There's Something Human About Stargazing

Making Sense of the Future is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. There’s something human about stargazing. You don’t even need to know what you’re looking at. I just got back from Maine and about the most perfect dark skies you could ask for — a Bortle 1 or 2, against the Bortle 6 or 7 we get at Today In Space HQ outside Boston. Dark, clear skies like that makes you wonder what the night sky was to the early humans like the ancient Greeks & their Mythologies. These deep moments allow for some deep perspective. like what it’s like a year since I was laid-off aka “terminated” and why the more AI work I do, the more I want to go do human things. Great summer nights with a dark sky and great company. Who could ask for a better end to the Summer? My advice? Grab 20 minutes and a patch of sky. Even the patch above you. Tech Disclaimer: The Visualizer of this episode was vibe coded by Alex G. Orphanos to create a piece of software to better create an engaging audio only episode. It’s amazing how I would have only dreamed for a visualizer like this a few years ago, and now I can make it! CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome — the close of summer, and Maine00:44 There’s something human about stargazing01:19 The Bortle scale: Bortle 1 in Maine, Bortle 5 at HQ01:37 Cherry Springs next, with the Space Talkers01:53 The night sky as humanity’s first story map02:37 How many satellites you can actually see up there03:01 Mosaic mode: filtering satellite and plane streaks out03:43 One year since the layoff 05:03 chat3DP — where the build is right now05:44 The more AI I do, the more human things I want06:51 The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing07:22 I still don’t identify as an author08:00 A dock in Maine, and skies astronomers chase08:42 How did anyone sleep before cities?09:10 Greek ancestry, the mythologies, the Odyssey10:03 What stargazing does to a conversation10:46 Find the 20 minutes. Look up.11:03 Clear skies THE BOOK The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing is out now in hardcover and on Kindle: https://ag3dlabs.com/book MORE TODAY IN SPACE https://todayinspace.net We just updated the site! Check it out I’m Alex G. Orphanos, your favorite mad scientist, wishing you clear skies and great conversations with great people as we build a fantastic future for all of us. Be well, stay safe, and stay curious. SPREAD LOVE, SPREAD SCIENCE, AND STAY CURIOUS. What’s the darkest sky you’ve ever stood under? Tell me in the comments. #stargazing #astrophotography #bortlescale #lightpollution #spacepodcast #vaonisvespera #darksky #milkyway #3dprinting #todayinspace Get full access to Making Sense of the Future at todayinspace.substack.com/subscribe