Can we live forever?
"De Grey describes his goal as 'engineered negligible senescence' - stopping the body and brain from becoming more frail and disease-prone as it grows older. As he explains, 'All the core knowledge needed to develop engineered negligible senescence is already in our possession - it mainly just needs to be pieced together.' De Grey believes we'll demonstrate 'robustly rejuvenated' mice - mice that are functionally younger than before being treated and with the life extension to prove it - within ten years, and he points out that this achievement will have a dramatic effect on public opinion. Demonstrating that we can reverse the aging process in an animal that shares 99 percent of our genes will profoundly challenge the common wisdom that aging and death are inevitable. Once robust rejuvenation is confirmed in an animal, there will be enormous competitive pressure to translate these results into human therapies, which should appear five to ten years later."
Do we really want to live forever?
The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology is a 2005 update of Raymond Kurzweil's 1999 book, The Age of Spiritual Machines and his 1990 book The Age of Intelligent Machines. In it, as in the two previous versions, Kurzweil attempts to give a glimpse of what awaits us in the near future. He proposes a coming technological singularity, and how we would thus be able to augment our bodies and minds with technology. He describes the singularity as resulting from a combination of three important technologies of the 21st century: genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics (including artificial intelligence).
Hi Ray
Turned out to be a beautiful if chilly day for our anniversary.
Had coffee at Betty's Harlow Carr, drove to Burnsall where we did two walks of about 2 miles each on the Dales Way and had lunch at the pub/hotel shown.
Then we drove up to Grassington and back through Blubberhouses on A59 and Harrogate.
Altogether an enjoyable day with the countryside looking good. Not too many Autumn colours yet .
Jim
Hi Chris and Jim, (and Ray! Mainly for the book titles!)
Thoroughly enjoyed your lovely pictures of the gorgeous countryside. Not sure if the swinging bride snap was slightly out of focus due to swaying of structure of swaying of tipsy photographer! G;lad that I'll be able to take Cora Lee for a ride around Stanley park on the fortieth anniversary of our meeting, this Halloween, (see attachment!), instead of buying her an expensive gift and taking her out to dinner! Thanks for the air-tight precedent James!!!
In actual fact, we are planning to go to Edibles, on Granville Island, and will treat Flamin' and Sarge. We gave them an IOU for their last anniversary as life was too, too busy at the time to celebrate together. This will probably mean that we won't be visiting Cornwall until 2022, instead of 2012! However, with all the hill climbing and lattes, I'm sure you'll both be fitter than ever by then!
Have been kept very busy this past week with VIWF so my riding has suffered! Paltry few perches, let alone a furlong or two, if that! Weather hasn't helped either. Was simply pelting down for most of morning and afternoon today. At about 9:30am I strolled over to the Granville Island Stage near the dock where the Aquabus stops at Granville Island, hoping to be able to listen to Wayne Arthurson, Stuart MacBride, Denise Mina, Ian Rankin and Peter Robinson in an event called Crime Time. I've read all but Arthurson, a relative newcomer, a Canadian, from Edmonton, to crime fiction. Had books signed by Ian and Peter, (note I'm on a first name basis with both!), last night after event entitled Ian Rankin and Peter Robinson in Conversation. I wasn't able to attend session as we were at Studio 1398, tending the bar. However, we were both delighted to listen to Russell Banks. I didn't know his work but discovered he wrote the novel, The Sweet Hereafter, adapted for film by Atom Egoyan, a well-respected Armenian-Canadian director. Saw the film almost ten years ago now and enjoyed it immensely though it tackles difficult subject matter. Interestingly enough, set in BC, it features Ian Holm. Did you see him in TV series based on Len Deighton's Game, Set, Match series?
