Science: Thinking about Not Thinking

From an Emory University Press Release:

Experienced Zen meditators can clear their minds of distractions more quickly than novices, according to a new brain imaging study.

After being interrupted by a word-recognition task, experienced meditators’ brains returned faster to their pre-interruption condition, researchers at Emory University School of Medicine found. "This suggests that the regular practice of meditation may enhance the capacity to limit the influence of distracting thoughts. This skill could be important in conditions such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorder and major depression, characterized by excessive rumination or an abnormal production of task-unrelated thoughts,"

From Life Science:

Zen meditation vigorously discourages mental withdrawal from the world and dreaminess, and instead asks one to keep fully aware with a vigilant attitude. It typically asks one to silently focus on breathing and one's posture with eyes open in a quiet place and to calmly dismiss any thoughts as they pop up, essentially "thinking nothing." One can over time learn how to keep one's mind from wandering, become aware of otherwise unconscious behaviors and preconceived notions and hopefully gain insights into oneself, others and the world.

Sustainable Seafood

It’s difficult to tell the difference between ethical, sustainable seafood and the environmentally destructive fish you find on many menus. The seafood industry wreaks havoc on the environment, using massive ocean trawlers that destroy ancient habitats and kill massive amounts of fish unnecessarily.

Interveiw with Taras Grescoe on Sustainable Seafood from the Utne Cast. If you eat seafood for protein this is worth listening to.

Listen Now:

I wonder how many times I have been fooled at a seafood restaurant or at the fishmongers?
And what a pleasant surprise at the ethical labeling Walmart uses at their markets.
Read here, Special Online Project: Sustainable Seafood

Why Mango Wood Furniture?

The mango wood used in furniture comes from mango plantations where the trees are grown for their fruit. A large mango tree is 60 to 100 feet tall and has a trunk three to five feet in diameter. At that size, the trees no longer bear fruit and are harvested to make room for young mango trees. The harvested wood is not wasted and provides an extra source of income for farmers.
This simple process of replacement and regrowth is called "sustainable forestry." In theory, a well-managed forest can produce wood forever. Using plantation wood preserves fragile forests and protects threatened tree species like teak and mahogany.
That's good for the ecology.

Look for Mango wood furniture that is finished with water based varnishes and stains. Unlike oil-based finishes, this reduces the amount of volatile organic compounds in the indoor air. That contributes to a better environment in your home.

The finish enhances the natural beauty of the furniture. Take a look at the base of this table as pictured above. You can see how the planks are joined before turning on a lathe. The character of the wood is not masked, allowing the wood's grain, variations in color, and natural voids to show. This massive base holds a table top made from thick planks of wood.

The Tweel

The next generation of tires. The Tweel. These tires are airless and are scheduled to be out on the market in 10 to 15 years, I've read maybe much sooner.
The bad news for law enforcement is that spike strips will not work on these tires. Click the photo for larger view.

Just think of the impact on existing technology:
A. no more air valves...
B. no more air compressors at gas stations...
C. no more repair kits...
D. no more flats...
The wheel and tire are one unit, when the tread is worn the Tweel will be re-capped. Much less waste! How about a bicycle Tweel, Michelin?