Comments on "Reading the Rocks - The Autobiography of the Earth" by Marcia Bjornerud
In the beginning they call it the Hadean Eon, from about 4.6 billion to about 4.4 billion years ago, but the oldest surviving rocks are about 4 billion years old. The first signs of life seem to appear in the Archean Eon about 3.5 billion years ago.
Predation emerges at the end of the Proterozoic Eon; around 570 million years ago to around 545 million years ago, at the beginning of the Paleozoic Era. Everything before the Paleozoic Era is called the Precambrian Era. Fish evolve during the Devonian Period, from around 420 million years ago, which is followed by the Carboniferous Period at about 355 million years ago.
In the Mesozoic Era reptiles evolve, and they are followed by the dinosaurs, in the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods at around 200 and 140 millions of years ago. And so on to the Cenozoic Era at about 65 million years ago, which comes to the Pleistocene and Holocene Epochs from 3 million to 10 thousand years ago.
These are only some of the divisions, subjects, and events that are described in this book of modern geology, which now includes the ultra-modern new sciences of biogeochemistry and paleoclimatology. The "old" sciences of geology and biology seamlessly merge today and can hardly be separated. The currently accepted geologic timescale at the beginning of this book includes 5 "mass extinctions".
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Experimental Blog # 93
Comments on "No Higher Honor" - A Memoir of My Years in Washington by Condoleezza Rice
The world might be divided into 2 parts, or, more correctly, 2 collections or areas. One collection is in a relative state of movement or change; and the other collection is in a relative state of little movement or change. The 2 collections of areas do not always remain the same, but over periods of time one, or any area, can turn into the other opposite state. And those areas that are moving or changing might be in various states of disaster or catastrophe, or seem to be wobbling on the brink of disaster or catastrophe.
The author of this book, the National Security Adviser and then the American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, might be described as an African-American Republican "Wonder Woman". And some people might say that she all but seems to be able to "walk on water"!
The many lessons, or histories, in this overwhelming book, about 735 pages, are far too numerous to try to enumerate.
The world might be divided into 2 parts, or, more correctly, 2 collections or areas. One collection is in a relative state of movement or change; and the other collection is in a relative state of little movement or change. The 2 collections of areas do not always remain the same, but over periods of time one, or any area, can turn into the other opposite state. And those areas that are moving or changing might be in various states of disaster or catastrophe, or seem to be wobbling on the brink of disaster or catastrophe.
The author of this book, the National Security Adviser and then the American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, might be described as an African-American Republican "Wonder Woman". And some people might say that she all but seems to be able to "walk on water"!
The many lessons, or histories, in this overwhelming book, about 735 pages, are far too numerous to try to enumerate.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Experimental Blog #92
Comments on "Don Quixote" - a play by Mikhail Afanasevich Bulgakov
Mikhail Bulgakov signed a contract with a soviet theater in December of 1937 to write a play based on the classic novel "Don Quixote de la Mancha" by Miguel de Cervantes. Bulgakov was far from being the first, even first Russian author, to write a stage play on this famous book; and he rewrote, or abridged, his play about 7 times to obtain the approval of the soviet censors. The notes to this play, "Don Quixote", say that each revision generally made the play less comic and more tragic.
The approval of the soviet censors was finally given in January of 1939, but Mikhail Bulgakov died in March, or April, of 1940; right before his play was actually published. However, Bulgakov's "Don Quixote" was performed within a year, or so, in at least 4 cities. In spite of being "safely sovietized", Mikhail Bulgakov's play, which is one of his last works, is still quite interesting, and even funny.
Mikhail Bulgakov signed a contract with a soviet theater in December of 1937 to write a play based on the classic novel "Don Quixote de la Mancha" by Miguel de Cervantes. Bulgakov was far from being the first, even first Russian author, to write a stage play on this famous book; and he rewrote, or abridged, his play about 7 times to obtain the approval of the soviet censors. The notes to this play, "Don Quixote", say that each revision generally made the play less comic and more tragic.
The approval of the soviet censors was finally given in January of 1939, but Mikhail Bulgakov died in March, or April, of 1940; right before his play was actually published. However, Bulgakov's "Don Quixote" was performed within a year, or so, in at least 4 cities. In spite of being "safely sovietized", Mikhail Bulgakov's play, which is one of his last works, is still quite interesting, and even funny.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Experimental Blog #91
Comments on "The Dragon and the Foreign Devils - China and the World, 1100 B.C. to the Present" by Harry G. Gelber
The previous publications by this author, Harry Gelber, suggest that he is from Australia. This particular book, which came out in 2007, was an up-to-date generally British view of China and the rest of the world. Besides being a very good defense of the English side of events, this book could be called very "politically liberal"; and it contains what might be called certain "gaps", or "historical oversights".
Harry Gelber describes and emphasizes America as the world's only "hyperpower" at the end of the 20th century, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This description and emphasis seem rather exagerated, even artificial; although the author goes on to say that these times are changing; as they always are.
Throughout the book Harry Gelber writes about the "differences" between China, on one side, and Europe and America on the other. He does not suggest that both sides are responding to, or "acting out", the same "intellectual fashions" of their times, but in their own ways.
