04 November 2009
03 November 2009
Christmas lightup at St Paul's
Hairspray, the 900-year-old St Paul's Cathedral choir and Faryl Smith (Britain's Got Talent).
Accompanied by wry British humour from Bob Hoskins (Who Framed Roger Rabbit) and Colin Firth ("Well I think it's all a bit tacky and over the top quite frankly, but why not? That's what Christmas is all about.").
Alright, here's the low-down: there was no lightup at St Paul's. Their idea of a lightup was to simply shine colourful spotlights on the Cathedral! The upside was that it was really easy to get home after holding out the notes of Siiiilent Night with Andrea Bocelli and a few hundred people - unlike the tremendous mess at Oxford Circus. I was even on time for yoga.
02 November 2009
Burning krathong
This body, bhikkhus, is perishable, consciousness is of a nature to dissolve, and all objects of clinging are impermanent, suffering and subject to change.-Itivuttaka Sutta
Happy Loy Krathong
My first loy krathong festival, thanks to my hospitable Thai classmates.
Aside: The Thai fish cakes taste sooo good.
29 October 2009
28 October 2009
Whiskers of Manarola
Manarola, one of the five lands of Cinque Terre. Land of cats, stunning coast and moaningly good mussels.
27 October 2009
London tube clock
You can see this in some of the older stations like Victoria or Bond Street.
Someone please tell me where to get it, because I fear I might have to steal it soon.
26 October 2009
Poppy appeal
I haven't seen this poppy in probably 20 years. Out of the blue, I saw it last evening at the Russell Square tube station when I was coming back from the airport.
It reminded me so strongly of my childhood that I went back to the station today to donate and get one from the veteran. I can still remember that particular day in my childhood: it was a sunny Saturday afternoon, my mother had gotten off work and my dad must have dropped me off at her office in the Collyer Quay area. I was no more than five or six - she was holding my hand and we were walking. Along the way, she must have stopped to donate something towards the »poppy appeal - I don't recall too clearly, probably because I was too short then to notice. But I did remember holding a poppy in my hand and walking off together into the afternoon sun...
The poppy has not changed much from that day - still the same crinkly red paper and black button, except it is now adorned by a leaf.
The same cannot be said for the other two protaganists.
17 October 2009
I did not realize
That the accordian is the jealous sister of the soprano-sax. Bulky, hoarse and less eloquent, but ambitious nonetheless.
16 October 2009
Constitutional law in autumn
The weight of a historical sentence
can no longer linger in silence.
A cacophony of coughs
insists on punctuating.
can no longer linger in silence.
A cacophony of coughs
insists on punctuating.
Bogeymen
»William Safire and »Far Eastern Economic Review, the twin bogeymen of Singapore in the early 90s, are both dead.
13 October 2009
Kings of Convenience, Barbican
Today, I saw a violin flirting flamboyantly with the guitar.
And the crowd egged them on.
And the crowd egged them on.
12 October 2009
Once upon a time, there was a lion and a gazelle
Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a Lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle... when the sun comes up, you'd better be running.
11 October 2009
Leicester Square, Sunday 11.57 am
The casino presumably opens at noon.
Demographics of the queue: Chinese aged 50++
Standard deviation: Zero
Camera-phone series #17.
07 October 2009
马子
Sometimes, I mistake the clip-clop of gals in boots for those of horses in hooves.
Incidentally, both are 马子 in Chinese.
Incidentally, both are 马子 in Chinese.
03 October 2009
Canterbury Cathedral, circa 1174
Yes, Canterbury as in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. And where Henry IV and the Black Prince also repose. Highly recommended. Stay for the evensong service where the choir boys sing.
(And yes, j'adore my lens. Handheld and almost unadulterated - only very slight curve adjustment and sharpening.)
29 September 2009
15 September 2009
Death by commoditisation and supermaketisation
It occurred to me that I should make a conscious effort to buy from independent stores rather than faceless supermarket chains and 7-11s - the lone stationery store across the road, the old newspaper man by the corner...
It occured to me that if we don't make a conscious change in our lifestyle choices and only lament at the demise of "those charming little shops", then we should have no one to blame but ourselves.
It occured to me that if we don't make a conscious change in our lifestyle choices and only lament at the demise of "those charming little shops", then we should have no one to blame but ourselves.
- 14 May 2009, Soho in Hong Kong
Fountain pens are such fragile creatures
They always get airsick and throw up on the plane :(
- 12 May 2009, CX 367 to Hong Kong
08 September 2009
Plate galore
Location: At the same »Bright Hill temple in the last post. Camera-phone series #16.
If you are wondering why a temple needs so many plates, it is because it is one of the few temples known to provide free food, twice a day, on a DAILY basis. The other one that I know is the »Buddhist Lodge, off River Valley Road.
On certain special days, there will be literally thousands of people passing through either of these temples, and invariably, stopping by for lunch or a drink. The massive amount of food is a sight to behold. It is also free for all, not just for devotees (nobody cards you or anything before serving you the food, and in fact, please help yourself to a second serving), so that is good news for nearby construction workers or the homeless. The menu even changes every day. When I went to Bright Hill Temple yesterday, I also saw a number of taxis parked there. Times must be hard; taxi drivers are not particularly known to be vegetarians.
I remember asking my mum when I was young, "Won't the temple go bankrupt this way?" (I know, what an economist...) My mum confidently replied, "No it won't. In fact, the more it cooks for people, the more stock it ends up with."
After 20 years of empirical observation, I have to admit that it is true. I imagine this can only be explained by a virtuous cycle theory. If you are next in the area, pop by Bright Hill Temple or Buddhist Lodge for a look (and a prostration as well if you are so inclined).
