AI Lecture DVDs (& 'The Special Relativity Cosmographicu

The AI monthly lecture tonight looks pretty interesting;

www.astronomy.ie/lecture0507.html

"With the help of a simple approach to Space-Time visualization (and a little school maths), this first Time Travel lecture will show graphically how a medieval principle of simple motion leads to both of these revelations neatly - and understandably - fitting in with physical reality and how ‘Providence’ cleverly limits the maximum speed any object can travel (thereby also preventing us from going backwards in time). The kinematic twin paradox scenario will be properly explained, showing how one twin can ‘slow down’ his or her biological aging."

I can't make it - But I was wondering, has anyone purchased one of the AI lecture DVDs? - www.astronomy.ie/sub/DVDbuy.htm

What sort of quality are they? - Is everything clear, slides etc; is the sound quality okay?

No idea but I hope its better than that webpage. Absolutely no security on the page you are meant to enter your credit card info onto. thats just irresponsible. lazyness too since they have the mag subscription page done properly with a 3rd party secure site. Give them a call if you want to buy them dont use this form.

The webcasts when they were availble were of fairly poor quality, you could hear the speaker, just but not make out the presentation slides. I would expect the DVD's to be much better though.

Cheers,
~Al

John,

I was at Brian's talk tonight. Fantastic presentation. I really enjoyed it, some people suggested it was a little heavy on the math, you'll never find me complain about that. I saw relativity in a whole new light!

I asked about the DVD since I go to every talk (almost), I have never seen one (DVD). The talks are recorded on a broadcast quality camera. The speaker has a radio mic clipped on and a sound check is done before it all begins. The reason the web versions are so poor is simply a matter of download size. I am assured that the DVD is full quality.

If you are getting the DVD dont forget to ask for a hubble DVD to be thrown in too (if you havent already got one)

Can either of you ask what the story is with distributing it? I wouldn't mind taking a copy at whirlpool and burning a couple for those interested. Since it would effectivly be free publicity for AI and it would be freely distributed to just a few people I wouldn't think there would be an objection, but then again it is AI...

but then again it is AI...

<shakes head>

Al,

I'll check with AI what the score is and come back to you on that. I dont see that it would be a problem, but thats not for me to say.

Al,

almost forgot to post back about this. I asked DM if it was ok to copy and distribute. He said that would be fine as long as it wasnt edited in any way and was to be given free. You can of course recoup your costs for disks etc.

BTW the lecture is up on AI's website now. Actually, This time I was asked to 'avi' it and post it, since the usual guy couldnt do it. I warn you in advance the quality of the web version is terrible. Although the sound is ok. I had to make it as small a file as possible. Still could only get it down to 74MB, but I warn you again the picture is terrible. Listen but dont bother watching!