any other outside cause that could account for the declines: urbanization, other environmental factors, land use changes. They couldn't find one. The only plausible explanation? Bee-harming neonicotinoids.

As expected, Bayer is trying to write off this scientific study. Why? Because for companies like Bayer, profits trump saving our food chain. By speaking up, we're changing the equation for these companies and making sure they protect the bees.

Here’s the scary part about all this: until more research is done, there's no way to tell how far up the food chain neonics can reach.

Thanks to all of us, we've convinced major American retailers Home Depot and Lowe's to stop stocking neonics. And we've pooled our resources to challenge Bayer's lawsuit against the EU for banning this chemical -- over a million of us have spoken out against the lawsuit. We've made a lot of progress together, but we're far from done.

We are going straight to their headquarters to deliver our message for Bayer to save the birds and the bees. Will you add your name to the petition?

More information:

Not just bees: Controversial pesticide linked to decline in birds, Wired, July 9, 2014
Neonicotinoids linked to recent fall in farmland bird numbers, The Guardian, July 9, 2014

Cora's Pet Project: Healing South Africa, one animal at a time

A moving story about an amazing, courageous woman who works tirelessly to help animals, and people in need, in South Africa.

Cora Bailey ventures into some of South Africa’s most deprived townships to treat people’s animals, but she also has to confront the even more urgent needs of their owners.

“There’s hardly a day goes by when you don’t see some kind of suffering,” she tells Dateline's Amos Roberts. “Sometimes you see suffering that’s almost indescribable.”

In the tough townships where she works, people can’t afford animal care, but she just can’t say no to treating the ill, injured and abused animals that come her way.

Cora’s work started 25 years ago, after she became frustrated by the lack of concern for animal welfare in the townships.

“I had to raise the money myself and it was all at my own risk and there was a lot of negativity about it,” she says.

Now, her Community Led Animal Welfare (CLAW) clinic is backed by an animal charity.

But violence is still a daily reality that she’s witnessed firsthand – the area where she works has one of the highest murder rates in the province.

And that divide between rich and poor in modern South Africa angers her.

“Political freedom hasn’t put food on the table for everyone, political freedom hasn’t meant decent housing or sanitation,” she says.

“I can be in the townships for weeks on end, going daily and never see another white. Sometimes just a bus with tourists and they are all foreign and what a shame that is.”

“We South Africans aren’t a bad lot and I think a lot more people would do things if they got over their fear - you know people in this country fear each other.”

Story By Amos Roberts. Aired on Channel SBS One Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - 21:30 . You can view the video of this story - duration 25 minutes here. Definitely worth watching!

Beautiful footage of a mother whale and her calf

Goes to show, drones can be used for something positive. This video footage of a mama whale and her baby taken by a drone, is stunning.

Put an End to Killer Whale Shows at Seaworld!

Killer whales are beautiful and incredibly intelligent animals that deserve so much more. Whales in captivity are subjected to conditions that are not only unnatural but also cruel. They spend their day swimming around a concrete pool when whales in the wild often swim 100 miles a day. It is a known fact that animals in captivity used for performing are subject to depression, frustration, and lack of energy. Often times whales are seen floating at the surface for hours on end which would never happen in the open ocean. Though SeaWorld has denied it, there is footage describing how they have separated mothers and calves which sadly only adds to their whales' depression. Roughly 95% of killer whales in captivity experience collapsed dorsal fins while this only occurs in 1% of orcas in the wild.
Orcas have highly developed brains which allows them to have strong family bonds and heightened emotions. Captivity deprives them of so much and their quality of life is at an extreme low which too often results in aggression.
These are just a few reasons why I strongly urge you to help me give killer whales the life and freedom that they so greatly deserve.


Update #1 May 28, 2015
SeaWorld is continuing their efforts to increase ticket sales and so far they have been successful. After the release of Blackfish, attendance declined as audiences realized that keeping whales in captivity for entertainment is wrong. However with their new commercial drawing people back in, now is the time to act and put a stop to this.

Petition Author: Jenna Riddensdale

Please sign and share this petition.

Guest Blog Post - "Writing From Within" by Dr Bob Rich

Writing from within

Here are two ways of writing about a person:

Outside view
Horrified, Geordie watched the rope snake past him, down, down… until the weight of it tugged on his harness. He looked like a tiny spider hanging onto the cliff face. His fingers were like the claws of an anchor as they desperately grasped tiny crevices in the rock. Beads of sweat were visible on his brow, and his legs trembled.

Inside view
Horrified, Geordie watched the rope snake past him, down, down… until the weight of it tugged on his harness. He felt like a tiny spider hanging onto the cliff face. His fingers were so rigid they hurt as he desperately grasped tiny crevices in the rock. Sweating, trembling with tension, he asked himself, Why did that rope come loose?

What’s the difference?

The first version is clearly from the point of view (POV) of someone watching Geordie. The only indication of his inner reality is the first word. The rest is a description of what he looks like.

The second version is what Geordie experiences. Here, you are invited into his reality, to BE the person on the rock face with the rope now tugging him down instead of holding him up.



Does it matter?

As you read a story in the outside view, you are continuously given subliminal messages that this is only a story, something someone is telling you. You are given information to allow you to see the character from the outside, as in a movie or play.

In the inside view, you are given the tools to go far beyond that. A book in words can be very much more compelling than a movie, because the potential is there for receiving information that camera and microphone cannot capture: bodily sensations, smells, tastes, thoughts, emotions.

In fiction writing, the author’s job is to specify a reality, a cast of characters, and a progression of events. The reader needs to be supplied with enough information to imagine that all this is real. Ideally, the writer is the director. The reader is the audience, but also the character whose point of view is currently being used, and the creator of the reality of the story. That’s right. The author doesn’t do the act of creation. The reader does. This is why no two readers ever receive the same story. This is why seeing a movie of a book you enjoyed is almost invariably disappointing — someone else has done the creating, and will have done it differently from your version.

Reading something written in the inside view allows you to live the experience of the story.

Is there a place for the outside view?

Yes, it has two uses.

First, the journalist, the historian, the biographer necessarily tell their story from the author’s POV. Reporters cannot read minds, so can only state their own thoughts, insofar as these are relevant. For the rest, they need to state the words and actions of the people they write about.

Second, in any scene, there will be the person whose POV we are using, for example Geordie in the snippet I started with. While that person should be presented from the inside view, any other people cannot. Geordie can’t read minds either. When he looks up and sees Sam looking down with an evil leer and waving a knife, he doesn’t know Sam’s thoughts, bodily sensations, emotions, motives. He automatically deduces some of them from Sam’s words and actions. In this, he may be right, or completely mistaken.

So, if we make Sam the current witness, then the outside view example is just right — as long as we delete the first word. Sam cannot tell that Geordie is horrified, although he may hope so.

A good author will deliberately use inside view for the witness to the scene, whose POV we are in, and outside view for all other people. I hope you’ll now be aware of this in your reading, and more important, in your writing.


Link
This is from my newsletter, Bobbing Around. The specific link is https://bobrich18.wordpress.com/2014/10/02/bobbing-around-volume-14-number-5/#within


Bio
Dr Bob Rich is an Australian storyteller with 15 published books, 5 of them award-winners, and a freelance editor. However, his most important activity is as a professional grandfather. You can check out what this means at https://bobrich18.wordpress.com