A Call for What Purpose?

I just saw this video on television tonight. Watch and reflect upon what you see.

This video is meant as a call to stand up against the stand your ground laws prevalent in 26 states. This PSA was developed around the George Zimmerman shooting of Trayvon Martin, but as we discussed on this blog this instance is much greater than just these two individuals and Florida laws. How do you think Stand Your Ground Law incidents have racial profiling characteristics? How do such laws impact on justice system?

--Krystal

August in DC

I just read this fantastic article about August in DC-- a month often complained about, when in fact there are so many reasons to celebrate! This article definitely got me excited about my beloved home city. Despite the near rainforest conditions that are DC in August--so humid, so hot-- there are tons of things to enjoy. 

Some of the highlights the article mentions:

--amazing tomatoes, better than California (and the other farmer's market bounty! the watermelons and corn are sublime, too!)

--thinned out crowds (goodbye Congress and Hill staffers!) and thinned out traffic

-- quieter streets, running trails, and restaurant crowds

--Nats getting better (maybe?)

and what I'd like to add:

--free live music and outdoor movies everywhere you turn

--Pleasant Pops (actually a year round treat)

--free public pools for DC residents 

-- a million rooftop decks and sidewalk cafes

-- warm summer nights filled with fireflies

Enjoy DC all year round--even in August! The city is unique in what it offers, and in it's political energy. It's changed a lot in the last decade or two, and continues to grow and attract new comers. Soak in this time in history. Happy summer!

--Megan

The Next Generation of Food?

What is the future of food? How can we reduce world hunger? I found this information from Washington Post "Scientists think they have found the answer to this and many other food related questions. On Monday, Scientists unveiled the world’s first lab-grown beef burger in London, frying it in a little oil and butter and serving it to volunteers in what they hope is the start of a food revolution.  The development may have a big impact on the future of food, as organizations such as the United Nations struggle to develop ways of feeding the world’s growing population without significant environmental impact. Not only could it help feed the planet, but it also could help solve environmental problems stemming from conventional meat production. The volunteers pronounced the patty, developed at a cost of more than $330,000 with support from Google co-founder Sergey Brin, as tasting “almost like a burger.”"

Wow. That is my first reaction after reading the article.Science and technology have come a long way, but isn't there better use of our resources and knowledge than completely manufacturing food. I personally don't want to be eating food that has been doctored in a lab. Whenever I hear of some groundbreaking technology or system that is supposed to advanceFood companies have stakeholders to please, shareholders to satisfy, and government regulations to deal with and it is very interesting to learn how food companies lobby officials and expand sales by marketing to people in developing countries. The food industry plays politics as well as or better than other industries and this is what impacts the future of food the most.

Are you willing to try this new science burger? What is the future of food?


--Krystal