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Friday, August 8, 2008

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff… it’s All Small Stuff!

by Whabby

Given all the recent turmoil in the nest, I thought it might be nice to put some perspective on things. Every March, Huz, his brother and I vacation in Palm Springs. I still vividly remember an incident from our vacation two years ago. Huz’s brother John (a highly intelligent person who’s a VP of human resources for a big oil company) called me over to talk about an article he’d just finished in the newspaper about the beginning of the universe. His reaction to the article was total disbelief… he literally couldn’t accept the reality of what he was reading! Huz, who read the article too, had exactly the same reaction. This had to be utter nonsense!

The subject of the article was something you’ve all probably heard of: The Big Bang. The currently accepted account of how our universe began. I have to say that, at one level, I find myself agreeing with Huz and his brother. The Big Bang is a simply mind-boggling story, made all the more incredible because it happens to be true.

To tell this story, and give you a bit of a flavor for it’s nuances, lets start at the beginning. Today, August 8, 2008. Take a good long look at the photo that accompanies this blog, owls. It’s the Hubble Deep Field, essentially a photograph of a very small piece of the sky taken with Hubble’s advanced camera for surveys. The thing to appreciate about this photo is that virtually all of the blobs and smudges and points of light in the photo are actually galaxies (the field of view of the photo is so small that there’s hardly a foreground star among them). Thousands of galaxies. At our current point in time today (August 8, 2008), some of those galaxies are as far as 40 billion light years away from us, and getting much farther away every second.

They weren’t always that far away, though. Six billion or so years ago, when the universe was about half its present age, it was also only about half of today’s size, so all the billions of galaxies were only half as far away from us (and from each other). Going even further back in time, the universe was even smaller. At one point, about 13.3 billion years ago, the universe was only 1/1000 the size it is today, so all these galaxies were a thousand times closer to each other (and us).

But the shrinkage didn’t end there. There was a time, only a few hundred thousand years earlier, when the universe was so small that all the galaxies were merged together into one clump. A little earlier than that, even, believe it or not, the clump was smaller than the period at the end of a sentence. In fact, there existed a discrete point in time when the clump was no larger than an atom! It was, in fact, just this side of being infinitely small!

Well, as you can imagine, having all those billions of galaxies worth of material packed into a space less than the size of an atom must have meant that the clump had to be pretty dense, and you’d be right. In fact, the clump was just a hairs breadth away from being infinitely dense, and infinitely hot, too!

I’m not kidding about any of this, unbelievable as it seems. If you like, I’ll blog in the future about how we know that this was the way the universe started, and how this nearly infinitely hot, dense speck eventually produced the universe we know today.

For now, just sit back and imagine how small everything used to be. It kind of gives new meaning to that time-honored phrase, “Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s all small stuff”, don’t you think?

104 comments:

Jodi said...

WHABBY - Great food for thought as always. Although your quote reminds me of a little something that MR. JODI likes to say....."Don't sweat the petty stuff....just pet the sweaty stuff"!!! :P

JoeyfromSC said...

Morning Jodi!

I'll have to read your blog later Whabbear..just a quick fly-by!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROL!!!!!!!! I hope your day is fantastic!!

Today is 08-08-08!! Woohoo! lol

Have a great weekend y'all!

Tinkatia said...

GOOD MORNING Jodi and Joey -

Were we all trying to be first on Carol's Birthday?

Jodi said...

Good morning JOEY & TINKA!!!

TINKA - I set my alarm for our little phone date!!! Please give Tango and Tia a squeeze from Wisconsin. :D

Tinkatia said...

Well I know the party started last night because I was in the nest but let me say again.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR CAROL!!

Sandie said...

Wow, Whabbear! Yes, write more, write more!!

I'm off to move my son--hope everyone has a great day! We had a cold front come in last night--it's only 90 today!! LOL

Tinkatia said...

I will settle my little ones and come back and read Bear's blog. He was as good as his word. He promised he would have one here in the morning.

Tinkatia said...

9

Tinkatia said...

10

Jodi said...

Good morning SANDIE!!! Have fun with the move. lol @ only 90.....we truly are having a break from the heat....lows in the high 50's and highs in the 70's!!! I luv it. :D

Jodi said...

