Those creative Japanese! They’ve determined a method for growing square watermelons….I wonder what the European fruit and vegetable regulators would think of this puppy.
By the way, it costs $83.
Author: rickpace1
Joe Biden and Amtrak
Joe Biden has been an Amtrak customer for thirty five years. He’s a big advocate of mass transportation.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08/joe-biden-fan-amtrak.php
Soil
The September, 2008 issue of National Geographic has an interesting set of articles on soils and soil erosion:
Genetically Modified Foods
John Phipps must spend a lot of time surfing the Internet….for gosh sake I thought he had enough to do!
An interesting article on his blog advocating for new thinking on genetically modified foods.
http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2008/08/green_revolution_20_1.php
The Amish
I’ve always respected many of the ethical and environmental practices of the Amish (and find it strange that their nutritional practices don’t seem to follow their other environmental ethic).
A recent Chicago Tribune article finds they are expanding:
The Amish are expanding their presence in states far beyond Pennsylvania Dutch country as they search for affordable farmland to accommodate a population that has nearly doubled in the past 16 years, a new study found.
States such as Missouri, Kentucky and Minnesota have seen increases of more than 130 percent in their Amish populations. The Amish now number an estimated 227,000 nationwide, up from 123,000 in 1992, according to Elizabethtown College researchers.
“When we think they might be dying out or merely surviving, they are actually thriving,” said professor Don Kraybill, who shared data from an upcoming book with The Associated Press.
The Amish are Christians who reject most modern conveniences. They began arriving in Pennsylvania around 1730. Amish couples typically have five or more children. With more than four out of every five deciding in young adulthood to remain in the church, their population has grown. More than half the population is younger than 21. A small portion of the increase is also due to conversions to the faith.
Happy Birthday Social Security
The Social Security system turns 73 this month. The Providence Journal carried an editorial this morning about Social Security. The editorial points out…in addition to the $10 trillion-plus shortfall…that the program creates no wealth. It merely pays current obligations with our withheld income.
Because it is a politically managed system, the government can change how much it withholds (it has increased payroll taxes 17 times since 1935), how it pays benefits, who benefits… As the editorial writer says, the only thing you can count on is that it is a massive drain on the earnings from your work.
The writer makes the very interesting observation that, in order to ensure a ‘retirement’ for everyone, we are depriving young workers of their ability -and freedom- to plan their own futures.
He believes Social Security is morally irredeemable.
Geothermal Energy
Google.org has recently announced they are investing $10 million in geothermal energy research.
The End of Aviation
Illinois farmer and ag commentator John Phipps had this article from The New Republic on his weblog this morning.
One of John’s major concerns is that dramatic changes in our travel will make it more difficult for ‘face-to-face’ decisions… for him primarily with respect to rental decisions on ag lands that have distant owners…and he is concerned that farmers are not ready for the degree of abstraction that would need to replace personal exchanges to make rental deals.
I repeat…we’re not in Kansas anymore.
Wildlands and Woodlands
In 2005, a number of forest professionals in Massachusetts develop a statewide (and eventually regional-wide) vision for forest protection and management. It is interesting in 1) it’s analysis of forest issues at the urban, suburban, and rural levels, and 2) it’s approach of innovative partnerships and economic mechanisms.
U. S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities
Eric Sprague, of the Bay Bank initiative, and I spoke this afternoon and he made me aware of the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities. It’s an interesting new organization….here is their weblog (with link to the website).
Richard Pace 