An Elephant Never Forgets

 

2007_0712Kenya0295 2

Startled Bull Elephant Chases our Land Rover.

An Elephant Never Forgets

A number of years ago I participated in an Earthwatch research project at Tsavo National Park in Kenya under the tutelage of Dr. Barbara McKnight. For several weeks I lived and breathed elephants, tracking from our rugged Land Rover a portion of the 11,600 behemoths still traveling through the 21,000 km preserve. Since the area also contained baboons, lions, wart hogs, giraffes, zebras, hippopotamus, enormous venomous snakes, and rhinoceros to name a few, we were confined to our vehicle, and even instructed to pee quickly behind the SUV.

Eight hours a day we followed these beautiful creatures as they lumbered in family groups, trailing the matriarch from watering hole to feeding ground. We documented the herds by recording their size, direction of travel, antics, postures, and eating habits. Ear notches and scars told us which animals were returning to various locations. We recorded plants, listed birds and creatures nearby, including goats and cattle illegally encroaching on the parkland.

2007_0712Kenya0319 2

Most fun was watching playful baby elephants piling one on top of another, rolling off to scamper around their resting site. If they roamed too far away they were firmly nudged back to their mothers by a nearby female. When the herd took their hour nap, calves were placed in the center of a ring of outward facing adult cows. Eventually the matriarch would signal it was time to continue marching over the land to cover as much as 50 miles a day.

During the birthing process the entire herd will surround the laboring cow. Once her calf is born they trumpet with joy, taking turns touching the newborn with their trunks in greeting. The entire herd then becomes responsible for the safety and education of the newborn. While traveling the baby is placed between the protective legs of its mother. In case of death, the cow morns for days by standing over her calf’s body, covering it with twigs and leaves while other members of the herd visit to give comfort. The depressed mother knows it has to leave to find food and water, but as she does so she carries a trail of sadness.

At times we observed young bull elephants, recently ejected from the herd, traveling closely behind their mothers. More often we came across older bulls foraging alone. Once when we accidentally startled a bull, our vehicle was charged, much to the great fear of Dr. McKnight who backed away as fast as she could. Not understanding the danger, I could see fear in her eyes and sweat dripping from her face. When I originally went on this adventure, I had expected to return as a zoo volunteer, but after observing elephants in the wild, I was horrified at their condition in captivity.

And…I learned, that elephants never forget. They live up to 60 years in the wild, and their amazing memory is the key to their survival. According to Scientific American, “scientists now have solid evidence that elephants are just as brilliant as they are big: They are adept tool users and cooperative problem solvers; they are highly empathic, comforting one another when upset; and they probably do have a sense of self.” Their 10.5 pound brain is used to encode survival details of alternative routes to use in case of drought. They recognize faces of other elephants they may have come in contact with during periodic multi-herd gatherings. Though their eyesight is fair their sense of smell and touch are strong. By smelling urine they notice unfamiliar elephants who could potentially cause trouble.

An elephant’s memory develops with age and experience, but unfortunately the older animals are the ones poachers are likely to kill, leaving the remaining herd at great disadvantage. Youngsters watch in horror when their families are slaughtered and remember forever the faces of perpetrators. What the herd loses is the matriarch’s memory of survival routes. 35,000 elephants are slaughtered by ivory poachers each year, and these mass killings can turn otherwise nonviolent elephants into dangerous animals.

In captivity elephants recognize their trainers and those who care for them. Many zoos involved in protecting the species are starting to see elephants from their own perspective. In Portland, the Oregon Zoo is expanding its elephant area to 6 acres, a pittance for their needs, but far better than before. Food dolled out randomly at multiple sites will compel the elephants to explore in order to find their next meal. I am excited by the new enclosure opening in spring of 2015. It is about time. Perhaps I will volunteer after all.

1353377lRhino Marching
Tsavo National Park had it all

I look forward to your comments.

