Amazing Mechanical Seagull

SUBHEAD: By taking such a clear cue from nature's design, the SmartBird could help in the development more sustainable flight.By Stephen Messenger on 25 March 2011 for Tree Hugger -(http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/03/amazing-mechanical-seagull-rivals-the-real-thing.php)Image above: Still from video below of mechanical seagull.It's a bird... It's a plane... Wait, it's bothMankind has long

The Trouble with Vaporware

SUBHEAD: We need to start talking about how we can hold onto our humanity in bitter times; about how we can find reasons for hope and joy.By John Michael Greer on 23 March 2011 in The Archdruid Report - (http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.com/2011/03/trouble-with-vaporware.html)Image above: Promo for videogame "Duke Nukem 3D" in 2008 that never made it past vaporware... Thank god! From (http:

Nuclear Meltdowns 101

SUBHEAD: If it turns out that the way you've been generating electricity is criminally negligent, then you shut it all down.By Dmitry Orlov on 18 March 2011 in ClubOrlov - (http://cluborlov.blogspot.com/2011/03/nuclear-meltdowns-101.html)Image above: The A. C. Gilbert Atomic Energt Lab play set that included 3 very low-level radioactive sources and 4 samples of uranium-bearing ores. From (http://

Limits to Complexity

SUBHEAD: It seems we are witnessing the time when increasing technological complexity is obviously costing more than we gain.By George Mobus on 14 March 2011 in Question Everything -(http://questioneverything.typepad.com/question_everything/2011/03/limits-to-complexity.html) Image above: Computer devise as doorstop. From (http://craze001.wordpress.com/2008/09/25/computers-a-lifetime).Three Mile

White is the new Black

SUBHEAD: Americans lost in the techno-rapture of Fashion Week have no idea how fragile we are.By Jame Kunstler on 21 February 2011 for Kunstler.com - (http://kunstler.com/blog/2011/02/white-is-the-new-black.html)Image above: Calvin Klein's presentation during Fashion Week of white styles for summer 2011. From (http://www.styleguru.com/tags/mercedes-benz-fashion-week-2011).Let it be remembered

Egypt, Twitter & Watchdog Crowd

SUBHEAD: Social media did not make the revolution in Egypt happen. But, with every step chronicled it in real time.By Caroline McCarthy on 11 February 2011 for Cnet.com(http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-20031600-36.html)Image above: Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, was on display 24/7 for the world to see. From (http://www.24newsupdate.com/eqypt-protesters-marching-from-tahrir-square-to-mubarak%

Borders to file for bankruptcy

SUBHEAD: This may signal the closing of the popular bookstore at Kukui Grove in Lihue.By AP Staff on 11 February 2011 for Huffington Post -(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/12/borders-bankruptcy-detail_n_822128.html)Image above: Kauai's Borders Books at Kukui Grove, the only bookchain retailer on the island. From (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brewbooks/2503902404).Borders Group Inc. may file

In This Great Time of Crisis

SUBHEAD: I hate to think we’ll have to sink to the lows the Egyptians have faced before we get it and turn things around.By Lindsay Curren on 11 February 2011 in Transition Voice -(http://transitionvoice.com/2011/02/in-this-great-time-of-crisis)Image above: Still frame from "The King's Speech". From (http://suspiciouskind.blogspot.com/2010/12/kings-speech-thoughts.html).More than simply

The Ascent of Man?

SUBHEAD:Modern consumer society and its high energy lifestyles is happening when the outlook for real innovation is very bleak indeed.By Thomas Robinson on 3 February 2011 for nature Bats Last - (http://guymcpherson.com/2011/02/the-ascent/)Image above: Detail of cover of "The Ascent of Man" DVD by Jacob Bronowski. From (http://consciousvideodirectory.webs.com/apps/videos/channels/show/2587582-

Brazil Approves Giant Dam

SUBHEAD: Clearing of square mile of Amazon Forest approved to begin construction of Belo Monte Dam on Xingu River.By Stephen Messinger on 27 Janaury 2011 for Treehugger - (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/01/brazil-approves-clearing-forest-for-belo-monte-dam.php)Image above: Jurena people's life of fishing and travel on the Xingu River is threatened by Belo Monte Dam. From video below. After

Fuel from Sunlight?

SUBHEAD: Scientists reveal potential of new technology to produce "clean: fuel from sunlight.By Jake Richardson 20 January 2011 for Care2.com - (http://www.care2.com/greenliving/clean-fuel-could-be-made-from-sunlight.html)Image above: Illustration of thermochemical solar powered reactor. From (http://blog.genericase.com/?tag=petrol).Dr. Sossina Haile and her colleagues at CalTech have created a

Kodachrome Fades Away

SUBHEAD: The most durable, color film developed for the consumer discontinues processing after 75 years history.[Publisher's note: My mom began taking Kodachrome slides with a Leica 35mm camera back in the 1950's. I continued taking such slides from the late 60's until about ten years ago. Those family Kodachromes have maintained their quality better than all other image technologies in our

The Future's Further Shores

SUBHEAD: If it’s too large, complex, and expensive for a basement workshop, it’s probably not going to be successful.By John Michal Greer on 8 December 2010 for ArchdruidReport - (http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.com/2010/12/futures-further-shores.html)Image above: Peel Hill at Fenella Beach on the Isle of Man. From (http://definedlight.com/

Fusion around the corner ... again

SUBHEAD: Another optimistic thrust at limitless energy through nuclear fusion - this time "pinching" seawater to generate electricity.Image above: Sandia Z-Pinch fusion reactor. From (http://schillerinstitute.org/lar_related/2010/lyn_question_before_us.html).[Editor's note: There have been reports of immanent containment of nuclear fusion since I was an architectural student i the 1960's; back

Education-Technology Inflation

SUBHEAD: The incentives embedded in high-technology and higher education are perverse.Image above: Robotic agricultural technology. From (http://www.informationweek.com/news/mobility/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=200900618).By Steve Ludlum on 27 October 2010 in Economic Undertow -(http://economic-undertow.blogspot.com/2010/10/worker-inflation.html)Bruce Krasting notes Planet Bernanke has gotten so