Science at the Edge
And so at long last I finally finished "Science at the Edge". Which was interesting, a compilation of essays by leading scientists on what they think are important issues.
It was interesting, and not least because it reaffirmed my belieft that science, in some measure, has become a bit of a religion. And as in any religion there are zealots. They have no problems disagreeing profoundly on just about everything, in almost every aspect those adherents of a particular theory will defend it almost unto the death. While they acknowledge there is the possibility they may be wrong, none will believe it. Even in the face of overwhelming evidence. And, lest you think that by some quantum "viewer creates their own reality conundrum" they're all right, by their own admission and insistence they can't be. Someone must be wrong. Just not the scientist writing this essay.
But it was a book, and the problem with books is that it takes time to edit, proofread, set the presses, distribute, market, etc.
And for books on technology that's a bad thing. Principally because by the time the book makes it to a shelf near you many of the subjects and topics are already out of date. No, there's no general unified theory as of yet, but great strides have been made that answer and raise new questions. And that information can be found online. All of it.
For this, the internet is perfect. Information can be distributed and disseminated instantaneously. For science and technology especially, as information distributed by older means is far too slow to the mill.
So I'll end this by saying, if you want to know what the current top issues in science are today, and get the breaking news, don't read a book. Books are for literature, poetry, plays. And when I say this, bear in mind I am prejudiced in favour of books. A book is, in my mind, far superior to staring at a digital screen. But not for this.
Links to Ezines on Science and Technology:
Links to Video Media on Social, Science and Technology Issues:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Google+Techtalks&emb=0#
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Kids nowadays are spoiled
Kids nowadays are spoiled. I tell them but they don’t believe me, about the chicken livers sautéed with onions I had to eat when I was a child, about the year straight of overcooked spaghetti and meat sauce when my father was learning to cook. We went for dinner maybe once a month. They think I’m making it up. I don't think they've ever even tried a brussel sprout. Or a chicken liver. Nowadays, if the pizza has mushrooms on it it’s a lousy meal…
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Damned if you do, ...
This in the Calgary Herald:
"Despite interest relief from the Bank of Canada, at least two of the country's big banks are increasing the borrowing cost for customers who tap into their lines of credit, and one is charging a new fee for those who don't use it."
The Culprits? Toronto Dominion and the Bank of Montreal.
But seriously, why shouldn't you be expected to pay to NOT use their service?
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Sleight of Hand - City proposes "Plastic Bag Ban"
The City of Calgary is considering a motion by Ald. John Mar to ban the use of plastic bags.
And on the surface this appears to be a good thing, a step in the right direction, Calgary finally becoming a greener, more responsible city.
Except, of course, it's not. Not even slightly. It's classic misdirection - the oldest trick in the book.
Because, in fact, there is absolutely no impetus by Council, the Mayor or the City to get even slightly green. Not even slightly, not even a bit.
The city is still expanding. There are no brakes whatsoever on the urban sprawl that expands ever further out, ever uglier, like a malignant sore upon the countryside. A once very pretty countryside, I might add, now paved over will vinyl sided dreams of affluence, cookie-cutter middle class visions of wealth and conspicuous consumption. There is still no mandatory recycling program, which would save the landfills 100 times what plastic bags generate. There is nothing for public transport (and to those who would argue, I would suggest you try and map a journey between random points in the city, then make it your job to commute them. And see if you're still so enchanted). Many of our neighborhoods are built ENTIRELY without pedestrian access - no sidewalks or transit to service them, no shops or services built within reasonable walking distance. And cars are still every environmentalists nightmare.
The list goes on. And on. And on.
But it looks good, it looks "Progressive" without the threat, the danger, of being Progressive. It's the nickel thrown at a beggar to salve a troubled conscience, to impress a vapid date or co-worker. It's not a solution.
In context with real leadership and a desire to make our city waste free, a leader in Environmental concerns, it's nothing. Less than nothing even.
Consider this - With the bags gone, what incentives will the city offer to reduce packaging, which accounts for several times more, by volume and weight, the rubbish in our landfills? Think of Christmas, the paper, plastic packages, piles of cardboard, most, if not all, bound for the landfill. And plastics - even bags, offer some potential for being recycled. Does the city have a plan on the table to address this? The packaging of foods - cereal boxes, tin cans, jars - how does the city propose to deal with this? Do they even propose to?
I doubt it. The plastic bag ban is the nickel thrown at the beggers, the beggars in this instance being those troublesome environmentalists concerned about a future our politicians, conservatives and corporations are busy stealing from us and our children. If you raise your voice to your alderman, your city council, raise it about the real issues. And tell them you've seen through this.
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