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Saturday, December 17, 2011
BBC's Richard Feynman: No Ordinary Genius | Brain Pickings
When Feynman faces a problem, he’s unusually good at going back to being like a child, ignoring what everyone else thinks… He was so unstuck — if something didn’t work, he’d look at it another way.” ~ Marvin Minsky, MIT
Carbon War Room
Over 50% of the climate change challenge can be addressed today – and profitably – by existing technologies, under existing policy. This is an opportunity marked as a crisis – arguably the largest wealth creation opportunity of our lifetime. Carbon War Room works on breaking down market barriers for capital to flow to entrepreneurial solutions to climate change, by employing a sector-based approach focusing on the solutions that make economic sense right now.
Friday, December 16, 2011
The Hijacking of Jesus
The Hijacking of Jesus
"...The hijacking of Jesus
What is so interesting is about all this is not only the fact that this movement is changing the global conversation but also how the Christian church is finally, rather belatedly, reclaiming the rightful moral stance of Jesus Christ.
Since the rise of the religious right in America, Jesus began to stand for prosperity and American military – what noted theologian Karl Barth once called the ‘criminal arrogance of religion.’ Having money and military might was a sign that God was blessing you, and being deprived of either in some way was a sign that God had turned his back on you. In short, we created a spirituality of capitalism and a religion of Western – particularly American - imperialism.
Jesus’ name was invoked and hijacked by the likes of George Bush and Tony Blair, to justify unpopular political or economic decisions, including the invasion of Iraq. Goldman Sachs’ CEO Lloyd Blankfein claimed that he was doing ‘God’s work.’ And through all this the various denominations of Christianity have kept conspicuously silent.
Although the Archbishop of Canterbury has supported the Occupy movement, yesterday, Jackson lambasted St. Paul’s cathedral for its ambivalent attitude toward the protesters. The church reversed its original decision to join action by the Corporation of London to evict the campers, but has now placing barriers in front of the cathedral steps. "The church should be the headquarters for the Occupy movement,’ he said. ‘In a sense, the occupiers represent the conscience of the church.’
In response to St. Paul’s fence-sitting Occupiers have been holding up signs that read: ‘What would Jesus have done?’
Unlike George Bush, I don’t pretend to speak for God, but just looking at Jesus’ track record I have a decent idea what he might have done. He certainly wouldn’t be trying to take the occupiers to court, and he wouldn’t have simply joined them in a tent. To my mind, Jesus would be marching into investment banks on Wall Street and chucking computers out the window.
Jesus, it’s important to remember, was a revolutionary, and much of what he preached was challenging and extraordinarily radical for his day. Jesus’ single act of vandalism and violence occurred in the Herod’s Temple, in the courtyard of which livestock were up for sale and the ‘money changers’ exchanged Greek and Roman money for Jewish and Tyrian currency.
After overturning the tables and chairs, he fashioned a whip from some cords, and drove all the moneychangers and the livestock out the door, dumped their money on the floor, and shouted after them, ‘It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.’
Jackson made reference to the Cleansing of the Temple story, when announcing to the occupiers, ‘You represent Jesus standing outside the temple,’ and Tutu invoked ‘the higher calling of Our Lord Jesus Christ,’ when asking for an end to ‘injustice, unfairness, and the stranglehold of greed which has beset humanity in our times’.
Belatedly as it may be, the Christian church is finally wrenching Christ away from the politicos and the moneychangers, and reclaiming Him as both radical reformer and a symbol of universal connection, love and justice."
(you Intended that, didn't you, Lynne?!)
"...The hijacking of Jesus
What is so interesting is about all this is not only the fact that this movement is changing the global conversation but also how the Christian church is finally, rather belatedly, reclaiming the rightful moral stance of Jesus Christ.
Since the rise of the religious right in America, Jesus began to stand for prosperity and American military – what noted theologian Karl Barth once called the ‘criminal arrogance of religion.’ Having money and military might was a sign that God was blessing you, and being deprived of either in some way was a sign that God had turned his back on you. In short, we created a spirituality of capitalism and a religion of Western – particularly American - imperialism.
Jesus’ name was invoked and hijacked by the likes of George Bush and Tony Blair, to justify unpopular political or economic decisions, including the invasion of Iraq. Goldman Sachs’ CEO Lloyd Blankfein claimed that he was doing ‘God’s work.’ And through all this the various denominations of Christianity have kept conspicuously silent.
Although the Archbishop of Canterbury has supported the Occupy movement, yesterday, Jackson lambasted St. Paul’s cathedral for its ambivalent attitude toward the protesters. The church reversed its original decision to join action by the Corporation of London to evict the campers, but has now placing barriers in front of the cathedral steps. "The church should be the headquarters for the Occupy movement,’ he said. ‘In a sense, the occupiers represent the conscience of the church.’
