I've read three books recently that had a very odd and unusual common quality: optimism. They make the case that human beings are behaving better, that our worst problems can be solved, and generally that if we all work together the future can be really amazingly good. I'm more used to "_____ is going to destroy the world any day now" talk, so it's ( Read more... )

Maker Faire in Austin,  Texas was a great time. It was largely outdoors and inside an open-sided barn at the local country fairgrounds, which was nice. (Although that did open the door to the same problems that plague regular county and state fairs -- overpriced food, and not enough places to sit down. Especially in the shade.)

I especially liked ( Read more... )