I love the word superorganism, and much prefer it over the word “environment” which well deserves its musty & bureaucratic odor. The “environment” is the source of much contention, and frankly most of the fuss being made wouldn’t be made if we simply stuck 1) to science and 2) what our senses tell us is [...]
2 maps of the exact same geographic space—yet they are two vastly different “places.” The one we are more acquainted with is humanly constructed and about 350 years old; geometric town boundaries separate economic and political cultures; the purplish spots are pavement and rooftops. Interstate 91 is easy to spot, isn’t it? The one we [...]
A few weeks ago, Dec. 19th to be exact, I met Ken Greene at the New Amsterdam Market, the exciting open-air foodie market in NYC. (Biocitizen was doing public outreach & fundraising, by teaching NYCers how to pickle the vegetables available at the market.) Ken is the co-founder of the Hudson Valley Seed Company, and [...]
We use the word “nature” all the time, yet its single meaning is elusive. The word connotes the outdoors, National Parks, the passing seasons, and teevee shows about great white sharks. But what do these things have to do with “human nature”? In this usage, “nature” is synonymous with “character.” If so, “nature” is both [...]
THE JEFFERSONIAN CITIZEN Thomas Jefferson’s definitions of citizenship and freedom were deeply informed by the Epicurean tradition of Natural Law, which he adapted to suit to the frontier perspective of the Anglo-Europeans who invaded Native America. Believing that “following nature” led to personal and collective happiness, Epicurus said: “If you do not reconcile your behavior [...]
Gearing up here in Westhampton for our 1st Picklefest, and I thought I’d relay some of the biocitizen-y things we are talking about as the Fest approaches—7pm, July 26th, Westhampton Memorial Library. Picklefest is an event focused on teaching people the art of making their own raw, vinegar-free, naturally fermented pickles—the classic German-Jewish Dill pickle. [...]