In response to St. Paul’s fence-sitting Occupiers have been holding up signs that read: ‘What would Jesus have done?’
Unlike George Bush, I don’t pretend to speak for God, but just looking at Jesus’ track record I have a decent idea what he might have done. He certainly wouldn’t be trying to take the occupiers to court, and he wouldn’t have simply joined them in a tent. To my mind, Jesus would be marching into investment banks on Wall Street and chucking computers out the window.
Jesus, it’s important to remember, was a revolutionary, and much of what he preached was challenging and extraordinarily radical for his day. Jesus’ single act of vandalism and violence occurred in the Herod’s Temple, in the courtyard of which livestock were up for sale and the ‘money changers’ exchanged Greek and Roman money for Jewish and Tyrian currency.
After overturning the tables and chairs, he fashioned a whip from some cords, and drove all the moneychangers and the livestock out the door, dumped their money on the floor, and shouted after them, ‘It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.’
Jackson made reference to the Cleansing of the Temple story, when announcing to the occupiers, ‘You represent Jesus standing outside the temple,’ and Tutu invoked ‘the higher calling of Our Lord Jesus Christ,’ when asking for an end to ‘injustice, unfairness, and the stranglehold of greed which has beset humanity in our times’.
Belatedly as it may be, the Christian church is finally wrenching Christ away from the politicos and the moneychangers, and reclaiming Him as both radical reformer and a symbol of universal connection, love and justice."
(you Intended that, didn't you, Lynne?!)
Startup redefines the to-go coffee cup | SmartPlanet
Startup redefines the to-go coffee cup | SmartPlanet
Peter Herman, whose day job is an architect at the Ellenzweig firm in Cambridge, Massachusetts, spent two years of his free time to construct a cup that he calls “Compleat.”
The all-paper, disposable cup folds like a takeout container to form a sipping spout. The cup is made of just one piece of (waterproofed) paper glued to a round base. Herman said that ideally the waterproofing would be done with cellulose-based plastic so that the cups would be compostable.
Herman estimated that Complete would also eventually save retailers money since the cup is only one part and can be sourced through one supplier, also giving them incentive to use the cups. However, Herman admitted to Co.Designthat figuring out the actual cost benefits would require direct collaboration with both retailers and manufacturers.
Herman thinks that shape alone of Complete is iconic enough to perform “priceless PR,” that would tell consumers that a retailer was committed to do their part in reducing plastic waste.
It is still unclear when Compleat will be available, though Herman said he is in negotiations with producers, distributors and retailers. A complete redesign of a paper cup doesn’t solve the problem of to-go cup waste, but it does show that there are ways to subtly tweak the current model that could potentially have a big impact.
~p.s.OPEN SOURCE THIS BABY! Why wait? is it really about money? or doing the right thing!
Is Consciousness the Unified Field? A Field Theorist's Perspective - John Hagelin, SAND11 - YouTube
I REALLY appreciated this...
Is Consciousness the Unified Field? A Field Theorist's Perspective - John Hagelin, SAND11 - YouTube
Is Consciousness the Unified Field? A Field Theorist's Perspective - John Hagelin, SAND11 - YouTube
John Hagelin, Director of the Institute of Science, Technology and Public Policy Director of the Board of Advisors for the David Lynch Foundation
Progress in theoretical physics during the past decade has led to a progressively more unified understanding of the laws of nature, culminating in the recent discovery of completely unified field theories based on the superstring. These theories identify a single universal, unified field at the basis of all forms and phenomena in the universe. At the same time, cutting-edge research in the field of neuroscience has revealed the existence of a unified field of consciousness‚ a fourth major state of human consciousness, which is physiologically and subjectively distinct from waking, dreaming and deep sleep. In this meditative state, the threefold structure of waking experience‚ the observer, the observed and the process of observation‚ are united in one indivisible wholeness of pure consciousness.
These parallel discoveries of a unified field of physics and a unified field of consciousness raise fundamental questions concerning the relationship between the two. We present compelling theoretical and experimental evidence that the unified field of physics and the unified field of consciousness are identical‚ i.e. that during the meditative state, human awareness directly experiences the unified field at the foundation of the universe.
We show that the proposed identity between consciousness and the unified field may indeed be required to account for experimentally observed field effects of consciousness. We present the findings of a National Demonstration Project‚ the largest controlled sociological experiment in history‚ in which 4,000 advanced meditators markedly reduced violent crime in Washington, DC. We briefly explore the practical applications of proven meditative procedures for developing total brain functioning, higher states of consciousness‚ preventing social conflict and promoting peace on a national and global scale.
