June 2008
12 posts
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In the studio
Okay, so we’ve been lagging a bit on the whole “blogging” thing. That’s because we’re in the studio recording some demos. We’ll be back in full swing soon.
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“The power of assembling, of producing increasingly complex structures, even of...”
– Francois Jacob, quoted in John Berger’s essay “Romaine Lorquet”
Note: “From particles to man” is a falsely structured continuum, one at odds with the essence of the quote.
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Quote of the Day →
The world has lots and lots of problems. But if we can’t solve the problems of peoples’ food needs, we can’t do anything.
— Norman Uphoff, emeritus professor of government and international agriculture (via the NY Times)
His goal — to help sustain and grow human population — and the ultimate problem are identical. Our work is cut out for us, to say the least.
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Chimps calm each other with hugs, kisses →
It shouldn’t make a speck of difference regarding human recognition of non-human moral worth — but it does, because the typical human is the world’s greatest example of underdeveloped potential.
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Further confirmation: global warming undermines...
Like the reptiles and amphibians surveyed in this article, marine animals have been observed migrating northward towards cooler climes in response to warming temperatures. Unfortunately, forced migration is just the tip of the shrinking iceberg.
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Meager harvest expected, as world human population...
From the NY Times:
“If we have bad crops, it’s going to be a wild ride. There’s just no cushion.”
— Agriculture Department’s chief economist, Joseph Glauber.
“The planting has gotten off to a poor start. The anxiety level is increasing.”
— Bill Nelson, Wachovia grains analyst
“This is pushing my nerves to the limit.”
— Randy Kron, Indiana farmer
“I don’t think...
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Contemporary human history
“Of the people, by the people, for the people.”
“Of the people, by the people, for the people.”
“Of the people, by the people, for the people.”
“Of the people, by the people, for the people.”
“Of the people, by the people, for the people.”
“Of the people, by the people, for the people.”
“Of the people, by the...
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Republicans block windfall profit tax on oil... →
Key passages:
The Democratic energy package would have imposed a tax on any “unreasonable” profits of the five largest U.S. oil companies and given the federal government more power to address oil market speculation that the bill’s supporters argue has added to the crude oil price surge…
The Democrats failed, 51-43, to get the 60 votes needed to overcome a GOP...
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Dominoes →
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"Bye Bye Bananas" →
A new, more virulent strain of an old banana-killing fungus — known as Panama Disease — is spreading rapidly.
“There is no cure, and nearly every banana scientist says that though Panama disease has yet to hit the banana crops of Latin America, which feed our hemisphere, the question is not if this will happen, but when.”
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"What Does It Mean to Be Human?" →
Two nights ago, the World Science Festival hosted a panel of prominent scientists and thinkers to discuss the question: What does it mean to be human?
I wish I had been able to attend, so that I could give a firsthand account of the fawning self-love that most probably occurred. After all, that is what tends to happen when institutionalized thinkers take an honorarium and gather to discuss the...