Almost gone ... hope not!

Guest post series 'Almost gone ...' by Scott Bright (@Speciesguy)

Hi kids, parents and all. Today I wanted share of some positive things that people are doing to make a difference for endangered species. When you watch these videos, you'll want to thank these people. Hey, I’m doing my best here, I wish I could write like Richard Bach, but I try to make it interesting.

Lions Get To Live

In Africa, the lions were eating the farmers’ cattle, so the farmers did the only thing they thought would solve the problem, which was to take out as many of them as possible. So, fewer and fewer lions were to being seen. Hey, if they were my cows, I would do the same thing. Lions are professionals at running to catch something to eat.

Well, a group of people who called Conservation org. learned that this was happening, and sent some people to talk with the farmers. Check out the solution. Now the farmers let the lions live! Yahoo! See video. It’s a great video of people helping in a tough situation. Just Google some good things for endangered species, and you’ll find some good things happening.

Raising Shark Awareness

Here’s another person I read about. Here name is Lesley Rochat from South Africa. Boy, does she care about sharks and other marine life. She has a cool video about Maxine the shark. This is a great video! She was a friend with a ragged toothed shark for ten years, and this shark became a star! And with all of our support, will put an end to shark finning.

Parents, she has other videos, but you'll have to use your discretion. They are the best videos made to stop shark finning.

Breeding Species In Captivity

When a species home gets smaller and smaller, animals get in a lot of trouble as far as survival is concerned. Now some caring people take animals from where they live and breed them. It’s called, “breeding in captivity.” It just means that they make other species away from where they live. If people did not do this, the animal would go extinct.

I can’t wait to share this with you! On an island called, “Madagascar, they have some of the strangest animals on our planet. The thing is, species like the fossa, the leaf tailed gecko, and aye-aye only exist on this island. And a lot of their forests are being cut down. People are trying to change that too. So for now, some people learned that a lot of the animals were in trouble there and sprung into action.

Way To Go Duke

Yes indeed, Duke University came to the rescue! Take a look at this video. One of the animals they breed is the aye-aye. Just say eye, eye, and you will had said their name right. My hats are off to the people at the Duke Lemur Center because they are breeding a bunch of species that would have gone extinct.

Look how cute the aye-aye’s are. And it’s the only place on earth where they live. Ok, I found one other video about Dr. Kathy Williams and what she does. Thank you Duke!

To Wrap Up For Today

What I’m suggesting is we learn about what’s happening with different animals, and get enthused about the value of a species! When we learn why a species is important, that is valuable information to share with your teachers, and with your parents help, you can write a leader. Way to go! Thanks kid, parents and all, I hope you enjoyed me sharing what some wonderful people are doing to make a difference. What species will we look at next week? Stay tuned.

Please check out the books on my site, if we educate our kids with books, DVDs, and write a leader, we can be part of the solution to lower the endangered species rate. And I have cool bamboo items for the home. Check my site, I have other fun videos, plus blogs and books for your learning. Remember, education is what can turn this around.

I also post some funny looking species on Twitpic.

Kids Books For Endangered Species

SpeciesHelp.com

And I'm Speciesguy on Twitter. Come say hi.

Universe in your head

[Image source: MSNBC]

“Everyone creates their own reality.”

“Thoughts become things.”

“Observer collapses the wave-function merely by observing.”

These lines were made famous by the “new age-y” documentaries like What the bleep do we know?! and The secret. May be not all of you have heard of them. But these and many other works by leading scientists and spiritual leaders have lead to a paradigm shift amongst those who are open to such shifts. Research into understanding of mind-body interaction has gone way beyond neuroscience, which is the popular face of this kind of research. I’m sure most of you would have heard / seen the term “New age” in regards to classification of books, music, ideas etc. The term points more towards the rise of a “new age” of sorts in human thinking and doesn’t really mean that human beings are discovering something new. It is a mere rediscovery if one considers the ancient texts of numerous cultures as not mere mythology.

Many (re)discoveries in the cutting edge research in quantum physics, neuroscience, cognitive sciences and biomedicine are now hinting towards the existence of ‘consciousness’ and its significant importance in how we perceive the world, the “reality”. Cosmic Log on MSNBC.com describes itself as “Quantum fluctuations in space, science, exploration and other cosmic fields... served up regularly by MSNBC.com science editor Alan Boyle since 2002.” It showcases the book ‘Biocentrism’ by biomedical researcher Robert Lanza which is generating controversy by arguing that our consciousness plays a central role in creating the cosmos. As one of the reviewers of the book says, this may not be an entirely new idea but it is worth repeating. The physicists who should be declaring this out loud to the general populous aren’t doing so because it would mean a HUGE paradigm shift; may be the one that we’re not yet ready to handle. But if YOU think you are ready, give the book a read. We successfully made the shift from ‘geocentric’ model to ‘heliocentric’ model. May be now it is time to try a bigger leap, to the ‘biocentric’ model.