Progress in theoretical physics during the past decade has led to a progressively more unified understanding of the laws of nature, culminating in the recent discovery of completely unified field theories based on the superstring. These theories identify a single universal, unified field at the basis of all forms and phenomena in the universe. At the same time, cutting-edge research in the field of neuroscience has revealed the existence of a unified field of consciousness‚ a fourth major state of human consciousness, which is physiologically and subjectively distinct from waking, dreaming and deep sleep. In this meditative state, the threefold structure of waking experience‚ the observer, the observed and the process of observation‚ are united in one indivisible wholeness of pure consciousness.
These parallel discoveries of a unified field of physics and a unified field of consciousness raise fundamental questions concerning the relationship between the two. We present compelling theoretical and experimental evidence that the unified field of physics and the unified field of consciousness are identical‚ i.e. that during the meditative state, human awareness directly experiences the unified field at the foundation of the universe.
We show that the proposed identity between consciousness and the unified field may indeed be required to account for experimentally observed field effects of consciousness. We present the findings of a National Demonstration Project‚ the largest controlled sociological experiment in history‚ in which 4,000 advanced meditators markedly reduced violent crime in Washington, DC. We briefly explore the practical applications of proven meditative procedures for developing total brain functioning, higher states of consciousness‚ preventing social conflict and promoting peace on a national and global scale.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
AMERICA’S TOP POWER PLANT TOXIC AIR POLLUTERS
AMERICA’S TOP POWER PLANT TOXIC AIR POLLUTERS
Please take a look at these two reports outlining the state of coal power ground and water pollution in the U.S. These are brand new reports and reveal the significant ongoing need to improve the conditions at these sites!
Please take a look at these two reports outlining the state of coal power ground and water pollution in the U.S. These are brand new reports and reveal the significant ongoing need to improve the conditions at these sites!
The Environmental Integrity Report 2011 - based on self (industry) reported data -
America's Top Power Plant Toxic Air Polluters
America's Top Power Plant Toxic Air Polluters
(I'm pleased that none of the projects I worked on is in this group)
NEW REPORT: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Texas are Top States in Terms of Toxic Power Plant Air Pollution
December 7, 2011
The dirtiest power plants in the nation continue to generate a disproportionate amount of toxic pollutants – including arsenic, chromium, hydrochloric acid, lead, mercury, nickel, and selenium – tracked in a new analysis by the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) released today by EIP, Earthjustice, and the Sierra Club.
NEW REPORT: 20 Additional Toxic Coal Ash Contamination Sites Found in 10 States - "The more we look, the more we find..."
The dirtiest power plants in the nation continue to generate a disproportionate amount of toxic pollutants – including arsenic, chromium, hydrochloric acid, lead, mercury, nickel, and selenium – tracked in a new analysis by the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) released today by EIP, Earthjustice, and the Sierra Club.
According to the new EIP report, the dozen dirtiest power plants in the U.S. in terms of sheer pounds of emissions of four highly toxic heavy metals – arsenic, chromium, lead, and mercury – are: (1) Plum Point Station, AR; (2) TVA’s Paradise Plant, KY; (3) Genon’s Shawville Station, PA; (4) Basin Electric’s Laramie River Station, WY; (5) Consumers Energy’s JH Campbell Plant, MI; (6) AES Puerto Rico LP, PR; (7) Edison International’s Homer City Plant, PA; (8) Consumers Energy’s De Karn/JC Weadock Generating Plant, MI; (9) FirstEnergy’s Bruce Mansfield Power Plant, PA; (10) Southern Company’s Bowen Plant, GA; (11) Basin Electric’s Antelope Valley Station, ND; and (12) Luminant’s Monticello Power Plant, TX.
Based on overall rankings for the toxic pollutants reviewed in the EIP report, the five worst states identified are (starting with the bottom-ranked states):
- Pennsylvania (#1 rankings for arsenic and lead)
- Ohio (#2 rankings for mercury and selenium)
- Indiana (#4 rankings for chromium and nickel)
- Kentucky (#2 for arsenic); and
- Texas (#1 rankings for mercury and selenium).followed by this report which is just as important, and we need to support action to prevent any kind of ground/freshwater/ WATER pollution:
NEW REPORT: 20 Additional Toxic Coal Ash Contamination Sites Found in 10 States - "The more we look, the more we find..."
