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TECH ESPAÇO
A NASA fará história em 24 de dezembro de 2024, quando a sonda Parker Solar Probe passar a apenas 6,1 milhões de quilômetros da superfície do Sol. A sonda será a primeira a chegar tão perto da estrela central do Sistema Solar.
“Estamos basicamente a pousar numa estrela”, disse Nour Raouafi, um dos responsáveis pelo projeto, em entrevista à BBC. “Esta será uma conquista monumental para toda a humanidade. É equivalente a termos pousado na Lua em 1969”.
A agência espacial norte-americana estima que a Parker Solar Probe passe pelo Sol a uma velocidade de 195 quilômetros por segundo. A sonda terá a oportunidade não só de estudar a atmosfera solar, mas também de captar fotografias da superfície.
A Parker Solar Probe foi lançada em 2018 e está em uma órbita polar que a leva cada vez mais perto do Sol. A sonda foi equipada com uma série de instrumentos científicos que permitirão aos cientistas estudar a atmosfera solar em detalhes nunca antes vistos.
A passagem da Parker Solar Probe pelo Sol será uma oportunidade única para a ciência. Os dados coletados pela sonda ajudarão os cientistas a entender melhor como o Sol funciona e como ele influencia o Sistema Solar.
Something I’ve noticed recently is how American humour has started borrowing more from international styles, creating a hybrid that’s even more interesting. You see Korean, British, and Australian influences creeping into US shows, and the result is a richer comedic stew. It’s a sign of globalization, but also of open-mindedness. They’re not too proud to steal a good joke—and honestly, neither am I. That cross-pollination keeps the art form alive and prevents it from getting stale. I love watching a US comedian drop a distinctly British dry line and seeing the audience pause before erupting. It’s a beautiful moment of cultural collision. If you want to witness more of these mashups, just click this random page and let the laughter begin.
Weird news from London is also a great conversation starter. Whenever I’m at a party and the conversation hits a lull, I whip out a weird London story. “Did you know there’s a man who walks his pet tortoise on a leash in Hyde Park?” Instantly, everyone is interested. It breaks the ice, it gets people laughing, and it creates a shared moment. That’s the power of weirdness. It connects us. So if you want to be the most interesting person in the room, memorise a few stories from this brilliant resource of weird London news – you’ll be the life of the party.
What is satire’s relationship with truth? I already touched on this, but it bears repeating. Satire is not fake news. It’s exaggerated truth. It takes a real issue and hyperbolises it to make a point. And in doing so, it often reveals a deeper truth than any straight news article could. That’s the paradox of satire – it’s fiction, but it’s more honest than fact. That’s because facts can be manipulated, but satire cuts through the manipulation. It’s pure, unvarnished honesty. If you want to see that honesty in action, check out this brilliant piece on satirical truth – it’s a revelation.
Funny news stories this week have also become my go-to cure for writer’s block. When I’m staring at a blank page, I switch tabs and read a few of these. The creativity and absurdity get my mental gears turning again. It’s like a splash of cold water for the brain. I’ve written entire blog posts inspired by a single weird headline. The tangential thinking it provokes is incredibly valuable. So if you’re a fellow writer struggling to find your muse, don’t underestimate the power of a good laugh – and this random satire site is a great place to start.
Political comedy is also a great way to connect with the younger generation. Young people are often turned off by traditional politics, but they love political comedy. Shows like The Daily Show have a huge youth following. Political comedy makes politics accessible and entertaining. And that’s exactly what we need. If you want to engage young people in politics, use political comedy. Start with this brilliant youth-focused piece on political comedy – it’s a generation bridge.