A Tribute to Black History Month

By Geoph Beard

Presented by Early Jackson at the 9 and 11am services at Wave Church in honor of Black History Month.

Black History Month has a very rich tradition.  It is celebrated in America, the United Kingdom, Canada, and unofficially in Ireland.  But here in the United States we have a unique tradition that stands out from other nations.  In order to properly understand the true value of purposefully taking the time to celebrate, and how the “why” has evolved over the century it’s important to first look at its roots.

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Black History month was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, an American Historian, author and journalist.

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February was chosen, not because it’s the shortest month of the year, but because both Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas were born in February.  These two men were widely credited with leading the charge to end the institution of slavery in America.   At the time, African Americans were facing tremendous persecution particularly in the South.

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Many moved to northern cities like Detroit and Chicago, however the persecution was different, but in many cases just as severe.

Carter Woodson’s justification for pushing what is historically known as “Negro History Week” was to prevent the eradication of the black race.  He is quoted saying, “If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated…The Hebrew keenly appreciated the value of tradition, as is attested by the bible itself.  In spite of worldwide persecution, therefore, he is a great factor in our civilization.”

Over the course of time the historical week was adopted by more and more states, and by 1976 it had evolved into what we now know as “Black History Month” and widely observed and celebrated across the country.

Additionally, Black History Month is set aside to honor the unique contributions of African Americans to our society and the broader global community: From science, to engineering, to business, technology, and mathematics, to the halls of universities and colleges, civil discourse in the political arena, to sports, the arts, space, our military, entertainment, faith communities as well as civil rights.

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Over the course of time many laws have been repealed and others created in order to legislate a more equal America.   However the systematic suppression of blacks has had lasting consequences and while laws can be changed by a majority vote and the stroke of a pen, people’s minds have taken more time.

For example, in the 1950s the Supreme Court ruled that separate but equal schools were inherently unequal, and were therefore unconstitutional.  This ruling led to what is known in Virginia as “massive resistance” whereby the elected governor of Virginia chose to shut down many schools in Virginia, 6 of which are in the City of Norfolk, to keep them from being integrated by black Americans.  The group known as the “Norfolk 17” are the first blacks to attend “white” high schools in Norfolk.  Many of them are still alive today.  They still tell the story of how they were heckled, abused, thrown down stairs etc. by their white peers.  They bravely fought not only for themselves, but for generations to come, enduring the “torture” because they believed that if “we don’t do this now while we have the opportunity, it’ll never happen.”

At the same time middle and elementary schools across the state were also being integrated.  The first African American to integrate Norfolk elementary schools currently teaches in one of them.

As late as the 1960’s a Virginia couple was sentenced to a year in prison just for getting married, while the Supreme Court ruled their conviction unconstitutional, states like Georgia still had laws banning interracial marriage on the books as late as the year 2000.

In 1967 just down the street a little girl was expelled from a local day care because it was discovered that she was bi-racial.

These are just a small sampling of some of the challenges that still exist in our society to this day.

We continue to celebrate Black history month not because we are still concerned that Black Americans are facing extermination, but because those stories that I just told illustrate that while we as a nation have come a long way, there is still ground to cover, and the consequences of our past will not be alleviated by default, but by design.  And by us as a society purposefully taking the time to study, observe and celebrate black history.

The church has played in the past and continues to play a role in speaking to these issues not simply from the stage (MLKJR and the civil rights movement was birthed out of the church), but through actions and building relationships and bridges that overcome the divides that so easily separate us, based upon race and culture.  We as the church are uniquely positioned to share the unbiased, pure gospel of Jesus Christ before whom we will all stand as equals.  This is why we celebrate Black History…OUR HISTORY.


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Great Moments in Greek Archaeology

This beautifully illustrated book offers an overview of the greatest archaeological sites and discoveries from ancient Greece. The contributors -a veritable who's who of the most venerable names in Creek archaeology- include both those who have excavated at the sites in question and scholars who have spent a lifetime studying the monuments about which they write. Presented here are the legendary sites of ancient Greece, including the Athenian Acropolis, Olympia, Delphi, Schliemann's Mycenae, and the Athenian Agora; the most iconic sculptures in the Greek world, such as the Aphrodite of Melos and the Nike of Samothrace; and several fascinating chapters on underwater archaeology that discuss the Kyrenia and Uluburun shipwrecks and the astonishing bronze masterpieces raised from the sea. This is the first book to bring together the archaeological legacy of ancient Greece in a concise and accessible way while still preserving the excitement of discovery.


Q&A: How Accelerating Expansion Affects Red Shift

Question: I’ve been hearing about how the expansion of the Universe is speeding up because of something called “dark energy”. But that doesn’t make sense to me. Here’s my reasoning:
1. The most distant galaxies are traveling away from us the fastest, and
2. the farther into space we look, the farther back in time we’re seeing, so
3. the galaxies were traveling away from us faster in the past, t
4. the expansion of the universe must be slowing down.
What am I missing here. Does it have to do with the expansion of space itself? — Julian Fox, UK

Answer: If distant galaxies are receding faster than nearby galaxies, and if we see the distant galaxies as they were in the past, then yes, the expansion of the Universe must be slowing down — to a first approximation. And yes, the answer has everything to do with the expansion of space.

Cosmologists estimate the accelerating expansion began around 4–5 billion years ago. At least that’s what initial data from Type 1a supernovae suggests. The graphic shows a plot of “size vs. age” for the Universe. There’s a horizontal inflection point where the deceleration became acceleration, but we don’t yet know if the radius was momentarily constant during that transition. Acceleration may have started while the Universe was still expanding.