P.S. Bright Hill temple is more civilized; Buddhist Lodge is more spectacular with its sacks upon sacks of rice, bee hoon etc.
31 August 2009
25 August 2009
Corruption does not need to involve money
Corruption is also when people do the easiest rather than the right thing, and the system rewards it. (And good people go away as a result.)
Companies or countries who pride themselves on being highly uncorrupt may not even get a passing grade based on this definition. This is the creeping rot that destroys fine institutions.
Companies or countries who pride themselves on being highly uncorrupt may not even get a passing grade based on this definition. This is the creeping rot that destroys fine institutions.
19 August 2009
02 August 2009
01 August 2009
22 July 2009
Total solar eclipse
So, the temperature didn't drop 15 degrees celsius as predicted (the average drop was 3 degrees in China), but »it really went pitch dark.
Take a moment to admire the China State Council circular below on total eclipse. I would never have imagined the stately State Council issuing a circular on something as mundane as solar eclipse; it has to be said that the Astronomy Association of China was very clever to have extracted maximum effect from the event.
P.S. I love the socialist part which states: "在观看日食过程时，有条件的可使用专用的日食镜片，没有条件者可使用其他方式保护眼睛，比如用墨均匀涂黑的玻璃，均匀曝光的胶片，烧电焊时用的护目镜等。" i.e. When viewing the total eclipse, those who can afford (literally "those who have the conditions") can use dedicated lenses for eclipses, those who can't ("don't have the conditions") can use other methods to protect the eyes, e.g. glass which has been evenly coated with black (Chinese) ink, film which has been evenly exposed, protective glasses for welding etc.
=====================
国 务 院 办 公 厅
关于妥善做好应对日全食工作的通知
国办发明电〔2009〕14号
各省、自治区、直辖市人民政府，国务院有关部门：
据国际天文联合会和紫金山天文台预测，7月22日将发生日全食现象。本次日全食持续时间长、涉及区域广，从日食初亏到复原长达两个小时，其中全食持续时间最长可达6分钟左右，全食带覆盖印度中部、缅甸以及我国长江流域等广大地区，偏食带则覆盖我国全境。这次日全食为科学研究、科学普及和观测观赏带来难得机遇。同时，由于日全食期间能见度下降、气温降低、湿度上升，会对交通运输、生产作业、通信安全、社会治安等带来一定影响，也可能在部分人群中产生迷信猜测和心理恐慌。为妥善做好应对工作，经国务院同意，现就有关事项通知如下：
一、加强科普宣传
各级科技部门和科协组织要充分利用此次日全食为科普宣传提供的良好机会，组织相关专家通过电视、广播、网络、报纸等多种渠道，广泛开展天文知识科普宣传活动，对日全食现象进行科学解释说明，对相关防范知识进行宣传普及。宣传工作要深入农村、山区、林区等偏远地区，消除部分群众的迷信和恐惧心理。同时，要注重对科学观测方式方法的宣传教育，避免造成观测人员视觉损伤。请中央和地方各级宣传部门和媒体给予大力支持。
二、做好相关预案和应对准备
针对日全食发生期间因天空亮度骤暗带来的不利影响和问题，请有关部门按照职责分工，制订完善相关预案，积极做好应对准备工作。交通运输、铁路、民航、通信、电力等部门和单位要及早做好安排部署，确保安全、畅通；市政设施管理部门要做好充分准备，日全食发生时及时开启城市道路照明设备；医疗卫生部门要注意防范光线不足对医疗救治的不利影响；...
国 务 院 办 公 厅
关于妥善做好应对日全食工作的通知
国办发明电〔2009〕14号
各省、自治区、直辖市人民政府，国务院有关部门：
据国际天文联合会和紫金山天文台预测，7月22日将发生日全食现象。本次日全食持续时间长、涉及区域广，从日食初亏到复原长达两个小时，其中全食持续时间最长可达6分钟左右，全食带覆盖印度中部、缅甸以及我国长江流域等广大地区，偏食带则覆盖我国全境。这次日全食为科学研究、科学普及和观测观赏带来难得机遇。同时，由于日全食期间能见度下降、气温降低、湿度上升，会对交通运输、生产作业、通信安全、社会治安等带来一定影响，也可能在部分人群中产生迷信猜测和心理恐慌。为妥善做好应对工作，经国务院同意，现就有关事项通知如下：