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TED Tuesday: String theory

Physicist Brian Greene explains superstring theory, the idea that minscule strands of energy vibrating in 11 dimensions create every particle and force in the universe.

Almost gone ... Thylacine

Guest post series 'Almost gone ...' by Scott Bright (@Speciesguy)

Meet the Thylacine

Well hello to you, and welcome. What species can open it's mouth like a crocodile, has stripes like a Zebra, and a tail of that came from who knows where? Oh wait, one other feature, it has a pouch like a Kangaroo! Give up? Well, it's called the Thylacine, or,"wolf headed pouch dog” if you look it up in Latin. But it went extinct back around 1939. Or did it? Read on.

There are a number of articles that have been written about this animal. Why? First, it's a flat out interesting topic to read and write about. And second, a certain someone offered a great deal of money for real time footage of one; 1.25 million dollars to be exact of someone that can show real footage of this species.

Did this species go extinct?

It will have to be listed as one of the most endangered species. This snap shot above is from the Hobart Zoo in 1936. That's when they supposedly went extinct. But hold the phone. Extinct? Do you think they still exist? You be the careful investigator and find out! See an interactive map of all the reported sightings in Australia. How in the world did this species evolve? Who did it propagate with to get its shape? Australia is famous for animals that came out strange from the species assembly line!

How about the Southern Hairy nosed Wombat from Australia? It's a bear. Wait, no, it's got the nose of a rabbit. No, wait, I know, how about a pig? And my favourite characteristic, its pouch is upside down! Hey, if you dug as much as they did, and you were the baby, you'd love that feature to keep your pouch home dirt free. Yes, having a pouch upside down is weird and smart at the same time, and, not to mention, a lot of years of evolution.

Back to the Thylacine

I was shocked, as I'm sure you are too, with how wide a Thylacine can open its jaw! I mean wider than a lion, leopard, grizzly bear, just fill in the blank. The first thing that came to my mind was a crocodile. Why did it develop this way? What did it need to grab hold of that it required that kind of function? Maybe there's an expert on here that could answer some of these stirring questions. And where in the world did it get its stripes? Just a portion of its backsides has stripes; how weird is that?

Lessons from extinction?

Why did the Thylacines numbers go way south? Well, livestock was being threatened and farmers exterminated them. And just what can be learned from this? Well, as you might know, a similar kind of situation is happening in the United States right this moment with the wolves. It's happening with the Gray Wolf and the livestock there. But the awareness level is way high with this endangered species. Environmental organizations are in court to change rulings for the benefit of the wolf. It's this kind of awareness and petitions for people to sign would keep the Thylacine around. It makes for good checks and ensures balance.

Environmental organizations are making a difference.

One final point I'd like to make. There are solutions that mankind can create for endangered species if we would just put to use our eighteen billion brain cells. Here is an example how man stepped in and created a solution to an endangered species situation in Africa. Conservation International is one such group. Some farmers in Africa were seeing the cheetah was killing their livestock, so they started exterminating them. Well, if I was a farmer, and my cows were disappearing, that would seem like the course of action to take. Anyways, an environmental organization learned that this was happening and came up with a brilliant solution! They started paying the farmers for the livestock the cheetahs were eating. And the result? Now the farmers let the cheetahs live!

To Sum Up

As you are aware, there are many more species that need this kind of protection, the wolf, the sharks, and the polar bears to name a few. According to the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature), 16,928 species are endangered at this time. Don't get me started! It's all up on my web site. If you have kids that love wild animals, they will have fun on my site. I write about the value of each species, and why they're important.

I really hope the Thylacine is discovered again, because there are lessons to be learned from the crazy method called "extermination”. Well, for those of you that dream of a land where no species are endangered, I created a web site for kids and all to learn some fun wild animal facts about species around the world. Click below. I can't wait to hear from kids. Plus, come say Hi on Twitter.

Let's stop extinction in its tracks with kid's learning. Because when kids get enthused, there' is no stopping them. They can share with their friends and even write to a leader!

http://www.specieshelp.com/

Kids Books For Endangered Species
Twitter.com/speciesguy

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Silicon valley no more?

New exotic material could revolutionize electronics

Move over, silicon -- it may be time to give the Valley a new name. Physicists at the Department of Energy's (DOE) SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have confirmed the existence of a type of material that could one day provide dramatically faster, more efficient computer chips.

