Virtual Courseware
As part of a collaborative project between faculty members at the CaliforniaState University-Los Angeles and the National Science Foundation, theVirtual Courseware website brings together a number of thematicinstructional resources for science educators. Some of the resources includeactivities that deal with earthquakes and global warming. Within eachmodule, visitors will find a number of self-guided tutorials and explanatorymaterials for instructors to use in their classrooms. One real gem here is the 'Virtual Dating' section, as students and educators will get theopportunity to learn how geologists and archaeologists determine the ages ofrocks and ancient artifacts. The site also makes the module on earthquakesavailable in Spanish, titled “Terremoto”. With a mix of activities,assessment exercises, and instructor materials, this website will be a greatfind for science teachers working with college or high school students.
The Consultative Group to Assist the Poor
With offices in Paris and Washington, DC, The Consultative Group to Assistthe Poor (CGAP) is a consortium of 33 public and private developmentagencies working together to expand access to a variety of financialservices for the poor in the developing world. The agencies involved withthis project include The World Bank, the European Commission, and the Billand Melinda Gates Foundation. For those who are less well versed in theworld of microfinance, the “About Microfinance” section is a great place tobegin, as is its counterpart, “Key Principles of Microfinance”. Included inthe other sections (such as “Financial Transparency” and “Poverty Outreach”)are well-written briefs and reports that explain a wide range of relatedmatters, including their poverty assessment tools, microfinance regulation,and documents on how to train people in the nuances of microfinance lending.Rounding out the site is a link where visitors can offer feedback or alsojust ask questions.
Ending Oil Dependence
Concerns about the United States’ dependence on oil are nothing new, andvarious policy solutions have been around for decades. A number of scholarsand experts have been attempting to address the subject, and one recentpaper from The Brookings Institution offers a number of thoughtful ideas onthis important concern. Released in January 2007, this 25-page paper writtenby David B. Sandalow offers a number of ambitious proposals aimed atreducing oil dependency in the US. Some of his proposals will soundfamiliar, as he includes references to the inherent possibilities inwidespread adoption of biofuels, the adoption of smart growth policies, andthe potential benefits of plug-in hybrid engines. Sandalow also offers somemore specific details on how the auto fleet might be transformed over time,and also how the fuel supply might be transformed as well. It’s a thoughtfulwork, and one that will be of interest to policy analysts and others who areconcerned with this vexing issue.
Final Exam...
Laughran's Question:
Taking the specific tenets of taoism explained in the Tao of Pooh, how and why might you apply them to addressing positively certain specific current global problems? If there are also any specific problems that would seem irrevocably resistent to such practices, what might be a more fruitful approach and why, do you think?
Johnson's Question:
What was the final score of the May 1st game of the Sea Dogs vs. the Bowie Baysox??
Taking the specific tenets of taoism explained in the Tao of Pooh, how and why might you apply them to addressing positively certain specific current global problems? If there are also any specific problems that would seem irrevocably resistent to such practices, what might be a more fruitful approach and why, do you think?
Johnson's Question:
What was the final score of the May 1st game of the Sea Dogs vs. the Bowie Baysox??
Wow... Talk about a dinner!!"
NEWS. Twenty kilos of black caviar at 4000 euros a kilo. That is only one item on the expense list that Russian baron Roustam Tariko assembled in organising a party the likes of which had never been seen before in Venice. To celebrate his 45th birthday, he rented the rooms of the Cini Foundation on the island of S. Giorgio, where the guests -- all rigorously masked -- arrived and were greeted by scores of jugglers, actors, and extras. Mr. Tariko, known as "Mister Vodka", controls two-thirds of the Russian vodka market, is one of the richest men in the world, and spared no expense on his personal celebration. By way of example, the vegetables were embellished by spraying them with edible gold, the wine was among the best Tuscan variety (at least 500 euros per bottle) and, in the "sweets room", there were two fountains that flowed with molten chocolate!