一、加强科普宣传
各级科技部门和科协组织要充分利用此次日全食为科普宣传提供的良好机会，组织相关专家通过电视、广播、网络、报纸等多种渠道，广泛开展天文知识科普宣传活动，对日全食现象进行科学解释说明，对相关防范知识进行宣传普及。宣传工作要深入农村、山区、林区等偏远地区，消除部分群众的迷信和恐惧心理。同时，要注重对科学观测方式方法的宣传教育，避免造成观测人员视觉损伤。请中央和地方各级宣传部门和媒体给予大力支持。
二、做好相关预案和应对准备
针对日全食发生期间因天空亮度骤暗带来的不利影响和问题，请有关部门按照职责分工，制订完善相关预案，积极做好应对准备工作。交通运输、铁路、民航、通信、电力等部门和单位要及早做好安排部署，确保安全、畅通；市政设施管理部门要做好充分准备，日全食发生时及时开启城市道路照明设备；医疗卫生部门要注意防范光线不足对医疗救治的不利影响；气象部门要加强天气监测，及时做好可能出现的灾害性天气预警信息发布；城市高空作业、建筑施工等作业单位要提前通知施工人员，并制订严密的安全保障措施，防止发生安全事故；质检、工商部门要对生产、销售假冒伪劣观测器材进行依法查处；公安部门要做好日全食可能引发的社会治安等问题的防范应对工作，加强公路特别是高速公路交通应急管理，防止发生重特大交通事故。
三、加强旅游和观测的组织与管理
一些地方已将这次日全食观测作为旅游活动进行组织，有关地区和旅游部门要针对可能出现的大量观测人员聚集情况，提前做出安排部署，切实做好游客数量、交通住宿和天文观测设施使用等预警信息发布工作，引导游客合理选择观测地点。要加强对观测活动的组织管理，制订合理的人群疏散等应急预案，妥善做好安全保卫工作，严防发生拥堵、踩踏等事件。
四、强化值守应急
各地区、各有关部门要密切关注此次日全食事件，切实加强值守应急，及时掌握有关情况，一旦发生突发事件，要立即启动相关应急预案，迅速组织力量，妥善高效处置，最大程度降低和减轻日全食造成的不利影响。重大情况要按照有关规定及时向国务院报告。
附件：中国天文学会常务理事会《日全食对社会影响的专业论证报告》
国务院办公厅
2009年7月10日
附件：
日全食对社会影响的专业论证报告
中国天文学会常务理事会
2009年7月22日，我国长江流域地区将可观测到百年内最为壮观的日全食天象，包括科学界、教育界以及民间在内的社会各界都在紧锣密鼓地准备对这次日全食进行观测和观赏。本次日全食也将对社会生活产生影响，主要表现在如下几个方面：
一、科学意义
日全食是指当月球运行到太阳和地球之间时，月球挡住全部太阳光球的天象，它是人们研究太阳大气的极佳机会。通常人们肉眼所见的太阳，只是它的光球部分，光球之外的太阳大气-色球层和日冕，都被淹没在光球的明亮光辉之中。日全食时，月亮挡住了太阳光球表面，在暗黑的天空背景上，相继呈现出太阳大气分层中的中红色色球和银白色日冕，天文学家可以在这一特定的时刻对相关天文学、物理学等问题进行观测研究：
（一）日全食期间可以组织对太阳色球和日冕进行比空间望远镜和其他地面望远镜更多波段（包括可见光波段、红外波段、射电微波波段）和更高分辨率的成像和谱连续观测，从而研究有关太阳色球和日冕大气的物理状态和化学组成，甚至其动力学演化，为建立更为精确的日冕大气模型提供准确的观测依据，为恒星物理、日地空间物理、空间天气预报研究提供基础性的第一手数据。
（二）日全食期间可以组织对水星轨道内小行星、近地小天体等的搜索和研究，为太阳系的形成和演化、近地空间安全等提供依据和保障。
（三）日全食期间可以为引力波及其他基本物理问题的探索寻找答案。在历次的日全食观测中，科学家们都一直孜孜不倦地为这些基础的物理问题进行探索研究。
（四）在日全食期间还可以对地球电离层结构和扰动规律进行高时间分辨率的详细观测研究。
因此在每次可观测到日全食的地区，来自中国科学院各天文台站、各高校天文学研究组等都组织了一系列观测，并取得了大量观测结果，极大地推动着相关科学问题的发展。今年的日全食期间，除了中国科学院国家天文台、紫金山天文台、云南天文台、上海天文台、地质与地球物理研究所、空间科学与应用研究中心以及南京大学、中国科技大学、北京师范大学、武汉大学等将组织相应的观测活动外，国际天文学联合会及有关国家的科学家也将到我国杭州及周边地区从事观测研究工作。
二、科普教育意义
在地球上的同一个城市观测到日全食的机会大约每375年只有1次左右，同时还因为天气的影响，实际能观测到日全食的机会就更小。正因为其出现的机会不多，又发生在人类未知的天上，同时还会引起当地气温下降、湿度上升等异常现象，一些人往往对这种天象存在一定的恐惧心理。因此，在日全食现象发生前后，充分利用电视、报纸、互联网以及图书、图片展览等现代媒体技术向社会大众进行及时、准确、生动、形象的科普宣传和教育，是破除迷信思想、激发民众尤其是青少年们的科学热情、提升国民科学素质的一次千载难逢的机会。而且，今年又正好被联合国设立为国际天文年。
自上世纪80年代以来，我国曾经发生过三次有利于观测的日全食，一次是1980年在昆明、贵阳等西南城市；一次是1997年在黑龙江省的漠河地区。这两次日全食的全食带范围都非常小，再加上当时的交通条件并不是非常便利，因而这两次日全食观测活动带来的社会影响不大。第三次日全食发生于2008 年8月1日，中国科学院国家天文台、紫金山天文台、地质与地球物理研究所、空间科学与应用研究中心等科研机构在我国新疆、甘肃等地进行了大规模的科学观测与研究。同时，内蒙古、宁夏、陕西、山西、河南等省（区）部分地区组织了中小学生和民众的观测和观赏，收到了良好的科普效果。
2009年7月22日的这次日全食，从日食初亏到复圆长达两个多小时，全食带宽度可达250公里，日全食的持续时间最长可达6分钟左右，这是 1814－2309年之间中国境内可观测到的持续时间最长的一次日全食活动。同时，这也是世界历史上覆盖人口最多的一次日全食，全食带将覆盖印度中部、缅甸以及我国长江流域等广大人口稠密地区，其中包括经济发达、交通便利的成都、重庆、武汉、合肥、上海、杭州等大城市，而与这次日全食对应的偏食带则覆盖了我国全境，从最南端的曾母暗沙（食分约为20%）到最北端的漠河地区（食分约为30%），即使是远离日全食中心的北京，食分也将达73%。因此，这是一次影响我国全境的天象活动，通过科学部门、教育部门和各级政府的通力合作、协调部署、合理组织，可以在全国掀起一次规模宏大的爱科学、学科学、讲科学、用科学的风气。
