Remember "deep thoughts" on Saturday Night Live? Here's some. But they're not as deep. Or funny. or even thoughts. More like thoughtlets. Part 1 of 12.
The average age is dropping and overall population is declining in industrialized nations. Some have apparently opted for extinction, as they have achieved a negative birth rate. Population is rapidly rising in the non-industrialized nations. Reaching a certain level of industrialization would likely result in a lower population growth, but high birth rates are a major hindrance to industrialization (Too much money spent on repaying loans that were used to feed the people or more often for military expenses necessary to keep the people from killing the leader and taking his/her food hoards.). Overpopulation is bad for the environment, but if these nations were to reduce their population and industrialize, the resulting level of industry would be bad for the environment (China today is a perfect example). Unless we are suggesting that these nations reduce their population but not industrialize. That would sure make the world a better place for us "haves."
Population, population, population. Been a topic of conversation for a long time, and will likely continue to be so. Until the overpopulation ends all conversation. I cannot imagine living in a world in which the diversity of animals is vastly reduced. Guess I don't have to try imagine it--I may witness it in my lifetime. We'll all experience it. But only for a short time, I'm afraid. Well, things have started here from scratch more than once. I just wish people would quit calling newborns "miracles." How many times a second does this "miracle" occur across the planet? The real miracle would be a solution to the problem. Other than extinction, that is. Perhaps, if Malthus had only been correct in his deductions about population limitations . . .
On a brighter side. Wednesday, I left for Illinois, as my grand-mother-in-law was dying. We were to arrive in Illinois at about 12:30 PM, and by the time we got out of the airport, picked up our pre-ordered rental car and made it to the hospital, it should have been no later than 2:00 PM. We were delayed in Minnesota due to mechanical problems with the aircraft, and we arrived at the airport at roughly 6:00 PM--the same time that grandma died. Missed it by less than 2 hours. Now my wife is busted up over the fact that we didn't take the 3:30 Am flight . . . now re-reading, "To A Mouse" by Robert Burns.
But Mousie, thou are no thy-lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men,
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!
Still, thou art blest, compar'd wi' me!
The present only toucheth thee:
But Och! I backward cast my e'e,
On prospects drear!
An' forward, tho' I canna see,
I guess an' fear!
>>>>>The journey south is all the more remarkable because the individuals who are retracing the steps of the northern migrants are not the same ones.
Humans do the same thing. Only it has to do with history not flight patterns. And the results aren't as beautiful, or miraculous.
>>>>>> Something a little lighter-
http://www.monarchwatch.org/Thank you again MachineHead
>>>>>> We need a Marshall Plan style process to improve the lives of people around the world - not a hand-out but a hand-up. I can't remember the exact quote but "All evil needs to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
Thank you Gatobrit
>>>>>>> I was seriously thinking about not ever posting again.
Not what I would like to see. But if the forum gets shut down, it would be sad that many wouldn’t get the benefit of our MJ experience and our amazing worldly wisdom. (I’m not sure about the Cliff’s Notes comment though. Hope that a compliment. Personally, I enjoy [no, enjoy isn’t the right word. What’s a word for value and appreciate combined?] Jimh’s content and style.) But, if it should come to pass, we’ll all find other things to do. I have a fence that I’ve neglected and needs to be finished.
>>>>>>>> Mhorton, I will be forever grateful, that the planet has some intelligence yet.
Me too-It is refreshing to discover so much enlightenment here in this forum. It would be a shame, IQ, to lose the opportunity to experience it.
Random notes from the paper this morning (L.A. Times):
Editorial: “Angola’s Jonas Savimbi Was No Freedom Fighter: Despite the U.S. portrayal of him, he was just an opportunist” Tullio—was that your dialog from a previous thread? Or was it Sererin (sp?)?
Entertainment: Russell Crowe wins SAG best actor award for performance in “A Beautiful Mind.” I’m thinking that he got the award for the same reason he won’t get the Oscar—roughing up that moron who wouldn’t let him quote 4 lines of poetry. Poetry—even bad poetry—beats the endless “thank you’s” that are the norm.
Science File: The U.S. Forest Service is going to stock rivers in the Pacific Northwest with dead salmon to provide a food source for Bald Eagles, heron, otters, raccoons, coyotes, other salmon and other scavenging wildlife. Apparently: 1) there isn’t enough real live Coho salmon to get the job done anymore, and 2) there’s a lot of dead salmon (from fisheries) that was otherwise unusable. Historic salmon runs are endangered from human activities such as dam building, logging, and fisheries (which, apparently, “dilute the genetics of wild stocks”. I don’t even know where to begin on this one. [sorry, had to add-the article says they're dumping tons of dead fish into the natural environment. Not covered in the article, among other things, is" What killed these fish? They were in hatcheries; what pathogens exist in fisherirs that would be introduced in to the wild? Etc.]
I saw on the news the other night that commercial fishermen are in an uproar because of a plan to REDUCE the amount of fishing around the California Channel Islands. It seems that marine biologists believe that the current level of fishing will cause the extinction of certain species of fish, whereas the fishermen claim that reducing the catch will put people out of work. Well there’s a quandary—do we pursue short-term or long-term interests? Heard a similar argument recently over fishing/farming water rights in Oregon—which KingSparta referred to I believe.
Science File: It seems tomatoes and cucumbers are fruit. We all suspected as much, but, it turns out--based upon the definition of fruit--that so is corn grains, acorns and almonds, and other less obvious food-type things. This must present a quardry for Weight Watchers, where fruits are free foods, but grains and fats are moderated (or something along those lines).
[understandable version of "To A Mouse" by Robert Burns:]
***On turning her up in her nest, with the plough, November, 1785***
Small, sleek, cowering, timorous beast,
O, what a panic is in your breast!
You need not start away so hasty
With hurrying scamper!
I would be loath to run and chase you,
With murdering plough-staff.
I'm truly sorry man's dominion
Has broken Nature's social union,
And justifies that ill opinion
Which makes thee startle
At me, thy poor, earth born companion
And fellow mortal!
I doubt not, sometimes, but you may steal;
What then? Poor beast, you must live!
An odd ear in twenty-four sheaves
Is a small request;
I will get a blessing with what is left,
And never miss it.
Your small house, too, in ruin!
It's feeble walls the winds are scattering!
And nothing now, to build a new one,
Of coarse grass green!
And bleak December's winds coming,
Both bitter and keen!
You saw the fields laid bare and wasted,
And weary winter coming fast,
And cozy here, beneath the blast,
You thought to dwell,
Till crash! the cruel plough past
Out through your cell.
That small bit heap of leaves and stubble,
Has cost you many a weary nibble!
Now you are turned out, for all your trouble,
Without house or holding,
To endure the winter's sleety dribble,
And hoar-frost cold.
But Mouse, you are not alone,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes of mice and men
Go often askew,
And leaves us nothing but grief and pain,
For promised joy!
Still you are blest, compared with me!
The present only touches you:
But oh! I backward cast my eye,
On prospects dreary!
And forward, though I cannot see,
I guess and fear!