-
-
Artificial cornea to restore eyesight?
Stanford University researchers have developed an artificial cornea, which may enable the blind to once again see the light of day.
Although the cornea is yet to be tested on humans, studies performed on animals have shown promising results. The findings will be published in the June issue of ACS' Biotechnology Progress journal.
According to researcher Curtis W. Frank, the implantable polymer-based cornea, similar to human donor corneas, is made of two interwoven polymer gels that resemble the material used in soft contact lenses Stanford University researchers have developed an artificial cornea, which may enable the blind to once again see the light of day. ... more -
Benoîte Rencurel and Our Lady of Laus
A wonderful story that could rival the events at Lourdes
-
Botched LASIK Eye Surgery Leads To Corneal Transplant
"The vast majority of the time, LASIK eye surgery works out just fine. Then there are stories like Patrick's. He was a "perfect" candidate for LASIK eye surgery according to both the doctor who performed the procedure and other experts who reviewed his records later. After the procedure, however, he began to lose vision in his left eye, and eventually had to have a corneal transplant. Patrick's detailed account of how LASIK Plus reacted—stringing him along with multiple visits and the wrong diagnoses, misplacing his records, and denying any responsibility—has left him feeling he should share his story with the rest of the world."
I think anyone considering cosmetic surgery on a sensitive part of the body should seriously weight out the pros and cons first. "The vast majority of the time, LASIK eye surgery works out just fine. Then there are stories like Patrick's. He was a "perfect" candi... more -
Our Lady of Siluva
First Widely Known Apparition of the Mother of God in Europe -- a little country with a huge message
-
World's first true bionic eye is a real eye opener
Doctors have unveiled the world's first lifelike bionic eye to Sky News reporters, with them believing that the technology could one day allow blind people to see again.
The device works by using a pea-sized video camera which is small enough to fit inside the eyeball. The camera is linked to an artificial retina that transmits moving images along the optic nerve to brain.
Doctors believe the technology could be implemented within three to five years. Doctors have unveiled the world's first lifelike bionic eye to Sky News reporters, with them believing that the technology could one d... more -
Thomas Jefferson's Solar Architecture
Jefferson's design of the University of Virginia is a dialogue with sunlight and landscape. As the landscape architect Anne Spirn wrote, the lawn "linked two sources of knowledge: books and nature."
Photo: U.Va. News Services/Chris Myers
When I served as the dean of the school of architecture at the University of Virginia, I had the privilege of living in a house designed by Thomas Jefferson. Had I simply inhabited a singular Jeffersonian home, the experience would have been a source of profound and inspiring pleasure, but the house was only one part of a magnificent whole. Known as Pavilion IX, one of 10 classical pavilions facing each other across the university lawn and linked by colonnaded walkways to Jefferson’s domed Rotunda, the house is part of a unified “academical village” widely considered the greatest piece of architecture in America. So to live in Pavilion IX was to be immersed in an exquisite essay in architecture, and to feel a deep appreciation for the legacy of design.
Indeed, I think Jefferson saw himself first and foremost as a designer. Among all the achievements of his productive life, he wanted to be remembered for three things, inscribed on a stone obelisk over his grave at Monticello: “Author of the Declaration of Independence, Of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, And Father of the University of Virginia.” This from a man whose distinguished career included eight years as president of the United States. For Jefferson, his activities were less important than the things he designed, suggesting a mind keenly attuned to the ways in which the poetic ordering of things could create a vital legacy.
And it is a vital legacy. In the things Jefferson made—from Monticello to the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, which matured into the Bill of Rights—we see a design sensibility that speaks to us today. We see balanced composition subtle enough to include tradition and invention, science and aesthetics, nature and culture, freedom and responsibility. We see a breadth of interest that took in politics, economics, natural history and an agrarian’s attention to the living earth, and rendered them visible in actions that changed the world. We see an architect, embracing both the practical and the poetic. We see a man who, were he with us today, would likely be calling for “Declarations of Interdependence” that recognize that our ability to pursue wealth, health and happiness is dependent on other forms of life, and that the rights of one species are linked to the rights of others.