At any rate, after our session finished, I hurried down to Performance Works, near GI Hotel, and line-up for signings was quite short by time I arrived. Had a friendly, albeit brief chat with Ian as he autographed my books, reminding him that I had heard him in 1997, his first appearance at VIWF, and then a relatively unknown author. Thanked both authors and made for home to find the Freeloader Sutherlands upstairs, after their Thursday night curling match. Chloë was there as well and all five of us sat around and chatted and sipped wine, a Quinta Ferreira, Oliver, 2009 Viognier, 16.6%, from downstairs and a 2008 Fruit Bomb, red table wine, (Cabbage, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec and Cab Franc), Columbia Valley, 13.9%, from the cellars of the Island Inn.
After solving most of the world's problems, we focused on hammering out the bare bones of our Australian itinerary, inasmuch as deciding when we plan to be in different cities and how we will move around the country. Essentially, we will rent a car in Sydney, (March 16th) and drive, with Sarge, from there to Melbourne to collect Flamin', there on points, on March 17th. Leaving on the 22nd/23rd, next will be to Adelaide, cross-country, via Clare and Barossa, to arrive in the city on the 25th. From Adelaide, probably leaving on the 29th, we'll either head south to McLaren Vale and then along the coast back towards Melbourne, in order to visit the Mornington Peninsula, below Melbourne or make our way back to Sydney, via Yarra and Rutherglen. Once in Sydney, April 2nd, we will stay for best of a week and then drive north, April 7th, via Hunter Valley, paralleling coast, stopping on the Gold Coast, April 10th/11th, to stay with friends, Elly/Tony, couple we met while on our barge holiday on the Canal de Nivernais. Next into Brisbane itself, 14th/15th, for some time with Clare/Gregg, couple traveling with E/T.
Once stay in Brisbane comes to an end, April 18th, we'll turn in car and fly to Cairns for a little less than a week. At this point, not sure where Cora Lee and I will make for as we will still have a bit more than a couple of weeks in Oz before heading to Japan, from Sydney, May 11th. F/S will fly to Melbourne and Sydney, (April 22nd), respectively, to return to Vancouver, next day. Whether we manage to visit Darwin or return to Sydney and/or Canberra has yet to be worked out.
This morning's session,as it turned out, was an absolute blast and given the fact that it was completely sold-out there was very little, if any chance at all, of there being seats for any volunteers, other than for those working at the venue. Still, I wanted to attend, so badly, that I thought I had nothing to lose by showing up and putting my name down on the waiting list. Did just that and hunkered down close to Box Office. Had been waiting for about ten minutes when a lady walked by and she said that a woman was giving away two tickets at the entrance! I scurried there, not really believing it was true but hoping it was so. When I asked one of the ushers, at the door, she pulle dthe two tickets out of her pocket and handed then mover to me. Almost struck dumb by my great good fortune, I returned to the Box Office and offered a ticket to the first person I encountered, waiting there. It happened to be a lady who had just arrived from Victoria so I was more than pleased that I could share my own windfall with someone who had taken the effort to come some distance.
After we chatted about our lucky stars for a minute or so, I headed into the theatre and found a seat in the third row, (I like to sit as close to the stage as possible), to the left of the stage. As I was sitting down I told the people next to me what had happened that had allowed me to be sitting next to them and the lady sitting immediately in front of me turned around and pointed to the woman beside her and said, "She's the person who left the tickets at the door." Delighted, beyond belief, to be able to thank my magnanimous benefactor, I told her how much it meant to me to attend the session. While I was keen to hear everyone on the panel, I was really very interested to see Denise Mina in person as I have very much enjoyed two of her early works and am almost finished Still Midnight. I'd heard Ian speak a number of times and while he is a wonderful speaker, I felt I knew him and his style/approach to a certain degree. I quite enjoy Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks novels but am not as drawn to them to the extent that I feel I want or need to "know" the author behind the character.
