Today, the Juno probe began to orbit Jupiter. After traveling 1.8 billion miles over five years, the probe will spend the next two years studying our solar system's largest planet, beaming information back to Earth, some 500 million miles away. Following that mission, Juno will crash into the massive planet, the first product of human ingenuity to reach its surface.
Meanwhile, two days from now, The Ark will open to the public in Williamstown, Kentucky. Built to specifications outlined in the Bible, the Ark will house exhibits which "reveal" specifics regarding the life of Noah, the Great Flood and the management of the menagerie onboard the wooden ship. True believers will no doubt flock to the site, paying good money to reinforce their faith.
This week's events highlight the ongoing juxtaposition of scientific achievement and religious mysticism in modern human society. Long before humans understood the nature of our solar system, the story of Noah and his Ark were ingrained in Judeo-Christian culture. Despite the knowledge that we humans have since attained, the simplistic concept of a Great Flood, documented in Holy Scripture, carries more weight among believers than does the vast amount of scientific evidence that validates the theory of evolution.
Showing posts with label human nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label human nature. Show all posts
Tuesday, 5 July 2016
Monday, 27 June 2016
The Rise of Nationalism
As evidenced by the Brexit vote in England and the success (hopefully transient) of Donald Trump's Candidacy, nationalism is on the rise across the globe, especially in developed Western countries. This movement seems to have its roots in the inequalities of globalization and the fear of immigration (especially in light of recent terrorist attacks). Of course, racism and religious zealotry are at play as well.
Unfortunately, some politicians are taking advantage of the anger, fear and intolerance, placing emphasis on the risks of globalization and promising to protect legal citizens from the dangers of immigration, trade agreements and "cultural dilution." Older, less educated and more provincial individuals, many having lost their jobs to outsourcing and failing industries (e.g. coal mining, manufacturing, textiles), are most receptive to their message.
While some of these inequities and concerns are legitimate, globalization is here to stay and international cooperation is vital in our efforts to assist developing countries, to prevent war and to combat the threats of pollution, ecologic degradation and climate change. In the end, we must address the problems associated with globalization without resorting to nationalism; otherwise, we will destroy both our economy and our planet.
Unfortunately, some politicians are taking advantage of the anger, fear and intolerance, placing emphasis on the risks of globalization and promising to protect legal citizens from the dangers of immigration, trade agreements and "cultural dilution." Older, less educated and more provincial individuals, many having lost their jobs to outsourcing and failing industries (e.g. coal mining, manufacturing, textiles), are most receptive to their message.
While some of these inequities and concerns are legitimate, globalization is here to stay and international cooperation is vital in our efforts to assist developing countries, to prevent war and to combat the threats of pollution, ecologic degradation and climate change. In the end, we must address the problems associated with globalization without resorting to nationalism; otherwise, we will destroy both our economy and our planet.
Sunday, 19 June 2016
Life & Energy
Life, whether in the form of a single-celled organism or a human being, might be defined as the capacity to harness energy for the purposes of constructing and maintaining vital tissues and sustaining metabolic processes. From the moment of conception (or budding in asexual life forms), energy must be acquired or generated to permit survival; depending on the organism, it is needed to fuel growth, cellular diversification, physiologic processes and mobility.
Bacteria and other unicellular organisms are able to "ingest" nutrients through their cell walls while photosynthetic algae and plants utilize solar energy to fuel their metabolism and growth. Fungi recycle nutrients from decaying plants and animals and some deep sea invertebrates feast on bacterial mats that form on the flanks of sulfide-spewing hydrothermal vents. Complex marine, freshwater and terrestrial food chains consist of producers (plants or algae), primary consumers (herbivores) and secondary consumers (carnivores); of course, a series of carnivorous activity leads to the top predator in each chain (e.g. mosquito, dragonfly, frog, snake, hawk).
Energy flows through these food chains, stored for periods of time in certain tissues (fat, glycogen, starch, bulbs) but eventually recaptured by scavengers and fungi when injuries, illness, predation or natural aging lead to the death of plants and animals. Prior to death, living organisms transfer energy to the environment via heat production and in the organic waste that they produce; they may also lose vital nutrients to parasites. While this cycle of energy and life is easily observed and readily accepted in nature, we humans often reject the fact that our own lives, from conception to death, reflect this universal process. We are, in fact, transient conduits of energy.
