An Autonomous Agent

exploring the noosphere

Category: earth (Page 3 of 4)

Home (2009)

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On March 6, 2013

In anthropocene, biology, documentary, earth, education, evolution, home, video, yann arthus-bertrand, youtube

I enjoy watching documentaries about Earth. Yesterday I watched Home (2009), directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. This film contains many nice panoramic visuals of locations around the globe. As you are watching these scenes the narrator takes you through the story of life and evolution.

Watch Home here on YouTube.

Earth From Space – NOVA

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On February 16, 2013

In anthropocene, anthropology, documentary, earth, earth from space, education, nova, science, space, video, website, youtube

Well done NOVA. Earth From Space, a NOVA documentary detailing the information revealed about Earth through satellites, is a must see. The visual images of the atmospheric processes and natural phenomenon are the best I have seen and really show the inter-connectedness of the environmental processes on Earth. Follow this link to watch it on YouTube.
Download the HD version here or buy it here.

Natural Resource Depletion – Solution: Algae Oil and Water Cavitation

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On January 7, 2013

In algae oil, complexity theory, didier sornette, earth, history, peace, phase transitions, ricard sole, science, thoughts, water cavitation

I recently read Phase Transitions, by Ricard Sole. The last chapter talks about societal collapse due to resource depletion. Under some assumptions, modelling the per capita consumption rate of natural resources shows that there exists a phase transition between stability and collapse. In other words, a gradual increase in the per capita consumption rate (or an increase in population, given a fixed per capita consumption rate) will result in a sudden and extreme phase shift — from stability to instability, i.e. collapse.
Interestingly, the book Why Stock Markets Crash, by Didier Sornette, mentions the same phase transition, or critical point as he refers to it, occurring due to an increasing rate of population growth and dependence upon technology. The rate of population growth implies the occurrence of a finite time singularity. Upon reaching this critical point, a change from one regime into another will occur. What this change will be is unknown.
There have been numerous large civilizations of the past whose existence was relatively brief on the face of the Earth. Will modern civilization have the same fate? These two books suggest an impending change. However, there is a chance that this time could be different. No other society in history has been able to predict its own demise. Is this the key? The knowledge of one’s own collapse could be sufficient to prevent it.
I believe to at least postpone the arrival of this phase transition requires only that we have a full dependence on renewable resources and find a revolutionary way to produce and distribute fresh water. Once these are accomplished, other issues which could lead to collapse can be fixed in due time.
Surprisingly, there already exist potential solutions which I believe can solve the problem: Algae Oil and Water Cavitation. Growing algae in deserts near the ocean seems like a terrific idea for generating fuel. Not to mention the fact that the algae remove CO2 from the air. However, I can foresee that this could actually create a problem, since too little CO2 in the atmosphere is also a problem.
Water Cavitation, as mentioned in the link above, provides a reliable mechanism for removing chemicals and organisms from water. A perfect source of clean, fresh water for the world. However, there still exists the problem of water availability. Perhaps there are good ideas for this, I am not sure.

The Diversity of Life – Edward O. Wilson

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On January 4, 2013

In animals, autonomous agent, biology, book, complexity theory, conservation, dna, earth, edward wilson, science

Edward O. Wilson does a great job exploring the wonderful diversity on Earth in his book The Diversity of Life. If Earth’s biosphere is to continue supporting the conditions for life, then diversity must be conserved and protected. Diversity provides the necessary adaptive power to withstand natural disasters. Wilson writes many great books and this is one of them.

Hemp Hoodlamb Tech 4-20 Jacket

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On January 3, 2013

In clothing, earth, hemp, jacket, website

Hemp Hoodlamb Tech 4-20 Jacket.  Such a great jacket. Very warm and comfortable. About ten pockets that I can find, including two with magnetic buttons. Made from hemp and recycled plastic, it has a strong and durable feel. Highly recommended as a quality jacket, worth every penny, that will last many years. Might be cheaper here.

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