Sports Betting

I am old enough to remember when sports betting was relegated to bookies and casinos.  Now, thanks to an ever increasing number of online betting companies, it is an intrinsic part of most sporting events.

Bringing in revenue for governments, broadcasting companies, investors and sports leagues, it is widely available and actively encouraged.  More than betting on the outcome of a game or match, one can bet on what will happen on the next play or on the game stats for any given player; in other words, fans can bet on every aspect of their favorite sports.  Furthermore, newcomers are enticed with free money in their account to get them started (i.e. hooked).

While many fans might be able to participate without consequence, I suspect a significant percentage become addicted to the thrill of an occasional win and end up losing money that should go to more important obligations in their life; of course, betting company ads always include a number to call for those who succumb to such unfortunate tendencies.  Meanwhile, those who invest in the gambling services profit handsomely.

Hurricane Coverage

As Hurricane Erin churns toward North America, the Weather Channel is providing non-stop coverage.  It is, after all, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2025 and there is nothing more marketable in their area of expertise.

In my opinion, the Weather Channel does a great job when it comes to educating the public about all forms of severe weather, including safety precautions, preparations and the forecast itself.  As one who has long been interested in the science of weather, I appreciate their knowledge and enthusiasm.

On the other hand, hurricanes seem to bring out their need to deliver updates every 15 minutes and, should the storm threaten coastal communities, to report from the scene, standing in the wind and rain while insisting that the public evacuate for their own safety.  A mixed message at best.

See:  Hurricane Stuntmen and Cantore Season 

On the Scottish Coast

Once again, the PGA Tour has taken viewers to an interesting geographic area.  This week, it is the Genesis Scottish Open, on the southern coast of the Firth of Forth, east of Edinburgh.

Today's third round is being played under sunny skies and CBS peppers its coverage with views of the rocky coastline, the Firth of Forth and the Highlands beyond.  While I certainly enjoy watching the match itself, the chance to encounter new and scenic geography is a special feature of the Tour.

My wife and I were fortunate to visit Scotland in 2019 and explored most of the country, including Edinburgh.  But we did not get out to the peninsula where this week's match is being held and I appreciate the geographic perspective.  More than any other televised sport, golf takes us to landscapes across the globe. 

Portals to the Past

More than any other element of human society, music ties us to our past.  Heard repeatedly on our radio, tape player or digital device, songs are associated with events or individuals from our youth to more recent periods in our life.

Of course, those ties are especially strong when they are associated with emotional events or relationships, whether joyful or pain-inducing.  In such cases, the music is an integral part of a memory and the latter is invoked whenever the song is heard.

One might conclude that songwriters are the most powerful individuals in our life, surely exceeding the impact of politicians and business leaders who come and go over the years.  The words and melody of a song, especially when closely bound to emotion, will always retain their influence.

A Generic Naturalist

Growing up with an interest in Nature, primarily instilled by my maternal grandfather, I have come to learn a great deal about the plants and animals of North America.  But, even though I graduated from college with a degree in Biology, don't quiz me about their Genus and species.  And when it comes to groups such as insects and mushrooms, my knowledge base is unimpressive, to say the least.

Rather, my enthusiasm for the great outdoors is how it all fits together, how interdependent the countless species truly are.  Having outgrown the mysticism of my youth, I now understand that we humans are part of nature, just one of the latest (and more expendable) species to evolve in Nature's 3.6 billion year-old web of life.

Now, in my waning years, my focus is on enjoying nature as I did in my youth and doing what I can to protect what we humans have not yet destroyed for future generations.  Hence this blog and my rants against the religious, political and industrial forces that threaten the welfare of our natural environment. 

Anti-War Anthems

Now more than fifty years old, the anti-war anthems of the late Sixties and early Seventies remain some of my favorite songs.  Calling attention to the social upheaval, civil injustice and political corruption of the Vietnam Era, they played an important role in the development of my personal philosophy.