I posted this on the Happy Birthday blog....but for those of you who haven't seen it:

From area 51:

I left an early morning snack for any early HO's!!! Fresh brewed coffee and green tea, chocolate milk, Diet Pepsi, Mt. Dew, and of course assorted cake donuts and Glazer Donuts!!! Enjoy.....I thought this would be enough to tide us over til SHIRLEY arrives with her fabulous breakfast....which I believe has something to do with MO's ass.....I mean bacon!!!

Tinkatia said...

I forgot to say "Congrats at being first Jodi". Sorry I missed your phone call yesterday. I will be home after four today. Hint, Hint.

Joey - I see you are doing a 'fly-by'. See you in the nest later.

Lynn D said...

Odd as that sounds it kind of makes sense to me!

I also think it is how the hot flash was created!

Tinkatia said...

Butchart's Gardens was fantastic last evening. I wish you could have all been there with me. It's like fairy-land at night. I hope my pictures turned out. I will post them if they did.

Lynn D said...

Good Morning Glories!

I left Birthday greeting for Carol on the Birthday blog!

But heck it is so fun to say,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROL!

Tinkatia said...

Good Morning Sandie - I didn't see you there. How are you today?

Good Morning Lynn -
Hope you are fine too.

I will be back in a few minutes.

Jodi said...

Good morning LYNN D!!! Just love your morning glories.....a much needed shot of yellow!!!

Jodi said...

TINK - hint taken!!! :D

LYNN D - I think I agree with you on your theory of the hot flash!!

Lynn D said...

Jodi thank you for the morning snack!

Sandie have fun but don't over do as we need you to party in the nest.

From yesterday's comments I hope everyone has some party left in them! LOL

Tinka hope to see your pictures soon!

Good moring Joey!

Lynn D said...

Jodi I love your hair!!!

I saw justlins pic and hers looks fantastic too!

Lynn D said...

Ooopsies that should have been Good Morning Joey! LOL

Jodi said...

LYNN D - Thanks....I think it's a rather sassy look!!!

I have to run a couple errands....will be back in a bit!!

Lynn D said...

Jodie I have clumps and I am infinitely dense and infinitely hot so it made sense my atom created a HOT Flash!

Shirley(NCC-1701) said...

Carol's Birthday Menu

Several long tables have been set up in the dining hall of Owl Manor and are decorated with vases of white carnations. Our finest china, glassware, cutlery and linens are being used today. A big birthday banner and streamers have been hung up. We have party hats and noise makers. Overhead there are several nets of balloons to be released later. Just a note of caution...a few water balloons may have accidentally been mixed up with the other balloons, I'm not 100% sure. Sorry. (he!he!he!) Enjoy the party!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROL!!!!!!!!!!


Pork chops with apple sauce
Pork roast with baked potatoe & veggies
BLT sandwiches
Fried bacon and eggs
Roast chicken (sorry Birdee) & mashed potatoes
Chicken wings and dipping sauce
Tripe Savoy Style with Polenta
Tripe Bound With Egg
Lasagna (with and without meat)
French fries with brown gravy & ketchup

Charleston Chews
Goldie's special brownies
Grapefruit
Birthday cake with a surprise filling

Tea
Coffee
Jello shots (asst. flavors)
Beer
Mimosas
Wine
Whiskey, Rum, Tequila

night.owls.sb said...

Oh my goodness... Many Thanks...

I am really getting teary eyed...and I am at work...

I need to regroup, I will be back...

Mo: Left a msg in area 51,(My birthday blog) for you, and all my owls...

DreamaTexas said...

Happy Birthday Carol!
You may borrow my super hot man owl for your birthday gift. He's very ripped! Don't ya think!! Just watch out as Wabbear might do a sneak attack and ravish him! Got to watch that Bear! :0)

DreamaTexas said...

Wabbear
Your blogs about the universe are always very awesome to read about. I will forward this to David. He has a very sharp mind and he enjoys reading your blogs.

scirish said...

Morning all!!!

Jodi-congrats on first AND totally cute hair!!!

Dreama...THAT is quite the owl!

Happy Birthday Carol!

Lynn D said...

Congrats on First Jodi! LOL

Shirley thank you for the food! I think I will grab a Mimosa for now and save the tripe for later! LMAO

Jennifer said...

Morning everyone! Jodi! Congrats on being first. I can't stay long, I am going off to work.

I just wanted to comment on Whabbear's blog (which is awesome, by the way)! Whabbear, it reminds me of the once popular song by Kansas! ...all we are is dust in the wind...!

