February 2006
If Cambodia Can Learn to Sing Again
It seems fitting that Arn Chorn-Pond should take on the inordinately ambitious goal of trying to rescue Cambodia's nearly extinct traditional music. After all, it was the music that rescued him. [read more]
Watching as the World Vanishes
What will we say to our children, and their children, when they learn about the beautiful, rich, and varied life on earth that we were privileged to know? The fields of rippling grasses, the graceful trees, the strange and marvelous wild creatures -- how will we explain that we stood by and watched all this vanish? What kind of courage do we need, to respond to what's happening? [read more]
Going green?
Microsoft, along with Kaiser Permanente, Crabtree and Evelyn, and others, have joined the fast-growing ranks of major corporations demonstrating concern about the environmental health impacts of their products or packaging by phasing out PVC plastic (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl. [read more]
Metahistory Quest
Metahistory.org is a learning site, so in one sense the purpose of reading it is to simply learn from it. Those with a passion for learning will find riches here, but there is another, more compelling reason to take the plunge into this site. Above and beyond all else, metahistory.org concerns the protection of a basic human right, essential to a free society and the dignity of every individual: the right to believe. [read more]
The New 'Sputnik' Challenges: They All Run on Oil
"Friends," warns Thomas L. Friedman, "we are in the midst of an energy crisis - but this is not your grandfather's energy crisis. No, this is something so much bigger, for four reasons." [read more]
The Apollo Alliance
Americans have always pulled together during tough times to accomplish great missions. We can do it again. This time we need a moonshot for energy independence and good jobs. A crash program for sustainable energy independence would create three million good jobs, free the nation from imported oil, and promote a healthier environment. States and cities are leading the way toward a clean energy future. Now, the time has come for our nation to take up the challenge. Visit the Apollo Alliance online.
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