I do not regularly listen to modern-day music but one hopes that some of it also decries a war: King Trump's war on our personal freedoms, our democracy and our Constitution.  It will take the same level of energy, protest and activism to end this war.

I am regularly heartened when I hear my nostalgic college music at cafes and other establishments near campus.  Their message still applies.

Note:  This post has been altered to stay on point.  Sometimes, our emotions get in the way. 

A Free Press must Stand

As King Trump limits access to his news conferences, sues news organizations for perceived unjust coverage and cuts funding to NPR and other public news sources, it is easy to understand his objectives.  He is seeking absolute control of what American citizens hear about the goals and effectiveness of his Administration.  As he has demonstrated, Trump strives to be a dictator.

Fortunately, many of the news organizations are resisting his efforts and defending themselves in court; for the most part, the judicial system has sided with the journalists.  Nevertheless, the recent resignation of the long-standing Executive Producer for 60 Minutes, Bill Owens, is disturbing.

King Trump's bombastic approach is on shaky legal grounds (at best) and his low approval ratings partly reflect his focus on retribution.  Since the Department of Justice is in Trump's pocket, a free press and a Judicial Branch that respects the law are vital to the protection of our Democracy.  Fortunately, even the Supreme Court has begun to recognize that fact. 

What If You Knew?

I recently read The Measure, by Nikki Erlick, a popular and thought-provoking novel in which all humans, aged 22 and over, receive a box on their doorstep, the contents of which reveal their exact remaining lifespan.

The book goes on to explore the ramifications of this knowledge on personal behavior, relationships, society as a whole, politics and military policies, among other aspects of human life.  Of course, some individuals never open their box, fearing its message and/or not wanting the knowledge to govern their remaining days, months or years.  The reader is left to wonder how they might respond to such a development.

As one who has already lived a long life, it is easy for me to say that I would not open my box, choosing to attend one of the rallies in which attendees toss their unopened verdict into a bonfire.  What would you do?  How would you approach life if you knew?  I recommend this book.

 

The Sound of Silence

One of my daughters recently introduced me to a cover of Paul Simon's The Sound of Silence by Disturbed, a group unknown to this child of the Sixties.  While the iconic original can never be replaced, their version is especially haunting and passionate and I recommend a listen, if not a download.

While a songwriter's message is open to interpretation, I always believed that Simon spoke to America's indifference in the face of social injustice and the smoldering conflict that would become the Vietnam War.  Released in 1964, The Sound of Silence thus seems especially relevant today, as Trump dismantles our Constitution while a corrupt Supreme Court and cowardly Republican Senators fail to act.

We must all speak out in any way that we can; in Paul's words, "silence like a cancer grows."  

Facebook, Truth & Politics

Facebook, the largest social media site on the planet, has decided to get rid of its fact-checking team.  While the excuse seems to be that their service is too cumbersome and expensive, one suspects that this move is another effort to curry favor with the upcoming Trump Administration.

Unfortunately, many Americans get their news on Facebook and the second reign of King Trump will be the source of countless lies and conspiracy theories.  When we need the protection of truth the most, Facebook has declined to participate.

Ironically, this decision comes at a time when Artificial Intelligence might be effectively utilized to weed out disinformation.  Apparently, Mark Zuckerberg is more concerned about appeasing MAGA Republicans than he is with publishing the truth.

Note: Facebook is a subsidiary of Meta Platforms, Inc. 

Climate Change and Deveaux Bank

In the Autumn, 2024, issue of Living Bird from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, an article describes both the importance of and threat to Deveaux Bank, an offshore island at the mouth of the Edisto River, near Charleston, South Carolina.  Long known as an important breeding site for brown pelicans, black skimmers and other marine birds, it gained special notoriety in 2017 when it was documented to be a rest stop for 20,0000 whimbrels, migrating between the Arctic and South America.

