Monthly Archives: October 2010

Triage[1]. Familiar with the term? It comes from the medical world. In wartime, or following a disaster, a hospital’s facilities medical capabilities can be swamped by the need. How to ration care? Triage is one strategy. Picture a doctor or … Continue reading →

Over the past half-century or so, a new notion has emerged, and a wonderful new term has entered the lexicon: ecosystem services. Ecologists, maybe motivated in part by the thought that you and I might be more eager to protect … Continue reading →

Chances are you’ve grown cynical about discounts. You harbor the suspicion that the vendor has artificially marked up the retail price to give you the false impression you’re getting a bargain. Or marked down an item that’s about to be … Continue reading →

“He doesn’t know the score.” Years ago, when people wanted to belittle someone, to draw attention to his lack of awareness about what was going on around him, this is what they’d say. Back then, it was hard to be … Continue reading →

The execution.  Sustainable development, in the implementation, is seriously flawed, at all levels. You feel guilty, don’t you? You should. And so should I. Individually, we get lazy in a thousand ways. We don’t turn the lights off every time … Continue reading →

We lack (and rather urgently need) a holistic approach to the real world. In fact, here’s the ideal: in every decision and action, large and small, we take fully into account that the world is simultaneously a resource, a victim, … Continue reading →

How many times have you heard someone say, “I can’t relate to him (or her)!…or… I can’t relate to that (situation)!” Often this voices frustration with the most important aspect of our lives. Relate? Call to mind someone in your … Continue reading →

As I write this, a meeting is underway here in Washington DC – a two-day workshop entitled satellite navigation and space weather: understanding the vulnerabilities & building resilience. Can you feel your imagination soar? Perhaps sixty men and women – … Continue reading →

Last week I heard from a colleague and good friend, Roger Pielke, Jr. In my reply to his e-mail, I happened to mention I’d started this blog. His response, was swift, positive, and supportive (trademark Pielke!). In any event, he … Continue reading →

In the competitive world of computer software, smartphones, and other technology and devices, it’s all about version. Internet 1.0? Soooooooooo yesterday. Web 2.0 caused a big stir a few years ago. Web 3.0 already beckons. We’re now working on Windows … Continue reading →