从2004年起每年底都效仿《新周刊》盘点一下当年自己的所作所为和所见所闻。今年不总结了，国内外不靠谱的事太多，重新提起不免让人郁闷。另外这一年里从事的 project 其实不少，其中一些还算有了一点成果，不过对于圈子以外的人意义都不是很大，也就不拿出来显摆了。做了这么多事导致的疲惫，当然也是不想再翻看一年来的 entries 写总结的原因之一。
还是说说2007年带给我的几个感受好了。
- 信息的过量：我感觉我已经 stack overflow 了 ;)，在 RSS 阅读器里订阅了 BBC 和 the Economist 的 feed，还有 [Science Blogs](http://scienceblogs.com/) 和 [lifehacker](http://lifehacker.org/)，本意是保持一下对时事的关注，但现在完全不敢打开阅读器了，因为这几个都是一天上百篇 entries 的主，我有空的时间看看 [douban.com](http://www.douban.com/) 和水木以及 [A9VG](http://bbs.a9vg.com/) 也就差不多了，而且，开始脑残工作一年多以来，觉得这几个 feed 跟我的兴趣越来越不相关，也许是时候整理一下订阅了。另外，硬盘上越来越大的 ebook 目录也是个不小的问题，不过这个至少看起来觉得很舒坦——有那么多好书可以读。
- 从全球化到一体化：从天朝的猪肉涨价到世界范围内的燃油涨价再到英国的面粉涨价，全都是全球经济机器运作的结果且互相联系；Internet 的发展推动着全球文化的趋同；越来越多的异地恋在代表着离别和孤独的同时，也在暗示着人的流动性和渗透性在不断加强。当然这并不仅仅是2007年一年的趋势，但一切都有新的变化：经济上，越来越多的 player 进入了国际市场，而影响经济现象的因素变得更多更复杂，其中一些——例如环境——的影响日益显著；文化方面，虽然文化的趋同是每一年都会被人提起的老生常谈，但主流的文化正在拥抱非主流的文化，二者日益融为一体，或者至少更多地互相包容了，这也许比过去吞并式的文化融合要好一些。
- "Free(Open) Your Mind" 的吊诡：虽然这三个字被众多的 geek, hacker 和 nerd 们奉为真理，但是 Free Software/Open Source 这两个概念几十年来不停的互相掐架似乎就说明它同时也是最容易被忽略的建议。人人都喜欢维护和推荐自己喜欢的东西，而别人与自己或主流不同的做法往往就被看作是错误的或不可取的。要保持一个开放的心态看待异类总是很困难，不仅 IT 界如此，生活的其他方面也往往如此。
- 最看不懂的：Social Network Systems。尤其看不懂 Facebook 的成功，这个应用对我来说几乎没有任何黏着力，也许是我这一年都没有什么 socialising 的缘故吧 XD。当然，也有人不理解 twitter 为什么成功，但是我使用 fanfou 之后还是稍微明白一点了。
- 中文互联网：娱乐至死的典范。当然，从财务报表上看都活得好好的，但是精神都死了。有太多的克隆 facebook 和 youtube 的没有自己灵魂的僵尸网站。如果说 facebook 和 youtube 曾经恶俗的话，至少它们现在正在通过用户自己的 applications 和 clips 创造有价值的内容，相比之下国内这类网站还处于鼓励恶俗的阶段。套用一个奥威尔的句式，如果有希望，希望在 bloggers 中间。随着 blog 专业性的增强，也许在08年我可以看到它们的继续兴盛。
- 我的本行：这一年来我问自己最多的两个问题是自己做的东西有没有用和这个世界是否是在走向更好的状态。前者也许是每一个永久性脑残的人都会在取得学位之前无数次质问自己的问题，与工业有联系的人也许可以问得少一些。对我来说，做的是一个已经政策上板上钉钉而又看起来没有直接的经济价值的东西，连解释它背后的概念都得花半天时间，也许问自己这种问题的时候会更多一些。夏天被拒绝了实地考察的机会后，几乎想放弃了。不过[看了 Contact 之后](http://www.snakehsu.info/sigma_c/2007/10/-contact-1.html)，我想科学还是形而上的目的比较重要，用它来养活自己和家人乃至为社会创造有形财富都是副产品，在当前阶段还不必为了它而放弃终极的目的。第二个问题，也许是 science freak 们面对现实世界时都会有的无奈吧。这一年中环境方面的负面消息也很多，我现在对于国际努力改变现状的时效性持怀疑态度，作为个人，只能说尽量做好自己应该做的，减小自己的 footprint ，再做一个考虑环境的消费者吧。至于放生（把家养的泥鳅鲤鱼什么的往河里倒）和作秀式的环境保护，乃至以环保之名骗取地方利益的，我坚决地表示反对。
