As the less-than-adequate federal stimulus funds recede from view, we are left with a sinking realization that this recession is depressingly persistent. Gains on the employment front have reversed. A fifth of the population is either unemployed or under employed, so demand for goods and services is lacking. Without demand, companies aren't hiring. With the private sector in [...]
Category: Ideas
The Growth Conundrum
The comparative luxury in which we live is the direct result of centuries of steady economic growth. But we live on a finite planet, so never-ending population and economic growth must eventually stop. We find that societies that have high standards of living have lower fertility rates, yet much of the world's population lives in [...]
High Altitude Wind Power – A Review
The first international conference on High Altitude Wind Power happened last November in Chico, CA. That's a sign this new technology is being taken seriously by academics. Hence, the rest of us concerned about our energy needs should become acquainted with the topic. For those unfamiliar with the concept, the idea is simply that winds are stronger and more reliable [...]
Worm Math
Update: Three weeks with the flashlight have reduced the numbers to an insignificant level. At this point, migration into the test plot, and new hatches will probably keep me finding a worm or two every night for quite a while. While out picking worms I also started picking slugs and keeping track of those numbers. They show [...]
Peak Phosphorous
I've just become aware of another malady that industrial society has to worry about. Peak phosphorous is probably not on your radar yet, but it could be as big a problem for society as peak oil or climate change. Phosphorous is an essential element for all life forms. Phosphate is part of the DNA and [...]
The Practice of Practice
As a rule of thumb, I expect to do a design project three times before I am satisfied. The prototype always has a few bugs and may not even work at all, but you learn a lot and can expect success with the second version. The practice you had with the first two attempts finally [...]
Squash Practice 