For more information about Elephants:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/elephants-never-forget/ – Scientific American article Fact of Fiction?: Elephants Never Forget.

http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2013/01/16/ivory-poaching-threatens-elephant-memory/ National Geographic – Ivory-poaching-threatens-elephant-memory

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-science-is-in-elephants-are-even-smarter-than-we-realized-video/ Elephants Are Even Smarter Than We Realized.

http://mentalfloss.com/article/52381/it-true-elephants-never-forget – Mental Floss, About memory and Elephants.

http://www.wildize.org/projects/Wildlife-Security/Tsavo-Elephant-Research-TER-Dr-Barbara-McKnight/56 – About Research at Tsavo National Park.

The Unsung Revolution

1353420l

A Pretty How Town
How has technology changed the balance of power within the family? The above 3-D painting is based on ee cumming’s poem written in response to cookie cutter suburbs built in the early 60’s. Today another revolution is happening inside the homes of these Pretty How Towns.

The Unsung Revolution
When I hear the word revolution I am not thinking about the Arab Spring or Syria. Instead I am focused on a revolution occurring inside most of my neighbor’s homes. What I have observed is the shift of power from father, to mother, to child. According to Webster’s definition, revolution refers to a fundamental change in power. That transition has definitely occurred within families, for the young dominate the household.

My great-grandparents worked along side their elders on the family farm. After several poor harvests they moved from their rural community outside of Riga, Latvia to Philadelphia, a city teaming with immigrants. To make ends meet their children sold newspapers and shined shoes. Earned income was handed over to their parents to help support their multi-generational family.

My own parent’s changed that pattern by living as a small nuclear unit. My father worked long hours to pay for household expenses while Mom stayed at home, available to chauffeur me to activities around town so I could reach “my potential.” Her word was law when it came to most daily activities. The money I earned from babysitting or being employed as a camp counselor stayed in my hands and was not turned over to support my family.

I behaved in a similar way with my own kids. When my children were under foot my husband worked and I, as suburban mom, drove them to activities and play dates. I made sure that homework was completed on time and that sporting and cultural events were part of their diet. We spent a great deal of face-to-face time together.

Now my children and their friends are parents and they operate in a changed landscape. With single, same sex and two working-parent families their generation has ongoing pressure to juggle daily responsibilities. To keep in touch with their children they rely heavily on electronics, and it is their use of technology that has spurred the latest revolution. Cell phone, text messaging, YouTube and Facebook rule!!! Even email has become cumbersome.

Adults contribute to the technology boom by paying outrageous mobile phone bills and annually upgrading home tablets and computers. By doing so they have inadvertently changed the power structures within their family unit. This article is my way of saying “buyer beware!” Know what is happening with your kin and learn how to manage both good and bad consequences.

In a seminar conducted by anthropologist Jan English-Luck titled “Technology and Social Change: The Effects on Family and Community,” results he collected from interviewing Silicon Valley families were shared with the audience. A typical story he related is illustrated by Sharon, a mother who is in constant contact with her children through computer and mobile phone. Dr. English-Luk claims that Sharon’s children feel safer, stay out longer and are more independent than earlier generations since they are in constant contact. Yet the family no longer operates as a unit. The only time parent and children were physically together over a two week period was when the anthropologist visited their home for an interview.

Today’s youth text in short blips rather than communicate more fully by phone or in person. Since texting is limited, it is rare that the entire story gets through. Voices portray emotion and face-to-face encounters give non-verbal cues that transmit between-the-line messages. Through texting it is possible to discover the location of your child, assuming that he is truthful, but you will never know what he or she thinking. Full descriptions of situations and events are rarely given. Gone are opportunities to develop verbal communication skills needed for future employment. And because letter writing and now e-mails are also becoming obsolete, the written word is suffering as well.

Benefits of cell phone use are many . . . contact, entertainment, safety, wellness help, and photography. But the hazards are also many. With the introduction of smart phones, parents started working around the clock answering texts and emails. Instead of paying attention to their children while at home they often find their mind wandering to the latest business or social communication. Conversations between family members are interrupted by a constant stream of incoming calls and messaging.