I had started Stuart MacBride's Dying Light, earlier this spring but had to put it down for Book Club "homework", shortly thereafter, and never managed to get around to picking it up again and finishing it. Now, of course, can hardly wait to dive into DS Logan's Aberdeen. Never heard of Wayne Arthurson but am very curious to read his work, Fall from Grace, in which an "amateur sleuth, a newspaper reporter of Cree and French Canadian descent, gets drawn into the investigation of a series of murders of Aboriginal women in Edmonton." Arthurson, himself, is of Cree and French Canadian descent, so his voice is rather an important one, although one not yet heard. When I asked him to sign his book, I mentioned that when I had first heard Ian Rankin in 1997, he was quite new to the crime writing scene, certainly not the best selling author he was to become.
For his part, Rankin is such an delight to listen to. Humourous, self-deprecating, wonderfully articulate, genuinely intelligent in a quiet way, the years of practicing his craft have served him exceedingly well. A mature writer, an honest individual, someone one is drawn to by virtue of his open personality and friendliness and the illuminating, marvelous stories his real, his all too human characters inhabit.
Denise Mina is a gem, nothing less than a priceless diamond! Not one in the rough, anymore, either. A high school drop-out, a "sulky cow" of an adolescent, as she herself put it, she really never started to read until she was nineteen. Possesses most of the same qualities as Rankin but contained in a more pixie-like, stand-up comic personality. She is the extrovert of the bunch, with Stuart a close second. Together they had the audience in the aisles, jabbing each other about their respective cities, Glasgow vs Aberdeen, and such. And then Ian would weigh in with a telling, fascinating comment about Edinburgh. Originally from Fife, I believe, his adoptive city is Rebus' domain. Peter Robinson was a superb moderator and skillfully kept the event's momentum at tsunami level, wave crashing upon wave, sheer walls of laughter or insight into the writing process or, indeed, life itself. An amazing session which ended all too soon given the on-stage magic.
Earlier this week, I attended a number of other scintillating sessions, of particular note was Misha Glenny in Conversation with Stephen Quinn, a Vancouver CBC Radio One afternoon host. Glenny, a BBC journalist and leading authority on global organized crime, (McMafia), talked about the nasty underworld of global cyber crime, Darkmarket: CyberThieves, CyberCops and You. More than frightening and unbelievably humourous, in a twisted way, (cybercriminals held a world conference in Odessa, five or so years ago, with break-out sessions such as why hackers weren't targeting low profile credit cards, such as Diners Club, for example!), it was a riveting session.
Same was true next morning at The Forest and the Trees, with Charlotte Gill and Andrew Nikiforuk, moderated by Kathryn Gretsinger, another highly regarded Vancouver CBC One personality/announcer.
Charlotte spent twenty years planting more than a million trees across Canada and her Eating Dirt is
a truly poetic memoir of this experience. Andrew is a well-known, (although I didn't know his name!), Canadian journalist whose Empire of the Beetle investigates the human-engineered devastation of North America's beetle-ravaged forests. Both presentations were remarkable and informative beyond belief. In particular, Andrew's acerbic comments about the management of the crisis, directed, in the main, at the politicians who grossly mishandled the beetle infestation were spot-on refreshing, calling finally for accountability for the untold environmental devastation caused by the ensuing mismanagement which allowed vested forestry interests to reap huge benefits that would otherwise have been denied. It is Nikiforuk's opinion that it would have been better to do nothing at all, in the face of the unprecedented outbreak, to let the beetles have their way, without human intervention, and far, far less environmental and economic devastation would have resulted.
Day before, Cora Lee and I strolled over to the Revue Theater to hear Andrew Westoll talk about his book, The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary. More than a terrific, passionate speaker and a simply riveting story which "details the history of biomedical research, the establishment of the private sanctuary and the daily lives of these recovering animals." The three sessions, mentioned above, along with Chimps, were astounding. Non-fiction has never been so exciting!
Later that evening, did our first shift at Studio 1398. Great gig! Piece of cake for us and we only sold four drinks: one GI lager, two glasses of Tinhorn Creek Pinot Gris and one of their Merlot! had everything stowed before reading began and were able to listen to Linda Grant talk about her latest novel, We Had It So Good. Although she resides in London now, she lived in Vancouver for seven years, in the '60's and early '70's, doing post-graduate work at SFU. Incredibly articulate, humourous, insightful, (seems to characterize most of the authors we have had the privilege to hear), she was a delight to listen to, especially since I had never heard of her before!