Whatever the transition details, because of the initial rapid expansion, the radius of the Universe can be greater than its age multiplied by the speed of light. This is a key feature of current cosmological models.

For example, as of this writing the most distant galaxy observed is known as GN-z11. Based on its measured redshift of z = 11.09 its distance is around 32 G-ly (32 billion light years), but we see it as it was 13.4 G-yr ago (13.4 billion years).

13.4 G-yr is what’s called the light travel time from GN-z11. 32 G-ly is what’s known as the metric radial distance. This implies the light arriving now from GN-z11 traveled with a speed of:

v = d/t = 32 G-ly / 13.4 G-yr = 2.4c.

That’s 2.4 times “normal” light speed: c = 1 ly/yr (one light year per year). Clearly an absurd result.

The discrepancy arises because when the light now arriving from GN-z11 was emitted, GN-z11 was only 2.7 G-ly from Earth. The Universe has expanded by a factor of 12.1 since that light was emitted. By correcting for the expansion factor we can resolve this apparent contradiction.

Because empty space (with the galaxies embedded) can expand faster than the speed of light, we need to distinguish between metric radial distance (as measured by redshift), and distance inferred from light travel time. This distinction doesn’t apply to the 80 known galaxies in our Local Group like, say, Andromeda. Local Group galaxies are gravitational bound to each other, and so are comoving with the Milky Way. Their metric radial distance is (nearly) equal to the light travel time distance. Andromeda is 2.5 M-ly distant, and we see it as it was 2.5 M-yr ago. Not so with GN-z11.

At this point in cosmic evolution the accelerated expansion hasn’t been happening long enough to make much of a difference in what we see when we peer into deep space. The change in the expansion curve began gradually and is still in its early stage. If accelerated expansion continues, there will come a time when all distant galaxies (beyond our Local Group) will be redshifted out of view. But the farthest of them will still be moving the fastest.

Next Week in Sky Lights ⇒ What Causes High and Low Pressure Systems

Q&A: Meteor Impacts on the Moon
What Causes High and Low Pressure Systems


Depth Conversion: Why we need it

Depth conversion and seismic inversion can take a very long time and it takes a great deal of precise measuring to get it exactly right. Depth conversion is used when measuring the depth of the earth’s surface and how easy it would be to excavate. This is typically used when needing to drill far down, this is usually used in the oil and gas industry. Depth of the earth’s surfaced is measured by using time and soundwaves. This is done by seeing how long it takes for a sound to travel from its source to reflectors and then when bounced back how long it takes for the receivers along the ground to pick it up.

Using this information you can measure the depth of the surface, however, this alone will not give you an accurate reading and it can even be impossible due to the varying nature of the rocks that form the earth. A rocks velocity can distort the depth and shape of a surface, and can eliminate areas which you may have once thought were a possibility.

Rock velocity is very important when it comes to judging how easy or hard it is to drill and it is determined by how fast or slow a rock is. The slower the rock the more porous it is and easier to drill. Using a geological hammer the speed of a rock can be determined. Fast rocks go “ding” and slow rocks “thud” or “squelch”.

There is no single methodology when it comes to depth conversion though and all cases differ. Since seismic and geologic control varies in quantity and quality with each project, an effective depth conversion approach must be used. Depth conversion may also need to take into consideration the area’s history and other poorly positioned wells before jumping right in and drilling.

Many geoscientists and oil and gas industry experts use software that specialises in depth conversion and seismic inversion, to achieve quick and effective results with techniques that determine relative impedance and absolute acoustic impedance from seismic data.

Petrel and IHS Kingdom are two of the most common software’s that are used in depth conversion but you may want to think about getting Equipoise Softwares Velit plug in which has added functionality, improves workflow, and is much more efficient with a reduced margin for error. This software produces a slicker workflow experience and is head and shoulders above its competition. Velit even makes the most complicated data easy to transform into real and working best case models without any added frustration and over complication. The software is regularly updated, so as soon as there is something new to hit the market you will be the first ones to take the full benefit of it. They are continually future proofing your depth conversion experience so that you can get data that is as accurate as possible.


Knytt Nicklas Nygren / Nifflas' Games 2006

Little Knytt is playing outside when he is suddenly abducted by a UFO. It collides with a meteorite and crash lands on an unknown planet. In this freeware platformer, Knytt has to explore the world and collect items needed to repair the ship. There are many creatures, items and events in the background, but most of them cannot be interacted with. Knytt can jump, wall jump and climb straight walls, with no means of attack. An additional key shows a shining beam of light directed to a nearby item and there is another one to show the items collected so far. The entire game is a single level with different backgrounds for each screen, from underground depths to platform jumping in the clouds. Each screen has tiny details such as small creatures, a building, lights or plants. There are a few creatures that can be dangerous and when nearby Knytt will glow red. White tiles can be used to save progress. The general gameplay focuses on platform and jumping puzzles, while keeping a sense of navigation for the large game world. There are a few secrets and unlockables in the game, certain locations where Knytt can walk through walls and two hidden power-ups that increase jumping height and speed. Music and sound effects conjure an eerie ambiance, and the general atmosphere reminds of Seiklus and Fumito Ueda's game design.
Free Game v1.02 / Brutally Unfair Knytt v1.01 18MB/20MB (uploaded by Official Site)
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