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Who Turned on the Moon’s Light?

Who Turned on the Moon’s Light?

quem-acendeu-a-luz-da-lua

Focused on his thoughts, a child gazes at the sky through the car window. “Mom, who turned on the Moon’s light?” asks the four-year old boy. He doesn’t know yet, but long before he was born, in 1969, humanity set foot on the Moon for the first time, with astronaut Neil Armstrong demonstrating, among many things, that dreaming might be the first step to turning an idea into reality. Fifty-five years after the Apollo 11 mission, it was time for the first space tourism journey: on September 12, 2024, SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission carried four civilians into space, two of whom floated in space for a few minutes.

From a certain perspective, one could say such achievements, like so many others throughout history, stem from humanity’s quest for answers to fascinating questions. It is akin to a child dreaming of becoming an astronaut and imagining themselves in a rocket exploring the universe. Amid orbits around stars and hitching a ride on a comet’s tail, a mysterious world entices them, prompting questions driven by a natural human trait: curiosity.

German physicist and mathematician Albert Einstein often said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.” Neuroscience reveals some of these reasons. It explains that curiosity activates the brain and keeps the “mind open.” People are then propelled towards creativity and imagination, which can lead them to explore the unknown. When combined with study and work, this exploration enables experimentation with different possibilities that may yield results. While the outcome may not always manifest as a groundbreaking idea, it can lead to learning experiences that can change someone’s life course—or even humanity’s.

Psychology highlights that curiosity fosters thinking outside the box, thus inspiring new behaviors in study, work, and daily life. It impacts autonomy, makes people more adaptable to change, and favors empathy. Therefore, curiosity, often seen as negative, is not a problem in itself. Its value depends on how it is harnessed. As Portuguese writer Eça de Queirós once said, “Curiosity: an instinct that leads some to look through the keyhole, and others to discover America.”

Why Do People Stop Being Curious?

 

As adulthood approaches, people seem to leave the “why phase” behind in childhood, gradually losing curiosity and creativity. This phenomenon was highlighted in a study by NASA researchers and a report by the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), which analyzed teenagers in various countries.

Neuroscientists, psychologists, and educators point to several reasons for this change, many rooted in childhood. The environment in which a child grows can either nurture or suppress their inquisitive and inventive nature. For instance, if a child learns to follow rules and patterns without critical thinking in an unstimulating and insecure environment, this tends to inhibit their curiosity and cognitive development, explains American neuroscientist Bruce D. Perry.

In schools, if students are immersed in an education system that discourages divergent thinking and prioritizes studying solely to meet teachers’ expectations for good grades, they tend to gradually lose curiosity and creativity. This issue is one of the 21st century’s challenges, as noted by Alex Beard, a specialist who studied education in 20 countries.

In addition to developmental factors, the routines of adult life and the fear of achieving unsatisfactory results can, according to neuroscience, lead to a comfort zone in the brain that prevents people from seeking new perspectives. A study published in the Journal of Research in Personality explained that humans tend to focus on feelings of uncertainty and anxiety when it comes to curiosity, often avoiding this path. However, as the study’s author, psychologist William Whitecross from the Australian National University, noted, “A curious response implies a desire to learn and understand the unknown while neutralizing our impulses to avoid, fear, judge, or attack what we don’t understand.” Thus, on the other side of the scale, curiosity “gives us the confidence to embrace new things, to learn and grow,” Whitecross explained.

This confidence is often visible in children but also in many young people and adults who manage to keep it alive by giving wings to their intrinsic desire to make the unknown known, explore new possibilities, push boundaries, and grow continuously. This desire manifests in various fields of knowledge and in the search for a deeper understanding of the purpose of life and the laws governing existence—topics that, since ancient times, have sparked human curiosity and inspired them to look to the sky. How far does human curiosity reach?

