Flashes: July 17, 2013

• Nathanael Johnson has a thought-provoking story series looking at genetic engineering in foods and trying to get at some truths about the industry.  The information is good, but has been criticized as focusing too narrowly.  I also recommend a talk by Dr. Thierry Vrain on the subject...especially for a discussion of toxicity and gene pollution.  Of particular interest in Dr. Vrain's talk is the statement that most industry-funded research shows no issue with engineered crops and most independently-funded or government-funded research shows significant concerns.  I do not yet have a definitive answer to whether GMO-based crops are substantially equivalent to non-GMO...but in the absence of proof, I am personally proceeding with as much caution as is practical.
• It is so cool to see a Chicago-based architect getting national recognition for smart architecture.  Jeanne Gang is a force of nature, and if you don't know about her...read up.
• A friend once joked while enjoying appetizers at a local Italian-themed restaurant that the developer of the fried mozzarella stick must have had stock in the cardio-vascular surgery industry.  Only someone like that would think that taking a solid chunk of cheese and deep frying it would make sense.  I kinda have that same thinking when it comes to fracking....although I'm not sure what industry would really benefit from increases in seismic activity.  To think that drilling into the earth, setting off explosive charges, then pushing fluid back into the well would NOT lead to instability underground was either gross negligence or really hopeful thinking.
• I will be interested to see how France's decree that all non-residential lighting be off from 1am to 7am (or one hour after the last worker leaves until 7am if businesses close after midnight) ends up working.  I know someone who worked for a firm in the AON Center that used to leave all its lights on 24/7/365 so that their clients would never see them "not working".  If the policy does deliver on better public health (because of darker nights for sleeping), lower energy use and cost to taxpayers, and lower carbon emissions, would you trade the freedom to be inefficient for the benefits of being forced to behave responsibly?

Enjoy the journey!