Sun 4/09/2006Population ReductionI have been meaning to update my blog on what I have been doing in the last 6 months. But at the moment, I'd rather share a new article and old article which I think are both fascinating reads. University of Texas evolutionary ecologist and lizard expert Eric Pianka has recently won the Texas Academy of Science's 2006 Distinguished Texas Scientist award: With this, the questioning was over. Immediately almost every scientist, professor and college student present stood to their feet and vigorously applauded the man who had enthusiastically endorsed the elimination of 90 percent of the human population (Doctor Doom, Eric Pianka, Receives Standing Ovation from Texas Academy of Science). Now, we could pause to discuss this idea that the Earth needs a good cleansing of 90% of its human inhabitants... And that line of thinking should be debated. But I would like to use this as a springboard into a larger issue: Man's rapid advance in science is producing technology which is increasingly suitable for the mass destruction of humanity. Such suitability is measured not only by destructive potential, but also by availability to those who would seek such destruction, and by the difficulty of defending against such an attack. For example, weapons of mass destruction in the form of nuclear bombs are not new, yet until now the nations controlling such devices have apparently managed to keep them from falling into hostile hands. In contrast, some of the newer technologies are much more difficult to contain. Some require only the proper technical know-how, without the need for hard to find materials (e.g. uranium). Finally, while advances in technology can also be used for good, such as defensive mechanisms, I believe the entropy-based principle "it is easier to destroy than to create" is ominously applicable. I'm suggesting that it would be far easier for a single proselyte of Dr. Pianka to smuggle the Ebola virus out of Africa than it would be for an entire country to stop its spread. Much of my thinking here was inspired by something I read a few years ago by Bill Joy, co-founder and chief scientist of Sun Microsystems. He predicted the end of humanity in within 20 or 30 years, in an article in the 2000-APR issue of Wired Magazine. He wrote that leading-edge technologies such as robotics, genetic engineering and nano-tech may soon lead to the extinction of human society (Why the future doesn't need us). Then again, there's aways the bird flu. :) Fri 9/23/2005Home again home again!Well I am now back home safe and sound in the states. Travel home was intense but fun, as I made my way back home to Dallas from Barcelona during 22 hours of consecutive travel. Since I took the remainder of the week of from work, I have been able to relax, recoup and regroup back at the casa. For those of you eager to see the pictures, I posted 3,300 photos to the photo album yesterday! In the event that you don't want to spend several hours reviewing the pictures to my trip :), we will be preparing an "express" album in the near future. Below I have posted the brief email updates I sent back to those closest to me while I was on my trip. So what of the trip? It was excellent. Experiencing the lands and cultures of another continent was an enjoyable and valuable experience. During the trip my companions and I formed countless memories which we will definitely remember for the rest of our lives. In addition, we grew closer as friends and brothers. I wouldn't say that I return as a substantially changed man, nor would I have expected to. I definitely learned a lot, but on the whole was not surprised by what I saw. Though, I would say that I am challenged all the more to be aware of what is going on in the world, and to be better educated about both national and global politics. This is not a new conviction, but the trip has only strengthened it. Sun 9/18/2005Email update from Europe 3/3 This is my last update, because I am on day 17/19 for my trip! The other 3 guys just left to travel back this morning, but I still have 2 more full days that I am excited about in Barcelona. Anyway we have already been blessed with amazing hospitality from Mihai and Laura (my friends living in Barcelona, and I will get to send more time with them over the next two days). I am going to go see some sights solo today and then may be drinking a Corona (or equivalent) on the beach tomorrow. My trip home on Tuesday will be a little bit crazy switching from metro/bus/plane/train/metro/train/plane/car in a tight schedule that doesn't allow for many mistakes. It has been great and feels like I've been gone for a long time, but look forward to seeing you all when I return (or yall if I express my Texas roots). PS I have decided to quit my job and become a full time world traveler until funds are exhausted. Mon 9/12/2005Email update from Europe 2/3 Have just a couple of minutes to send a quick update! Things are going great!! We are leaving in 10 minutes to get on our night train from Prague to Switzerland/Interlocken. I can't really in 5 minutes say much about our trip, but I think it is everything that I hoped for. Even though we are doing a whirlwind tour of 7 countries in just a couple of weeks, spending about 2 days in each city, those two days are so full of experience that I think it's a perfect blend. We have been so blessed in our last 2 cities (Vienna and Prague) to really get to know some locals. In Vienna, we met a girl and her mom at the train station and ran into them again 2 miles away again. Then after talking, they (girl and brother) invited us to dinner, after which we went to a real Austrian party. :) Today, in Prague, the girl serving breakfast turned out to be a Christian and we got into some really good conversation with her. After she got off work, she spent many hours taking us around town. Seeing the sights is great, but meeting the people is even better. Anyway, I have been battling off some sort of infection, but am thus far ok. Ben also is hobbling along quite well with a wrapped up twisted ankle. We're looking forward to the Alps, Nice, and Barcelona to come.... Fri 9/2/2005Email update from Europe 1/3 We have landed! The last 36 hours have been amazing... Hard to believe it has only been that long. We flew overnight, and tried to get some sleep because our day started at 1am dallas time -- 6am London time! We had a blast touring London for 6 hours before *narrowly* making our plane (sightsaw too long in London, and missed our train by 30 seconds, then the next one was delayed -- showed up at the airport barely more than 30 minutes before flight time!) Anyway we are in Rome, had some authentic dinner cuisine, and are now at a pretty nice hostel cleaned up and crashing in about 10 minutes to fully adjust to European time. Sun 8/28/2005
Tue 8/17/2005
Mon 8/8/2005
Sun 4/17/2005
Wed 4/6/2005BREAKING NEWSMissouri legalizes bare-hand fishing: Experimental season OK'd for 'noodlers,' tackle-less pursuers of big catfish. But maybe you don't even know what noodling means? Time to hit the books. Bonus material: Girls Gone Grabbin'. Watch the video ladies. Every man wants a woman who can wrestle a 60 pound yellow cat.
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