- 宅与计算机维修技术：我发现我与 otaku 和 geek 这两个概念都有相当的距离，不过这不妨碍我有时以它们的方式生活并且自得其乐。也许当信息和物质生活都丰富到一定程度的时候，宅起来只关注自己感兴趣的信息，只和同好打交道，会是很大一部分人选择的生活方式。我目前有点朝 FPS 宅和 SF 宅发展的趋势，当然修为还远远不够。2007年是我不间断地使用 Linux 作为主要操作系统的第3(4?)年。现在用 Linux 的人那么多，有点“大腕”式的“人开口都说 LFS 和 cluster，都不好意思说自己用 gentoo”的味道，同时我发现自己已经从 Windows power user 退化成了小白，帮女朋友重装系统都不会了，囧。最近几个月试图在 Gentoo/Linux 基础上 DIY 一套类似 Ubuntu Studio 的系统搞艺术，不过现在因为各种 project 太多暂时搁置下来了。
- 还有关于人们为什么去登珠峰这个问题的回答，在 New Scientist 圣诞特辑的一篇文章里，个人觉得比马洛里的“因为山在那里”更酷：
> Just because we can.
2007年看来对我来说还是很丰富的一年。总的说来，过了这么一年，不亏。
2007年12月31日星期一
2007年12月28日星期五
I Am Legend 观后感
欧美人民看来都很喜欢这类片子。昨天提前一刻钟到电影院，被告知票卖完了，不得已只好等了一个半小时看晚上9:30的场，结果还是几乎座无虚席。
先说那个把我震慑了的 idea。原作里的病毒是军队开发的生化武器，电影里如果照搬的话不免有点太像 Bio Hazard/Resident Evil。改编后的剧本提到了人们利用病毒定向攻击癌细胞治疗癌症，却不料病毒发生变异……还是觉得不够有创意？那也完全正常，因为我们正在做类似的事。病毒的，或者准确地说 RNA 的逆转录能力，早已是基因工程中不可缺少的工具。目前逆转录病毒的作用仅仅是把需要的物质带进细胞，没有什么危险，不过这个细节的警告意味已经足够强烈。
影片制作最牛的地方应该是封了纽约6个街区，以及调动了一千名群众演员和一百多国民警卫队拍疏散的戏。大街上长满了草的纽约有一种奇特的熟悉和陌生交织的感觉，有点像当年看《人猿星球》，大概是觉得它很荒诞，也很悲凉。疏散的那场戏，士兵拿个虹膜扫描器挨个给人检查，中国和东南亚的观众一定很有感觉……
Will Smith 的表演得到了很多好评，不过我觉得他最出彩的两个镜头是跟塑料模特说话的一场和为了自保不得不痛下杀手的一场。其余的感觉比起 I, Robot 里也没有太大进步。不过对于一个动作片出身的演员，这样的表现实在已经很让人惊喜了。期待他以后的剧情片。
好话说完，这片子的缺点只有两个，但是无处不在——一是没逻辑。有时候没逻辑到只能用“上帝告诉我的”这种台词来解释。有些设定上也是只考虑了画面的需要而忽略了科学性。有些小细节还算有意思，比如用某种可燃液体掩盖自己的踪迹，但大的逻辑有问题，这些东西也就没太大作用了。二是太多的 CG。后期的高潮戏一群 vampire 像 LotR 里的 orcs 一样狼奔豕突，好像反倒没有前面 Robert 一个人撞见一群熟睡的 vampire 那样有感觉。而且 CG 的质量看来也不好恭维，本来 vampire 不用做毛发算是很讨巧了，但是很多场面的观感还是不自然，在大量 vampires 同时出现或者场景中有主要演员时尤甚，也许是技术能力的问题吧。另外考虑到本片的导演也执导了 Constantine，浓厚的宗教味道和 CG 的过分运用也就不奇怪了……
原作小说设定据说比影片复杂很多，但影片还是连一些比较简单的原作设定也没有表现，fans 们对此颇有微词。什么时候找来小说看看，应该会更有收获。
先说那个把我震慑了的 idea。原作里的病毒是军队开发的生化武器，电影里如果照搬的话不免有点太像 Bio Hazard/Resident Evil。改编后的剧本提到了人们利用病毒定向攻击癌细胞治疗癌症，却不料病毒发生变异……还是觉得不够有创意？那也完全正常，因为我们正在做类似的事。病毒的，或者准确地说 RNA 的逆转录能力，早已是基因工程中不可缺少的工具。目前逆转录病毒的作用仅仅是把需要的物质带进细胞，没有什么危险，不过这个细节的警告意味已经足够强烈。