  • SpaceX: First Commercial Spacewalk Completed in Polaris Dawn Mission | CNN Brasil (accessed September 18, 2024)
  • WCD | What Stimulates Creativity? (worldcreativityday.com) (accessed September 19, 2024)
  • NASA Study Reveals We Lose Creativity Over Time | Inspi (accessed September 19, 2024)
  • The Surprising Decline of Creativity in Teenagers Worldwide Detected by OECD – BBC News Brasil (accessed September 19, 2024)
  • The Role of Curiosity in Knowledge Development (lucidarium.com.br) (accessed September 19, 2024)
  • Want to Control Anxiety? Curiosity Might Help – Forbes (accessed September 19, 2024)
  • ‘Being a Teacher Should Be the Most Important Job of the 21st Century,’ Says Expert Who Studied Education in Over 20 Countries – BBC News Brasil (accessed September 19, 2024)
  • The Importance of Curiosity in Early Childhood Education – Kinedu Blog (accessed September 19, 2024)
  • Is School Responsible for Killing Creativity? Neuroscience Responds – PORVIR (accessed September 19, 2024)
  • 20 Quotes by Albert Einstein to Understand Life, Science, and Art | Exame (accessed November 11, 2024)
  • Life and Work of Eça de Queirós – Toda Matéria (accessed November 11, 2024)
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For 46 years, PRÓ-VIDA has set an example of the path toward a better life for each person.

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For 46 years, PRÓ-VIDA has set an example of the path toward a better life for each person.

Hello !

Welcome to the internal Home Page of the PRÓ-VIDA website. In this environment you will find information about our movement, such as the activities calendar, news and content that may be of interest to you.

Where to find the activities?

You will find the activities calendar right at the top of the home page and, to see all the available activities, just click on “See full calendar”.

The activities are organized by language, time zone, modality (in person, online, or remote in-center), and categories:

  • BAS, AV1 and INT weeks
  • Exercises and Training
  • Lectures and Talks
  • Advanced Levels
  • CGD (General Center for the Tithe)
  • Departments

What activities can I participate in?

You will be able to participate in all available activities, according to your level. They are identified in the calendar by a stripe with the color of the level, on the left side of the activity name.

Basic Level

Every Monday, online Basic Level activities are available. They are offered in four languages ​​(Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and English) and different time zones.

In addition, starting at the Basic Level, you will be able to participate in all the activities identified with the following colors:

Weeks, lectures and exercises aimed at participants from the Basic Level and up.

Here you can find activities such as Keeping in Touch, celebrations, and ceremonies.

Activities carried out by PRÓ-VIDA Departments, such as lectures, presentations and studies.

Check the calendar for upcoming activities and check their times.

Advanced 1​ Level

Activities for the Advanced 1 Level and up are also available for those who have completed that level

Weeks, lectures, exercises and talks for participants from Advanced 1 Level and up.

Introduction Level

For those at the Introduction Level, also the following activities are available:

Weeks, lectures, exercises, and talks for participants from the Introduction Level and up.

Activity for all PRÓ-VIDA participants, starting at the Introduction Level.

Advanced 2SC Level

From Advanced 2 Level and up, the following activities are also available:

Weeks, lectures, exercises and talks for participants from the Advanced 2SC Level and up.

How to browse the site?

Navigate through the pages and contents of the site by clicking the links on the top golden bar or the “hamburger button” (≡), located in the upper left corner.

In addition to content and articles on various topics, you will be able to access some important areas for your participation in the activities:

Online Activities: It’s the place where you will access the activities that will be transmitted in the online modality.

Participant’s Area: It gathers information about your registration and your level in PRÓ-VIDA.

Need help?

If you need help, or to clarify any questions, contact our support by e-mail: foundation.secretary@provida.net.

Modalities of PRÓ-VIDA activities

In-person

Presenter in-center

Participants in-center

This is a live activity carried out in one of the PRÓ-VIDA Centers with both the presenter and the enrolled participants attending in-person.

Remote in-center

Remote presenter

Participants in-center

The activity is transmitted live from one of the PRÓ-VIDA studios to several Centers where the participants are attending in-person. It allows the presenter and the participants to interact despite the fact that the presenter is in a remote location. 

Online

Online presenter

Online participants

The activity is transmitted live from one of the PRÓ-VIDA studios and enables interaction between participants and the presenter in a virtual environment.

To learn more about the modalities, talk to a PRÓ-VIDA representative by chat or email secretaria@provida.net (for Brazil residents) or foundation.secretary@provida.net (for residents in other countries).

SEG    SEX

22-26

NOV    NOV

Online

Semana de Avançado 1

PT

Será transmitido nos idiomas e horários locais:

PORTUGUÊS - COM INTERAÇÃO

Segunda a sexta-feira

às 20h30*

Hora de São Paulo

*A atividade tem duração aproximada de 3 horas.