Bacteria and other unicellular organisms are able to "ingest" nutrients through their cell walls while photosynthetic algae and plants utilize solar energy to fuel their metabolism and growth. Fungi recycle nutrients from decaying plants and animals and some deep sea invertebrates feast on bacterial mats that form on the flanks of sulfide-spewing hydrothermal vents. Complex marine, freshwater and terrestrial food chains consist of producers (plants or algae), primary consumers (herbivores) and secondary consumers (carnivores); of course, a series of carnivorous activity leads to the top predator in each chain (e.g. mosquito, dragonfly, frog, snake, hawk).
Energy flows through these food chains, stored for periods of time in certain tissues (fat, glycogen, starch, bulbs) but eventually recaptured by scavengers and fungi when injuries, illness, predation or natural aging lead to the death of plants and animals. Prior to death, living organisms transfer energy to the environment via heat production and in the organic waste that they produce; they may also lose vital nutrients to parasites. While this cycle of energy and life is easily observed and readily accepted in nature, we humans often reject the fact that our own lives, from conception to death, reflect this universal process. We are, in fact, transient conduits of energy.
Saturday, 18 June 2016
Social Dysfunction & Mass Murder
Once again, as details emerge about the tragedy at the Orlando nightclub, we learn that the killer had a troubled childhood and that he was expelled from college and fired from jobs due to violent behavior or threats. It also appears that he may have been plagued by the guilt of homosexuality (stemming from his religious faith) and that his relationships with women involved domination and domestic violence.
In most past cases of mass murder, we learned that the male perpetrators came from a dysfunctional household, endured abuse from an alcoholic father, failed to establish normal social relationships or demonstrated symptoms of mental illness. After the tragic event, family members, friends or colleagues recount the warning signs that they observed but did not or could not intercede beforehand.
Focused on international terrorism, Conservative Republicans place emphasis on a military solution, campaigning to beef-up a Defense Department that already consumes a massive portion of our Federal budget. But while some of the killers may have been influenced by terrorist propaganda, they were already primed by social factors that we do not adequately address. Sensible gun laws are certainly part of the solution but early childhood daycare, after-school activities, job training, troubled teen programs and an effective mental health care system all need to be adequately funded. Unfortunately, the same politicians that favor increased military spending and oppose sensible gun control measures also want government out of our lives and refuse to support such vital programs.
In most past cases of mass murder, we learned that the male perpetrators came from a dysfunctional household, endured abuse from an alcoholic father, failed to establish normal social relationships or demonstrated symptoms of mental illness. After the tragic event, family members, friends or colleagues recount the warning signs that they observed but did not or could not intercede beforehand.
Focused on international terrorism, Conservative Republicans place emphasis on a military solution, campaigning to beef-up a Defense Department that already consumes a massive portion of our Federal budget. But while some of the killers may have been influenced by terrorist propaganda, they were already primed by social factors that we do not adequately address. Sensible gun laws are certainly part of the solution but early childhood daycare, after-school activities, job training, troubled teen programs and an effective mental health care system all need to be adequately funded. Unfortunately, the same politicians that favor increased military spending and oppose sensible gun control measures also want government out of our lives and refuse to support such vital programs.
Wednesday, 8 June 2016
Excusing Racism
It is both sad and deeply disturbing that most prominent Republicans continue to back the candidacy of Donald Trump despite his overt racism. Suggesting that Trump, flawed as he may be, is a better choice than either the Democratic or Libertarian nominee, they are all-too-willing to excuse his racist remarks as missteps by an inexperienced politician.
Racism is not a misstep. It cannot be explained away. Rather, it reflects both Trump's deep-seated beliefs and his conviction that such remarks appeal to his white, uneducated base. Continuing to support their bombastic, narcissistic nominee, the Republican Party is willing to condone racism in order to gain control of the Executive Branch; after all, that is what they need to shrink the Federal Government, curtail environmental regulations and place conservative-minded judges on the Supreme Court.
Hopefully, educated Americans will join minority groups across the country to derail the exploits of King Trump. Despite his apparent willingness to commit political suicide, the Republican elite won't cast him aside; the "Party of Lincoln" is nominating a racist for President of the United States.
