September 05, 2003
PERSONAL FABRICATION: A Talk with Neil Gershenfeld
We've already had a digital revolution; we don't need to keep having it. The next big thing in computers will be literally outside the box, as we bring the programmability of the digital world to the rest of the world. With the benefit of hindsight, there's a tremendous historical parallel between the transition from mainframes to PCs and now from machine tools to personal fabrication. By personal fabrication I mean not just making mechanical structures, but fully functioning systems including sensing, logic, actuation, and displays.
- a neat article about "fab labs" - somewhat portable fabrication labs set up in places where no such thing exists: rural India and northern Norway. A story about how high-tech machining instruments made portable has revolutionized the lives of the rural poor and geographically isolated.
We've already had a digital revolution; we don't need to keep having it. The next big thing in computers will be literally outside the box, as we bring the programmability of the digital world to the rest of the world. With the benefit of hindsight, there's a tremendous historical parallel between the transition from mainframes to PCs and now from machine tools to personal fabrication. By personal fabrication I mean not just making mechanical structures, but fully functioning systems including sensing, logic, actuation, and displays.
- a neat article about "fab labs" - somewhat portable fabrication labs set up in places where no such thing exists: rural India and northern Norway. A story about how high-tech machining instruments made portable has revolutionized the lives of the rural poor and geographically isolated.
My Favourite People:
For the next while (or as long as I keep meeting interesting people to write about) I will be featuring a few of my favourite people: those who display unique, endearing, inspiring or just plain fun qualities that deserve recognition!
Coffee Girl
Here's to the twenty-ish woman who is the lone staffer of the bean scene coffee hut near Everett Mall in Washington State. In the middle of a very hot, very busy afternoon, she served us with not only a smile, but great reccommendations and a terrific and genuine attitude. She was lots of fun to talk to and seemed to not be bothered by being stuck in a hot stuffy coffee hut on a stinking hot day surrounded by noisy traffic. Here's to people who create their own atmosphere.
For the next while (or as long as I keep meeting interesting people to write about) I will be featuring a few of my favourite people: those who display unique, endearing, inspiring or just plain fun qualities that deserve recognition!
Coffee Girl
Here's to the twenty-ish woman who is the lone staffer of the bean scene coffee hut near Everett Mall in Washington State. In the middle of a very hot, very busy afternoon, she served us with not only a smile, but great reccommendations and a terrific and genuine attitude. She was lots of fun to talk to and seemed to not be bothered by being stuck in a hot stuffy coffee hut on a stinking hot day surrounded by noisy traffic. Here's to people who create their own atmosphere.
Quote/UnQuote:
"Suppose Christianity is not a religion but a way
of life, a falling in love with God, and, through
Him, a falling in love with people. Of course, such
a way is hard and costly, but it is also joyous and
rewarding even in the here-and-now. People who
follow that Way know beyond all possible argument
that they are in harmony with the purpose of God,
that Christ is with them and in them as they set
about His work in our disordered world."
-- J. B. Phillips
-By way of the Prism E-Pistle, an e-zine dedicated to issues of Christianity and Social Responsibility.
"Suppose Christianity is not a religion but a way
of life, a falling in love with God, and, through
Him, a falling in love with people. Of course, such
a way is hard and costly, but it is also joyous and
rewarding even in the here-and-now. People who
follow that Way know beyond all possible argument
that they are in harmony with the purpose of God,
that Christ is with them and in them as they set
about His work in our disordered world."
-- J. B. Phillips
-By way of the Prism E-Pistle, an e-zine dedicated to issues of Christianity and Social Responsibility.
September 03, 2003
'The trees were a deeper green than I imagined, and so tall'
Three years ago, Mike May's sight was partially restored by a pioneering transplant using stem cells. Now, as neuroscientists release their analysis of the effects of the operation on the brain, we publish his remarkable account of seeing for the first time since he was three
Tuesday August 26, 2003
The Guardian
Three years ago, Mike May's sight was partially restored by a pioneering transplant using stem cells. Now, as neuroscientists release their analysis of the effects of the operation on the brain, we publish his remarkable account of seeing for the first time since he was three
Tuesday August 26, 2003
The Guardian
Health Update
Hey friends, not much new, but here's the latest:
My medication seems to be working much better, the sad thing is that it's not covered by pharmacare and reaches to about $55 for a month's supply. However, I've had more days of low or no pain (like 3 or 4 out of 10 instead of 8 or 9) in the last two weeks than in the last two months. I think it's worth it. I still tend to have one or two days a week which are complete write-offs, where I am totally in pain all the time and can't deal and just have to lie in bed and read or sleep. At best, the pain in my leg feels like a sunburn, at worst, like a forest fire or a laser or something. The medication is not something I'd like to be on long-term due to its ill-effects, but it's helping for now.
