The Problem of "Group -Think"

"Exercising authority through power is the enemy of good management."

 

Richard Cook, a NASA lead resource analyst for the solid rocket booster program, Challenger disaster January 28, 1986

It's not "who" is right, it's "what's right".

We need an "Einstein Day"

"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed. It was the experience of mystery -- even if mixed with fear -- that engendered religion. A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, our perceptions of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty, which only in their most primitive forms are accessible to our minds: it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute true religiosity. In this sense, and only this sense, I am a deeply religious man... I am satisfied with the mystery of life's eternity and with a knowledge, a sense, of the marvelous structure of existence -- as well as the humble attempt to understand even a tiny portion of the Reason that manifests itself in nature."

I believe in intuition and inspiration. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution. It is, strictly speaking, a real factor in scientific research. 

Read more: http://www.physicsforums.com 

Earth Day!

Earth as seen from Mars (Nasa photo).

A Mars view of Earth, Jupiter, and Venus from the sky (top down).

Circles are an example of two sine waves

Knowledge vs Experience

The original is from cartoonist Hugh MacLeod, 
who came up with such a brilliant way to express 
a concept that’s often not that easy to grasp.

Educate yourself so you have data points to connect...

Blood Moon eclipse last night

“Concerning matter, we have been all wrong. What we have called matter is energy, whose vibration has been so lowered as to be perceptible to the senses. There is no matter.”

― Albert Einstein

Blood Moon eclipse last night - a raise in consciousness already occurring! Put deposit on fabulous place to live! Yay!

Blood Moon

Stephen Hawking says... history has infinite possibilities

"...according to Quantum Theory, the universe doesn't have just a unique single history...the universe has every single possible history, each with its own probability. " Read more. 

Reviving your inner voice - the artist within.

Your "inner voice" is magical. It is a voice that speaks from a part of you that you may have forgotten is there.

"The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself." -Henry Miller

My INFJ Myers Briggs Results

INFJ

I used to be something else - but actually this test reflects more accurately whom I've become...

Quotes of Day

"Searching is half the fun; life is more manageable when thought of as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party." -Jimmy Buffet

"When we were little we had no difficulty sounding the way we felt; thus most little children speak and write with real voice." - Peter Elbow

Insulate my House with Aerogel

New flexible and stronger aerogel expected to open new applications for super-insulated homes.

"Building envelope applications are a natural for aerogel, and companies such as Thermoblok, Aspen and Cabot already have been working in these markets. Despite the production, handling and installation problems of silica aerogel, there has been some evidence that just using small strips of the material to prevent thermal bridging at target areas—such as wall studs—can be cost effective. So, cheaper and flexible aerogel strips would go a long way toward making the savings calculation easier. The housing stock in Europe, particularly Northern Europe, is particularly in need of improved insulation (no word yet on the results of the EU’s first Aerocoins aerogel workshop that was to be held this past June). Meador says that the new aerogel is five to 10 times more efficient than existing insulation, with a quarter-inch-thick sheet providing as much insulation as three inches of fiberglass. These insulation values are generally in line with ordinary silica aerogel, so the ease of use is the main thing here."  

Buy here on Ebay.

Read on Cabot website.

Cabot aerogel is also enabling the next generation of insulating plasters:

• 2 – 3 times more effective than currently available insulating plasters and even better than currently used insulation boards with lambda values down to 0.028 W/mK
• Easy spray coating application works on uneven surfaces, piping or cables
• No insulation board handling or cutting for reduced installation time and cost
• No gaps for water condensation, no head bridges
• Can easily model the shape of the facade - will not change its appearance
• Inorganic system is ideal for retrofitting of historical buildings
• Vapor open, can be used in interiors or exteriors
• Light weight, easy to handle
• Can reach fire class A2

For more information, visit www.fixit.ch/aerogel

Cabot aerogel can also be used in its granular form for cavity wall infill  or in a blanket form, Thermal Wrap^TM. The Thermal Wrap blanket is especially useful in applications where a thin product is required that can be easily cut, rolled, and/or shaped on the job site. Because it delivers high insulation performance even when compressed, it is especially useful as a thermal break in places that otherwise conduct heat, such as over studs and around windows (i.e. strips).Still have questions? Click here for FAQs.

For more information on board insulation and finishing systems, visit:
www.sto-aevero.de
www.aerowolle.de

From Inhabitat website:

Aerogel is fireproof, mildew-proof yet allows moisture to move through.

Aerogel rolls.

Aerogel strips.

• 
  Super Batteries Made From 'Frozen Smoke' May be Here Soon
  Over the years we’ve seen batteries made from an incredible range of materials – from mud to coffee to water. However researchers from the University
• 
  Scientists Develop Graphene Aerogel - The World's Lightest Material
  Last year, German scientists created aerographite, which at 0.2 milligrams per cubic centimeter was dubbed the world’s lightest material. However they have now been eclipsed

More: Space-age Aerogel Insulation Now Cheaper and Available in Sheets | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building 

Answers to more questions here. Buy Aerogel and get samples here.