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laurieb755's Reviews (785)
Frances Beinecke is the president of NRDC–National Resources Defense Council. She wrote this readable 102 page text á la Thomas Paine's Common Sense pamphlet. Her goal is to make the case that we must act now to stem global warming.
(p 71) Americans spent a record $450 billion on imported oil in 2008. American dollars – $1,400 for every man, woman and child in this country – sent overseas to places like Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and Russia. Half a trillion dollars, in a single year, earned in this country and then set abroad, beyond the reach of our people. Half a trillion dollars that will never be used to improve our health care, our factories, our schools.
She then asks is that's the best we can do with half a trillion dollars, and if such a policy will make us strong and secure.
This gem of a book is filled with facts that, coupled with what we see happening around us offers an irrefutable picture of global warming. Yet, as Reinecke points out, there are those who deny that global warming exists, and unfortunately, some of these people are in positions of elected power or economic strength (Exxon-Mobil). We need to rescue our earth from global warming's impact, or face the very real possibility that global warring - based on environmental factors - will be the legacy we leave.
(p 71) Americans spent a record $450 billion on imported oil in 2008. American dollars – $1,400 for every man, woman and child in this country – sent overseas to places like Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and Russia. Half a trillion dollars, in a single year, earned in this country and then set abroad, beyond the reach of our people. Half a trillion dollars that will never be used to improve our health care, our factories, our schools.
She then asks is that's the best we can do with half a trillion dollars, and if such a policy will make us strong and secure.
This gem of a book is filled with facts that, coupled with what we see happening around us offers an irrefutable picture of global warming. Yet, as Reinecke points out, there are those who deny that global warming exists, and unfortunately, some of these people are in positions of elected power or economic strength (Exxon-Mobil). We need to rescue our earth from global warming's impact, or face the very real possibility that global warring - based on environmental factors - will be the legacy we leave.
How DOES Vinge come up with his characters and races!? Skroderiders and Tines. As best I can picture (image…imagine) the Tines are an entity – a pac – of 4 to 8 beings, kept together like a set of colorful ribbons tied into a bundle. Each member of the pac can go off in any given direction, but going too far or too many going at once can weaken the pac. The pac thinks individually and as a whole, and indeed getting too close to other pacs can cause a cacophony of mind sound.
Vinge describes them as dog or rat like in how they look, but I always perceived them as long (very long) necked, with small, short multi-clawed paws (arms with hands with clawed and sharp fingers) and legs like dogs and rounded heads like tennis balls, yet all coming out of one main body (like a hydra) that could separate and rejoin itself at will.
As for the Skrodenders – they seemed to be "Big Bird" like creatures, though about half the size, with fronds (long arms that also were used for communicating) and they were attached to (embedded in) scrods – contraptions that are a cross between a unicycle and a box on wheels. The scrods provide mobility and bits of added intelligence.
Pham Neuwam (aka Trinli) is back with a new set of travel companions as they stave off the Blight, rescue Jefri, Amid and Johanna in the war between Steel and Woodcarver, and cause a ripple in the Slowness.
What is the sentient being and what is sentience? What of characters so curious looking that it is simply not possible to "judge a book by its cover"? How did Vinge dream up these worlds? Are issues of science fiction the same as real life, when it comes to morals, dilemmas, and feelings? Did I mention how much I liked being in Vinge's worlds! I am so ready for the Peace War sequel!
Vinge describes them as dog or rat like in how they look, but I always perceived them as long (very long) necked, with small, short multi-clawed paws (arms with hands with clawed and sharp fingers) and legs like dogs and rounded heads like tennis balls, yet all coming out of one main body (like a hydra) that could separate and rejoin itself at will.
As for the Skrodenders – they seemed to be "Big Bird" like creatures, though about half the size, with fronds (long arms that also were used for communicating) and they were attached to (embedded in) scrods – contraptions that are a cross between a unicycle and a box on wheels. The scrods provide mobility and bits of added intelligence.
Pham Neuwam (aka Trinli) is back with a new set of travel companions as they stave off the Blight, rescue Jefri, Amid and Johanna in the war between Steel and Woodcarver, and cause a ripple in the Slowness.