Meanwhile, I wait for my MRI (Oct 1st) and try to figure out how to effectively communicate with my doctor without going crazy. My goal is to get better by Christmas, and I'm focusing my energy on that, and trying to gather information and enjoy the time I have when I'm fairly comfortable.
I am totally enjoying my new apartment and roommate, definitely a good situation. I'm amazed at Eva, she is so tolerant of my quirks and ready to have fun and try new things. We are definitely in a honeymoon phase but I'm hoping that the best parts of it continue for awhile to come.
You could pray for my car.... apparently I have some power steering work that needs doing (sounds expensive) and I need new rear tires. I wish that there was a car fairy who would repair my car in the middle of the night.
Hey friends, not much new, but here's the latest:
My medication seems to be working much better, the sad thing is that it's not covered by pharmacare and reaches to about $55 for a month's supply. However, I've had more days of low or no pain (like 3 or 4 out of 10 instead of 8 or 9) in the last two weeks than in the last two months. I think it's worth it. I still tend to have one or two days a week which are complete write-offs, where I am totally in pain all the time and can't deal and just have to lie in bed and read or sleep. At best, the pain in my leg feels like a sunburn, at worst, like a forest fire or a laser or something. The medication is not something I'd like to be on long-term due to its ill-effects, but it's helping for now.
Meanwhile, I wait for my MRI (Oct 1st) and try to figure out how to effectively communicate with my doctor without going crazy. My goal is to get better by Christmas, and I'm focusing my energy on that, and trying to gather information and enjoy the time I have when I'm fairly comfortable.
I am totally enjoying my new apartment and roommate, definitely a good situation. I'm amazed at Eva, she is so tolerant of my quirks and ready to have fun and try new things. We are definitely in a honeymoon phase but I'm hoping that the best parts of it continue for awhile to come.
You could pray for my car.... apparently I have some power steering work that needs doing (sounds expensive) and I need new rear tires. I wish that there was a car fairy who would repair my car in the middle of the night.
New meditation idea
Last week, I used roughly 2" X 3" index cards and opened up my old "experiencing God" bible study workbook from a few years ago to the pages with all of the names for God used in the bible. It's two full three-column pages with names used in the bible to describe or refer to each of the Trinity. I went through (and for brevity's sake) and marked the ones which stood out to me for whatever reason, and wrote one on each index card. Because I'm cheap and didn't have too many index cards left, I wrote on both sides. Then, punched a hole in each card, slipped them on a ring and voila! Instant mind-focuser, prayer-arouser, bible-study-inciter (is that a word?).
I originally got the idea for this when I was going through a really tough time with my neuropathic pain. One night I was in more pain than I'd ever experienced in my life and it was all I could do to keep myself calm. I wanted to pray, but my head was all over the place and I couldn't come up with the words. So I started to recite all the names of God that I could remember, rhythmically, evenly, as often as I could. I wish I could say that I was being super-spiritual, but really, it was a good, healthy way to calm myself down and focus on God in a tough situation. At the time, I couldn't remember many names, but I remembered the list in the back of that bible study book, and wished that I had the capacity at that point to read them to myself. Thus, the portable "names of God" flashcards idea was born.
I've since used my little "flash cards" to start meditation or quiet times. I flip through the cards slowly and say or think each name, and when one impresses me (usually an indicator of the Holy Spirit to me!), I stop and pray on it, say it to God, think about the qualities of the Person with that name, etc. Not rocket science, but it helps me block out distractions and jump into thinking on God.
Imagine that, a school study skill that has real-world application!
