“In the 1920s O G S Crawford invented aerial archaeology, one of many services this eccentric Marxist misanthrope performed for the study of antiquity.”
- Jonathan Meades: Link

Bloody Old Britain: O G S Crawford and the Archaeology of Modern Life

By Kitty Hauser

Granta Books, 286pp

Amazon: Link

“Future archaeologists will perhaps excavate the ruined factories of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries when the radiation effects of Atom bombs have died away.”
- O. G. S. Crawford, from Archaeology in the Field (1953)

O. G. S. Crawford @ Wikipedia: Link.

~ Karl Jones

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Rome: It’s beautiful and it’s not. Kinda like everything else in life.

“La prossima fermata è Roma Termini.”

I moved to Italy to live at the end of September last year. I lived in Brescia (a medium-sized city in Northern Italy) until March 1, when I moved to Siena.

(I am once again back in Brescia, but that’s a story I’m going to save for another day.)

I picked up some vocabulary during those first five months in Italy, but it wasn’t until I started attending an Italian class for immigrants in Siena that I really started learning the language.

Now, finally!, I understand much of what is being said either to me or around me. The language no longer sounds foreign or like pretty sounds flowing forth from people’s mouths. Although I’m more motivated to learn the language–because it finally seems like an achievable goal to converse fluently–the glossy veneer of the nonsensical musical sounds has dulled. I don’t know, there’s something about understanding when somebody complains about the weather (or conversely, the ease in which I can complain about it) that makes any language sound less romantic.

Shiny glossy veneers are so overrated. Don’t you think? I mean, a veneer is just a thin expensive sheet of wood (or metal) with layers upon layers of unusually toxic clear varnish. If it wasn’t for the common cheap material beneath (like pine or regular mild steel), the veneer would have nothing to attach itself to.

And I’ve always preferred the look of a dull, used or aged finish anyway…and now that I’ve exhausted my analogy I’m finished with this post.

But one more thing before I go to bed on this hot summer night: it is nice to know that you can simply listen to the conductor to know when your next stop is and not have the nervous wondering of whether you’ve missed it or have yet to arrive.

Arrivederci a dopo.

~Janelle Renée

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Natural Touch is a Non Governmental Organisation based in Calabar the Eastern part of Nigeria.The inspiration come from a point of observation of handicapped people and Children roaming the streets of some citites in Nigeria mostly in Calabar begging for alms.
Most of them at the end of the day retired to uncompleted buildings to pass the night,It was a very gory site when a reported case of ritual dehumanising killing of two of such people in a street close to my residence.These two were killed and some part of them remove for rituals activities or some other things not quite known to us.

So touched by such inhuman treament to people because of their inability to defend themselves or provide proper accomodation for themselves,and even a source of livelihood was traumatic,hence,my decision to get the NGO (NATURAL TOUCH) started,with the aim to provide food and shelter for the hanicapped.Make sure there is a future for them and security of life for them.

Upon our inception,we had limited our intention to mostly the young ones and average aged.Although we could not provide accomodation for them but we  provide the basic needs which is food for them atleast once a day.

It is our aim to increase the feeding arrangement to twice a day and also build a home for them.It is our aim to accomodate at least 2000-5000 handicapped people of difiers ages in the home,and Animals too.
With support from other Organisations/Individauls that are touched just as we are.We will establish a school or a handicraft centre for them to study and become independent of their own in future.
Suffice to say here that most of them roam the street with torn cloths and look unkept,We also provide clothing where necessary and affordable to them.
Based on our inability to sustain the financial burden,we are looking forward to Groups or Individuals with similar passion as we have towards uplifting the living standard of these hadicapped and also thinking of ensuring their future.

