What will the world look, feel and sound like by 2100? For those of us who imagine possible futures, the graphics in this article may be helpful.
Climate change is forcing map makers to redraw the world
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Archive for the ‘Science!’ Category
What May Be
Posted in Science!, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, climate change, science, Thoughts, writing on April 11, 2023| 2 Comments »
A Bold Mission
Posted in Science!, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, 25% Canadian, Artemis, free fiction, genre fiction, inspiration, NASA, science, space exploration, Thoughts, Writers on April 4, 2023| Leave a Comment »
NASA recently released the Artemis II roster for the next crewed lunar mission. As one article put it, “this is not your grandfather’s moon mission” and that’s a good thing. The crew is 25% female, 25% African American, and even (gasp!) 25% Canadian! (Think you too have what it takes? Here’s a link to get started: Astronaut Selection Program | NASA. Good luck!)
Why go to space? There are a lot of potential answers. Given the complex, diverse and fascinating future of exploration, here’s a collection of stories and essays that address this very question.
Visions, Ventures, Escape Velocities: A Collection of Space Futures from ASU’s Center for Science and the Imagination
Stories by: Madeline Ashby, Steven Barnes, Eileen Gunn, Ramez Naam, Carter Scholz, Karl Schroeder, Vandana Singh
Essays by: Jim Bell, Lawrence Dritsas, Linda T. Elkins-Tanton, Emma Frow, Roland Lehoucq, Andrew D. Maynard, Clark A. Miller, Deji Bryce Olukotun, Steve Ruff, William K. Storey, Sara Imari Walker, G. Pascal Zachary
Interview with: Kim Stanley Robinson
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Our Ancestors’ Dreams
Posted in Favorites, Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, innovation, inspiration, technology, Thoughts on April 1, 2023| Leave a Comment »
A century ago gasoline-powered cars really came into their own. (In 1920, if memory serves, Ford sold a million Model Ts for the first time.) Now, a hundred or so years after that milestone, we’re living in the midst of another significant change.
Mr Man and I were discussing electric vehicles today. As an example, in the space of a block we spotted half a dozen Teslas. Regardless of what one thinks about the company (or its owner’s shenanigans), it has been a pioneer and visible symbol of the shift from fossil fuels to electrification. Despite decades of resistance from established interests, that change is now happening at a rapid pace.
That also got me thinking about the speed of technological change over humanity’s history, which brings me to this article.
Technology over the long run: See how dramatically the world can change within a lifetime
…we live in a time of extraordinarily fast technological change. For recent generations, it was common for technologies that were unimaginable in their youth to become common later in life.
The graphic captures this well.
It makes me think of my grandparents, born around the time of that Model T milestone. They lived to see the moon missions, internet and cell phones.
It’s been said before but it bears repeating. We’re living our ancestors’ dreams. Let’s make them good ones.
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You’re a Rockstar
Posted in Likes, Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, creativity, innovation, inspiration, problem solving, Thoughts on March 30, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Most mornings I stop by the MIT homepage to see what new projects are in the works. Today I was particularly struck by the sense that these folks are freaking rockstars.
Designing a flexible graphene supercapacitor for solar energy storage?
Rockstars.
Researching cell-based treatment for Type 1 diabetes?
Rockstar.
Advising the White House on space policy?
Rockstar.
Reducing concrete emissions, making affordable air quality sensors, supporting collaborative action, and addressing disparities in health care?
Rockstars all.
As someone who imagines the future, I love to see it being built.
And it’s not just MIT, of course. The world is full of creative innovators at all levels, from cutting-edge research to finding solutions to everyday issues. Scientists or not, that’s kind of humanity’s thing.
Take a moment to remember a time when you identified a problem and worked to fix it. Have you ever soaped a sticky drawer, had a stoplight installed at a dangerous intersection, added pollinator-friendly plants to your garden, or tackled any of the many (many) problems we face every day?
Then you’re a rockstar too.
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When Worlds Align
Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, astronomy, science, yay on March 28, 2023| 1 Comment »
For the next couple of nights we may be able to see not one not two not three not four but (that’s right, folks) five planets in the skies above us!
When, where and how to view five planets lining up in the sky this week
…Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus, and Mars will dazzle us earthlings this week.
Unfortunately, our night skies tend to be washed out but I’m hoping to see at least part of this planetary parade. If you do too, try heading out after sunset.
Wait until the sun has set and then go out and look low in that bright part of the sky where the sun has just set with binoculars, and you should see brighter Jupiter next to fainter Mercury.
Good luck!
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Until Next Time, 2023 DZ2
Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, extraterrestrials, science, space, Thoughts on March 27, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Oh hey, I forgot to give you a heads up about the “asteroid big enough to wipe out a city” that flew past us over past weekend.
‘City killer’ asteroid to pass harmlessly between Earth and moon
The good news is that we’re all still here. Hooray!
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Spring Equinox
Posted in Holidays, Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, spring equinox on March 20, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Sure, I’ve got five feet of snow in my front yard, but whatever.
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From Eratosthenes to Sagan to You
Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, carl sagan, inspiration, learning@lunch, science on March 18, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Today, a short but earth-shaking bit of science, from over 2000 years ago.
The story of Eratosthenes and Earth’s circumference, as told by Carl Sagan
After hearing that the shadows disappeared at noon in the town of Syene (now known as Aswan), Eratosthenes achieved his understanding of our planet’s size by comparing the angle of the sun’s rays in the port city of Alexandria-at the same time.
The Sagan video won’t post for whatever reason, but this is the link:
Carl Sagan – Cosmos – Eratosthenes
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Pi Today, Pie Tomorrow
Posted in Food and..., Holidays, Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, pie, science, Thoughts on March 14, 2023| 1 Comment »
Ladies and Gentlemen, we regret to announce that because this year’s annual Pi Day celebration falls on a Tuesday, it will have to be postponed. The good news is that pi is infinite. Any day can be Pi Day!
I will focus on pie at a later, more auspicious time. Until then, please enjoy both the mathematical concept and culinary reality of pi/e.
Happy Pi Day! Here’s all you need to know – CBS Boston
10 Ways to Celebrate Pi Day with NASA on March 14
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Not That Big A Deal
Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2023, kind of a big deal, science on March 13, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Despite weekend efforts to the contrary, my taxes remain unfinished (soon! really!). In the larger scheme of things, however, it’s not that big a deal.
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