影片制作最牛的地方应该是封了纽约6个街区，以及调动了一千名群众演员和一百多国民警卫队拍疏散的戏。大街上长满了草的纽约有一种奇特的熟悉和陌生交织的感觉，有点像当年看《人猿星球》，大概是觉得它很荒诞，也很悲凉。疏散的那场戏，士兵拿个虹膜扫描器挨个给人检查，中国和东南亚的观众一定很有感觉……
Will Smith 的表演得到了很多好评，不过我觉得他最出彩的两个镜头是跟塑料模特说话的一场和为了自保不得不痛下杀手的一场。其余的感觉比起 I, Robot 里也没有太大进步。不过对于一个动作片出身的演员，这样的表现实在已经很让人惊喜了。期待他以后的剧情片。
好话说完，这片子的缺点只有两个，但是无处不在——一是没逻辑。有时候没逻辑到只能用“上帝告诉我的”这种台词来解释。有些设定上也是只考虑了画面的需要而忽略了科学性。有些小细节还算有意思，比如用某种可燃液体掩盖自己的踪迹，但大的逻辑有问题，这些东西也就没太大作用了。二是太多的 CG。后期的高潮戏一群 vampire 像 LotR 里的 orcs 一样狼奔豕突，好像反倒没有前面 Robert 一个人撞见一群熟睡的 vampire 那样有感觉。而且 CG 的质量看来也不好恭维，本来 vampire 不用做毛发算是很讨巧了，但是很多场面的观感还是不自然，在大量 vampires 同时出现或者场景中有主要演员时尤甚，也许是技术能力的问题吧。另外考虑到本片的导演也执导了 Constantine，浓厚的宗教味道和 CG 的过分运用也就不奇怪了……
原作小说设定据说比影片复杂很多，但影片还是连一些比较简单的原作设定也没有表现，fans 们对此颇有微词。什么时候找来小说看看，应该会更有收获。
2007年12月27日星期四
2007年12月20日星期四
完成了一本开源小册子的翻译
这本小册子32开本，68页，我大概拖沓延宕了一年？翻译页面上的版本信息表明我是在今年1月开始的，想想觉得真奇幻……或者很魔幻？
这本小册子对我来说还是很难翻译的，很多表述英文里完全正常，用中文的话总是有那么一点欠缺。大概我的水平还是太有限，信达雅三者往往只能争取信，多数时候还可以达，雅就谈不上了。而且中间由于回国的时候上网不便和天天耽于享乐（嘿嘿），中断了几个月，前后的一致性恐怕也成问题。我自己收获倒是不小，对于它介绍的 i18n 和 l10n 有了更深一步的理解。
这个项目总共有六本小册子，我一个人搞完了其中两本的翻译，不想再搞其余的了，因为翻译过程基本就是我一人在工作，上一本完成的时候还有一个人帮忙完成了校对，一人完成了 PDF 版本的制作，项目组织者完成了 wikibook 和原网站的上传，目前这本不知道还能不能找得到人校对了。与我翻译的第一本同时开始的还有两本同系列的小册子，目前看上去还没有人理会，还几乎停留在一片空白的状态。
其实我在上半年回国的时候给网站的组织者发信说需要找人接手，而几个月过去后还是我一个人从落下的地方开始翻译的事情，就暴露了问题。这种志愿者通过网络组织起来的活动形式最大的优势应该是在于合作，但是组织者似乎没能建立一种机制方便合作。首先是项目的建立和管理，没有一个优先级的标志，也没有资源分配的机制，大家凭自己的兴趣可以任意地建立和认领项目。这在 wiki 一类的大型网站和一些主题确定的 fan site 也许是行得通的，但一个用户少，活跃用户更少的小网站这样做只是导致资源被稀释。第二，没有激励机制和同伴压力。对于志愿者来说，定一个 deadline 其实并不会把他们吓跑，只要 deadline 和工作量的制定是在协商和试错的基础上进行的。如果有一支10个人的志愿者队伍，每周给每个人一页32开小册子的翻译量，现在这六本册子也早就翻译完了。而当我一个人在翻译，其他人在讨论完全不相干的问题的时候，我简直连同伴动力都没有了。第三是纯技术的问题，网站使用 [drupal](http://drupal.org/) 做内容管理和版本控制，本身也并不鼓励松散的，跨越地理位置的合作（连 revision diff 这样的功能都没有）。如果使用 git 或者 subversion 一类的版本控制系统，搭配 [trac](http://trac.edgewall.org/)，或者起码用 [mediawiki](http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki) 这样的可以支持 diff 和讨论页的平台，我会更有兴趣写一下 change log 并参与到对别人工作的讨论当中的。
