Shock - Blog Posts
Whuh... what.
WHASRWTYYATRtaaaatTTTTT?????
wow okay cool. seasons 1-3 already confermed. wow
how we feeling????
(the og post on X is below if you wanna take a look)
The whumpee's head lolled to the side, eyes squeezed shut as they tried to calm their breathing.
In, out, in-
Their mind went blank as blinding pain shot up their spine.
They never got used to it. The whumpee's hands spasmed as, with a mind of their own, they tried to reach for the collar around their neck. All this resulted in was the whumpee pulling rather painfully at the ropes that suspended them from the ceiling.
Even if their hands were free, there was no way the whumpee could get this off. It was locked tightly, supplying shocks at what seemed like random intervals.
They struggled to keep their footing as another one ripped through their body, there was barely a break between this and the last one.
The whumpee let out a ragged sob, "you're not even watching! Why- what.. purpose does this serve?"
Silence.
Nothing but the whumpee's own heavy breathing.
"Please stop," they whispered, too quiet to be heard by anyone outside the room who might actually be able to fulfill their request, it was more of a quiet prayer.
There was no answer.
10 Out of this World NASA Spinoff Technologies
What is a spinoff? Great question! A NASA spinoff is a technology, originally developed to meet our mission needs that has been transferred to the public and now provides benefits as a commercial product or service. Basically, we create awesome stuff and then share it with the world. Here’s a list of just a few NASA spinoff technologies (in no particular order):
1. Enriched Baby Food
While developing life support for Mars missions, NASA-funded researchers discovered a natural source for an omega-3 fatty acid that plays a key role in infant development. The ingredient has since been infused in more than 99% of infant formula on the market and is helping babies worldwide develop healthy brains, eyes and hearts.
2. Digital Camera Sensors
Whether you take pictures and videos with a DSLR camera, phone or even a GoPro, you’re using NASA technology. The CMOS active pixel sensor in most digital image-capturing devices was invented when we needed to miniaturize cameras for interplanetary missions.
3. Airplane Wing Designs
Did you know that we’re with you when you fly? Key aerodynamic advances made by our researchers - such as the up-turned ends of wings, called “winglets” - are ubiquitous among modern aircraft and have saved many billions of dollars in fuel costs.
4. Precision GPS
Uncorrected GPS data can be off by as much as 15 meters thanks to data errors, drift in satellite clocks and interference from Earth’s atmosphere. One of our software packages developed in the 1990s dials in these locations to within centimeters, enabling highly accurate GPS readings anywhere on the planet. One of our most important contributions to modern society, precise GPS is used in everything from personal devices and commercial airplanes to self-driving tractors.
5. Memory Foam
Possibly the most widely recognized spinoff, memory foam was invented by our researchers looking for ways to keep its test pilots and astronauts comfortable as they experienced extreme acceleration. Today, memory foam cushions beds, chairs, couches, car and motorcycle seats, shoes and even football helmets.
6. International Search and Rescue System
We pioneered the technology now used internationally for search and rescue operations. When pilots, sailors or other travelers and adventurers are stranded, they can activate a personal locator bacon that uses overhead satellites to relay their call for help and precise location to authorities.
7. Improvements to Truck Aerodynamics
Nearly every truck on the road has been shaped by NASA - literally. Agency research in vehicle aerodynamic design led to the curves and contours that help modern big rigs cut through the air with less drag. Our contributions to truck design have greatly reduced fuel consumption, perhaps by as much as 6,800 gallons per year for an average vehicle.
8. Shock Absorbers for Buildings and Bridges
Shock absorbers originally designed to survive the extreme conditions of space shuttle launches are now bracing hundreds of buildings and bridges in earthquake-prone regions all over the world. None of which have suffered even minor damage during an earthquake.
9. Advanced Water Filtration
We have recently discovered sources of water on the moon and Mars, but even so space is still practically a desert for human explorers, and every drop possible must be recycled and reused. A nanofiber filer devised to purify water in orbit is currently at work on Earth. From devices that supply water to remote villages, to a water bottle that lets hikers and adventurers stay hydrated using streams and lakes, our technology is being utilized.
10. Invisible Braces
A company working with NASA invented the translucent ceramic that became the first invisible dental braces, which would go on to become one of the best-selling orthodontic products of all time.
So, now that you know a few of the spinoff technologies that we helped develop, you can look for them throughout your day. Visit our page to learn about more spinoff technologies: https://spinoff.nasa.gov
Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com
When death visits
A Short horror story I wrote.
