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A quick post

8/10/11 New Scientist

The ozone hole over the arctic was the largest ever recorded. The hole was actually twice as large as the previous largest and lasted for a substantially longer period than normal.

25/02/12 New Scientist

Interesting article about the often held belief that climate change is in fact a myth, something made up by the science community. Part of the problem is related to lack of understanding and our apparently less informed cousins in the U.S. It appears that anti-climate change groups (deniers not sceptics) are slowly getting a foothold in the US classrooms where children are beginning to be taught that climate change is either not related to mankind, or not occurring at all. Many of the intrusions of legislation into the classroom suggest that a more balanced view about climate change is to be taught. Now I understand that a balanced view is good, but when the overwhelming evidence is for climate change, it is hard to see how anybody can justify teaching anything contrary. If this ability that the majority of humankind has for self delusion continues, we may find that it’s too late to control.

That Reminds me

With the release of the Edgar Rice Burroughs inspired movie of John Carter (based on the John Carter on Mars series of books) I have been reminded of how much I really enjoyed these books as a kid. Well having been re-informed about them I intend to make time to reacquaint myself with them - well Just as soon as I have finished reading Stewart Lees book about his time as a stand-up comic. If you haven't watched Stewart Lee let me suggest you search him out.

Here's a link to John Carter trailer and another for Stewart Lee

Power the world

I have recently been reading about microbial fuel cells (MFC's), a really interesting concept that can use microbial activity to degrade many types of substrate such as waste water, sewage sludge etc ad in the process produce electricity.

Although this technology is in its early stages, many of the reports seemed fairly confident that within the next ten years these MFC's can be used to replace some battery applications, or provide small scale plant works with electricity.

I wonder if these systems could be adapted to work from food waste?

More Gallery

I have put a few more paintings in the gallery, probably the last for a while. There will be more when I have finished those that I've recently started. I'm learning to paint with a different type of paint and this requires different techniques so it will be interesting to see what I get.

Recent learning

I have just finished watching

Ri Discourse: Jon Butterworth - 

Electroweak Symmetry Breaking

and LHC on the Royal Institution Youtube site. Although I do have

 an understanding of the theories this video advanced my knowledge.

And just as a counterpoint to this high brow stuff have a look at this.

More soon

Climate change; what do you think?

Just read a recent article titled

Climate consensus 

cracking open - 

or not

It made interesting reading, especially if you believe, as I do, that science will be our saviour through logical reasonable investigation and argument. It was also a little worrying and seriously so if you read some of the comments from people clearly ignorant of any facts and who see everything as a big conspiracy.

To read the article click here