As is reported in the article, Deveaux Bank was significantly eroded by Hurricane Idalia and another powerful storm last year, though some acreage has since been added back by river sediment.  Knowing its importance as both a marine bird nesting site and as a rest stop for half of the whimbrels in Eastern North America (in addition to other shorebird migrants), the island was closed to human use for seven months (March 15-October 15).

This saga highlights the fact that humans are not the only species affected by climate change (though we were the only species to cause it).  Then again, many, if not most species are more adaptable than we are; nevertheless, we must intervene on their behalf whenever possible. 

The Short Life of Lake Powell

Named for John Wesley Powell, a geologist who explored the Green and Colorado Rivers for the U.S. in 1869, Lake Powell filled Glen Canyon after construction of the Glen Canyon Dam in the early 1960s.  Opposed by environmentalists, including Edward Abbey, the Dam was built for water storage, hydroelectric power and recreation.

After reaching a maximum volume in 1983, the reservoir began to shrink in the late 1990s as climate change reduced mountain snowpack and increased evaporation.  In concert, sedimentation from the Colorado and San Juan Rivers was filling its basin from below.  As the lake level continues to fall and the upper feeder streams resurface, energy production will cease and Lake Powell will reach the "dead pool" state. Unfortunately, since adequate deep release tunnels were not included in the dam's design, flow through the Grand Canyon (just downstream) will be greatly diminished.  A current proposal, not yet fully endorsed, is to create new channels through the adjacent bedrock before sediment fills Glen Canyon and its riverine ecosystem is forever degraded.

For a concise and readable history of this saga, I strongly recommend Life after Dead Pool, by Zak Podmore (the source for this post).  He deftly weaves the political, industrial, hydrologic, cultural, geological and ecological elements of the Lake Powell debacle.  My thanks to a good friend for introducing me to this fascinating book.  

Survivors

History is replete with the stories of individuals who overcame trauma to lead a happy and successful life.  Child abuse, failed relationships, serious injuries and potentially fatal illnesses are among the more common conditions that are cited.

Eager to hear or read about these inspiring individuals, consumers are fed the basic timeline without too much detail.  Indeed, in the interest of privacy, most of the story is never told and future complications are beyond the context of the report.  In fact, recovery from major trauma and severe illness is rarely complete; in the course of that public miracle, private issues persist, often leading to substance abuse, depression and stress-related disorders.  Individuals treated successfully for a major medical condition often deal with the side-effects of therapy, sometimes developing other illnesses that were spawned by the original treatment.

Surviving trauma or illness is an ongoing process, one that generally endures throughout the life of that individual.  Efforts to simplify the story suggest otherwise and often fuel unrealistic expectations.  

Polls, Fear & Money

Another morning and I open my email to find 10 requests for money to combat the surging MAGA scourge.  Turning on the news, I hear that another "respected poll" demonstrates that the Presidential race is a dead-heat; a discussion by political experts will follow after a few money-making commercials.

While I strongly support Kamala Harris, it is nauseatingly clear that both political parties and all news programs are using poll reports to stoke fear and raise money.  Yet, throughout U.S. history, political polls have been inaccurate on many occasions; remember the "red-wave" projections in 2022?

I refuse to believe that a majority of Americans would place an aging, narcissistic, misogynistic, career criminal back in office; if so, then our Democracy is already doomed.  My advice is to ignore the polls and emails and make sure to vote.  I will not attempt to raise any money through this post but I will cut the subscription rate in half for those who perform their civic duty. 

International News

Though my exposure to foreign news programming has been limited over the years, it is clear to me that it offers a broader view of international issues than do major American news programs.  While we  may learn about natural disasters, wars and political upheavals outside the U.S., the focus is generally on those events that have some impact on American society.

We do not regularly hear about economic, cultural or social programs in foreign countries; as a result, we Americans have a limited world view.  By contrast, residents of foreign countries are keenly aware of problems facing the U.S.  