Hope everyone has a great day! I'll be missing this place (as I am back to work full time starting Monday...and I have been working this week too)! : (

Morning to Joey, Tink, Sandie, Lynn D, Shirley (and thanks for the nice spread), Carol and Dreama. Carol...again...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Hello to everyone else I miss later!

Jennifer said...

32...There...now I must go!

Jennifer said...

OH...morning to you Scirish!

OK...one more (to end on an "even" note)! ; )

Jennifer said...

34...OK...Now I HAVE to go!!! ; )

Tinkatia said...

Before I read Our Bear's Blog I will say Good Morning to all the owls that arrived while I was tending to my 'babies'-
Carol - THE BIRTHDAY GIRL, Sandie, Shirley, Dreama, Scirish and Jennifer. Hope you are having a great day. Off to read "Sweating the Small Stuff" blog. It looks good.

Shirley(NCC-1701) said...

Jennifer I remember that song.

Congrats on first Jodi!

Good morning Joey, Tinka, Sandie, Lynn D, Scirish and Dreama.

I think in honor of Carol's birthday we should all try some tripe (just pretend then you can spit it out in your napkin). HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROL!!!!!!!!

Great blog Whabbear!

Tinkatia said...

Thanks Whabbear for taking the time to write such an informative blog. You always overwhelm me with your knowledge. It's hard to 'take it all in' but one thing is certain; it does put everything into perspective. Thanks again.

Tinkatia said...

Jodi - Thanks for the donuts.

Shirley - I will come back later for the feast.

Jennifer - Don't work too hard today.

Carol - We are going to keep you teary-eyed all day.

Zona - I hope you have recovered from the lightning storm last night.

VIG - Keep working on that research project.

It has cooled off here. We picked the right night for Butchart's. It feels like Fall out there right now. My pictures from last night don't look nearly as good as 'the real thing'.

Tinkatia said...

39

Tinkatia said...

40

Jodi said...

SCIRISH - Thank you!!! I just felt like a change...and a sassy one at that!!!

SHIRLEY - You have totally outdone yourself!!! I'll catch a mimosa for now....and make room for the rest later. :D lol @ the water balloons.....bombs away!!!

Jodi said...

JENNIFER - I love that song by Kansas. And it really does fit. I hope you have a great day at work and come back later and par-tay!!!

Tinkatia said...

Jodi - I just saw the Happy Birthday Banner. Perhaps you should move it over here now.

Zona - I just picked up my bunch of balloons. Does everyone know that Zona left balloons for all owls in area 51?

grandma moses said...

Happy Birthday, Carol, and many more!!!

OK, Bear, the big bang theory is true, but God created that hot, dense speck!

Good morning to all you lovely owls who have flown in and who will fly in after me!!

grandma moses said...

ronniegirl, I never heard the one about the smoking after sex, thank you for telling it! I thought it was very funny!

♥LOVEY♥ said...

Happy Friday OWLS.

Wooohooooooo Party day in the nest....
I left stuff on the party thread...lol...
but I have already eaten a a few brownies..hehehe...

Dianne/Denver said...

I don't know which blog to write on...so I will just do both!! Happy Birthday Carol!!! I feel very fortunate to have "met" you on this blog over time. I really hope you have a great day.

Now, can someone tell me if the party is on this blog or the Happy Birthday blog...or both? I don't want to miss a party!

Jodi said...

ATTN KMART SHOPPERS!!!

I just got done im'g with JOAN E.....she said to say HI to all the Owls....and a special Happy Birthday wish to Carol!!!

OK....back to the par-tay!!!

Jodi said...

swing 2 the left, swing 2 the right

Jodi said...

50!!!

MEK in AZ said...

51

Jodi said...

MEK!!! So happy to see you....I was just testing to see if I could get the tassles swinging for the party.

Jodi said...

Excuse me......ATTN KMART SHOPPERS:

I think we should keep the par-tay in the Birthday blog.....just so we don't have to keep jumping back and forth!!! Just a suggestion.

MEK in AZ said...

Happy Friday!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CPGEM!!!
I hope all your wishes, hopes and dreams come true!!!

Good Morning, everyone!!!...

I knew Shirley would come thru with her treasure chest full of party goods. (ducking the water balloon)...

Whabby - great blog as always!!

I've got to make a bunch of appt's for my mom...

Happy 08-08-08 - The Olympics officially start today!! Can't wait for the opening ceremony tonight!!

