The Morning Dump

The Living Room, Before Painting

2012-01-18T07:36:00.006-07:00

Here's the living room before painting. It was several shades of light mint green. We thought that with the wood floors that another shade of green would complement it well. We went with "La Fonda" green from Lowes. We just happened to have a gallon already at the house. Painting of the living room is now complete and "after" pictures will follow shortly.

The Kitchen, Before Painting

2012-01-18T07:28:00.005-07:00

$43k

2011-12-22T11:08:00.008-07:00

What do you think? Is this worth $43k? Eppraisal.com values our house at $166k. The insurance company says that the rebuild cost would be $139k. It sure needs a ton of worth but I think we got a good deal. Time will tell.

This Old House

2011-12-22T10:35:00.005-07:00

The next year or so should prove to be interesting. In an attempt to get out of the rat race, Mrs. Kaptin Amerika and I have purchased a house for cash on the outskirts of town nestled alongside a creek surrounded by hundreds of acres of designated open space. But there's a catch: part of the house encroaches on unclaimed land. Also the septic system needs some work. The current leach field (aka the best parking spot) also encroaches on this unclaimed land. Before any permits can be pulled to fix the septic system the unclaimed land needs to go through a quiet title claim. This process is expected to cost $3k-$5k and string out between 3 months and 1 year. Assuming the quiet title goes through, then a variance will need to be filed with the county since the lot size does not meet the minimum lot requirement for a septic system. It should be noted that this house is over 60 years old and has had a septic system the whole time. Wish us luck. Here's what the creek looked like in November.

Speaking of Cavemen

2010-06-26T22:07:00.002-06:00

Stan Gooch has developed a theory over a twenty year period concerning the evolution of mankind. The idea is that humans are a hybrid of neanderthals and cro-magnons. Thus, the hybrid vigor of this cross has resulted in all the advancements of mankind in the last 10,000 years. Interesting theory, but as one amazon.com reviewer points out, this is not supported by mitochondrial DNA, which comes solely from the female ancestry.

So easy even a caveman can do it.

2010-06-26T21:37:00.006-06:00

For the last several months I've been loosely following a paleolithic diet: all the lean meats, fish, fruits, veggies, and nuts that I want, while mostly eliminating breads, pasta, rice, and any other type of complex carb associated with modern agriculture. Initially the idea was a justification to eat more meats, which I love. However, what I've found is that my body has responded very positively to this newfound diet. In the last four months I've dropped 15 lbs. Now I wasn't exactly fat to begin with so this is a pretty big deal. All my pants are pretty much falling off if I don't use a belt. My energy levels and strength are also very good.

Mountain House Freeze Dried Grub

2010-06-26T21:26:00.004-06:00

This here is an unpaid advertisement for Mountain House freeze dried grub. I've tried the scrambled eggs w/ bacon (so so), beef stew, chili mac, chicken n rice, lasagna w/ meat sauce, spaghetti w/ meat sauce, and beef stroganoff. Check out their website. Costco also sells Mountain House via their website. Definately not something I'd eat everyday, but great to have around the house in case the world comes to an end and you get the munchies.

He's baaaaaaack

2010-06-26T21:22:00.002-06:00

Back in action after a three year hiatus!

After Eden

2007-06-27T11:21:00.000-06:00

This book looks interesting.

From Amazon's book description: After Eden is a sobering tale, but not one without hope. Sale asserts that Homo erectus, the variation of the hominid species that preceded Homo sapiens and survived for nearly two million years, did not attempt to dominate the environment. He contends that vestiges of this more ecologically sound way of life exist today—in some tribal societies, in the central teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism, and in the core principles of the worldwide environmental movement—offering redemptive possibilities for ourselves and for the planet.

Ginkgo Biloba-- Living Fossils

2007-06-27T10:48:00.002-06:00

Also known as the Maidenhair tree, this beauty can live for several thousand years, and is resistant to both drought and pollution. Rumor has it that after the bombing of Nagasaki with nukes to end WWII, the first thing to start growing again was the ginkgo. In addition, medicinal effects of the ginkgo leaf supposedly include increased memory, although studies have found that regular usage can also lead to a longer lifespan. See wikipedia for more info.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginkgo

Cutaway

2007-05-04T08:49:00.000-06:00

Here's a little picture I made in my spare time to show how inefficiently most farmers in our 'Bread Basket' are using their land. As you can see, the corn, shown on the left, has a root system which penetrates less than a foot into the ground. Fruit and nut bearing trees have root systems which penetrate deeply into the earth, making them better able to survive and thrive during times of drought.

