opinions

Michael Coren’s October 10th column in the Edmonton Sun titled ‘Global warming hooey‘ kinda jerked my chain a little.  Not so much because he stands opposed to the idea of man-made global warming, but because his opinion doesn’t even try to come to any sort of common ground with those he opposes.  It’s harsh.  It’s sensationalized.  He’s flat out right and they’re all wrong …simple as that.  The idea that there may be ambiguous facts or untestable circumstances among both sides doesn’t hold him back from claiming victory.  Aside from this he compares his opposing journalists to ‘hacks’, degenerates his opponents by calling them whiney, he belittles them, and finally places his scientific faith in a renowned scholar who “…has defeated so many environmental activists — he calls them “bedwetters” — that few of them will now debate him.“

Gee, I wonder why.

In Coren’s defense though, he does rightfully side with his renowned scholar on the grounds that he is ‘peer-reviewed’.  That’s important.  Not being a peer-reviewed scientist is akin to one of those ‘Doctors’ who happens to be a Doctor in title only.  Or perhaps a Police Officer who has been behind the desk for his whole career …you wouldn’t necessarily want him to protect you in an armed robbery – or someone with a doctorate degree in Music deliver your next baby.  Ditto goes for a climate scientist who may actually be a lowly weather reporter.  Scientists need their research and ideas looked over by experts in the same field of study …and having your work peer-reviewed means being recognized by those in your community.  You can attest to handling the job and you know what you’re talking about.

According to Coren’s renowned scholar “…there are more than 700 major scientists who steadfastly refute the notion that the climate is changing to any worrying degree, that global warming is a reality and that the planet is in danger.“  I wonder if these major scientists are the same (or of the same stock) as those listed in the United States Senate Minority Report on Global Warming?  In the Sept./Oct. 2009 issue of Skeptical Inquirer, (Volume 33, No 5, pg. 16) Stuart Jordan reports that of the near 700 (taken in Jan./09) scientists listed in the Minority Report (these are government favored climate scientists who dissent over man-made global warming) only “…15% exhibited a significant publication record in subjects at least related to climate science.“  They also found that “…80% had [no] peer-reviewed publications bearing on climate science.  At least 55 had no science credentials at all, and many others identified as meteorologists proved to be weather reporters.“  I’m assuming of course that the IPCC-2007 group (who agree with climate change as being man-made and who boast 2000 government favored climate scientists) are all peer-reviewed!?  Fair is fair of course.

And that’s what it’s all about really …being fair.  Coren calls people names while Jordan openly admits “…there are still a few dark corners in the realm of cloud theory that need to be explained in more detail…“  Coren stands tall in his correctness while Jordan states “…some as-yet undiscovered natural process may be playing a larger than anticipated role in global warming.“  What ticks me off is that a professional, influential and often read journalist with his own talk-show can be so uncompromising and utterly convinced that one has to be either winning or losing.  That things have to be white or black.  Good or bad.

Having an opinion is one thing …presenting it fairly though, seems to be an ever dwindling tact.

Image from Picapp.com

Surrogates

September 28, 2009.  12:21 am

As I sit down to my computer screen to make this entry I can’t help but feel something similar to deja vu.  I just returned from seeing the new Bruce Willis movie Surrogates.  It’s a show set in a not to distant future where people are capable of living their lives through surrogate bodies.  All interactions, all ‘real world’ activities are done through their surrogates while they, controlling them, relax in the comfort of their residence.  Their natural bodies plagued with the regular ailments of age while their surrogates gleam with the youthful vigor of days gone by.

An interesting idea, and somewhat relevant when you consider the fact that many people seem to have ‘computer’ lives that are separate from their own.  Perhaps computer identities might be a better description.  It made me think of my POF trials lately (that I’ve happily left off this blog) where I encountered a few people who admittedly use the site for entertainment and have no real desire to meet face to face.  It also made me think of the fashion industry and its effects on image and self perception, as well as the notable disassociation of people from what’s often perceived as our ’seemingly-boring’ natural environment.

It’s pure hollywood sci-fi of course, but still ties in neatly with modern trends in computer, online and machine technology.  At times over the top …but at other times sadly close to home.

3 highly over-priced popcorns out of 5.

Image from IMDb.

warmth, brains and missiles

“Russia says it has scrapped plans to deploy missiles in a region near Poland after U.S. President Barack Obama canceled plans for a missile defense system in Central Europe.“  That’s kinda warm and fuzzy.  John McCain isn’t impressed though, seeing it as a “step backwards at a time when Eastern European countries are increasingly wary of what he called renewed Russian adventurism.“  I wonder though, if perhaps there are some countries that might view certain US actions as ‘Americian adventurism?’  Hard to say…but the scraped Russian plans still make me feel warm and fuzzy.