We are planning of building a home for them in Calabar to accomodate the handicapped and also recruit personnels to take care of their cooking and tranining.
We look forward to support  from passionate groups and individuals.
Thanks,
Dennis

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Technology for human needs:

• The Outquisition
• Engineers Without Borders
• MIT International Design Summit
• Free/Open Appropriate Technology
• Transition Towns
• Technology for Humanity

(...)
Read the rest of Technology for Humanity (735 words)

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Finally a gym that uses the energy expended by people working out to power electronics. We already know that working out is good for the mind. Now you can help your mind and body at a green gym.

The idea has serious potential for gyms nationwide, to provide both cost savings and environmental benefits. At the Green Microgym, the Team Dynamo and Spin Bikes can generate 0.750 kWh a piece. And Mr. Boesel is currently cooking up new gizmos to harness the power of elliptical trainers.

Some may feel that it is outlandish for a 2,800 square-foot gym to be fueled by manpower. Mr. Boesel doesn’t think so. He states, “It’s just going to move the human powered renewable energy technology to the next level. We’re going for 100 percent. I think at the beginning, we may be 20 to 25 percent.”

The gym is not the first worldwide to have dabbled in human power. In Hong Kong, there is a gym with gadgets connected to the weight machines, where athletes power up the gym with every lift. The Hong Kong gym’s patrons produce enough power to fill its batteries and keep the lights burning bright. Other companies are also seeking to exploit human based kinetic energy, such as M2E Power, which is debuting a human based iPod/cell phone recharger next year.

Refering to the memorable speech of Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr.(on August 28, 1963).

“I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the south. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, and to struggle together”

TRIBUTE

Estudantes voluntários levam cultura para crianças

Formado por jovens voluntários, o Projeto Vaga-Lumes trabalha com visitações a lares de crianças abandonadas e agora resolveu inovar: eles criaram mini-bibliotecas em dois orfanatos – a Associação Casa do Pai e o Lar Lisa. Com música, cultura e arte o Projeto visita os lares mensalmente com músicas infantis, peças de teatro e brincadeiras voltadas para a diversão das crianças.

Os membros do projeto combinam as visitas no site de relacionamentos Orkut, e procuram sempre levar guloseimas para os orfanatos. “Agora queremos deixar em cada lar um cantinho de leitura, para que os pequenos se familiarizem com os livros”, diz Bianca Nascimento da Silva, uma das voluntárias.

Bianca é estudante de Jornalismo na UniBrasil e conta que os voluntários arrecadam o material necessário entre os amigos. “Queremos arrecadar o maior número de livros possível”, conta. “E não só livros: tapetes, almofadas, estantes e cadeiras são muito bem vindos, tudo o que torne esses cantinhos locais agradáveis para as crianças”. E eles já têm data marcada para começar a funcionar. “Queremos dar um presente de Dia das Crianças para elas, e esse presente será o acesso à cultura”.

Quer ajudar? Basta entrar em contato pelo telefone (41) 9166-6346 ou no site projetovagalumescuritiba.blogspot.com

Fonte: Nota 10

A Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Distrito Federal (FAPDF), vinculada à Secretaria de Ciência e Tecnologia, recebe até o próximo dia 30 inscrições para o concurso Prêmio Jovem Inventor, lançado em edital em junho e destinado aos jovens inventores da capital federal. O objetivo é promover e popularizar a ciência e tecnologia entre esse público.

O concurso está dividido em três categorias: Graduado, Estudante do Ensino Superior e Estudante do Ensino Médio, Técnico e Fundamental. Na categoria Estudante do Ensino Médio, Técnico e Fundamental, podem participar os alunos que estejam matriculados em qualquer instituição de ensino especificada na categoria e que até 31 de dezembro tinham menos de 25 anos.

Segundo o secretário de Ciência e Tecnologia, Izalci Lucas, "o prêmio tem como objetivos, estimular a inovação, revelar talentos e investir em estudantes e profissionais que procuram alternativas para problemas que podem ser melhorados ou sanados com Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação".