Stop Cancer...

2007-05-01T14:47:00.000-06:00

... in one easy step-- take Vitamin D. Sounds too easy doesn't it? Or you can get some good old fashioned sunshine on a regular basis. Here's a quote from the article:

Skin cancer mortality rates didn’t rise steeply till 1971 when Americans were advised to use sunscreen lotions that blocked the vitamin D–producing UV-B sun rays. This permitted the deep penetrating UV-A sun rays to attack the skin without the protection of vitamin D.

Hello Boss

2007-05-01T13:23:00.000-06:00

The next time I'm in a Dollar Store, or maybe even the authentic asian food section at my local grocery store, I'll be sure and look for Hello Boss, a cheaper version of the ol' Starbucks Frappacino in the bottle.

http://www.fraudwasteabuse.com/2007/05/hello-boss-goodbye-starbucks.html

Stupid HOA

2007-04-27T13:14:00.000-06:00

It's times like these I'm glad I don't live in an HOA controlled neighborhood. Some actual rules from various associations across the country:

Solar panels and solar collectors are prohibited.

Compost piles may not be created on any properties.

Outdoor clotheslines are not permitted.

Vegetable gardens must not exceed 64 square feet.

Each lot shall maintain at least two continuous dusk-to-dawn lights.

Penalties for breaking such rules can range from small fines to foreclosure and loss of the home.

http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/51001/

Hazelnut Follow-up

2007-04-27T09:36:00.000-06:00

Ok, so my estimates on nuts produced from one bush were seriously exaggerated. This guy gets about five pounds each year.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=64369

Hazelnuts Anyone?

2007-04-27T09:02:00.000-06:00

I just planted two hazelnut trees yesterday. Since I couldn't find ANY nut trees at the local nurseries (unbelievable!) I was forced to buy bareroot trees from Gurney's. This means it might be a few years before any nut production, but I hear hazelnuts grow fast. A full grown hazelnut tree can produce about twenty pounds of nuts per year. The going rate on hazelnuts these days is about $9/ lb. So, thinking optimistically, 2 trees X 20 lbs X $9/lb = $360 worth of hazelnuts per year during full production. Of course, by then the nuts might be $12-15/lb or more. Why? The vast majority of hazelnut production worldwide currently occurs in Turkey, Italy, and Spain. U.S. hazelnuts account for only about 5% of worldwide production (yet I'll bet we consume much more than we produce--like that's a surprise). Now I make a jump: planting hazelnuts is a play on Peak Oil-- huh? As oil approaches $100/barrel, hazelnuts should approach $12-15/lb due to increased transportation costs. Mmmmm, maybe I should plant a couple more. Question: How did I come up with $9/ lb? Answer: Through this website I just found, an online farmer's market which allows you to purchase produce and products from small farm vendors:

http://www.farmersmarketonline.com/welcome.html

I also found a ton of hazelnut recipes:

http://www.hazelnutcouncil.org/recipe/consumer.cfm

Mmmm. Chocolate covered apricot hazelnut bon bons.

Here's a Good One

2007-04-26T11:44:00.000-06:00

On Idiocracy.

http://www.strike-the-root.com/71/fontana/fontana12.html

4 Hour Workweek

2007-04-26T08:53:00.000-06:00

I just read a review of The 4 Hour Workweek. I've added it to The Morning Dump Bookstore. The most striking part of the review was a quote from the book:

http://davidseah.com/archives/2007/04/18/a-review-of-tim-ferriss-the-4-hour-work-week/

I always asked WHY all the time, and this was my undoing until I realized there was no WHY other than it was what people BELIEVED, what people had ALWAYS DONE, and that IT WORKED.

I found the link via http://cryptogon.com/

Peak Oil?

