Ethics & Self-Interest

"If we are to make properly considered ultimate choices, we must first become more aware of the ethical ramifications of the way we live. Only then is it possible to make ethics a more conscious and coherent part of everyday life." - Peter Singer.

The Economist was first published in September 1843 to take part in "a severe contest between intelligence, which presses forward, and an unworthy, timid ignorance obstructing our progress."

Peter Singer and the Economist. Neither advocates ignorance.

San Diego

I flew to San Diego on Sunday October 7 to attend the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA) 2007 conference for one whole week. I stayed at the Bahia Resort Hotel. Very nice. The hotel is situated on a little peninsula extending into Mission Bay. And it's only a short walk to to Mission Beach, Pacific Ocean! Before I write about the conference, I have to mention the Monday night sports at the Sandbar: mad drama as the Cowboys defeated the Bills and Cleveland fired the Yankees. So, Monday consisted of a maritime tour. San Diego Bay is home to a United States Naval Base. I saw two aircraft carriers: the Nimitz and Ronald Reagan. I saw many other navy ships being repaired and several being built. San Diego Bay is also a busy port for enormous cruise ships. I also toured the Star of India, the Surprise, and an old school Soviet submarine. The Star of India was built in the 1800s. It carried cargo all over the world and help populate New Zealand. The Surprise was like a Royal Navy frigate; it was actually used in the movie Master and Commander. Our guide was fountain of historical knowledge. After learning more about the life of sailors, it was especially pleasing to imagine Joseph Conrad on the high seas. On Tuesday I toured two household hazardous waste facilities and two electronics recycling facilities. The conference sessions started on Wednesday. I presented on Thursday and festivities wrapped up on Friday. The conference was stellar. I met many intelligent, motivated people who help act as our Earth's immune system. I learned of several initiatives and experiences that I can apply to my job. Good times. Marye and I cycled around on Friday afternoon and Saturday. We toured La Jolla and were almost as lazy as the seals we watched. We also followed a bicycle route into downtown San Diego and visited the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, and Old Town. San Diego is a place where men and women can coexist in thermal harmony. Warm sun & cool air. Not too hot - not too cold. Big ups. Now I'm back in Minneapolis, dealing with the October monsoon.

21st Century

For the first time in my life I am paying $$$ the world wide web. Amazing. Now I am virtually guaranteed access through the apparatus attached to the light pole on the corner of our lot. We signed up for Minneapolis wireless through USI Wireless. The cost was $179 for one year. We reluctantly chose the slowest speed, but the megabits stream fast enough to watch Conan clips on YouTube. In the year 2000 Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will become a porn star known as Dwayne "The Johnson" Johnson. Anyway, it's good to have internet. I feel empowered.

Extinction Level Event

Gorillas head race to extinction: Gorillas, orangutans, and corals are among the plants and animals which are sliding closer to extinction

What a sad news story! I am definitely not going to do anything about it.