A View From the Edge

Ever since the dawn of time, when humans go exploring and then expanding into new lands, taking the new frontier in stages has always provided security and helped planning. It is frightening to step into the unknown. But if you take it in stages, establishing safe places before that last push into the wilderness, you are more likely to succeed.

There’s an old carpenter’s saying, “measure twice before you cut.” Facts and beliefs need more verification than that. A perfect case in point is the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Explorers take many shapes and forms.

America is the land of the free and this generally encourages everyone to think this gives them license to act freely, of their own volition.

The images are pretty amazing (oh, yes, and beautiful). The Hubble images astound us still, even after 32 years! Now we have The James Webb Space Telescope sending back astounding images, broadening our concept of the vastness, yet exciting contents, of space.

When you see large corporations trying new carbon dioxide (CO2) technology — even if that technology industry is in a start up phase — you can be sure people are working, hard, to find new ways to make money and, hopefully, solve some of the environmental issues.

The CIA and other government agencies keep track of the levels of democratic solidity around the world. Several American agencies and non-partisan think tanks also keep track of the state of US democracy, state by state as well.

Anyone who lives in the city, any city, or large town thinks of the countryside as a peaceful place to go to unwind, to breathe the fresh air, for long spring and summer walks and recreation. In fall it is to watch the changing leaves. In winter enjoying the snow and winter sports.