This is a collection of comments taken from the last few issues of Scientific American magazine. How does culture change? According to an article in the Oct. 2000 issue we are influenced by genes and memes. A meme is an idea that can be expressed in a word and is repeated throughout the culture. (note: meme, propaganda, advertising, can be the same idea) What happened to author of "population bomb". Biologist Paul Ehrlich wrote several books full of predictions of population doom and resource depletion. He was wrong about the dates and is now a favorite target of the non-believers. He was interviewed and jokingly claimed the clock is still ticking and electing George W Shrub will speed things along. Did he feel repentant about his bad predictions? No way, you learn and move on. Do we have lots of oil left? According to the U.S. Geological survey we have lots of oil. They list several potential oil fields that are expected to be discovered. In another article the exact opposite view is expressed. It says we are approaching diminishing reserves. Where is the truth? I think this months HomePower magazine has the best data. I'll review it later. Can we look to science to improve human health? According to the book "Betrayal of Trust" todays medical science isn't a big factor in health. Through history it has been housing, sewage, nutrition, and water systems that have made the difference. Today these systems are in trouble and that is where we need to spend our time and focus our politics. jeff
