futurehog's New Writeups

Forest Stewardship Council (thing)

2009-07-26T22:37:39Z

The Forest Stewardship Council is a non-profit organization founded in 1993. Their stated goal is to encourage the practice of sustainable forestry. They issue certifications to forests managed according to their standards, and products made from wood grown under these standards. Environmentally conscious people can choose to look for these products, encouraging corporations to adhere to these standards. This basic information is available on Wikipedia and the web site of the Forest Stewardship Council.

This is from the list of frequently asked questions on their website:

Only FSC

* prohibits conversion of natural forests or other habitat around the world
* prohibits the use of highly hazardous pesticides around the world
* prohibits the cultivation of genetically modified trees (GMOs)
* respects the right of indigenous peoples around the world
* controls each certified operation at least once a year – and if they are found not to…

brightkite.com (thing)

2009-07-26T21:41:25Z

Brightkite is a social network with a twist. The emphasis is on discovering people located near you.

People located near you are not necessarily people who live near you. Most people wouldn't want to give their home address to a bunch of strangers, and brightkite.com doesn't expect you to. Your IP information is concealed. You can give as little or as much information about your address as you choose - for instance, just 'check in' with the town name.

In addition, you are encouraged to check in from wherever you are currently - and especially wherever you wouldn't mind meeting other brightkite users. Check in on your laptop where ever wireless internet access is available. Check in from a local public library if they have computers available to the public.

The system has great potential for meeting people to play chess with, trading used paperbacks you've already read without paying postal fees or making multiple trips to the post office, meeting wargamers or…

Piers Anthony (person)

2002-09-12T21:22:56Z

Piers Anthony is a science fiction and fantasy author who is very prolific. Many of his early works are superb. They make you think and have exciting plots at the same time. Macroscope (1969) and his Of Man and Manta (1968 - 1976) trilogy are examples of this period. He already has some very strange ideas about sex and romance, but what is science fiction for but strange ideas?

Although his first Xanth book was published in 1977, A Spell for Chamelion is more part of his middle period. His odd attitude towards sex and romance takes center stage. The beginnings of a transition become evident, but there are still mind twistingly worthwhile ideas and genuine tension in these books.

His most recent books, alas, are what he is best known for. Many of the newer Xanth books would properly be shelved with children's books. Sometimes very young children go on ostensibly dangerous adventures without having the reactions you would really expect from young children…

Evolution of sex (idea)

2002-09-10T19:42:33Z

There are a number of theories about the evolution of sex. Biologists have given this some thought for several reasons, one of the most important of which is that believe it or not sex has major disadvantages.

There are some species which reproduce by parthenogenesis at least some of the time, not just bacteria but even some species of reptiles. Suppose one group of lizards is all females reproducing by parthenogenesis, while another is composed of males and females. The all female group will clearly reproduce faster. Why don't sexual organisms get driven to extinction?

One factor is deleterious mutations. Suppose a mother has a bad mutation which greatly decreases her chances of reproducing. She might get lucky, but if all her children get the same mutation they will have the same problem. If there is a father and each contribute a random half of the genes to each offspring, some will flourish.

Many scientists also think variety is a factor. This…

Don't lie. Ever. (idea)

2002-09-10T19:18:57Z

This is a meme that seems very competetive, not in the sense that it has a chance of displacing memes for lying on various occasions in more than a tiny minority of the population, but in the sense that even the vast majority who do not follow it will repeat it to other hosts under the right circumstances.

Many people will punish children severely for lying to them. Lying to an adult and getting away with it is the only disobedience it is impossible to punish by definition. Very few adults who punish their children for lying never lie themselves - or even manage to sustain this belief in their children over the long term. Probably just as well, imagine the trouble you could get into if your boss asked what you really thought of him. Many psychologists believe adults teach children to lie by encouraging them to thank others for gifts they dislike, among other ways.

Few people have a well thought out and consistent policy on when lying is OK, the decision is usually based on what goal is being interfered with and to what extent.

That Hideous Strength (thing)

2002-09-10T01:11:42Z

This is a fantasy novel by C.S. Lewis. Like the other two novels in his space trilogy, it has some of the trappings of science fiction, but it is much more unambiguously a fantasy novel at the core. Like the previous two novels, it has a lot of Christian imagery.

This is a classical battle between good and evil, but the protagonists' roles are a little hard to sum up. Is this a contest as to whom can be the first to make contact with Merlin of Camelot woken from his ancient sleep, parallel to a metaphorical battle as to which side is more suited to claim his traditional magic? Is it the story of a woman trying to understand her unsettling prophetic dreams while her husband becomes involved with unimaginable horrors? Is it a few glimpses of a greater battle, for the most part unknowable?

Much of the book is set at a small English university. If you have no trouble suspending your disbelief while corrupt scientists turn towards supernatural evil under another name, you might enjoy this. Much of the nasty politics has a genuine flavor.