以上的这些牢骚都是在与今年秋季我参加的另一个文档翻译项目——[Gentoo Weekly Newsletter](http://www.gentoo.org/news/zh_cn/gwn/gwn.xml) 的比较中发出的。GWN 的中文翻译提供了工业标准的工具：PO 文件和 git 管理下的 XML，良好而活跃的交流平台：Google Groups 和 irc，还有团队工作模式下 deadline 带来的适当的同伴压力……zhllg 实在是个 man of niubility。
这本小册子对我来说还是很难翻译的，很多表述英文里完全正常，用中文的话总是有那么一点欠缺。大概我的水平还是太有限，信达雅三者往往只能争取信，多数时候还可以达，雅就谈不上了。而且中间由于回国的时候上网不便和天天耽于享乐（嘿嘿），中断了几个月，前后的一致性恐怕也成问题。我自己收获倒是不小，对于它介绍的 i18n 和 l10n 有了更深一步的理解。
这个项目总共有六本小册子，我一个人搞完了其中两本的翻译，不想再搞其余的了，因为翻译过程基本就是我一人在工作，上一本完成的时候还有一个人帮忙完成了校对，一人完成了 PDF 版本的制作，项目组织者完成了 wikibook 和原网站的上传，目前这本不知道还能不能找得到人校对了。与我翻译的第一本同时开始的还有两本同系列的小册子，目前看上去还没有人理会，还几乎停留在一片空白的状态。
其实我在上半年回国的时候给网站的组织者发信说需要找人接手，而几个月过去后还是我一个人从落下的地方开始翻译的事情，就暴露了问题。这种志愿者通过网络组织起来的活动形式最大的优势应该是在于合作，但是组织者似乎没能建立一种机制方便合作。首先是项目的建立和管理，没有一个优先级的标志，也没有资源分配的机制，大家凭自己的兴趣可以任意地建立和认领项目。这在 wiki 一类的大型网站和一些主题确定的 fan site 也许是行得通的，但一个用户少，活跃用户更少的小网站这样做只是导致资源被稀释。第二，没有激励机制和同伴压力。对于志愿者来说，定一个 deadline 其实并不会把他们吓跑，只要 deadline 和工作量的制定是在协商和试错的基础上进行的。如果有一支10个人的志愿者队伍，每周给每个人一页32开小册子的翻译量，现在这六本册子也早就翻译完了。而当我一个人在翻译，其他人在讨论完全不相干的问题的时候，我简直连同伴动力都没有了。第三是纯技术的问题，网站使用 [drupal](http://drupal.org/) 做内容管理和版本控制，本身也并不鼓励松散的，跨越地理位置的合作（连 revision diff 这样的功能都没有）。如果使用 git 或者 subversion 一类的版本控制系统，搭配 [trac](http://trac.edgewall.org/)，或者起码用 [mediawiki](http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki) 这样的可以支持 diff 和讨论页的平台，我会更有兴趣写一下 change log 并参与到对别人工作的讨论当中的。
以上的这些牢骚都是在与今年秋季我参加的另一个文档翻译项目——[Gentoo Weekly Newsletter](http://www.gentoo.org/news/zh_cn/gwn/gwn.xml) 的比较中发出的。GWN 的中文翻译提供了工业标准的工具：PO 文件和 git 管理下的 XML，良好而活跃的交流平台：Google Groups 和 irc，还有团队工作模式下 deadline 带来的适当的同伴压力……zhllg 实在是个 man of niubility。
未来两个月观影计划
用来改变、推迟和取消的（笑）。
首先，如果明天导师放我过圣诞节，不给我布置太多强制性任务的话，我想去看 [I'm Not There](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368794/) 和 [I am Legend](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480249/)。理由：看Cate Branchett 反串的 Bob Dylan；看一部科幻片。
12月26日 [the Kite Runner](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0419887/)，看看评论再说。小说原著还得搁几年再读，如果到时候人们还没有遗忘它的话。