Word count: 889
TW: Death, ghosts
It's calm and quiet in my house.
So quiet has it never been before.
The silence is scaring me, making me feel all cold inside.
It makes me feel so lonely, even though it hasn't been so long since the last guest left.
I'm all alone in this giant mansion, I've tried everything, but escape seems to be impossible for me.
I'm stuck in the main hall.
I have tried every door, even upstairs. But to no avail, I guess I'm just stuck here until someone finds me.
Although, not every guest is a welcome one, of course.
After a while of trying everything that I could possibly do, including breaking down doors or walls (this failed horribly), I finally gave up.
So I took a seat on the stairs, in the middle of the big hall.
Fortunately I still have the candles giving me light, outside it is pitch black.
It is strange, even outside it seems to be quiet.
I have lived in this building my whole life and there has always been at least some sounds, like the creaking of old planks or the trees brushing against each other outside. But today it is different.
No sound, not a single noise. There is only silence.
Even though I live with more than just myself, no one seems to be here.
Something is very wrong here.
I close my eyes and start praying.
I am not even religious, but I really don't know what else I should do. Fortunately it helps me calm down a bit.
When I close my eyes, I feel as one with the house.
I can feel the rooms almost like they are my own limbs, I can feel everything inside, but there is no other living being. Not even the spiders in the cellar or the cat in the kitchen.
While in this praying state, I look in each and every room, looking for something or someone that could be useful to helping me escape this nightmare.
I am so used to this house, that I know every little crook and cranny like no one else.
I look at my bedroom, I look at the bathrooms, the old ballroom and yet I can't seem to notice anything outside.
All the doors are locked.
All of a sudden a strong wind from outside blows against the house, making it creak like never before and then the rain starts.
At first tapping softly, but changing rapidly in a storm. All this causes the chandelier to swing gently from right to left.
Shocked by the sudden explosion of sound, I bury my head in my hands.
How long has it been silent? I wonder.
How long have I been sitting here? On the stairs, doing nothing in the middle of this empty building?
And so I sit here silently, until I get used to all the sounds again, calming myself with empty thoughts.
I just listen.
I just listen to the wind and to the house.
To the heavy rain and the ancient wood.
To the chandelier moving.
At first I thought it was lightning, but now I know that is not what it sounds like.
It is a window. A window that shattered. The sounds of broken shards, flying across a dark, empty room.
Something is inside...
Something broke the glass...
It broke something, I couldn't.
Again I close my eyes and start praying, I can feel something moving around in the house.
It is not human. Nor is it an animal.
With every cold step it takes, my terror grows. I freeze up, unable to move.
WHAM!!!
A door slams open.
It didn't even need to touch the knob.
The invader leaves the path behind itself filled with cold, oh it is so cold...
It breaks, whatever is in its way.
I can feel my heart racing.
KKKRRRRRKKKKKK!!!
The other sound of a door screaming in pain while being broken and trampled.
The steps keep getting closer.
I can feel it.
I know everything about this place.
All the blood in my body turns to ice.
CRRRREAAAKKKKK!!!!
The loud noise is followed by a soft, almost unhearable thud of the falling lock.
I can't believe it, it just ripped it off the door completely.
Again without touching.
Why is this happening to me?
I squeeze my eyes shut. I don't want to see.
Another awful sound and I protect my ears with my hands.
No more, please no more!!
I don't want to hear it, I don't want to see it, I don't want to feel it...
But it doesn't matter, I can still feel every step it takes.
Getting closer and closer, in an inhuman speed.
I start to wonder if it is really walking, it might as well be floating.
Then it enters the great hall.
The room I'm in.
A cool wind blows out the candles, leaving me almost in complete darkness. The only light is that of the outside.
I don't want to look, I don't want to know.
Please don't make me!
Now the entire house has cooled down and the only slightly warm thing is my own breath, which is also cooling down rapidly.
It has stopped walking for a bit.
Determent I keep my eyes shut, holding my breath, acting like I am not there.
Maybe it won't see me.
Maybe it won't come for me.
But no, it is here for me and only me.
A cold, bony hand wraps itself around my shoulders, making me as cold as the house itself. As cold as it.
I still refuse to look, I don't want to see whatever nightmare is looking at me like I'm its friend.
The tears of fear on my cheeks have become ice crystals.
Death is here.
And it is here for me.
