You'll Believe A Mandalorian Can Fly

On This Day In History
1957: President Eisenhower takes first presidential ride in a helicopter

Quote Of The Day
"The helicopter is probably the most versatile instrument ever invented by man. The helicopter approaches closer than any other (vehicle) to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of the flying horse and the magic carpet."
(Igor Sikorsky)

At the beach this afternoon reading the excellent Homo Deus. Written in 2016, some of Harari's predictions have already come true, with humans increasingly surrendering their free will to the recommendations of the algorithms that assist us; think driving routes recommended by SatNav, purchasing choices and health and medical decisions. As we allow the likes of Google and Microsoft ever more access to our personal, political, social, genetic and biometric data, the more they will be able to guide (control) our decisions. As Harari says, the algorithms will know us better than we know ourselves, at which point we may willingly surrender our free will. A chilling prospect.

While I was at the beach, I noticed lots of people lining along the shoreline looking towards Osaka. I joined them, and then a few minutes later we watched the Blue Impulse display team performing aerobatics over Osaka Expo 2025. Skip to 2:41 for the display. Unfortunately, I was too far away to get any decent photographs.

Off to the cinema this evening to watch Superman. It looks as if this version finally captures the sense of wonder, romance and humour of the first two Christopher Reeve films. I hope so. After the angst ridden Brandon Routh version and Henry Cavill's brooding, violent avenger (what a waste of a great actor's charm and romantic/comic talent), I'm beginning to despair. 

Theme From Superman

UPDATE
Superman was perfect. Exciting, thrilling, funny, romantic. And Superman was exactly what he should be: a hero through and through - honest, caring, trusting, utterly decent and devoted to humans. Even Krypto stole my heart. 5 out of 5 from me.