Salut Mes Amis!!!
Okay so far I have been quite tame on my blog. Not really discussing some of the more... shall we say... complex topics that I have been itching to write about. But ... there is a time and place for everything... now is that such time and my use of this blog will be that such place.
I think all of the time - sometime so much I am often unable to sleep. My brian never stops and that can become somewhat of an annoyance. I often ponder about the time we are living in - the advances in technology we have been witnessed to in the last ten years alone - never mind in the last thirty years. One of the major advancement we have witnessed is the access to information. This may seem to reflect a very simple thing... Truly it is not! I remember thirsting for knowledge as a child - always wanting to know EVERYTHING. Sincerely, this passion clings to me even today. When I wanted to know something as a child my only references I had available are now considered a more traditional way of learning - from my parents, teachers, peers, and libraries. Now we have an overload of information - so much in fact that currently there is no way to be able to process it all (perhaps in the future...). I remember first jacking into the internet. All it was, was a dark screen with a blinking cursor where you were able to type to see if there way anyone else out there. How far we have come from that point! Now I spend countless hours researching anything I desire. If I want to know "it" all I need to do is "google" it. But what does all of this mean? Where are we going as a collective species with access to so much information - which I might add - has never happened in history before. The advances in open and easily accessible information has also spurred an augmentation in the advances of science (quantum physics), technology (nano), media (wikileaks), and social interaction (Facebook). But have all of the new tools that are available to society really brought about the ability for humanity to evolve or to become more enclosed to an ignorant way of thinking? I think this is a valid question...
Let's first take a look at quantum physics... Have an of your been exposed to the book/movie called "The Secret"? It takes from the quantum theory that there is an infinite number of possibilities and we are the ones who create our own reality based on the possibility we focus in on the most. Now, obviously it is a lot more complex than that but for the sake of this blog we will leave it at that for now. The Secret builds its position on the power of attraction - what you want in your life can be willed into being. Is this really true or even ethically correct? Yes - there are always morales involved. From my own opinion - The Secret is based on a more superficial level... yes it is getting the message out there that we have more control if we are able to focus out thoughts, although, at the same time the premise is based more on the material aspects of our existence. The idea of the rule of attraction which is not necessarily what quantum physics is leading our evolution towards. Just because you "want something or someone" does not necessarily mean you will be able to obtain it/them just with a concentrated thought on the power of attraction. Even if this was the case, do you want someone in your life just because you willed it to be or would you rather someone be in your life because the truly appreciate who you are? Furthermore, we could also consider the idea that we have the individual thought (the micro) and the collective thought (the macro). How does our ability to pursue the idea of the law of attraction without any consideration of the collective? If you tell someone you want something specific (for example - to stop smoking), how many people that you tell with reflect doubt of your ability to do so in their own thoughts? There is a movie called "What the Bleep do we Know?" this is a good movie for the basics of quantum physics yet... it still leaves something lacking - leading to further questions.
Ok... so the second point I indicated as an evolutionary process for humanity is technology. Are we truly reviewing the exponential growth of how technology is developing and being adopted by the general consensus? The technology I specifically indicated earlier was nanotechnology. This is an exciting new technology of which we are still unaware of the unintended consequences that it could possibly lead to. There are many areas of which this technology could and probably will be applied to including medicine, sustainable energy, robotics.... But what does exactly is this technology? It is a micro-technology that has unlimited possibilities. It can be used and has already been tested in the therapeutic aspect of health in animals. Creation of white robotic blood cells is another advance in health-care nanotechnology. Further to this is the internal interaction of nanotechnology in brain functions. Would the use of nanotechnology actual permit the ability to use a higher percentage of the brain and its functions? Currently there is ongoing research to reverse engineer the brain in order to understand how it operates. How will the implementation of nanotechnology in brain function alter how we view reality? Additionally, how will nanotechnology integrate us further into the virtual reality? We still don't know and will not know how this expansion in human intelligence will alter how we view life now and in the future. Will we continue to have individual thought processes or will we come closer to a singularity into the collective? If we create a more collective thought process will this also lead to less war, famine, disease, or will we be operating as a collective of the Borg on Startrek without the function to be able to think for ourselves? Furthermore, will this lead to an inability to live the experiences as we do now? If so, will we lose our sense of individuality?
I have briefly touched upon the augmentation in technology in two specific arenas, of which, are briefly depicted here. I will leave you with these pervasive thoughts and questions for now... Stay tuned for part 2 - a focus on the progression of media and social interaction apparatus. Thank you for taking the time to read these words - possibly digesting them and creating further questions of your own. I look forward to any thoughts, comments, and/or questions you feel comfortable enough to post.
Bises mes amis!!
LFF <3
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Urban Homesteading
Salut Mes Amis,
Another year has come and gone - the tears and laughter will shine on :) So I started my AeroGarden today and I am terribly excited!! I only used it once last winter and wanted to modify it and try it again. I found that the air pump that is build into the apparatus gets bogged down with roots once the plants are more established. This time I invest a couple dollars on an air pump, tubing, and an air stone - using this extra air source will ensure the water is circulating properly instead of becoming stagnant. the first time I used it - I planted extra large cherry tomatoes. This time, I am growing 2 green pepper plants and 1 basil plant. They should start to sprout in 7-12 days :) I'm anticipating seeing the plants grow and produce yummy edibles. As I have mentioned in one of my previous blogs - sprouting is another awesome way to grow your part of your food supply while benefiting from all of the nutrients they hold (with a punch!!) and you can do it easily year round.
