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|Our Booth @MAGIC Tradeshow in Vegas!
These past shows were particularly exciting because Rothco had the chance to unveil over a 160 new items, the most new product ever! Some of the new products we brought to the shows included Rothco's new vintage military t-shirts, Paracord bracelets, and new camouflage patterns; including our New Subdued Urban Digital Camo Pants and jacket.
|I spy some new tee's in the background!
|Rothco's Booth @ NYC GIFT
|We even spotted other exhibitors Rock'in Rothco!
For more pictures of the MAGIC Show check out our Facebook photo album, here.
|Our Booth at Magic just before the crowds start coming
Rothco will be heading to a bunch of shows in the beginning of 2012 check back at Rothco.com where we will be posting our upcoming show scheduled.
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Check out this article from Alternet on the New Atheists.
I've only read a few pages of Sam Harris, but something struck me -- just within those few pages as he denigrated the idea of nonviolence and the work of Gandhi -- that something was very wrong with his argument. The more I heard arguments borrowed from Harris and company, the more it appeared that something was very wrong. Something was very wrong in the way the authors were defining religion, and something else was wrong there, but I couldn't put my finger on it.
I think this article gets at a lot of what I was feeling to be wrong with Harris's arguments. And has some good points on its own. My one caveat is that I'm not certain the degree to which I want to endorse the rejection of the idea of progressing towards a better future. There's plenty of reason to be skeptical about the idea (as any Russian Studies major can tell you). I'm more inclined to caution against thinking that progress as a society is inevitable -- it must be worked for and carefully guarded through vigilance -- and to firmly reject any utopian ideas that deny the value (and the rights) of the individual. Further, it is an imperative to understand that movement (forwards, backwards, or sideways) creates a shift in perspective, which changes the very vision of the end, the utopia, the kingdom of God. One can have a sense of what utopia should be -- a construction, if you will -- which allows one to analyze and critique the present, but one must not confuse that construction with reality.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Pipe dreams of the Kingdom of the God
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testing something...
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LittleWing, the company famous for its outstanding Solid State series of pinball games, has re-released Crystal Caliburn and Loony Labyrinth as shareware.Crystal Caliburn is an authentic pinball simulator that takes place in the Golden Age of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. It has colorful features, ultra-realistic ball movement, superb sound effects and beautiful graphics. It also features three-level playfield, super-real 3D ramps, and three ball multiball.Loony Labyrinth is the fourth game in their Solid State Pinball Series. Its design, graphics, and sounds are completely original. Loony Labyrinth combines science-fiction, adventure and mythology as you strive to enter the mysterious Labyrinth of Knossos, defeat the Minotaur, and rescue the nine human sacrifices.To download playable demo versions of Crystal Caliburn and Loony Labyrinth, head over to Macgamefiles.com.
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Central Congress leaders said on Saturday that the "dreams of some opposition leaders for a Congress-mukta (Congress-free) India can never be realised as the party lives in the heart and mind of the people from Kashmir to Kanyakumari".
Addressing a public meeting before kick-starting a 23-day-long "Vikas Khoj Yatra" by the Gujarat Pradesh Youth Congress (GPYC) from here, Union Minister of State for Power Jyotiraditya Scindia said that "Congress lives in the heart and mind of the people from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and hence, a Congress-mukta India dream of some people can never be realised".
Without naming Chief Minister Narendra Modi who had been repeatedly speaking of a "Congress-mukta" India, the minister said that using phrases like "Congress-mukta Bharat" by the leader of a rival political party only indicated party's "narrow mindset".
Pointing out that securing political power was never the target of the Congress, but only a mean to serve the people of the country, the minister hailing from neighbouring MP, said, "Congress won freedom for the country, made Pakistan to kneel before India in 1971, gave 'Jai jawan, Jai kisan' slogan that made India self-dependent in foodgrains production and worked for uplift of the poor."
With reference to Modi's claim of development, he asked, "Under whose regime was Amul set up bringing White Revolution and making India self-dependent in milk requirements? Who set up fertiliser manufacturing companies in Gujarat that contributed to increase in agriculture production and under whom did Gujarat get the title of being textile capital of the country?"
Scindia said that it all happened during Congress rule. But now under Modi rule, textile and diamond workers had become jobless.
He said that duty on power in Gujarat was 20 per cent against just 2 to 3 per cent in other states and this was the reason for high power tariff charged from consumers in the state.
Scindia also said that state's annual GDP was 16 per cent in 1985-95 during Congress rule and it came down to 8.5 per cent under Modi rule now. "Is this an achievement of Modi?" he asked.
Alleging that it was the habit of BJP leaders to speak lies, especially when elections approached, he said that they raised the Ram temple issue on the eve of every election but dumped it once the elections were over.
He said that the next Lok Sabha elections would be between an ideology of "communal harmony" represented by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and "divisive and narrow-minded" ideology of BJP.
Indian Youth Congress president Rajiv Satav, addressing the meeting, made fun of Modi by saying that while Modi wanted to build a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, his government had no money for repair of the school where Sardar Patel studied.
"It is because of the misdeeds of Modi that several IPS officers are today in jail in Gujarat," alleged Satav.
The "padyatra" that started from Ahmedabada on Saturday would end at Bardoli on February 23. Aimed at mobilising youths in favour of the Congress in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the padyatra will cover seven Lok Sabha constituencies and 33 Assembly constituencies in central and south Gujarat regions.
For all the latest Ahmedabad News, download Indian Express App


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We were in San Fransisco for another one of my little ones doctor appointments, after all of our business was taken care of we ventured around a little with the help of our GPS of course, its crazy in the city, you WILL. Get . Lost.. and I stumbled upon a West Elm, I have NEVER been to this store,(I know crazy right) only browsed online but never physically been to an actual store, I walked in a was in Love! But before actually going inside of the store while I was parking I noticed that at the back of this West Elm in the back parking lot workers were stacking and unloading stuff from what looked like their stock room leaning things against the building and laying rugs, lights, all kinds of things out, then came the sign that said 70% off everything! Jackpot! I parked and noticed other people starting to walk that way, I spotted something while walking (okay speed walking) something shimmering from the sun shining on it. A Capiz Shell Chandelier! It was gorgeous, and had no price tag...I thought this has gotta be pricey, but I will ask anyways, which I did, when the lady said she would let me have it for $20.89 (.89 is code for no returnable I guess) I had a heart palpitation! A few of them!
I didn't NEED it and really didn't know where I could use it, but I just couldn't walk away from it because of the price and it was gorgeous. I love you West Elm! Lets just say I am always going to try my best to hit this store every trip :)
I decided to put her above my coffee table in the living room, I have never tried this idea before but I gotta say I love how it looks. When the sun coming from my window shines on it it makes me happy, $20 for a happy room isn't so shabby.
I am trying to hide those dreadful popcorn ceilings...and I have not figured out how to get rid of that reflection from my mirror, it drives me nuts, but you can see the beauty of those shells!
Are you a sucker for a sale? I guess I am officially a sale sucker these days..


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Daily (or almost daily) ideas, tid bits, factoids, stories, research notes, news, and other fun things from the most interesting time period in American history! After reading my blog, click on the links below for more information about the New Deal.
Friday, January 11, 2013
A Final Resting Place
The WPA built or improved cemeteries all across America. In the above black & white photo, WPA workers are erecting a flagpole at Baltimore National Cemetery. The color photo shows the very same flagpole today, about 75 years later.
To learn more about Baltimore National Cemetery--a final resting place for our veterans--as well as the WPA's role in creating it, see the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, at http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/baltimore.asp.
(Black & white photo taken by the WPA, provided courtesy of the University of Maryland College Park Archives. Color photo by Brent McKee)
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Here are the "previously on" summaries which were found at the start of each serialized chapter of Human Diastrophism.
Part 2: "In part one: Luba's old flame Khamo has to Palomar. A letter to Tonantzin from Geraldo Mejia (who's in prison) has Diana, Carmen and Pipo convinced that it's Mejia's fault Tonantzin's losing her marbles."
Part 3: "In part two: Luba and Khamo reunite in Palomar after two years and enjoy heavy duty boffing, a letter to Tonantzin from Geraldo Mejia has Diana, Carmen and Pipo convinced it's his fault Tonantzin's losing it, and Humberto has accidentally discovered the identity of Palomar's mysterious serial killer…"
Part 4: "So far: Luba and Khamo have reunited after two years, only to have Pipo enter the picture; Humberto has kept mum about accidentally discovering the identity of the town's mysterious serial killer; and has Tonantzin gone over the deep end with a shove from the politically cock-eyed letters Geraldo Mejia wrote to her from prison?"


