A Wrinkle in Timekeeping

The trouble with time started a century ago, when Albert Einstein’s special and general theories of relativity demolished the idea of time as a universal constant. One consequence is that the past, present, and future are not absolutes.

Einstein’s theories also opened a rift in physics because the rules of general relativity (which describe gravity and the large-scale structure of the cosmos) seem incompatible with those of quantum physics (which govern the realm of the tiny). In short, the best way to think about quantum reality is to give up the notion of time -- that the fundamental description of the universe must be timeless.

The possibility that time may not exist is known among physicists as the “problem of time.” It may be the biggest, but it is far from the only temporal conundrum. Mankind has been adding "leap seconds" to coordinate time across the globe with atomic time, rather than rely on the variable rotation of the Earth. But are these leap seconds necessary?

This week, we look at a wrinkle in timekeeping.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "Feelings aren't positive or negative Data, it's what you do with those feelings that becomes good or bad." - Counselor Deanna Troi , Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Descent Part 1"

Timekeeping

Chocolate Supply Threatened by Cocoa Crisis

Cocoa can only be grown close to the equator, mostly in West Africa, and farmers there lack incentives to replant the trees as they die, as cocoa trees take three years to mature. Combined with a drought in that area, crops being destroyed by two mysterious diseases that have scientists baffled and ever-more gluttonous choco-habits, and you've got a shortage. Indeed, the price of chocolate has doubled in the last six years.

Says John Mason, founder of the Ghana-based Nature Conservation Research Council: "In 20 years chocolate will be like caviar. It will become so rare and so expensive that the average Joe just won't be able to afford it."

This week, a look at why a chocolate revolution may be at hand.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "Spock, I've found that evil usually triumphs...unless good is very, very careful." - Doctor Leonard McCoy, Star Trek: The Original Series, "The Omega Glory"

Chocolate Supply Threatened by Cocoa Crisis

Momentum

We've all heard the expression, "When it rains, it pours." Conversely, when things are going well, they seem to get better. This is the Law of Momentum at work. The Law states: "When you are down, the universe works to keep you down. When you are up, the universe works to keep you up."

What exactly is this mysterious Law of Momentum? What makes up the mechanics of this force? How exactly does it work? The force of momentum simply exists as a result of our own mindset. We have it available to us at all times, but we must tap into it. The force of momentum is neutral; we make it positive or negative by our attitude. In other words, we make our own luck.

This week, a look at momentum.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "Everyone's trying to...look out for us. Protect us from ourselves. But in the end, all that matters is how we feel...and what we do about it. Because either way, we're the ones who have to live with the consequences." - Jadzia Dax, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, “Rejoined”


Momentum

5 biggest Thanksgiving food myths debunked

The tradition of the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving is steeped in myth and legend. The Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving began at some unknown date between September 21 and November 9, most likely in very early October. Few people realize that the Pilgrims did not celebrate Thanksgiving the next year, or any year thereafter.

Regardless of when it may have been back then, we celebrate it now on the fourth Thursday in November by opening our mouths, inserting turkey and taking a nap. Life is good, isn't it?

This week, a look at the 5 biggest Thanksgiving food myths debunked.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "Doctor, I am well aware of human characteristics. I am frequently inundated by them, but I've trained myself to put up with practically anything." - Commander Spock, Star Trek: The Original Series, "The Trouble With Tribbles"

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5 Biggest Thanksgiving Food Myths Debunked

Avoid Foodborne Illness during the Holidays

The fall and winter holidays are opportunities to visit friends and family while enjoying homemade foods. Holidays present unique food safety challenges, so cooks should plan ahead to ensure that holiday foods are safe.

No one wants an unexpected guest at the dinner table, especially Sal Monella or any of his friends.

This week, ways to avoid foodborne illnesses during the holidays.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "I’ll never understand this obsession with accumulating material wealth. You spend your entire life plotting and scheming to acquire more and more possessions until your living areas are bursting with useless junk. Then you die, your relatives sell everything and start the cycle all over again." - Odo, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, "Q-Less"

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foodsafetyinfosheet-nov19-09_0

Concrete

Concrete derives it's meaning from a Latin word that mean "to grow together". It was a logicians' term for centuries until the meaning began to expand in the 1600s.

We say something is concrete if it possesses physical existence, capable of being experienced by the senses; the opposite of abstract. Abstract words such as love, peace, and steadfastness are used to express ideas or emotions, while concrete diction is used to refer to particular persons, places, and objects.

Concrete is now best known as a construction material made of a mixture of cement, sand, stone, and water that hardens to a stone-like mass. The first usage of concrete for a building material made from cement did not occur until 1834.

This week, a look at concrete.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "We were a great society not so long ago when honor was earned through integrity and acts of true courage, not senseless bloodshed." - Kolos (a Klingon lawyer), Star Trek: Enterprise, "Judgement"

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Concrete

Fireplaces

Everybody loves a roaring fire in the winter – the picture is immortalized on holiday cards, and the smell of wood smoke evokes the season for many people.

But can a wood-burning fireplace really heat the house? Will you save money by stoking the flames? What about that smoke filling the air? Get the facts before you pile on another log.

This week, a look at fireplaces.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "I will not sacrifice the Enterprise. We've made too many compromises already. Too many retreats. They invade our space and we fall back. They assimilate entire worlds and we fall back. Not again. The line must be drawn here! This far, no further!" - Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Star Trek VIII: First Contact

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Fireplaces