Another aspect I really like about this type of technology (hydroponic) is the benefits that accompany it. First, I like growing plants. I have owned plants ever since I can remember. One of the plants I have now is even older than I am!! Therefore, I think you can understand how important I believe plants are. They help clean the air we breath, they give our bodies nourishment that we need, and they create humidity to help moisturize our skin. Second, the lights that are used help elevate depression - if you live in a location (such as I do) where there are long periods of short days and hence less vitamin D - the lights are of a spectrum that helps combat the lack of natural sunlight. This is not only for us though (and our pets) but also good for the other household plants that are located nearby. Third, it works as a great conversational piece that is able to lead to a conversation of many things. People always asked me last time what made me think to invest in such a thing. It was a simple answer - it's brilliant. I get to see something grow, eat what it produces, be happier because of the extra light, and it looks awesome too!!
Okay so now you are probably thinking, "is that it?!?!? Is that ALL she is doing as her urban homesteading????" Of course my answer would be, "non silly ... not at all."
Since I have been blessed with a large yard I now have the space I need to create the yard I've wanted for some time. Every house I have owned - I have also always had a garden. I have a difficult time growing anything in my garden that is for cosmetic use only (grass and inedible flowers). Every year I add new Items to the garden that also become self-sustaining (perennials) such as fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs, and so forth. This past summer my new additions include lavender, a sour cherry tree, an apple tree, and some parsley. I have also started drafting blueprints of how I will be expanding my garden space for my annual plants such as carrots, peas, swiss chard, tomatoes, and so on... lol!!! Of course I will also be adding more perennials in the form of herbs and fruit trees :) For the annual beds I am thinking about building raised beds for practicality reasons - raised beds are easier to weed and also easier to control the chances of soil contamination (or as much as possible anyway).
Additionally, I have been researching how to build a cold storage which will prove to be somewhat challenging as the grade of my yard is quite level to the house in the back. Therefore, it will be a matter of retaining walls and bobcats :-S I have also been trying to find municipal, provincial, and federal grants and programs for alternative renewable sources of energy. If you have any suggestions - Please, Please, Please let me know (thank you in advance)!!!
Lastly, I am purging my home of anything that is clutter and pointless. I have way too many clothes so that is what I am attacking first - and I will be donating many...oh yes... many items LOL. The tools and books are staying though ;)
In order for there to be room for something new we must first clear the space for it to enter... If we only look after one's own self-interests... it will be all that will suffer including oneself.
Bises mes amis,
LFF <3
Another year has come and gone - the tears and laughter will shine on :) So I started my AeroGarden today and I am terribly excited!! I only used it once last winter and wanted to modify it and try it again. I found that the air pump that is build into the apparatus gets bogged down with roots once the plants are more established. This time I invest a couple dollars on an air pump, tubing, and an air stone - using this extra air source will ensure the water is circulating properly instead of becoming stagnant. the first time I used it - I planted extra large cherry tomatoes. This time, I am growing 2 green pepper plants and 1 basil plant. They should start to sprout in 7-12 days :) I'm anticipating seeing the plants grow and produce yummy edibles. As I have mentioned in one of my previous blogs - sprouting is another awesome way to grow your part of your food supply while benefiting from all of the nutrients they hold (with a punch!!) and you can do it easily year round.
Another aspect I really like about this type of technology (hydroponic) is the benefits that accompany it. First, I like growing plants. I have owned plants ever since I can remember. One of the plants I have now is even older than I am!! Therefore, I think you can understand how important I believe plants are. They help clean the air we breath, they give our bodies nourishment that we need, and they create humidity to help moisturize our skin. Second, the lights that are used help elevate depression - if you live in a location (such as I do) where there are long periods of short days and hence less vitamin D - the lights are of a spectrum that helps combat the lack of natural sunlight. This is not only for us though (and our pets) but also good for the other household plants that are located nearby. Third, it works as a great conversational piece that is able to lead to a conversation of many things. People always asked me last time what made me think to invest in such a thing. It was a simple answer - it's brilliant. I get to see something grow, eat what it produces, be happier because of the extra light, and it looks awesome too!!
Okay so now you are probably thinking, "is that it?!?!? Is that ALL she is doing as her urban homesteading????" Of course my answer would be, "non silly ... not at all."
Since I have been blessed with a large yard I now have the space I need to create the yard I've wanted for some time. Every house I have owned - I have also always had a garden. I have a difficult time growing anything in my garden that is for cosmetic use only (grass and inedible flowers). Every year I add new Items to the garden that also become self-sustaining (perennials) such as fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs, and so forth. This past summer my new additions include lavender, a sour cherry tree, an apple tree, and some parsley. I have also started drafting blueprints of how I will be expanding my garden space for my annual plants such as carrots, peas, swiss chard, tomatoes, and so on... lol!!! Of course I will also be adding more perennials in the form of herbs and fruit trees :) For the annual beds I am thinking about building raised beds for practicality reasons - raised beds are easier to weed and also easier to control the chances of soil contamination (or as much as possible anyway).
Additionally, I have been researching how to build a cold storage which will prove to be somewhat challenging as the grade of my yard is quite level to the house in the back. Therefore, it will be a matter of retaining walls and bobcats :-S I have also been trying to find municipal, provincial, and federal grants and programs for alternative renewable sources of energy. If you have any suggestions - Please, Please, Please let me know (thank you in advance)!!!
Lastly, I am purging my home of anything that is clutter and pointless. I have way too many clothes so that is what I am attacking first - and I will be donating many...oh yes... many items LOL. The tools and books are staying though ;)
In order for there to be room for something new we must first clear the space for it to enter... If we only look after one's own self-interests... it will be all that will suffer including oneself.
Bises mes amis,
LFF <3
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