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It Doesn't Rain But It Pours - 8th Edition Army-Off
Like locusts, camera-toting tourists and (apparently) buses, subjects seem to do WFB media rounds in, erm… flocks?…. I'm losing the simile here...
Suffice to say, no sooner had the mighty Heelanhammer bowed to public pressure and answered what must be THE most discussed casual topic of conversation in the hobby that the at-least-equally-mighty-and-definitely-more-accented Bad Dice also weighed on what is effectively: What is the Best Army in Warhammer?
I loved the episodes. But…
Both (or all five, depending on how you look at it) got the answer wrong, though that is to be expected. Firstly, it's a subjective thing (and Ben seemed determined only consider comped Dark Elves compared to uncomped everything else), and secondly, you have to establish the parameters of such a discussion when comparing different armies:
Are we talking about generic tournament armies? Or the best possible for each matchup? Under what comp? Scenarios in play?
Furthermore, they largely ignored available data. I am often told (by the same person, but he is insistent) that, despite the many positives or negatives of the RHQ rankings system, it accurately shows things such as general army power level. Whilst I philosophically disagree with this (namely because I think, as with a lot of other things in life, a sharp mind focused on the subject reveals more than the bumbling around of drunken warhammer players, but more on that later), it is a decent starting point.
Keeping a UK focus RHQ shows us the following:
- Ogre Kingdoms
- Warriors Of Chaos
- Empire
- Lizardmen
- Daemons Of Chaos
- Vampire Counts
- Dark Elves
- High Elves
- Dwarfs
- Bretonnians
- Chaos Dwarfs
- Orcs & Goblins
- Beastmen
- Tomb Kings
- Wood Elves
Skaven are missing off the list (technical glitch one expects) but one assumes they would be in the top 3 or so. Obviously worth noting that RHQ uses 12 months-worth of data – so armies such as WoC and DoC will include old books information.
Probably not an overly surprisingly list, and one could look at reasons why some armies are where they are etc – and maybe we will do it at some point.
What I want to look at, however, is something slightly different.
8th vs 8th
What are the army power levels – looking only at the new 8th edition army books?
It is often proclaimed that these are balanced tomes, and I myself am fond of saying that an event with nothing but the new books would not need any comp at all.
Is this true? Be great if so – a quick feat of mathematical genius shows us that over half of the books have been updated this edition.
What follows is, by necessity, a product of my keen intellect, charisma and charm… or something I am pulling out of my posterior, depending on how you look at it.
To do this I don't think you could consider tournament-standard lists – there are too many variables around the various builds, and comp plays too much of a role. So, in out-of-the-book "real warhammer" as it was arguably designed to be used (and where one generally knows what army you are going to face), keeping scenarios rather in the background, how do the armies stack against each other?
My conclusion is, to say the least, FAR from conventional wisdom J
So, in classic reverse order of winningness:
8. Ogre Kingdoms
The poster boys of 2012. The top ranked army on RHQ. The "Easy-Button of WFB". The biggest meta-changer in years… comes in at last place. Even worse, on my win/loss matrix, they don't come out beating a single other new book!
It's enough to make you question the logic of the whole thing.
However, thinking about it, it's perhaps not surprising. In preparation for the upcoming 6 nations ETC practice team event (more details at a later date) we discussed taking Ogres – but concluded they were actually an army everyone wants to face these days. They have limited builds (and no, taking a different magic lore does not make a build "different"), small model count and utterly gigantic weaknesses. On a very basic level all but one of the other books has access to death magic, which can singlehandedly destroy an Ogre army (even if trying to reduce the risk), not to mention their leadership issues.
7. Daemons of Chaos
The crazy kids on the block are one thing above all else – exceptionally solid. I found these hard to place really – they are a combat army with limited smash capabilities (and the elements that smash are high priced, highly targetable, high priority targets), limited magic without investing in the aforementioned targets, and extremely limited magic defence. They are an army that is, however, much better than some online would have us believe. The problem is that the weapons some of the other books can bring to bear are simply too much. High strength, high power dice Banishments, Death Magic (devastating against arguably the best selections in the book), artillery, missile shooting and heavy armour all have the potential to massively crimp their style (is style something that can be crimped?). A certain banner in a pointy-eared booked is also a bit of a slap in the face. They will win a lot of these games due to hot dice – Daemons only need you to role 5s to win the game after all! Some matchups are hard to call – such as the WoC one… but in my results matrix I had them winning only one game…
6. High Elves
Next up, the Elven representatives amongst the new book. No one seems to know exactly how these boys will do. Some neat tricks, but they suffer from one thing that is really not ideal – being an elf. Access to 9 magic lores does give them answers to a lot of problems… I just don't think it's quite enough. For all the shooting they can put out (and it's a hell of a lot), and for all the hiding they can do behind banners or flapping with big used-to-be-on-fire-yet-is-now-made-of-ice birds I am not sure they can put up with weight of combat/magic/heavy armour other armies can. Only two wins on the matrix is a perhaps a bit harsh – they could probably give WoC a very tight game all things considered.
5. Warriors of Chaos
Much talked about as one of THE top armies at the moment… based on my calculations, and in this case extensive experience, rather middling. It boils down to one thing really – for the most part they need to get into combat to win (the odd Hellcannon leadership bomb notwithstanding). The armies above them can either hit them with so much magic, chaff them up for so cheap or weather the combat punch they bring. There is little more to say than that really… rather a one-dimensional opinion on a one dimensional book. I have them consistently beating 3 of the 8 armies – unsurprisingly the 3 armies below them.
4. Orcs & Goblins
Tied in at number 3, the new hotness, the green (static) tied, the oldest of the new books, Orcs & Goblins. One thing is for sure, they really don't play as they should. They are really Dwarfs with more phases these days. And it works. The sheer amount of shooting and hand grenade units causes a mess of a lot of the new books. That they can back this up with incredibly effective (if static) combat units means they don't lose if their opponents get to them. Silly mechanics like allowing fanatics and manglers to go through your own units just adds to the threat – not even safe in combat (unlike other gunlines). The Big Waagh has two of the best spells in the game in Hand and Foot, and the Little Waagh is a real nuisance. Sure, they can fail animosity, and warmachines can fail to hit, but the first if manageable and the second something you can't account for. Coming in at 5 wins the only reason they don't get 3rd spot is that I believe they lose to the army they are tied to:
3. Vampire Counts
The first of the "power" 7th ed books to be redone, they have suffered on the conventional tournament scene due simply to comp – and a couple of weaknesses they have. However, in uncomped, and a decent idea of the army they are facing, they have tools to deal with a lot of problems. With the single best combat character in the game leading them, and a selection of ethereals, screams, tough Crypt Horrors, flying threats, incredibly cheap chaff and cheap/free tarpits they can deal with a lot. They can weather the barrage of magic and artillery most armies can throw at them to a large extent. They do struggle to deal with large amounts of armour, and obviously have some crippling weaknesses that become ever more apparent when compared to the top two armies.
2. Tomb Kings
The most belittled of all the army books, and with good reason in a comped tournament scene. In uncomped, and with not having to design an all-comers list, these slow Nagash-hating mummy-lacking wannabe Egyptians are a very serious threat. Magical dominance to an extent no other new army comes remotely close to matching. Panic causing artillery. Army-wide access to killing blow. Monsters by the handful if needed. Cheap (Core) chaff. Numbers to provide roadblocks if needed/wanted (alongside a very synergistic base lore of magic). Not to over stress the magic point, but an Arkhan list backed up with a full on Light Council (and accompanying Hierotitan and Caskets), backed up by army wide shooting and artillery, is a truly devastating beast. Armies such as vampires can take the punishment to make it across the field – only to face light magic-backed units with killing blow floating around if the vampire lord gets a bit too cocky. Sure they are epically slow – a major disadvantage in scenario play, and they have obvious weaknesses, but galloping in with an epic 6 wins I put them just below the one army that I think consistently beats them in a no-holes barred encounter…
1. The Empire
The dull centre of the WFB universe, our Germanic friends have enough utility in their depressingly dull army book to give you the tools to consistently take on the rest of the new books. Incredibly cheap (including core) 1+ armour save units? Check. Wide array of cheap magic lores? Check. Double Banishment potential? Check. 1+ armour save random moving unbreakable unit with 10 wounds? Check. Cheap infantry hordes if you want to go in that direction? Check. Incredibly costed monstrous cav? Check. Artillery? Check. More artillery? Check. The point may be belaboured, but it's true. An army with no weaknesses. Other than the one army I have consistently beating them, the green wrench that is the O&G, other armies in this list simply do not have a consistent way of dealing with them. It's a pity the book is not more fun, but then perhaps they have stayed as close to the fluff – they appear modelled on nothing short of brutal Germanic efficiency.
|The Matrix of Doom
So, there we have it – and I can guarantee no one will agree with me – that the beauty of this subject, we are all wrong, and we are all right J


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2014 Toyota Pro-Celebrity Race Interview With Scion FR-S #3 Phil Keoghan
Pre-event interview with Phil Keoghan (@PhilKeoghan): Emmy award-winning New Zealand-born television personality best known for his role as host of the popular series "Amazing Race."
The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race's primary effort is to raise money for charity. Phil Keoghan has a long-time commitment to MS - Multiple Sclerosis - multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. About eight (8) years ago, Phil set a goal to use his celebrity and recognition to raise one-million dollars ($1,000,000) in his lifetime and was already able to hit this goal with a ride across America film effort. Later this year, he has planned a follow up film production of a ride across France where he plans to donate the proceeds of this production to MS as well.
Additionally, Phil appreciates the umbrella charity that the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race raises money for - "Race For Kids." He believes that if someone fortunate to have celebrity, one should dedicate a portion of their time, awareness, and energy to give back to the community. Since 1991, Toyota has donated more than $2 million to the "Racing for Kids" organization on behalf of this race and its participants.
Phil would not predict his chances at being able to win and donate the $5,000.00 first prize money to Multiple Sclerosis but in the interview he was very keen on the development of driving skills, especially the skill of driving a stick shift.
Further, Phil relates the many different situations where he was exposed to driving experiences that would have prepared him for this challenge ... including driving an IndyCar as well as the international driving situations presented to him during his many years at being the host of "Amazing Race."
Phil Keoghan's Amazing Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race challenge begins in earnest with the Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach Friday, April 11, 2014 11:30 a.m. Pro/Celebrity Race practice and 3:00 p.m. Pro/Celebrity qualifying followed on Saturday, April 12, 2014 12:00 p.m. Pro/Celebrity Race for charity (10 laps).
... notes From The EDJE


text: I bought a Swiffer at Sam's Club about 5 months ago along with like 6 boxes of refills for really cheap. I love my Swiffer! So much quicker to use than a mop. I just went on a cleaning spree and Swiffered my entire kitchen. It was fun. LOL. Who else owns a Swiffer? Do you like Swiffers or hate them? For those who don't have one, do you want one?