Para saber como participar, clique abaixo.

MON    FRI

06-10

DEC    DEC

Online

Semana de Introdução

PT

It will be transmitted in the following language ​​and times:

PORTUGUESE - WITH INTERACTION

Monday to Friday

at 8:30 p.m.*

Time Zone: (UTC-03:00) Brasilia

*The activity lasts approximately 3 hours.

To find out how to participate, click below.

No registrations will be made on the weekend before the activity, or in the week it takes place.

SEG    SEX

25-29

OUT    OUT

Online

Semana de Avançado 1

PT

Será transmitido nos idiomas e horários locais:

PORTUGUÊS - COM INTERAÇÃO

Segunda a sexta-feira

às 20h30*

Hora de São Paulo

*A atividade tem duração aproximada de 3 horas.

Para saber como participar, clique abaixo.

SEG    DOM

08-14

NOV    NOV

Online

Semana de Básico

PT

Será transmitido nos idiomas e horários locais:

PORTUGUÊS - COM INTERAÇÃO

Segunda a sexta-feira

às 20h30*

Sábado

às 14h30*

Domingo

às 10h00*

Hora de São Paulo

*A atividade tem duração aproximada de 3 horas.

Para saber como participar, clique abaixo.

*Para repetição oficial, participantes que estão retornando ou em R.A., em breve mais informações.

Requisitos técnicos indispensáveis

Gostaríamos de informar que, para a participação no Básico on-line, são indispensáveis os seguintes requisitos mínimos:

Computador (Windows/Mac)

Computador com câmera integrada ou conectada por entrada USB.

As atividades não poderão ser assistidas por nenhum outro dispositivo, tais como celulares, smartphones e tablets ou computadores com outros sistemas operacionais.

Especificações e Sistema Operacional

• Processador: Intel Core i3, i5 e i7 – 3100 Series , ou superior.

• Memória RAM: 4GB, ou superior.

• Sistema Operacional:

• Windows 7 com todas as atualizações, ou versão superior (somente 64 bits).

• MacOS 10.15 Catalina, ou versão superior.

Verifique as configurações de seu computador Windows clicando aqui.

Como verificar suas especificações no Mac? Clique aqui.

Fones de ouvido com microfone (headset)

Modelos homologados para uso com nossa plataforma.

Consulte a lista de headsets homologados:

Internet

Banda larga com conexão estável, com no mínimo 10MB de download e 4MB de upload.

Como verificar sua banda de internet? Clique aqui para testa-la.

* Os requisitos técnicos poderão ser atualizados. Acompanhe aqui eventuais alterações.

Fones de ouvido homologados

Marca

Modelo

Tipo

Bose

Quiet Comfort 35 Stereo

USB e Bluetooth

Dell

Pro Stereo Headset UC150

USB

Jabra

BLZ 2400 II

USB

Jabra

Evolve 20 MS

USB

Jabra

Evolve 75

USB e Bluetooth

Jabra

UC Voice 550a MS Mono

USB

JBL

Everest Elite 750NC Stereo

Bluetooth

Logitech

Headset H390

USB

Logitech

Stereo H650e

USB

Microsoft

LifeChat LX-3000

USB

Microsoft

LifeChat LX-6000

USB

Plantronics

Blackwire 320

USB

Plantronics

Blackwire 3220 Series

USB

Plantronics

Blackwire C220

USB

Plantronics

Audio 628 USB

USB

Samsung

USBC Headset

USB

Sony

WH-CH700N

USB

Sony

Headset Pulse 7.1

USB

Sony

WH-XB900N

Bluetooth

Atualização: 11.06.2021

Regras de conduta para prevenção da COVID-19

Uso de Máscaras

Cobrindo a boca e o nariz. Usar o tempo todo.
Evitar tocar a boca, o nariz e os olhos.

Distanciamento

Mínimo de 2 metros

Mãos

Lavar frequentemente ou higienizar com álcool em gel.

Etiqueta Respiratória

Ao espirrar ou tossir, proteger a boca e o nariz com o cotovelo, ou usar lenço descartável.

Sintomas

Se apresentar sintomas, ficar em casa e buscar atendimento médico.