Oh well, at this point, I guess we'll just have to try to do that for your 10 year reunion... :-)
Oh well, at this point, I guess we'll just have to try to do that for your 10 year reunion... :-)
More Fun from "Eats, Shoots and Leaves"
There was no punctuation in the earliest editions of the Bible!
Consider the differences:
"Comfort ye my people" vs. "Comfort ye, my people"?
or
"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord."
vs.
"The voice of him that crieth: In the wilderness prepare ye the way of the Lord."
Consider the differences:
"Comfort ye my people" vs. "Comfort ye, my people"?
or
"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord."
vs.
"The voice of him that crieth: In the wilderness prepare ye the way of the Lord."
From this week's Internet Scout Report
World Water Council: "In 1997, the World Water Council had its first official forum in Marrakech, and since then they have continued their work on 'critical water issues at all levels.' Some of these issues include efficient water conservation, water use management, and other relevant matters. With its compelling visual images and design, the homepage contains sections that provide information on upcoming World Water Forums and some very helpful overviews of their work. One such general overview may be found in the 'Water at a Glance' area, which provides information on the nature of freshwater resources around the globe. Persons involved in water policy and international affairs may wish to look over their online library, which includes their annual reports, synopses of materials covered in the Water Forum meetings, and papers such as 'The Right to Water: From Concept To Implementation'. It is also worth noting that many of the materials on the site are available in French and Spanish."
Ali G & David Beckham ("Mr. Mohawk"), Taoist Quotes (and Final Exam Suggestions!)
Firstly, FYI... speaking of soccer, there's an interview out there of David Beckham and Posh Spice by Ali G (AKA Sacha Baron Cohen, AKA Borat). It's rude, but Ali G's improv'ed interview with the Beckhams can be a scream... "Respect!" :-)
Then, just a couple of things I didn't get a chance to quote tonight...
Re: simplicity and what Kate was trying to say about the paradoxical difficulty of living simply: "Govern a nation as you would cook a small fish." - Lao Tzu :-)
"To remain whole, be twisted!
To become straight, let yourself be bent.
To become full, be hollow.
Be tattered, that you may be renewed.
Those that have little, may get more,
Those that have much, are but perplexed.
Therefore the Sage
Clasps the Primal Unity [tao],
Testing by it everything under heaven.
He does not show himself, therefore he is seen everywhere.
He does not define himself, therefore he is distinct.
He does not boast of what he will do, therefore he succeeds.
He is not proud of his work, and therefore it endures.
He does not contend,
And for that reason no one under heaven can contend with him.
So then we see that the ancient saying 'To remain whole, be twisted!' was no idle word; for true wholeness can only be acheived by return." - Tao Te Ching
"Do or do not. There is no try." - Tao Master Yoda
As for the Final Exam, finish reading Pooh and review the notes and articles from the class presentations. I personally envision an essay question that mixes the two (like applying one to the other, for example...)
Then, just a couple of things I didn't get a chance to quote tonight...
Re: simplicity and what Kate was trying to say about the paradoxical difficulty of living simply: "Govern a nation as you would cook a small fish." - Lao Tzu :-)
"To remain whole, be twisted!
To become straight, let yourself be bent.
To become full, be hollow.
Be tattered, that you may be renewed.
Those that have little, may get more,
Those that have much, are but perplexed.
Therefore the Sage
Clasps the Primal Unity [tao],
Testing by it everything under heaven.
He does not show himself, therefore he is seen everywhere.
He does not define himself, therefore he is distinct.
He does not boast of what he will do, therefore he succeeds.
He is not proud of his work, and therefore it endures.
He does not contend,
And for that reason no one under heaven can contend with him.
So then we see that the ancient saying 'To remain whole, be twisted!' was no idle word; for true wholeness can only be acheived by return." - Tao Te Ching
"Do or do not. There is no try." - Tao Master Yoda
(and I found more on the Tao of Star Wars here!)
