I know I’m not supposed to look directly at the eclipse, I remember that from when I was 5 in 1979, my first eclipse (visible from the U.S.). I realize that wasn’t a total solar eclipse like we’re about to have, but is it really that different? It was disappointing in 1979, and so were the ones after that.
If you blog about travel it’s almost obligatory to write something about the eclipse, where to see it, where to find glasses, flights that will see it, how to still get a deal while seeing it (even camping).
I’ve skipped this topic completely, except to highlight bad behavior of travel providers cancelling reservations to resell them at a higher price.
Tyler Cowen sums up my confusion over why we’ve made such a big deal of this eclipse.
I’ve seen it get dark before. So is it special because we wonder how the others will react? If traffic will freeze up and wild animals will burrow into the sleep holes for the night? Or do we care simply because it is rare and publicly observable? (NB: It is the 3 billionth total solar eclipse.) Because it upends something about our sense of the world and its underlying orderliness? Because we somehow find the crossing of the heavenly bodies intrinsically aesthetic?
Because we can see it? No one much seems to care when various planets line up in what are supposed to be astrologically meaningful ways. Or maybe because the event is dangerous and capable of damaging our eyes.
Copyright: ximagination / 123RF Stock Photo
There’s nothing new about a total solar eclipse. It’s completely predictable, indeed the Greeks could predict it and those calculations will last until the sun burns out.
Now it would be cool if you were the only one who knew about an eclipse, and it happened to come right as you were captured by soldiers or savages. You could prove your mystical powers by blotting out the sun and then they’d all bow at your magnificence.
The main character in Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court pulled this trick. And supposedly Christopher Columbus used a lunar eclipse to similar effect in Jamaica because he had an almanac and the people of Jamaica did not.
NASA has a vested interest in promoting the idea that we live on a planet, in a solar system, and there’s much to explore. But will we remember that once the eclipse is over?
Sounds like you’ve never seen one. I’ve seen two, absolutely amazing.
Agreed. As a college student, I drove all night from Boston to Virginia/North Carolina to see the total eclipse of March 7, 1970. The drive was more memorable than the actual event. I live in Atlanta and only have to drive about 100 miles to see a total eclipse again. Not doing it. Once is enough!
We humans are not just strictly logical thinking machines. It is possible to know intellectually in advance what something will look like, and yet still be blown away by it emotionally when you see it.
I had seen a great many pictures of the Grand Canyon before I ever went there, and yet seeing it in person was a life-changing experience.
Have you actually seen a total eclipse in person?
I am PhD scientist. I have a very detailed knowledge of the astronomical details of a solar eclipse. Yes, intellectually this is nothing that special. But actually being there is something very deeply special.
Actually happening above you and seeing the day changing into the night and total darkness occurs is quite an experience, I was in Shanghai traveling when this happened to me and seeing the city lights came on during the day time for a few minutes and then disappeared was quite surreal. You are right what is a big deal but experiencing it while it is happening is the deal.
STFU
No one’s making you write about it.
@beachfan He did see one. It’s literally in the first sentence.
@Pat, that very same first sentence says it wasn’t a total solar eclipse, only a partial.
Things not worth writing about according to Gary: a nationwide event that’s at least a little cool and has relevance to people
Things worth writing about: every time someone gets a denied boarding, or a YouTube video of someone doing something rude on a plane.
Grow up, this is a glorified TMZ half the time.
What if you earned points. And there was a first class viewing area. And some reheated food?
Tintin pulled that trick too.
I am always amazed there are people fighting and killing about statues they normally wouldn’t care too much about. And then there are people who will get their panties in a bunch because you write about something they think is a big deal, is not a big deal.
One would wrongly presume you were writing about their kids or something. Americans are not very different than Islamic terrorists. They just don’t kill for small slights because they have too much too lose. If they had nothing to lose they would behave exactly like Islamic terrorists.
First, the eclipse in 1979 was a total solar eclipse, you just weren’t in the path of totality. You can’t claim to have seen a *total* solar eclipse unless you make special effort to be in the 70ish mile wide path of totality (width varies from eclipse to eclipse). Calling this one a non-event based on your experiences is unfair.
I am primarily an eco-tourist when I travel. I’m sure I’m not alone amongst your readers. My interest in traveling the world comes from an interest in seeing beautiful and majestic natural phenomena, such as scuba diving with feeding manta rays. I respect that such pursuits may not be high on your, or many of your readers, lists. A total solar eclipse is, simply put, *the most* spectacular natural phenomenon an average person can travel to see…that is, if you’re into that sort of thing.
From what I hear, a total solar eclipse is a whole different ballgame than a partial eclipse like you witnessed (and I have as well). Think AA domestic F vs. Etihad apartments. I’ll let you know on Monday evening whether or not it is a “non event”.
