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FutureFilms · Jul 30, 2008, 05:50 AM

Ever wondered about just how small Earth is? Well here is a quick documentary i made showing just how tiny Earth is.

Planet Earth Is Tiny - Video

Feedback is most welcome.

This sort of puts things in perspective.

Future Films Website

Mastrap · Jul 30, 2008, 06:08 AM

Since when is metacafe putting these incredibly annoying ads on the actual movies?

FutureFilms · Jul 30, 2008, 06:34 AM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

Since when is metacafe putting these incredibly annoying ads on the actual movies?

Is that the Directors thingy?

If it is then it is because it is part of the directors channel, if it is something else i haven't seen it.

design219 · Jul 30, 2008, 06:51 AM

Originally Posted by FutureFilms

Feedback is most welcome.

Well, I think the motion makes the visual comparison a little deceptive. I'm seeing distance as well as scale. The number "number of earths" doesn't specify volume, diameter, mass, or what.

I think this film does the scale bit well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0RT4nFJEFM

- - e r i k - - · Jul 30, 2008, 07:48 AM

In addition to that... what is up with the Ye Olde Fantasy Font?

Also some of the motion is jerky.

Helmling · Jul 30, 2008, 08:27 AM

And if your attention is to energize instead of demoralize people then the line "Planet Earth is nothing," may not be the best choice of words.

P.S. I agree on the font.

smacintush · Jul 30, 2008, 06:07 PM

I fail to see the value in trying to depict exactly how "insignificant we are".

sek929 · Jul 30, 2008, 06:08 PM

"Planet Earth is Tiny"

Duh!

- - e r i k - - · Jul 30, 2008, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by smacintush

I fail to see the value in trying to depict exactly how "insignificant we are".

Gives you a sense of perspective. Sorely needed for some.

This one is better still:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I34FNr_peUk&NR=1

smacintush · Jul 30, 2008, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - -

Gives you a sense of perspective. Sorely needed for some.

Why? What is it that you mean by this?

- - e r i k - - · Jul 30, 2008, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by smacintush

Why? What is it that you mean by this?

That we have been very anthropocentric in the way we view ourselves and our place in the universe at large for most of our history. A little perspective can only gain humanity as a whole.

Cipher13 · Jul 30, 2008, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - -

That we have been very anthropocentric in the way we view ourselves and our place in the universe at large for most of our history. A little perspective can only gain humanity as a whole.

Indeed. Humanity is completely and totally insignificant spatially and temporally.

- - e r i k - - · Jul 30, 2008, 11:20 PM

Of course you can take it too far in the other direction too there and become a nihilist. No reason to that either.

smacintush · Jul 31, 2008, 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - -

That we have been very anthropocentric in the way we view ourselves and our place in the universe at large for most of our history. A little perspective can only gain humanity as a whole.

What I want to know is, what exactly is the desired result of our "realizing" just how "insignificant" we are?

- - e r i k - - · Jul 31, 2008, 01:15 AM

Numerous. For one we could stop our petty quarrelling, try and focus working more as a team, lessening our environmental impact and finally shed our made up beliefs about the world that we still cling on to.

C.A.T.S. CEO · Jul 31, 2008, 01:33 AM

The guy who posted this just today, I smell spam. registered

smacintush · Jul 31, 2008, 01:57 AM

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - -

Numerous. For one we could stop our petty quarrelling, try and focus working more as a team, lessening our environmental impact and finally shed our made up beliefs about the world that we still cling on to.

I fail to see how realizing how little we matter would have that effect. Seems like it would be more likely to bring about the opposite feeling. I mean, in the overall scheme of things it doesn't really matter how much we "impact the environment" (somehow I KNEW that was part of it) does it? We could literally "destroy the Earth"…not that environmentalist hyperbole, but actually destroy it and it wouldn't matter one whit. The lives of 6 billion or 6 trillion people don't mean squat in this universe. That's not MY feeling, but that is the feeling I get when I watch crap like that video or hear opinions like those in this thread.

Seems to me that such a small planet near such a small star covered with life is pretty significant.

Eriamjh · Jul 31, 2008, 06:08 AM

One thing about the earth... it's pretty significant to US!

$%&# the rest of the universe! Save the earth! Save us!

(Feel better?)

Check out the Hubble Ultra Deep Field and realize we are stuck here no matter how big the universe really is.

Plus, after re-reading the first post, methinks it stinks of spam, also.

zro · Jul 31, 2008, 09:45 AM

There's a difference between trying to point out how insignificant something is, and how unique & precious it is.

sek929 · Jul 31, 2008, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Eriamjh

Check out the Hubble Ultra Deep Field and realize we are stuck here no matter how big the universe really is.

There was an article about this in Smithsonian several months back, it really blows the mind. 10,000 galaxies, each with hundreds of millions of stars in the smallest and furthest portion of the universe we have ever looked at.

G Barnett · Jul 31, 2008, 04:12 PM

I think this is the best one of 'em all:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwvPHx4galM

smacintush · Jul 31, 2008, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by zro

There's a difference between trying to point out how insignificant something is, and how unique & precious it is.

Can something be unique, precious, and insignificant at the same time?