Recently-predicted and much-sought, the material allows electrons on its surface to travel with no loss of energy at room temperatures and can be fabricated using existing semiconductor technologies. Such material could provide a leap in microchip speeds, and even become the bedrock of an entirely new kind of computing industry based on spintronics, the next evolution of electronics. Physicists Yulin Chen, Zhi-Xun Shen and their colleagues tested the behaviour of electrons in the compound bismuth telluride. The results, published online June 11 in Science Express, show a clear signature of what is called a topological insulator, a material that enables the free flow of electrons across its surface with no loss of energy.

So now my generation might be the last one to know the computers as we know them today. Of course this is just one among many other things, like the black and white photographs, black and white television, cars with stick-shift gear, hardcopy (not electronic) scrapbooking etc., that the next generation may never know of! Wow, now THAT makes me feel old!

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TED Tuesday: Habits of happiness

What is happiness, and how can we all get some? Biochemist turned Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard says we can train our minds in habits of well-being, to generate a true sense of serenity and fulfillment.

Almost gone ... Southern Cassowary

Guest post series 'Almost gone ...' by Scott Bright (@Speciesguy)

The Cassowary Has A Great Purpose!

One day, I became fascinated, and I'm sure you will to, with exploring different parts of the world. And as fate would have it, I clicked on one of the strangest places on earth as far as animals go, "Australia!" The species that captivated my attention was a bird called the Southern Cassowary. They weigh in at one hundred and fifty pounds or more! That's right, you read correctly. Just take a peek at one! And man do they look prehistoric! I found a great video for you to see one up close.

Here is what's so valuable with this bird. It's called a keystone specie. Just what does that mean in layman's terms? Well, it's responsible for replenishing rain forest. Just how can a bird be so responsible for that task? Good question. I have 800+ books for your child and you to explore! What Is your favorites species kids? Just type them in and explore. Click here to start your child's learning.

Boy, Can They Eat Fruit!

This bird can eat fruit whole and then run all over the forest and drop the seeds whole. The result? Trees happen in a matter of weeks! I'm telling you, don't try this at home, this bird is a professional.

Just One To Four Thousand Left

So why does anyone need to be concerned about this species? If this bird goes extinct, what's to happen with the forest? I'm sure you can put 2 and 2 together. Other animals count on the cassowary. This species' forest habitat is becoming fragmented. Some caring people of Australia have put up signs for cars to slow for cassowary traffic; if only the people in the cars will slow down.

True Story

My journey began when I pulled up to my computer and read about this large bird. Hours went by and i got more and more passionate about the cause of saving it from extinction. Yeah, a global awareness had to be developed. So here's the deal. We are all in this together to make a difference. If you see an organization online that wants to preserve Cassowaries, make a donation to their precious cause.

I know if the people of world take an interest in the 16,000 species on the verge of extinction, we can turn this around. As for myself, I'm picking another part of the world to focus on. After all, the animals of Africa need to have the spot light on them too. I've written other interesting things to read about to make a difference. Once again, it's all part of the tapestry my friend. This and all other species truly are in a race against time, and it will have to be all of us working together if we're going to turn things around.

http://www.specieshelp.com/

Kids Books For Endangered Species

Twitter.com/speciesguy

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How the Cassowary Got Its Helmet

Ostriches, Emus, Rheas, Kiwis and Cassowaries (Zoo Books (Mankato, Minn.).)

Be wary, cassowary. (bird from New Guinea): An article from: U.S. Kids

Diving into history

Archaeology is kind of a non-glamorous branch of science. It is a convergence of many different physical and social sciences which are used as tools to construct the jigsaw puzzle of our past. But sadly humans are not as interested in the past as they are in the future. General public thinks of archaeologists as khaki-wearing folk who love meticulously dusting off the tiny little pieces of shards made by unknown people from thousands of years ago. So most of the archaeological discoveries manage to excite only the members of this close community and go unappreciated by the general populous. Only a few discoveries like that of Tutankhamen’s (lovingly dubbed King Tut) gold-laden tomb makes it to the front pages of newspapers and magazines.

Even more obscure branch of archaeology is underwater archaeology. Although a lot of our history lies submerged underwater not many of us think there is anything valuable to look there. Only when something astonishing like the Bimini wall or the Antikythera device comes out of the depths of the ocean, does our attention get focused on it briefly. However there has been increasing interest among the archaeologists of today to go diving to peer into the past. Archaeology, a publication of the Archaeological Institute of America, highlights just a few of these ongoing underwater archaeology projects, from the recovery of a sixth-century B.C. Phoenician shipwreck, where excavators found a cargo that included elephant tusks and amber, to work on a 19th-century vessel in Oklahoma's Red River that has given archaeologists their first look at early steamship design.

