Category Archives: Science and Technology

The History of Merit Badges is our own cultural history

Posted on September 22, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Sent in by Ann Milam Over the years, scouting has encouraged boys and girls to be prepared for the world around them   (Girl Scouts of the USA; Boy Scouts of America) By April White; Research by Zoe Sayler and Samantha … Continue reading →

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Closing a highway to save Washington salmon

Posted on September 14, 2018 by Jim deMaine

From Crosscut: “Washington state is on the hook for hundreds of road culvert projects ever since the Supreme Court let stand a mandate to remove fish barriers throughout the state. Swauk Creek runs through the dry dirt and the fir … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, Nature, Science and Technology, Transportation | Comments Off on Closing a highway to save Washington salmon

Saying “Turn it off” after a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator is in place

Posted on July 29, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: With technology it’s often easier to say “yes” rather than “no” – or worse, saying “stop” after you said “yes.” As an ethics committee consultant, I was asked to see a dying patient on hospice who wanted his … Continue reading →

Posted in Advance Directives, Aging Sites, end of life, Science and Technology | 1 Comment

Climate change – in-house expertise shows the path to CO2 control

Posted on July 26, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Resident Bill Calvin has teamed up with Raz  Manson (daughter of the Jacques) to bring about a literal “sea change” in dealing with the climate change crisis. For detailed information please click on their website: https://co2foundation.org/ “For 30 years, Bill has had … Continue reading →

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Video – Port Commissioner speaks at Skyline

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Jim deMaine
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Roof Views: The Moon above Venus

Posted on July 15, 2018 by William Calvin

Look carefully for the little white dot below the crescent moon, a bit to the left at top, directly below at right (nearly moonset).  Venus is directly above the space before PM.

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Before modern measurement standards, finding the length of a foot took a village

Posted on July 10, 2018 by Jim deMaine

From Aeon: “The foot is a most easily accessible tool and it had a lengthy history as a means of measuring before the introduction of national and international standards. So how were earlier standards created? In this short video from … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, History, Science and Technology | 1 Comment

What’s your dog thinking?

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Jim deMaine
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The smart home is coming!

Posted on May 26, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Mary Montgomery sent along this interesting article from Forbes Magazine. Some aspects of the smart home sound gimmicky to some but there are aspects which promote safety and comfort. I hear rumors that Skyline is considering having an apartment configured … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, happiness, Health, Retirement, Science and Technology, Skyline Info | Comments Off on The smart home is coming!

Gates on Trump

Posted on May 20, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Someone at the Gates Foundation, videoed Bill Gates talking at their employee gathering about President Trump. Wonder if they still have their job?

Posted in Politics, Science and Technology | Comments Off on Gates on Trump

The Ford Airplane – mass production before Pearl Harbor

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Tom Gibbs for sending this along. Willow Run B-24s “The long hanger at Willow Run, Michigan has a 90 degree turn in it so Henry Ford would not have to pay taxes in the next county.  That short … Continue reading →

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President of Seattle University speaks at Skyline this Wednesday May 9th at 3:30 PM

Posted on May 7, 2018 by Jim deMaine

The President of Seattle University, Father Stephen Sundborg and the Dean of the College of Science and Engineering, Michael Quinn will be here at Skyline in the Mt Baker Room on Wednesday, May 9 at 3:30 pm to present talks … Continue reading →

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“Finding the Higgs Boson” with Steve Ellis

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Jim deMaine
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The “nerd bird” helps the tech connection between Seattle and Vancouver BC

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Jim deMaine

From Crosscut: “Kenmore Air has been flying seaplanes in and out of Lake Union — and Lake Washington in nearby Kenmore — since three friends founded the aviation company in 1946. Perry says it’s now the largest seaplane airline in … Continue reading →

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Nature vs nuture –

Posted on April 21, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Why aren’t identical twins identical? Their genes are the same – basically like having the hardware of a computer. These genes can change their expression, much like software can change the way your computer works – or doesn’t work. Various life … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Science and Technology | 1 Comment

Epigenetics 101: a beginner’s guide to explaining everything

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Jim deMaine

After the discovery and sequencing of DNA, many had a sense of fatalism thinking that our behaviors are pre-programmed from our ancestors. But it turns out that some genes can be modified by the attachment of small molecules such as … Continue reading →

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Recycle those ink cartridges!

Posted on April 7, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Why buy new ink cartridges? Several stores (like COSTCO) will refurbish your old ones, but the most convenient place I’ve found is LxTek – whose products conveniently bought on Amazon. They’ll send you factory recycled cartridges (all types) and a green … Continue reading →

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Who is the “Unmoved Mover”

Posted on April 7, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: After taking courses in philosophy and religion in college, I found Aristotle and his logic appealingly difficult. Of course, none of us can get our heads around infinite space and time; a beginning to everything; or where does … Continue reading →

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Technology can add to comfort and safety for seniors

Posted on March 16, 2018 by Jim deMaine

USA today has an update for us. How can a fall be detected? How can we use our voice to summon help or call a loved one? Here is an excerpt of the article: “Nancy Delano, 80, of Denver has … Continue reading →

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Public Wifi comes to Cuba

Posted on March 5, 2018 by Jim deMaine

From The Guardian: “In 2016, Etecsa – the only telephone company in Cuba – installed wifi routers in 18 public parks across the country. For many Cubans, this meant they were able to go online for the first time. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Parks, Science and Technology, Social justice | 1 Comment

William O. Douglas

Posted on February 26, 2018 by Jim deMaine

You must remember William O Douglas! But did you know that he graduated from Yakima High School and went on to Whitman College where he was class president and Phi Beta Kappa before going on to Columbia Law School. How … Continue reading →

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Replacing humans

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Gordon Gray sends along this fascinating video showing the production of a Mercedes car with minimal use of human hands until the finishing touches. We visited one of the factories near Stuttgart in 1982 and were impressed by the use … Continue reading →

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The end of sleep?

Posted on February 10, 2018 by Jim deMaine

If we live to be 90, we may well have slept for 30 years. We really don’t know why we have to sleep, but we do know that sleep deprivation can cause all kinds of problems. Coffee and amphetamines can … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Science and Technology | 1 Comment

Cell phone addiction

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Jim deMaine

If you google cell phone addiction, you’ll find plenty of discussion – some quite serious about what the constant use may be doing to our brains and social interactions. My dentist told me some children must have their smartphone with … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Humor, Science and Technology | Comments Off on Cell phone addiction

Why are sunsets and sunrises red, orange and yellow?

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Sunset in Coronado, CA on January 31, 2018 – iPhone photo From the University of Wisconsin: “Because the sun is low on the horizon, sunlight passes through more air at sunset and sunrise than during the day, when the sun … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Science and Technology | Comments Off on Why are sunsets and sunrises red, orange and yellow?