1月4日 [Lust, Caution](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808357/)，我未必承受得了，估计是不会去看了，不过在这里表示一下对李安导演、梁朝伟先生和汤唯女士的支持和钦佩，你们的下一部片子如果不是关乎国恨家仇，我一定一一捧场。
1月11日 [4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1032846/)，评价很高，想看看它是如何讲这个故事的。同一天还有 [Charlie Wilson's War](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472062/)，不过担心它太意识形态或者太娱乐了，还有大嘴姐姐对这类角色的把握究竟如何，没有时间可能就不看了。
1月25日 [In the Valley of Elah](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478134/)，希望战争在这里不仅是背景和噱头，还能是剖析的对象。
首先，如果明天导师放我过圣诞节，不给我布置太多强制性任务的话，我想去看 [I'm Not There](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368794/) 和 [I am Legend](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480249/)。理由：看Cate Branchett 反串的 Bob Dylan；看一部科幻片。
12月26日 [the Kite Runner](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0419887/)，看看评论再说。小说原著还得搁几年再读，如果到时候人们还没有遗忘它的话。
1月4日 [Lust, Caution](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808357/)，我未必承受得了，估计是不会去看了，不过在这里表示一下对李安导演、梁朝伟先生和汤唯女士的支持和钦佩，你们的下一部片子如果不是关乎国恨家仇，我一定一一捧场。
1月11日 [4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1032846/)，评价很高，想看看它是如何讲这个故事的。同一天还有 [Charlie Wilson's War](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472062/)，不过担心它太意识形态或者太娱乐了，还有大嘴姐姐对这类角色的把握究竟如何，没有时间可能就不看了。
1月25日 [In the Valley of Elah](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478134/)，希望战争在这里不仅是背景和噱头，还能是剖析的对象。
ET too bored by Earth transmissions to respond - New Scientist Space
[ET too bored by Earth transmissions to respond](http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn13096-et-too-bored-by-earth-transmissions-to-respond.html)
Interesting idea. Extra-terrestrial life may have already received too many radio signals that are plain and dull so they do not have a lot of incentives to reply. More meaningful and thought provoking information is being drafted and sent to space. If there are alien scientists out there they may well find such information worth a look.