Our knowledge of global issues is impaired and our commitment to global solutions is thus diminished.  The welfare of human society as a whole, and of our planet itself, depends on international cooperation; unless we understand one another, that goal is unlikely to be achieved. 

Thoughts on the Olympics

As the Paris Olympics come to an end, I am, once again, left with mixed emotions.  While the spirit, comradery and athleticism of the contestants is inspiring, the underlying nationalism shines through.  Celebrities in the crowd (often on camera) represent our nation and attest to our pride.

Entertained and amazed by the performance of the athletes, we cannot help but root for our home country and are kept informed of the ever-changing "medal counts."  Of course, the U.S., China, Australia and other wealthy nations dominate the scoreboard, having molded their participants with the best training that money can buy.  The hard work of the athletes cannot and should not be denied but many opportunities have paved the way for their success.

Then there is the fact that, in the end, only the gold medals count.  More than tokens of athletic achievement, they open doors for future income; once the games are over, marketers and the public focus only on the winners.  Finally, one wonders if the money spent on hosting the Olympics (and the Olympic trials) is justified, especially considering the many social and environmental problems facing humanity and our planet. 

Fractured News

As the Presidential campaigns intensify, Democrats, many Independents and some Republicans are surely energized by the nomination of Kamala Harris.  She and her running mate (yet to be named) will have plenty to say about the many threats to American society that a second Trump Administration would pose.

Their arguments will surely be sincere, accurate and well-delivered but, unfortunately, may only reach about 60% of Americans.  Our fractured news industry consists of conservative channels, liberal channels, traditional news outlets and a vast number of online programs, podcasts and "influencers," some reliable but most fueled by personal opinion, conspiracy theories and a wide variety of misinformation.

Whether we receive the truthful words and sentiments of the Harris campaign will depend on how we receive our news.  Therein lies the challenge for all candidates in modern democracies..  An engaged, open-minded populace has given way to politically entrenched factions, receptive only to their favored source of news. 

A Blogging Milestone

As is evident in the right-hand column of this page, Nature's Blog has just passed one million pageviews.  I should be thrilled but I know that a significant percentage (perhaps most) are by bots, search engines and, most recently, AI readers.

Nevertheless, I'll keep it on the page to inform those focused on the business of blogging.  Besides, we humans tend to place emphasis on volume when it comes to sales, readership and consumer engagement. 

I do appreciate those who regularly indulge my opinions, rants and pontifications, especially those who share my naturalist philosophy; indeed, I know some of them personally.  My thanks to everyone who stops by, even if only once or simply by mistake.  

Artists and their Work

Recent revelations about Alice Munro, one of my favorite writers, are disturbing and made me think about how we view the relationship between artists and their work.  No doubt, we can all name a significant number of authors, playwrights, musicians and other artists who engaged in behavior or expressed views that we found disappointing, if not deplorable.

The question is: can we still admire, enjoy and support the work of these artists while acknowledging such behavior or should we boycott their work despite their exceptional talent and creativity?  In other words, how do we react when we disrespect an artist but love their work?

Some might suggest that "we are all human" and, perhaps for their own gratification, continue to support the artist.  Others, unwilling to indirectly associate themselves with immoral behavior, eschew his/her work.  While it is relatively easy to boycott a company based on their policies or products, the choice to deny ourselves the craft of an accomplished artist is far more difficult.  We recognize that celebrity often spawns unrealistic expectations but it also may cloud our judgment.

Solitude, Nature & Music

To paraphrase Janis Ian, they'll be Weeks Like These.  Trump's incessant lies, Biden's meltdown and a corrupt Supreme Court dominated the news.  Time for stress management.

In my case, that means solitude, nature and music, alone or in combination.  This morning, I retreated to the front porch where, in the cool morning air, a hummingbird explored one of our flower beds.  As per my usual habit, music rose from my I-phone.

We all have our comfort choices and these are mine.  Besides, they are healthier than ice cream.