This afternoon I heard Dennis E. Bolen, Cate Kennedy and Linda Grant, moderated by Gerry Wasserman, a Theatre/Drama prof at UBC, in My Generation, reading from their latest works and talking about the characters and their flaws, specific to their particular generations. Cate is Australian and her debut novel, The World Beneath, was uproariously funny, at least as far as the pages she read, taking the mickey out of the sort of individuals who obsess over fair trade items, non-child labour produced items, New Age at-home birthing techniques, everything to the nth degree and absurdly, nonsensically beyond. My sides still ache when I think about it! Want to explore some of Bolen's fiction as well since apparently he writes some pretty dark novels.
Around 4:00pm, friend, Gillian, phoned from GI and we invited her for a cup of tea. She was attending an event in the evening, at the Waterfront Theatre, just next door to our venue, so we invited her to stay for dinner. The Sisterhood visited while I worked away on this missive and then just after 6:00pm we dined on yummy pickerel filets, done in a soft cheese rub, and a tomatoe and rocket salad, topped with feta, all thrown together by Coriandre. After we did a bit of clearing up, Gilian walked over to Studio 1398 with us and sipped on a glass of wine until it was time for her event. She will join us for dinner this coming Sunday as she is back at the festival for its final day.
Had our best evening, in terms of sales, at the bar, tonight. Even advanced two drinks to a pair of young women who only had a credit card for the cash bar. They said they would visit the ATM around the corner after the reading and pay us then! Wasn't too, too worried as even if they stiffed us I was prepared to kick in $10. Slight mishap about 15 minutes after we opened as I needed another bottle of white from the small fridge we had in the back room and a bottle of GI Lager fell onto the concrete floor as I was removing the white wine from underneath the stack and smashed to smithereens. Took a bit of careful sopping with paper towels from washroom but had it cleaned up in almost no time at all. Unfortunately, even after a mopping, room still smelled quite strongly of beer so I wished I'd broken a Pale Ale instead of a Lager as I enjoy the former much more!
Shortly before 8:00pm we closed the bar, (Cora Lee had to retrieve another PA and a a glass of white wine, for two latecomers!), and put away the stock and then found our seats in the theatre. Not quite as full as it was the night before but nevertheless a very good crowd. I'd never heard of David Adams Richards, I'm more than embarrassed to say, let alone read any of his work. Cora Lee had read his Mercy Among the Children and found it quite "dark". I chatted with him, very briefly, when he arrived at the venue and thought that he would probably be quite an interesting person from that short encounter alone.
He had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand with the joke and the two stories he told by way of introduction. He then proceeded to give a brief plot summary of his latest novel, Incidents in the Life Of Markus Paul, which is a "tale, set in the rural Miramichi region of New Briunswick, about truth lies and justice that is quintessential Richards." This was followed with an extremely powerful, moving reading of one of the early chapters in the novel. His answers to questions posed by members of the audience were extremely well considered and illustrated. A remarkable author, a rather crusty, diamond in the rough but a priceless treasure nonetheless.
One of the glasses of wine, advanced to the two cashless young women was for him. I discovered, when waiting in line to have my copy of his book autographed that they knew his nephew. I noticed that he had not touched the wine and mentioned it to them as I thought he may not have realized it was for him. When one of them offered him the glass he yhanked her but said that he hadn't had a drink in over 30 years. To this she asked if he was allergic to alcohol and he retorted, "Not at all. I'm a drunk." As this exchange was going on I suddenly recalled that Kathryn, the Volunteer Coordinator, had mentioned his struggle with booze, earlier in the week when we were chatting about how things were going at the bar at Stage 1398, as this service was a first for this venue. At the time, not knowing who he was, the fact didn't really register, I suppose. Anyway, another side to a remarkable individual, certainly a remarkable writer.
