To write this post, I wanted to know the origin of the term “futurist.” Per Acceleration Watch:

The Oxford English Dictionary traces earliest English usage of the term futurist to 1842, referring to Christian scriptural futurists. The next usage occurs with the Italian and Russian Futurists of the early 20th century (1900′s-1930′s), an artistic, (more…)

There is nothing magic about the number 7 billion, which, according to the United Nations, became the population of planet Earth sometime earlier this week. The resources available to feed, clothe, house and transport the world’s people aren’t stretched far thinner today than they were yesterday. But it’s good (more…)

The four year-old crisis of the disappearing bee is deepening.  Harsh winter conditions led to a massive bee die-off and a new study found bee pollen and hives laced with pesticides.

Bee populations have been on the decline for years, but in 2006 scientists noticed an alarming drop in population and found that entire colonies were being abandoned as bees went off to die elsewhere, a phenomenon labeled “colony collapse disorder.”

With bees disappearing, farmers are scrambling to find enough of the little guys to pollinate their crops.  The seriousness of the situation became clearer this spring when a hive shortage threatened the almond crop in California, which supplies the bulk of the world’s almonds.

Many culprits could possibly be behind the bees demise including viruses, bacteria, mites, chemical exposure and poor nutrition, but scientists are now zeroing in on pesticides. (more…)