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Philosophy and Biology
Where is UMKC taking you?
To Scotland because there are so many conservation opportunities there. I'm currently talking to the University of Glasgow to continue my studies once I finish at UMKC.
Why did you choose UMKC?
UMKC has one of the best LGBTQIA programs in the country. I did a lot of research and was impressed with how far back the school's history goes in LGBTQIA activism.
How did you hear about UMKC?
One of my friends was attending here, and I was already hanging out on campus all the time.
What are your lifelong goals?
I plan to live in Scotland. The land and the environment there are beautiful, and I can work with animals and conservation. I want to be doing work that I absolutely love.
What motto do you live by?
I am a Scotsman, therefore I had to fight my way into the world. – Sir Walter Scott
What excites you?
Reptiles and amphibians. I have a ball python and two leopard geckos. I love how misunderstood they are, and I can relate to that. I don't get why people are afraid of them – plus they are free pest control. A lot of reptiles are facing threats of extinction because people forget about them, and I want to help change that.
Do you belong to any organizations? What do you like about them?
The LGBTQIA Center – it makes me feel safe, like I have a voice. And I feel like I have a place where I can hang out and be myself. I'm also part of Avanzando, where I feel like I matter. I find it difficult for people to understand things they haven't lived through themselves, and through this organization I can talk to others who better understand.
What got you into your field of study?
I was struggling through some tough times, and my pets really helped me get through everything. I want to work with animals and keep them safe.
Do you have any advice for future UMKC students?
Make friends with your professors. In college we can be friendly and informal, they aren't scary. They are real people like us.


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Hat tip United With Israel
I nominate this for best cartoon.
In noting Iran's latest Holocaust cartoon contest, I am reminded of of last week's appearance at UC Irvine of Neturei Karta crackpot rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, an ally of everyone who wants to wipe Israel off the face of the map, be that Palestinians or the terror state of Iran.
Weiss happens to be a buddy of ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Not only that, Weiss was a participant when Iran held their Holocaust denial conference a few years back. On both of his last appearances at UC Irvine, I have reminded him of his close friendship with Mad Mahmoud and the mad mullahs. Both times, he has refused to deal with my questions on how Iran treats its Baha'i and gays. (They kill them.)
I wonder if Weiss has any drawing talents. Maybe he can win the gold medal. We already know he has an in with the judges.
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Iran's Holocaust Cartoon Contest and Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss
Posted by Gary Fouse at 7:36 PM
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A novel route for early cataract diagnostics is investigated based on the excitation of tryptophan fluorescence (TF) at the red edge of its absorption band at 317 nm. This allows penetration through the cornea and aqueous humour to provide excitation of the ocular lens. The steepness of the red edge gives the potential of depth control of the lens excitation. Such wavelength selection targets the population of tryptophan residues, side chains of which are exposed to the polar aqueous environment. The TF emissions around 350 nm of a series of UV-irradiated as well as control lenses were observed. TF spectra of the UV cases were red-shifted and the intensity decreased with the radiation dose. In contrast, intensity of non-tryptophan emission with maximum at 435 nm exhibited an increase suggesting photochemical conversion of the tryptophan population to 435 nm emitting molecules. We demonstrate that the ratio of intensities at 435 nm to that around 350 nm can be used as a measure of early structural changes caused by UV irradiation in the lens by comparison with images from a conventional slit-lamp, which can only detect defects of optical wavelength size. Such diagnostics at a molecular level could aid research on cataract risk investigation and possible pharmacological research as well as assisting surgical lens replacement decisions.
1. Introduction
Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide affecting some 17 million people and causing 1.3 million cataract operations annually in the United States alone [1,2]. The two most common effects caused by post-translational modification of ocular lens proteins are cataract and presbyopia that give rise to impaired vision, usually starting when individuals reach middle age and beyond [3]. The modifications are usually caused by either age-related metabolic changes, concomitant diseases or external risk factors such as significant UV dosage [4]. The clinical observations of loss in accommodation and lens opacification are likely to represent the end-stage of a more prolonged process of inexorable modifications to lens proteins progressing subclinically.
Currently, methods of cataract detection are based on measurements of lens opacity by Rayleigh light scattering. This is achieved by using a conventional slit-lamp-based technique, or other more complex methods such as Scheimpflug photography and optical coherent tomography (OCT) [5,6]. This can enhance anatomical localization of cataract probing, but would not provide the protein-level detail offered by TF owing to the limitation of these scattering techniques in that the sizes of the structural defects must be comparable with the wavelength of light used, i.e. ca 400–600 nm. Therefore, these methods do not reveal structural changes on a molecular level. A method such as TF could be of importance for identifying risk factors and to act as a research tool in the development of any pharmacological approaches for cataract treatment. It could help us to establish the point at which the irreversible crystallin protein change has occurred triggering the need for surgical intervention. In addition, clinical applications of this method would help in the diagnosis of early stages of metabolic disorders, e.g. diabetes, the preventative treatment of which could delay the development of chronic diseases.
TF has been widely used for monitoring protein changes in biophysical research to detect protein folding, conformation and aggregation by virtue of shifts in the emission spectrum in different polar microenvironments [7–10]. When a tryptophan side chain is located in a non-polar microenvironment its emission spectrum has a maximum at 308 nm. In folded multi-tryptophan proteins, spectra usually exhibit maxima between 325 and 335 nm, while a denatured protein exhibits a spectral shift to 355–360 nm. Thus, changes in the concentration of the relative fraction of tryptophan residues situated in polar environment should correlate with structural changes in the lens.
While TF is a promising technique, in vivo applications have, so far, not exploited the useful transparency of the cornea and aqueous humour in the 310–320 nm spectral range [11], where TF can still be excited. These wavelengths could give a choice of penetration depth and hence have the potential for three-dimensional mapping of the lens structure.
In this paper, we present preliminary evidence of this novel application of red-edge TF as a potentially useful non-invasive method for monitoring very early changes in the lens structure at the molecular level, which could not be detected by any light scattering-based methods.
2. Material and methods
Porcine eyes were obtained from the local abattoir shortly after death. The eyes were dissected to extract the lenses taking care to avoid mechanical damage to the lens capsule. Measurements were carried out with freshly isolated lenses on the same day. Spectral measurements were taken using an Edinburgh Instruments FLS920 double-grating spectrometer in a temperature controlled 1 cm quartz cuvette in PBS (Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline, modified (Sigma Aldrich, D8537)) at 22°C (this temperature retained uniform tissue viability and proved to give consistent results over approx. 16 h without visible change in observed lenses).
The experimental geometry between excitation and emission was 90° with the samples aligned at 45°. Fluorescence spectra of tryptophan emission were measured in the 330–550 nm spectral range with excitation at 317 nm and using 2 nm excitation and emission bandwidths. The spectra were corrected for spectral sensitivity of the emission tract.
Changes in the lens structure were induced by UV irradiation from a FLS920 single-grating spectrometer using 310 nm light with 20 nm bandwidth over time periods between 20 min and 12 h using a 450 W Xenon arc lamp as the source providing approximately 7 mW at the sample. This irradiation model was employed to mimic cortical cataract for which ambient UV is a known epidemiological risk factor in humans. The emission of irradiated lenses was measured from the spot on the lens surface (3 × 3 mm) subjected to the irradiation. Slit-lamp images of the lenses were taken at the NHS Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion with a Haag Streit BQ slit lamp. Fluorescence images of irradiated and normal lenses were also taken by a Fujifilm FinePix S5600 digital camera using excitation by an Edinburgh Instruments 320 nm light emitting diode (LED) at the same UV exposure time and numerical aperture. The camera was sensitive to wavelengths above approximately 400 nm.
Donor human donor lenses were obtained from the Bristol eye bank.
3. Results
Figure 1 shows the normalized emission spectra of non-irradiated and irradiated porcine lenses over different periods of time. The spectra exhibit a bi-modal shape with two bands at around 350 nm, attributed to TF and 435 nm to a non-tryptophan emission. Maxima of TF from irradiated lenses progressively shifted from 338 to 365 nm and intensity decreased along with the increase in the irradiation time suggesting a conformational change of the crystallin proteins. In contrast, intensity of the 435 nm band increased in the course of irradiation. Ratios F of the non-tryptophan to tryptophan emission bands both integrated over 25 nm of bandwidth as a function of the irradiation time are plotted in figure 2. It is noteworthy that slit-lamp comparative observations (figure 3) showed no structural defects in the lenses irradiated for less than 240 min. The structural changes (as seen by fluorescence) were independent of the elapsed time between termination of irradiation and slit-lamp imagery suggesting that the defects were produced during the irradiation. The slit-lamp could detect only large-scale structural defects whereas the TF method shows structural changes at a significantly earlier stage.
Figure 4 shows that TF excited by a 320 nm LED gave an image showing high-contrast visualization of the UV damaged region in the lens.
The above findings were confirmed by repeated experiments on five samples over approximately 2 days. This was supported by later measurements on some 60 pigs' lenses and 40 complete eyes over extended timescales and wavelengths, where the effects of irradiation were consistent. The irradiation effects on the pigs' lenses were consistent in that all samples contained TF around 350 nm, but with variability, and also steadily increasing 450 nm emission with irradiation dose. The spectral profiles while varying nonetheless give information on the photochemical effects at the early stages of UV irradiation.
Figure 5 illustrates the possibility of exciting lens fluorescence at tryptophan wavelength through the cornea and aqueous humour with data from Ambach et al. [11]. Spectra requiring more detailed future analysis were obtained from these complete pigs' eyes.
The above early results inspired similar measurements on four human donor lenses obtained from the Bristol eye bank—figures 6 and 7. Some detail of history is given with slit-lamp images. Figure 7 shows that two of these cases gave consistent spectra with the pigs' lens results. However, the optical precision (approx. 1 mm square area) was insufficient at this stage to draw conclusions regarding in vivo application but TF and non-TF spectra were observed. The results on human lenses were consistent with the above, with the reservation that the optical system did not have adequate spatial resolution, but nonetheless showed that the human lens could be excited in the TF region. The penetration depth of this excitation wavelength is yet to be determined. By contrast, the pigs' lens results showed that the depth of excitation could be varied by altering the excitation wavelength. The older human lenses showed more emission at the 450 nm range and the 27552A lens showed marked nuclear sclerotic changes as the predominant clinical characteristic whereas the remaining three lenses showed cortical or peripheral wedge opacification as the main feature suggesting that the TF profile does discriminate between the two anatomic markers. Also 27557B shows central white rather than sclerotic opacification and the remaining two show a similar clinical and TF profile.
4. Discussion
The major components of the lens are highly stable and water-soluble crystallin proteins. Once deposed, the proteins remain in the lens and create a structure providing unique transparency and accommodation properties [12]. In spite of the high stability, molecular changes accumulate in the proteins over time caused by chemical, photochemical, environmental factors or by ageing and concomitant diseases, e.g. diabetes [13,14]. The changes lead to protein misfolding, denaturation and aggregation and hence structural defects [15]. Currently, cataract diagnostics based on light scattering only detect defects comparable in size to the wavelength so that detection of the impact of photochemical change is hardly possible at the stage when a cataract is currently diagnosed. Thus, surgical treatment is the only currently possible method.
Although cataract surgery is generally recognized as being one of the safest operations, and there is a significant complication rate [16]. Furthermore, there is considerable interest in identification of the risk factors involved in cataractogenesis and possible protective strategies [17].
We note that the use of N-acetylcarnosine as treatment of cataract has been investigated with an attempt to provide quantitative assessment by image analysis, visual acuity and glare test [18]. The results presented have not been generally considered conclusive. Further development of non-surgical cataract treatment needs the application of non-invasive methods with resolution at the molecular scale, i.e. red-edge TF is likely to be a potentially useful clinical technique.
The eye lens exhibits a tryptophan emission in the 300–450 nm range and a non-tryptophan emission in the 400–550 nm range. The latter is also associated with the proteins [19,20] and may be of application as an indicator. Both of these emissions could be used for diagnostics of cataract.
We have demonstrated that in vivo applications of TF are a possibility by preliminary data on a complete pig's eye that showed similar results for TF with transmission through the cornea and aqueous humour. It remains to be shown how practical this would be for human eyes but Ambach's data and the possibility to monitor tryptophan and non-TF in human lenses are suggestive. In a future work, we aim to validate our findings through extended ex vivo and in vitro studies. To this end, we are going to quantify tryptophan and non-TF in human ocular lenses and compare it with data obtained by Scheimpflug and dynamic light scattering techniques. Given the clinical inter-individual variation in both cataract grading and progression rates, tryptophan and non-TF may provide deeper insight into the protein unfolding characteristics underlying this variation. Thus a research tool, hospital and optician use are envisioned.
The steepness of the red slope [21] allows selective excitation of the 'red-shifted' tryptophan residues, situated in the most polar environment. At the same time, a non-tryptophan emission of ocular lens proteins is also excited at this wavelength (figure 1). The opposite tendency in the changes of tryptophan and non-tryptophan emission intensities suggests that UV excitation triggers a photochemical conversion of tryptophan to a fluorescence product, which is probably N′-formylkynurenine according to Fukunaga et al. [22] or 3-hydroxykynurenine [23]. This led us to suggest the parameter F determined as a ratio of intensity of the non-tryptophan and tryptophan emission bands, which correlates on one hand with concentration of a fraction of tryptophan residues located in polar environment and on the other hand with concentration of its photo chemical product. This F-parameter was found to be very sensitive to structural changes in porcine lenses induced by UV irradiation (figure 2). We could confidently detect changes already after 20 min of irradiation. The parameter doubled within the first 30 min and reached saturation after 240 min—the first time point when structural defects could be detected by the slit-lamp method.
The red-edge TF method operates below the daily safety threshold for UVA (ultra-violet A, ca 315–400 nm) exposure, which limits the total exposure to 1 J cm−2 within 103 s [24]. Measurement of one fluorescence spectrum in a standard double-grating spectrometer with the use of 10 µW excitation focused into a 3 × 3 mm spot takes ca 30 s, which is equal to ca 3 mJ cm−2. Optimization of the experiment by using UV high-throughput tunable interference filters [25,26] instead of grating monochromators and consequently the use of higher numerical aperture optics will further reduce the lens exposure in the course of spectral measurements by at least 10-fold and bring the method well below the safety limit.
Additionally, the method might be used as a more efficient slit lamp since light scattering efficiency increases inversely as the fourth power of the wavelength. Compared with the visible light used in conventional slit lamps, the 320 nm light will scatter six-times more efficiently. The instrument could therefore 'see' scattering from the formation of pre-cataract aggregation of protein at a far earlier stage than is possible at present (figure 4).
5. Conclusion
The present results show that TF offers a sensitive method for monitoring very early changes in the lens structure that cannot be detected by the slit-lamp method. Exploiting this discovery should allow the development of a clinically useful tool sensitive enough to detect, diagnose and monitor lens change before significant damage, light-scattering, aggregation and visual impairment occurs. This could evaluate risk factors and potential future therapies including 2-photon bleaching of the human lens as pioneered by Kessel et al. [27] capable of slowing or reversing age-related changes in crystallin proteins. Thus a research tool, hospital and optician use are envisioned.
Funding for this project was provided by TTOM and by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Invention for Innovation (i4i) programme and a Royal Society Industry Fellowship (D.M.G). The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. Edinburgh Instruments provided use of two spectrometers and facilities of its R&D laboratory as well as access to the intellectual property described in International Patent Application No. PCT/GB2010/000332. The authors would also like to thank Dr Valerie Smith, Bristol Eye Hospital for the supply of the human lenses used in this study and Dr Line Kessel for fruitful discussion.
- Received November 2, 2010.
- Accepted March 31, 2011.
- This Journal is © 2011 The Royal Society