I hope everyone has an excellent day!!!
:-)

JoeyfromSC said...

I don't know which blog to write on either! lol

I found a group called "Owl City" LMAO

On myspace!

They even have a song called "On the Wing" haha

OWL CITY

They are actually good!! I already love the song "Hello Seattle"!!

JoeyfromSC said...

Btw, Shirley, that menu and party planning was FAN-TABULOUS!!

Hey MEK, Lynn, Tinka and all the other owls who have flown in!

Just_Lin said...

Hodi I see you were the first one in the nest today. Congrats to you, Sassy.

Bear So, what I learned today is that my ass is a hell of a lot smaller than I thought it was. :D

Lynn D said...

I am jumping between blogs! This could be dangerous if I keep drinking Mimosa's!

Tinkatia said...

This little elderly owl needs help as she is directionally challenged. Please point me to the correct page to be posting on. The party seems to be on both blogs.

Tinkatia said...

60

scirish said...

Great blog Whabby....

This hot, dense clump is gonna explode if my Mother doesn't stop nit picking about this moving thing!! I just may create another universe! Hmmm...not a bad idea...maybe I could send her there....

Just_Lin said...

LynnD LMAO @ your party avitar! Ewe are so funny!

Jodi said...

TINK - I left an announcement above.....I think it would be easier to keep the party on the birthday blog. I hope this helps!!!

Bebbilane said...

Jodi: congrats on first, very funny saying from Mr. Jodi too.

Whabby: You always have the most interesting blogs! Pretty amazing stuff!

Happy Birthday Carol (again)

*Grabs a BLT and a water balloon* I might need the water balloon to throw at my boss this afternoon!! ;)

Hello to everyone: Jodi, Joey, tink, shirley, sandie, lynnD, scirish, J/L,dreama, carol, jennifer, gm, lovey, dianne and anyone I may have missed!

hartldo said...

Congrats on first Jodi! Man, you get up early! Where do you work that you have to get up so early?
Your pre-breakfast snack was so nice and thoughtful. Too bad I wasn't out of bed in time to have any. Feeling yucky today because of Aunt Flow visiting.

Speaking of thoughtful...Zona: That was so nice of you to send balloons to everyone! You've made things very festive for celebrating Carol's big day.

Whabby: Fabulous blog! I always love hearing your perspective on things.

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR CAROL!

sacBarb said...

Jodi, Thanks for the early morning snack. BTW, I love your new sassy 'do'

J/L, Love your new 'do' too. And LOL @ your comment to LynnD.

Zona, glad you survived the storm.

Shirley, You set a beautiful table and a nice spread too...wait, that doesn't sound right...The food looks so good too. OK that's better. **side-stepping a water balloon**

MEK, I am anxious to watch the Olympics opening ceremony too.

Scirish, Breathe...Hopefully you will have your Mom all settled soon.

Sandie, Don't work too hard moving your son.

Dianne, Good to see you in the nest. Still praying for your daughter.

Tinka, Someday I will get up there to see Buchart's Gardens.

LynnD, LOL @ hot flash. Love the sexy fish nets.

Waving a wing at Joey, Jennifer, grandma, and everyone else who lands later. I apologize if I missed anyone.

sacBarb said...

Hi Donna, you flew in while I was typing.

Bebbi, How do you like your new Instinct phone?

iteach said...

I am so freakin slow, I just noticed there was a different blog! lol

JoeyfromSC said...

69!!!!!!!!!!!!!! haha

flashbacks of last night ROFLMAO

JoeyfromSC said...

I sincerely apologize for that outburst:)

hartldo said...

WOW Shirley! What a lovely feast! Thank you!

Jodi: You DO look sassy! Me likes the new do!

Sandie: Enjoy your 90 degree cold front! LOL!

lynn d: I would love to know how to stop these hot flashes! I don't care where they came from.
For that matter, I really don't care where all of us came from either. Can you tell, by my attitude, that Aunt Flow is driving me crazy? I'll try to cheer up before I head over to the party blog. Carol deserves better.

PLEASE take it easy on me with the water balloons today. You can get me good when it's my birthday later this month.

Hello to Joey, Tinka, scirish, jennifer, dreama, g/m, lovey, dianne, MEK (I'm also looking forward to the Olympics to begin.), Just lin, bebbi, & sacbarb. Hope I've not overlooked anyone.

