Humanity may split into two sub-species

Evolutionary theorist Oliver Curry of the London School of Economics expects a genetic upper class and a dim-witted underclass to emerge.
Spoiled by gadgets designed to meet their every need, they could come to resemble domesticated animals. Social skills, such as communicating and interacting with others, could be lost, along with emotions such as love, sympathy, trust and respect. People would become less able to care for others, or perform in teams.

BBC reports here.

A letter from Thay

All over the world we are also waiting for the spiritual leaders in the United States to stand up to provide that spiritual leadership, in order to end quickly the suffering and loss of lives in Iraq. Spiritual leaders should stand up simultaneously with a clear voice to help wake the people up and show them the way. When the people have a clear vision, and the people have made up their minds, then the government has no choice but to follow. The war in Vietnam ended because of the awakening of the American people at the time.

On October 6th 2007, when we had a day of mindfulness for 1,800 psychotherapists in the University of California in Los Angeles, the monks and nuns of Deer Park and Plum Village put on the Sanghati robes after the Dharma talk, chanted May the Day Be Well and evoked the name of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara to send energy to the monks and lay practitioners in Burma. The governor of California and his wife also came to attend that whole day of mindfulness.

UNESCO reported that each day about 40,000 children die because of hunger or lack of nutrition. Meanwhile, corn and wheat are largely grown to feed livestock (cows, pigs, chickens, etc.) or to produce alcohol. Over 80 percent of corn and over 95 percent of oats produced in the United States are for feeding livestock. The world’s cattle alone consume a quantity of food equivalent to the caloric needs of 8.7 billion people, more than the entire human population on earth. Eating meat and drinking alcohol with mindfulness, we will realize that we are eating the flesh of our own children.

If our human race continues to live in ignorance and in the bottomless pit of greed as at present, then the destruction of this civilization is not very far away.

Read full letter here from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. (PDF file) Blue Cliff Monastery was founded in 2007 and is located near Pine Bush, NY.

You're not nuts, just eat more of them

I don't know where the phrase "You're nuts" came from but in actuality, the reverse seems to be true. By including walnuts and other nuts and seeds in your diet one can elevate or stabilize the mood, relieve "brain fog" and create happier thinking. Good article here on brain foods.This picture of a walnut does resemble the brain.
I eat nuts and ground flax seed regularly but recently I've increased my consumption of walnuts and I have noticed that I am sleeping so much better. Now this is very annoying to my cat. Since he wakes me up at 4 in the morning by pushing against my back or biting then pulling on my pajama legs when I'm in bed: he does this so that I can get up and pet him while he crunches on his breakfast. I think he's neurotic, co-dependent and not a self starter. He makes a great companion.

Hand Drawn Digital Clock

Yugo Nakamura sure had some patience photographing, writing and programing this digital clock.

Who's your Dalai?

The Dalai Lama says his successor could be chosen among a group of senior monks, rather than through the centuries-old tradition of reincarnation.

Read about it here.

Summer's Gone

It's like someone turned a switch or lowered the thermostat. Instant Autumn, just like that. It was the hottest, driest summer in recorded history here (Temescal Canyon/Glen Ivy Hot Springs, CA). Glad it's over. I can start walking long distances again any time of day without worry of heatstroke.
Today we are having cool showers as a little extra benefit and tonight snow above 7000 ft.
I accept and enjoy all changes but I am attached to Fall. Happy when it arrives and sorry to see it go.
I always think clearer and seem to enjoy life more in cooler, temperate weather. That is why I enjoyed living in the English countryside. Think there maybe something true in that particular "body types" function better in certain climates. I believe I read something about this in an ayurvedic brochure or a lecture I attended. Will check it out again.
I wish your fall to be another enjoyable experience.

Bento Box (弁当箱) Diaries

After posting a photo of a bento lunch on Flickr, I became curious about the organization and design of these so "pleasing to the eye" meals. Then serendipitously "How to make Bento" appeared on the Google home page. Gotta love that Google. Who knew that there are formulae for the portions in the Bento Box as well as the proper size based on gender, height and activity level. Japanese traditions are so civilized. I definitely need to work on my portion control anyway and what could be better than making a Bento for lunch everyday. I am currently looking for some bento boxes and found several web sites offering them. More to come.

TED, ideas worth spreading

I subscribe to TED, an on-line forum with weekly talks by some of our best minds. TED is Technology, Entertainment, Design.

TED is devoted to giving millions of knowledge-seekers around the globe direct access to the world's greatest thinkers and teachers.

I received an email from TED informing me about Pangea Day, May 10, 2008 and to spread the word to friends.

Pangea Day taps the power of film to strengthen tolerance and compassion while uniting millions of people to build a better future.

So I'm spreading the word, especially to my Flickr friends who capture many wonderful views and share them. You know who you are:-). If your camera has a movie mode, get to work. Take a look at the samples on the Pangea Day link above.
Link to TED here and work your way into one of the most rewarding websites. Here is the You Tube link to the video by Jehane Noujaim, 2006 TED prizewinner.

Your neighbors know if you're wasting energy.....

that is if you live in the borough of Haringey, London.
"Spy-in-the-sky cameras are being used to identify householders who are wasting the most energy and to shame them into turning the central heating down.
Thermal images of homes have been taken by a light aircraft fitted with military spy technology to record the heat escaping from people’s houses.
Maps identifying individual homes have now been placed on the internet to encourage occupiers to reduce their wastage and carbon emissions by fitting insulation and turning the thermostat down." From the London Times and here