There’s nothing new about the chase sapphire card, but yet we get a post every month rehashing the same benefits
Maybe why people are eager to slap this down as a non-event is because they are simply tired of hearing how it will be so life-changing. Unless someone comes forward and says how the eclipse encouraged them to quit their 9-to-5 slog and backpack around the world or uproot their family so they can go save dolphins or whatever, I think most people’s idea of a “life-changing event” is no more dramatic flying in an Etihad apartment.
If you haven’t seen a TOTAL solar eclipse, you don’t know what this is about.
So… by the end of the year you gonna complain about christmas also? Its not like there’s snow in betlehem/jerusalem…. the date may also been wrong…
I’m not surprised that at 5 you aren’t able to appreciate the momentous occasion. Also, a partial eclipse is rather underwhelming compared to a total eclipse. But commenting negatively is like someone saying they went to The Louvre and “didn’t get it.” It speaks more about you than the experience you denigrate. The wonder is in its rarity, like Halley’s Comet. Unlike Etihad’s suite, you can’t schedule it anytime, no matter how rich or many points. It doesn’t have to be life changing.
@Gary At the very best this post is unnecessary but the reality is you are now an internet troll. Get over what? Planning a trip to see something that most would consider pretty cool. Get over yourself. Blog cancelled.
@KM you refuse to read a blog because it voices an unpopular opinion, or one you disagree with? don’t you think that’s kind of sad?
“I realize that wasn’t a total solar eclipse like we’re about to have, but is it really that different?”
Umm, yeah. The difference between a partial and total eclipse is like the difference between a one-hitter and perfect game. That one measly hit makes all the difference.
Besides, a sunset happens, literally, every day. Do you look?
@Gary “Get over it” moves it from opinion to assasinating the character of people engaging in harmless activities. I love reading dissenting opinions as I often learn from them but this post just seemed pointless.
No one’s character is at issue in this post !
@KM: Your response to Gary’s post is as ridiculous as Gary’s post!
I can think of plenty of things that people do that strike me as totally insane. Some of them are into points/miles/status. Not gonna gives names.
@tommyleo As long as we agree on Gary’s post, I am happy to take the hit and agree on my post as well.
Its a total eclipse. It is going to happen right over my house in Nashville! Last time that happened here was in the 1400s. It will be 2.5 minutes of dark in the middle of a hot steamy August day. I was 18 in 1979 and remember the partial eclipse as pretty darn amazing even though we were in Miami and it was only about 50%. So, yeah, I am pretty excited about it. I will be at work, but we will be outside to see it from 1 to 2. We have so few opportunities to be truly amazed by things in the natural world anymore. I love experiencing things that make my jaw drop…..a good thunderstorm, the power of ocean waves, dawn on a steamy morning, sunset over the ocean, a quiet snowfall, fog rolling in, full moons, seeing the Milky Way and a billion stars in a dark night sky. It really is tough to be blasé about a total eclipse. I have never seen one, so I hope I get another amazing, jaw dropping, goose bump inducing experience that reminds me how great it is to be alive in the moment. Cheers and hope you find your awe in whatever inspires you.
I read this as, “Bah humbug.” Nothing more.
I understand where Gary is coming from to some extent. I live in Salem, Oregon. When I read about the eclipse this past winter, I thought it would be kinda cool, especially since I don’t have to go anywhere. Fast forward to now…. while I am still curious to see the eclipse, I am a bit appalled and amazed about how many crazy people are converging on my little city for a 2 minute event that could damage your eyes if you don’t have proper viewing spectacles. My local winery where I am a member said that there is nary of port-a-potty left because local governments and businesses have rented them all. The city police officers and emergency-preparedness people are acting like mass-hysteria will soon be descending on our city, with gas supplies running low, bread and mile gone, and 48 hours of total gridlock. The city has opened up our beautiful city parks for deadbeat eco-tourists from all over to pitch their tent and leave garbage everywhere. I have no doubt that some of these eco-tourists will not comply with the park rules that say no smoking (and that includes pot, people!). I have to be in Portland for a Tuesday early morning Alaska Air flight out for work which was planned months and months back. I had planned on taking the Amtrak Cascades up to Portland the day before and spending the night in Portland (something I do sometimes when I have a really early Portland flight), but I can’t because the eclipse trippers bought up all the Amtrak seats. And the HUT shuttle from Salem is not even running on Monday to the airport because the entire interstate is supposed to be a parking lot. With all of these fly-by-nighters descending on my city, and with all of the potential for chaos, I am now much less interested in seeing this eclipse. I am sure it is interesting. It can’t be THAT interesting.
