Monthly Archives: March 2012

Science policy? A necessary, and salient feature of the 21st century landscape. Think for a moment about how science and technology policies are threaded throughout the world’s agenda. Food? Water? Energy? Commerce and trade? Health? Entertainment? War? Crime and punishment? … Continue reading →

From time to time, readers post comments here citing humanity’s sheer numbers …7 billion and climbing, on its way to what looks to be 9 billion at a minimum…as the biggest challenge to sustainable development. So many people mean a … Continue reading →

Maria who? Extra credit if you know the name already! But if not, read on…and you’ll be glad you did. To begin at the beginning…sometimes streams of consciousness sweep us along to the most interesting and encouraging places… Last evening … Continue reading →

One feature of modern urban living is the “free” tabloid newspaper you can pick up at rail and bus stations. Handy for the morning or evening commute…and a sign that the Internet is forcing the print news media to look … Continue reading →

Browse through any bookstore fifteen years or so ago and chances are good that the most interesting non-fiction book you’d spot on the counters also had the most intriguing title: How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland’s … Continue reading →

Did you ever hear this story growing up? A woodcutter strained to saw down a tree.  A young man who was watching asked “What are you doing?” “Are you blind?” the woodcutter replied. “I’m cutting down this tree.” The young … Continue reading →

Here’s some of what Stephen Covey thinks: “To put it simply, synergy means “two heads are better than one.” Synergize is the habit of creative cooperation. It is teamwork, open-mindedness, and the adventure of finding new solutions to old problems. … Continue reading →

Here’s some of what Stephen Covey has to say: “Communication is the most important skill in life. You spend years learning how to read and write, and years learning how to speak. But what about listening? What training have you … Continue reading →

John Plodinec provided an excellent comment to Saturday’s post on Win-Win. The third of his three points was particularly telling. He said “As far as the science of global warming is concerned, I want neither a win-win nor win-lose. I … Continue reading →

We all know what day this is. One year ago – on March 11, 2011 – Japan and the world were hit by one of the five strongest earthquakes in recorded history. Over the past few days, media coverage of … Continue reading →