What is the sentient being and what is sentience? What of characters so curious looking that it is simply not possible to "judge a book by its cover"? How did Vinge dream up these worlds? Are issues of science fiction the same as real life, when it comes to morals, dilemmas, and feelings? Did I mention how much I liked being in Vinge's worlds! I am so ready for the Peace War sequel!
A quick (120 page) conceit hypothesizing about Queen Elizabeth reading, so much reading (a late in life discovery --> reading for pleasure) that she begins to find her daily routine and honorary events a trifle dull and unfulfilling. Those around her – servants, regardless of title – whose task it is to see to her every need, find the Queen as reader a tiresome entity, as they feel it distracts her from her role and doesn't always send the "proper" message to her people.
Not to fear, by page 120 (even a little sooner!), Elizabeth has determined that instead of reading, she should write. And Bennett closes with a delicious twist that will allow her to do just that. :-) (Book is a gift from Aunt Joan.)
Not to fear, by page 120 (even a little sooner!), Elizabeth has determined that instead of reading, she should write. And Bennett closes with a delicious twist that will allow her to do just that. :-) (Book is a gift from Aunt Joan.)
A week ago, 1/16, on a sunny, clear Saturday morning, Fred and I headed off for our day's excursion to Rhode Island. By lunch time we were in Bristol, just north of Newport, and we wandered into A Novel Idea, Bristol's independent book store, which is a novelty itself these days! A local author, Rory Raven, hailing from Providence, was in the book store promoting his (this) book.
Sarah Maria Cornell was found dead in 1832, a young woman of questionable standards. It was determined she was pregnant, and either dead by suicide, dead from a failed abortion, or dead from strangulation. These last two were eventually thought to have been inflicted upon Sarah by Methodist Reverend Ephraim Avery, who was a married man with children.
Rory does a fine job documenting this story – the evidence, the trials, the people involved, the character defamation – all the while painting a picture of the 1830s in Rhode Island and other New England locales. Ultimately, Reverend Avery was acquitted, though it certainly seems to me it was done so at the expense of the deceased's character, and with a fair amount of finagling the facts and badgering of the witnesses.
Raven is a fan of "spooky" stories, and this is his second short book in this genre. We joked that I'd feel guilty if I didn't purchase his book, given that we had just had a conversation. Hence, his inscription:
For the wicked and guilty Laurie –Rory Raven Kismet
The "kismet" portion is because Fred and I were thinking of moving to Bristol. [updated 12/29/15: We're still in our NY home of 27 years. :-))]
Sarah Maria Cornell was found dead in 1832, a young woman of questionable standards. It was determined she was pregnant, and either dead by suicide, dead from a failed abortion, or dead from strangulation. These last two were eventually thought to have been inflicted upon Sarah by Methodist Reverend Ephraim Avery, who was a married man with children.
Rory does a fine job documenting this story – the evidence, the trials, the people involved, the character defamation – all the while painting a picture of the 1830s in Rhode Island and other New England locales. Ultimately, Reverend Avery was acquitted, though it certainly seems to me it was done so at the expense of the deceased's character, and with a fair amount of finagling the facts and badgering of the witnesses.
Raven is a fan of "spooky" stories, and this is his second short book in this genre. We joked that I'd feel guilty if I didn't purchase his book, given that we had just had a conversation. Hence, his inscription:
For the wicked and guilty Laurie –Rory Raven Kismet
The "kismet" portion is because Fred and I were thinking of moving to Bristol. [updated 12/29/15: We're still in our NY home of 27 years. :-))]
Wilkie is (was) a pre-eminant Victorian author. I've read two of his best known books (Moonstone and Woman in White and a runner-up, No Name. He is a master storyteller and these three novellas did him justice. I have to wonder, though, if the sometimes seeming absurdity of the plots were actually based on occurrences in the news or even among Collins' own social set.
This set of novellas had me thinking of the Backfields and other Brits who abounded during Churchill's era. They led lives that were, according to the books, experiments in social, moral and physical pursuits. In fact, as I think about it Collins' stories are surely tamer! His imagination crafted plots that twist and turn on social mores, some of which seem rather tame by today's standards. So plots of these three stories –
Mis or Mrs – A young woman and her cousin secretly marry so that she can escape being wed to an older man (who turns out to have a shady background.)
The Haunted Hotel – A jilted woman and the family of the man who jilted her, wind up in Venice where her ex-suitor was murdered. Their connections (extra sensory perceptions) to the ex were strong enough to solve his murder.
