September 23, 2010
September 22, 2010
DAISIES AND FLIES BONING...YUSSSSSSS
Those heartless bastards stealing a man flies thunder, the old switcheroo aye
To find more about the cross species relations click here.
September 19, 2010
September 18, 2010
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Sustainable agriculture takes many forms, but at its core is a rejection of the industrial approach to food production developed during the 20th century.
This system, with its reliance on monoculture, mechanization, chemical pesticides and fertilizers, biotechnology, and government subsidies, has made food abundant and affordable. However, the ecological and social price has been steep: erosion; depleted and contaminated soil and water resources; loss of biodiversity; deforestation; labor abuses; and the decline of the family farm.
The concept of sustainable agriculture embraces a wide range of techniques, including organic, free-range, low-input, holistic, and biodynamic.
The common thread among these methods is an embrace of farming practices that mimic natural ecological processes. Farmers minimize tilling and water use; encourage healthy soil by planting fields with different crops year after year and integrating croplands with livestock grazing; and avoid pesticide use by nurturing the presence of organisms that control crop-destroying pests.
Beyond growing food, the philosophy of sustainability also espouses broader principles that support the just treatment of farm workers and food pricing that provides the farmer with a livable income.
Critics of sustainable agriculture claim, among other things, that its methods result in lower crop yields and higher land use. They add that a wholesale commitment to its practices will mean inevitable food shortages for a world population expected to exceed 8 billion by the year 2030. There's recent evidence, though, suggesting that over time, sustainably farmed lands can be as productive as conventional industrial farms. See more
September 17, 2010
DEEP SEA CREATURES
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| Humans rarely encounter frilled sharks, which prefer to remain in the oceans' depths, up to 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) below the surface. Considered living fossils, frilled sharks bear many physical characteristics of ancestors who swam the seas in the time of the dinosaurs. This 5.3-foot (1.6-meter) specimen was found in shallow water in Japan in 2007 and transferred to a marine park. It died hours after being caught. |
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| The nightmarish fangtooth is among the deepest-living fish ever discovered. The fish's normal habitat ranges as high as about 6,500 feet (2,000 meters), but it has been found swimming at icy, crushing depths near 16,500 feet (5,000 meters). Fangtooth fish reach only about six inches (16 centimeters) long, but their namesake teeth are the largest, proportionate to body size, of any fish. To see more deep sea creatures click HERE |
WHO NEEDS MONEY WHEN YOU CAN GO WINDSURFING?
Peter Francis Wilkinson proved academically that no one needs money when you can go windsurfing.
His thesis for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Visual and Material Culture at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand, used windsurfing as a case study to prove athletes or wind enthusiasts may avoid shopping more than the average citizen.
"The study shows that windsurfers are resistant to consumerism in a number of ways. The rejection of traditional sporting values, the use of time in opposition to dominant practices, the rejection of wealth as the primary measure of success, and resisting cultural expectations are all manifestations of this resistance", explains Wilkinson in his abstract.
Windsurfers are willing to sacrifice other areas of their lives, in order to be part of a very specific lifestyle, dream world and subculture based on freedom and nature.
That's why a windsurf board, a mast, a boom and a sail might put aside your impetus to buy a new car, a new mobile phone or any other traditional consumer good.
Peter Francis Wilkinson dedicates this philosophical approach to Jude Green, from Southern Lakes, who died while windsurfing while the author was working on the thesis.
IN THE PATH OF A STORM THE SIZE OF AUSTRALIA
New Zealand is in the path of one of the biggest storms on the planet which is due to hit today.
Strong gales are forecast in many North Island areas and heavy snow in the south.
Weather Watch head analyst Philip Duncan last night warned that the weather system - which has cut power in Tasmania and battered the island state - would last for at least a couple of days.
"A lot of people thought Thursday was nothing," he said. "But it hasn't even hit yet. It's just going to get gradually worse, it's just kicking in.
"There's going to be a lot of strong winds, lumpy shower clouds, heavy rain and hail and possibly even tornadoes." The tornadoes were most likely to strike the Taranaki and in Whangarei areas.
