“Interstellar”: Leaving the farm for the stars

...es of “We’re not going to solve our problems by using the same thinking we used to get into trouble”? I feel like we are swimming deep in those problematic waters, and this false duality is an example of it. Erik: Interstellar, like most Hollywood movies, takes the techo-utopian side of that dualism. So does Richard Branson with his plans to sell expensive eschatological roller coaster rides. On the other side of that dualism you have pseudo-scien...

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The Biochar Solution

...ause problems for acid loving plants and worms. I’m interviewing a biochar expert for our podcast today. Look for that episode in two weeks. Have you used biochar? What do you think of the purchased versus home brew options?...

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Talking About the Weather

...c and Atmospheric Administration’s forecasts with greater frequency than I used to. You would think that those NOAA forecasts would be devoid of humor. You would be wrong. As befits anyone who has to wrestle with a complex system, NOAA’s writings have a personal voice, especially when you click on the Forecast Discussion” link to read a kind of raw discussion between NOAA scientists. Here’s a recent all-caps missive from a NOAA forecast discussio...

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An Early Resolution

...come in disposable cups. If I try to imagine how many disposable cups I’ve used in my life–say the earth (justly) vomited them all back at my feet–how high would the pile be? As big as my house? So I’m making a resolution. Instead of berating others, I’m declaring a personal moratorium on to-go cups–all disposable cups for both hot and cold drinks, actually, because why not? I banned plastic water bottles from my life long ago. Why it took so long...

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Make Irrigation Line Hold Downs With Coat Hangers

...ain link tension wire to fashion tie downs for drip irrigation line brought a comment from Wilton Granger, who suggested using wire coat hangers instead. I ran out of tension wire recently and balked at spending $20 for another 170 foot roll. Remembering Wilton’s comment, I foraged some unused hangers out of my closet. Wire hangers indent some fabrics, anyways, so they might as well be used for holding down drip line. Plus, they are much easier to...

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