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According to Michael Hudson, the Sumerians understood peak production over 4000 years ago. But, argue the technological optimists, we can certainly outproduce the Sumerians so those resource limitations don't seem so fixed, after all. And over the years, the Producers have done amazing things turning cheap resources into valuable products—sand into microchips, anyone? But even here, there may be a limit on how many rabbits the Producers can pull out of their hats. Fortunately, "peak innovations" may prove not to be the same sort of problem as Peak Oil.
The simplest explanation for why there seems so many human endeavors peaking simultaneously, of course, is that because we managed to power so many things with oil, peak oil will become peak something else very easily.
Synchronized peak-rate years of global resources useRalf Seppelt 1,2,3, Ameur M. Manceur 1,4,5, Eli P. Fenichel 6, Stefan Klotz 2,7
1, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department Computational Landscape Ecology, 2, iDiv - German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, 3, Institute of Geoscience & Geography, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany, 4, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department Community Ecology, 5, Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Michigan State University,6, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, 7, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Community Ecology
Many separate studies have estimated the year of peak, or maximum, rate of using an individual resource such as oil. However, no study has estimated the year of peak rate for multiple resources and investigated the relationships among them. We exploit time series on the appropriation of 27 global renewable and nonrenewable resources. We found 21 resources experienced a peak-rate year, and for 20 resources the peak-rate years occurred between 1960-2010, a narrow time window in the long human history. Whereas 4 of 7 nonrenewable resources show no peak-rate year, conversion to cropland and 18 of the 20 renewable resources have passed their peak rate of appropriation. To test the hypothesis that peak-rate years are synchronized, i.e., occur at approximately the same time, we analyzed 20 statistically independent time series of resources, of which 16 presented a peak-rate year centered on 2006 (1989-2008). We discuss potential causal mechanisms including change in demand, innovation and adaptation, interdependent use of resources, physical limitation, and simultaneous scarcity. The synchrony of peak-rate years of multiple resources poses a greater adaptation challenge for society than previously recognized, suggesting the need for a paradigm shift in resource use toward a sustainable path in the Anthropocene.
Sustainable appropriation of nonrenewable and renewable resources is required for society's long-term well-being. Four decades ago, Meadows' limits to growth model reignited the old Malthusian debate about the limits of the world's resources (Mathus 1798, Bardi 2000, Griggs et al. 2013). Limits to growth of specific resources such as oil (Hallock et al. 2014) or fossil water (Gleick and Palaniappan 2010) have been analyzed separately, by estimating the peak-rate, or maximum, year, defined as the year of maximum resource appropriation rate. For which renewable and nonrenewable resources can a peak-rate year be identified given the most up-to-date time series of human resource appropriation? Exploring the relation among peak-rate years for multiple resources then raises an important second question: are global peak-rate years synchronized, i.e., occurring at approximately the same time in the long history of human civilization? Calculating the appropriation rate of resources allows the detection of the maximum increase year or peak-rate year, which indicates the timing of scarcity or change in demand (Fig. 1). We analyzed peak-rate years for many of the world's major resources and found synchrony in the peak-rate years of statistically independent resources by a method that is standardized, nonparametric, generalizable, and allows analysis of nonrenewable and renewable resources (Table 1), and we will conclude by giving clear implications for sustainable development goals (Arrow et al. 1995).
We focused on 27 nonrenewable and renewable resources essential for human well-being and daily needs, e.g., energy and food. These resources are also the focus of global policy bodies such as the United Nations and the World Bank. Nonrenewables include the fossil fuels, i.e., coal, gas, oil, supplying 87% of the energy consumed by the 50 wealthiest nations (Tollefson and Monastersky 2012). Renewables include staple crops, e.g., cassava, maize, rice, soybeans, and wheat, which the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations identified as providing 45% of global caloric intake (FAO 2013). Combined with data on the consumption of animal products, the main sources of food are included in our analysis. We also evaluated resources with a long history of use, e.g., cropland and domesticated species, and renewable energy sources, which may be increasingly important in the future. Furthermore, we considered two global drivers of resource use, population and economic activity (world GDP). The database consists of time series of 27 global resources, 2 global drivers, and 13 national resources/drivers.
Peak-rate year estimation
We used a method that is standardized, nonparametric, generalizable, and allows analysis of nonrenewable and renewable resources. Renewable resources regenerate on shorter time scales, i.e., harvest rate and regrowth have comparable time scales, and have a human scale, and annual production is the response variable that was analyzed. Nonrenewables are regenerated on geological time scales, and the response variable is the accumulated amount extracted. This choice of response variables allowed the analysis of all resources with the same mathematical method (Table 1, Fig. 1). To estimate a peak-rate year, the maximum increase rate of the time series must be calculated. It is possible to use a parametric model, e.g., a logistic curve or its derivative. However, nonparametric curve fitting offers advantages regarding the bias and does not require parametric assumptions or that a functional model be postulated, e.g., stationarity of rate of resource appropriation. This means that the different resources and drivers need not follow the same increase process (Gasser et al. 1984). Further, by using a bootstrap resample to estimate the uncertainty of the peak rate year estimate, we avoided distributional assumption. However, no prediction outside the range of the data can be performed.
Time series analysis of peak-rate years and synchrony testing
The time series of the 27 global resources, 2 global drivers, and 13 national resources/drivers (with length n = 12 - 112, see Table 2) were subjected to a cubic smoothing spline to find the peak rate of resource appropriation, based on the maximum of the first derivative. This nonparametric method has no distributional assumptions, but does not enable predictions. We performed 5000 bootstrap resamples, and the 50thpercentile (2.5 and 97.5th) was taken as the peak-rate year (uncertainty), unless the 50th percentile was equal to the last year in the time series, in which case we concluded the rate of resource appropriation was still increasing.
To test the hypothesis of synchrony, we selected statistically independent time series. We performed ARIMA modelling of the 27 global resource time series and tested the residuals with a Box-Pierce test of white noise. Haugh's test of dependence on all pairs of resources was performed on cross-correlation coefficient of the white noise residuals (Haugh 1976). We selected 20 statistically independent time series of resource, of which 16 presented a peak-rate year. A peak-rate year from the 5000 bootstrap resamples for each of the 16 resources was randomly selected, and the mode of the resulting smoothed distribution of 16 peak-rate years obtained. This process was repeated 5000 times, and we estimated the synchrony as the median of the 5000 modes. A nonparametric goodness of fit test was performed with a uniform distribution as a null hypothesis, i.e., no mode implies no synchrony, and a critical value obtained by Monte Carle simulation (5000). The statistical tests were performed at a Type I error rate of 0.05.
We observed that for 21 of the 27 global resources and for the 2 global drivers of resource use, there was a peak-rate year. For the 21 resources that had a peak-rate year (Table 3), all but 1 (cropland expansion) lay between 1960 and 2010 (Fig. 3). Given the long human history, this is a very narrow time window. The available data suggest that peak-rate years for several nonrenewable resources, i.e., coal, gas, oil, and phosphorus, have not yet occurred. This implies a continued acceleration of extraction, which is in accordance with earlier analysis for oil (Hallock et al. 2014) and phosphorus (Cordell et al. 2009).
Individual countries have detectable impacts on the global nonrenewable resource extraction rate. For example, in 2011 the rate of coal extraction for China was 7.2% (5.7-7.4), whereas the rate for the world without China was 3.7 % (3.5-3.8). The values for natural gas in 2011 were 10.1% (7.6-10.3) and 4.4% (4.0-4.4) with and without China, respectively. A peak-rate year for renewable energy has not occurred.
Figure 3 shows that the peak rate of earth surface conversion to cropland occurred in 1950 (1920-1960), and the expansion of cropland recently stabilized at the highest recorded levels, about 1.8 x 106 ha (Ramankutty and Foley 1999). We find peak-rate years recently passed for many agricultural products: soybeans in 2009 (1977-2011), milk in 2004 (1982-2009), eggs in 1993 (1992-2006), caught fish in 1988 (1984-1999), and maize in 1985 (1983-2007). Two major factors of agricultural productivity, N-fertilizers and the area of irrigated land, show peak-rate years in 1983 (1978-2010) and 1978 (1976-2003), respectively. Water is a resource that many world policy bodies are concerned with and is largely understood as a renewable resource. But not all water is renewable. 'Fossil water' stocks are isolated water resources, which are consumed faster than are naturally renewed. There is currently a lack of time-series data at the global scale on the status of hydrological resources (Fan et al. 2013). As an example of national trends, the greatest rate of groundwater extraction occurred in 1975 in the USA (1975-2005). Water conservation and rationing rules likely reduced the rate of ground water extraction (Gleick and Palaniappan 2010). For maize, rice, wheat, and soybeans, the yield per area is stagnating or collapsing in 24-39% of the world's growing areas (Ray et al. 2012), which may explain why the peak-rate years have passed at a global level. The peak-rate years of renewable resources collectively suggest challenges to achieving global food security (Foley et al. 2011). We identified a sequence in the peak-rate years of resources associated with food production: 1950 for conversion to cropland, 1978 for conversion to irrigated land, 1983 for fertilizer use. Because all peak-rate years for food resources appeared afterward, we inferred that the strategies to increase food production changed from land expansion to intensification of production. Furthermore, the pattern of peak-rate years occurring in land, food, and not yet for nonrenewable resources suggests that sustained intensification of agricultural production is not limited by energy but rather by land.
Following the observation of an apparently simultaneous pattern of peak-rate years in Figure 3, we tested the hypothesis of synchrony among peak-rate years on 20 statistically independent time series of resources, of which 16 presented a peak-rate year. We found that peak-rate years appeared clustered around 2006 (1989-2008), given the uncertainty surrounding the peak-rate year estimate of each resource (Fig. 4). It is unlikely that the synchrony is a statistical artefact because there is less than a 1 in 1000 chance that the distribution in Figure 4 would have been obtained if it were sampled from a uniform distribution, i.e., null hypothesis of no synchrony is rejected.
Why is there a synchrony of peak-rate years? Some explanations follow. The overall hypothesis is that multiple resources become scarce simultaneously, which can be driven by two mechanisms.
First, multiple resources, e.g., land, food, energy, etc., are consumed at the same time to meet different human needs. For example, people require food for nutrition; water for drinking, irrigation, and cleaning; land for housing, recreation, food production, infrastructure; and energy for cooking food, transportation, heating, cooling, etc.
Second, producing one resource requires the use of other resources. For example increasing food production requires more land and water whose scarcity in turn leads to limited food production increases, as the sequence of peak-rate years associated with food production shows (see above). Furthermore, the continued increase in extraction for less accessible resources results in an increased ecological and economic cost per unit extracted (Davidson and Andrews 2013), thus reducing availability of the remaining resources. For example, pollution exacerbates water shortages because polluted water is not suitable. These two mechanisms provide the most parsimonious explanation for simultaneous scarcity leading to synchrony of peak-rate years.
Are there other factors causing synchronized peak-rate years? Besides scarcity, passing an individual peak-rate year may be caused by two possible reasons: availability of substitutes or less demand, e.g. less resource is needed because of more efficient use, taste changes, or institutional and regulatory changes (Fig. 1). It is unlikely that substitution has a substantial influence on synchronization. Strong support for the hypothesis that substitution synchronized the peaks would require that substitution took place for all or most of the resources with synchronized peak-rate years. However, among the 16 resources with synchronized peak-rate years in our database, which contains most of the critical global resources, only a few resources may have substitutes. For instance, contrary to expectation there is little evidence that farmed fish substitutes for caught fish (Asche et al. 2001). In contrast, poultry products serve as a substitute for beef because they are cheaper and better adapted to changing tastes (Eales and Unnevehr 1988). However, evidence suggests that meat as a category is not being substituted by plant protein on a global scale (Daniel et al. 2011). Finally, there is little evidence that renewable energy, which did not show a peak-rate year, substitutes for fossil energy. In the last 50 years, the general global trend was that a unit of energy sourced from nonfossil fuels substituted less than one quarter of a unit of fossil fuel-based energy, possibly as a consequence of economic and social complexity (York 2012).
A global synchronous reduction of demand is also an unlikely driver. Despite a declining global population growth rate, i.e., peak-rate year passed in 1989 in accordance with preceding reports (Lutz and K. C. 2010), the global population continues to grow. In most developed countries, we identified peak-rate years in household intensity, i.e., number of households per 100 people (Table 2). Additionally, the peak rate of meat consumption in the USA occurred in 1955 (1909-1999). Nevertheless, the rate of resource appropriation is not expected to decline because consumption in developing countries increases because of lifestyle changes (Brown 2012, Liu 2014), and the land area used for urban settlements and household numbers continue to increase (Liu et al. 2003, Seto et al. 2011). These shifts in resource-intensive living likely more than offset the declining rate of population growth. Declining demand would have to come from broad scale changes in individual preferences for conservation, which continue to seem unlikely.
Finally, constraints on production may not be alleviated unless there is disruptive innovation. For example, although there is phenotypic plasticity in plants, which is exploited by agronomic research, e.g. breeding, particular biochemical mechanisms were not as of now disrupted or constructed de novo in a commercial setting: nitrogen fixation for cereals remains elusive (Charpentier and Oldroyd 2010) and further increase in photosynthetic efficiency is expected to be hard to achieve (Zhu et al. 2010). Further, a basic constraint on breeding is biological diversity. The rate of domesticating species, the biological foundation of food provisioning, began to slow around 2600 B.C. (3600-1500 B.C.), well before our era.
Synchrony among the peak-rate years suggests that multiple planetary resources have to be managed simultaneously, accounting for resource distribution and utilization (Steffen et al. 2011, Liu et al. 2013). Synchrony does not necessarily imply a tipping point that leads to disastrous outcomes because trade-offs are possible (Seppelt et al. 2013), and adaptation, such as the current increasing rate of renewable energy generation or shifting diets (Foley et al. 2011), potentially can be accelerated. Synchrony also suggests that the debate about whether humans can devise substitutes for individual natural capital needs to be broadened to assess simultaneous substitutability (Barbier et al. 2011). Whether substitution and recycling will alleviate constraints to future economic growth (Neumayer 2002) remains an open question, especially because maintaining the innovation rate requires increasing expenditures on human capital (Huebner 2005, Fenichel and Zhao 2014). Arrow et al. (2012) estimated that the growth rate of human capital in the United States could be as low as 0.35%, which is 15-44% of the growth rate of conventional reproducible capital, e.g., infrastructure, and China's rate of human capital growth ranges between 1.1% and 2%, but is only 10-17% of the rate of growth in reproducible capital.
The synchronization of peak-rate years of global resource appropriation can be far more disruptive than a peak-rate year for one resource. Peak-rate year synchrony suggests that the relationship among resource appropriation paths needs to be considered when assessing the likelihood of successful adaptation of the global society to physical scarcity. more


