Stars & Stones

The Ultimate Safety...

2010-01-23T10:42:00.000-08:00

Patriots, it is said, work towards the ultimate safety of their country and its citizens. I agree. In what venue that work is done, however, can make all the difference to achieving such ultimate safety.

Recent events regarding airport security and terrorist activities led to a discussion with friends about where this country, and our culture, is headed. Now, if you think this is going to be a political rant - HA, GOTCHA..! It's actually about something more real. So, here goes....

To be honest, the conversation did start out politically (a lot of them do) with the question: "So how can we protect ourselves from the terrorists....?" Varying opinions were held forth about one method or another, about particular legislation, regulations or restrictions.

I was quiet. This alone garnered attention since, as I'm sure friends will tell you, I am not frequently quiet. When prompted I made clear that the discussion had been avoiding what, in my opinion, was the *real* issue -- science. What ensued was a marathon session of give and take that spanned the consumption of many beers and several bowls of nacho chips, homemade salsa and guacamole.

Here's the bottom line -- it is my opinion that what this country needs to do is to embrace wholeheartedly a culture of scientific achievement; to strive for and to maintain the highest possible technological development. In short, the idea is to be operating at a level where, frankly, we don't really care what kind of hatred subversive groups may shoot in our direction because there would be nothing they could do to really harm us.

This achievement would also have the side benefit of removing the spectre of armed conflict from our national life. After survival and personal safety, most wars are spawned from greed or the desire for power. Having achieved such a progressive state of existence, what would anyone else have that we would possible want to fight over..?

I know. I've already heard all the comments about "unrealistic," "daydreamer," "science fiction scenario," etc. My response: those are the excuses. Often they're offered up by the wimps, the ones who don't have the the vision, the intellectual discipline or the basic resolve to assume responsible leadership for molding such a future. Also, far worse, this attitude frequently comes from those who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo because that's where the profits are..!

Through all criticims, however, I maintain that such a future is possible because all of the technological or scientific wonders that today we take for granted were once derided as the fevered dreams of madmen; it was once, all of it, thought of as science fiction or fantasy.

One of my favorite toasts goes as follows: "Here's to shaping our own future -- before someone else shapes it for us."

I want this country to shape a future where we need fear no one or nothing, because we have thought and built our way up to the high ground; because we have constructed a cultural ramp up to the highest pinnacle of knowledge and insight, standing solidly upon a technological watch tower that affords a unique vantage point for survey, allowing us to espy enemies, natural or human, inimical to our continued progress and achievement.

All it takes is the will to do it.

I think I need to go make more salsa....

The Book of Eli....

2010-01-23T08:13:00.000-08:00

Nope, haven't seen the film -- probably won't.

Don't get me wrong, I think both Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman are two of the greatest living actors today. Its only that the story seems like just another in a long line of post-apocalyptic "journey-through-the-wastelands" films. And our hero is carrying a mysterious book that promises to be the "last chance to save humanity...." It is, of course, the Bible. Big surprise there (not).

I think the story could have been better served if the writer(s) had opted for a more serious science fiction treatment. The film's tag line of "...some say the war tore a hole in the sky..." works to good effect here. There could have been some sort of higher dimensional rift created, compromising the Earth's magnetic field and allowing solar radiation, cosmic rays and even nastier things to lay waste to the landscapes of the planet.

Our hero could still be on his long journey to a distant location, charged with protecting a mysterious book that will save the world. Only now, when seen, the book is discovered to be full of numbers and equations. Its title "Eli" could be an acronym -- E.L.I. -- that might stand for something like "Electromagnetic Linear Induction." It is an engineering text, needed by a remnant group of scientists who are going to make one last attempt to close off the dimensional rift before all life on Earth is toast.

The story remains, the characters are still valid, but the journey is now even more important. And the plot now offers something not often seen -- science and its understanding of the forces of nature is what will save the future. That was the theme of much of the classic SF of the 60's and 70's that I read in my youth; something that we see nowhere near enough of in today's literary or cinematic efforts. I hope that changes, soon.

Time to go play with the cats.....

Curve Balls....

2010-01-22T16:28:00.001-08:00

So, we're visiting with friends this weekend, having dinner, playing some pool -- you know, de-stressing.

That's because this coming week, my wife goes in for a lumpectomy. Yep, that's right, breast cancer....

Good news -- the prognosis is excellent. It was caught early (stage 1) and it seems to be a non-invasive, non-agressive type (more on that after the lab guys check out the removed tissue). All-in-all things are very positive.

We have access to a good surgeon, we have access to a good hospital venue, and we have access to a good scientific prognosis. We even have decent insurance.

So what's the bottom line..?
We're not so much worried about the procedure, we're not so much worried about the disease. What we are worried about is the bill..! I know there are a lot of other people in the same boat (or even one that has more leaks...) and, of course, when I see what is happening to people in Haiti, I guess we've not much to really complain about.

Still, I would love to crank up the volume so certain politicians (and pundits) might finally hear it clearly: Any pending or future healthcare legislation needs to concentrate on lowering costs -- period..!

Time to go cook some Italian food for dinner.....

Politics...

2010-01-22T14:58:00.000-08:00

Always comes up sooner or later so best to get it out of the way:

I am an independent, populist-progressive with a technocratic leaning.

I am not a cynic (the only thing I might be pessimistic about is human intelligence) but I do consider myself a skeptic; I can see the good in things while still demanding evidence of claims.

Education in support of independent critical thinking is paramount. Dogma and tradition, in any field, create stagnation, especially when the only excuse for following same is "...that's the way we've always done it...."

Change is the essential process of all growth; self-rexamination is the essential key to insight and understanding.

Good friends, good conversation and good food (including a good home-brew) is essential for stress-reduction and contentment.

Two of my favorite quotes are:

"We are too soon from the cave; too far from the stars." - Ray Bradbury

"The time of superstition and religion is past; the future can only be built upon science and spirituality." - Arthur C. Clarke

Photo: The Jewel Box Cluster
ESO - Very Large Telescope

By way of introduction...

2010-01-22T14:19:00.000-08:00

Hi All..!

My name is Tim and I know what you're thinking -- "not another blog...."

Yes, technically, I guess you could call it that, but I prefer to think of it as one little side channel of the "piping system" that is the internet forum; a conduit through which I can add a little savory seasoning or spice or sweetener to the general recipes that make up the online discussions we all feast upon.

"What's on the menu?" you ask. Anything, I say -- my background includes many things from art and philosophy to science and superstition; I am an eclectic reader and listener of diverse musical styles. I also like a good discussion and, while it may be tempting to say that I enoy a good argument, I mean that only in an acdemic sense.

If you want to comment on things read here, I welcome a civil discourse. SCREAMING TO MAKE ONSELF HEARD...does not appeal to me.

So, with that said, I look forward to contributing in whatever small way that I can to the ongoing rush of discussion. Doesn't mean I'll post something every day; doesn't mean I won't post several items a day -- depends upon life, the universe and everything....