December 13, 2011
EIP has identified a total of 20 additional coal ash dump sites causing groundwater and soil contamination in 10 states – Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. These include 19 sites where coal ash appears to have contaminated groundwater with arsenic or other pollutants at levels above Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL). All but two have also measured concentrations of other pollutants – such as boron, molybdenum, and manganese – above EPA-recommended Health Advisories for children or adults. In addition, our report includes new information about 7 previously recognized damage cases, including stunning evidence of groundwater more toxic than hazardous waste leachate. Finally, we have identified soil contamination at an Indiana site where coal ash was used to fill in a rail bed. These structural fills account for most “recycling” of coal combustion waste, and are largely unregulated.
EIP has identified a total of 20 additional coal ash dump sites causing groundwater and soil contamination in 10 states – Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. These include 19 sites where coal ash appears to have contaminated groundwater with arsenic or other pollutants at levels above Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL). All but two have also measured concentrations of other pollutants – such as boron, molybdenum, and manganese – above EPA-recommended Health Advisories for children or adults. In addition, our report includes new information about 7 previously recognized damage cases, including stunning evidence of groundwater more toxic than hazardous waste leachate. Finally, we have identified soil contamination at an Indiana site where coal ash was used to fill in a rail bed. These structural fills account for most “recycling” of coal combustion waste, and are largely unregulated.
Today EIP also released a letter to Congress from thousands of residents near coal ash dump sites in 27 states pleading for proper federal oversight – even as some in Congress are urging that federal oversight to clean up toxic coal ash pollution be relaxed and authority to enforce meaningful standards be eliminated.
The Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) has been collecting evidence of groundwater contamination near coal ash ponds and landfills for several years, and the more we look, the more we find. After EPA documented 67 proven or potential ‘damage cases’ in 2007, we found groundwater or surface water contamination at 70 additional sites, and submitted our analysis to EPA in two reports released in February and August of 2010. The current report brings the total number of damage cases identified by EPA and other groups to 157.
For the report click here.Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Short game - The Irish Times - Tue, Dec 13, 2011
FISHERS Island Golf Club in New York State played host to the second staging of the Women’s International Team Challenge recently.
The competition was inaugurated by the Olympic Golf Club in San Francisco in 2010, and the Olympic Club won the Cup in the first year.
The tournament is a stableford competition and consists of two fourball matches with maximum handicaps of 22 and one gross fourball match.
This year the women from Lahinch won on a countback from the the host club.
The competition is played on the top golf courses on both sides of the Atlantic. That tradition of top quality courses as host venues will be maintained once again next year as Southern Hills Golf Club in Oklahoma – which has hosted the US Open three times and the USPGA on four occasions – is the venue.
Lahinch Golf Club will host the tournament in 2013.
Cambridge Digital Library - University of Cambridge
Plato is my friend, Aristotle is my friend, but my greatest friend is truth." Sir Isaac Newton MS Add.3996, 88r)
Cambridge University Library is pleased to present the first items in its Foundations of Science collection: a selection from the Papers of Sir Isaac Newton. The Library holds the most important and substantial collection of Newton's scientific and mathematical manuscripts and over the next few months we intend to make most of our Newton papers available on this site.
This first release features some of Newton's most important work from the 1660s, including his college notebooks and 'Waste Book'.
Monday, December 12, 2011
13:28 Productions Presents ~ Countdown to 2012 | 13:28 Productions presents Countdown to 2012 – a Galactic Activation Multimedia Concert Experience.
13:28 Productions Presents ~ Countdown to 2012 | 13:28 Productions presents Countdown to 2012 – a Galactic Activation Multimedia Concert Experience.
Let the COUNTDOWN begin to the Winter Solstice of 2012, closing out the Great Cycle, and ushering in the Noosphere – the next stage in new planetary consciousness. Based on the original “Countdown to 2012 – Celebrating the Life of Terence McKenna”, held in San Francisco in 2000, this year’s extravaganza features genre-blending music and multimedia. Listen to rare audio and check out photos from the original event featuring special guest appearance by PHIL LESH - right here on Countdownto2012.com!Let the COUNTDOWN begin to the Winter Solstice of 2012, closing out the Great Cycle, and ushering in the Noosphere – the next stage in new planetary consciousness. Based on the original “Countdown to 2012 – Celebrating the Life of Terence McKenna”, held in San Francisco in 2000, this year’s extravaganza features genre-blending music and multimedia. Listen to rare audio and check out photos from the original event featuring special guest appearance by PHIL LESH - right here on Countdownto2012.com!
Let the COUNTDOWN begin to the Winter Solstice of 2012, closing out the Great Cycle, and ushering in the Noosphere – the next stage in new planetary consciousness. Based on the original “Countdown to 2012 – Celebrating the Life of Terence McKenna”, held in San Francisco in 2000, this year’s extravaganza features genre-blending music and multimedia. Listen to rare audio and check out photos from the original event featuring special guest appearance by PHIL LESH - right here on Countdownto2012.com!