2007-04-26T07:27:00.000-06:00

It sure looks that way. See link.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Hd1MNrSVjRs/RhkFDGaikmI/AAAAAAAAAJs/DBMPF5OJBS4/s1600-h/EIA+IPM+JAN+2007.JPG

Fat and Poor, a Winning Combination

2007-04-25T10:51:00.000-06:00

Here's a pretty good NY Times article (gasp! Is that an oxymoron?) about the Farm Bill and how it affects the way we eat.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/22/magazine/22wwlnlede.t.html?em&ex=1177560000&en=955cc305987d1146&ei=5087%0A

Top Five Cancern Causing Foods

2007-04-25T08:57:00.000-06:00

Here they are:

Hot dogs
Processed meats and bacon
Doughnuts
French fries
Chips / crackers / cookies

http://www.newstarget.com/021808.html

Really Cheap Cars

2007-04-24T12:37:00.000-06:00

Really cheap cars means more people driving cars worldwide means more non-renewable energy being used means the end of cheap oil as we know it means the end of globalization as we know it means the end of really cheap cars too. Pardon the run on sentence.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/04/under_3000_the.php

Roundabouts beat Four Way Stops

2007-04-24T10:45:00.000-06:00

From article:

Roundabouts (AKA rotary or traffic circle) have gained popularity in Europe and more progressive areas of the US like Seattle in recent years. By eliminating a four-way stop intersection and replacing it with a roundabout you allow for the continuous flow of traffic. This not only greatly reduces the unnecessary additional emissions from repeated start-stop cycles but it also reduces vehicle noise and reduces the number of accident opportunities.

http://www.triplepundit.com/pages/askpablo-well-to-wheel-efficie-002467.php

My Three Year Old Sons Knows That

2007-04-24T10:43:00.000-06:00

http://cryptogon.com/?p=651

From article:

According to a nationwide online survey released today, 72 percent of the American public does not know that conventional plastic is made from petroleum products, primarily oil.

Sidenote: Maybe it’s time to watch Idiocracy again.

Interview with PTF

2007-04-24T10:42:00.000-06:00

http://www.celsias.com/blog/2007/04/21/an-interview-with-jules-dervaes/

Perry Goes Nuts

2007-04-24T10:41:00.000-06:00

Here’s an article written by Perry Arnett looking at our ever-depleting oil and natty gas supply and how it will lead to the Great Die Off. Perry sees the human poplulation dwindling as low as 50 million people worldwide. Excessive? Yes. Possible? I have no idea. Some other predictions, including timelines:

1979 US per capita energy use peaked; still floundering on a plateau in 2006, but ready to fall precipitously (‘cliff’) at any time

2005 World crude oil probably peaked; still on an undulating plateau in 2007; starts off the ‘cliff’

~2010-2012 or before

2005 World food production (grains) peaked

2008 World Natural Gas peaks (or sooner)

2010 NG ‘cliff’ arrives (or sooner)

2012 US electricity blackouts and brownouts become the norm (or sooner)

2012 US potable, available water peak and ‘cliff’; shortages and waterborne diseases increase

2015 US Health Care System in complete chaos, breakdown and failure; sanitation, drugs, return of communicable diseases, poorer nutrition, etc.

2015 World “Dieoff” begins in earnest; largely starvation, disease and poor healthcare caused

2030 US per-capita energy consumption hits the “30% mark-AFTER peak”, equaling year 1930 lifestyles again (probably much sooner than 2030)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AlasBabylon/message/32238

‘Oatburgers’ or ‘How to Solve America’s Obesity Epidemic’

2007-04-24T10:40:00.000-06:00

Here’s a recipe for oatburgers from Celsias. They sound pretty good. I’ll bet the total cost of a quarter pound oatburger would be only a fraction of a beef burger. McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendy’s could put it on their Value Menus, make a good chunk of change on high profit margins, and customers could get a healthy (and cheap) meal. It sound so easy, doesn’t it? I can hear the slogans now: Oatmeal, it’s what’s for dinner. OK, back to reality. Here’s the link and recipe:

http://www.celsias.com/blog/2007/04/19/low-carbon-diet-oatburgers/

2c rolled oats
1 2/3 c boiling water
1/3 c soy sauce
1 onion - chopped
3T sunflower seeds
2T pumpkin seeds
1/2t garlic powder
3T yeast flakes

What is ‘Fallen Fruit?’

2007-04-24T10:38:00.000-06:00

From their website:

“Public Fruit” is the concept behind the Fallen Fruit, an activist art project which started as a mapping of all the public fruit in our neighborhood. We ask all of you to contribute your maps so they expand to cover the United States and then the world. We encourage everyone to harvest, plant and sample public fruit, which is what we call all fruit on or overhanging public spaces such as sidewalks, streets or parking lots.
We believe fruit is a resource that should be commonly shared, like shells from the beach or mushrooms from the forest. Fallen Fruit has moved from mapping to planning fruit parks in under-utilized areas. Our goal is to get people thinking about the life and vitality of our neighborhoods and to consider how we can change the dynamic of our cities and common values.
-Fallen Fruit is David Burns, Matias Viegener, and Austin Young

http://www.fallenfruit.org/

Note: Be sure to read their manifesto. Looks like they’re based out of Kali, but it seems like a good idea for all parts of the country. I’m sure many people have fruits growing in their backyards that drop to the ground and rot because most people have this idea in their minds that fruit comes from a grocery store, not a tree. Don’t believe me? Ask a kid where fruit comes from.