Speaking of which, one of the blogs I occasionally visit mentions a study that draws connections between our physical comfort (warmth vs cold) and both the feelings and language we use when associating with others.  It seems to suggest that …”thought processes are grounded in bodily sensations.” …”interpersonal relationships – which for most of us are critical in everyday life – are strongly grounded in temperature…” and …“temperature has a direct effect on social relations.“  It’s quite interesting when you think about it, how the language we use is potentially based on basic bodily sensations.  We are still primitive creatures kids, as much as we struggle to free ourselves from that association, I think it’s important to both admit and recognize it at times.

Speaking of primitive creatures struggling to free themselves, this blogs previous post on tracing synaptic firings compelled me to get a free one-day trial JOVE membership to check out the ever exciting advancements in the ‘cranial window’.  It’s not for the squeamish though …but it’s definitely science fiction fodder for the next installment of Man From The Future.

Now with the amazing ’see-through’ brain!

Qnexa

It seems the cure for obesity is still in a drug.

It’s also the most convenient way of handling the problem …and we’re all about convenience – right?  I suppose so.  After all it’s convenient for us to drive, convenient for us to entertain ourselves in front of a TV and of course to eat the easiest and fastest food available.  So it makes perfect sense that the cure for that which ails us is also that which is convenient.

On a side note, I like the idea that part of this cure for obesity is in an antidepressant.  That’s poetic.

See how the 'Q' is eating the 'nexa' ...neat. You're welcome Vivus

pointless babble

The week of heck is shaping up to be its namesake.  That’d be ‘heck’ if you follow my logic …and something else if you subscribe to some other form of logic.  I think that makes sense.  Hummm….

Anyway, almost 14 hours yesterday, close to 12 today and some similar numbers in store for the rest of the week – on the plus side though, my tweaky back (which was giving me a certain amount of grief the other day) is fine right now ….so that makes me happy.  What makes me sad is that I didn’t have time to do any laundries for a while, which means I’ve been pulling out of my ‘bag-o-socks’ for the last few days.  Bag-o-socks …you know, those big warehouse size packs of black cotton socks that you pick up one day, grab a few to shore up your dwindling supplies, then forget about under your bed?  Of course you do.

Aside from work and the brief time I have to post this, I came across an interesting article on MSNBC by Helen A. S. Popkin.  It’s about Twitter and a recent poll that suggests a good portion of ‘tweets‘ are pointless babble.  She comes to the defense of Twitter, but at the same time nicely remarks on the idea that we aren’t particularly riveting creatures when it comes to everyday, general face-to-face communication either …and expressing ourselves is what underlies social networking.  Are many tweets pointless?  Sure.  Are many person-to-person conversations pointless and/or mundane?  Yep.  So, why would you expect things to be any different when it comes to social networking?  You shouldn’t of course …if anything, non person-to-person interactions would be even duller and dryer than in real life.  And as ‘M‘ remarked in my previous post, certain things are much better in person than through new technologies …pointless babble being one of them.

Speaking of pointless babble ….er, near pointless babble I suppose.

sugar and ’spice’

Not that this is any news, but ABC News recently slammed Americans’ sugar intake …which I happen to feel isn’t much different from Canadians’ sugar cravings.  Added sugars are found in everything it seems …and the article, while admitting some public awareness, goes on to suggest more effective ways of spreading the word on exactly what contains added sugars.  Soft drinks and chocolate bars are the obvious, but the report also mentions sauces, dressings and spreads as products that slip more sugars into our expanding waistlines.

Another interesting find is a report on Crystalline Fructose …a sweetener made from corn.  It’s the new feature in many drinks targeting the health conscious consumer.  I of course am easy prey for pretty colors and slick labeling (hey …I’m a guy) and took an immediate liking to much of the Fuze line-up (check out these reviews …hilariously one-sided)  Fuze was bought by Coke in 2007 btw.  It contains crystalline fructose (the Vitalize drink does at least) and many others contain sugar with added vitamins/minerals etc.  While there is an attempt appease public desire for healthy alternatives, these beverages still revolve around the ’sweet’ diet and of course these big companies rake in profit allowing them to attract even more business.  That’s probably a smart business model from what I can tell – but ultimately the consumer is being lulled away from natural and fresh foods.

As much as they’re still natural and fresh that is.

Look ...it's purple and shiney. And it has berries in it!

fitness and food

Here’s a few interesting fitness stories for you.

The first is about a long-time professional model and fitness trainer Paul ‘PJ’ James who in order to better understand his clients weight loss issues decided to abstain from a healthy lifestyle for 6 months.  He subsequently put on close to 90 lbs. and is now in the unenviable process of trying to reverse the effects of his weight gain.  Here’s a youtube clip of him being interviewed on the day before he starts to shed the weight.

The second is an article is from TIME magazine and talks about the myth that exercise leads to weight loss.  I’ve always held the notion that you are what you use more so than what you eat …but simple math and the entire ‘reward for a good workout’ idea (of which I’m guilty on numerous occasions) rings true in many fitness studies.  “In short, it’s what you eat, not how hard you try to work it off, that matters more in losing weight.” mentions John Cloud in the article.  I’ve always been lucky in that I enjoy other activities outside of working out …and it’s this that has perhaps allowed me to control any undesirable effects from my often gross sugar intake.  Activity still provides many health benefits of course …but in terms of weight loss, food is it.

