Wilson

“The real problem of humanity is the following: we have paleolithic emotions; medieval institutions; and god-like technology. And it is terrifically dangerous, and it is now approaching a point of crisis overall.” 

-E. O. Wilson

This fabulous quote is from a larger 2009 story in Harvard Magazine about the tensions and reconcilliation between Wilson and the recently deceased James Watson. (h/t Kottke) 

Terracotta

Our department just had an enticing lecture by Haemee Han, whose recent design in South Korea featured a creative use of terracotta. 

The talk reminded me of an often overlooked source of terracotta here in Central NJ: the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company. It was based in Perth Amboy but continued much of its later production in Rocky Hill. You have seen their tiles and architectural ornamentation. They are on the Philly Art Museum and the Woolworth Building and the Flatiron Building. And many others.

This brief history of the local terracotta company is worth a peek.

You may want to go hiking

After reading about Jean Muenchrath's hike on Mount Whitney, you might feel ready for a hike: “Well, yeah, and I’m carrying 15kg [her backpack] on my broken spine and pelvis, and I’ve got gangrene now in my butt because of the injury.” 

Feynman quotes

“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool.” ― Richard P. Feynman

“I learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.”

― Richard P. Feynman

“I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.”

― Richard Feynman

“I can live with doubt and uncertainty and not knowing. I think it is much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers that might be wrong. If we will only allow that, as we progress, we remain unsure, we will leave opportunities for alternatives. We will not become enthusiastic for the fact, the knowledge, the absolute truth of the day, but remain always uncertain … In order to make progress, one must leave the door to the unknown ajar.”

― Richard P. Feynman

Lifehacker on gardening

Lifehacker wants you to use more apps in the garden.

Other Katrina memories

As we are reminded of the 2005 damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, I encourage readers to reflect on stories beyond those from New Orleans. It was a huge storm with a wider path than many remember. Mississppi lost more than 200 lives when a storm saurge, possible as high as 30', washed across the coastal communities of Biloxi, Waveland, Pass Christian and Bay St. Louis. Houses built on 10' or 15' stilts were washed away. The Bay St Louis bridge, US 90, was collapsed.                

Energy visualization

 How much wind, solar, gas, or nuclear energy does your visit to this website require? Click and see.

River clean up

The Danube is benefiting from a clean-up culture that has people competitively collecting plastic on the river in homemade boats. The ability to create a positive culture that helps the environment is a remarkable thing.