Time to say goodbye for now. Want to finish last few chapters of Still Midnight before setting my alarm. Friend Andrew, from Toronto, arrives at 8:36 am so I have to be up at 3:00am to cycle to Steveston and Seymour before picking him up! Fond regards from Cora Lee to you both. (She's not bothered about Ray!) Cheers, Patrizio!
Hi Patrice,
Thankyou so much for the witty paraprosdokians ! and as much as hate to
admit it I was not familiar with this word until now. I have repeated it to
myself 6 times however which usually plants it permanatly in my memory and
will be sure to use it and them at some point soon.
Too bad the weather has turned as I would have liked to head out on the
bike. Although I don't mind getting caught in a deluge the thought of
heading out into one does not appeal to me. I may head over to Deer lake
around noon to meet Colleen and a couple of friends for a walk and do the
Sperling stairs a number of times The stairs go from the south east part of
the lake and join The two Sperling Ave. streets that I guess were too steep
to connect at this point. I've really come to enjoy the Deer lake park area.
The city of Burnaby has done a lot as far as buying up land tht comes up for
sale around the park and adding toand fixing up the trails around the lake
as well as the amenities such as the Shadbolt center, the Burnaby art
gallery and concerts in the park in the summer months.
have a great day and we'll talk soon. cheers, Al
Hi Big Al!
Glad you enjoyed the paraprosdokians! So did Whirlygig, by the way! Really want to get to know your part of Burnaby when weather allows.
Hi Legs!
Sorry to learn that The General is flying to Onterrible but all the more tart crust with gluten free flour or fruit crumble with gluten free topping, whichever is easiest or preferable, given your hectic schedule! Thanks!!! We can chat about arrival time, etc., closer to Friday, but anytime around 6:00pm, (7:30pm for you!), is fine.
Hi Marcus Aurelius!
How goes the Festival? We are hosting a bridge night on Friday, October 28th and we'd be delighted if you and Susan would like to join us. I believe The Giggster may be in SF but we plan to invite Kerry. Let me know when you have a moment.
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Hi Donna Florida and Cactus!
Trust you are both well. Thanks for links to Oakland Fire. Simply haven't had time to follow them yet as have been kept very, very busy this past week with VIWF. Even my riding has suffered! Weather hasn't helped either. Was simply pelting down for most of morning and afternoon today, (actually yesterday now!).
Hi Agneta!
Great Halloween snap! Enjoyed it immensely. How are you settling in? Please say hello and best wishes to any friends we may have met/made last Jan/Feb.
Hi Kilroy, Whirlygig and Carlos the Jackal!
Trust The Thompson Twins are celebrating nothing but wins in Portland!!! You did send along that list of untranslatable words, Whirlissimo, but I was delighted to be reminded of Tartle, Scottish: The act of hesitating while introducing someone because you've forgotten their name! I'm sure I suffer from tartlephobia!!!Glad you enjoyed the paraprosdokians. So did Big Al, by the way. Don't even think twice about family matters. You weren't ranting at all. If it had been me I think you probably have had to call in 'Orrible 'Ungie to restrain me!!!
With respect to Broadway Lodge, aka Carnegie Hall, I spoke to chap, Wayne, who does a lot of the social activities coordination there and he said it would be great. Guess you and/or Kerry/Tia need to come and scope out physical facilities, piano, etc., and then it is a matter of sorting out dates, times, expectations, (on both sides, I guess), etc. Wayne mentioned November 11th though you mentioned 12th or 13th as possibilities. Of course we can chat about it when you are back or Kerry can give me a shout when convenient.
Speaking of Kerry, Kerry, we are hosting a bridge night on Friday, October 28th and we'd be delighted if both of you, (and Tia if that works), would like to join us. However, I believe The Giggster may be in SF. I plan to invite Marcus and Susan as well, so you would be among friends, Kerry! At any rate, let me know about Tia's playing and bridge when you have a moment.
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