the earth and life on it

An interview with Robert M. Sapolsky, neurologist on stress on NPR (via Boing boing)

240,000 MILES FROM HOME

Sliding silvery wings

Through day night light

Barely turning

Edging on to new worlds

Tranquillity on the surface

Anxiety within;

Conquering the mountain of space

Is not for the weak-hearted. Spinning earth in view

Home-plate port

Calls forth the question: Why climb this hill?

Because it's there is not enough.

Compelled by forces Inexorable, yet comprehensible

Like the tick of a clock;

Study the history in rocks

And we learn more

About our own planet

And all the others.

One thing becomes clear

When floating 240,000 miles from home-

God did it all.

Robert Sapolsky, apollo poem stress