No articles this week as I’m taking this year’s 1st week off. The 2nd will be in mid-August, and I think the 3rd will be in September and 4th during Christmas. Here are some themes I’ve been working on, which you should expect in the coming months: Environment Series: How bad is CO2, the types of environmentalist, we know how to solve global warming, planetary boundaries
You're one of the few people to openly suggest technological perspectives and solutions for the environmental crisis - which is extremely refreshing and a welcome approach. As you mention in your writings as well, so many environmentalists freak out when technology is discussed as a tool (or a set of tools) to deal with such issues just because of the historic ways technology has been used before. Many can't make the difference between technology and policy, which is tragic.
I was thinking it would be nice if you did an article on the origins of Iran/Iraq, from the times of the Persians, doing the explanations of rivers, valleys, etc.
I do have a draft on this! It’s a matter of slotting in the time to process the info & write it. Normally articles like this are ideal when there’s something newsworthy about them. There’s been nothing newsworthy about that region lately (surprisingly!)
Tomás, I just love your articles, you are the brilliant science teacher I never had :) ... I'd love your take on convergent evolution. How is it that independently evolved animals can look so remarkably like each other? (ie a kangaroos head reminiscent of a deer, the ubiquitous nature of symmetrical limb-like structures, two eyes, etc.) Is there some basic blueprint, an evolutionary time's arrow? If not, why don't we see sci-fi animals that break our preconceptions?
Ah fantastic question! The short is: the same constraints cause the same evolutionary solutions. And there are many places on Earth with similar constraints, because we share the same planet size, the same distance to the Sun, the same chemical composition of the air and water, the same densities, similar temperatures...
Extra-terrestrial planets could have very "alien" aliens if the conditions are very different. Eg, plenty of ammonia in the atmosphere, more gravity, etc.
I’m definitely interested in your take on Africa! I could see how geography could play into it. Compared With Europe being connected and easier to navigate (I think longitude and latitude is one of the reasons). I read a book a few years ago called The Revenge of Geography by Robert Kaplan. I thought it was a good intro to help me begin thinking through these things.
I would be interested in you doing some research on migration. How does geography help or hurt migration? Can countries aid in easier migration for people?
There was a period in the second part of the 20th Century when a lot of economists tried to demonstrate that the distance from the Equator is in itself a determining factor of poverty. Articles and books were written, measurements (very abstract and non-contextual) made to suggest this idea. Very simplistic and irrelevant, but was made into a big deal at the time.
Hi Tomas, per the email I sent you earlier I think that analyzing public safety -- where it works and where it doesn't, and why -- could be a very interesting topic. It seems ironic to me how Western governments have failed in this primary function as a government -- to secure the streets for their citizens. This problem affects almost all people everywhere in the world, but especially women. I know this is a complicated topic, but I do think there are some general drivers behind public safety and it might be helpful to understand them better so that policymakers can duplicate successes and work on common problems associated with this phenomenon.
Did we delve into this? Can’t remember right now. Tell me more. Are you talking about crime? Isn’t it lower now than in the last 40 years? What are some of the themes you have in mind?
Hi Tomas, this is a difficult question to answer. On the one hand, media platforms have played into our Availability Bias, so I do believe people generally feel that the streets are less safe even if they aren't. However, I'm not sure I'm confident in the numbers that are being reported in certain countries, and in particular in certain urban centers in those countries. At least in Latin America (and other developing countries like the Phillippines, South Africa) anecdotally street crime is on the rise. I think this is one reason why we are seeing populists and strongmen rise to power on platforms that are anti-crime. Whether they actually are fixing the problem is another matter, of course. The major theme is whether an actual increase in crime, or perception of an increase, is causing significant changes in people's mobility in society(particularly women) , and the economic, political, and social implications of that.
I've been thinking about this. It's not a trivial one though because although the geography is great, the policy is better. So you can't understand Singapore without understanding Lee Kuan Yew, and that takes a long time
Thanks for that. Let us wait then to see what you come up with. It might lead to an interesting series of articles approaching geography, policies and individuals such as Lee Kuan Yew. Thanks for replying!!
Tomas, have you thought about doing any short form "Quick Notes" from time to time? Maybe even in the form of an audio discussion? I feel like some current events are more interesting to me because of stories you've shared in the past (e.g. History of Russia article and last weekends Wagner Group story, or Tulare Lake in Califiornia in conjuction with your Salton Sea and flood the deserts articles). I feel like if I ran into you in a coffee shop these connections would definitely be things I would want to get your take on.
Cheers and thanks for your continued thoughtful reads.
You know, I've been thinking about doing YouTube shorts / Insta Reels, and this could feed into that. Let me think more about it... Thanks for sharing!
Or about Aragonese language! Pueyo means “little mountain” in Aragonese (The same thing is Puig in Catalan, these languages are very close, or “colina” in Spanish).
I gotta say, these countries are well below in the list... I have others above, like many in Africa, Argentina, Mexico, the Netherlands, Japan, Turkey, Iran...
Enjoy your holidays.
You're one of the few people to openly suggest technological perspectives and solutions for the environmental crisis - which is extremely refreshing and a welcome approach. As you mention in your writings as well, so many environmentalists freak out when technology is discussed as a tool (or a set of tools) to deal with such issues just because of the historic ways technology has been used before. Many can't make the difference between technology and policy, which is tragic.
Have a great time on your holiday!
Amen!
Hi, I am really excited about more on Storytelling. Would love to get some recommendations on readings here as well if you have.