Racism is not a misstep. It cannot be explained away. Rather, it reflects both Trump's deep-seated beliefs and his conviction that such remarks appeal to his white, uneducated base. Continuing to support their bombastic, narcissistic nominee, the Republican Party is willing to condone racism in order to gain control of the Executive Branch; after all, that is what they need to shrink the Federal Government, curtail environmental regulations and place conservative-minded judges on the Supreme Court.
Hopefully, educated Americans will join minority groups across the country to derail the exploits of King Trump. Despite his apparent willingness to commit political suicide, the Republican elite won't cast him aside; the "Party of Lincoln" is nominating a racist for President of the United States.
Monday, 30 May 2016
Tragedy at the Zoo
Throughout my formative years, I was enamored with animals of every kind and visited zoos on a regular basis; in my mind, despite their use of restrictive cages, zoos played an important role in public education and wildlife conservation. The increasing use of "naturalized enclosures" allayed some of my concerns and I planned to pursue veterinary medicine long before I opted for medical school.
The zoo of my youth was the Cincinnati Zoo, where yesterday's tragedy unfolded; a four-year old boy somehow gained access to the gorilla exhibit and fell into the moat. This caught the attention of a 17 year-old male gorilla who grabbed the child (perhaps with protective rather than hostile intent), forcing staff members to kill him. While the cause of this tragedy is under investigation, inadequate fencing and inattentive parenting both surely played a role.
In a larger sense, this tragic event highlights both the potential risks and ethical dilemmas of caging intelligent creatures (primates, elephants, cetaceans, etc.) for our own entertainment, even if a certain degree of education and research is achieved. The concept of rescuing endangered species for captive breeding and reintroduction to the wild has been unsuccessful in most cases (California condors and black-footed ferrets are two exceptions) and "naturalized exhibits" can never match the freedom and benefits of native habitat. Though tragedies such as occurred yesterday are rare, the greater tragedy of human-imposed captivity has long been a cherished practice in our culture. Perhaps, as human enlightenment progresses, we will come to reject the imprisonment of intelligent animals.
The zoo of my youth was the Cincinnati Zoo, where yesterday's tragedy unfolded; a four-year old boy somehow gained access to the gorilla exhibit and fell into the moat. This caught the attention of a 17 year-old male gorilla who grabbed the child (perhaps with protective rather than hostile intent), forcing staff members to kill him. While the cause of this tragedy is under investigation, inadequate fencing and inattentive parenting both surely played a role.
In a larger sense, this tragic event highlights both the potential risks and ethical dilemmas of caging intelligent creatures (primates, elephants, cetaceans, etc.) for our own entertainment, even if a certain degree of education and research is achieved. The concept of rescuing endangered species for captive breeding and reintroduction to the wild has been unsuccessful in most cases (California condors and black-footed ferrets are two exceptions) and "naturalized exhibits" can never match the freedom and benefits of native habitat. Though tragedies such as occurred yesterday are rare, the greater tragedy of human-imposed captivity has long been a cherished practice in our culture. Perhaps, as human enlightenment progresses, we will come to reject the imprisonment of intelligent animals.
Monday, 16 May 2016
Assault on Yosemite
As we left Oakdale, California, this morning and headed east on Route 120, the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada shimmered across the eastern horizon, partly obscured by clouds. Leaving the flat landscape of the Central Valley, we climbed through hills of grass and oak savanna before ascending more steeply into the Sierra foothills. Charred forest, damaged by wildfire, was soon encountered along the road, extending into western portions of Yosemite National Park.
When we eventually rounded a curve and Half Dome appeared in the distance, I knew that my dream of visiting Yosemite was finally realized. Indeed, the Park's spectacular glacial valley, lined by the granite cliffs of El Capitan, Half Dome, North Dome and other well-known summits, drained by the beautiful Merced River and adorned by Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite Falls and other magnificent cascades, is one of the more inspiring sites on our planet.
