The rapid decline of the global environment is an inescapable fact. The Earth’s major oxygen sources, coral reefs and rain forests, are disappearing along with the species that live in them. Atmospheric carbon is rising precipitously and one in a hundred year storms are becoming the norm. As the planet warms and forests are removed... Continue Reading →
The Carnegie Models of Whanganui Regional Museum
As I prepare to leave New Zealand I am, not surprisingly, thinking about Andrew Carnegie and his contribution to uplifting an understanding and appreciation of culture in the United States and further afield. In 1911 he established Carnegie Corporation of New York to "promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding.” Carnegie Corporation has... Continue Reading →
A Clutch of Vampires
In my last post, I wrote about immortality. It occurs to me, however, that I left out one of the most important aspects of this phenomenon occuring in popular culture - vampires. The most recent Twilight series (which I haven't seen, I have to admit) is only the latest point in a long history that... Continue Reading →
Modding Nature – Tails of the Extreme
"Modding", for the noncognicenti (of which I count myself one), is making everyday objects into works of art that fit into some genre. Steampunk is where I've come across this at, in my opinion, its most inventive. As an example at random, here's an X-Box unit cleverly modded to reflect a 19th Century steam-powered contraption,... Continue Reading →
Antique Fish, Cups of Tea and Origami
A few years ago I was fortunate enough to be asked to give a talk at the 95th birthday of Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer. Anybody who isn't a science geek could be forgiven for not knowing who she was. Let's say it would be like a budding fashion designer being asked to give the keynote speech at... Continue Reading →