The Barometer Online

The New York Times recently ran a column called "I Need a Virtual Break. No, Really." It discussed the spreading desire to disconnect from all electronics that control our lives. There is an actual term out there for taking a virtual break; it's called a Secular Sabbath.

"And I'm getting really sick of guys named Todd," says George Carlin. "It's a goofy f---ing name." And perhaps it is. What do you think? It's got those two Ds at the end. And it's kind of fun to say. "Todd." Would you name your son Todd? Is it too weird? How does it sound with your last name? "Todd Pfarr.

"Hey, what's up? It's a bit late - are you okay?" "I think so," I said into the phone. "I just needed to make sure you could hear me." "Alright… and why did you did you need to know that?" my friend replied, the strangeness of the situation slowly creeping into her voice.

Response to ecology article Out-of-balance ecology My impression of "ecology" is that the word implies a certain balance in Earthly matters. Human interventions destroy or alter those balances; ecologists attempt to restore the status quo so that all life can compete on a playing field leveled by nature.