What's New
The Feynman Lectures: "For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled"
Tam Gray writes: I first became truly aware of Richard Feynman when he testified in front of the Rogers Commission as to the possible cause of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. I had witnessed the explosion on television while a News Desk Editor at Time magazine; no other televised incident had to that point, and now after it, affected me with that level of sadness. more »
Culture Watch. A The Art of Mystery Writing: What’s in a Series? The Latest Books of Andrea Camilleri, Linda Fairstein, Robert Galbraith (J. K. Rowling), Donna Leon and Louise Penny
Jill Norgren Reviews: Why do mystery writers create a series? Obviously, the pleasure of developing characters over time has appeal as well as the opportunity to explore varying issues within an established framework. Doting fans and good money also speak to the attractiveness of the genre. On the other side of the table sit the readers. What is the pull of a series for them, and does a series ever lose its allure? more »
Get to Know a Frog, or a Worm, or a Fish Says Sylvia Earle; Everybody has a vote. Use it to help sustain the environment
When Sandi Smith asked what she hopes to accomplish next, Earle said "I think the most important thing I can do in my lifetime with whatever time that I have is to protect the wild system — the natural systems that remain on the land and in the sea. I want to encourage an ethic in people — an attitude of respect for nature. I can only encourage them to understand that we are inextricably tied to the natural systems that support us and it's in our best interests to do everything we can to take of them. It's not us versus nature." more »
Can't Wait Until Downton Abbey's New Season? There's Always 'Breathless' Starting This Weekend
Set in London in 1961, "Breathless" follows the exploits of doctors, nurses, and spouses connected with a busy obstetrics ward at a National Health Service hospital. It's a time when gynecologists are all men and nurses aspire to a trip down the aisle with a good-looking doctor. Abortion is illegal, the Beatles are still nobodies, and society is on the cusp of profound change. more »
