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. 

Fall theme

 Change is inevitable. Our response matters.

Two (maybe three) kinds of books

As I race to finish some of my summer reading, I found Austin Kleon's description of the centrifugal force of books to be quite intriguing.

Celebrate with Rutgers

PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF BOTANY AT RUTGERS

24 October 2025

We are delighted to invite you to our special jubilee symposium to celebrate botany at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.

The symposium will be held on Friday, October 24th and will include presentations by invited researchers, a poster session, an open house at Chrysler Herbarium, and a field trip on Saturday, October 25th. 

Please sign up for the Chrysler Herbarium’s mailing list to stay up to date with information about this event and other herbarium news at this link: https://tinyurl.com/CHRBlist. 

Registration information will be sent to recipients of the mailing list in September.