Life Is Bigger

Some of the TED talks this year are about living a healthy life.

CNN: Uncovering secrets to a longer life

This talk is about "Blue Zones"

The premise of Blue Zones is: identify the optimal lifestyle of longevity and you have a de facto formula of longevity.

And via BB: "We can eat to starve cancer"

Some Future Materials That Appear Amazing

Via inhabitat: Space-age Aerogel Insulation Now Cheaper and Available in Sheets

Via PhysOrg: Spray-on liquid glass is about to revolutionize almost everything

Via 80beats: Engineered E. Coli Bacteria Produces Road-Ready Diesel

Can't Say These Stories Redeem WalMart

I still prefer quality over always low prices. But still, these make my head spin a little:

FC: Will Walmart's "Sustainability Index" Actually Work?

and 11 Ways That Walmart Is Changing Retail -- for Good

TheAtlantic: The Great Grocery Smackdown

Update - how could I forget the story of Snapper lawn mowers and WalMart. From 2006, see The Man Who Said No to Wal-Mart Stories like this are why the superstore cannot be redeemed anytime soon.

More People Sounding Like Noreena Hertz

Refreshing to hear leaders talk about a "third way" or what others have called compassionate capitalism; what Noreena calls Co-Op Capitalism.

Slate: The French president declares that capitalism can be made kinder and more humane. Good luck with that!

The Guardian: Business as usual will sink capitalism

More Seafood News

Following up to the the last post, The Latest From The Seafood Watch Program.

TheAtlantic: Save a Reef--Eat a Lionfish

FC: Target Steps Up for Sustainable Seafood

The Latest From The Seafood Watch Program

I always have the Seafood WATCH pocket guide in my wallet. Be sure to get the new 2010 version.

And now there's an iPhone app.

But the big news is reported by SciAm: Sea Change: Environmental Group Gives First-Time Nod to Sustainable Salmon-Farming Method

Jeff Varasano Is Serious About Homemade Pizza

All it takes is 16 easy steps, a coal or wood fired brick oven, and making your own cheese and sauce.

Yet I love the authenticity of web sites like this.

See: Jeff Varasano's Famous New York Pizza Recipe

Biofuel News

Some recent articles:

SciAm: Is Algae Worse than Corn for Biofuels?

RenewableEnergyWorld: Obama Unveils Plans To Boost Biofuel Market

MSNBC: Bacteria Rebuilt To Make Oil

Regarding the Algae biofuel story, the study does not appear to be very well done as it assumes algae would need to be fertilized from a non-renewable resource. However, most research with algae biofuels is in the area of using waste water and other manufacturing effluent such as carbon dioxide as the nutrient sources. In fact, the Algal Biomass Organization released a statement disputing the study. See GCC: Algal Biomass Organization Questions Findings of Recent Algae Life Cycle Study

I Want To Believe

That this picture is of alien technology (but it isn't).



See The Sun: Space UFO Baffles Boffins

Alton Brown Makes A List Of His Five Favorite Cookbooks

Via the WSJ: Best Cookbooks

His list is:

The Joy of Cooking

The Frugal Gourmet

Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking

Outlaw Cook

Ratio

The Miami Reputation Continues

Big Ben was last year's winning quarterback and for this year the winning team has connections back to the cradle of coaches.

See The Oxford Press: The Miami RedHawks’ Super Bowl

Even The Animals Are Moving To Colorado

The great state of Colorado is gaining population (which is the topic for another post).

Seems that the animals like the state too. See:

PhysOrg: Litter of lynx kittens heartens Colo. biologists

NYT: After 90 Years, the Wolverine (Just One) Returns to Colorado

AD Sure Is Popular For A Show That Was Cancelled

That Funke Arrested Development is some kind of something. Boy, this Funke Arrested Development is all anybody's ever talking about. So sick and tired of hearing about how brilliant that Funke Arrested Development is. Overrated

Movieline: Jessica Walter On Archer, Arrested Development, and the Lost Classic Dinosaurs

PopEater: Will Arnett Talks Baby Helmets, 'Arrested' Secrets and Loving Conan

[Update 2/9/2010]
Collider: Ron Howard Interview

Are you surprised at the passion people have for Arrested Development, so long after it went off the air?

Ron: I’m gratified by it. From the very first conversations with Mitch Hurwitz, I was passionate about it and always frustrated that the broad audiences weren’t there to really sustain it on network television. But, it’s been incredibly gratifying. You’re always a little surprised when something really takes off.

Ron Howard image (2).jpgWhat’s the status of the movie now?

Ron: Mitch Hurwitz is working on a story on script. He would direct it. Everyone is hoping. We’re not going to go through with anything we don’t think is up to the standards.

Everyone is chomping at the bit for it.

Ron: Me too. I’m chomping too.

Would it pick up where the show left off?

Ron: No clue. I have no clue as to who’s in it or what the storyline is, but every time I get together with Mitch, he gives me these fragments and they’re all hilarious.

Would you still narrate the film?

Ron: Oh, yeah. They couldn’t stop me. They couldn’t hold me back.

In Russia, Stray Dogs Get Statues

Via FT: Moscow’s stray dogs

Every so often, you would see one waiting on a metro platform. When the train pulled up, the dog would step in, scramble up to lie on a seat or sit on the floor if the carriage was crowded, and then exit a few stops later. There is even a website dedicated to the metro stray (www.metrodog.ru) on which passengers post photos and video clips taken with their mobile phones, documenting the ­savviest of the pack using the public transport system like any other Muscovite.

Why There Is An Internet - A Web Site For Shoelaces

I find this kind of site fascinating because it has passion and is authentic: Ian's Shoelace Site

This web site will show you how to tie your shoelaces with various knots. But it also offers knot variations, knot comparisons and ratings, technical analysis, and so much more. There's even an iPhone/Touch app.

GOBIAS Some Coffee

The Bluth boys are at it again. See FC: Online Buddy Comedy by Jason Bateman, Will Arnett Could Make You URL

The Year Of The Renewable Bike

I've posted links to wooden bike projects before, but 2010 may be the year for these bikes now that the topic is getting coverage in magazines like Der Spiegel: The Ultimate Eco-Friendly Ride

Why Scientists Refer To Climate Instability, Not Global Warming

A couple of examples. The U.K. has been covered in snow this month because the North Atlantic Current has shifted away from transporting heat from the equator to northern Europe. See: Freak Current Takes Gulf Stream to Greenland

Two, from GCC: Global Ice Age Climate Patterns Influenced by Bering Strait

I Will No Longer Stereotype Pre-Fabricated Homes As "Trailers"

Via TH: Small Second Home Design Adapts To Seasons



The Scandinavian countries sure know how to design (e.g., classic Volvos and Saabs, Ikea, the Draken).

TDI Killed The Hybrid Star

Via GCC: Audi, BMW and VW See Strong US Diesel Sales