The previous publications by this author, Harry Gelber, suggest that he is from Australia. This particular book, which came out in 2007, was an up-to-date generally British view of China and the rest of the world. Besides being a very good defense of the English side of events, this book could be called very "politically liberal"; and it contains what might be called certain "gaps", or "historical oversights".
Harry Gelber describes and emphasizes America as the world's only "hyperpower" at the end of the 20th century, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This description and emphasis seem rather exagerated, even artificial; although the author goes on to say that these times are changing; as they always are.
Throughout the book Harry Gelber writes about the "differences" between China, on one side, and Europe and America on the other. He does not suggest that both sides are responding to, or "acting out", the same "intellectual fashions" of their times, but in their own ways.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Experimental Blog #90
Comments on "The Darwin Archipelago" - The Naturalist's Career Beyond "Origin of Species" by Steve Jones
"The Voyage of the Beagle" is a very interesting travel book that many people continue to read. "The Origin of Species" is Charles Darwin's famous scientific book, and it is also read by people today. However, these 2 books represent only about 15% of Darwin's lifetime publication.
Charles Darwin wrote more than a dozen other equally well written, "in good, plain Victorian prose", scientific books. They cover various subjects: "Barnacles"{most exhaustively}, "Orchids and Insects", "Variation under Domestication", "The Descent of Man", "Expression of the Emotions", "Insectivorous Plants", "Climbing Plants", "Cross and Self-Fertilisation", "Forms of Flowers", "Movement in Plants", and "Formation of Vegetable Mould by Earthworms". These books make up what the "eminent evolutionary biologist" Steve Jones calls the "Darwin Archipelago". All of these subjects, and others, are expertly brought up to date.
The last chapter, or "Envoi", of this book is entitled "Darwin's Island", which is what Steve Jones says the world has now become; that is, the world is no longer an "archipelago" of far more distinct biological environments.
"The Voyage of the Beagle" is a very interesting travel book that many people continue to read. "The Origin of Species" is Charles Darwin's famous scientific book, and it is also read by people today. However, these 2 books represent only about 15% of Darwin's lifetime publication.
Charles Darwin wrote more than a dozen other equally well written, "in good, plain Victorian prose", scientific books. They cover various subjects: "Barnacles"{most exhaustively}, "Orchids and Insects", "Variation under Domestication", "The Descent of Man", "Expression of the Emotions", "Insectivorous Plants", "Climbing Plants", "Cross and Self-Fertilisation", "Forms of Flowers", "Movement in Plants", and "Formation of Vegetable Mould by Earthworms". These books make up what the "eminent evolutionary biologist" Steve Jones calls the "Darwin Archipelago". All of these subjects, and others, are expertly brought up to date.
The last chapter, or "Envoi", of this book is entitled "Darwin's Island", which is what Steve Jones says the world has now become; that is, the world is no longer an "archipelago" of far more distinct biological environments.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Experimental Blog #89
Comments on "Deviltry - How Two Twins Destroyed a 'Middle Manager'" and "Dog's Heart - A Monstrous History" by Mikhail Afanasevich Bulgakov
This absurd short story of about 35 pages seems to be Mikhail Bulgakov's first attempt at social-political satire. "Deviltry", or"Dyavoliada", was published several times in 1924, '25 and '26, and, at first, it was little noticed. The main character, Varfolomay Petrovich Korotkov, apparently, disastrously "collides" with the circumstances and people of the new Soviet Union. In a few days he evidently becomes violently insane and ends his life, and this story, by jumping off an 11 story building.
"Deviltry" was eventually, and soon, severely criticized and condemned by most communist literary writers; along with Bulgakov's later, even more absurd and fantastical stories.
Although numerous attempts were made to publish this "novella" of about 89 pages, which was written in 1925, and the Moscow Art Theater had made a contract to produce a play; "Dog's Heart", or "The Heart of a Dog", was not allowed to be published in the Soviet Union until 1987.
In the introductory pages the story is told by the "thoughts" of the dog, Shareek; then the story is mixed with ordinary narrative, followed by the introduction of people. After Shareek's grotesque operation; which replace his gonads and a small part of his brain, Shareek undergoes a completely unexpected physical and mental transformation. In about one month he becomes a young man; who eventually names himself Polygraph Polygraphovich Shareekov.
However, in another month or so, Polygraph Polygraphovich is, apparently, forcibly operated on again, and within 10 days he is on his way back to being the dog Shareek. The story soon ends with his complete retransformation.
Mikhail Bulgakov's fantastical satire in this story is "deeper" and, some people might say, even shocking and cruel, sometimes, than in any other of his literary works. Some people might feel that Mikhail Bulgakov was not completely free of the prejudices of his times, and that these prejudices sometimes showed through in this not entirely funny, but still surprisingly impressive and provocative story.
This absurd short story of about 35 pages seems to be Mikhail Bulgakov's first attempt at social-political satire. "Deviltry", or"Dyavoliada", was published several times in 1924, '25 and '26, and, at first, it was little noticed. The main character, Varfolomay Petrovich Korotkov, apparently, disastrously "collides" with the circumstances and people of the new Soviet Union. In a few days he evidently becomes violently insane and ends his life, and this story, by jumping off an 11 story building.