三、社会影响
本次日全食对社会层面上的影响主要表现在：
（一）积极影响。通过科普宣传教育，破除封建迷信思想，激发民众热爱科学的热情和兴趣，对提升我国国民科学素养具有极大的现实意义。日全食期间，中国科学院天文学有关研究机构将联合当地政府，举办多点互动的科普活动，藉此大力普及科学知识，推动全民科学素质的提高。2009年5月19日，由中国科学院、科技部、国家自然科学基金委员会、中国科学技术协会联合主办的“2009年国际天文年日全食观测和科学普及活动周”新闻发布会上，中国天文学会会同中国科学院国家天文台向铜陵、桐城、黟县、嘉兴、苏州、高淳、常州、无锡等八个观测条件较好的城市颁发了“2009年日全食指定观测点”的牌匾和证书。这些处于全食带中心线的城市已经结合当地文化特点，策划和组织了一系列日全食观测和科普活动。届时，中央电视台也将在多个频道组织实况转播。
（二）不利影响。全食带区域从食既（太阳亮光突然消失）到生光（太阳亮光突然出现），时长短至1分钟、长至6分多钟。期间大地由突然变黑暗转向突然变明亮，很可能带来以下问题：
1．公众视力安全问题。日全食过程中，很多人会进行观测。在食既之前，太阳依然很明亮。不正当地使用观测眼镜或直接目视太阳都会造成失明等视觉损伤。尤其是生光瞬间，太阳突然增亮。有组织的观测者可能还沉浸在肉眼能看见日冕的兴奋之中，因此会被强烈的阳光灼伤眼睛（甚至失明）；尤其在偏远地区，人们可能因太阳的短暂消失而好奇地观望。这时，太阳的再次突然显露很可能会灼伤眼睛。因此，在观看日食过程时，有条件的可使用专用的日食镜片，没有条件者可使用其他方式保护眼睛，比如用墨均匀涂黑的玻璃，均匀曝光的胶片，烧电焊时用的护目镜等。
2．交通安全问题。日全食发生时在机场、高速公路等交通枢纽附近有可能引起交通拥堵乃至撞车等意外事故，驾驶员亦可能会因分散注意力而引发交通事故。
3．生产作业问题。日全食发生时大地突然变黑、气温下降15－20度、湿度明显上升，在热岛效应严重的大城市可能导致降水、风力、风速的变化，从而引发诸如高空作业、建筑施工等的安全问题。
4．通讯安全问题。在日全食期间电离层会出现扰动，从而可能导致通信中断或受干扰，而且大量游客通过互联网发送有关日食的信息等，可能导致网络通信受阻等。
5．社会治安问题。日食引起人群注意力分散、日全食短暂黑夜现象可能被不法分子利用。
6．医疗业安全。医院的供电、照明等如应对不及时，有可能发生病人慌乱、医疗过程差错等问题。
上述不利影响可以通过科学部门与生产管理部门的沟通，并通过合理安排进行规避。为此，我们建议政府动员各部门积极准备宣传、科学引导观赏、谨慎防范和应对突发公共事件，使得我们能够充分发挥这数百年难遇的科普良机来提高全民族科学素养、增加民众对科学的兴趣。
Take a moment to admire the China State Council circular below on total eclipse. I would never have imagined the stately State Council issuing a circular on something as mundane as solar eclipse; it has to be said that the Astronomy Association of China was very clever to have extracted maximum effect from the event.
P.S. I love the socialist part which states: "在观看日食过程时，有条件的可使用专用的日食镜片，没有条件者可使用其他方式保护眼睛，比如用墨均匀涂黑的玻璃，均匀曝光的胶片，烧电焊时用的护目镜等。" i.e. When viewing the total eclipse, those who can afford (literally "those who have the conditions") can use dedicated lenses for eclipses, those who can't ("don't have the conditions") can use other methods to protect the eyes, e.g. glass which has been evenly coated with black (Chinese) ink, film which has been evenly exposed, protective glasses for welding etc.
=====================
国 务 院 办 公 厅
关于妥善做好应对日全食工作的通知
国办发明电〔2009〕14号
各省、自治区、直辖市人民政府，国务院有关部门：
据国际天文联合会和紫金山天文台预测，7月22日将发生日全食现象。本次日全食持续时间长、涉及区域广，从日食初亏到复原长达两个小时，其中全食持续时间最长可达6分钟左右，全食带覆盖印度中部、缅甸以及我国长江流域等广大地区，偏食带则覆盖我国全境。这次日全食为科学研究、科学普及和观测观赏带来难得机遇。同时，由于日全食期间能见度下降、气温降低、湿度上升，会对交通运输、生产作业、通信安全、社会治安等带来一定影响，也可能在部分人群中产生迷信猜测和心理恐慌。为妥善做好应对工作，经国务院同意，现就有关事项通知如下：
一、加强科普宣传
各级科技部门和科协组织要充分利用此次日全食为科普宣传提供的良好机会，组织相关专家通过电视、广播、网络、报纸等多种渠道，广泛开展天文知识科普宣传活动，对日全食现象进行科学解释说明，对相关防范知识进行宣传普及。宣传工作要深入农村、山区、林区等偏远地区，消除部分群众的迷信和恐惧心理。同时，要注重对科学观测方式方法的宣传教育，避免造成观测人员视觉损伤。请中央和地方各级宣传部门和媒体给予大力支持。
二、做好相关预案和应对准备
针对日全食发生期间因天空亮度骤暗带来的不利影响和问题，请有关部门按照职责分工，制订完善相关预案，积极做好应对准备工作。交通运输、铁路、民航、通信、电力等部门和单位要及早做好安排部署，确保安全、畅通；市政设施管理部门要做好充分准备，日全食发生时及时开启城市道路照明设备；医疗卫生部门要注意防范光线不足对医疗救治的不利影响；...