One great work of research based on a worldwide exploration diving for the underwater ruins of a lost civilization is the book Underworld by investigative journalist and author, Graham Hancock. This book follows clues in ancient scriptures and mythology and in the scientific evidence of the flood that swept the Earth at the end of the last Ice Age. I believe such works are rare because of our belief that we are the most advanced humans this planet has ever seen and so there’s nothing to look for in the past except exploits of primitive cavemen. However if you do believe the cyclic model of life in ancient Hindu philosophy, the Yuga cycle, then you should definitely be curious as to what is hidden away in the blue depths that cover 3/4th of our planet today.

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TED Tuesday: Clean drinking water, quick and cheap

Too much of the world lacks access to clean drinking water. Engineer Michael Pritchard did something about it -- inventing the portable Lifesaver filter, which can make the most revolting water drinkable in seconds. An amazing demo from TEDGlobal 2009.

Cultivating clean water.(GREEN GUIDANCE)(Protection of clean drinking water): An article from: World Watch

Almost gone ... Aye-aye

Guest post series 'Almost gone ...' by Scott Bright (@Speciesguy)

The aye- aye needs our help

I recently discovered a species from an island located at the bottom right of South Africa, Madagascar, called the Aye Aye. Isn’t that a strange name for an animal? It’s a nocturnal lemur that eats seeds and grubs. I felt quite moved to share about what’s going on with them. The only place on earth that they exist is on is on this isolated island of Madagascar. The species needs some worldwide focus at this time.

Folklore

The people of Madagascar have some strong folklore in place. It depends which people you talk with on the island. Because some people there think it is a good omen to see one. But some believe that if an aye- aye points at you with its middle finger, you will die. So, they are killed at sight. Come on! It’s only a seed and grub eating nocturnal lemur.

Foraging method is ingenious

Their method of foraging food is pretty amazing. Their middle finger is three inches longer than the other fingers and it taps quite rapidly on trees to look for grubs. Hey, someone has to be assigned to the task. I wonder how many years of evolution did it take for them to figure out this behavior? A Woodpecker does the same thing, only with their beak. Personally, I think they have the un kept hair of Einstein, so they have that going for them! Lets try to do our best to share information about this rare animal.

No beauty contests

As you can plainly see from the picture, the only beauty contest they you could consider entering them in would be in October. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

They are being bred

Whew! This is good news. I’m glad there are people out there that know the time to breed this animal is now. Else they will be lost to us forever!

Aye-aye in the media

I found a video of a baby aye-aye that has been bred in the U.K. Its name is Kintana (meaning star in Malagasy). The aye-ayes are also flourishing at the Duke Lemur Centre in the US. More cool videos about various endangered species that I handpicked plus some interesting and informative blogs are showcased on my website.

Launch Passion For Endangered Species

I’ve started a cause for endangered species on Facebook. It’s a place for kids to learn plus dialog with each other. Please share this with your kids. I just started the cause and am asking for your help. Come on kids!

Thanks for taking the time to read.

http://www.specieshelp.com/
Kids Books For Endangered Species
Twitter.com/speciesguy

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9 types of intelligence

[Image source]

When we talk about someone intelligent, we usually mean it in a way that the person has done well in studies, academics or some such intellectual faculty. Would you call someone who has great sense of direction and never needs a GPS, intelligent? Would you call someone with a great ear for music and composition, intelligent? Or how about a hiker with incredible stamina? I'm sure most of you would go, "What? No! These things have got nothing to do with intelligence." Well, think again.

Melissa Breyer writes in Care2's 'Healthy and green living' section about 9 types of intelligence. Dr. Howard Gardner is the Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He has developed the theory of multiple intelligences, going beyond the IQ test to discover the many ways humans are smart. He identified intelligent abilities including language, music, spatial reference, kinesthesia, naturalistic, and possibly existential intelligence.

Once you read this article and Dr. Gardner's theory (and may be even more depending on how interested you get) I am sure you're way of judging someone as 'not intelligent' will change. I also think knowing that we possess different kind of intelligences which are not necessarily reflected on our marksheets is important. So many people would realise that they have at least one, if not more, kind of intelligence in them. You would think yourself much more worthy than you did till now. And more importantly, I hope, you will stop making your kids slog insane hours to get that A grade in academic subjects. And would appriciate their A grade in sports equally.

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TED Tuesday: From redwoods to north pole

Science writer Richard Preston talks about some of the most enormous living beings on the planet, the giant trees of the US Pacific Northwest. Growing from a tiny seed, they support vast ecosystems -- and are still, largely, a mystery.

Lewis Pugh talks about his record-breaking swim across the North Pole. He braved the icy waters (in a Speedo) to highlight the melting icecap. Watch for astonishing footage -- and some blunt commentary on the realities of supercold-water swims.