Astronomy Colloquium

It is nearly impossible to find anyone in astronomy at Caltech who has not heard a pretty complete account of LIGO's first detection of gravitational waves from the merger of two black holes.  In an effort to find something new to say about it, I will review some aspects of this event and the other events from LIGO's first observing run, with the aim to addressing some misconceptions or to providing alternative ways to view it.  There will be a few facts, and a lot of opinion.   I will finish up by sharing some thoughts about the challenges for the future.