"Deviltry" was eventually, and soon, severely criticized and condemned by most communist literary writers; along with Bulgakov's later, even more absurd and fantastical stories.
Although numerous attempts were made to publish this "novella" of about 89 pages, which was written in 1925, and the Moscow Art Theater had made a contract to produce a play; "Dog's Heart", or "The Heart of a Dog", was not allowed to be published in the Soviet Union until 1987.
In the introductory pages the story is told by the "thoughts" of the dog, Shareek; then the story is mixed with ordinary narrative, followed by the introduction of people. After Shareek's grotesque operation; which replace his gonads and a small part of his brain, Shareek undergoes a completely unexpected physical and mental transformation. In about one month he becomes a young man; who eventually names himself Polygraph Polygraphovich Shareekov.
However, in another month or so, Polygraph Polygraphovich is, apparently, forcibly operated on again, and within 10 days he is on his way back to being the dog Shareek. The story soon ends with his complete retransformation.
Mikhail Bulgakov's fantastical satire in this story is "deeper" and, some people might say, even shocking and cruel, sometimes, than in any other of his literary works. Some people might feel that Mikhail Bulgakov was not completely free of the prejudices of his times, and that these prejudices sometimes showed through in this not entirely funny, but still surprisingly impressive and provocative story.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Experimental Blog #88
Comments on "Fatal Eggs" and the play "Dead Souls" by Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov
Although only about 72 pages long "Fatal Eggs", which was published in 1925, is referred to as a novel, or book, in this volume of Bulgakov's collected works. This "fantastical - satirical" story is filled with references to people and events of those times, but almost all of them have little or no meaning to an American "outsider" today. The obvious exceptions are a couple of phone calls from a "rather well known, but mysterious person in the Kremlin" to professor Persikov, the primary character in the story, who "speaks in a sonorous bass voice", "sympathetically", or "importantly and tenderly", or "condescendingly".
Perhaps by 1930, when Joseph Stalin called Mikhail Bulgakov and identified himself, Bulgakov was already acquainted with this "baritone" voice; or perhaps Bulgakov had only heard about such calls from other people who had received them.
Although in 1930 "Fatal Eggs" was still counted as one of the most read books in the Soviet Union, Bulgakov had been at first mostly condemned by Soviet critics as a "right-wing and a reactionary writer" and then ignored and refused publication for his works.
The play "Dead Souls" was the first, or one of the first works, that Mikhail Bulgakov completed after he received his phone call from Joseph Stalin, which led to his employment at the Moscow Arts Theater. The play premiered in November 1932 and was performed at this theater for "decades", and, it seems, it was made into a movie.
The book "Dead Souls" by Nicolai Gogol was, as is well known, incomplete and, maybe, partly destroyed by the author Gogol himself. Roughly the first 2 of the 4 acts of this play sound rather repetitious and, perhaps, distorted to conform with the approved Soviet Marxist-Leninist idealogy. The play is called a comedy, but there doesn't seem to be anything to really laugh at, or about.
However, the rest of the play improves, where Bulgakov becomes more the real author; for instance, where in the book does Chichikov end up briefly in jail? The play becomes more alive and entertaining, and even a little bit genuinely satirical, in spite of the required ideological conformity.
Although only about 72 pages long "Fatal Eggs", which was published in 1925, is referred to as a novel, or book, in this volume of Bulgakov's collected works. This "fantastical - satirical" story is filled with references to people and events of those times, but almost all of them have little or no meaning to an American "outsider" today. The obvious exceptions are a couple of phone calls from a "rather well known, but mysterious person in the Kremlin" to professor Persikov, the primary character in the story, who "speaks in a sonorous bass voice", "sympathetically", or "importantly and tenderly", or "condescendingly".
Perhaps by 1930, when Joseph Stalin called Mikhail Bulgakov and identified himself, Bulgakov was already acquainted with this "baritone" voice; or perhaps Bulgakov had only heard about such calls from other people who had received them.
Although in 1930 "Fatal Eggs" was still counted as one of the most read books in the Soviet Union, Bulgakov had been at first mostly condemned by Soviet critics as a "right-wing and a reactionary writer" and then ignored and refused publication for his works.
The play "Dead Souls" was the first, or one of the first works, that Mikhail Bulgakov completed after he received his phone call from Joseph Stalin, which led to his employment at the Moscow Arts Theater. The play premiered in November 1932 and was performed at this theater for "decades", and, it seems, it was made into a movie.
The book "Dead Souls" by Nicolai Gogol was, as is well known, incomplete and, maybe, partly destroyed by the author Gogol himself. Roughly the first 2 of the 4 acts of this play sound rather repetitious and, perhaps, distorted to conform with the approved Soviet Marxist-Leninist idealogy. The play is called a comedy, but there doesn't seem to be anything to really laugh at, or about.
However, the rest of the play improves, where Bulgakov becomes more the real author; for instance, where in the book does Chichikov end up briefly in jail? The play becomes more alive and entertaining, and even a little bit genuinely satirical, in spite of the required ideological conformity.
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