The Guilty River – A young man returns to England to inherit his estate and kindles a love for a former childhood friend of lower social rank.
All three stories have happy endings, in fact marriages, where the culprits were vanquished. The couples also displayed amazing patience in dealing with tie and situations. Now I'm going to fast forward in time from the 1890s to the future of a Verner Vinge novel!
This set of novellas had me thinking of the Backfields and other Brits who abounded during Churchill's era. They led lives that were, according to the books, experiments in social, moral and physical pursuits. In fact, as I think about it Collins' stories are surely tamer! His imagination crafted plots that twist and turn on social mores, some of which seem rather tame by today's standards. So plots of these three stories –
Mis or Mrs – A young woman and her cousin secretly marry so that she can escape being wed to an older man (who turns out to have a shady background.)
The Haunted Hotel – A jilted woman and the family of the man who jilted her, wind up in Venice where her ex-suitor was murdered. Their connections (extra sensory perceptions) to the ex were strong enough to solve his murder.
The Guilty River – A young man returns to England to inherit his estate and kindles a love for a former childhood friend of lower social rank.
All three stories have happy endings, in fact marriages, where the culprits were vanquished. The couples also displayed amazing patience in dealing with tie and situations. Now I'm going to fast forward in time from the 1890s to the future of a Verner Vinge novel!
Vinge #4 for me, and the first one that did not wow or impress. Yes, I enjoyed reading the story, but it was a short, not as intricately melded tale – rather than the more deeply entwined stories to which I'm accustomed. This was the follow up to the first Vinge book I read, THE PEACE WAR.
With that said, this book focused on The Singularity – a term I believe coined by Vinge (and for which there is now a conference that Chris F attended!) I am not entirely sure what the singularity is – in the story it seemed to be an event --> THE event --> that knocked the socks off of humanity. Those who bobbled through – actually, past the singularity – emerged on the other side to try and reestablish humanity. This is where "Marooned" begins, with a small group of humans who are trying to restart humanity.
There are several groups with their own ideas of how to go about doing this, and at the start it is Marta and Yelén Korolev who are running the show. Early on, Marta gets bobbled outside of the community, and it is Wil Brierson's job, as the only police detective, to figure out who ultimately was at the heart of Marta's bobbling.
There are a number of characters who were also present in THE PEACE WAR, including Della (Wu or Lu?), Steve Fraley (head of the New Mexicans) and Juan Chanson (who changed his name but was formally the evil head of SE Asia and the one responsible for Marta being bobbled.
While it was somewhat interesting to find out the epilogue of THE PEACE WAR, I was disappointed not to have the breadth of tale of the previous Vinge books.
With that said, this book focused on The Singularity – a term I believe coined by Vinge (and for which there is now a conference that Chris F attended!) I am not entirely sure what the singularity is – in the story it seemed to be an event --> THE event --> that knocked the socks off of humanity. Those who bobbled through – actually, past the singularity – emerged on the other side to try and reestablish humanity. This is where "Marooned" begins, with a small group of humans who are trying to restart humanity.
There are several groups with their own ideas of how to go about doing this, and at the start it is Marta and Yelén Korolev who are running the show. Early on, Marta gets bobbled outside of the community, and it is Wil Brierson's job, as the only police detective, to figure out who ultimately was at the heart of Marta's bobbling.
There are a number of characters who were also present in THE PEACE WAR, including Della (Wu or Lu?), Steve Fraley (head of the New Mexicans) and Juan Chanson (who changed his name but was formally the evil head of SE Asia and the one responsible for Marta being bobbled.
While it was somewhat interesting to find out the epilogue of THE PEACE WAR, I was disappointed not to have the breadth of tale of the previous Vinge books.
Oh, I do believe Vinge is a master at imagining techno-filled worlds. Reading this caused me to twit (tweet) that perhaps sic fi readers should be part of the school (re)imagining movement. Enjoyed this tale immensely (ha, there's even a Rabbit involved – a Rabbit's tale ;-))
Takes place in 2014 – write-in 2006 – yet the technology didn't seem all that implausible. Twas a tale of Robert Gu – brilliant poet, nasty father/spouse – felled by Alzheimer's but rescued years later due to the marvels of technology. Robert lives with his son Bob, daughter-in-law Alice, and granddaughter Miri. He attends college with students of all ages, a number of who relive him – old folk who were rescued by technology.