Arriving on a Monday morning in mid May, we hoped to escape the summer crowds that descend on Yosemite and many other National Parks. Alas, the crowds were already there, parked along the roadways, congregating at overlooks and clogging popular trails; we, of course, contributed to the human assault. One wonders if our population has expanded beyond the point where landscapes as grand as Yosemite National Park cannot withstand the onslaught. It seems we must significantly curtail access if we are to protect these natural gems (or even to make them worth visiting).
When we eventually rounded a curve and Half Dome appeared in the distance, I knew that my dream of visiting Yosemite was finally realized. Indeed, the Park's spectacular glacial valley, lined by the granite cliffs of El Capitan, Half Dome, North Dome and other well-known summits, drained by the beautiful Merced River and adorned by Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite Falls and other magnificent cascades, is one of the more inspiring sites on our planet.
Arriving on a Monday morning in mid May, we hoped to escape the summer crowds that descend on Yosemite and many other National Parks. Alas, the crowds were already there, parked along the roadways, congregating at overlooks and clogging popular trails; we, of course, contributed to the human assault. One wonders if our population has expanded beyond the point where landscapes as grand as Yosemite National Park cannot withstand the onslaught. It seems we must significantly curtail access if we are to protect these natural gems (or even to make them worth visiting).
Friday, 13 May 2016
A Kite, Whales and a Glass Beach
Early this morning, my wife and I visited the Humboldt Bay NWR, just south of Eureka, California. Once a vast saltwater marsh, the basin was later drained for agriculture and has since been restored for the benefit of resident and migrant water birds; riparian woodlands, cattail marshes, sloughs, lakes and tidal flats characterize the preserve. During our visit, we were fortunate to observe a white-tailed kite (formerly known as a black-shouldered kite), a beautiful and common resident of the refuge and a new "lifer" for me; we also encountered black phoebes, California quail and a large flock of marbled godwits.
After our visit to the refuge, we headed south on Route 101, climbing along the scenic valley of the Eel River and its South Fork. We then switched to Route 1, enduring countless hairpin turns as we crossed the Coastal Range. Emerging along the Pacific Coast, our patience was rewarded with spectacular seascapes all the way to Fort Bragg. Nearing that city, we turned into MacKerricher State Park, where we walked out to Seal Point and watched harbor seals as they lounged on the sea stacks or cruised the clear waters beneath the overlook. While observing the seals, my wife noticed "whale spouts" far out to sea; close inspection with my binoculars revealed four humpback whales, identified by the contour of their backs and by their habit of raising their massive flukes as they dove to feed. Needless to say, the sighting of these magnificent cetaceans was one of the highlights of our road trip to date.
But we could not end our day without visiting the "Glass Beach," in Fort Bragg. Once used as a city dump site, the beach was reclaimed by the sea which sorted and recycled the debris, leaving smooth pebbles of glass amidst the shells and sand. Once this beach of glass gained nationwide fame, visitors flocked to the site, walking off with samples of nature's handiwork. As too often characterizes man's relationship with nature, we first abuse her ecosystems and then take advantage of her restorative powers; alas, the glass of Glass Beach is rapidly disappearing.
After our visit to the refuge, we headed south on Route 101, climbing along the scenic valley of the Eel River and its South Fork. We then switched to Route 1, enduring countless hairpin turns as we crossed the Coastal Range. Emerging along the Pacific Coast, our patience was rewarded with spectacular seascapes all the way to Fort Bragg. Nearing that city, we turned into MacKerricher State Park, where we walked out to Seal Point and watched harbor seals as they lounged on the sea stacks or cruised the clear waters beneath the overlook. While observing the seals, my wife noticed "whale spouts" far out to sea; close inspection with my binoculars revealed four humpback whales, identified by the contour of their backs and by their habit of raising their massive flukes as they dove to feed. Needless to say, the sighting of these magnificent cetaceans was one of the highlights of our road trip to date.
But we could not end our day without visiting the "Glass Beach," in Fort Bragg. Once used as a city dump site, the beach was reclaimed by the sea which sorted and recycled the debris, leaving smooth pebbles of glass amidst the shells and sand. Once this beach of glass gained nationwide fame, visitors flocked to the site, walking off with samples of nature's handiwork. As too often characterizes man's relationship with nature, we first abuse her ecosystems and then take advantage of her restorative powers; alas, the glass of Glass Beach is rapidly disappearing.
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