Strong or gale-force winds are expected throughout the North Island with severe northwesterly gales predicted about northern and eastern areas, as well as Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds - where winds could reach 130km/h. (NZ HERALD)
AROUND THE SOLAR SYSTEM (THE BIG PICTURE)
With dozens of spacecraft currently orbiting, roving or otherwise and traveling through our solar system, I thought it would be interesting to get a general snapshot in time, using images from NASA and ESA spacecraft near Mercury, Earth, the Moon, Mars, Saturn and a few in-transit to further destinations. Collected here are recent images gathered from around our solar system, at scales ranging from mere centimeters to millions of kilometers. For more click HERE
September 16, 2010
JAKOB > MALACHITE
A great New Zealand post rock band playing right here in Wellington, an amazing band to see live.
A BOY AND HIS GUITAR
Lalo de Almeida (1970, Brazil) studied photography at the Instituto Europeo di Design in Milan, where he began working as a photojournalist with small agencies, covering Police work in the city. Since 1995 he works for the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo in Brazil. In addition to his work for the newspaper, he has also worked on documentary projects such as “ O Homem e a Terra (Man and Land)” concerning traditional Brazilian populations. He is the photographer of the book: “Nas Asas do Correio Aéreo (Flying with the airmail service)”
About the photograph:
“I shot this picture while on assignment for the newspaper Folha de S.Paulo about the borders of São Paulo, a city of over 11 million people. My idea was to visit the extremes, from South to North, from East to West. The North border was a neighborhood called Jardim Paraná and when I visited for the first time in 1998 it has just been occupied by homeless people, mostly migrants from the Northeast of Brazil. While I walking on an unpaved street I saw this boy carrying his guitar leaving from a small Evangelical church. Ten years, later, in 2008, I came back to the same place. The street was paved, the church was much bigger, but the boy, now a man, was still playing guitar in the same church.
“I shot this picture while on assignment for the newspaper Folha de S.Paulo about the borders of São Paulo, a city of over 11 million people. My idea was to visit the extremes, from South to North, from East to West. The North border was a neighborhood called Jardim Paraná and when I visited for the first time in 1998 it has just been occupied by homeless people, mostly migrants from the Northeast of Brazil. While I walking on an unpaved street I saw this boy carrying his guitar leaving from a small Evangelical church. Ten years, later, in 2008, I came back to the same place. The street was paved, the church was much bigger, but the boy, now a man, was still playing guitar in the same church.
SALMON MEETS JAMES BOND. HOW CAN WE HOPE TO SURVIVE?
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http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20727783.800-transgenic-fish-swimming-towards-a-plate-near-you.html
September 15, 2010
STORM ON IT'S WAY
One of the largest storms on the planet is scheduled to hit New Zealand tomorrow bringing gales, heavy rain and snow to much of the country. The storm, the size of Australia, is expected hit tomorrow afternoon bringing winds strong enough to bring down trees, power lines and even damage poorly built roofs/barns in some areas, a spokesman for Weatherwatch.co.nz said. (stuff.co.nz)
September 14, 2010
BORN AGAIN SOLAR CELLS
We are one step closer to realizing the potential of both our creative expertise and that of technological advance. Regenerative solar cells have been created where self regeneration is the name of the game. Through the production of light receiving proteins and electricity generation, solar cell efficiency increased by 300% in comparison to those that didn't regenerate.
To read more click HERE.
INTRODUCING THE GAP
Welcome viewers of the Gap! Here we present to you an opportunity to explore the deepest realms of your imagination. Since the dawn of man, the gap has alluded many, however it is our endeavor to provide you with an insight to the wonders of the gap. As seen above, Mexico's Cave of Crystals are among some of the largest crystals yet discovered on Earth. For more than half a million years, mineral-rich water filtered through this cavern under Naica Mountain, depositing molecules of calcium sulfate in orderly stacks. Heated by magma deep below and insulated by thick walls, the watery womb remained virtually unchanged, allowing crystals to grow to immense proportions. (National Geographic, November 2008)
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