In my previous post about the Système International prefix system, I described how they originated in the French Republican metric system of 1795, which introduced a set of prefixes to designate multiples and fractions of its base units. For instance, the metre was subdivided using prefixes into decimetres, centimetres and millimetres, designating a tenth, hundredth … Continue reading Système International Prefixes: Part 2
Broom Hill (NO 383421, c290m) Gallow Hill (NO 391413, 378m) Ironside Hill (NO 399411, 354m) Craigowl (NO 376399, 455m) 14 kilometres 430m ascent The idea with this one was a ridge-level circuit of Glen Ogilvie—up on to the east side at Broom Hill, over the tops to Craigowl at the head of the glen, and … Continue reading Sidlaws: Glen Ogilvie
The Système International d’unités, commonly known in English as the SI units, is a version of the metric system that, in addition to a carefully specified set of measurement units, contains a list of defined prefixes to specify multiples and fractions of its basic units. This set of prefixes has grown eccentrically over the years. … Continue reading Système International Prefixes: Part 1
“You’re suggesting we need a paradigm shift in how science interacts with society.” “Yes I am.” Kim Stanley Robinson has been around for a while, and is probably best known for his Mars trilogy. A lot of his science fiction reflects his own political agenda—strongly environmentalist and anti-capitalist, with a conviction that responsibly applied science … Continue reading Kim Stanley Robinson: Green Earth
A little blink of sunshine on the Côte d’Azur was much enhanced by the knowledge that, in our absence, Scotland was enduring overcast skies and single-digit temperatures. I was reminded of Iris Murdoch‘s line (nodding to La Rochefoucauld): Some clever writer (probably a Frenchman) has said: It is not enough to succeed; others must fail. … Continue reading Côte d’Azur (April 2016)
Not to be confused with fairy rings, which are circles of mushrooms and other fungi. These fairy circles were photographed in Namibia, and they’re a feature of the semi-arid margin of the Namib Desert. They form on sandy soil in regions where the annual rainfall is between 50 and 150 mm. They have a bare … Continue reading Fairy Circles
ləˈɡɒməkɪ Logomachy: An argument about words Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word.* I do not think it means what you think it means. William Goldman, The Princess Bride Once people start to argue about the words they’ve been using in their argument, they’re having a logomachy. Nothing much useful happens after that, unless they’re … Continue reading Logomachy
Go to first post of this build log Well, if you’ve been fretting about what was happening with this kit, I can only assure you that I haven’t been frittering away my time. Not been having a lot of fun, either. You’ll maybe recall that I planned to use my own printed decals to put … Continue reading Airfix 1/72 Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King: Part 5
The dangers this year were pretty much the same as the last attempt. Landmines were still in the ground, the area was still off limits, there was a possibility of being robbed by bandits, a slight possibility of being taken hostage by rebels and an even slighter possibility of meeting a Libyan military patrol while … Continue reading Ginge Fullen: Finding Bikku Bitti
Have you ever seen the sun set at the seaside? Yes? And did you follow it until the top edge of the sun’s disc just touched the horizon and then started to disappear? Probably. But did you observe the phenomenon that occurs at the instant of the last ray of light when the sky is … Continue reading Green Flash