Via TITAN , on the Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. -- I continue to be amazed at the co-evolution of free markets and highly controlled markets. On another tangent there, I didn't have a clear understanding of the extent of JD's significant involvement with higher education. I clearly was aware of Rockeffeler's namesake university, but not of his invovlement with Spelman Seminary, Vassar, and surely not of his foundational role with the University of Chicago.

A first attributed to JD was the use of a professional chemist, Herman Frasch, to conduct systematic research. Of this period Alfred North Whithead said "The greatest invention of the nineteenth century was the invention of the method of invention"

note to self: chaos to self-organization in constrained markets.

WHY? WHY? WHY? How did this happen? How is it that we're on the verge of squandering an irreplaceable national (if not global) treasure?


Fire Still Burning On Sequoia National Forest

Thursday, July 25, 2002 9:00 a.m.

Acres Burned: 57,000

Date Started: July 21, 2002 @ 2:15pm

Groves: 11 Threatened

Location: Sequoia National Forest, North of Kernville. The fire started near Roads End Resort and is burning on both sides of the Kern River on both the Cannell Meadow and Hot Springs Districts. The fire has primarily advanced north, west, and east from the start location. The fire continues to be active in several areas; the Upper Kern River drainage above Johnsondale, the Rincon Trail area on the Kern Plateau, and along the Cherry Hill Road on the Western edge of the Kern Plateau.

Fire Equipment Assigned: 10 helicopters, 10 air tankers, 17 dozers, 9 water tenders, 87 fire engines, 53 handcrews, and numerous support personnel. Total personnel 1,551.

Fire Personnel Assigned: approximately 911 personnel, 30 hotshot crews, 4 crews, and numerous support personnel.

Evacuations: Johnsondale, Camp Witsett, Pyles Boys Camp, Lloyd Meadow Road (22S82), Ponderosa, Parker Pass, and Horse Meadow..

Road Closures: 99 is closed north of Kernvile at the Tulare County Line (approx. 2 mi. North of Kernville). Sherman Pass/Cherry Hill Road leading East off of Mountain 99 are closed. Parker Pass is closed at California Hot Springs. Western Divide is closed. HWY 190 is closed at Redwood Drive near Camp Nelson. We recommend that anyone planning a trip into this area call prior to leaving home for the most current updates on road closures and evacuations.

Weather Forecast: Sunny, temps will be maximum 80-85 at 8000 ft and 90-95 at 5000 ft with humidity 15-20%, winds are southwest 8-15 mph on the ridgetops. The slope/valley winds will be variable less than 5 mph in the morning with occasional gusts to 15 mph.

Structures Lost/Threatened: structures at the Road's End Resort were lost. 200 residences and 10 commercial properties are threatened.



The Giant Sequoias live for thousands of years. Locked in their cells and structure are living memories of this planet, and perhaps the mysteries of longevity and health, and here we at the edge of unspeakable loss. Who will speak for the dead Sequoias?

Added some web tools on the right side bar:
§ 23.t.1 N Z Bear Ecosystem
§ 23.t.2 MIT Blogdex
§ 23.t.3 EatonWeb

Are there any other good BlogScopes out there?