Last week, I used roughly 2" X 3" index cards and opened up my old "experiencing God" bible study workbook from a few years ago to the pages with all of the names for God used in the bible. It's two full three-column pages with names used in the bible to describe or refer to each of the Trinity. I went through (and for brevity's sake) and marked the ones which stood out to me for whatever reason, and wrote one on each index card. Because I'm cheap and didn't have too many index cards left, I wrote on both sides. Then, punched a hole in each card, slipped them on a ring and voila! Instant mind-focuser, prayer-arouser, bible-study-inciter (is that a word?).
I originally got the idea for this when I was going through a really tough time with my neuropathic pain. One night I was in more pain than I'd ever experienced in my life and it was all I could do to keep myself calm. I wanted to pray, but my head was all over the place and I couldn't come up with the words. So I started to recite all the names of God that I could remember, rhythmically, evenly, as often as I could. I wish I could say that I was being super-spiritual, but really, it was a good, healthy way to calm myself down and focus on God in a tough situation. At the time, I couldn't remember many names, but I remembered the list in the back of that bible study book, and wished that I had the capacity at that point to read them to myself. Thus, the portable "names of God" flashcards idea was born.
I've since used my little "flash cards" to start meditation or quiet times. I flip through the cards slowly and say or think each name, and when one impresses me (usually an indicator of the Holy Spirit to me!), I stop and pray on it, say it to God, think about the qualities of the Person with that name, etc. Not rocket science, but it helps me block out distractions and jump into thinking on God.
Imagine that, a school study skill that has real-world application!
You make ceremonial offerings of even the mint and herbs that grow in front of your house. At the same time you have forgotten the weightier matters of the law: judgment, mercy, and faith, that which should concern you.
To these swindlers who set themselves up to be your judges I say: Judgment upon you, false religious leader and teachers, hypocrites! You bar the doors of the kingdom of heaven, closing the way to those who truly wish to enter. You don't enter yourselves; and you barricade the way to those who long to go in.
Wow. Excerpts from Matthew 23 as paraphrased on The Words of Jesus. Sometimes I forget how completely clear Jesus was about how he felt about us, the judges, rule-makers and pharisees. I'm only beginning to see it both in myself and my generation and society.
To these swindlers who set themselves up to be your judges I say: Judgment upon you, false religious leader and teachers, hypocrites! You bar the doors of the kingdom of heaven, closing the way to those who truly wish to enter. You don't enter yourselves; and you barricade the way to those who long to go in.
Wow. Excerpts from Matthew 23 as paraphrased on The Words of Jesus. Sometimes I forget how completely clear Jesus was about how he felt about us, the judges, rule-makers and pharisees. I'm only beginning to see it both in myself and my generation and society.
Music To My Ears
Let me say that I have been totally enjoying the new album by Chin Injeti, guitarist and songwriter formerly of the Canadian funk/R&B group Bass is Base. Well, okay, I haven't bought the CD but I heard a few songs on Sounds Like Canada this morning and I rediscovered my love for this sound. Chin is a talented man. Check it out.
I am so attracted to Canadian music, particularly the folk/celtic/pop and R&B. I'm not sure why Canadian music seems to make up such a huge part of my library since I'm also attracted to a lot of world music and I don't listen to pop radio so I'm not regularly exposed to CanCon selections. For those of you out there looking for good sounds, check out Remy Shand, Spirit of the West, the Barenaked Ladies and of course, Chin Injeti.
By the way, a funny CanCon (Canadian Content, referring to the legislation requiring a certain percentage of airtime be given to Canadian musicians and artists) website can be found here. I bear no responsibility for the 'tude displayed by the website author!
Let me say that I have been totally enjoying the new album by Chin Injeti, guitarist and songwriter formerly of the Canadian funk/R&B group Bass is Base. Well, okay, I haven't bought the CD but I heard a few songs on Sounds Like Canada this morning and I rediscovered my love for this sound. Chin is a talented man. Check it out.
I am so attracted to Canadian music, particularly the folk/celtic/pop and R&B. I'm not sure why Canadian music seems to make up such a huge part of my library since I'm also attracted to a lot of world music and I don't listen to pop radio so I'm not regularly exposed to CanCon selections. For those of you out there looking for good sounds, check out Remy Shand, Spirit of the West, the Barenaked Ladies and of course, Chin Injeti.
By the way, a funny CanCon (Canadian Content, referring to the legislation requiring a certain percentage of airtime be given to Canadian musicians and artists) website can be found here. I bear no responsibility for the 'tude displayed by the website author!