"TODAY Jefferson would be calling for "Declarations of Interdependence" that recognize that our ability to pursue wealth, health and happiness depends on other forms of life."
William McDonough, FAIA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Simply inspiring, and a legacy we must continue.
Jefferson's design of the University of Virginia is a dialogue with sunlight and landscape. As the landscape architect Anne Spirn wrot... more -
Does undocumented mean un-American?
The first thing I noticed about Juan when I met him is his presence. For a young man, just graduated from high school --- that period when most of us were shy and awkward at best --- Juan is confident and vocal, the kind of person with clear potential to be a leader in whatever field he might choose.
The second thing you notice about Juan is the sadness in his eyes. His country, the only home he has ever known, decided his potential is irrelevant --- that no amount of talent and passion and vision and drive could ever overcome the fact that he and his family once crossed our nation’s arbitrary borders without permission. It’s as though Juan the person doesn’t exist without Juan the paperwork. In our country, he’s treated as a number --- one to be reduced. Or feared.
Fear is one of the dominant motivating (and manipulating) forces in politics today. Some have tried to convince us that we should be afraid of immigrants, exploiting our fear about our jobs and our healthcare and the economy and pointing fingers at immigrants and saying they’re the cause of our problems. Ironically these are problems that have existed for years, deep flaws in the distribution of wealth and opportunity in our society, and undocumented immigrants are just the latest scapegoats. Remember gay people? Welfare moms before that? Fear is used to distract us while the real problems only grow.
The other motivating force is usually pity. But that’s not the answer either. Pity is equal parts compassion and isolation --- a sort-of thank goodness that’s not me, there there, and be done with it removal. The word pity actually comes from the Latin piety, conveying a sense of literal or spiritual superiority over the poor, unfortunate, pitiful soul. To pity Juan would be to rob him of his dignity and power --- and absolve ourselves of responsibility.
What else, then?
READ MORE OF SALLY KOHN'S PIECE HERE:
http://www.movementvisionlab.org/blog/juan2019s-story-u... The first thing I noticed about Juan when I met him is his presence. For a young man, just graduated from high school --- that period... more -
Gore on Green: "business leaders are way ahead of political leaders"
From left: Cisco CEO John Chambers in San Jose, CA; former VP Al Gore in Nashville, TN; ITN correspondent Lawrence McGinty in London; and Cisco Chief Marketing Officer Sue Bostrom in Orlando, FL
(Photo by Alex Dunne via Flickr)
CNET Reporter Martin LaMonica has a good write-up of the conversation. He states, in part, "Gore spoke from a location near his home in Nashville, Tenn., while Chambers was in San Jose, Calif., and the moderator of the event--ITN science editor Lawrence McGinty--spoke from outside London. People could watch over the Web and audiences listened and watched from the VoiceCon conference in Orlando, outside London, Warsaw, Dubai, and Paris.
The multi-location format drove home the basic point of the event: the Internet can help more people collaborate, something that is essential to solving the difficult challenge of climate change."
end of excerpt
~~~~~
The potential this has is huge. Not only can this techology be used to network more sustainably, it will save and make profit in the long run and perhaps even open up contacts that otherwise would not have been made without this technology. This is one facet of technology that is positive... Opening up new avenues of vision to challenge us to make the world a better place. This kind of technology could even be used in private homes and in businesses where employees work from home.
I listened to the podcast of this event and I never would have guessed the participants were in different places. And I agree with Mr. Gore and the consensus that this crisis is solvable if we but only see the opportunities we have to leading the way in such technologies to show the developing world that they too have a place in the solutions... and that requires political will. Hopefully, that will come very soon.
From left: Cisco CEO John Chambers in San Jose, CA; former VP Al Gore in Nashville, TN; ITN correspondent Lawrence McGinty in London; ... more -
Creative and Wise Women finding solutions to a better tomorrow
Living examples of what I like to call,
the spirit of LOVE and LIGHT.
Each glowing in their own beautiful way to help others find hope and a sustainable future.