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I am thinking... about how busy March is going to be. Wait, isn't that the case with every month? ;)
I am thankful for...
*Sundays. No matter how busy the weeks get, I can always count on a relaxing Sunday.
*Mike being home in the evenings. No more OT!!!
From the learning room... All About Spelling is a fantastic program! I have so much fun using it with the kids and they enjoy it too. It's so much more than just a spelling program. Mr. Funny is learning his phonics with it too which is also teaching him to read. Love it! I highly recommend it to all parents!
From the kitchen... finally able to get groceries and follow a menu plan again! Not knowing what you're going to feed your family for dinner can be so stressful!
I am creating...
-thank you cards for all the wonderful gifts Mr. Funny received for his birthday
-First Holy Communion plans
-Lent plans
-Easter plans
-Birthday plans for Mr. Tickle
I am reading... The Hidden Power of Kindness by Lawrence G. Lovasik
I am reading... The Hidden Power of Kindness by Lawrence G. Lovasik
I am hoping... that the stomach flu has left the building for good! It went from LM Sunshine, to Mr. Tickle, me and then to LM Chatterbox. We were fine Saturday and Sunday and I figured Mike and Mr. Funny were going to be spared. But then after driving all the way to work yesterday morning, Mike had to turn around and come up because he too got sick. Here's hoping it won't get to Mr. Funny!
I am praying... for Teresa. And many pregnant friends. :)
I am hearing... Mozart. The kids and I are learning about him in school.
Around the house... way too much STUFF. Didn't finish the girl's room. Decided to work in my room instead. Even went out and bought paint for our room this weekend! I get so excited about painting. I have been staring at these white walls for 4 1/2 years now. It's time for some color! Pictures to come when it gets done.
One of my favorite things.... sunshine and warm days.
Living the Liturgical Year...it is currently Ordinary Time. A little bit of quiet before Lent comes- the hardest but most rewarding time of the year.
Little Miss Sunshine this week... is becoming quite the little Daddy's Girl. When Mike gets home from work she flashes him her biggest smile to draw him in so he'll hold her. And at other times, if I am holding her and Mike comes into sight, she reaches for him. Sweetest thing ever.
Netflix Movie Review... We watched "Emma" starring Gwyneth Paltrow. Mike was reluctant to watch it and then fell asleep within the first five minutes. Haha. I thought the character, Emma, was annoying. And since she was the main character, well, I just didn't enjoy it that much.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing...
Silly Goose


