Postcard of the Interwebs - 7 December 2016

The Richer You Are the less You See of those not Rich: Interesting psychological study.

Sweetgrass an Effective Mosquito Repellant: Used by First Nations people and successfully tested for effectiveness vs DEET.

Inner Life of the Cell: A video on the cell in all its wonder.

BAM (Becoming a Man) program: Looks like an exceptional program to reduce crime and improve grades by teaching how to control harmful impulse behavior. It is also backed by peer review and studies.

Nuclear Waste Batteries: Just make waste into diamonds and add some coating and viola! Energy that can last a bit longer than mankind has recorded history!

Magic Mushrooms Help with Depression: What if a single dose of a medicine could help a person with depression and anxiety for half a year? Its called psilocybin and with two studies it shows it works.

Chocolate Bars with Less Sugar and Same Taste: Nestle is working on chocolate with restructured sugar. This will reduce the amount of sugar by 40%.

Dioramas at the Royal BC Museum

The life size dioramas at the BC Museum are very impressive. Its like a quiet oasis in the city.

Mammoth Exibit at the Royal BC Museum

We recently went to the Royal BC Museum to see the Mammoth exhibit. By That I mean an exhibit about mammoths not a really really big exhibit.

One of the big draws was the remains of a baby woolly mammoth, names Lyuba. She has been dated to be ~40000 years old and was preserved through bacteria in the mud which pickled the remains. There is even patches of the hair on the body! Because it was so well preserved by the mud and subsequently by the technique of the researchers, the case does not need to be refrigerated.

Here is a family tree of the elephant species throughout time. It shows the development and changes that occurred due to environmental, predatory and requirements placed on the species over time.

There were several rooms in the exibit showing bones, life size heads and bodies, interactive booths, informative panels, and short videos explaining the development of the elephants over time as well as to clear up misconceptions. For instance, did you know that the mammoths divided off from modern elephants in the Pliocene era and are not direct ancestors?

It was a worthwhile exhibit to visit and will be gone at the end of December.

Wisdom without Zealotry - Fragmentation and Isolation

 “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.” Bertrand Russell

How fortunate are we who have choice in our world. We can choose the food we eat, the entertainment we consume, ideals we follow, and the goals we wish to strive for. In the modern world many wonders have been created for the masses. The fortunate in this world are not starved for choice.

Or are we?

What tribe do you belong to? The left? The right? Capitalist? Socialist? Muslim? Christian? Rock? Country?

Do the words of your tribe define you? Do they make it convenient to put you in a convenient box for others to identify? To build a common structure with other like-minded boxes? Does this make it easier for others to attack those structures? What role does the internet play in this tribe mentality?

Computers can help you with the goal of defining you like no other tool before. Have you not noticed that you will have articles, products or other websites recommended to you? Did you notice that those recommendations become more specific over time? The web browser in your computer is helping to make it convenient to define you and put you in an easily identifiable box. The box of the tribes you belong to. It does this through your web browser history and the cookies that are saved for each site you visit that use them. These websites you visit and products you pick builds up that box just a little bit more. It also makes it easier to give you what you want. It makes it convenient.


Because eventually you will be seeing articles, products and websites that make it seem the world was built for you. It will allow you to have conversations with more like-minded people. Everything will be great.

It makes you feel safe.

And then that jerk wanders in. The one that does not share your views and does not have the same box that you have...they are not of the same tribe. They are the other.

Now you feel unsafe. Your world view is threatened. You want them to get them away from you and the place you have made. Your box is under siege.

Do you lash out? Do you convert? Do you unfriend them or block them? Do you isolate yourself? Do you then seek out only news and information that supports your tribe and world view? Do you seek it out even though it is fake or extreme? Do you claim the other is a lesser being than you thereby making it easier to demonize them? Dehumanize them? Commit acts of hate and violence against them?

Does this not make you more fanatical? More zealous?

Or do you learn? Do you grow? Do you step out of your box to look around? To examine your own box and tribe? Gain wisdom?

Take a breath and dwell on this: Is there anything wrong in going down a road that you know what to expect every single time? It will certainly get to where you want to go but you will never see other paths that will take you to the same place. Maybe it will take you to a worse place but then you will know not to take it in the future. Maybe it will take you to a better place.

