Category Archives: Science and Technology

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

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?

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The smart home is coming!

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

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Gates on Trump

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

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The Ford Airplane – mass production before Pearl Harbor

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

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

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The “nerd bird” helps the tech connection between Seattle and Vancouver BC

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 –

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

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Epigenetics 101: a beginner’s guide to explaining everything

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!

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”

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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Cell phone addiction

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

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Why are sunsets and sunrises red, orange and yellow?

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

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The problem of multitasking

Gordon Gray sent this along

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How does the sun “become” elliptical?

As the sun sets, why does it appear elliptical? I’m sure you scientists know!  

Posted in environment, Nature, Science and Technology | 1 Comment

“Doomsday Machine” by Daniel Ellsberg

Daniel Ellsberg narrowly escaped life imprisonment as a consequence of copying and leaking McNamara’s secret analysis of our long and failed efforts in Vietnam (as dramatized in “The Post” showing in theaters now). At 86, he’s still an activist – this time … Continue reading

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“American Democracy on the Brink: Donald Trump, Technology and a Free Press” by David Domke part 2

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“American Democracy on the Brink: Donald Trump, Technology and a Free Press” by David Domke

Invited and introduced by Peggy Newsom, Skyline is fortunate to have Professor David Domke return to Skyline to give a very important series of five lectures. With thanks to the Transforming Age Foundation these presentations were videoed using our new … Continue reading

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Waiting for a charge

Two hours north of of LA we pulled into a small town to check into a motel. Right next door was this beautiful well-lighted place that looked weirdly futuristic. It was one of multiple national Tesla charging stations. In a way, … Continue reading

Posted in History, Science and Technology | 1 Comment