Since technology is the root cause of this power shift it is not surprising that role reversal occurs when the child knows how to use a new gadget better than the adult. When parents do not fully understand a device’s potential they find it difficult to control it’s use and as a result are faced with a host of new problems.    I’ll mention a few:

Bullying and harassment: text messages increasingly are sent by bullies
Memory: Use of cell phones is destroying short term memory.
Eye strain and digital thumb stress: Heavy use puts children at risk for early myopia.
Bacteria – Devices are not cleaned and are crawling with germs.
Sleep disorders – Teens tend to keep their phone on and are awaked during the night by incoming text messages.
Reliance – Impacts daily routine.
Dishonesty (39% of users 18-29 are not always honest about their location) they find it easy to cheat on tests.
Cost – Parents have sticker shock.
Health risks – Question of brain damage still unresolved.

Yes, technology is great and not going away! It is wonderful to have a computer for researching papers, scheduling activities, staying in touch with the news, finding directions and even getting gossip through one minute news blasts. Mobile devices can be helpful additions if precautions about their use and costs are taken into account and rules of etiquette established.

But it is good to remember that educating a child and maintaining relationships with family members still requires personal interaction. Face-to-face communication can not be replaced by gadgetry. Electronic transfer of information does not take the place of a hug or chat in the warmth of your home.

Staying in control rather than being controlled by your children requires both time and patience. Keeping parental power is the main way to pass on your values. To be a respected boss it is important to be on the job.

For more information about children and cell phone use go to:

http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/kids_cell_phones_staying_connected – kids and cell phone use.

It’s a no-brainer – Secrets of a Museum Junkie

1339829lThe Studio    

 A young girl innocently practices dancing while elders observe. Will her life embrace the grace and happiness she imagines? With age will her body remain supple? Her brain alert?

It’s a no-brainer

Since my retirement I have been engaged in new exercise classes and am enthralled. At the top of my list is Nia, a program that combines Martha Graham type modern dance with Tai Chi, Tai Kwan Do and mindfulness. Nia’s website claims that “it is a movement and well being program that connects body, mind, emotions and spirit by paying attention to sensation.” To get a better idea of this eclectic study, imagine yourself as a child, twirling gracefully with head thrown back to the falling leaves when a danger suddenly approaches. You stop, look around, tightening your body and prepare to run. Nia alternates a graceful flow that feels like you are moving in a bowl of jello with precision, balance, and speed. There is no room for a wandering mind as you move in preparation for the unexpected. As Mark Morris of the Mark Morris Dance Group says,
“ movement is like having a sixth sense, one that helps you understand your position in space.”

As a child I was clumsy and my mother was concerned because I tripped while walking so she enrolled me in dance classes. However, falling at a young age was not a worrisome condition since my body was close to the ground. Now that I am older, a fall could be quite serious, so coordination and balance are skills that I am inviting back into my life. But best of all, with this exercise regime I feel more spirited.

I started to wonder why I have the sensation of being more alert, and decided to do a bit of research about the influence of movement on the brain. What I discovered is that as I practice, signals are being sent from my motor cortex through 20 million nerve fibers in my spinal cord to my legs and arms, enabling me to go through my day with greater ease. A constant internal conversation is taking place between my muscles and my brain. Every small step or blink of the eyelid gives proof that the highway between between these two parts of my body are actively engaged. The brain directs our bodies much like an orchestra leader, telling it where and how to turn, tap, or flow through space. Resulting movement has the effect of improving mood and concentration.

The Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (Cam-CAN) refutes the popular view of aging as one of decline and decay. They say that “the brain remains flexible and adaptable across the lifespan.” Since most neuroscientists now claim that the brain can continue to expand its neural network, rather than sit lazily at home, we are advised to take on new challenges throughout life. “Change your job, try a new hobby, vary your exercise routine and socialize with others,” is the advice given for building new synapses.

