MentorFactor

Science meets Art

In 1971 in Future Shock, Alvin Toffler wrote about the high tech/high touch dynamic that would become more and more pronounced as we move through this high technology age. So many of the technical people in my life, both programmers and technical communicators, have had an artistic side to them. In, fact the more technical (high-tech) they are, the more artistic (high-touch) they are.

This amazing article came to my attention today. I just thought I would share. This is for all my high-tech/high-touch friends and the art they do so well, including: Mary's writing and origami; Andrea's writing and quilting; Ryan's music; Maurice's music; Bob's music; John's writing and music; Bob's photography; and Tommy's music: 

http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20070127/mathtrek.asp

Mr. Wizard

Remember Mr. Wizard (Don Herbert)? I don't know what prompted me to read the obituaries in Starbucks today, but I saw the headline that Mr. Wizard had made his transition to the next life.

I loved watching Mr. Wizard when I was a kid. His Saturday morning television show introduced many of us to science in a way that was exciting and inspiring. He always left us wanting to know more. Isn't that the legacy of a GREAT teacher?

Incidently, I love it that he passed over on a date that added up to 9 (6/12/2007=18=9) in the 90th year (he was one month short of his 90th birthday) in his physical existence...too cool! [The number 9 is a very spiritual number, representing the triple trinity. According to Rebecca Brents, "Number 9 signifies the end of things, completion and closure. It is concerned with seeing that things are properly finished, bundled up with love into the most perfect package possible."]

Thank you, Mr. Wizard, for making us curious about how the world works and how we fit into the fabric of the cosmos.