Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Numbers, like nature, are a self-organizing system.

Friday, June 17, 2011

more costs of aging

In addition to the end of life costs that Medicare pays, hospices and emergencies and trials, there are also complimentary medicines and adaptive devices costs that increase in the last years … grippers and support hose and more aspirin and … plus breakage and repairs and replacements for pots left on the stove … plus household help … - seniors are big contributors to the economy ...

Thursday, June 16, 2011

The dominion of the monitor

“There's a book on hold for me,” I say to the student librarian at our university science library. She is blonde and pale and stiff, and seems untrained and unskilled and unwilling. “I'm moving to another computer; I don't want to reboot,” and she walks away with my card, returns with two books. “There's another on hold at the arts library,” she reads from the monitor. “Thank you; it's here,” I say. “No, it's at arts.” “It's here – there is a sign on the arts door that they are closed and all their holds are here.” “It says arts.” “It's here.” “But the screen says arts; I wouldn't know how to find it … “ “Maybe try looking on the hold shelves …. ?” I am firm and insistent. She returns with the book I know was there, mystified that something tangible has contradicted what the screen shows. I too am befuddled, wondering at the dominion of the software.