Sunday, October 18, 2009

Black Holes



(Click on the thumbnail for the bigger, better version)


I have known this was possible all along. I just never had any evidence. Heaven knows how I replicated this result—I must admit that it wasn’t intentional. But, clearly, I was way ahead of the curve with practical research in this area. For as long as I can remember, I have had things disappear from my desk. Most often, I would blame the poltergeists, of course, because we all know what havoc those little rascals wreak in our lives. The truth, it would seem, is that I had inadvertently created a desktop black hole—one that was actually devouring things I had safely stored on my desk. And, I don’t even recall purchasing any photon-absorbing carbon nanotubes. Whodathunk? Oh, well, now the poltergeists are off the hook—at least when it comes to the top of my desk.

16 comments:

  1. I wouldn't know if anything is missing from my desk as the desk can't be seen inder the pile of stuff that is on it. Or it is missing and the pile is really taller than I thought.
    I like the photo it reminds me alot of a Paul Klee painting (one of my favorite artists).

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  2. Ray K - I couldn't stop laughing over your comment. I know the feeling. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever again uncover the desk.

    Thanks for the comment on the photo. I hadn't actually thought about Klee specifically (truth is I rarely think about Klee), but that must be why that piece of wood appealed to me. Thanks for pointing that out.

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  3. My wife ask me the other day if I needed a new desk. I think she was wondering if something was wrong with my current desk and that's why it's covered up with "stuff." Hummm...I don't think getting a new desk would solve the problem--the "stuff" would simply expand in direct proportion to the area of the desk. It's a law of the universe, I'm sure. ;-)

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  4. I think maybe it's that this image just struck me as the last thing I'd see you capturing (and that might be more of a comment on how little I know you), but I just *love* this image. Wow. Stunning.

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  5. Earl - I think your wife is trying to get through to you, Earl. Fortunately, the size of our office will not permit a larger desk. Obviously, in my case, too a larger desk would simply mean more junk. I fully agree that we are simply victims of a law of the universe.

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  6. Chris - Thanks for the enthusiastic response to the photo. You are right on target to be surprised by the image. I even surprised myself with this. I don't run across many images such as this where I spend my time. Besides, the ones I do come in contact with, I usually miss. I think I can credit the macro lens for changing my "field of vision".

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  7. Anita, that's a wonderful image.

    I have a black hole on my desk as well, and no nanotubes for clean up. I'm waiting for them to go on sale at Amazon.com...lol.

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  9. Mary Ann - Please keep me posted. I'll let you know if I spot the sale first. :)

    I meant to also thank you for the commment on the photo, but I rushed.

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  10. You want to experience a black hole, you should visit my basement!

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  11. What an intriguing image. I know it reminded me of some artists work, but couldn't place a name on it.

    And as far as your link - it seems someday those crazy scientists are going to get the whole planet sucked inside of a donut someday. If that happens, there had better be jelly inside!!!

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  12. Steve - Another big laugh. I'll put our garage up against your basement any day of the week.

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  13. Mark - I am still laughing over the hole in the donut. Those crazy scientists are bound to forget the jelly.

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  14. All - I plan to mark this post and come back to it any day I am feeling blue. The responses have been wonderful. Thanks, everybody.

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  15. Anita: What a cool photo. There's nothing specific to look at so I can just let my imagination wander. This would be one to put in the halls of any building. It would be sure to make people stop and have a look, their minds desperately trying to figure it out. I like those types of images.

    Regarding those black holes, I think that you may have created one, not with layers of circuit boards, but with a strange concoction of miscellaneous paper! Here, all the while, you've been telling us of your lack of technical expertise or ability, and then you've gone and beat various scientists to the punch! Way to go Dr. Anita von Jesse!

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  16. Paul - The board that I was photographing certainly kept me interested.

    I rather like that: Dr. Anita von Jesse, scientist and photographer. Up until now, I have done my best to keep it under wraps, but it was bound to get out eventually.

    Paper of every sort and description certainly ends up, at least for short periods, on my desk. I think it's the layering effect—both the pressure of many, many layers and the varieties of materials that is the secret. It helps to have odd stacks perched precariously and some stuffed in drawers. Builds pressure, you know. Who knows what this potent combination could eventually produce.

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Anita