The Opening Ceremonies @ Olympics 08

The open ceremonies for the 29th Olympian are about to begin on CBC. It promises to be spectacular as the Chinese have spend 30 Million.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 11:30:30 AM
They will focus on 4 great invention in Chinese history, gunpowder, paper, printing and the compass. Going through the centuries very quickly and no mention of communism.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 11:33:30 AM
Most sources credit the discovery of gunpowder to Chinese alchemists in the 9th century searching for an elixir of immortality. The discovery of gunpowder was probably the product of centuries of alchemical experimentation. Saltpetre was known to the Chinese by the mid-1st century AD and there is strong evidence of the use of saltpetre and sulfur in various largely medicinal combinations
by MDM at 8/8/2008 11:34:42 AM
Papermaking is considered to be one of the Four Great Inventions of Ancient China, since the first papermaking process was developed in China during the early 2nd century. During the Shang (1600 BC–1050 BC) and Zhou (1050 BC–256 BC) dynasties of ancient China, documents were ordinarily written on bone or bamboo (on tablets or on bamboo strips sewn and rolled together into scrolls), making them very heavy and awkward to transport. The light material of silk was sometimes used, but was normally too expensive to consider.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 11:35:34 AM
By 593 A.D., the first printing press was printing in China, and the first printed newspaper was available in Beijing in 700 A.D. It was a woodblock printing. And the Diamond Sutra, the earliest known complete woodblock printed book with illustrations was printed in China in 868 A.D. And Chinese printer Bi Sheng invented movable type in 1041 A.D. in China. Sheng used clay type, which broke easily, but Wang Zhen later carved a more durable type from wood by 1298 AD, and developed a complex system of revolving tables and number-association with written Chinese characters that made typesetting and printing more efficient.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 11:40:03 AM
Based on his find of an Olmec hematite artifact in Central America, the American astronomer John Carlson has suggested that "the Olmec may have discovered and used the geomagnetic lodestone compass earlier than 1000 BC". If true, this "predates the Chinese discovery of the geomagnetic lodestone compass by more than a millennium". Carlson speculates that the Olmecs may have used similar artifacts as a directional device for astrological or geomantic purposes, or to orientate their temples, the dwellings of the living or the interments of the dead.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 11:43:09 AM
There will be 60 70,000 participants in the opening ceremonies.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 11:44:53 AM
Its a packed house and we are moments away from the big show!
by MDM at 8/8/2008 11:45:42 AM
Show some great moments in the torch relay and lighting.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 11:47:45 AM
by MDM at 8/8/2008 11:55:14 AM
by MDM at 8/8/2008 11:55:51 AM
Wow the CBC has a fantastic bumper to start the show. Amazing graphics.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 11:58:40 AM
2000 and 8 Foe Drummers to start. They begin.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 11:59:34 AM
Its an amazing countdown with the drummers and lights. Woot tones of fire works already.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:00:32 PM
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:01:09 PM
These drummers are amazingly timed. 2008 of them all moving in time.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:02:19 PM
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:02:47 PM
Its breathtaking, truly.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:03:38 PM
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:04:13 PM
The light went out and all the drum stick lite up.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:05:02 PM
The is now the 29 foot prints of fireworks, the are all over the city leading toward the stadium.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:05:58 PM
They, the fireworks, arrived at the stadium and formed the Olympics rings in the centre of the stadium in light.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:07:14 PM
WOW! the lite rings are being lifted off the floor. 2D is now 3D.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:07:55 PM
They are rising into the sky above the inner stadium. The rings of coarse represent the 5 major continents.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:09:05 PM
I ting little girl is now singing. Very cute. Lots of red. The Chinese flag is being carried in by youth. All in traditional dress.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:10:07 PM
Its off to a great start....
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:10:37 PM
The military are now marching the flag towards the pole and the crowd is loving it. She is 9 years old with a big voice.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:11:47 PM
The flag is now raised and the national anthem is played.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:12:12 PM
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:13:15 PM
More fireworks.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:13:34 PM
A shot film (1min.) on paper making is now playing while the performers setup for the next show.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:14:23 PM
Two huge scroll's are now being opened to reveal a sheet of white paper at the centre. A few guys are now dancing on the paper and drawing at the same time.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:16:21 PM
A Zheng is playing in the background.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:16:39 PM
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:19:51 PM
The next huge performance. 3000 chanters. With bamboo slips.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:20:37 PM
Its all about moveable type print.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:21:04 PM
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:21:28 PM
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:22:00 PM
They are quoting lines of Confucius. Link
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:22:25 PM
His philosophy emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. These values gained prominence in China over other doctrines, such as Legalism (法家) or Taoism (道家) during the Han Dynasty[2][3][4] (206 BC–220 AD). Confucius' thoughts have been developed into a system of philosophy known as Confucianism (儒家). It was introduced to Europe by the Jesuit Matteo Ricci, who was the first to Latinise the name as "Confucius."
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:23:09 PM
The are representing movable type in the middle of the arena and it is amazing. They are moving up and down.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:24:30 PM
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:24:53 PM
They are forming characters and now the great wall.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:26:21 PM
897 performers with 8 months of practice.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:26:52 PM
WOW!!! Finally a commercial. As usually the CBC is awesome in its coverage. I realize they are taking images from a pool but this is still spectacular and they limit the commentary so you can enjoy the show.
by MDM at 8/8/2008 12:28:31 PM