The Outer Space Treaty
Formally known as the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, the Outer Space Treaty is basically humankind’s first foundation of international space law. It came about in the 1960s during both the Cold War and the space race, when the United States and the Soviet Union agreed to refrain from introducing weapons of mass destruction into outer space. The treaty was put into force in 1967 after signatures from the US, the UK and the Soviet Union, and 102 countries have signed the treaty to date. You can read it in full here. At the moment, it mainly limits the use of celestial bodies (such as the Moon) to peaceful purposes: no country can place weapons of mass destruction on them, nor establish military bases or conduct any kind of military manoeuvres. Outer space, the treaty states, shall be free for exploration and use by all countries, for the benefit and interest of the world, and so no country can own a celestial body or claim it as a resource. Space is “not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty,” because it is the Common heritage of mankind, just as astronauts “shall be regarded as the envoys of mankind.” These are beautiful concepts, like a child’s ideas are beautiful—mankind is still young, and the treaty is a remarkable milestone as we begin to open our eyes to the universe.
The ‘paradox’ is only a conflict between reality and your feeling of what reality ought to be.
– Richard Feynman (via anispi)(Source: deanleysen)
Via like a physicist
An atheist state lawmaker tasked with delivering the opening prayer for this afternoon’s session of the House of Representatives asked that people not bow their heads.
Democratic Representative Juan Mendez, of Tempe, instead spoke about his “secular humanist tradition” and even quoted author Carl Sagan.
“Most prayers in this room begin with a request to bow your heads,” Mendez said. “I would like to ask that you not bow your heads. I would like to ask that you take a moment to look around the room at all of the men and women here, in this moment, sharing together this extraordinary experience of being alive and of dedicating ourselves to working toward improving the lives of the people in our state.”
the idea that atheists are an oppressed minority group is laughable
Something tells me you’re only focusing on white American atheists if you think that. Blasphemy laws and declaring that one is an atheist can get you fucking killed overseas….
Better the hard truth, I say, than the comforting fantasy.
– Carl Sagan (via we-are-star-stuff)(Source: ikenbot)
Via We are star stuff.Iraqi officials have found three mass graves containing the bodies of about 1,000 people thought to have been executed by US soldiers during their occupation of the country.
The graves were uncovered in Iraq’s western province of al-Anbar. The remains are believed to be from victims killed by US forces during 2004 and 2005 in the city of Fallujah, located roughly 69 kilometers (43 miles) west of Baghdad.
Ahoy!
This blog really doesn't have to much of a "theme" to it. Its full of stuff I find interesting and whatnot. That includes history, science, technology, photography, space, random stuff (eg movies, video games, tv shows, etc), and the outdoors. If you enjoy said things, welcome aboard. Have at you.