My daily program also focuses on mindfulness, which according to Harvard neuroscientists can change brain structures after only eight weeks of practice. Their research suggest integrating mindful intention into all daily activities including walking, eating, sitting, making the bed, etc. The Harvard study revolved around 45 minutes of exercises that included yoga, sitting mediation and some sort of mindful movement. As a result, practitioners gained a sense of peacefulness and physical relaxation along with cognition and psychological benefits that lasted throughout the day. MRI scans confirmed that mindfulness increased gray matter in the areas of the brain involved in learning, memory, emotion regulation, sense of self, and perspective-taking (the ability to take the perspectives of others).

I had been fearful of retirement, imagining that without work I would start to wither. Instead, the opposite is happening and I have a sense that my mind and body are burgeoning. My participation in movement and mindfulness classes has led me to feel, energetic and happy to engage in new ventures.

It would be fun the hear what you are doing to keep your brain developing.
Click the URL at the bottom of this page and respond on the Blog site.

References:

http://www.brainfacts.org/sensing-thinking-behaving/movement/- discussion of movement and dancing and the brain.

Society for Neoroscience- reviewed May 2014 – Dancing and the Brain.

http://www.ascd.org/about-ascd.aspx – Curriculum development for mind-body links

https://nianow.com/practice – Information about Nia.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12793/how-meditation-changes-your-brain-a-neuroscientist-explains.html – Harvard study about mindful meditation.

http://www.cam-can.org – Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience – Recent research on aging.

http://learn.fi.edu/learn/brain/exercise.html – Information about the brain from an exhibit at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute.

Delilah the Do-Gooder

Delila is delightful once you get past her serious exterior.
Delilah is delightful once you get past her serious exterior.  Acrylic painting  30″ by 24″.

Delilah the Do-Gooder     by Marilynne Eichinger

Managing a museum and running a household have a lot in common. You think you’re in control only to discover that you have more bosses than you care to consider. In a museum, government, bankers and board members are the ultimate bosses, but staff, consultants and even the public also have a say. To the director it seems like everyone knows the best way to do your job and they are not shy about telling you how to develop and market new programs, oversee the budget or supervise your staff. Disgruntled visitors are quick to use social media before contacting you and relish telling others about their dissatisfaction. Success is judged by attendance and the bottom line while being the first to create a blockbuster exhibit becomes a contest among the presidents of sister institutions. With tight budgets directors become timid about taking chances and refrain from bringing critical issues before the public.

In a family, there may be a spouse, partner parent or child who claims to understand you “better than you do yourself.” These relatives consider themselves to be Good Samaritans who are the knowledgeable gurus needed for your survival. My now deceased grandmother offers a perfect example of a well intentioned meddling do-gooder. When I was a teen, Grandma was not shy about sharing her opinions. She would sit in my room while I dressed for a date and tell me tales about the women she knew who ruined their reputation by engaging in pre-marital sex. Though Grandma never addressed the subject directly, through stories she did assertively make her opinions known along with her expectations of “good girl” behavior. She was relentless in her insistence that I pay close attention to her tales. I loved my grandmother and did not want to disappoint her but there are times I look back at her advice and wonder if it led to my eventual divorce.

Do-Gooders tend to be concerned individuals who do not like to witness sadness or incompetence. It is often hard for them to hold back what they perceive to be helpful words and actions because they are sure they know the way to improve your situation. I may be one of those caring people who want to jump into the difficulty and help immediately. I worry that I have a do-gooder gene that is similar to my grandmother’s. Now that my children have families of their own I find it difficult to sit on the sidelines and just watch them unfurl their lives.  I still feel protective and have a strong desire to share my life’s experiences through stories of my own. It is difficult to let go of control and just observe my child as she or he heads towards a pending disaster, especially when from time to time there is a return home for additional support. My husband has a standing joke that says, “when the children reach 60 they are on their own.”

