Month: April 2006

Genetically modified foods – examining the arguments

There are two strongly differing strands running through arguments presented by those opposing GM foods. People can support both, one or neither, but confusing the two undermines coherent argument, and in particular damages those opposing. One is that GM foods are harmful. The evidence for this is thin, so in essence it becomes a conservative… Continue reading Genetically modified foods – examining the arguments

Localised green power

I was pleased to read an article about Australians embracing solar power. Australia remains is one of the two countries that signed the Kyoto Protocol, but have no intention of ratifying it (the other being the US). However, Australia, like the US, does have a reasonable developed market in renewable energy certificates It’s frustrating that… Continue reading Localised green power

Ego

The most profound things are the simplest things. One of the books I’m reading right now is The Art of Happiness, a western psychologist’s encounter with the Dalai Lama. The contents are childishly simple, but of course most of us don’t even start the process, or even give any thought to the matter. We plan… Continue reading Ego

Da Vinci Code

I’ve just finished reading the Da Vinci Code. It’s one of those books that inspires me to get writing again, mainly because I found it so infuriatingly bad I figure I must be able to do a better job. I love the genre, and the ideas behind the book fascinate me, but I just found… Continue reading Da Vinci Code

Of Doctor Zhivago and literacy in a visual society

I’ve just finished reading Doctor Zhivago, by Boris Pasternak. I enjoyed the book. My exposure to Russian literature has been limited, but the book immediately struck me with its similarities to other Russian works I’ve read. A sweeping breadth, an acceptance of suffering, it’s darkness. But this is not a review of the book –… Continue reading Of Doctor Zhivago and literacy in a visual society

Firefox extension woes

After reading an article about memory leaks in Firefox extensons, I decided to look for updates to my existing 20 or so extensions. None of mine were in the guilty list, but I hadn’t updated for a while, so thought I’d see what improvements were made. About 8 or so of my extensions had updates.… Continue reading Firefox extension woes

Taking back

I was interested to come across a slogan from an American politician, Robert Bowman. It read Take Back America!. It reminded me of the DA’s slogan in Cape Town, Take Back Your City!. I’m ambivalent to negative about the slogan. The slogan implies that there’s an us and a them, and the them have taken… Continue reading Taking back