But what is really interesting is the comment below the article there on NewScientist website. Just like Carl Sagan predicted in a more drastic way, you got all kinds of reactions to the vision that some aliens (probably much more advanced than we mankind) may pick up the signal and decide if they will visit us. There are self-inflicted discrimination, loathing the world, and of course worries about potential Armageddon. Are we really mature enough to start active SETI? We still have got a few generation's time at least before the signal reaches somebody out there, but mankind may need much more than that to become used to have a neighbour, or many neighbours.
Interesting idea. Extra-terrestrial life may have already received too many radio signals that are plain and dull so they do not have a lot of incentives to reply. More meaningful and thought provoking information is being drafted and sent to space. If there are alien scientists out there they may well find such information worth a look.
But what is really interesting is the comment below the article there on NewScientist website. Just like Carl Sagan predicted in a more drastic way, you got all kinds of reactions to the vision that some aliens (probably much more advanced than we mankind) may pick up the signal and decide if they will visit us. There are self-inflicted discrimination, loathing the world, and of course worries about potential Armageddon. Are we really mature enough to start active SETI? We still have got a few generation's time at least before the signal reaches somebody out there, but mankind may need much more than that to become used to have a neighbour, or many neighbours.
2007年12月17日星期一
Multi-objective decision-making in environmental management
[Informed multi-objective decision-making in environmental management using Pareto optimality](http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01367.x)
Multi-objective decision making has been the feature of many environmental management cases, yet there is no effective solutions to optimisation problems with multiple objectives. This article proposes non-dominated Pareto optimisation and an evolutionary algorithm that can approximate the non-dominated Pareto frontier. A case study is provided.
The problem seems to be the spatial complexity, which is especially announced in environmental studies, as well as the algorithm's intrinsic complexity. One assumption of this algorithm that cannot be ignored is that approximation to optimised decisions will produce results approximate to the optimised result, which may not always be valid in the non-linear world.
The result space is potentially very large and needs to be reduced to a few decision alternatives that can be understood and chosen from by the decision-maker.
Despite all these possible caveats, this algorithm seems to be in the right direction towards a more holistic assessment and making of environment decisions. And potentially similar ideas can be applied in my research.
Multi-objective decision making has been the feature of many environmental management cases, yet there is no effective solutions to optimisation problems with multiple objectives. This article proposes non-dominated Pareto optimisation and an evolutionary algorithm that can approximate the non-dominated Pareto frontier. A case study is provided.
The problem seems to be the spatial complexity, which is especially announced in environmental studies, as well as the algorithm's intrinsic complexity. One assumption of this algorithm that cannot be ignored is that approximation to optimised decisions will produce results approximate to the optimised result, which may not always be valid in the non-linear world.
The result space is potentially very large and needs to be reduced to a few decision alternatives that can be understood and chosen from by the decision-maker.
Despite all these possible caveats, this algorithm seems to be in the right direction towards a more holistic assessment and making of environment decisions. And potentially similar ideas can be applied in my research.
