Finished Mind of My Mind [3/17/2010]

This book is another one in Butler's Patternist series. I didn't like it nearly as much as Wild Seed. I found the characters all to be very frustrating. Doro and Emma didn't seem the same. I was curious what Butler knew about string theory when she was writing describing the pattern. I hated the ending. Now, I will take a break before I decide to read any more of this series.

Finished Wild Seed [3/17/2010]

I found it pretty impressive that an antagonist, such as the character of Doro, could be so interesting and compelling. This book was admittedly over-the-top and indulgent, but, I still enjoyed it.

Tables in the Cafe at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History [3/03/2010]

What's in your Salad Bowl?



What's in your Stir Fry?

Model of La Minerve [3/03/2010]

on display in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC

drawing of La Minerve:
http://www.luckypalm.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/balloon_minerve.jpg

more about La Minerve:
http://longstreet.typepad.com/thesciencebookstore/2009/05/escape-pods-for-women-balloonists-1820-the-fabulous-minerve-balloon.html

Finished What's Next: Dispatches on the Future of Science [3/03/2010]

These essays collected by Max Brockman primarily deal with neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and biology. My favorites were "The Aliens Among Us" by Nathan Wolfe and "What Makes Big Ideas Sticky" by Matthew D. Lieberman. Wolfe describes how little we know about viruses and how important and valuable they can be. Lieberman suggests connections between genes and philosophical ideas.