If we stay in our boxes, that look like the box everyone else has around us, we will never grow. Never learn. You may hate others that think and act differently. You may never ask them why they like what they like and hate what they hate. You will never know the path that took them there. The reasons for taking that path. You will never start the conversation for mutual understanding. For living together in our society.

I'm not saying that we have to adopt other people's viewpoint but perhaps we can see the world from their position. Walk a mile in their shoes. They are the way they are for a reason and understanding the root of that reason may help them and help you move forward to improve things for all, or at least as many as possible. By doing that, we grow in wisdom a little bit each time because of the efforts we have made.

Is it hard to make the effort? Not really. We have to clear our browser history and cookies in our computer and do the same to our minds. Look at things not with blinders or filters but with open minds and ears. Remove the confirmation bias from the equation. If we do not, we will remain in our tribes...our boxes...and not understand others who are not the same. Dislike and hate those who are not us.

Don't be the fanatic or the zealot. For the fanatic is one who won't change their mind and won't change the subject. Be the wise one.

Inspiration
Wired: Echo Chamber
News Truthiness Graphic

Tofino - Radar Hill

Radar Hill was an old DEW line radar station during the cold war era. It is dismantled, a park, and has lots of great views of the surrounding area.

Tofino - Wickaninnish Beach

Wickaninnish Bay Beach is on the way to Tofino and has a very good interpretive center. Today, the wind and weather combined with dead kelp bacteria to create lovely sea foam. It was very fun to play in.

Tofino - Chesterman's Beach

We like to stay near Chesterman's beach. During storm season it is especially dramatic as you can see here.

Tofino - Pointe for Breakfast

During storm season in Tofino, having supper at the Pointe restaurant can be quite dark. Breakfasts, however, showcase the view. It on looks Chesterman's beach and the Pacific ocean.

I had the three egg omelette with beef short rib, goat cheese, kale, caramelized onions and an arugula side salad. It was very delicious and filling.

Tofino - Pointe Restaurant

The Pointe restaurant, at the Wikkaninnish Inn, has always been an excellent culinary experience. This time was no exception.

First was a series of amuse bouche: fried polenta, pumpkin macaron with salmon mousse and cooked turnip dipped in foie gras. Unfortunately no decent picture survives.

Then we had poached black cod with pumpkin consommé, pumpkinseed miso, crispy potato and marigold.

 Next was seared Qualicum beach scallop with "Northern Divine" caviar, cauliflower and white chocolate puree, and lemon balm.

The first main was roasted steelhead trout with wild rice, black garlic and mushroom puree.

The second main was grilled carrot and crispy lamb belly with honey glaze, dill and dried rice.

The last main was roast venison loin with fried sunchokes, preserved cherry and coffee jus.

The first dessert course was a slice of Comox camembert with cranberry jam and a baguette.

The last dessert was ginger cheesecake with quince sorbet and clove spiced tuile.

Everything was delicious and the wine pairings went well with each part. I will go down to just two wines with the meal next time though.

Tofino - Clayoquot Sound

In back of Jamie's Rainforest Inn is four acres of rain-forest with a short path through the woods to Clayoquot Sound and a bird sanctuary.

In all the times my wife and I have come to Tofino, we had never seen this side of the peninsula. When we have more time we are thinking of a nice kayak trip to explore the islands and such in this area.

Tofino - Remembrance Day

I attended the Remembrance Day ceremony in Tofino and was quite happy at the number of folks who turned up, about 200.

Was also surprised at the presence of the Canadian Rangers. I was unaware that they had a branch in Uculet (South of Tofino) as well as the fact they had a strong core of youth.

It was good to be there to honour our veterans and the sacrifices they have given.

Tofino - Wolf in the Fog

We have eaten at Wolf in the Fog when coming to Tofino before. It is such a highlight of our trip I thought that I would make a post of this time.

First we both had a potato encrusted oyster with apple puree and truffle oil. Best oyster appetizer I have ever had. Ever.

Next I had the Morrocan style octopus with chickpeas, tomatoes and peppers. Delicious.

My spouse had the Bamfield seaweed salad with shiitakes, daikon and wild rice.

Lastly I had the green soul aka the vegetarian dish. It was local mushroom potstickers with daikon, seaweed and a wonderful mushroom broth.

My spouse had the wild mushrooms on toast with pork jowl, egg and jus. Our other friends at the table also had the same thing and all said it was delicious.