As inscrições são gratuitas e os formulários estão disponíveis na página da FAPDF (www.fap.df.gov.br). A inscrição e os documentos necessários para cada categoria deverão ser entregues e protocolados no prédio da FAPDF. Não serão aceitas inscrições enviadas por correio eletrônico, em disquetes ou em CD-ROM.

Premiação

O total da premiação poderá atingir os R$ 100 mil. Os três primeiros colocados de cada categoria serão contemplados. O primeiro lugar receberá R$ 10 mil, o segundo R$ 5 mil e o terceiro R$ 3 mil. Na categoria Estudante do Ensino Médio, Técnico e Fundamental, além dos professores orientadores, será premiada, também, a escola do inventor que alcançar a primeira colocação, com prêmio no mesmo valor.

A presidente da FAPDF, Maria Amélia Teles, ressalta a importância do concurso. "Vai introduzir os jovens no mundo da pesquisa de uma forma atraente e, além disso, contribuirá para a difusão do conhecimento técnico-científico do DF". Ela garante que o edital do Jovem Inventor terá outras edições. "Queremos fazer desse concurso uma ação da FAPDF", ressaltou.

O edital exige que os participantes na categoria Ensino Médio, Técnico e Fundamental apresentem na FAPDF, localizada no SIA Trecho 6, Lotes 105/106, o seguinte: ficha de inscrição devidamente preenchida; texto sobre o trabalho, com no máximo três páginas; comprovante de matrícula da escola; e compromisso de expor o invento para a comissão de julgamento.

Informações na Diretoria de Difusão Científica e Tecnologia, telefones 3462-8896 ou no site www.fap.df.gov.br

Fonte: Assessoria de Imprensa da FAPDF

Nova York é a cidade dos Estados Unidos mais atingida pela Aids, com cerca de 100 mil soropositivos. O ritmo de crescimento do vírus é três vezes superior ao da média nacional, segundo uma estimativa publicada nesta quarta-feira (27) pelos serviços de saúde.

Realizado pelo centro federal de controle e prevenção das doenças, o estudo se baseia no ano de 2006. Desde então, cerca de 4.800 nova-iorquinos deram positivo no teste do HIV, segundo o comunicado.

De um total de 100 mil habitantes 72 foram infectados em 2006, contra média nacional de 23, ressaltou o estudo.

Em Nova York, o mais atingidos são homens (117 de 100 mil contra 33 mulheres de 100 mil), e negros (46% dos casos), seguidos pelos latinos (32%).

Uma criança de um ano e meio caiu do terceiro andar de um prédio na noite de terça-feira (25) no Recife (PE), ficou com a fralda enroscada em uma ferro pontiagudo em cima de um muro --que serve para impedir que pessoas o pulem--, teve pequenas escoriações mas sobreviveu.

Socorrido e encaminhado ao hospital Memorial São José, o garoto foi internado na UTI (Unidade de Tratamento Intensivo), mas não corre o risco de morrer. A família não permitiu informações detalhadas sobre o estado de saúde da criança. O hospital informou apenas que seu quadro é estável.

Informações preliminares do delegado Carlos Onofre, da delegacia especializada da criança e do adolescente do Recife, dão conta que o garoto estava em um apartamento do edifício Jardim Tropical, na rua Felix de Brito, em Boa Viagem, quando caiu.

A queda foi amortecida depois que parte da fralda descartável que ele utilizava no momento ficou enroscada em um pedaço de ferro pontiagudo localizado em cima do muro.

Onofre afirmou que o boletim de ocorrência ainda não foi registrado. Os responsáveis pela criança devem ser ouvidos para esclarecer como ela caiu do apartamento. O delegado irá ainda hoje para o hospital para tentar saber de detalhes a respeito.

أصناف الناس


بعض الناس تعيش فيهم فضائلهم كلها؛ أولئك خير الناس،
وبعض الناس تعيش فيهم بعض فضائلهم وتموت فيهم الأخرى؛ أولئك أوساط الناس،
وبعض الناس تموت فيهم كل فضائلهم؛ أولئك أراذل الناس .