国 务 院 办 公 厅
关于妥善做好应对日全食工作的通知
国办发明电〔2009〕14号
各省、自治区、直辖市人民政府，国务院有关部门：
据国际天文联合会和紫金山天文台预测，7月22日将发生日全食现象。本次日全食持续时间长、涉及区域广，从日食初亏到复原长达两个小时，其中全食持续时间最长可达6分钟左右，全食带覆盖印度中部、缅甸以及我国长江流域等广大地区，偏食带则覆盖我国全境。这次日全食为科学研究、科学普及和观测观赏带来难得机遇。同时，由于日全食期间能见度下降、气温降低、湿度上升，会对交通运输、生产作业、通信安全、社会治安等带来一定影响，也可能在部分人群中产生迷信猜测和心理恐慌。为妥善做好应对工作，经国务院同意，现就有关事项通知如下：
一、加强科普宣传
各级科技部门和科协组织要充分利用此次日全食为科普宣传提供的良好机会，组织相关专家通过电视、广播、网络、报纸等多种渠道，广泛开展天文知识科普宣传活动，对日全食现象进行科学解释说明，对相关防范知识进行宣传普及。宣传工作要深入农村、山区、林区等偏远地区，消除部分群众的迷信和恐惧心理。同时，要注重对科学观测方式方法的宣传教育，避免造成观测人员视觉损伤。请中央和地方各级宣传部门和媒体给予大力支持。
二、做好相关预案和应对准备
针对日全食发生期间因天空亮度骤暗带来的不利影响和问题，请有关部门按照职责分工，制订完善相关预案，积极做好应对准备工作。交通运输、铁路、民航、通信、电力等部门和单位要及早做好安排部署，确保安全、畅通；市政设施管理部门要做好充分准备，日全食发生时及时开启城市道路照明设备；医疗卫生部门要注意防范光线不足对医疗救治的不利影响；气象部门要加强天气监测，及时做好可能出现的灾害性天气预警信息发布；城市高空作业、建筑施工等作业单位要提前通知施工人员，并制订严密的安全保障措施，防止发生安全事故；质检、工商部门要对生产、销售假冒伪劣观测器材进行依法查处；公安部门要做好日全食可能引发的社会治安等问题的防范应对工作，加强公路特别是高速公路交通应急管理，防止发生重特大交通事故。
三、加强旅游和观测的组织与管理
一些地方已将这次日全食观测作为旅游活动进行组织，有关地区和旅游部门要针对可能出现的大量观测人员聚集情况，提前做出安排部署，切实做好游客数量、交通住宿和天文观测设施使用等预警信息发布工作，引导游客合理选择观测地点。要加强对观测活动的组织管理，制订合理的人群疏散等应急预案，妥善做好安全保卫工作，严防发生拥堵、踩踏等事件。
四、强化值守应急
各地区、各有关部门要密切关注此次日全食事件，切实加强值守应急，及时掌握有关情况，一旦发生突发事件，要立即启动相关应急预案，迅速组织力量，妥善高效处置，最大程度降低和减轻日全食造成的不利影响。重大情况要按照有关规定及时向国务院报告。
附件：中国天文学会常务理事会《日全食对社会影响的专业论证报告》
国务院办公厅
2009年7月10日
附件：
日全食对社会影响的专业论证报告
中国天文学会常务理事会
2009年7月22日，我国长江流域地区将可观测到百年内最为壮观的日全食天象，包括科学界、教育界以及民间在内的社会各界都在紧锣密鼓地准备对这次日全食进行观测和观赏。本次日全食也将对社会生活产生影响，主要表现在如下几个方面：
一、科学意义
日全食是指当月球运行到太阳和地球之间时，月球挡住全部太阳光球的天象，它是人们研究太阳大气的极佳机会。通常人们肉眼所见的太阳，只是它的光球部分，光球之外的太阳大气-色球层和日冕，都被淹没在光球的明亮光辉之中。日全食时，月亮挡住了太阳光球表面，在暗黑的天空背景上，相继呈现出太阳大气分层中的中红色色球和银白色日冕，天文学家可以在这一特定的时刻对相关天文学、物理学等问题进行观测研究：
（一）日全食期间可以组织对太阳色球和日冕进行比空间望远镜和其他地面望远镜更多波段（包括可见光波段、红外波段、射电微波波段）和更高分辨率的成像和谱连续观测，从而研究有关太阳色球和日冕大气的物理状态和化学组成，甚至其动力学演化，为建立更为精确的日冕大气模型提供准确的观测依据，为恒星物理、日地空间物理、空间天气预报研究提供基础性的第一手数据。
（二）日全食期间可以组织对水星轨道内小行星、近地小天体等的搜索和研究，为太阳系的形成和演化、近地空间安全等提供依据和保障。
（三）日全食期间可以为引力波及其他基本物理问题的探索寻找答案。在历次的日全食观测中，科学家们都一直孜孜不倦地为这些基础的物理问题进行探索研究。
（四）在日全食期间还可以对地球电离层结构和扰动规律进行高时间分辨率的详细观测研究。
因此在每次可观测到日全食的地区，来自中国科学院各天文台站、各高校天文学研究组等都组织了一系列观测，并取得了大量观测结果，极大地推动着相关科学问题的发展。今年的日全食期间，除了中国科学院国家天文台、紫金山天文台、云南天文台、上海天文台、地质与地球物理研究所、空间科学与应用研究中心以及南京大学、中国科技大学、北京师范大学、武汉大学等将组织相应的观测活动外，国际天文学联合会及有关国家的科学家也将到我国杭州及周边地区从事观测研究工作。
二、科普教育意义
