Sunday, December 31, 2023

Earth Curvature Sculpture

We need a 3 meter high place to stand on. A 5km long lake. And a 2 meter tall line of lights. And here is why.





How would you show the earth is round? A simple way to do it is to use a lake.

If you had an easy to see object several kilometers away. And you were looking at it from a few meters above the lake. And then you moved down close to the lake surface and the object disappeared. That would show that the earth is actually curved and the curve is blocking out the object.

I can't find a 'show the earth is round art sculpture' anywhere. We would need a location with a long lake view. A height of a few meters that could be moved up and down safely. And a cool looking object that can be seen from kilometers away. Possibly a light buoy anchored out in the lake. or possibly on the other shore. But the main thing is it is easy to see at a distance. 

There is a calculator here for how much curvature happens over a particular distance.


You could add Tower viewers and some sort of explainer plaque for the calculations of how much is obscured due to the curvature of the earth would probably be needed. But at least initially most of the difficulty would be making an easy to see object in the distance.

Here are some possible locations

Lough Mask - Tourmakeady Pier




Cormongan Pier




Lough Gara Pier





Thursday, December 07, 2023

An Beal Bocht Audiobook

An Béal Bocht  is considered one of the classics of literature from Ireland. And of the Irish language in particular. It is a satire of the Irish language 'we had it tough' growing up books like that of Peig Sayers. It is here in the list of 100 important Irish artworks. And has an English translation called the Poor Mouth. 

There is a great sort 2018 animated version here and Graphic novel with the same drawings. But there is no Irish language audiobook version. This is unfortunate as it would help learners and audiobooks in general are useful for disabled and older people also. 



Mercier press publishes an Béal Bocht, their email is info@mercierpress.ie  The email I send said asking for an Audiobook version was

A Chara

I am trying to learn Irish at the moment. And I really enjoy reading An Béal Bocht. The learning method I use involves listening to the audiobook at the same time as reading the book. 

Unfortunately I cannot find an audiobook version of An Béal Bocht. Is there one available?
   Le /meas,