د. مصطفى السباعي

فعلا هكذا هم اصناف الناس ,, القليل منهم تراه له فضل عليك ويحترموك ويقدرونك والاخر تراه يضحك أمامك ولكن هم ارذل الناس .
متى تسود المحبة والأخوة بين البشر ؟؟!! متى يعم السلام على هذا العالم .
على المؤسسات والشركات ان تسعى بكل جهودها إلى ذلك ...



تحياتي

I’ve been finding a lot of interesting developments with regard to food lately. So thought I’d share them with you…

Nano-food, nano-tech?

Something new is being added to our table and life called Nano-foods or nano-tech products. What in heavens name is Nano-food?

The internet is buzzing with a lot of stories. Reuters (2008, July 30) Nano-foods: The next consumer scare? In essence Nano-foods are produced by using nano-technology, which involves design and manipulation of the molecular level. Companies utilizing nanotechnology claim it can enhance flavor or nutritional effectiveness.

The Observer Welcome to the world of nano foods. Claims the food industry is developing a colorless, tasteless programmable nano-drink that you zap in a microwave which has been encoded with your eating preferences.

Sounds like sci-fi… Star Trek’s Captain Picard ordering ‘Tea, Earl Grey, hot’ and it materializes in the replicater. That’s an interesting concept. But I wonder about eating what appears to be synthetic food. What about the food’s vitality?

Are there food products that currently contain nano-technology?

Out of the Laboratory and onto our plate. (2008, March) A detailed report on Nano-tech products in agriculture and food funded by Friends of Earth. List of food products currently containing nano-products include: Canola Active Oil (Shemen), Nanotea (Shenzen Become Industry & Trading Co.), Fortified Fruit Juice (High Vive.com), Nanoceuticals Slim Shake (assorted flavors, RBC Lifesciences), NanoSlim beverage(NanoSlim), Oat Nutritional Drink (assorted flavors, Toddler Health), and ‘Daily Vitamin Boost’ fortified fruit juice (Jamba Juice Hawaii).

Do we know if there are risks consuming nano-foods or the potential toxic effects to the body? 

Science Daily ETH Zurich/Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (2008, July 22). Nano-modified Food: How Much Are Consumers Willing To Accept The Associated Risks?. Reports, "Nanoparticles, however, are considered as highly reactive and it is not yet clear whether under certain conditions they can get the better of protective mechanisms and have a toxic impact on the body." Consumer Reports (2007, July) Nanotechnology Untold promise, unknown risk. Reports, "A growing number of scientists say the unique properties of nanomaterials might pose substantial risks, which are largely unexplored, to both human health and the environment."

Besides food there are a lot of products containing Nano-tech over 600 and growing. NanoForum offers an interesting report called Nanotechnology in Consumer Products (2006, October 25) which contains a list of products. As well Madison’s Nano Cafe is a great resource for news and articles about nanotechnology.

I like to make informed decisions about everything in my life. So I’m all for labels disclosing complete information. 

Cloned animals for food?

Wired (2007, December 19) Senate Votes to Keep Cloned Meat Out of Your Burger, for Now. The Senate passed a Farm Bill measure intended to bar the FDA from approving meat and milk from cloned animals until further study was conducted. Center for Food Safety (2008, January 17) Press Release. EUROPEAN UNION GROUP ISSUES OPINION CALLING CLONING FOR FOODS ETHICALLY UNJUSTIFIED. Center for Food Safety Praises Opinion; Calls for Swift Passage of Farm Bill Mandating Examination of Economic Risks to US Agriculture.

Public Opinion Center for Food Safety Reports, "Recent opinion polls show the majority of Americans do not want milk or meat from cloned animals in their food. A national survey conducted this year by Consumers Union found that 89 percent of Americans want to see cloned foods labeled, while 69 percent said that they have concerns about cloned meat and dairy products in the food supply. A recent Gallup Poll reported that more than 60 percent of Americans believe that it is immoral to clone animals, while the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology found that a similar percentage say that, despite FDA approval, they won’t buy milk from cloned animals."