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Last Wednesday the girls wanted to make goo. Goobleck is another name for it. Have you every heard of it. It is fun.. yet very very messy!
After we were done with the goo.. we had to get rinsed off. The kids heard the ice cream truck so the girls went running to the corner, hoping he would come by..
Kate was such a sweetie! She got 4.00 from David and decided to buy Anna and Ethan a treat. She made sure Ethan could get the Spiderman pop.
Then it was finally time to go swimming. We found the little frog below hiding on the inside flap of the top of the pool.
Ethan wanted to show me how he could go under the water..
While Anna continued to enjoy playing with the frog.


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So a few weeks ago I get a phone call from an old friend of mine, he is a Paramedic for the local ambulance provider in my city, American Medical Response. At the time of my retirement he had 32 years on the streets to my 31 years, needless to say we had seen and done a lot together, so it was nice to get a call out of the blue.
Casey, yeah same name as mine, asked me if I'd like to come to their annual awards banquet and if he sent me an invitation would I RSVP? I thought about it for a moment. Why in the world would the local ambulance service ask me to their awards ceremony? Especially since I had been retired for almost five years now.
"Why in the world would you guys want me to come to your awards?" I asked.
"Well, we miss you dude. A lot of people really enjoyed working with you over the years and I thought if anyone from the FD would come it would be you. It's a free dinner if nothing else." Casey answered.
"Free is good. Yeah sure I'll come why not?" I said.
A few days later an invitation came in the mail. The awards were being held at a very swanky hotel in Colorado Springs so I knew the food would be good. Then the "and one" box was open. I could bring a date if I wanted. I quickly went through my mental Rolodex of potential dates. After burning all of three seconds I realized that there were no potential dates.
For two reasons the only women I really know well enough to ask are in AA and I wouldn't want to put an alcoholic in a situation where the booze might be freely flowing. You might ask why I wasn't worried about myself in that situation and the answer to that is this.
AA teaches us that if we are in fit spiritual conditions we can go anywhere without worry and I was in fit spiritual condition. I also can take a drug called Disulfram that cause a near death experience when mixed with alcohol. I am serious I tried it once years ago and I thought I was going to die.
Over the years I have also picked some methods for avoiding potential danger zones. One is to always arrive at the very end of happy hour. This avoids a lot of social interaction with active drinkers that want to buy you a drink. There are still a few people in the world that don't know I'm an alcoholic and offer.
Don't get me wrong I have nothing against normal drinkers, in fact I wish I were one but I'm not and I'm not at risk, and I'm not embarrassed to admit I don't drink, it is just best to get there late and not have to deal with anything.
Back to the second reason I decided not to take a date, for anyone who has never been in the company of a bunch of EMS workers, especially EMS workers that are having fun and partying it can be quite shocking. I don't mean to imply that my friends are dangerous or inappropriate, it's not that. It's just the topics of conversation right before a meal can be very off putting and appetite suppressing for the average person.
Any group of professionals regardless of the occupation when gathered together can't help themselves; shop talk is bound to surface. This is okay if you are a cubical worker talking about your latest power point presentation or fabulous new computer program. But that isn't what Paramedics and EMTs talk about.
We tend to talk about gruesome stuff, horrible stuff, we talk about our job it doesn't bother us, it's what we do. But for the innocent, the neophyte, the non-indoctrinated, it can be nauseating. So why risk it, besides I don't really date anymore anyway.
So the day of the event I was talking to my mother about the upcoming dinner and told her I was a bit confused as to why I was invited. Now my mother is an intuit of the highest order there is no hiding anything from her or even trying to. So mom says.
"They are going to recognize for something my son." She said.
"No way mom, why would they do that? I've been retired for almost five years, why would the local ambulance company recognize me for anything?" I said.
"I don't know my son, but that's what they are going to do." She said.
I hung up and considered the possibility. I went back through my life. I worked off and on for the ambulance service for years as an easy way to make some extra cash but I hadn't done that in many years. I always tried to be kind and understanding of the people I considered co-workers to some degree.
I mean after all weren't we all in the same occupation of saving lives? So I think a lot of the Medics and EMTs for AMR respected me a little. There can be a lot of animosity between fire departments and ambulance workers I understand that. The fire service has its share of dud employees as does the ambulance service and some of us tend to judge entire organizations by the duds, I don't.
For the life of me I couldn't come up with a reason, but that didn't stop me from going. I arrived late as my method demands and found Casey and his wife Tracy (she is a great Paramedic as well) and asked where I should I sit. He said that I should I probably sit at one of the reserved tables down in front. So mom was right she always is. I was deeply humbled and honored that a private enterprise would so many years following my retirement invite me and thank me for doing a good job for a long time.
Thanks for thinking of me of me Casey.


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Harlequin has implemented a new program for readers who are interested in contributing to the company's market research by sharing their opinions on books. Members of Harlequin's reader panel will be contacted by e-mail once or twice a month and asked to read and give opinions on books (participants will receive FREE copies), share likes and dislikes regarding cover designs, tell Harlequin what they think about new book ideas, and so on.
If you'd like to participate, you must first complete a survey about your reading habits, including which lines of Harlequin/Silhouette/Steeple Hill books you read and where you obtain those books. (Don't worry--Harlequin promises not to use any of your personal information to lob sales pitches at you.)
Want to join the reader panel? Go to Tell Harlequin.
Christian romance author Brenda Coulter discusses writing, life, and the writing life.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Special offer for Harlequin/Silhouette/Steeple Hill readers
Posted by Brenda Coulter at 12/10/2008 09:35:00 AM
Labels: Harlequin reader panel, Tell Harlequin
I write heartwarming romance novels that celebrate traditional Christian values. Please visit http://www.BrendaCoulter.com to learn more about my books.
You can find me on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/
3 comments:
Thanks for sharing the news! I'm on a panelist now. :)
- 12:02 AM, December 11, 2008
Oops, I mean, I'm a panelist now. Don't mind me, I have a stuffy head due to a cold. Maybe my brain will come back tomorrow.
- 12:03 AM, December 11, 2008
- Brenda Coulter said...
Hope your cold is better today, Becca!
- 5:24 AM, December 18, 2008
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Just a quick post to show the adorable set you can create with the June Paper Pumpkin stamps and paper.
In case you don't know...
Paper Pumpkin kits come with everything you need, paper, ink, stamps, directions, thread, stickers, even tissue paper with this set.
I'm using the bag and card soon for a friend who has a birthday this month.
Such bright and happy colors isn't it cute?
Thanks for looking today, I appreciate your comments.