Bon'O said...

I hope, in our rush to get our party on, we don't miss Bear's important message.

And, for those of us who've had too many mimosas to get TOO serious, here's a more remedial---but fun--reminder that, in the great scheme of things, we're pretty puny (as Mickey Rooney)!

YAKKO's UNIVERSE

Shirley(NCC-1701) said...

What a cute video Bon'O!

Whabbear if we know where the universe came from do we know, theoretically, where God came from (for those out there who believe in God, of which I'm not one of)?

East Bay J said...

Hi there hooters!

I'm checking in from work and will have to read the topic later, it looks very interesting!

I love finding out about the universe and always wonder if there is another planet like earth out there.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROL!! And happy belated to your daddy. I didn't have time yesterday to read, I've not been able to keep up lately.

Hope everyone is well, and has a nice weekend :)

Bebbilane said...

Sacbarb: I love it!!!! Does anyone text here? I would love text people with it!I am on it now, the commercials r true it is my new love! Shirley: Thanks for the water balloon, I need a couple more for the rest of my bosses!!!

Shirley(NCC-1701) said...

***passes Bebbi some more water balloons***
Here you go Bebbi.

I seem to have quite a few here. Hmmmmm, what can I do with them all? Check out the party blog to see.

Just_Lin said...

SacBarb Thanks. Photo didn't come out as well as I would have liked. Do they ever?

JoHOey LMAO! Apparently you had a good night last night. :)

Jodi said...

BEBBI & DONNA JO - Thanks!!! Just trying to keep it sassy!!!

JOEY - Congrats on 69.....;)

Jodi said...

DONNA JO - I work for a convenience store just 4 blocks from home. I am the opening bookkeeper, so I have to be there @ 4am to run reports, open the registers, and make the 11 different kinds of coffee that we offer. The best part is that I'm home by about 12:15pm everyday!!!

Jodi said...

80!!!

whabbear said...

Shirley: Nope! We only know how the universe evolved into its present form from that initial speck, not where the speck came from, or why it suddenly started expanding.

There are interesting theories, though. So far, none of them involve God.

whabbear said...

East Bay: Google "Kepler" and find out how we're going to learn a great deal about how rare Earth is in the next 7 years or so! Kepler is a space telescope that will totally rock!

whabbear said...

jodi: ROFLMAO@MR JODI !!!!

hartldo said...

Wow Jodi! You've got me beat! I don't have to be to work until 6am! Of course, most days I stay until 6pm. :(

night.owls.sb said...

Whabby:
Thank you very much for the blog today, I enjoyed reading it, and I love when you teach me things. However I still feel a bear should not shit in anyones yard... So
Please mind your manners. :O)

night.owls.sb said...

Bon:
Wow, your avatar is very "frisky" have you had any mimosas?
And
Yes, I agree, Whabby's blog was terrific, and quite important...

TY

:O)

Jodi said...

BON - Thanks for the video....really kind of puts things in perspective. Oh, and BTW.....love your formal outfit for the day!!! Meeeooooow!!!

Mary/MI said...

Hi everyone.I am still not settled from my trip. I have 2 days blogs to catch up on.

Carol~ Happy Birthday to the sweetest
owl evah!!

Whabbear, vayweeintreresting lol!!

I am watching the Olympics opening ceremonies.Very mesmerizing! Hard to switch to GW!

Shirley(NCC-1701) said...

Hey Mary come over to the party blog.

sacBarb said...

Bear, Great blog and very interesting. I guess I am a little dense, but did it just explode and that's why it is called the Big Bang?

Mary/MI said...

Party blog?

whabbear said...

SacBarb: No, it didn't explode; the "Big Bang" is a rather imprecise label.

It just started expanding. Actually, I'll have to blog in the future about HOW it expanded, because something happened just after the expansion first started called inflation, which is fascinating in its own right.

whabbear said...

93

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98

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99

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100

whabbear said...

So alone. So abandoned. So... small!

LOL!

Tina~in_ut said...

...so funny~

whabbear said...

Tina! My saviour!

C'mon... if we both march, we can surpass the that silly little 500 comments on that other blog!

Tina~in_ut said...

OR....if we have wild sex one grunt or word at a time....we'd make it~

Birdee said...

Whabbear, Enjoyed reading your blog. My grandaughter like's this kind of read. I think I'll show it to her next time she's here. The pic is kewl! Thanks!