I don’t think parents ever relinquish a sense of responsibility for their own children no matter how old they are. Without realizing what they are doing they often make their point known through a psychological concept known as magical thinking. They wind up using a process that applies unjustified reasons to a relationship between action and outcome. A funny example of magical logic can be found in a bowling ally where bowlers try to control outcome after the ball has been released by making movements with their bodies. It is humorous to watch them use hands and feet in an effort to bewitchingly guide the ball down the ally.

Magical thinking is often employed in subtle ways. When a brother-in-law of mine lost his job his father told him that his prayer group was going to pray for his success. His father made sure to keep his son informed of the group’s weekly intervention asking the Almighty for help. My brother-in-law was reminded regularly that quite a few people were thinking about him and acting on his behalf and that he had better progress towards solving his problem or his father would be disappointed in front of his friends. The psychological effect of the group was powerful and did have some effect in getting my brother-in-law motivated and moving in a useful direction. No one told this young man what to do but the message was clearly communicated that sitting around and feeling sorry for himself was not OK.

There are times when troubled family members become victims of gossip that at first appears to be malicious but may actually be helpful. When caring relatives pay attention to chatter that helps them better understand a dire situation it has a chance eo leading to positive action. Once a family gathers to share ideas about remediation, the group can work together in offering a beneficial intervention. Rather than having ten nagging voices, the relative in need is more likely to accept help that is given from a pool of love and respect.

Over the years I have learned that it is good to take the time to listen well and plan intercessions carefully. A short wait and see period gives me a moment to contemplate an appropriate response. I realize now that those in need of my assistance, want it given freely without strings attached, and though sometimes this is not possible, it does help to understand that the unhappy individual does not want another boss in his already confused life. A person in need does appreciate being heard but utmost tact must be used when giving advice, even if it has been requested.

One approach I’ve employed is to help a troubled friend or relative expand his or her thinking processes in order to become open to new ways of problem solving. In this way, the individual becomes empowered by skills that can used in finding solutions to a difficult situation. However, if there is the slightest hesitation created by this type of conversation then it is best to back off after explaining that you are available when the time is appropriate to continue the discussion. It is only when the individual is ready to hear suggestions that there is a chance of being an effective Do-Gooder.

My War on Terror

1353411l

Feeding Crow by Marilynne Eichinger
scavengers find military dog tags on a beautiful day

My War on Terror

A friend told me of a young girl who was alone at home dying of Ebola. Both her parents had succumbed to the disease which fortunately spared three of her siblings. Her closest relatives were grandparents who declined to help the sick child. My friend was horrified by their inaction, imaging herself in a similar situation. How could she let a grandchild die alone? My friend’s instinct from afar would be to go to her granddaughter’s bedside.

Aiding the young girl would most likely mean contracting the disease and spreading it to others. The child’s healthy siblings would then be deprived of their grandparent’s care. This story elicited immense terror for my sensitive friend for it presents an uncontrollable situation with what appeared to be closed-door options.

The “War on Terror,” was coined as a reaction to 9/11, and affected our country in much the same way as Ebola. Fear was especially poignant for those living in New York City and the country reacted with empathy, great sadness…..and perhaps overreaction. Fear is a lighting quick response that in primitive societies meant the difference between life and death. This reaction might be important if you are being mugged but responding to disasters like 9/11 or Ebola requires more thought before executing a response.

The War on Terror is a man made rebound of a military rather than political nature.
As a result we have been led into a costly killing spree that is now out of control for all parties involved.  It is difficult to know who the enemy is. The world’s reaction to Ebola, an unanticipated act of nature, also calls for international response, which has been made especially difficult because of poor medical conditions and ignorance in third world nations. Both tragedies are made more difficult because of of scarce water resources, oil, drugs, weapons, religion and control of the working poor. If nations of the world ever tackle those paramount issues perhaps terrorism will give way to reason.

