Science

August 29, 2003

Richard Dawkins on Douglas Adams I look forward to a new official biography of Douglas Adams coming out in October. Via that news piece, I found a well-done summary of his memorial ceremony. It includes an excellent speech by Richard Dawkins about Adams. Dawkins offers, among other gems, this excellent Adams quote: 'If you try to take a cat apart, to see how it works, the first thing you'll have on your hands is a non-working cat.' I should mention, too, the most excellent Adams book that few(er) people have read, Last Chance to See. It's a hilarious, poignant tale of his search for the world's most endangered species. 12:17:35 PM      Trackback []    Books Science

August 22, 2003

Cryptococcal, Anyone? My Irish friend Christine apparently saw a documentary on cryptococcal disease last night. Apparently: Cryptococcal disease is a rare fungal infection that can affect the lungs and nervous system. In some cases, the infection can lead to swelling of the lining of the brain. The infection is caused by exposure to the spores of the cryptococcus fungus and can be successfully treated with anti-fungal medication. Apparently the fungus is found in rotten or hollow Douglas Fir and Red Alder trees, which are abundant on the west coast of Canada. That's funny, I spent most of my childhood destroying rotten trees in the forest behind my house, and I never got infected. I mention this mostly to torture my sister Imogene, who is deathly afraid of obscure, exotic diseases. 9:03:00 AM      Trackback []    Science Vancouver