Robert's wife Lena has been dead for a few years, or at least that's what his family told him. Fact is, Lena lives at Rainbow's End and wants nothing to do with the man who was so unpleasant to live with and so nasty to his wife and son. Bob and Alice have careers protecting southern California (and the U.S.) from potential destruction from rogue threats; the world's peace is a continuing precarious balance.
Robert and his buddies get coopted (by a promise of returned skills they've lost) to infiltrate and sabotage the GenGen bio undergound facility. Bob and Alice are "on guard" that evening. And Miri, Lena and a small cast of friends (Juan and Xiu) act as guardian angels of Robert. All of this to successfully befuddle Alfred's plan with the mixed help of Rabbit and a slew of cool gadgets.
This is a story of technology, of old vs new, of information flow, of change and how to manage that change, and of growth.
PS Conclusion of book is unresolved! Frustrating but accepted. Sequel? ;-)
Takes place in 2014 – write-in 2006 – yet the technology didn't seem all that implausible. Twas a tale of Robert Gu – brilliant poet, nasty father/spouse – felled by Alzheimer's but rescued years later due to the marvels of technology. Robert lives with his son Bob, daughter-in-law Alice, and granddaughter Miri. He attends college with students of all ages, a number of who relive him – old folk who were rescued by technology.
Robert's wife Lena has been dead for a few years, or at least that's what his family told him. Fact is, Lena lives at Rainbow's End and wants nothing to do with the man who was so unpleasant to live with and so nasty to his wife and son. Bob and Alice have careers protecting southern California (and the U.S.) from potential destruction from rogue threats; the world's peace is a continuing precarious balance.
Robert and his buddies get coopted (by a promise of returned skills they've lost) to infiltrate and sabotage the GenGen bio undergound facility. Bob and Alice are "on guard" that evening. And Miri, Lena and a small cast of friends (Juan and Xiu) act as guardian angels of Robert. All of this to successfully befuddle Alfred's plan with the mixed help of Rabbit and a slew of cool gadgets.
This is a story of technology, of old vs new, of information flow, of change and how to manage that change, and of growth.
PS Conclusion of book is unresolved! Frustrating but accepted. Sequel? ;-)
I gave my copy to Candy A for her birthday and bought another copy to include with the books sent to Jamie in Brussels. This book is packed with motivation – how to turn lemons into helicopters (why not!) I may not be an entrepreneur but that's not necessary to benefit from Tina's (almost) unbridled enthusiasm for looking at the world and seeing opportunity in problems to be solved.
She wrote this book for her son, as he was turning 20 she wanted to share with him her knowledge and what she's learned in her life and career. She is currently at Stanford's eCorner – their entrepreneurial school that serves as a focal point for their various schools – business, engineering medical – to share, trade, build, innovate.
She is also a neuroscientist and (obviously!) author. I had viewed some videos of her talks online and that convinced me to buy this book. It was an easy and quick read. It was also a positive motivator, especially as I was heading off on a job interview. She encourages thinking outside the box – in fact, its the box altogether.
UPDATE: I have a Tina Seelig anecdote to share. Years ago, when I was attending conferences for NY State independent school technology teachers, I contacted Tina to see if she would consider speaking at our conference. For a fee of $15,000 she would be able to join us. That price was way, way beyond the conference organizers' budget. Not too long afterwards she was the keynote speaker at the national association of independent school (NAIS) teachers conference held in California.
She wrote this book for her son, as he was turning 20 she wanted to share with him her knowledge and what she's learned in her life and career. She is currently at Stanford's eCorner – their entrepreneurial school that serves as a focal point for their various schools – business, engineering medical – to share, trade, build, innovate.
She is also a neuroscientist and (obviously!) author. I had viewed some videos of her talks online and that convinced me to buy this book. It was an easy and quick read. It was also a positive motivator, especially as I was heading off on a job interview. She encourages thinking outside the box – in fact, its the box altogether.
UPDATE: I have a Tina Seelig anecdote to share. Years ago, when I was attending conferences for NY State independent school technology teachers, I contacted Tina to see if she would consider speaking at our conference. For a fee of $15,000 she would be able to join us. That price was way, way beyond the conference organizers' budget. Not too long afterwards she was the keynote speaker at the national association of independent school (NAIS) teachers conference held in California.