What does it feel like to be under siege? I can imagine it but can not feel it in my gut. My moments of terror have been more imagined than real. As a child when my hand fell over the side of my bed I was terrified that it would be grabbed and eaten by a monster residing underneath. Thankfully my father arrived to rescue me and quiet my fears.

There was the time when my husband and I let our trusted babysitter take our toddler son to their cabin for the weekend. I had neglected to get the address of telephone number of their summer retreat and in those pre-cell phone days there was no way of getting in touch with the woman and her husband. Several hours after their expected return I became convinced that my son had been kidnapped. I knew the woman had been having trouble getting pregnant. I called the police who’s calm advice was to wait.

Even in those days the media was full of stories about waylaid kids. My blood pressure and adrenaline rose to unprecedented levels and I was ready to fight but what could I do? Finally the vacationers returned after having a wonderful time at their waterfront retreat. Roads were a bit crowded and caused the delay. I felt like a fool. Why had I suddenly turned on this woman and decided that she was deceiving me? What happened to rationality that made me ruled by emotions and unable to make good decisions?

In each personal case there were moments of immediate panic and fallacious reaction. It seemed not to make a difference if the threat was real or imagined once my involuntary nervous system took over. It made me wonder if there was a way to prepare my body to act calmly when faced with the unexpected? “People who are fearful can be quite limited..” writes psychologist Elisabeth Ovreberg. I wonder if our nation also has become limited because of an excessive barrage of horror stories.

Neither individuals nor society can function for long periods on high alert. It is not possible to be on guard all of the time because fatigue is bound to set in as the Secret Service experienced recently when a man climbed the fence, ran across the lawn and entered the White House. Were the guards dozing on the job, stunned into inaction, afraid? Has the Secret Service now overreact by instituting unnecessary spur of the moment precautions? Can they really prevent an intrusion by a person who is determined to gain access? Probably not.



Safeguards do need to be put in place, but impulsive responses are rarely helpful. We will never be able to account for all of the unknown occurrences that produce feelings of terror. There will be times when adrenaline spikes and blood pressure skyrockets and it is helpful to have a slowing down period to let body (and the country) smooth out its nerves.

Through mindfulness each of us could do our part to put out fires of panic before they reach the terror stage. To help meliorate stress, the press could become more moderate and thoughtful and politicians could stop treating every crisis as one to be seized for personal gain. Bloggers could help by becoming more investigative before passing judgement and spreading rumors. Imagine a world where well reasoned responses were fashioned to combat disease, issues of war, and personal problems.

For Further insight go to:

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/questions/question/1000023/ -Written by University of Cambridge on what happens when we become scared.

http://sciencenordic.com/your-fear-reaction-lightning-quick – Fear reaction is lighting quick

http://www.brettglass.com/immune.html – body’s response to terrorism by Brett Glass.

The Slave Economy

1361307m

Oregon City Falls – Projecting Power by Marilynne

Musings of a Museum Junkie – The Slave Economy

Art expresses volumes. Note this picture I painted of the falls in Oregon City marking the end of the Oregon Trail. A vibrant tribute to industry is crumbling, yet at one time this was a dynamic center for enterprise and change in the U.S. In 1889 history was made when the first DC electricity was transmitted through wires over a distance of distance 14 miles to Portland. AC transmission followed on its heels and in short time commerce throughout the country was electrified.

We all are aware of the changes that electricity brought to working people. Industry expanded and fortunes were made. Waves of immigrants became employed in sweat shops, toiling for low wages and initiating bitter fights over hours, safety conditions and wages. Woody Guthrie sang. Unions held bloodied rallies before eventually winning the right to bargain collectively, eventually securing a 5 day work-week, health benefits and vacation time……..