在地球上的同一个城市观测到日全食的机会大约每375年只有1次左右，同时还因为天气的影响，实际能观测到日全食的机会就更小。正因为其出现的机会不多，又发生在人类未知的天上，同时还会引起当地气温下降、湿度上升等异常现象，一些人往往对这种天象存在一定的恐惧心理。因此，在日全食现象发生前后，充分利用电视、报纸、互联网以及图书、图片展览等现代媒体技术向社会大众进行及时、准确、生动、形象的科普宣传和教育，是破除迷信思想、激发民众尤其是青少年们的科学热情、提升国民科学素质的一次千载难逢的机会。而且，今年又正好被联合国设立为国际天文年。
自上世纪80年代以来，我国曾经发生过三次有利于观测的日全食，一次是1980年在昆明、贵阳等西南城市；一次是1997年在黑龙江省的漠河地区。这两次日全食的全食带范围都非常小，再加上当时的交通条件并不是非常便利，因而这两次日全食观测活动带来的社会影响不大。第三次日全食发生于2008 年8月1日，中国科学院国家天文台、紫金山天文台、地质与地球物理研究所、空间科学与应用研究中心等科研机构在我国新疆、甘肃等地进行了大规模的科学观测与研究。同时，内蒙古、宁夏、陕西、山西、河南等省（区）部分地区组织了中小学生和民众的观测和观赏，收到了良好的科普效果。
2009年7月22日的这次日全食，从日食初亏到复圆长达两个多小时，全食带宽度可达250公里，日全食的持续时间最长可达6分钟左右，这是 1814－2309年之间中国境内可观测到的持续时间最长的一次日全食活动。同时，这也是世界历史上覆盖人口最多的一次日全食，全食带将覆盖印度中部、缅甸以及我国长江流域等广大人口稠密地区，其中包括经济发达、交通便利的成都、重庆、武汉、合肥、上海、杭州等大城市，而与这次日全食对应的偏食带则覆盖了我国全境，从最南端的曾母暗沙（食分约为20%）到最北端的漠河地区（食分约为30%），即使是远离日全食中心的北京，食分也将达73%。因此，这是一次影响我国全境的天象活动，通过科学部门、教育部门和各级政府的通力合作、协调部署、合理组织，可以在全国掀起一次规模宏大的爱科学、学科学、讲科学、用科学的风气。
三、社会影响
本次日全食对社会层面上的影响主要表现在：
（一）积极影响。通过科普宣传教育，破除封建迷信思想，激发民众热爱科学的热情和兴趣，对提升我国国民科学素养具有极大的现实意义。日全食期间，中国科学院天文学有关研究机构将联合当地政府，举办多点互动的科普活动，藉此大力普及科学知识，推动全民科学素质的提高。2009年5月19日，由中国科学院、科技部、国家自然科学基金委员会、中国科学技术协会联合主办的“2009年国际天文年日全食观测和科学普及活动周”新闻发布会上，中国天文学会会同中国科学院国家天文台向铜陵、桐城、黟县、嘉兴、苏州、高淳、常州、无锡等八个观测条件较好的城市颁发了“2009年日全食指定观测点”的牌匾和证书。这些处于全食带中心线的城市已经结合当地文化特点，策划和组织了一系列日全食观测和科普活动。届时，中央电视台也将在多个频道组织实况转播。
（二）不利影响。全食带区域从食既（太阳亮光突然消失）到生光（太阳亮光突然出现），时长短至1分钟、长至6分多钟。期间大地由突然变黑暗转向突然变明亮，很可能带来以下问题：
1．公众视力安全问题。日全食过程中，很多人会进行观测。在食既之前，太阳依然很明亮。不正当地使用观测眼镜或直接目视太阳都会造成失明等视觉损伤。尤其是生光瞬间，太阳突然增亮。有组织的观测者可能还沉浸在肉眼能看见日冕的兴奋之中，因此会被强烈的阳光灼伤眼睛（甚至失明）；尤其在偏远地区，人们可能因太阳的短暂消失而好奇地观望。这时，太阳的再次突然显露很可能会灼伤眼睛。因此，在观看日食过程时，有条件的可使用专用的日食镜片，没有条件者可使用其他方式保护眼睛，比如用墨均匀涂黑的玻璃，均匀曝光的胶片，烧电焊时用的护目镜等。
2．交通安全问题。日全食发生时在机场、高速公路等交通枢纽附近有可能引起交通拥堵乃至撞车等意外事故，驾驶员亦可能会因分散注意力而引发交通事故。
3．生产作业问题。日全食发生时大地突然变黑、气温下降15－20度、湿度明显上升，在热岛效应严重的大城市可能导致降水、风力、风速的变化，从而引发诸如高空作业、建筑施工等的安全问题。
4．通讯安全问题。在日全食期间电离层会出现扰动，从而可能导致通信中断或受干扰，而且大量游客通过互联网发送有关日食的信息等，可能导致网络通信受阻等。
5．社会治安问题。日食引起人群注意力分散、日全食短暂黑夜现象可能被不法分子利用。
6．医疗业安全。医院的供电、照明等如应对不及时，有可能发生病人慌乱、医疗过程差错等问题。
上述不利影响可以通过科学部门与生产管理部门的沟通，并通过合理安排进行规避。为此，我们建议政府动员各部门积极准备宣传、科学引导观赏、谨慎防范和应对突发公共事件，使得我们能够充分发挥这数百年难遇的科普良机来提高全民族科学素养、增加民众对科学的兴趣。
18 July 2009
Stories from the father
1) That roosters crow whenever the tides changes. ("So if you are swimming out in the sea, you better swim back quickly when you hear them.")