BTW, the most recent estimates of people worldwide who espouse Taoism as their religious belief [which is slightly different from Taoism purely as a philosophy] range from 20 million to 50 million. (from Adherents.com)
As for the Final Exam, finish reading Pooh and review the notes and articles from the class presentations. I personally envision an essay question that mixes the two (like applying one to the other, for example...)
Tao of Pooh, Part Deux
"This is a well known Taoist symbol. 'It represents the balance of opposites in the universe. When they are equally present, all is calm. When one is outweighed by the other, there is confusion and disarray." (from Religious Tolerance)More on "pu"...
Taoism was never a unified tradition, but generally speaking...
"The Way" is important both in Confucianism and Taoism, but the former stresses the 'way of humanity', while the latter focuses on harmony which ensures proper conduct. (from Larousse Dictionary of Beliefs and Religions)
"The Tao regulates natural processes and nourishes balance in the Universe. It embodies the harmony of opposites (i.e. there would be no love without hate, no light without dark, no male without female.)" (Religious Tolerance)
Hence, Tai Chi (video 1, video 2, plus "Wu Jing, Master of Tai Chi" and more info at Kung-Fu Cinema)
"Tao Te Ching" was written at a time of warring states in China, with the idea of educating rulers that creative inactivity (wu-wei) is better than frenetic activity. (I.e., "Bisy Backson")
"It advocates naturalness and spontaneity and the idea of yielding ground in order to advance. Central to it is the notion of the Tao which cannot be named but is the sources of all that is and the unchanging principle behind the universe. The secret of life is to live in accordance with the Tao which 'never acts, yet nothing is left undone." (Larousse)
"In ancient Taoist texts, wu wei is associated with water through its yielding nature. Water is soft and weak, it is noted, but it can move earth and carve stone. Taoist philosophy proposes that the universe works harmoniously according to its own ways. When someone exerts his will against the world, he disrupts that harmony. Taoism does not identify man's will as the root problem. Rather, it asserts that man must place his will in harmony with the natural universe." (from Wikipedia)
Lao Tzu (sixth century B.C.) historical or legendary? (Means "Old Philosopher" or "Old Guy")
Not "the dry-as-dust absentminded professor"! Why not? ("Spelling Tuesday")
Not cleverness or "working the problem", either... Why not?? ("Cottleston Pie"/"The Pooh Way")
Taoism Cartoons
Bonus Question: What does the Tao of Pooh have to do with the Myth of Progress??
Last Installment of Schedule for Capstone
We're fortunate that the "Rachel Carson" lecture has been rescheduled for our meeting night (yes, we are!) So, that's going to be the game plan for tomorrow night.
Tuesday, April 24:
- Instead of our usual class meeting, attend the 2nd Annual Rachel Carson lecture by Tom Wessells about "the Myth of Progress" at 7 pm in the Auditorium. Post a comment here (or email me your comments) about what you thought was particularly compelling about his argument and what may have been weaker, in the context of your newly-broad understanding of contemporary global issues. Alternatively, you could ask in person an analytical question of the speaker, and not have to post anything here!
- Lastly, if you simply cannot attend at that time, I will post an alternative assignment for you... Here it is: with some jockeying around (they don't make it easy!), you can manage to read the entire first chapter for free online on Amazon.com. Follow this link... Start on page 1 and go to page 21. Any time the reader window won't let you page forward anymore, refresh the search results' link above and click on the page you need to continue with, until you get to page 21. At that point, post an analytical comment here (or email me with it). I think you'll find "emergence" a pervasive topic here! :-)
- TAKE THE POLL BELOW!!!
Thursday, April 26:
- "Soccer vs. McWorld" presentation by Joanna & Sarah B.
- Discussion of Pooh... READ UP THROUGH "BISY BACKSON"! (Quiz???)
Tuesday, May 1:
- Sea Dogs! Meet in our classroom at 5 pm and we'll drive down to the 6 pm game!
Thursday, May 3:
- First Annual "Capstone Awards Dinner" (tassels, anyone?) at my house! (I want to cook gourmet Italian for you, but Johnson wants a cookout. A food poll is being taken below... Be sure to vote!!)
- POLL:
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