A Semi-Inspired Thought
Posted on April 30, 2009 | by Markus Stocker
By the time Europeans reached Easter Island, the system that made the island one of the most intriguing population had disappeared. The explanation: Shortage of food caused by population growth and degradation of the island’s environmental resources. (R. Kaufmann and C. Cleveland. Environmental Science.) What if Earth is the Easter Island of modern times?
An Uninspired Thought
Posted on April 28, 2009 | by Markus Stocker
Between my last post and now, I did spend roughly 54 hours traveling on rails, roads and in the air. I spent the time in three different countries; one south, one north and one cut in half by the polar circle. As the swine flu spreads, countries are monitor-scanning people for abnormal body temperatures at [...]
The Caterpillar Train
Posted on April 16, 2009 | by Markus Stocker
It is a nice sunny morning. I’m walking along sidewalks, my brain dreaming, as usual. A mysterious line crossing the sidewalk under my feet suddenly brings me to halt. I have to look twice to recognize the caterpillar train slowly moving over and around the tiny stones frozen in asphalt. A sight to behold; 225 [...]
Self-healing Technology
Posted on April 12, 2009 | by Markus Stocker
Generally, a healthy body has an amazing capability of wound healing. Can technology (self-) heal? Whether or not you believe in climate change or, more generally, the role humans play in environmental degradation, we probably agree, plastic is a product of technology and it is unlikely nature’s will to let turtles consume it. It is [...]
A One-for-All, All-for-One Endeavor
Posted on April 5, 2009 | by Markus Stocker
I generally laud efforts for a good cause. An effort may be as elusive as a typical public speech. A good cause could be, at least in my world view, a world without nuclear weapons. In Obama Urges Nuclear Arms Reduction, the NYT reports on his speech held today in Prague, President Barack Obama on [...]
Blood Donation
Posted on April 1, 2009 | by Markus Stocker
Not sure why, but during my stay in the US in 2008 I never donated blood, something I use to do on a regular basis in my home country. Not that I didn’t try to figure where, when and how last year in the US, but I guess one year is not enough to relocate [...]