2007年12月11日星期二
Palestinian Freedom of Speech banned in an UK university
This is a case in MY university. The Palestinian Society started a protest against Israel's illegal separation of Palestinians by erecting a miniature wall, and were stopped by the police and the ``wall'' dismantled. If you are interested to follow the link to [YouTube](http://youtube.com/watch?v=uZLwtit8GXM), pay attention to those insightful comments.
I should say the police officer's reason to stop the protest at the entrance of the library is reasonable: obstruction of highway. However his later compliment that the wall should not be erected again anywhere else seems to me unreasonable and a repression of freedom of speech. The Pal Soc definitely have the right to continue the protest without blocking any path.
On the other hand, the student who was arrested by the police may be intentionally irritating the police officer, or may be just a bit too excited. His arrest is an unfortunate result of the incident, however he should be responsible for that.
The real disturbing question is why would someone call the police. A list of possible callers would be: the university, or university on someone's behalf; someone who do not like what Pal Soc did; the Pal Soc itself. In the first case, the university will need not to seek this kind of resort, the security would be enough. Can the security be so afraid of those students? I don't think so. The second, someone who do not like the protest? Possible. And surely they find a good reason to stop the protest. The third case would be very unpleasant to think about, however the possibility is there.
Whatever the case is, the incident is telling that either the expression of legal political opinion is so unbearable to some people here in the university, or the Palestinian students are seeking ways of expression a bit more than the authority can tolerate. Both thinking are very unsettling. The cause of the incident can be the repression of freedom of speech enforced by the authority, or the doubt of Pal Soc on their right of freedom of speech. Neither is desirable. The police's command that the wall should not be erected again is wrong. But further judgment can only be made when more details about the incident is available. A petition is being organised in the university. See how the response goes.
Before further details are present and confirmed, please do not imply that there is any racial issue involved. The available information so far does not suggest anything like this.
Workflow: from AVHRR L1B to GRASS raster
This figure shows the steps involved in turning AVHRR L1b data into GRASS GIS system as raster data. All software involved are Free/Open Source software.
2007年12月7日星期五
Climate undulation may accelerated vanishing of Fremont Indian
[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/318/5856/1540](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/318/5856/1540)
This may not be the most exciting archaeology discovery in the history. As we already know that some tribes Indians have lived on the high cliffs in Utah which were virtually unreachable. However, the disappearing of these tribes from those cliffs reveals an unsettling question: was climate the driving factor?
Evidences show that the possibility is significant, as the article tells. However, what raised my interest to blog it was this paragraph:
> The impact was all the harder because of the previous and intervening wet years, researchers suspect. There's evidence that after each drought the Fremont rebounded as climate improved. "Each time they did that, there seems to be a population boom," says Steven Simms, a Fremont scholar and archaeologist at Utah State University in Logan. But those extra mouths to feed demanded more crops, leaving the culture even more vulnerable to the next dry spell.
This leads my thought to my research area, which was also struck by snowstorms and/or droughts almost every year. Nowadays the people there barely manage to recover after the disasters, therefore the population is only slowly increasing according to official census data. However, the case would be different if they are changed to another mode of life which is more resistant against natural disasters. Could a similar pattern appear afterwards? Will they become more resistant but less resilient and suddenly become fragile in the face of a major disaster? Or, anything similar has happened in the history?
This may not be the most exciting archaeology discovery in the history. As we already know that some tribes Indians have lived on the high cliffs in Utah which were virtually unreachable. However, the disappearing of these tribes from those cliffs reveals an unsettling question: was climate the driving factor?
Evidences show that the possibility is significant, as the article tells. However, what raised my interest to blog it was this paragraph:
> The impact was all the harder because of the previous and intervening wet years, researchers suspect. There's evidence that after each drought the Fremont rebounded as climate improved. "Each time they did that, there seems to be a population boom," says Steven Simms, a Fremont scholar and archaeologist at Utah State University in Logan. But those extra mouths to feed demanded more crops, leaving the culture even more vulnerable to the next dry spell.