text:
[youtube lj3iNxZ8Dww nolink]
Thank God for You Tube, because there they go again.
As is fast becoming a national pastime, yet another busybody governing body discussed a measure to boycott Arizona. This time the culprits were the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.
But one board member, Peggy West, a proud Democrat, turned a boilerplate meeting into performance art. Apparently, Supervisor West, who is also a middle school mentor and a Mexican Fiesta volunteer, doesn't have access to a map. This poor gal didn't have a clue where the Grand Canyon state is located. (Does she even know that the Grand Canyon is in Arizona?)
She is exactly the kind of U.S. American, Miss South Carolina Teen USA, Lauren Caitlin Upton, must have had in mind, when the charmingly ditzy beauty queen attempted to explain why many citizens, of this fruited plain, are geographic illiterates.
Anyway, here's Peggy West:
If this was Texas, which is a state that is directly on the border with Mexico, and they were calling for a measure like this saying that they had a major issue with – you know – with undocumented people flooding their borders, I would – say – I would have to look twice at this. But this is a state that is a ways removed from the border.
Watch the rest of a rambling presentation that is destined to make West as memorable an Internet celebrity as … well, as Upton.
[youtube 3ZEv1T15RcY&feature nolink]
In the end, fellow supervisor, Joe Rice, comes to the rescue of Arizona, politically and geographically. Way to go, Jose Arroz! You have given all law-and-order purists a reason to not boycott Milwaukee.
And, may I respectfully suggest, Ms. West, that you take your next vacation in Arizona. Say, a week in Nogales?


text:
A true to life compulsive liar.
Clinton admits she may have 'short circuited' answers on email controversy
Washington (CNN)Hillary Clinton on Friday doubled down on recent misleading statements about her use of a private email server at the State Department, even as she acknowledged that she "may have short-circuited" her answers about it.
At a gathering of black and Hispanic journalists in Washington, D.C., Clinton -- who has come under fire for not often taking media questions -- was asked about her recent assertion that FBI Director James Comey had said she was "truthful" to the public in discussing the issue, a claim that a number of media outlets, including CNN, have debunked.
"I was pointing out in both of those instances, that Director Comey had said that my answers in my FBI interview were truthful. That really is the bottom line here," she said. "What I told the FBI, which he said was truthful, is consistent with what I have said publicly. I may have short-circuited and for that I will try to clarify."
Clinton went on to repeat that she "never sent or received" classified information on her private email server -- a statement that is inconsistent with Comey's testimony on Capitol Hill.
"And I would go back to where I started, I regret using one account, I have taken responsibility for that," Clinton said.
The email controversy has continued to dog Clinton's presidential campaign, particularly as she suffers from the widespread perception among voters that she isn't honest or trustworthy.
Clinton on Friday also called on journalists hold Donald Trump accountable, saying reporters "have a special responsibility to our democracy at a time like this." She warned about her opponent: "He's harkening back to the most shameful chapters of our history and appealing to the ugliest impulses of our society ... He retweets white nationalists."
Clinton also addressed the problematic ways in which Trump has treated reporters, saying it is a "badge of honor" when journalists are kicked out of his press conferences or banned from attending his rallies.
"America is better than Donald Trump," she said. "We need to stand up and say that Donald Trump doesn't represent who we are and what we believe."
I can tell you for a fact that this woman does not represent who I am nor what I stand for.
I have many faults to which I will readily admit to but I have always tried to go out of my way to be a Stand Up Guy.
Well out of my way on several occasions.
You don't ever have to ask me what I am thinking because it is written all over my face and is easily read with a glance.
I try to be honest in my dealings with people and will take a loss on something if I think it is the right thing to do.
In other words, I have some morals.
Hillary Clinton couldn't even rent morals.
They are one of those things that aren't for sale, anywhere, for any price.
Something she wouldn't understand.
She also obviously missed an early life lesson that most people pick right up on.
When you lie, you have to remember that lie and when caught at it, have to try and tell another lie to cover up the first one. She is the perfect example of this that people should use to teach their children with.
There is only one truth, tell the truth and that is all you have to remember.
Something she is incapable of doing.
If you trust this woman for anything she says you are dumber than a warehouse full of rusty hammers.


text: Hyperbaric Medical Solutions (HMS) is an innovative medical practice led by Henry Prince, M.D. Founded in 2011, our goal is to bring the revolutionary healing powers of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) to all those who may benefit. HBOT is an advanced healing therapy that treats conditions that benefit from increased oxygen concentration and absorption in the body.


text:
15 degrees, clear, winds calm
This is Straight Key Night, and there is a lot of activity on the lower bands. I called CQ using 5 watts with J38 Straight Key on 40 meters then 80 meters for some time with no takers. I then got a reply from Ron, operating WA1WCC, the Chatham WCC Amateur Radio Assocation from Chatham, Massachusetts on Cape Code. Ron and I exchanged 599 both ways for a quick solid QSO. What a great way to start 2015.


text:
Back to the laboratory:
After I mentioned hearing of a scientific theory that some things change simply because they're being observed, sort of defeating the purpose of observation, readers advised that I was probably thinking of the Hawthorne Effect, "a generally accepted psychological theory that the behavior of an individual or group will change to meet the expectations of the observer." I referred to the H-Effect last week.
Now David Cockcroft writes: "I believe the Heisenberg Principle of Uncertainty comes closer to the scientific theory in question. A well-established principle of quantum physics, it states (in layman's terms) that it is impossible to determine the correct location of a subatomic particle because the energy used to measure it changes the location of the particle, or something to that effect." An on-line source says that the Heisenberg Principle "has had a profound effect on scientific thought as it appears to upset the classical relationship between cause and effect at the atomic level."
That sounds more like it. I'm fairly sure I heard of the theory in connection with the hard sciences. So the Heisenberg Principle it is. That or the Heimlich Hug.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has been doing some big talking about synergy, but UAMS is small potatoes compared to a certain telecommunications company:
"Nokia Siemens Networks has completed the preliminary planning process to identify the proposed remaining headcount reductions necessary to reach its previously announced synergy-related headcount-adjustment goal. To date, the company has achieved an adjustment of more than 6,000 employees and continues to expect a total synergy-related adjustment of approximately 9,000 employees. … The proposed headcount adjustments are a result of merger-related synergies, site optimization, streamlining of various functions, and strategic long-term R&D and workforce balancing designed to build a competitive Nokia Siemens Networks. Bosco Novak, head of human resources, said, 'It is our goal to engage constructively with employee representatives to quickly and fairly achieve these needed changes so we are able to remove the ongoing uncertainty that our employees have about synergy-related headcount reductions.' " Synergize that, UAMS.
Cover Story / Arkansas Reporter / The Week That Was / The Observer / Editorial / Max Brantley / Ernest Dumas / Gene Lyons / Jay Barth / Words / Guest Writer / Letters
A&E Feature / To-Do List / In Brief / Movie Reviews / Music Reviews / Theater Reviews / A&E News / Art Notes / Media / Dining Reviews / Dining Guide / Calendar / Gallery Listings
And while we're at it lets get a vouchers for private schools initiative on the…
Then maybe the congress will give up on the unsustainable socialized medical insurance fiasco that…


text:
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It was actually due to great staff and management that we worked things through in a timely fashion


text:
Paralyzed Veterans of America issued the following:
Ten years as a Navy helicopter pilot made Brian Culver want to use his
Edmond, OK-based dry cleaning business to give something back.
When local meteorologist Jed Castle asked Brian if he knew of any
veteran service organizations that could make use of some suits he had
that no longer fit, Brian came up with a great idea – he would clean
donated suits for free and pass them on to the Mid-America chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America.
"I think for anyone who has been in the military, once you're in, you
really never leave; you still have a special commitment to others you
served with and would do anything for them," Culver said. "I know
firsthand what it's like to get back into the civilian world and get
your feet under you again. It's tough."
With the Mid-America chapter of Paralyzed Veterans being active
throughout the community in and around Oklahoma City, news about the
donations spread quickly through word-of-mouth and social media,
resulting in even more suits donated by Culver's customers.
Scott Ellis, government relations director for the Mid-America
chapter, said his goal for the donated suits is to make them available
to veterans across the country involved in Operation PAVE (Paving Access for Veterans Employment), Paralyzed Veterans of America's premier vocational rehabilitation program.
"We're obviously very honored they would consider choosing us out of
all the veterans organizations out there," Ellis said. "Anytime we as a
chapter have the opportunity to help a veteran, not just a chapter
veteran but any veteran, we're on board with that. We're very pleased to
have the opportunity to find good homes for these suits and find people
who will put them to good use."
After more than 10 years as a Navy helicopter pilot, Culver began
looking for an opportunity to start his own business. After some
research, he discovered the dry cleaning industry is very stable, and
his franchise – Lapels Dry Cleaning – was ranked very high.
"I was grateful for the time that I had in the Navy, but it was very
clear that it was time to move on," Culver said. "I always wanted to own
my own business."
Culver said his ultimate hope is that the donations will boost
interest from employers across the country on the need to hire
"What veterans have done in the military really blows away any
experience in the civilian world," Culver said. "Employers should be
giving them a second look."
For more information about donating, call 405-418-4030, or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Learn more about Operation PAVE, Paralyzed Veterans of America's premier vocational rehabilitation program
Brittany Ballenstedt is a freelance journalist whose work has
appeared in several publications, including Government Executive,
National Journal, Technology Daily and NextGov.com.


text:
Lowered to Honor CO Massacre Victims
(An American flag at half-staff in front of the SD Gay and Lesbian News office, foreground, and in the distance, the rainbow flag at half in the city's gay neighborhood. Credit: Ben Cartwright.)
Williams reported that the location of the flagpole is at the intersection of University Avenue and Normal Street, which is the traditional stepping off point for the Pride parade. I extend hearty congratulations to the San Diego community for erecting this pole and flying the LGBT flag.
In a phone interview, Williams told me many people were emotionally touched and full of pride when shortly after the rainbow flag went up for the first time. I told him that San Francisco's rainbow flag unfortunately was not lowered this weekend at Harvey Milk Plaza.
This note explained some of what took place down there:
San Diego Pride said during the flag-raising ceremony that it would lower the flag to half-staff after the event out of respect to the shooting tragedy in Colorado, as requested by President Barack Obama. Pride also held a moment of silence for the victims in the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado.
It's a shame the LGBT community of San Francisco cannot say we also honored the president's request, lowered our flag and also observed a moment of reflection after the tragic shooting at the Colorado movie theater.
In other news today, the Merchants of Upper Market/Castro didn't lower the rainbow flag at Harvey Milk Plaza this morning and it was flapping in the wind as it normally does. Down at Civic Center in San Francisco, the American and California flags in front of the State Building were at half-staff.


