the kardashian unit

Ethan Zuckerman is musing, “The Kardashian is a unit I proposed a few classes back as a measure of attention.” 

A Kardashian Unit is the amount of global attention Kim Kardashian commands across all media over the space of a day.

We determine a Kardashian by measuring the percentage of media dedicated to Kim Kardashian.

For example by using Google Insights you can discover the Kardashian Unit for global warming is merely 11.

our essential national purpose

Where does our humanity begin?

The USA is in 25th place among best countries to be a mom.

What will a teacher say?

“Though they can be as opinionated as the adults that surround them, most children are more willing to open up to new ideas, to be fascinated by conflicting information, to make an attempt to learn a new skill or be beguiled by a new concept. They are quick to dispense hugs and they love to share.”

Stephen Talbot points out:

“There is one high promontory within the sprawling panorama of life on earth that does indeed afford a perspective upon the whole…

“…where the living creature not only acts out its own significant existence, but is capable of contemplating this existence along with that of all other living things.

“…where life’s own power of survey blossoms and reaches its fullest fruition: the understanding consciousness of man.”

Show me wild new ways

grid dancing through the ages

the power grid skips ropeIn 2006, Li and his colleagues began working on a hydraulic hybrid vehicle.

They were in the process of developing an energy storage system for that purpose when they realized that their idea was better suited to grid-scale energy storage.

And on the other hand….

Specifically, he teaches them that the food and bathroom waste they produce every day can be transformed by a biogas digester into fuel to clean and cook plus a compost to fertilize crops.

http://www.resilientcommunities.com/dont-throw-away-your-wealth/

One flame in a room.

There once were 10s of 1000s in old rural China; so simple, so common, but now?

 


here’s all the water on earth

The blue sphere is all the water in the oceans, seas, ice caps, lakes and rivers as well as groundwater, atmospheric water, and even the water in you, your dog, and your tomato plant. 

purchasing our mood

“I’ve known rich people, and why not, since I’m one of them. The majority would rather douse their dicks with lighter fluid, strike a match, and dance around singing Disco Inferno than pay one more cent in taxes to Uncle Sugar.” —Stephen King