Amid the tug and pull of life, it’s easy to forget the wonder of the human body. It quickly becomes a means to an end – something that merely shuttles you to your next appointment, allowing you to cross off items on your ever-expanding to-do list.
So sometimes it’s necessary to pause amid the zig-zag craziness of your existence and recognize that the bag of bones you call your body is really an awesome machine rivalling the most high-tech of toys.
Enter The Body Machine, a new feature-length documentary airing on Discovery this week. Following Scott, an Everyman, through an average day (from commuting to a backyard barbecue to the gym and more), the program is packed with compelling facts and figures.
But it’s still accessible. For instance, a screen-full of bouncing red balls illustrate the activity of blood cells, 26,280 glasses of water represent the fluid output of the brain, and the speed of touch is equated to a motorcycle zooming at 200 km per hour.
Plus, experts add their commentary and computer graphics magnify the microscopic elements that make us who we are.
Really, it’s fascinating. And it serves as a reminder of how much we need to take care of all our bodies – nerve endings, neurons and all.
The Body Machine airs Sun., Nov. 30, 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery.
Thoughts? melissa@tvguide.ca
Did your letter make our monthly highlights?
