Best of Nat Geo in HD begins July 6 at 8p

On an average day, it is difficult to beat monster fish and crystal caves, but in high definition, how could you go wrong? The size of the fish will be that much larger than life and the glow of the stalagmites will fill the whole room.

Starting July 6, Nat Geo will broadcast 15 hours over five nights the best in HD programming. High definition is currently the optimal form for viewing so what better way to treat yourself during vacation than to tune in! During Best of Nat Geo in HD week you'll be able to learn how tsunamis really come from outer space, learn the secret history of gold, go back in time to ancient civilizations, get inside the world's toughest prisons, and have a marathon evening of Dog Whisperer.

Consider this week of programming a celebration of America's achievements. 13 years ago in July, WRAL+HD Raleigh became the first HDTV station ever to broadcast in the U.S. Since then, the technology's popularity has grown rapidly and as of last month, all stations had to have switched from analog to digital, allowing the possibility for high definition programming.

We've come a long way from when Bruce Springsteen sang, "57 Channels (and Nothin' On)." Who knows what's next? Maybe next year (or soon enough), it'll be "Best of Nat Geo in 3-D week!"

For now though, give yourself a thrill with image clarity 4.5 times greater than standard definition and an enhanced surround sound experience that come with HD. You can preview the difference here. If you don't already have HD (get out of the dark ages! - Kidding!), call your local cable provider to maximize your Nat Geo viewing.

Oh, to be young.

Youth brings so much to the table: enthusiasm, fresh perspective...attitude.

This summer, NatGeo welcomes a whole clan of young interns to our DC headquarters. Some have traveled the world, others have led college organizations, and most have thumbed through the Magazine since before they could spell "Ge-o-gra-phic." But for every one of them, working with us is a whole new experience.

Check out their blog for a unique perspective into the world of National Geographic and their DC escapades...

We've got Friday off--whoohoo! Who doesn't love a holiday? I've yet to meet the person who didn't enjoy have a break from work. However, July 4th is my favorite holiday, and I don't know how many people would say that. I look forward to it every year.

I think what I love most about it is very simple--nothing is really expected of you! You don't have to prepare special foods, you don't have to buy people presents, you don't have to war with your spouse on which family you're spending it with. All that is required is for you to eat (and sometimes make) some good grub--ideally cooking out, hopefully spend some time near some form of water with the heat of the summer, hang out with friends or family in a relaxed and casual atmosphere (versus a stressful one), and celebrate our freedom by watching things blow up beautifully in the sky!

I don't mean to belittle the meaning of this holiday or to belittle the importance of other holidays. I recognize they all stand for very important moments. I'm just talking about the pure and selfish, enjoyment-level of the holiday. This probably reflects a lot on me as a person as well though. I just prefer the laid back, take things slow and enjoy the outdoors ambience of our nations' Independence Day.

Maybe all Americans will find as they slow down for this day and take a breath, how much they really do have to be thankful for in a time when we all seem to be rushing around all the time.

As we approach this holiday, if you want to learn more about what is fact and what is fiction with July 4th, watch online the full episode of "July 4: Exploding the Myths".

And if you're a fireworks junkie like me (Yes I love New Year's too), then also catch the all-new episode of Naked Science on National Geographic Channel this Thursday night at 10P et/pt: "Secret World of Fireworks".

Happy Independence Day!

For more check out the episode page for photos and more video.
Worlds Toughest Fixes: Mississippi River Barge premieres this Thursday at 9p et/pt.

Like millions of others, you're likely watching videos on YouTube, reuniting with old friends on Facebook, and maybe even delving into the sometimes overwhelming world of Twitter.

As you're spending time in these social areas of the web, be sure to seek out National Geographic Channel. Here's where you'll find us:

• Follow us on Twitter. Get inside info on our latest shows, fun facts you can share with friends and the occasional giveaway. Who knows, tweet about us and you might find yourself featured in a commercial.
• Be our friend on Facebook. Get daily updates on the latest programming and links to our best video content.
• Subscribe to our YouTube channel. New videos available each week from National Geographic, including behind-the-scenes pieces and clips of upcoming premieres. Subscribe so that you're sure not to miss our latest videos.
• Come meet us on Myspace.  Subscribe to the MySpace channel and be sure to leave your comments, we love to read them! 
• Catch up on your favorite Nat Geo shows on Hulu. Here you'll find full length shows of your favorite series, such as Dog Whisperer, Locked Up Abroad and Naked Science.

As you're following us on these sites, send us feedback and comments. What would you like to see more of? What do you like that we're posting? We'd love to hear from you.

In short, this is undoubtedly the most fascinating/disgusting/holy-cow-did-that-just-really-happen/shocking video clip you will ever see. National Geographic footage meets zombie/alien invader plot line. This is the story of the sweet little innocent caterpillar whose body gets taken over by parasitic wasps. But as if his body wasn't enough, they take over his brain too...and he becomes the pawn and protector of his own murderers. Like I said, this is some crazy stuff.

I see my fair share of amazing videos around here, but this is just one of those clips that is so bizarre that you have to share with (read: force upon) everyone you know. Plus, it's not every day you get an inside view of the innards of a little caterpillar who doesn't know what he has coming...


For more inside access (in its most literal sense), visit NGC's In The Womb site >>