by M.Cokas on January 11, 2010
I spent some time researching the current controversy over the fluoridation of public water supplies. When you think about the practice it for a minute, it doesn’t really add up. How many millions of dollars are we spending every year to add fluoride to our water supplies in hopes that it might help to make our teeth stronger? And if you think about it for another minute it seems more like forced mass medication more than a public health service. Shouldn’t we all have the right to choose whether or not we want to ingest this chemical additive, without having it quietly injected into our drinking water? And I’m talking about when you think that there is actually a health benefit. Then, when science and research comes out showing that not only is it NOT improving dental health for the masses as we were originally coerced, but it’s actually causing health problems to boot – isn’t it then time to slowly back away from the sauce? Well apparently not. A quick check of your local Consumer Confidence Report will show that the majority of towns in the US are still Fluoridating. Whatever the reasons actually are, I think the recommended mediation should begin with dissolution of the practice. Stop putting s**t in our water. For more information on why you should oppose fluoride in your drinking water check out what these folks have to say here:
50 Reasons to Oppose Fluoride in Drinking Water
To find out the levels of Fluorine in your own town’s drinking water call town hall (or go to their website) and ask for a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report.
by J.English on January 5, 2010
Dr. Atul Gawande on Democracy Now
Everyone has been talking about health care reform and it seems most have a strong opinion about which way things should go. Personally I have felt very in the dark about the real details of the situation. All I hear is the catch phrases, mandatory health coverage, private coverage, single payer. I am one of the many uninsured, the only thing these catch phrases mean to me is $$$ dollar signs and how I may or may not be forced to pay out money I don’t have and still may not be covered for the care I may need or want.
Luckily I live with a well informed man who has taught me you need to research many sources and then look at where each receives their funding from before you can have a clear picture of what is really going on.
Today on Democracy Now, they had an informative discussion with Dr. Atul Gawande that I would like to share. It gave me a sense of what was going on in the day to day beyond the basic catch phrases and front line politics.
I would love to hear what you all are feeling about this topic.
Oh! the solitary confinement/torture topic… I had no idea this was happening. I am very disturbed that I didn’t know and more disturbed about the true extent of the of what’s entailed in the practice. I feel this issue needs a blog of it’s own.
by M.Cokas on January 3, 2010
The Mandelbrot Set, Developed by Benoit Mandelbrot in 1980
So, I’ve recently become enamored with fractals, the mathematics of nature. I’ve always been a bit of a closet mathie, a decorated mathlete in my formative years, but how did fractals evade my radar for so long. And as an Environmental Engineer, how did this not show up at least somewhere along my course of study? It seems like it would belong at the foundation of required knowledge. Well, the good news for me is that the journey has now officially begun.
So, what am I all worked up about? Monsters, pathological curves, measuring the CO2 absorption of an entire rain forest using data from just one leaf and the branch pattern of one tree. Think about this one dilemma for a moment, in trying to measure the length of a coastline, the number is inversely proportional to the size of the ruler you use. The coastline becomes longer if you employ a smaller ruler to measure it. Fractal math seems to be what will propel us forward in technology and understanding of our universe. Already at play in some key locations such as cell phone antennas, african village structures and 3d video modeling of natural and organic shapes and textures; pondering the possible future applications is a whole hobby in and of itself.
If you’re feeling at all fractally frisky check out this video on Nova:
Hunting the Hidden Dimension
by M.Cokas on January 2, 2010
by J.English on December 30, 2009
Ed and Chris trying to help decorate.
Well, they did paint the living room.
Many people have been feeling the financial pinch this season, myself included. We had many grand ideas of how we should spend our New Years. In the end we all decided we would feel less stress by staying close to home. It will be just as magical if not more so and we will be sharing instead of spending.
Missy and I love to throw parties. Sometimes we make advanced plans that we don’t follow, most of the time we scramble up something awesome the day before. Seeing as this is the day before it’s definitely scramble time.
The Setting:
We have a 4 bed room house, 10-12 guests including hosts, 4 kiddies to tend to and lots of random items to attempt to decorate and create a theme with. We want to make it magical. I also want Missy and Chris to feel like they aren’t just having another low key dinner party.
Supplies:
1. Everyone’s bringing food or wine
2. Lots of random left over booze
3. Missy’s craft room (crafting and herb central, this will be a big help)
4. Lots of luck
We still need a theme. It will help us transform the space. We are thinking 50’s pot luck and martini party, or Mad Hatter’s style with fancy treats and hidden treasures.
I will keep you posted on our progress. If anyone has ideas please share!