CNN (2008, January 18) FDA OKs meat and milk from most cloned animals. When introduced there will be no labeling required. The FDA asserts that there is no material difference between cloned and conventionally grown animals.

What’s up with the swift approval by the FDA? If cloned animal products ever hit the grocery shelves I’d sure like to know so I can make informed purchasing decisions.

rBGH and GMOs?

Called old news. The newest hot topic is nano-tech, but they haven’t gone away. FDA tells us both are ok. Their endorsement means companies aren’t required to put this info on packaging. Since around 1996 about 70% of our processed foods have contained GMOs. I’d like to know by reading the packaging instead of having to do an extensive online search. My body has an adverse reaction to both of these technologies so I cannot eat them.

Public Opinion A CBS/New York Times poll done recently found that 53 percent of Americans wouldn’t buy genetically modified foods. 

If you’re interested here’s a list of products which contain GMOs. The photo above is an ad from Do You Know What You Eat?Greenpeace’s advertising campaign against Genetically Modified Organisms. What a superbly done and wonderfully creative campaign. Kudos to BBDO Russia.

Organic vs. conventional food study underway some findings released. Green MSN (2007, November) and BBC News (2007, October) reported - a Newcastle University study shows organic foods have far more nutritional value. They found levels of antioxidants in milk from organic cattle were between 50% and 80% higher than normal milk. Organic wheat, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, onions and lettuce had between 20% and 40% more nutrients.

Is this just the beginning of lots of comparable studies? To my taste buds naturally grown food (buzz word organic) has a fuller, richer flavor… like homegrown tomatoes vs. store bought. Studies proving what my mouth distinguished at first bite. Exciting! Tastes better and fresh organic food is better for you too! Yahoo!!!

Now if we could only get those crazy prices down…

P.S. I’ve been eating locally grown and organic produce all summer and I started walking. Really strange. I haven’t desired to walk in years. But now most mornings I walk to the Post Office and evenings around the neighborhood; about 2 miles total. I have more vitality and feel better too. Don’t know for sure if it’s related, but it’s sure interesting.

Here are a couple of links you may enjoy:

Food Routes - A resource on locally grown foods. Why to buy and where to buy.

Organic Made Easy - A guide to understanding and buying organic produce on a budget.

The Practical Guide to Healthier Living - Lots of videos and articles about natural healthy living. Why to buy at Farmer’s Markets, recipes and more.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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When Blair was chosen envoy of the Quartet ridiculed the British people and laughed from this choice. "

The reason for this, according to Booth "is the positions of Blair and dependent inherent to the American President George Bush and his role in the occupation of Iraq and his positions supporting the White House, including for Israel."

The blockade action to destroy all viable sector despite the exercise of citizens of the Gaza Strip factors survival and steadfastness. "

Booth believes that "the next step to break the siege of Gaza Arabs were required by Arab leaders and peoples of the region Victory Palestinians in particular Egypt, which it considers that the state must have a larger role in breaking the blockade."

And whether steps had been broken the siege imposed on Gaza for nearly two years Booth says: "if the siege wall, we have opened a loophole in this wall, this gap body is like a glass, this hole is the latest breakdown, the pressure one can shatters."

She says Lauren working channel of Islam British press: "The images of Islam to the West contrary to reality," pointing out that experienced for the Muslims and to enlarge their beliefs and way of life contrary to the perception that left the western media, which tried to create in the West that "tomorrow the Muslims dominate the West" She says.

The Booth had rosary morning yesterday, Wednesday, in the Gaza shore for a distance of one kilometre, which prohibits the occupying population of the Gaza Strip, where it prevents beyond a few tens of meters and that Booth says: "We have broken the embargo."

Failure is not the only punishment for laziness; there is also the success of others.- Jules Renard

Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.
- Abigail Adams

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