One more thing. While I appreciate that Mr. Leff isn’t excited about the eclipse, I don’t understand why his article title seems to imply that I should agree that its a non event and that I should get over it.
If Mr. Leff doesn’t want to enjoy it, fine. If Mr. Leff thinks its over hyped, fine. But why denigrate others who might be excited by telling them to ‘get over it’.
Seems rather rude. I still hope Mr. Leff finds joy and awe in something, and I won’t tell him to ‘get over it’ if he does.
@MarkF I’m right there with you!
You sound like a lot of fun.
I actually found this post hilarious and fun. But the comments were largely lame, the sort of lame comments you see on TripAdvisor for well-known places that boring people go to and find boring but want to have something to say. Yawn.
Gary, you are possibly the most ignorant and clueless person on the planet. The difference between a total solar eclipse and a partial eclipse is immense. The fact that you’re not intelligent enough to realize this proves that you are a “Thought Leader in NOTHING!”
But I must admit there is one good thing about your post. It has convinced me to disconnect from your little “View from the Left Wing” blog! There are plenty of good travel blogs out there that aren’t filled with your nonsense.
So I bid farewell to the self-proclaimed “Thought Leader”!!
So @James thinks my perspective is ‘left wing’ and somehow I’m the clueless one.
What is it with people who (1) object to reading things they disagree with, and (2) need the drama of announcing their departure to the internet?
I don’t understand why some people get all excited about taking a shower on an airplane. I take showers almost every day and it isn’t such a big deal.
@mark from Salem
Paragraphs
Take Gary’s article. Replace the words “total eclipse” with “sex”. Now do you see why this is a big deal?
Gary I’m so mad at you I threw my iPad in the garbage then lit my house on fire to get as far away from this post as possible. Then I ran back into my burning domicile to write this comment because nothing is more important than letting the world know that I disagree with what someone wrote on the internet. I have second degree burns all over my body now but it was totally worth it.
@Mark F “I love experiencing things that make my jaw drop…..a good thunderstorm, the power of ocean waves, dawn on a steamy morning, sunset over the ocean, a quiet snowfall, fog rolling in, full moons, seeing the Milky Way and a billion stars in a dark night sky.” “I hope I get another amazing, jaw dropping, goose bump inducing experience that reminds me how great it is to be alive in the moment. Cheers and hope you find your awe in whatever inspires you.”……………….Wow, beautiful written! And you sound so kind. Kind people and kind words are hard to find nowadays. Thank you for making my day!
@chris. I’m going to create a religion to worship and evangelize your blog commenting skills.
A surprisingly inane post from you. Some people travel all over the world (often on points & miles) to see total eclipses. Having one relatively nearby is a plus. Totality in Montana in 1979 was my first and I got hooked. A total eclipse is completely different from a partial eclipse and its a cool thing to see. Its certainly no more of a ‘non-event’ than any of the multitude of reasons people travel.
Wow. Looks like you stepped in it on this one, Gary. Seems like a needlessly critical, grouchy, “Get off my lawn!” type post and sort of insulting to quite a few of your readers (obviously). Telling people to “get over it” just because you aren’t excited about the same thing is pretty bad form, you must admit. Agree totally with the comments above advising YOU to get over taking a cramped shower in a plane (it’s a cramped shower for Heaven’s sake!). But I won’t do that because it would be rude of me to think everyone should have the exact same idea of what is “life changing” as I do. Get it?
Now just apologize like a big boy and move on. (Unless this whole post was just a tongue-in-cheek troll, in which case, never mind, and you need to work on your trolling posts.)
It seems like Ed inadvertently nailed it at the very end of his comment, Gary is pretty clearly trolling here. Why would he need to apologize if he wasn’t though??
What’s needless are airplane bathroom selfies of yourself. Or repeated pointless posts about inane crap.
Sheesh. Who called the Grinch out of retirement? Fine that you don’t care about eclipses, but stop sucking on lemons
Maybe consider some happy pills?
I don’t care much about eclipse either, but I understand why it’s so exciting to many people. Just like I think baseball is more like a social event rather a sports, I can still enjoy watching it.
@markf – I agree with you. I live in Utah and will have ~90% total coverage, I’m not willing to face traffic to drive 3 hours north into Idaho to see the full coverage. But I’ll be outside today with my welding hood on and with my kids in tow, this isn’t to be missed. Oh, it’s also my anniversary today, so there’s that 🙂
A non-event here in Twin Cities.
I guess maybe we are lost -or the majority is- and such a celestial event inspires us?
We were all born into a mystery and maybe being able to view such an event- knowing the very time and track- gives us some feeling of control.
When the big events hit……we likely won’t have an exact time and mapping.
It will simply come like a thief in the night.