Comments on: More on why Science Isn’t a Perfect Fit with the Right or Left

By: James

James — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:41:56 +0000

Will do. The world can be pretty exasperating, so it shouldn’t take too long…

By: Liza Wheeler

Liza Wheeler — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:14:20 +0000

You’re saying I was too slow dynamo? Drat! Ok, think of those brothers the NEXT time you’re exasperated with the world.

By: James

James — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:25:40 +0000

That’s just what I needed to hear last night, when I was breaking my self-imposed social web ban. Environmental problem, meet laser.* I hope it worked out for him and his brother.

*Scientific and technological solution.

By: Liza Wheeler

Liza Wheeler — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:01:32 +0000

Whenever I get depressed about all that’s wrong in the world, I remember a chance encounter I had about 5 years ago. There was this kid, his friend was hitting on my friend, so I asked him about himself. He told me he was going to Austin to work with his brother. “What’s your brother do?” I asked. He asked if I knew about laser technology, like the kind used to improve eyesight. I said sure. He said his brother got to wondering if you could use lasers to clean up Superfund sites. So he tried, and it turned out the laser reduced the toxic waste to ash, which he could then vacuum up and safely dispose. He moved to Austin to work with a firm interested in his idea.

I didn’t follow up and find out if these guys are blazing across America, solving tough problems and cleaning up toxic waste. But I think about them often, and they make me realize that for all our problems, we’ve got lots of bright people working on solutions. Keep up the good work, James, you’re doing your part.