2) That earthworms are added to laksa. ("But they are in dried powder form from the Chinese medicinal shop lah. You think it is so easy to catch earthworms in concrete Singapore?")
2) That earthworms are added to laksa. ("But they are in dried powder form from the Chinese medicinal shop lah. You think it is so easy to catch earthworms in concrete Singapore?")
14 July 2009
异曲同工，不约而同
...China’s idea that its people will always happily trade freedom for prosperity.
...the Faustian bargain the electorate thought they had struck in surrendering liberty for economic prosperity...
Both very interesting pieces that I would suggest reading.
05 July 2009
旧日地平线
从小听家里人给彼此指路时总是二马路前四马路后的，二十年来一直都搞不清哪儿是哪儿。
难得»《华文？谁怕谁？》出了这样的一道题，我今晚终于花点时间搞懂了:
原来新加坡河的南边叫大坡，北边叫小坡，而我一直就在大马路上班。
有兴趣的话，»新加坡文史工作室的旧址还记载了许多本地街名的历史，很有意思。
难得»《华文？谁怕谁？》出了这样的一道题，我今晚终于花点时间搞懂了:
原来新加坡河的南边叫大坡，北边叫小坡，而我一直就在大马路上班。有兴趣的话，»新加坡文史工作室的旧址还记载了许多本地街名的历史，很有意思。
04 July 2009
Osel
Mr B first mentioned to me a couple of weeks ago about a chosen monk who has decided to renounce. I didn't follow up on it, but stumbled on the »sensationalist Guardian article a week after. The unfortunate article was replicated in several other news sites.
The tulku system of identifying a reincarnated lama is a feature specific to Tibetan Buddhism (as opposed to being part of core Buddhist philosophy). I appreciate the criticisms out there of the tulku system; I too have personal reservations about plucking a child from their childhood* and anointing them a special status. Yet, despite the shortcomings of the tulku system or even Tibetan Buddhism as a whole, I think it is only fair to present a balanced view of the Osel story by offering the other side of it.
I have not researched in too much detail, but it seems that the Babylon Magazine in Spain was the first to have interviewed Osel and all the rest picked up the story. If you have read the Guardian article, take a moment to read the Babylon article below as well. I thought it was considerably more thoughtful, less black and white. Read also »what Osel himself says.
In all organized religions and perhaps organizations and systems in general, size breeds politics. Original intentions become forgotten and perfectly well-intended processes become blindly ritualized. Some people have advocated practising a Buddhism that not culture-specific. It is sound advice, but to the extent that organization exists as a necessary evil in every facet of human society (religion included), I am not sure if it is attainable in reality.
*A great deal has also been made of the harshness of monastic life and that Osel did not enjoy it. Indeed, monastic life in any religion is not an easy one. It perhaps should not be a decision that one makes on behalf of a child. Yet in Asia, poverty is also a reason (actually, probably the key reason) why children are sent to the monastery. Should abbots of monasteries then turn them away? I don't have the answer. The best we can do is not to make life difficult if they decide to renounce later. P.S. Buddhism does allow for renunciation of monastic vows.
Disclosure: I am a Buddhist. As a student in the midwestern US, I used to go to a small Tibetan Buddhist temple headed by compassionate and unpolitical people. I have been exposed to other Buddhist traditions as well. While I do not regularly go to any temples now, the Tibetan tradition remains the one I have most affinity with.
The tulku system of identifying a reincarnated lama is a feature specific to Tibetan Buddhism (as opposed to being part of core Buddhist philosophy). I appreciate the criticisms out there of the tulku system; I too have personal reservations about plucking a child from their childhood* and anointing them a special status. Yet, despite the shortcomings of the tulku system or even Tibetan Buddhism as a whole, I think it is only fair to present a balanced view of the Osel story by offering the other side of it.
I have not researched in too much detail, but it seems that the Babylon Magazine in Spain was the first to have interviewed Osel and all the rest picked up the story. If you have read the Guardian article, take a moment to read the Babylon article below as well. I thought it was considerably more thoughtful, less black and white. Read also »what Osel himself says.
In all organized religions and perhaps organizations and systems in general, size breeds politics. Original intentions become forgotten and perfectly well-intended processes become blindly ritualized. Some people have advocated practising a Buddhism that not culture-specific. It is sound advice, but to the extent that organization exists as a necessary evil in every facet of human society (religion included), I am not sure if it is attainable in reality.
*A great deal has also been made of the harshness of monastic life and that Osel did not enjoy it. Indeed, monastic life in any religion is not an easy one. It perhaps should not be a decision that one makes on behalf of a child. Yet in Asia, poverty is also a reason (actually, probably the key reason) why children are sent to the monastery. Should abbots of monasteries then turn them away? I don't have the answer. The best we can do is not to make life difficult if they decide to renounce later. P.S. Buddhism does allow for renunciation of monastic vows.
Disclosure: I am a Buddhist. As a student in the midwestern US, I used to go to a small Tibetan Buddhist temple headed by compassionate and unpolitical people. I have been exposed to other Buddhist traditions as well. While I do not regularly go to any temples now, the Tibetan tradition remains the one I have most affinity with.
01 July 2009
21 June 2009
Lotus at HortPark
The highlight of the 5+ km trek through the Southern Ridges today was undoubtedly »HortPark. I highly recommend a wander around there if you have not been. There is a cafe, a Thai restaurant, a butterfly enclosure (open 3rd Saturday every month) and plenty of uncrowded green space on a Sunday.
Thou shalt not hunt
Thou shalt not feed the monkeys, thou shalt clean up after your dog's poo... Our civic mindedness still has some way to go.