text:
Throwback Tuesday #6
Erwan's old build. Shot using an expired roll of T-MAX 400.
Photo by Yasin
Throwback Tuesday #5
We miss you Malacca
Throwback Tuesday #4
Bey Ariffin at Gambas Avenue.
Throwback Tuesday #3
The boys taking a break over in Geylang back in '09.
Photo by Yasin
Throwback Tuesday #2
This was supposed to be posted on Tuesday, but somehow it was not.
So here's the 2nd Throwback Tuesday!
Anyways, this is Arm back when he was still into tricks and shit.
Photo by Yasin
Throwback Tuesday #1
Our very first Throwback Tuesday!
And if we need to tell you guys who this person is, wait, you guys really don't know him?
Oh man!


text:
fall seedlings
These are my little plants growing inside under the lights. With the hot dry summer weather and then pelting rain, its nice to baby them. I have several types of lettuce here, and some spinach. They're ready to go outside soon.
I checked my community plot today. I've been sowing seeds there regularly. Not much sprouted during hot dry weather in July and early August. Today I see several patches coming up. Nice pea sprouts, and a little bed of tiny lettuces. Also a row that looks like broccoli, but I can't remember what I planted there (oops!). Carrots and radicchio have not done well.
Today I planted cilantro and dill in the garden and last night I planted about 5 types of butterhead lettuces in flats under lights.
Labels: fall planting


text:
Please Help; Monitor Disappears, Can't Run Linux w/o a Monitor...
Advanced DNS Management
New ZoneEdit. New Managment.
FREE DNS Is Back
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Please Help; Monitor Disappears, Can't Run Linux w/o a Monitor...
Sep 9 2003, 11:19 PM
Post #1
Group: Members
Posts: 96
Joined: 9-September 03
Member No.: 1,413
I have a problem that has plagued me for the past two years: I haven't been able to install Linux.
I have 3 CD-set ISOs for Madrake 9_1 and Redhat 9; both eyield the same result (after the install process).
After the initial re-boot, my screen goes dead. As if it has powered
down. All my hardware meets with redhats HCL seal of approval, and was found by the OS as it was installing. I actually made it through the install process of all the OSes I tried. Upon re-boot, after listing all
services at start up, my monitor goes blank. All the tests during
install to see if the settings worked, did in fact work.
The monitor goes into sleep mode, by appearances.
Someone on another forum suggested trying another monitor. I did; I still fail to get Linux up and running.
Over the last two years I have used these books:
* Linux Bible (Hungry Minds)
* Building a Linux Internet Server (New Riders)
* RHCE Certification Study Guide (Osbourne/Syngress)
* Mastering RedHat 6.0 (Sybex)
* Redhat 9 Documentation PDF
* Redhat 7.1 Documentation PDF
* Mandrake 9.1 Documentation PDF
* Mandrake 7 Documentation PDF
Let me get this out now:
I have shit for brains, I don't know what I am doing, etc.
I would still appreciate any pointers/thoughts.
Joe Wilk
Sep 10 2003, 07:21 AM
Post #2
Group: Members
Posts: 96
Joined: 9-September 03
Member No.: 1,413
Thank you helping Joey.
Diplsay Adapter: Radeon
Monitor: Dell D1025 TM
ATA 100 HD, 40 GB Maxtor
Advansyc SCSI adapter (R/RW CD Only)
Standard Serial Keyboard
Serial PS/2 Wheel Mouse
All devices were found in the configuration. I took the default settings they provided for the monitor, which do fall in the specs for the monitor. I will try to install with lower resolution and refresh rate.
Thank you,
Joe Wilk
|Lo-Fi Version
|Time is now: 19th July 2018 - 08:15 PM


text:
Jason Stackhouse writes on Engineerjobs:
Our own attempts to design centrally planned economies yielded only brittle, crushingly totalitarian states, Stalinist nightmares of fiat rule, corruption, and dehumanization. Yet the dream persists: a planned, smoothly-functioning world, responding rationally to evolving conditions, shepherding resources for the benefit of humanity.
Can engineers do better? As it turns out, we can – and almost did, 40 years ago.
The Foundation and the Culture
Many science fiction fans advance Star Trek as an example of such a planned, internally harmonious society. While Trek is many things, it's not the best example of a cashless utopia – money, graft, and greed rear their heads the moment our crew leaves the ship.
Star Trek Utopia
Star Trek's crew was not quite a Cybernetic Society.
Better representations can be found in the works of Isaac Asimov and Iain Banks. In Asimov's Foundation and Robot stories, we see rational, thoughtful rule through the application of advanced mathematical models and carefully engineered management.
The Robot stories – by which I mean the nine tales comprising I, Robot and the two novels, The Naked Sun and The Robots of Dawn – portray the evolution of robots and AI mainframes into the guiding instruments of human society. Particularly, in the final tale of the I, Robot collection ("The Evitable Conflict"), we see Asimov's AI management platforms quietly transition into leadership roles through generalization of his First Law of Robotics – the AI have concluded that not taking control of human society, alleviating suffering and corruption, would be tantamount to allowing humanity to come to harm by inaction.
James Curcio
Latest posts by James Curcio (see all)
- The Slenderman Meme Reproduces In An Awful Way - Jun 10, 2014
- Slenderman: Just Another Modern Myth - Jun 5, 2014
- Standards of Beauty Under The Knife - Jan 31, 2014


text:
Happy Thanksgiving from Ethan, Robyn & Me!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Everything about the holiday speaks to what I cherish most about life — family, fun friends, tasty food and… football. 🙂
As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I wanted to thank each of you for your support, inspiration, encouragement and participation at HeartValveSurgery.com. Together, we are educating and empowering patients, their families and friends — all over the world. For that, I am very, very, very, very thankful!
On behalf of Robyn, my wife, and Ethan, my 5-year old son, we are wishing you the happiest of holidays!!!
Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick is a patient, author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery and the founder of HeartValveSurgery.com.
To learn how Adam has helped millions of people with heart valve disease, watch Adam's video, subscribe to his free newsletter, or visit his Facebook, Google+ or Twitter pages.


text:
Salt of the Earth
September 13, 2010
Salt of the Earth. Not too salty. Just salty enough.
We have survived to this point in life. Drifting along the skid-way of earlier shoulders of expertise. We may be around for another 10 or 20 or more years. But here we are now.
A fine lot we are. Sitting around drinking our brews and eating our food. What can one do, but continue to continue.
Yes, tis us…
A Big Party in 2006
July 19, 2010
This sprawling crowd was gathered to celebrate Tina's birthday at a big party that lasted several days in 2006. It was four years ago on a dry, hot Burgundian June day. The location was a chateau at Domecy-sur-le-Vault in the Burgundian region of France. Due to popular demand, four years after the event, I have published this excellent and very kool photo on this blog.
Click your mouse on the photo to get a better look at it. Then click on the identification key to the right of the photo. By using the numbers you can match the names (below) with the people in the photo.
The people captured in this historical photographic moment are:
1. Wolf
2. Hermann
3. Irene K.
4. Denis
5. Janine
6. Marios
7. Peter
8. Lothar
9. Anna
10. Olivia
11. Alfy
12. Ingred
13. Marcus
14. Harry
15. Connie
16. Tina
17. Ken
18. Uta
19. Steve
20. Lolo
21. Vincent
22. Dirk
23. Clements
24. Michaela
25. Sonya
26. Siggy
27. Elfi
28. Katie
29. Franz
30. Claudia
31. Mary Jane
32. Mike
33. Gabe
34. Megan
35. Jeffrey
Not in the photo, but present at the party:
Irene M.
Ana Marie


text:
Henry Hooper Blood was born in Kaysville, Utah in 1872. He worked at a variety of occupations including manager of Kaysville Milling Company. Blood's public service career began when he was elected as city recorder of Kaysville in 1893. In 1922, Blood was appointed to the State Highway Commission and in 1925 was selected chairman. This position gave Blood administrative experience and introduced him to local officials all over the state, which helped him in his bid for governor in 1932.
Blood served two terms as governor during the Great Depression. Utah's unemployment rate was 36 percent—the fourth highest in the nation—and in 1934 the state experienced the worst drought in Utah's history. Blood's approach to the state's problems was to drastically cut state expenditures, implement a pay-as-you-go policy, and obtain federal relief dollars through New Deal programs. He was particularly successful in securing funds for Civil Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration projects, which included murals in the Capitol rotunda. He also worked hard for the construction of dams throughout the state, which provided both jobs and improved area water capacity. Despite his personal opposition to alcohol, Blood supported the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, making Utah the final state necessary for ratifying the 21st Amendment. He was the first governor to live in the Thomas Kearns mansion, which today still serves as the governor's residence.
Gordon Nicholson Cope (1906–1999) spent much of his career in Utah, training with A.B. Wright and LeConte Stewart before going to Europe to study. He was the head of the art department at LDS University and a teacher for the Work Progress Administration. A gifted painter of both portraits and landscapes, Cope also worked on completing the murals in the Capitol's rotunda.


text:
It's been a busy year for Ruby Rose. The out 22-year-old became an MTV Australia VJ and then a tabloid sensation. Much of the press focused more on her sexuality than her job, however, linking her to numerous women, including Jess Origliasso of The Veronicas and Australia's Next Top Model's Samantha Downie.
Through all the media hoopla, Rose remained a good sport, telling interviewers she got fan mail from young fans saying she made it easier for them to come out — which is probably a big reason why she's just been named one of the "25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians of the Year" by Same Same. (Also recognized: American transplant Portia de Rossi.)
In the interview with Same Same, Ruby says:
Even at her "part-time job," she's doing pretty well. It was announced yesterday that Rose will also be getting her own show on MTV Australia. Fresh Cuts will be a 60-second music news show to begin early next year; perfect for the attention-deficit music fans down under. But, at the speed Rose is going, I wouldn't be surprised if they upped that to two minutes in no time.