Ronald Reagan – Alan Greenspan; deregulation.
Bill Clinton – balanced budget; home ownership; Goldman Sachs in his administration.
George W Bush – Iraq War; Afghanistan War; financial meltdown; more Goldman Sachs.
Barak Obama – T.A.R.P.; financial bail out; more Goldman Sachs.
DEregulation and DErivatives = DEpressed economy!
(This is the text version of a diagram I sketched in my paper Book Lust Journal, and this is also the last post to be transferred from that journal to here!)
Banks took crazy risks because of "securitization" – the bundling of widely varying degrees of risk level mortgage which allowed them to pass the risk on to a large group of investors. The naive investors figured they'd do okay because the credit agencies gave the securities AAA ratings. Credit rating agencies allowed themselves to care in with inaccurate high ratings because they were being paid by the banks they were regulating!
Alan Greenspan and the FED essentially abrogated their responsibilities to the American people in favor of business, profits and, as Fred says, ideology.
---------
I am reading this at the same time as my new human anatomy book (and viewing Marian Diamond's lectures). A most interesting juxtaposition, indeed – the crazy greedy crash and propping up or our financial institutions, and our amazing human bodies, both equally intricate as systems.
13 Bankers show the sad negative, self-centered, crony-like systems that people have invented, and the human anatomy book shows the amazing biology that, for the most part, works like a complex integrated system, no outside intervention necessary.
Bill Clinton – balanced budget; home ownership; Goldman Sachs in his administration.
George W Bush – Iraq War; Afghanistan War; financial meltdown; more Goldman Sachs.
Barak Obama – T.A.R.P.; financial bail out; more Goldman Sachs.
DEregulation and DErivatives = DEpressed economy!
(This is the text version of a diagram I sketched in my paper Book Lust Journal, and this is also the last post to be transferred from that journal to here!)
Banks took crazy risks because of "securitization" – the bundling of widely varying degrees of risk level mortgage which allowed them to pass the risk on to a large group of investors. The naive investors figured they'd do okay because the credit agencies gave the securities AAA ratings. Credit rating agencies allowed themselves to care in with inaccurate high ratings because they were being paid by the banks they were regulating!
Alan Greenspan and the FED essentially abrogated their responsibilities to the American people in favor of business, profits and, as Fred says, ideology.
---------
I am reading this at the same time as my new human anatomy book (and viewing Marian Diamond's lectures). A most interesting juxtaposition, indeed – the crazy greedy crash and propping up or our financial institutions, and our amazing human bodies, both equally intricate as systems.
13 Bankers show the sad negative, self-centered, crony-like systems that people have invented, and the human anatomy book shows the amazing biology that, for the most part, works like a complex integrated system, no outside intervention necessary.
I read this book throughout 2010 in conjunction with viewing Marian Diamond's videos. Below is what I posted on my Neurons Firing blog about the videos and the book:
MARION DIAMOND’S Anatomy Lectures
I have become a huge fan of the youtube Human Anatomy lectures by Professor Marian Diamond of UC Berkeley. I purchased a 99% like-new copy (for just over $40 on amazon) of the Human Anatomy & Physiology text, sixth edition, and have been reading the chapters in concert with viewing the videos. Here are my posts about Human Anatomy, which seemed the perfect “next step” in my exploration of the brain. By the way, I am enthralled by Dr. Diamond!
Jaunary 6, 2011 – Turns out there is another series of 36 General Human Anatomy lectures by Marian Diamond, as published on Academic Earth. From a cursory glance it appears that the content is more or less the same but the sequence is slightly different.
MARION DIAMOND’S Anatomy Lectures
I have become a huge fan of the youtube Human Anatomy lectures by Professor Marian Diamond of UC Berkeley. I purchased a 99% like-new copy (for just over $40 on amazon) of the Human Anatomy & Physiology text, sixth edition, and have been reading the chapters in concert with viewing the videos. Here are my posts about Human Anatomy, which seemed the perfect “next step” in my exploration of the brain. By the way, I am enthralled by Dr. Diamond!
Jaunary 6, 2011 – Turns out there is another series of 36 General Human Anatomy lectures by Marian Diamond, as published on Academic Earth. From a cursory glance it appears that the content is more or less the same but the sequence is slightly different.