One evening, during the drearily sodden summer of 1816, Lord Byron and his friends read Fantasmagoriana, (a French translation of a German book of ghost stories—they were intellectuals after all) in his Villa Diodati in Switzerland (they were rich intellectuals). Afterward, Byron suggested they all write a horror story. Everyone did except Mary, the wifeContinue reading “Run for your lives! It’s lunchtime at Dr. Strangefood’s”
Monthly Archives: January 2011
Sunday funny
I wrote recently that Mick Hume over at Spiked-online had a thoughtful post on the “shocking” revelations that a British undercover cop, Police Constable (PC) Mark Kennedy has gone native and offered to give evidence for the defense. Now Josh at Cartoons by Josh has added humor. He worries “it might not play on theContinue reading “Sunday funny”
Weekend Postcard: In a meadow at Boggs Mountain
I snapped this picture several summers ago. I like the lighting and the lush feeling. Who could believe so many variations of green could exist in nature?
Self-sufficiency = poverty
In a recent letter to our local paper, a fellow wrote in that we should buy American products: “Americans all want to make top dollar for their labor but insist on buying the cheapest goods that they can find often made by countries with very low wages and lax environmental protections…We should always try toContinue reading “Self-sufficiency = poverty”
Driving Missed Daily: London to Edinburgh by electric car
According to the BBC, it “took 4 days, some serious thermal underwear, and copious amounts of waiting” to make the journey from London to Edinburgh (405 miles) by electric car (Mini adventure: how far can electric car go?). Such a trip should take seven to eight hours when driving a car powered by gas. ChristoperContinue reading “Driving Missed Daily: London to Edinburgh by electric car”
Undercover cop goes native
Mick Hume over at Spiked-online has a thoughtful post on the “shocking” revelations that a British undercover cop, Police Constable (PC) Mark Kennedy has gone native and offered to give evidence for the defense. Which aspect are we supposed to be most shocked by? The fact that the police are so paranoid they have spentContinue reading “Undercover cop goes native”
Can anything go right this year?
Haiti still reels from its earthquake from one year ago, Darfur and Somalia fester, the Korean peninsula appears to be close to war, unemployment near 10% has become endemic. Problems, crises, tragedies. Can 2011 be anything but a repeat of 2010? Over at the Rational Optimist Blog, Matt Ridley reminds us of the accomplishments ofContinue reading “Can anything go right this year?”
Predictions from 40 years ago
Take a look at this Life magazine article from January 30, 1970. How many of the environmental predictions came close? Apologies for any typos…it’s hard to see the screen with my gas mask on. I believed the first prediction, “In a decade, urban dwellers will have to wear gas masks to survive air pollution.” CanContinue reading “Predictions from 40 years ago”
Weekend postcard: the outer bank islands of North Carolina
I have friends in Great Britain and Europe who are living under mounds of snow. And with summer 22 weeks away, it seemed like a good time to make the rash prediction that summer will return to the northern hemisphere. Corolla is near the North Carolina- Virginia state line and possesses some great beaches madeContinue reading “Weekend postcard: the outer bank islands of North Carolina”
Should the FDA require DHMO to be listed on food labels?
Dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO) is used in the production of genetically modified crops. It is also used as a food additive and preservative. Every year people die from accidents involving DHMO, including DHMO poisoning. Some have died from as little as one drop. Additionally, the burning of hydrocarbons (e.g., wood and fossil fuels) releases DHMOContinue reading “Should the FDA require DHMO to be listed on food labels?”
Nullius in Verba 