Magnus Larsson: Turning Sand Dunes into Architecture
Applying microbiology to saving the world from desertification. A project of this size (building a sand wall across Africa) is full of challenges but I find his proposal to be scientifically and economically sound. In Oryx and Crake (Atwood), I read about microorganisms modified to destroy asphalt and thus were weapons of bioterrorism as they destroyed highways and infrastructure. Here, microorganisms are employed in a beneficent fashion that has far-reaching and widespread consequences from geography to politics.
Loss of arable land is a major concern as we struggle to feed the world population. Loss of greenery can only lead to more greenhouse gases staying up in the air, which leads to climate change. Starving refugees from these areas become concentrated within refugee camps, becoming a prime breeding ground for new diseases and viruses (higher opportunity for mutations with less healthy people in close proximity). Politically, famine brings about civil unrest, political conflict, scapegoating and genocide, and war. I could ramble on about the ramifications and the interacting forces at work here but the "big picture" forming in my mind could fill a novel.
This project has a lot of hurdles to overcome but it certainly has an aspect of "set it and forget it". Once you culture the bacteria, nature will take care of the rest. Now it's up to the nations to band together to allow this project to go forward.
I personally believe that throwing money at Africa in the form of foreign aid and food is doing absolutely nothing, to say the least, or is merely a band-aid fix, to say the most. With so much corruption prevalent in so many African governments, much of the aid provided never reaches those who need it most. We must solve the rampant corruption so we can help them help themselves. In other words, we must teach them to fish.
Song of the Moment #56: Owl City – The Saltwater Room
I realize that change takes a very long time. One year isn't enough and rushing into things can prove to be very costly and I absolutely cannot afford the sacrifice. I cannot change my introversion over night but at least now, I can laugh at the awkwardness and strange situations I put myself through amongst strangers (for the most part). Haha.
99% of the time you'll see me with earphones on. It's cause I like to escape into my own world of music. Noise gives me a headache. Lack of music makes my walk and whatever I'm doing boring. This is why certain individuals are able to ninja behind me, sneak right up to my ear, say my name in some creepy way, and I won't hear it. Now now, I keep the volume low when there is traffic around and I definitely shut it off when I'm in a shady part of town.
Anyway, I'm currently escaping in the atmosphere set up by Owl City. Synthpop. I like. 
And yes, "time together isn't ever quite enough."
This song makes me feel free, no obligations or responsibilities. Just lying in the summer sun, with that special someone.
Well, back to the real world. Sigh.
Lyrics:
I opened my eyes last night and saw you in the low light Walking down by the bay on the shore Staring up at the stars that aren't there anymore I was feeling the night grow old (grow old) and you were looking so cold So like an introvert, I drew my over shirt Around my arms and began to shiver violently Before you happened to look and see (and see) the tunnels all around me Running into the dark underground All the subways around create a great sound To my motion fatigue, farewell With your ear to a seashell You can hear the waves in underwater caves As if you actually were inside a saltwater room Time together isn't ever quite enough When you and I are alone, I've never felt so at home What will it take to make or break this hint of love? Only time, only time Can you believe that the crew has gone? And they wouldn't let me sign on All my islands have sunk in the deep, And I can hardly relax or even oversleep When I feel warm with your hand in mine When we walk along the shoreline I guess we'll never know why sparrows love the snow We'll turn out all of the lights and set this ballroom aglow So tell me darlin', do you wish we'd fall in love? Yeah, all the time All the time Time together isn't ever quite enough When you and I are alone, I've never felt so at home What will it take to make or break this hint of love? Only time, only time When we're apart what ever are you thinking of? If this is what I call home, why does it feel so alone? So tell me darling, do you wish we'd fall in love? All the time, all the time Time together isn't ever quite enough When we're apart what ever are you thinking of? What will it take to make or break this hint of love? So tell me darling, do you wish we'd fall in love? All the time Oh, all the time
Umbrella Biotech
Currently working on a separate website called Umbrella Biotech for a course I'm taking. It is hosted over at umbrellabiotech.com. It is going to be lulz.
Edit: All done with the layout and everything. Flash is so fun when things turn out the way you want it to.
Song of the… Moment? #55: FLOW – Sign
With a drastic change to the amount of free time I have, I can't really maintain a weekly update to the site and I have more of a desire focus my energies out in the real world.
But, I'll update the song with the full version of the new Naruto Shippuden opening, Flow - Sign. Oh man, I can predict the Google pounding my site is going to get from people looking for this song by putting this up. Sigh. Oh well!
I'd put lyrics but I can't type Japanese. So just listen in the above music player.
No MP3 link cause I'd get in legal trouble but look on Youtube for recent videos. That's how I found it. This song is supposed to come out on January 13th, 2010 so I don't know how this song leaked out early.
How Are You?
I say "good", "okay", or "tired" as a courtesy - cause I'm well aware of the unfair social obligation of responding and tending if I said otherwise. And I see you have a lot on your plate already for yourself.
I'm praying for uplifting experiences but I'm disconnecting and being disconnected from faster than ever.
Any emotionally undisciplined person would have broken down by now but I remain courageous enough to have patience and hope.
Hope that I find balance once more and reconnect.