Enjoy your holiday,
Alexandra
I'm preparing a cohort-based course on this, so will share in due time!
I was thinking it would be nice if you did an article on the origins of Iran/Iraq, from the times of the Persians, doing the explanations of rivers, valleys, etc.
I do have a draft on this! It’s a matter of slotting in the time to process the info & write it. Normally articles like this are ideal when there’s something newsworthy about them. There’s been nothing newsworthy about that region lately (surprisingly!)
I'm keen on reading your take on AI related topics!
I'm excited to share it too! In fact I feel like I'm clearing other topics to give me space to focus on that :)
Nice 😊 especially ai alignment!
Tomás, I just love your articles, you are the brilliant science teacher I never had :) ... I'd love your take on convergent evolution. How is it that independently evolved animals can look so remarkably like each other? (ie a kangaroos head reminiscent of a deer, the ubiquitous nature of symmetrical limb-like structures, two eyes, etc.) Is there some basic blueprint, an evolutionary time's arrow? If not, why don't we see sci-fi animals that break our preconceptions?
Ah fantastic question! The short is: the same constraints cause the same evolutionary solutions. And there are many places on Earth with similar constraints, because we share the same planet size, the same distance to the Sun, the same chemical composition of the air and water, the same densities, similar temperatures...
Extra-terrestrial planets could have very "alien" aliens if the conditions are very different. Eg, plenty of ammonia in the atmosphere, more gravity, etc.
A Netflix series explored this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YTYleNFaPE
Highly recommended!
Oh, wow, many thanks! :)
Gabrielle, this is an incredibly interesting topic. I hope Tomas writes about it.
I’m definitely interested in your take on Africa! I could see how geography could play into it. Compared With Europe being connected and easier to navigate (I think longitude and latitude is one of the reasons). I read a book a few years ago called The Revenge of Geography by Robert Kaplan. I thought it was a good intro to help me begin thinking through these things.
I would be interested in you doing some research on migration. How does geography help or hurt migration? Can countries aid in easier migration for people?
Thanks
Kayvan
Migration is in my To Do list, but I had to do other things first! Maybe in the coming months I'll get back to it...
Awesome! Looking forward to it.
There was a period in the second part of the 20th Century when a lot of economists tried to demonstrate that the distance from the Equator is in itself a determining factor of poverty. Articles and books were written, measurements (very abstract and non-contextual) made to suggest this idea. Very simplistic and irrelevant, but was made into a big deal at the time.
I have a take on this!
Have you read Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond?
I have not. Thanks
It's a good entry-level book for some of the geotopics we discuss here
Hi Tomas, per the email I sent you earlier I think that analyzing public safety -- where it works and where it doesn't, and why -- could be a very interesting topic. It seems ironic to me how Western governments have failed in this primary function as a government -- to secure the streets for their citizens. This problem affects almost all people everywhere in the world, but especially women. I know this is a complicated topic, but I do think there are some general drivers behind public safety and it might be helpful to understand them better so that policymakers can duplicate successes and work on common problems associated with this phenomenon.
Did we delve into this? Can’t remember right now. Tell me more. Are you talking about crime? Isn’t it lower now than in the last 40 years? What are some of the themes you have in mind?
Hi Tomas, this is a difficult question to answer. On the one hand, media platforms have played into our Availability Bias, so I do believe people generally feel that the streets are less safe even if they aren't. However, I'm not sure I'm confident in the numbers that are being reported in certain countries, and in particular in certain urban centers in those countries. At least in Latin America (and other developing countries like the Phillippines, South Africa) anecdotally street crime is on the rise. I think this is one reason why we are seeing populists and strongmen rise to power on platforms that are anti-crime. Whether they actually are fixing the problem is another matter, of course. The major theme is whether an actual increase in crime, or perception of an increase, is causing significant changes in people's mobility in society(particularly women) , and the economic, political, and social implications of that.
I'll be missing your articles. Have a nice brake!
Aww that’s nice!
Enjoy your holiday.
I always look forward to your geography features.
How to make Venus home is also interesting & underexplored.
I would love to see an article from you explaining the reasons for SINGAPORE's outstanding success case as a state-city!
I've been thinking about this. It's not a trivial one though because although the geography is great, the policy is better. So you can't understand Singapore without understanding Lee Kuan Yew, and that takes a long time
Thanks for that. Let us wait then to see what you come up with. It might lead to an interesting series of articles approaching geography, policies and individuals such as Lee Kuan Yew. Thanks for replying!!
Tomas, have you thought about doing any short form "Quick Notes" from time to time? Maybe even in the form of an audio discussion? I feel like some current events are more interesting to me because of stories you've shared in the past (e.g. History of Russia article and last weekends Wagner Group story, or Tulare Lake in Califiornia in conjuction with your Salton Sea and flood the deserts articles). I feel like if I ran into you in a coffee shop these connections would definitely be things I would want to get your take on.
Cheers and thanks for your continued thoughtful reads.
You know, I've been thinking about doing YouTube shorts / Insta Reels, and this could feed into that. Let me think more about it... Thanks for sharing!
Or about Aragonese language! Pueyo means “little mountain” in Aragonese (The same thing is Puig in Catalan, these languages are very close, or “colina” in Spanish).
Hello, perhaps an article about Belarus, Belarusian language, culture, religion, history and present?
Or another about Ireland, Irish language, culture, religion, history and present?
Thanks!
I gotta say, these countries are well below in the list... I have others above, like many in Africa, Argentina, Mexico, the Netherlands, Japan, Turkey, Iran...