Move forward to today. …. My husband and I have been mentoring a street boy who successfully graduated from Job Corps and completed his first apprenticeship year as an industrial painter. He is employed by a reputable company, makes a fair salary for an apprentice, but he and his fellow workers are treated like chattel. Awakening between 4:30 and 5 he is often at work by seven after driving 60 miles. For 30 days he labored without a break of even one day. I wonder how he will ever meet a woman, become a caring husband or start a family? When his car broke down we had to help because he could not get time off to pick it up from the repair shop. I care about this young man and want him to live a fulfilling life but wonder if it will ever be possible.

As an apprentice he is not the exception among his comrades, for the journeymen working alongside him are treated just as poorly. I started asking questions and discovered that most painters working for this company are divorced, single, or willing to live a life separate from their loved ones. How many women will put up with erratic long hours that often span months? Good-by to family dinners, companionship or watching little league games. Hello to drugs and beer snatched in the car between work sites. The men were being exploited……or were they?

I was riled. I thought we had labor laws against this type of practice so immediately went on-line to review state and federal wage and hour laws. It turns out that employers still have most of the power and toilers very little. Bosses can demand that their workers labor overtime seven days a week as long as they are paid time and and a half after forty hours. If an employee does not want to comply with the demand, he or she can be fired unless covered by a union contract.

So, next step…. to investigate unions. It became obvious in short order that with rare exceptions, unions today have little power. Their negotiation sessions are like stirring wet noodles. 24 states have passed right-to-work-laws which remove the requirement for workers to pay union dues to work on unionized jobs. There is no starch to the men who negotiate contracts for they have no clout with the legislators who bend to threats by big business to move elsewhere. According to a Pew Research Center Survey, private sector union membership has dropped from from 16.8% in 1983 to 6.7% today. Despite this decline, 51% of Americans have favorable opinions of labor unions and feel that they are necessary to protect working people. Public feeling, however, holds little sway on outcome.

Big national organizations and money are leading the way to increased free trade, lower minimum wage, the right not to pay sick leave and everything else that union contacts used to be about. I have come to the conclusion that laborers are not much better off than slaves. If they complain they lose their job. “Oh, but they can resign,” you might respond. Sure but even if they are lucky enough to find a new job it will not make a difference. In fact, the new employer may be worse than the last.

As a past museum director I know how important it is to bring quality and passion to a task. Trained workers need to be respected. They are professional craftsmen who spend four years as apprentices in weekly training sessions. They learn to care about what they are doing and take pride in their work. Yet, instead of hiring these disciplined men and women, most people go for the lowest priced contract. I hear my friends and husband constantly complain about quality of workmanship of the plumbers, painters and carpenters they employ. Sloppy, incompetent, no attention to detail are words that come to mind. It may be time to rethink our attitude towards hiring the lowest common denominator for the job.

For more information go to :

http://www.edisontechcenter.org/HistElectPowTrans.html – History of electric power transmission.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/11/us/union-power-analysis/ — Why America’s Unions are losing power

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/02/20/for-american-unions-membership-trails-far-behind-public-support/ – American Unions membership declines

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/workhours/breaks.htm – For Federal labor laws

www.employmentlawhandbook.com/wage-and…laws/…laws/oregon/ – Oregon laws…find your own state.

http://employment.laws.com/oregon-overtime-laws – Oregon…many states do not even provide for overtime pay.

The Drone Aviary

          Aloft Before Drones by Marilynne & Ray

DSC04424

Imagine what it would be like to be walking in center city and suddenly have your space invaded by a swarm of buzzing machines flying within feet of your head. How do you think you would react? Would you be fearful?… swat at them?… want to shoot them down?… or simply stare in awe? A few weeks ago, Superflux, a London design company, planned to introduce the Drone Aviary, ten flying robots, at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Their goal……to emotionally engage the public by getting them to interact with drone technology. Their hope ..… that people will start paying attention to rapid developments in drone engineering presently in use in commercial and military installations. Their desire… to take the flying machines on a world wide tour.