This link was found via http://www.worldchanging.com/

Hey Mayor Hickenlooper, you want to plant a million trees in the next twenty years, right? Can you imagine if the Denver area had an additional million fruit trees? That would be pretty cool.

Tax Free Income, Ghetto Style

2007-04-24T10:35:00.000-06:00

An interesting look at the underground economy of Chicago’s Southside. It’s like the place just dropped off the map.

http://www.reason.com/news/show/119245.html

It’s a primer for the book, seen here:

http://www.amazon.com/Off-Books-Underground-Economy-Urban/dp/0674023552

I just put it on my wish list. I’ll buy it when I can find a used version for five bucks. That reminds me, I’m currently reading The Unheavenly City, published in 1970. It looks at demographics across metropolitan areas.

http://www.amazon.com/Unheavenly-City-Edward-C-Banfield/dp/B000K0AZGO/ref=sr_1_3/104-0765216-2723118?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176837012&sr=1-3

‘Amen to that Brotha’ or ‘Reason to Leave the Country Part IV

2007-04-24T10:34:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I think it would be better off if I just take my hard earned money and spend it at Walmart or Costco every Friday afternoon like most sheeple. The savings rate in this country has dropped into negative territory because there is absolutely no benefit to saving thanks to hotshot Mr. IRS. If a presidential candidate made a speech like the article linked below, I would automatically do my darndest to put him/her in the White House regardless of his/her other political views.

http://www.slate.com/id/2164050/nav/tap1/

Newly Discovered Material

2007-04-24T10:33:00.000-06:00

Self Sufficiency Overrated?

2007-04-24T10:31:00.000-06:00

Here’s a link found via Ran Prieur’s website concerning self sufficiency. The article looks at at ever increasing trend torwards privacy, even amongst families, and how this seems to be inversley proportional to one’s overall happiness. The last line of the article states: “we’re built to rely on each other.” Link below:

http://www.incharacter.org/article.php?article=87

Oh, the author also wrote this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Economy-Wealth-Communities-Durable/dp/0805076263

Holy Crap

2007-04-24T10:29:00.001-06:00

Uuum, I really don’t know what to say, other than watch the video.

http://www.meat.org/

Crocs Evolves

2007-04-24T10:27:00.000-06:00

I was at a sporting goods store this past weekend getting my fishing license and I noticed some Crocs flip flops. They looked pretty cool so I figure I’d check out their website and see what else they’ve been up to. Some of the newer lines of footwear look a helluva lot better than the original, hideous looking Crocs. Might these new sandals be the Birkenstocks of the 21st century? I never thought I’d ever find myself wearing Crocs, but I have officially changed my mind. Take a look at some of the cooler models:

http://shop.crocs.com/c-4-Footwear.aspx?reqid=4&reqProdTypeId=4&subsectionname=footwear

Good Article

2007-04-24T10:25:00.000-06:00

http://www.innerchangemag.com/0406_hooker.htm

Excellent Article…

2007-04-24T10:22:00.000-06:00

…on maximizing vegatation (food growth) in the midwest plains. Corn farmers should take notice of this one. Here’s some snippets:

One of his main themes was what he calls the savanna model. The natural habitat in much of North America was once oak savanna - a mix of grassland and woodland. He said because the savanna takes advantage of three dimensions, vegetation high, low, and everywhere in between, you can get sixty vertical feet of photosynthesis, pull water and nutrients up from much deeper in the soil, and over time, build up some of the richest soil on earth. The savanna model can support more total biomass than almost any other system - seven times more biomass than a cornfield.

Turning back to the topic at hand, he said that the most useful Oak savanna crops fall into the following families:

Fagacae: Oaks, chestnuts, beeches
Malus: Apples
Prunus: Plums, cherries, peaches, apricots, and other stone fruits
Corylus: Hazelnuts
Vitis: Grapes
Rubus: Blackberries & raspberries
Ribes: Currants & gooseberries

http://groovygreen.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=355&Itemid=57

This is what we’ve been working on with a suburban plot. The fruit trees are in. Next are nut trees and berries in between. Annual plants are a bonus.

