Gleanings of the Week Ending December 10, 2011

The items below were ‘the cream’ of the articles I read this past week:

• The economics of Christmas lights – Seth Godin’s thoughts about why Christmas lights and good/free internet content are indicators of healthy communities
• Lassen Volcanic National Park – year long time lapse from the visitor center webcam…snow…plows…the melt…corn lilies
• Tools vs Insight – Another thoughtful piece from Seth Godin…we need to spend less time learning new tools and more time using them.
• Paper Stars – An interesting idea – maybe to use up odd bits of wrapping paper. They could be hung on a tree or wreath too.
• Future Agenda: The World in 2020 – Insights from a project to look at trends and predict what will happen by 2020.
• Crochet Chain Mini-Wreaths – Simple idea for tree ornaments
• Kepler 22-b…an Earth-like planet – Wow! 600 light years away is pretty far though.
• NASA Mars Rover Finds Mineral Vein Deposited by Water – The Opportunity rover just keeps going and going.
• Why Aren't We Smarter Already? Evolutionary Limits On Cognition – There is already evidence that there are not-so-good side effects to cognition enhancing drugs. Perhaps nature has it about right.
• Our Beautiful Planet…timelapse vignettes – A preview of Tom Lowe’s film. So beautiful.