This is an incredible shot of the Chaitén volcano, erupting after 9,000 years of silence. I’m no vulcanologist, but it seems like the ring of fire is quite active these days. Anyone have any science info about this?
Nice pic of Kilauea
Everyone should have a special spot on this planet where one can leave civilization behind and experience earth’s magnificent splendor. It encourages us to let go of the meaningless daily banter and step out of the human experience for a brief moment, if only to return from the outside with a fresh perspective. Kilauea is that special spot for me, the place in the wild I would call my true home. 
Why I love Michael Pollan
Yes, yes, I know many people have read this article by now, but I have to share my admiration for Mr. Pollan, who continually professes his love of nature and our planet in a way that encourages rational human beings to stand up and do something that is truly in alignment with our vision for this world. I am constantly assaulted with the question, “why bother?” from both my supposedly conscious community and more conservative/business-minded family members. I appreciate his willingness to answer the question so eloquently in the face of both criticism and righteousness that pervades both ends of the political spectrum. Thanks Mr. Pollan for offering us some simple solutions and the encouragement to take action on an overwhelming problem that we in the industrialized (and industrializing) world must now take responsibility for. (and Botany of Desire is one of the most original books I have ever read)
“Sometimes you have to act as if acting will make a difference, even when you can’t prove that it will.” He uses Vaclav Havel and Adam Michnik as examples of how a small attractor can ultimately change a system, but from systems theory to political history we know this is usually how change is made. I sincerely hope that we can keep our faith in our abilities (as the “green minority”) to start the virus as we are faced with economic downturn and the challenge of actually changing the ways that we live in this country.
“But there are sweeter reasons to plant that garden, to bother. At least in this one corner of your yard and life, you will have begun to heal the split between what you think and what you do, to commingle your identities as consumer and producer and citizen.” Wow, I always think about this, and float through times where I want to heal the split, and times when I don’t want to bother. What else can we do to really fix this instead of churning up more talk/intellectualization of the problem?
“Also, by engaging both body and mind, time spent in the garden is time (and energy) subtracted from electronic forms of entertainment.” I cannot stress the importance of this enough in this wired world we live in. Planting your own garden(s) and watching them grow from season to season is one of the most amazing experiences one can have with nature. You really start to see the world around you in a different way. The seasons (that everyone claims don’t exist in San Francisco) become vividly clear and you are suddenly very aware of the subtle changes in your environment, from your own backyard to the greater bay area ecology.
If any of you out there in friendland want assistance with planting your own garden, I am always available.
the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/magazine/20wwln-lede-t.html
Steal from the Poor, Give to the Rich
I’m usually a strong proponent of biofuels, but I can’t help but wonder if it’s becoming one more way in which the developing world is stripped of their valuable resources to feed the bottomless pit of affluence. It’s great to learn that the drought-resistant jatropha may ease the global spike in food cost, but will it be enough to supply the hunger for biofuels as our petroleum sources dwindle?
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080421-biofuels_2.html
Face Values Applied to Love Game
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/7336578.stm
This has been a topic of conversation amongst various friends lately- what attracts us to other humans? Apparently perceptions based on subtle facial cues plays a part.
US singles map
http://creativeclass.typepad.com/thecreativityexchange/2008/03/the-singles-map.html
This is quite interesting, I’ve always felt like there are many more single women in San Francisco than in other parts of the country, and the odds were always stacked against us..
Study on Meditation and Compassion
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=meditate-on-this-you-can-learn-to-be-more-compassionate&sc=rss
I’ve always been a huge fan of Davidson’s work- I admire his willingness to study phenomena that are not easily or often observed by the scientific method. I believe he did some of the original studies on tibetan monks and continues to research the effects of meditation on the brain…
