WikiLeaks is offline at the moment, but they are linking to this John Pilger talk — a powerful critique of modern journalism:
PenOpticon
Mar 232009
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Green politics always places great emphasis on better and less expensive healthcare by reducing toxins released into the environment, promoting wellness programs, etc. Vitamin D just might become a key ingredient in preventative healthcare, especially for counties in polar regions (both north and south) of the planet. After watching a compelling video lecture with Dr. Reinhold Vieth a few years ago, I started taking vitamin D supplements in winter and ever since have badgered family and friends to do the same. Does it work? I dunno — I’m just a sample of one, but I think I feel better and get fewer colds in winter. Every month new studies are churned out which demonstrate links between diabetes, cancer, etc with vitamin D deficiency. Here’s a lecture by Dr. Frank Garland of the U.S. Naval Health Research Centre that makes an even stronger case for vitamin D’s role in human health. Definitely worth considering.
I’ve just posted another Dunlap Observatory short — this one features Reza Moridi, Ontario MPP for Richmond Hill presenting a petition in the Legislature calling for the preservation of the entire David Dunlpa Observatory and Park property. It is astounding — and disturbing — that the public, the Ontario Heritage Trust, numerous provincial and federal politicians have all decried the sale and impending development of the Dunlap lands — and yet — it appears that no one can summon the will to do what it takes to preserve it. It’s a slow process, but the Tragedy of the Commons seems to be playing out in spades on this property. If we can’t save even one local patch of green space to preserve habitat, heritage and history, what hope is there that our governments will protect much larger areas in a meaningful way?
Having been burned on few occasions trying to access the full text of research papers, the Science Commons is an idea whose time has come. It’s depressing to think how much human knowledge is moldering away in proprietary information silos. If most of that knowledge could be freed and allowed to mix with the global scientific community — and the general public — who knows what might be discovered? After all, not everyone has easy or affordable access to online journal subscriptions.
Let’s just hope the Science Commons fosters helpful scientific collaboration and synergy, though no doubt there are a few mad physicists out there looking for ideas on how to rend the space-time continuum!
Here is a small batch of rarely seen photos from Dunlap Observatory. I hope to be posting more over the coming weeks as time permits. I tried to organize a volunteer photo shoot at the DDO back in 2007 (after the University of Toronto announced that it would be sold), but the University would not allow it. The original plan was to give a group of great photographers a chance to document the entire DDO buildings and property — in other words, we wanted to honour the men and women who worked at DDO (up until July 2008) and show off the historic telescopes and the fabulous architecture — and the heritage and natural beauty — of the site. But thanks to U of T, it was not to be. The next best thing was to organize a Save the DDO Flickr Group. That group currently features more than 150 photographs from 11 photographers and provides a wonderful overview of the DDO buildings and grounds. Now I’m adding some of the interior photos that were taken over the past year or so. Continue reading »