Unfortunately, at the last minute the Drone Aviary had its’ venue cancelled due to safety concerns. This temporary halt in exhibiting, however, does not alter the fact that drones are currently a part of every day life. Over the next few years according to an article published by the American Alliance of Museums, U.S. airspace is expected to have 30,000 civilian and commercial drones flying overhead and the UK and Europe are not far behind.

Celebrities such as Martha Stuart and Jeff Bezos are seeing drones as welcome advances to their retail operations, delivering packages efficiently, thus bypassing mail systems. As drones roam the sky collecting data or delivering items for companies like Amazon, with their proposed Prime Air delivery service, and Google with Project Wing, you and I are going to be faced with an army of flying robots invading our personal space. When I imagine packages flying up and down my quiet neighborhood street, it is not an appealing thought. I would love to know your opinion.

I realize that some of this technology may be good. Robobird drones from Clear Flight Solutions are employed to chase birds away from airport danger. I was fascinated at a trade show when I watched these radio controlled birds of prey fly so realistically through the air. Flapping their wings they move like a Peregrine Falcon and are able to chase undesirable flocks away from airplane engines. Robobird is also used to disperse nuisance flocks from areas such as landfills and from vineyards when grapes are heavy on the vine and birds come to feast.

This robotic revolution is happening now and is not some future science fiction occurrence. Drone kits can be purchased for under $100 in local electronic shops was well as from on-line retailers, putting them within reach of ordinary people. A series of Parrot Mini Drones, are a new line of flying toys. Jumping Sumo can pop up to table height or back to the floor, moving light objects out of its way with ease. Rolling Spider is an ultra-compact flyer that can take to the air or return to earth to travel on its large wheels and Bebop, a flying drone, follows large complex designs drawn on land.

The smallest commercial RC drone, a Nano quad Copter only 45 mm square, rivals the army’s Spy Cam Drone resembling a tiny flying insect. Weighing only 15 grams, Spy Cam costs tens of thousands of dollars and is used much like binoculars to scope out potential threats in military situations. The air force has introduced Bugbot Nano Drone Technology, and to my unsophisticated eye, it seems even more dangerous. Looking like a flying bug with wings, it can provide biological and chemical information to its handler and is being promoted by the military as a future lethal war fighter.

Controversy and fear surrounding military and spy drones is just starting to become intense among civilians who in the past have not given much consideration to this technological phenomenon. Few people think about the computer gaming kids who as young adults are hired to manipulate tiny devices from distant locations. These youth control weapons that go undetected yet cause incredible damage to innocent people near their military targets. According to ABC news on September 29th, though not in harms way, drone operators are subject to sone of the same emotional strain that ground forces face.

I was pleased to learn that museums are taking a leadership position by bringing the drone controversy before the public. I happen to be very curious about this robotic technology and wonder how it will affect my family’s future. In the meantime, while we wait for the exhibit, if you want to see beer being delivered by a drone go to YouTube and type in Lakemaid Beer Drone Delivery. The Air Force Bugbot Nano Drone, also on YouTube, gives an idea of how these aerial devices work for the military.

w3xyjdyvospvue947huh Robodrone – photo by Clear Flight Solutions.

A 2013 FAA report from the National Wildlife Strike. Database says the number of bird strikes by planes has gone from 1,851 incidents in 1990 to 11,315 in 2013. Globally more than 255 people have died and 243 aircraft destroyed . 66% percent occur during daylight hours.

For more information about the drones mentioned go to:
http://www.parrot.com . Parrot Mini Drones

http://www.clearflightsolutions.com – About Robo Drones
.
http://www.multibriefs.com/briefs/aam/AAM092514.php – American Alliance of Museums – About Superflux

http://www.rferl.org/content/drones_who_makes_them_and_who_has_them/24469168.html- about Military drones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z78mgfKprdg : Bugbot military drone

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=lakemaid+beer+drone : Lakemaid Beer Drone

http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Amazon-Prime-Air-drone : Amazon’s Drone