National Geographic is presenting a six part series on the Disney Channel titled Welcome to Earth. Will Smith is the host as they explore the mysteries of our Earth. I fondly remember Will in his role in Men in Black. This series is not about extraterrestrials but a line from one of the movies will reinforce why everyone needs to see this series. “Fifteen hundred years ago everybody knew the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew the Earth was flat, and fifteen minutes ago you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you will know tomorrow.” I started watching the series as Smith, a blind adventurer, and a seismologist wearing a Boise State cap were descending into an active volcano to place seismic instruments. The volcano is shooting molten lava into the air which comes down in solidified form, yes this is dangerous. Better understanding the activity at the center of our earth is vital knowledge to the future of the planet. The gentleman who has lost his sight explains how his sense of hearing allows him to continue an active life including crater hiking. At one point in a later episode he is shown in his own kayak in Alaskan rapids as they follow the native salmon run.
Each episode highlights the natural forces that power our planet. The wildebeest or gnu is an African antelope. Will Smith joins a professional photographer and a native guide to chronicle the annual migration of the creatures to cross the Mara river to reach greener pastures. There are tens of thousands of the animals forming large lines of travelers. They reach the river, which just happens to be full of very large crocodiles. The first brave creature is quickly stopped by a hungry croc, they wait until some unknown sign begins the stampede across the river, a few are lost but most survive. The filming and story are amazing.
They cut to Nepal to their unique mountains to watch as natives scale the cliffs to harvest honey from the Giant Honey Bees. A scientist approaches one of the hives and the bees are able to sense his presence and danger and the mass of bees turn stingers out in unison in a defense position still clinging to the hive. Later we cut to slime mold, a single celled organism as long as their is a sufficient food source. When the food dwindles the cells combine into creepy worm like creatures and grow and extend upward on cells that give up their existence to help reach a height where they can hitch a ride to a better place. You will marvel as Starlings swarm in dizzying unison, monarch butterflies make the annual 3000 mile migration, sea turtles return to an island in the Great Barrier Reef to lay their eggs, tiger sharks who follow for the plentiful food, and salmon return home to spawn. We do not understand how any of this communication happens.
In one portion of the series we follow a group of spelunkers as they descend several thousand feet into in caves. We crawl along with them through passages barely wide enough for a human to pass. I do not think I am claustrophobic but this portion made me very nervous and sure this will not be a new hobby for me. Why did we descend on this treacherous journey, to experience total silence. I am guessing it is totally dark as well. I am skipping some details but I highly recommend watching this series, you will be amazed at the mysteries remaining right here on Earth.
The devastating and unprecedented storms in the Midwest this week should motivate our country to accelerate our push to save this planet. I hope there are extraterrestrials and if they exist they are vaccinated. It seems like it would be wise to appreciate and understand Earth first.
Happy holidays, Mike
Claustrophobic