My weening from sugar has officially begun.

other moments…

I was browsing through the May 09 edition of Wired recently and was pleased to come across two separate articles that somewhat reinforced the idea I discussed in a recent post called ‘the moment‘.

The first was by Brian Greene who is a physicist and best selling author of ‘The Elegant Universe’ and “The Fabric of the Cosmos’.  In it he makes the point that science is not so much about “end points of research” as it is a journey.  It’s not about answers, it’s about “…immersing ourselves in piercing uncertainty while struggling with the deepest of mysteries.“  Science is a process …not a result.  This whole idea that goals are not as important as the process parallels the prayer I mentioned about life being a journey and not a destination.  I thought it was nicely put …and from a scientific viewpoint.  He concludes his article with “The wrestling with mystery, not the ascension to resolution, define who we are.“

The second article was by the recent Star Trek director (creator and co-creator of Alias and Lost (and Fringe) …all of which I’ve never seen!) J. J. Abrams.  He discusses the digital battle between story-writers and exuberant fans who crave ’spoilers’ – the endings/outcomes to the stories before they’re officially released.  Spoilers are exciting because they provide both answers and resolutions ….but in return however, you lessen the experience of actually seeing/reading/playing the work.

In one example he discusses a time when he and his buddy buckled down to complete a Super Mario Bros. 2 game (back when you lacked the ability to save games) …which meant that they’d have to play through the game in one loooong sitting.  They got to the end level with 22 Marios banked (that means extra guys ….I won’t get into it so you’ll have to check out the article – it kinda hit home with me -lol) but started losing them all because they couldn’t figure out the right combination of moves to get through the last adventure.  His friend ended up calling someone else for the answer …and consequently the experience of figuring it out own their own was lost.  Success was obtained …but it was somewhat hollow.

The point he goes on to make is that it shouldn’t be about the results or goals …but instead the process of getting there.  He concludes with “…we should never underestimate process.  The experience of the doing really is everything.  The ending should be the end of that experience, not the experience itself.“

I like it.

Nextfest etc…

I tipped the scales at a whopping 155+ lbs. today kids …*a collective sigh – Ohooooo!*

I’ve been holding steady at around 150-152 lbs. for the last 4 months or so, working out sporadically, but the nice thing about the jump is that it comes when I’ve been trying to cut out some sweets/sugar from my diet.  Hummmm, interesting.  So let me get this straight …if I don’t eat junk food as much, go about my activities as usual, then I can actually put on weight?  I’ll take that

Of course the weight is a good weight.  My strengths at the gym are either steady or have increased …and I’ve increased the recreational bikes, bikes to work, runs and some loooong walks now that Spring is here (excluding these past few days of course!) so I think the extra activity has made me eat more – then factor in the junk-food cutback …and the results are all good.

While I was hanging around downtown earlier this afternoon waiting to catch the Star Trek matinee (I saw it …it was fine.  After the characters started ‘melding‘ together it was easier to see the parallels between the old cast …then it was back to the same ‘campy’ star trek goodness that the series was noted for) I ran into my buddy Chris Martin doing an interview for the CBC.  He was promoting the musical programming for the upcoming Nextfest Arts Festival.  Nextfest is a catch-all festival for new and emerging artists here in Edmonton, and the neat thing about it for me is that King Muskafa has done their wrap-up parties for at least 4 out of the last 8 years or so.  We’re scheduled to wind things up again this year (June 21st) …and it should be another great night.  It’s Sunday though …so that kinda sucks for us Monday morning people …but it’ll still be fun.  It always is.

Chris Martin on downtown CBC's lunch hour live thingy.

Jagerbombs etc…

Few things….

Why haven’t Levy and Guest (Best In Show, Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind etc.) teamed up to make a competitive scrapbooking movie yet? *you know it’d be great*

Why am I on POF again?  Do I have some secret longing that I continually repress?  *no need to answer this one*

Why didn’t I plan ahead for my upcoming 10 day break (spring break for schools here)?  Maybe I love this 5 month winter?  *rhetorical question of course …bad planning on the former*

KM played the other night and it was business as usual.  Why? -lol

After starting in on The Human Touch by Michael Frayn, is it possible for me to not be skeptical about everything so that I might actually enjoy reading something?

I think I need to rip coke, slurpees and other sugary beverages from my diet for at least a month.  *the key words of course are ‘I think’*

Finally, did you know that the Jagermeister symbol of the stag and the cross was taken from the St. Hubertus legend …which was appropriated from the story of St. Eustace.  It’s obvious these horn players are indifferent to the connection between religion and the Jagerbomb.  Pity.

King Muskafa's JC and Ali ...St. Jager watching over them.