A mother and daughter team with a vision and the desire to see it come true.
http://www.smallplanet.org
May all that they might wish to unfold, do so as quickly as possible.
Living examples of what I like to call, the spirit of LOVE and LIGHT. ... more -
What Are Community Values?
We're all in it together. It's always been that way, worldwide, and it always will be. Don't believe the right wing hype that we have to fear and hate each other. We all do better when we ALL do better! We're all in it together. It's always been that way, worldwide, and it always will be. Don't believe the right wing hype that we have ... more
-
A Tale of Power & Vision
A short animated movie about the state of progressive politics today --- and what's standing in the way of a better future.
-
Why Was NASA's DSCVR ( Al Gore's Triana) Really Grounded?
My entry on this from another site. Perhaps if we see a Democrat in the WH in 08, NASA may finally run out of excuses and launch this visionary and groundbreaking invention by Al Gore? My entry on this from another site. Perhaps if we see a Democrat in the WH in 08, NASA may finally run out of excuses and launch this... more
-
Inaugural Address Of President John F. Kennedy
On this, the 44th anniversary of his murder I still mourn for what may have been, but his words still give me hope for what we can still make happen. Not too long ago I got a chance to go to Arlington and stand in front of the eternal flame and it was an experience I will never forget. Our generation today has a chance to make the legacy of JFK a reality. I truly do hope that comes to pass in my lifetime. Rest in peace, JFK. I will never forget you. On this, the 44th anniversary of his murder I still mourn for what may have been, but his words still give me hope for what we can sti... more
-
The Turtle Island Project examines centering prayer, fighting structural evil, the...
Centering prayer is a way to prepare your mind - to assist your body - in accomplishing goals - like fighting structural evil such as some corporations who care only about profit and not nature.
The goals of the non-profit Turtle island Project (TIP) include promoting respect for the environment and for Indigenous peoples - like the Celts, Native Americans and other Earth-based cultures.
Rev. Dr. George Cairns of Chesterton, Indiana explains what he learned from the founder of centering prayer - Father Thomas Keating.
A research professor of theology at the Chicago Theological Seminary, Dr. Cairns made his comments at the TIP first regional conference along the shores of Lake Superior in northern Michigan.
Dr. Cairns, who is the TIP co-founder and board president, is returning to Michigan's pristine Upper Peninsula on Fri., Nov. 9, 2007 to hold a free ecumenical retreat for clergy and others interested in interfaith prayer and creating social change.
Everyone is welcome at:
"Quest for Harmony: The Contemplation of Nature in the Christian Tradition promotes interfaith prayer and will examine Christian Celtic traditions" that will be held at Eden on the Bay Lutheran Church in Munising.
To read more about the Turtle Island Project, or about Rev. Cairns new Sacred Places website visit these links:
TIP website:
http://www.turtleislandproject.org
TIP Sacred Places website - Upload your own Sacred Place:
http://www.NorthAmericaSacredPlaces.org
Other TIP sites:
http://groups.msn.com/WhisperingTurtle
http://turtleislandproject.wordpress.com/ Centering prayer is a way to prepare your mind - to assist your body - in accomplishing goals - like fighting structural evil such as ... more -
"Bridging the Digital Divide"
This documentary blends together interviews from the 2006 Internet Governance Forum in Athens, Greece. These technology and policy specialists talk about the importance of bridging the gap between those with Internet access and those who do not have access to the wired world. The documentary was produced by Elon University student Erin Barnett, 19, and Elon professor Janna Anderson, with the help of Elon staff member Bryan Baker.
Imagining the Internet http://imaginingtheinternet.org) is an online resource containing thousands of pages. It exposes future possibilities while simultaneously providing a peek back at the past. In it, you will find the words of thousands of people from every corner of the world, from today and from yesterday, making thousands of predictive pronouncements about the future of humankind.
It includes short films and dozens of video interviews - all of them about the hopes and fears for the future of networked communications. This documentary blends together interviews from the 2006 Internet Governance Forum in Athens, Greece. These technology and policy spe... more
-
related topics
Vision
Contributors (23)
Vision
