How many humans really want to know what lies beyond our world? The things we will find (and eventually we will) may not be in our best interest. Maybe the greatest concern is what contact with other worlds would do to the human culture as we know it. Will all of our questions be answered? Probably not. Would other beings come in peace? We can't answer that. Even in the best scenario, we intelligent mortals tend to view what's different as ultimately dangerous. We can't even get along on our own people for very long before greed, or ideology puts us at odds with our fellow humans. There are...

Here in the southwest, we have an inordinate number of sunny days. It would simply make sense to go solar power on as much as we could. The area also has its share of windy days, therefore, wind turbines come to mind. Alas, there is still the cost of buying the equipment, and yes, the prohibitive cost of just doing business. In a perfect world, all this would be free. Still, there's always someone's hand in the till; landowners, power companies, politicians. Again the little guy bears the brunt for the cost of production and infrastructure, while the wealthy don't care. At this time, any...

We are entering into another round of elections and the rhetoric is heating up. I find it hard to watch political ads because more often than not, they are attacks on the other person. I do not find much substance being aired, only to say that this candidate would do the opposite of that one-which says nothing. This particular works embodies some on my thoughts as to the way we are going as a society, both good and bad. The hate-mongering is particularly bothersome, for we, are supposed to be a progressive society...thus the title.

Inspiration comes in many forms. The title of this book makes it sound like a nature special, but it's more of the perceptions we hold-which are all too evident in mass media. Each time, I try to capture the spirit and debate of the day. Any of you who follow my work will see this. Think of this as a narrative on the topics of equality-the equality in race, gender, money, and voice. After discussing current events both mundane and scary, with my peers (and on-line to some extent), what you have before you is the result.