Reason to Leave the Country, Part III

2007-04-24T10:19:00.000-06:00

Where your federal tax dollars go. That’s jacked up. The part about military spending I mean.

http://nationalpriorities.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=287&Itemid=0

Peruvian Stock Market

2007-04-24T10:18:00.000-06:00

Un-freaking believable!

Uranium Still Rockin’

2007-04-24T10:17:00.000-06:00

It’s starting to look like everyone’s going nuclear. Spot price hits $113.

http://www.321energy.com/editorials/kirtley/kirtley041407.html

Reason to Leave the Country, Part II

2007-04-24T10:16:00.001-06:00

It’s illegal to drink unpasteurized milk.

http://brooklynpaper.com/stories/30/14/30_14rawmilk.html

Reason to Leave the Country, Part I

2007-04-24T10:15:00.001-06:00

Six year old kids get arrested and thrown in the county prison.

http://welcome-to-pottersville.blogspot.com/2007/04/bob-herbert-6-year-olds-under-arrest.html

Mogambo’s Latest

2007-04-24T10:13:00.000-06:00

I wonder how many vente lattes this guy drinks before writing his weekly column?

http://www.safehaven.com/article-7342.htm

Guerilla Benching

2007-04-24T10:12:00.000-06:00

I thought this was pretty cool. I found the link at Treehugger.

http://www.spacehijackers.co.uk/html/projects/guerrillabench/guerrilla.html

Great Tit

2007-04-24T10:11:00.000-06:00

It sure is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_tit

Rachel Ray Just Go Away

2007-04-24T10:09:00.000-06:00

It seems like everyone agrees with me. I know best. Ugghh. I get nauseous just looking at the picture below. She should try getting by on forty bucks a week like me. Then I might be impressed. Not.

http://community.livejournal.com/rachael_ray_sux/

That reminds me, I had to do a double take when I first read these headlines. I would’ve sworn it said “Rachel Ray Helps out in Porn.”

http://www.ecorazzi.com/?p=2133

Quick question: What’s the name of the other lady on the Food Network that comes on right after the nasty woman pictured above? I just wanted to make the comment that her head is wayyyyyy too big for her body.

T. Boone’s At it Again

2007-04-24T10:08:00.000-06:00

T. Boone Pickens, that slippery old oil tycoon turned hedge fund manager, made a call the other day that oil will hit probably hit an all time high this year. His calls on oil have been pretty much dead on the last couple of years, as evident by the one billion dollars he made last year on his oil and natty gas bets– errr I mean investments.

http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=etfNews&storyID=2007-04-12T034554Z_01_N11263466_RTRIDST_0_OIL-PICKENS.XML

HydroRon’s Grow Kit

2007-04-24T10:06:00.000-06:00

This kit comes with everything you need to make an eleven cup hydorponic grow station. I would be tempted to but it if we weren’t now just entering outdoor gardening season. I’ll probably bookmark the page and buy it this fall. $190. If I weren’t so lazy, I could build it from scratch for half the amount. It comes with the following:

10 Gallon Reservoir
11-32 oz white bottles &
16 oz solo cups
237 GPH Pump
Grow Rocks
12 oz pH Up & Down
5 lb. Nutrient Solution
24 Hour Timer
Complete instructions included

http://www.hydroponicsonline.com/store/11plant.htm

2007 Tree Plantings

2007-04-24T09:23:00.000-06:00

I planted two semi-dwarf Hale Haven peach trees and one Lapins sweet cherry tree a couple of weeks ago. I’ve noticed that I sleep good at night after planting trees. With some luck, in a few years I’ll have a harvest like these beauties.

Update: Two Santa Rosa dwarf plums went in the ground yesterday.

Bee Collapse– The Great DieOff Begins?

2007-04-24T09:22:00.001-06:00

Taking a quote from the article:
“If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man,” said Albert Einstein.

http://www.informationliberation.com/index.php?id=21462

Forever Stamps

2007-04-24T09:19:00.000-06:00

You’ve probably heard that the price of stamps will increase to 41 cents from the current 39 cents in mid May. Now you can buy the ‘Forever Stamp’ for the low, low price of 41 cents that will be good for ALL future price increases. This is no doubt a great deal for rich people who can afford to load up for when stamps cost north of one dollar in the next five years. For all you po’ folks out there, it sucks to be you.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18041535/

Storm Troopers Do It Better

2007-04-24T09:17:00.000-06:00

Is that you, Chris?