We would definitely come again.

Tofino - Jamie's Rainforest Inn

This time when we headed to Tofino, we stayed at Jamie's Rainforest Inn. It is located on the main road going into Tofino and is a nine minute walk from Chesterman's beach. It also has an attached restaurant/pub. The staff was very helpful and friendly. The pics below are the standard king with fireplace.

We would stay here again as its a very good price for Tofino.

Love Makes Me Sing the French Style - Concert

Enjoyed a wonderful EMSI concert given by two local performers of medieval music, Julie Ryning and Katelyn Clark. They presented many songs of courtly love from the 13th-14th century. They can be found at the Musica Fantasia label where you can listen to samples and pick up the album.

Postcard of the Interwebs - 26 October 2016

DaVinci's Codex Hammer: Bought by Bill Gates for over 30 million. Provided free online or for under $20 on your iDevice.

Should you Catcall Her?: A respectable flowchart by Playboy on when to or not to catcall a woman.

Putting Time in Perspective: Excellent way to grasp the concept of time in large scales, in comic form.

Population Growth is Decreasing: UN article on the decreasing of the world's population. I guess ZPG will never happen now.

Climate Change Evidence Growing: Excellent article refuting the claims of deniers.

Changing CO2 to Ethanol cheaply: Even though renewable energy production is getting cheaper than coal, this process will enable existing coal plants create ethanol from CO2 waste.

Migraines Could be Caused by Gut Bacteria:What else will bacteria in our systems be linked to. We are quite the interesting sum of our parts.

Agrius Restaurant

Agrius restaurant is an offshoot of the very popular Fol Epi bakery in Vic West. We did not have reservations but they keep the patio and bar area free for dropins. While we waited for a table to be free in the patio we sat at the bar for drinks. I tried a vermouth called Punt e Mes which was bitter but alright. My wife had the cider made from apples and quince which was dry and tasty.

When the table was free we shared some appetizers which included lamb tartar, tuna tartar, tomatoes and pesto salad, and oysters. They were all delicious. They also had the delicious Fol Epi bread available for snacking and sopping up the juices and sauces.

For a main I had the crab and shrimp pasta, which was creamy and delicious. My wife had the salmon and Parisian gnocchi. For dessert I had the frozen cream and crisped meringue with fruit compote. It was all very delicious and we will definitely be coming back here again!

Postcard of the Interwebs - 14 September 2016

Radiation Dose Chart: An XKCD infographic on how much of a dose you get for various activities compared to one another.

New and More Eco Way to Smelt Metals: MIT has developed, by accident, a way to smelt metals using electricity rather than heat.

Ultrasound used to Wake Person from Coma: Cool idea to be used in certain circumstances.

Timeline of Earth's Temperature: Another well done comic by XKCD.

90 Companies responsible for Climate Change: List of companies responsible (along with the consumers that support them) for the above temperature change. Along with cows. They make a lot of methane.

Real Shelf Life of Foods: Is this can of food still safe. Head here to find out.

USA Hate Group Map: Interactive map of a lot of hate groups in the USA. Probably not all of them. Sad.

Hornby 2016 - Day 4 - Final Notes

We left our campsite at 11am expecting to get the noonish ferry, as we had when we were last here seven years ago. Not only did we not but we had to wait for four ferries before we could get on. Fortunately they sped up the schedule. I did pick up, at Beltane books, a collection of all the Dore etchings for Dante's Trilogy for $2!

Many who live on Hornby all year long have mentioned, when asked, that the island is getting too popular and that things are changing away from life in the 70's. We noticed it a little too, especially with house prices. Those who traveled there for decades during summers are now retired and sitting on the islands committees because they have the time and the retirement income.

On a note, if you liked all the cool things to do and pictures of Hornby, be aware that many of the facilities close down after Labor day. Accommodation is cheaper but ferry service is more sparse and there are less shops to go to.

Hornby 2016 - Day 3 - Last Pictures of Heron Rocks

Our last evening at the campsite. A deer popped by for us.

 

You can just see the top of our tent on the far shore.

 We fried up a Delmonico steak with some mushrooms, local garlic with some red wine. Also grilled zucchini and orange peppers. Sorry no pictures.We did enjoy the meal as with our other meals, in the below chairs by the shore.