Moving!

Moving!

Over the past three months I've written 31 blog entries! I figured that by now I would have lost interest in writing. But contrary to my own self-doubting I've become increasingly fascinated with writing!

I've become so interested in writing (and with the thought that others are gaining some benefit/entertainment from my writing) that I decided to help foster the writing skills of my talented (much more than me for sure) friends.

I've rented out a server, and spent a few hours setting up the free blogging software, and voila!

www.scroggles.com

As such, this blog will be moving to http://greentheo.scroggles.com

Come browse and enjoy reading all my talented friends writings!

Theo

More Reasons that Google is Really Cool

More Reasons that Google is Really Cool.

http://blog.topix.com/archives/000016.html

This article points out some of the various reasons why Google is a computing monster.

First of all, they have an incredible, almost organic computing structure which allows them not only to do massive computations on massive datasets (100 TB+ a day) but also to continue scaling the ability of those services to potentially no end.

Secondly, Google has one of the world's largest computers which is composed of thousands of smaller commodity computers. The brains of the collective computer allow each individual component-computer to fail without having to be immediately replaced. By analogy, our very own brains redirect neurons to make connections with other neurons when the situation calls for it. Also, our blood vessels can grow around damaged tissue, restoring blood flow back to normal.

Thirdly, Google has recently added a cadre of solar panels to their computing facility in order to cut back on costs and save the world from greenhouse gases!

This brings up my next question...is Google in fact transforming to become the first artificial life? It has it's own source of power (sun) and has massive computing resources much of it driven by artificial intelligence....hmm....could be!

On the Seventh Day God Rested

On the Seventh Day God Rested

...So reads the end of the first creation narrative in Genesis of the Bible.

I have often glanced over the Sabbath passages in the Bible with very little notice, except as it suited me to take Saturdays off for "religious" reasons :-)

But as I was watching a History Channel documentary on the Bible, a very interesting nuance of the Sabbath was presented.

The documentary claims that pre-Hebrew cultures had no notion of a universal day off from work (universal in that everyone from slave to King got the day off). In fact, it said, many of the cultures stood careful watch over their slaves all seven days of the week - whip in hand - to make sure that there was no slacking or rebellion. It also mentioned that the gods in these cultures did the same...always on watch 24/7.

This is where the God of the Hebrews and Christians distinguishes Himself. His day off from the work and responsibilities that an Almighty Creator is charged with is a way for Him to state His confidence in the completeness of His work/creation and providence. Furthermore, it signifies that He need not watch over us like an anxious parent ready to catch us in the act of rebellion or sin (as the other non-Hebrew gods might), because He has given us the choice of doing so and provided a framework for redemption in case we did.

To me this is a very interesting trait of God's personality brought to light by one small (in)action...resting.

Life Straw

Life Straw

This article in Newsweek (suggested by Malia) reports on a new device that works as a portable water filter that will only cost $3 and filter about 185 gallons (1 years worth of drinking water).

Most of the LifeStraw's users will never drink anything fancier than plain water through the device. But its impact on their lives can't be overstated. More than 1 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, and 6,000 people die each day of waterborne diseases like typhoid, cholera and dysentery. In regions like sub-Saharan Africa, half of most people's water consumption takes place outside the home—either while they're working, or walking to and from school. Vestergaard Frandsen S.A.—which also produces mosquito nets and plastic sheeting coated with insecticide to fend off malaria—hopes that the $3 LifeStraw will drastically lessen their chances of getting sick.

Reminds me of the fog harvesting article I put up a while ago... neat stuff.