Author Archives: William Hooke

A big leap. Just how big a leap? And why? Why is it so difficult to go beyond a forecast of the weather, an inherently chaotic system, to using that forecast to protect life and property? What makes that seemingly … Continue reading →

For the past year or so it’s been my privilege to be part of a National Academy of Sciences study on social and behavioral sciences and the weather enterprise. We’re in the process of concluding the study; the findings and … Continue reading →

One of the topics that came up while I was on the road for the past month. Haven’t seen anything more on it this past week, so this post may be “kicking a dead horse.” (In any case, this horse … Continue reading →

I returned to my desk this morning after a month out of the office to the (belated) unhappy news that C. Gordon Little had passed away. Forty-four years ago, Gordon took a risk and gave me my first science-management position, … Continue reading →

The previous LOTRW post, Presidential power – not all it’s cracked up to be, argued that the President’s recent decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement, while comforting to elements of his base, was really of small consequence. … Continue reading →

(Yesterday’s furor over the President’s decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement may have been overblown. Here’s why.) _________________________ Richard Neustadt, the famous presidential historian, tells us what some of Mr. Trumps’ predecessors had to say about the … Continue reading →

“We learn geology the morning after the earthquake.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson President Trump’s speech announcing U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate agreement appears to be triggering the predicted response. Both domestically and globally, people everywhere, from diverse publics – … Continue reading →

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet – William Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet) What’s past is prologue – William Shakespeare (The Tempest) Saturday’s print edition of the Washington Post … Continue reading →

Stephen Hawking has been asking a proper question: How much time do we (humans) have here on Earth? His answer is uncertain, and in fact has been a moving target, but can be summed up like this: not much! (and … Continue reading →

1When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will … Continue reading →