The Only Prescription Drug Most Americans Need

2007-04-24T09:16:00.000-06:00

Star Wars Craze out of Control!

2007-04-24T09:15:00.000-06:00

The Scenario

2007-04-24T09:13:00.000-06:00

See link below. This guy pretty much took the words right out of my mouth. Life in the US is easier than it has ever been, and will probably continue for a couple more years. Enjoy it because it won’t last. This coincides with the end of the Mayan calendar, the beginning of a new era. The primary driver of the entire country, economic growth, will cease to exist. Without economic growth, the country will slump into a depression. Looking at the silver lining, this will probably be a welcomed scenario where people will once again find joy in living rather than consuming. I’m ready. Are you?

P.S. Now would be a good time to sell any collectible Star Wars figures that are lying around the house.

http://www.thegreatbustahead.com/pi_article_feb2004.pdf

Dang!

2007-04-24T09:12:00.000-06:00

Huge coin could’ve been made over the last couple of years in uranium. I missed it.
Question: Have Star Wars action figures increased ten fold over the last four years?

http://www.321energy.com/editorials/kirtley/kirtley032007.html

So Long, Farewell

2007-04-24T09:07:00.000-06:00

The chart aobve shows some fruits/ nuts that rely on bees for pollination. With the social order of the honeybees collapsing, almonds, apples, and blueberries might be in for a tough ride.

http://www.celsias.com/blog/2007/03/15/bee-colony-collapse-disorder-where-is-it-heading/

It Hasn’t Happened– Yet

2007-04-24T09:06:00.000-06:00

This is the best blog I’ve read in quite a while.

http://cyclone696.blogspot.com/2007/02/true-story-that-just-hasnt-happened-yet.html

The United States: Prison Capital of the World

2007-04-24T09:03:00.000-06:00

Prison Break, soon to be a reality television show.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/02/24/IN190311.DTL

Your Son Might be Gay if…

2007-04-24T09:02:00.001-06:00

This is one of the funniest things I’ve seen in a while, brought to you by the Landover Baptist Church. Just when I thought religious freaks couldn’t possibly get any dumber, they seem to out do themselves.

http://www.landoverbaptist.org/news0704/homoprevention.html

Planet of the Apes, here we come

2007-04-24T09:01:00.001-06:00

http://www.avantnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=101

Could I, Would I, Vote Republican?

2007-04-24T08:57:00.000-06:00

Ron Paul is an interesting candidate. I especially like his view on monetary policy. Too bad he doesn’t have enough money backing him. He’s destined to be the next Ross Perot.

http://www.house.gov/paul/

The Tree Planter

2007-04-24T08:56:00.000-06:00

http://www.ftpf.org/themanwhoplanted.htm

A Visionary, his Vision is Scary

2007-04-24T08:54:00.000-06:00

Here’s an entry from a wordpress blogger.

http://survivalacres.com/wordpress/?p=576

Got gold? Silver? Watcha waitin’ fer?

‘Darwinism vs. Idiocracy’ or ‘Survival of the Fattest’

2007-04-24T08:52:00.000-06:00

Last night I watched Mike Judge’s Idiocracy with Luke Wilson. It was pretty awful, but it did bring up an excellent point: Darwinism is dead. Survival of the fittest? Not anymore. If anything, evolution is working in reverse. The dumb and weak are capable of reproducing just like the superior members of our species, and have shown to do so in greater numbers. No doubt the average intelligence of a human will be significantly lower in a couple hundred years than today. The way I see it, the human species hit a developmental peak about 100 to 150 years ago (in the United States, other developing countries may have yet to peak). so what’s happened since then?
1. Indoor plumbing. Yes, I know it’s been around for thousands of years, but this whole craze in the U.S. started in the 1840’s. I’m sure this resulted in more hand and face washing, and therefore less germs and disease.
2. Aseptic Technique. Atlhough Aristotle had well developed theories long ago, it wasn’t until the mid 1800’s that the ideas of microorganisms causing disease took hold of the mainstream. Soon thereafter, everyone was living longer thanks to the miracles of modern medicine, even stupid people. Yes, especially stupid people. Think Homer Simpson.
3. Social programs (Welfare) sponsored by the U.S government. Once upon a time if you couldn’t, or weren’t, willng to work, you would starve to death. Not anymore. Now every single U.S. citizen has the God given right to be fat and health regardless of their contribution to the workforce. And don’t worry about your kids, they’ll be taken care of by the government too. Now go procreate!!!