Viridian Note 00474: Climate and Civilization from the Viridian mailing list raises an interesting question first asked by Nick Brooks: why did what we call “civilization” seem to arise during periods of increased aridity? Maybe the emergence of an urban, specialized civilization wasn’t a product of a world of plenty, but instead, a desperate attempt to cling to survival? Check out Brook’s paper on the subject.
Month: September 2006
It Could Happen
My classmate Tina‘s got a story up in Town Drunk. You go read it. Now.
Low Earth Orbit Here We Come… Well, Someone Will, Eventually, Maybe…
Adam posted a link to an article about new tech developments that will facilitate the building of a space elevator. I have to admit, I’ve always been kind of scared of the idea of a kilometers-long superstrong cable tethered between the earth and something lit a satellite out in space. I mean, what if the cables snap? And yes, they could. The tidal waves, the damage to the Earth, the effects in the short term at least, would be devastating. It sounds like something a bit too risky to just, you know, try on Earth. I’d rather we tried it …
Like Totaly wanna be a Top Bloggar!!1
I’ve, like, decided that my way is to b TOP. So I’m gunna spell things wrong and like, refer to people in my life as letters L can be Lime and like the people I work with can be H an L and S and J, and I’m gonna post like a totally long thing about stuff that’s goin on. heee. No, I’m not directing this at anyone in particular, but my god. It just makes me imagine what the slush piles of old looked like, before people cold get their “writing” illusions served by instantaneous self-publishing. I imagine it …
Eugene Mirman Rocks
If you haven’t yet, it’s time to experienceEugene Mirman. And what’s up with MC Hawking’s site? Is it dead? His Wikipedia entry doesn’t say so. I hope not. Nerdcore amuses me.