Dive into the archives.
- Peak to Peak, or Parabolic Trajectories
[Trail map of Blackcomb (left) and Whistler (right).]
It is becoming commonplace to hear the superlatives coming out of the Middle East and China in terms of infrastructure, but not this time. In preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the two peaks at opposing ends to Fitzsimmions Valley, Whistler and Blackcomb will be linked. In the [...]
- Farming the Atmosphere for Water
[Clouds in the Mojave Desert]
Beyond the astonishing bird’s nest featured at the recent Beijing Olympics was perhaps a more spectacular accomplishment: large-scaled cloud seeding. Chinese film and Olympic opening ceremony director Zhang Yimou cited rain as the largest threat to the opening ceremonies. To ensure a rain-free performance, 1104 rocket’s filled with silver [...]
- Habitat Interlocks
[Josh Keyes, Interlock #3 (2006)]
Quantifying the impact of human habitats on animal habitats is complex and ever-shifting. Only when a freak incident of a bear, or wolf, or deer wander into our developed environment - and a strange tussle between fumbling law enforcement officers and a primal instinct-driven beast ensues - are we reminded on [...]
- Little White Lies
[Keller Easterling's Some True Stories]
If you are within earshot of New York sometime before the remainder of the year, do not miss Keller Easterling’s “Some True Stories: researches in the field of flexible truth.” It runs from Nov 18 - Dec 23 2008 at the always reliable Storefront for Art and Architecture. Easterling and her [...]
- Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS)
[A researcher deploys an Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structure, or ARMS, in Lizard Island, Australia.]
As the Census of Marine Life works towards its first comprehensive report in 2010, already a whopping 150 new species have been tallied. In a recent report, research along the Great Barrier Reef, and more specifically 3 islands, have resulted in the [...]
- Gongoozolers, Aqueducts, and Lifts
[The inland waterways of England and Wales is comprised of over 5,000 navigable kilometers.]
Shipping just got a whole lot smarter. With the advent of software able to forecast the optimum shipping route and method for products still relying upon our globalized capital, suppliers and manufacturers are better able to soften the constricting power of rising [...]
- The Toxicities of Fungiculture
[Mushroom Farm in Taichung, Taiwan.]
Three employees of Farmers Fresh Mushrooms in Lagley, British Columbia died last week as a rush of compost fumes flooded a pump house at the mushroom farm. Fungiculture is centered around no light and robust soil - robust as in manure-laden robust. Thus the composting and thus the toxicity.
[Fresh manure bags [...]
- Rewiring (Tele)Geography
[Telegeography releases the 2008 edition of Global Submarine Cables. Map via telegeography.]
The NY Times recently reported on the tendency of countries to redirect internet traffic away from the United States. Intelligence agencies have previously been gifted with the convenience of a large majority of international internet usage eventually finding its way through US cables. This [...]
- Exotic Urbanism
[Monu Magazine issue #9 thumbnails]
Just wanted to point out the excellent new issue (#9) of MONU is out now and has a contribution from Mason and Lola (aka Lateral aka Infranet Lab directors) on the Thawing Urbanism of the Arctic.
You can get a copy form the fine folks at BoARD and MONU for a paltry [...]
- Icebreakers
[Icebreaker at work]
An icebreaker does exactly what it sounds like, a boat that breaks through sea ice using a strengthened hull and a wide ice clearing girth. Recognizing increased seasonal access as both opportunity and hazard, countries like the US have recently increased their interest in developing a new fleet of icebreakers. It takes a [...]