18 June 2009
Please don't call the bluff
What was peculiar, and what was quite startling to me, is that it turned out that nobody ever did any scientific test on Van Meegeren, even the stuff that was available in his day, until after he confessed. And to this day, people hardly ever test pictures, even multi-million dollar ones. And I was so surprised by that that I kept asking, over and over again: why? Why would that be? Before you buy a house, you have someone go through it for termites and the rest. How could it be that when you’re going to lay out $10 million for a painting, you don’t test it beforehand? And the answer is that you don’t test it because, at the point of being about to buy it, you’re in love! You’ve found something... You want it to be real... The forger wants the collector to snap it up, and the collector wants it to be real. You are on the same side. You think that it would be a game of chess or something, you against him. “Has he got the paint right?” “Has he got the canvas?” You’re going to make this checkmark and that checkmark to see if the painting measures up. But instead, both sides are rooting for this thing to be real.
- Bamboozling Ourselves, New York Times blog
The next time we ask in despair of the financial mess, of love, or of life, "What were they thinking?", this is why: everyone wants the musical chairs to go on.
A fascinating story about Nazi-era forgery by the way. Read it »here.
15 June 2009
14 June 2009
调情，heartland-style
大热天，站在大街上等着过马路。我抽出一张泛蓝的吸油纸，轻轻拭着脸蛋。
路边摊的年轻小伙子说道：
“小姐，给我一张可以吗？”
回眸一笑（尤其是看见那年轻小伙子脸上毫无汗迹），我应道：
“我看不用啦！”
“一张而已，可以啦..."
Ms C 感言，原来今日的吸油纸就是当年的手帕哩。
路边摊的年轻小伙子说道：
“小姐，给我一张可以吗？”
回眸一笑（尤其是看见那年轻小伙子脸上毫无汗迹），我应道：
“我看不用啦！”
“一张而已，可以啦..."
Ms C 感言，原来今日的吸油纸就是当年的手帕哩。
11 June 2009
07 June 2009
The hukou system in China
China tends to polarize sentiments. First, you have the gushers - those who are misty-eyed by her economic growth, her Olympics opening and and for whom she can do no wrong. Then, you have the bashers - those who can only see the spitting, the cheating and in turn cocoon themselves in a lifestyle of chauffeurs and champagne brunches.
Occasionally, there comes along someone who tries to bring an educated, considered view into this picture through an individual effort. (As opposed to self-professed China experts who make empty proclamations of how "China is really complex" without saying what the complexity is.)
I have been reading »Wangjianshuo's blog for a few years now and have just cleared his recent posts from my Google Reader. I highly recommend his two posts on the Chinese hukou system - »this and »this. For the profound impact it has on the day-to-day lives of Chinese, the hukou system seems to be relatively unknown to outsiders. I still recall my surprise when a Shanghai colleague had to miss a Hong Kong conference because his transit permit didn't reach him in time from his hukou in Shijiazhuang. Another told me matter-of-factly that her application to move her hukou to Shanghai took all of four years.
Occasionally, there comes along someone who tries to bring an educated, considered view into this picture through an individual effort. (As opposed to self-professed China experts who make empty proclamations of how "China is really complex" without saying what the complexity is.)
I have been reading »Wangjianshuo's blog for a few years now and have just cleared his recent posts from my Google Reader. I highly recommend his two posts on the Chinese hukou system - »this and »this. For the profound impact it has on the day-to-day lives of Chinese, the hukou system seems to be relatively unknown to outsiders. I still recall my surprise when a Shanghai colleague had to miss a Hong Kong conference because his transit permit didn't reach him in time from his hukou in Shijiazhuang. Another told me matter-of-factly that her application to move her hukou to Shanghai took all of four years.
06 June 2009
Dune daybed
The dune daybed was designed by renowned mid-century furniture designer Vladimir Kagan. His iconic furniture created a new look in furniture during the 40s, 50s and 60s.
I am so enamoured.
Chi Na Post
In a taxi, on the familiar road out of the Pudong airport.
The truck is from Henan by the way. You can tell from the 豫 that precedes the plate number at the back. Every province or autonomous area in China has a »single-word abbreviation, and they are often literary characters. This is the »etymology of 豫 and how it is not about Henan being where elephants were found.
Camera-phone series #14.
05 June 2009
Le basier
I wonder why no one has thought of it except Ms M. Lion dances are such great fun for a wedding!
Camera-phone series #12.
02 June 2009
31 May 2009
Chance music at the Victoria Concert Hall
A few hours ago, I saw a live demonstration of »aleatoric music ("chance music") at the Victoria Concert Hall. The conductor invited a kid from the audience to throw a few giant dice. The orchestra played a few bars of melodies according to the number on the dice, varying the last two bars after a second round of throws by the kid.The demonstration was intended as an introduction to Americ Goh's Overture 31.05.09, which in turn was an opening ("overture") to Sibelius' Violin Concerto in D Minor and Rach's Symphony No. 2 in E Minor. I like very much the idea of a composition dedicated to this particular day (31 May 2009), for this particular audience (a motley assortment of jeans-clad teenagers and one annoying woman who insistently let her cellphone ring twice, perhaps as a contribution to the democratic work), with neither the day nor the particularity of the audience ever to repeat again.
Highly commendable efforts by »a community orchestra, particularly one in Singapore. I encourage everyone to see them at their next performance in September, for less than the price of a CD. Don't go for fancy audience or packaging; go to see real people in the community making music. (Expect old and young, locals and Japanese - and oh, a Bulgarian as well.)
23 May 2009
Spider web
On the hiking trail from the Peak to Aberdeen. The best part about Hong Kong for me is its topography.
22 May 2009
Ms T's curtains
Today is Ms T's big day. She won the British Airways photography competition and »her works are exhibited today at the British Consulate in Hong Kong.
21 May 2009
03 May 2009
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