Not a Boy’s Own Adventure
If you whiled away some of yesterday evening watching Felix Baumgarter’s incredible fall from space, then you were in good company. This Boy’s Own style adventure with a giant balloon, a supersonic fall and a perfect landing was utterly compelling, and over 8 million people watched it live on YouTube. If you are not of a nervous disposition and you do not suffer from vertigo, you might enjoy this incredible Gif from space. I shall have to be very careful today that I don’t waste too much time watching it over and over again.
However, a 14-year old schoolgirl from the Swat Valley in Pakistan has come to my aid. Malala Yousafzai is now famous for taking her costly stand on girls’ education in defiance of the Taliban. Last week she was the victim of an an assassination attempt as she came home from school. Today, her life hangs in the balance. Whilst Baumgarter was boarding his helicopter flight from the drop zone, she was being loaded onto a helicopter for transfer to the airport. Whilst Baumgarter is giving press conferences today, she will be flying to the UK for hospital treatment for gunshot injuries to the skull. Whilst he enters the record books, she enters the intensive care unit.
None of this is intended to belittle Baumgarter’s achievement. However,in a world where an intelligent and articulate girl can be shot for going to school, it is hard to get too excited about a man who jumps from a balloon.
If YouTube broadcast Malala’s arrival in the UK live – I wonder if it would have even 8000 viewers?
Images: thesportsbanknet and ibtimes.com