This leads my thought to my research area, which was also struck by snowstorms and/or droughts almost every year. Nowadays the people there barely manage to recover after the disasters, therefore the population is only slowly increasing according to official census data. However, the case would be different if they are changed to another mode of life which is more resistant against natural disasters. Could a similar pattern appear afterwards? Will they become more resistant but less resilient and suddenly become fragile in the face of a major disaster? Or, anything similar has happened in the history?
2007年12月6日星期四
My carbon footprint
This is an initiative by Google UK. [Here](http://www.google.co.uk/CarbonFootprint) is the link and it will become a new tab on your iGoogle page.
My carbon footprint currently is 2.2 tonnes, which is below UK average but my once or twice a year flight back home makes my travelling footprint very close to or exceeding UK average.
My carbon footprint currently is 2.2 tonnes, which is below UK average but my once or twice a year flight back home makes my travelling footprint very close to or exceeding UK average.
A flavour of AVHRR
In the past few days I have been trying to find suitable software and process for AVHRR data processing. The METOP AVHRR format looks like an enigma. It should be compatible to AVHRR, but despite that I tried hard to find a tool to unpack the file, and even tried to write a Fortran program myself, I couldn't find anything that decodes the file downloaded from [CLASS](http://www.class.noaa.gov/).
What made the search not totally fruitless is a image processing tool, [BEAM](http://www.brockmann-consult.de/beam/), which works nicely with AVHRR and a number of other data files. I can use it to open AVHRR 16-bit and 8-bit Level 1b file (10-bit not tested yet), do some simple preprocessing and statistics, then export the file as GeoTIFF or other formats, which can be read by GRASS GIS + GDAL. It is worth noting that BEAM is free as in free speech software published under GPL **v3** and can run on any platform with Java Runtime Environment.
With the help of BEAM and GRASS I managed to produce my first AVHRR-derived NDVI image this afternoon. Seems I am finally on track. In the coming days there are a number of things that I can look at:
- AVHRR Pathfinder data, their advantages and limits, suggested by one of my supervisor;
- Snow and ice cover mapping with AVHRR;
- Time series data and change detection;
- MODIS data and its interoperability with AVHRR.
What made the search not totally fruitless is a image processing tool, [BEAM](http://www.brockmann-consult.de/beam/), which works nicely with AVHRR and a number of other data files. I can use it to open AVHRR 16-bit and 8-bit Level 1b file (10-bit not tested yet), do some simple preprocessing and statistics, then export the file as GeoTIFF or other formats, which can be read by GRASS GIS + GDAL. It is worth noting that BEAM is free as in free speech software published under GPL **v3** and can run on any platform with Java Runtime Environment.
With the help of BEAM and GRASS I managed to produce my first AVHRR-derived NDVI image this afternoon. Seems I am finally on track. In the coming days there are a number of things that I can look at:
- AVHRR Pathfinder data, their advantages and limits, suggested by one of my supervisor;
- Snow and ice cover mapping with AVHRR;
- Time series data and change detection;
- MODIS data and its interoperability with AVHRR.
2007年12月3日星期一
自由的遥感图像处理解决方案？
因为工作的需要，最近一段时间的工作重点是搜集和处理遥感图像。具体要怎么处理还没有决定，只知道大概要做的东西包括几何校正，大气校正，geoencoding/registration，后期肯定会做 change detection。这些在 ERDAS Imagine 里面是相对简单的，基本都可以点点鼠标解决。但是目前学校的 IT staff 还没有给我的电脑装这套软件，为了立即开展工作我准备找一找自由/开源的替代方案。
在 [http://opensourcegis.org/](http://opensourcegis.org/) 上给出了一个比较全面的与 GIS/RS 有关的自由/开源项目的列表，虽然其中成气候的项目还很少，而且像 Imagemagick 和 Free Type 这样的通用项目都列上去了，不过这方面的开发工作确实比我想象的更多。在 [GDAL](http://www.gdal.org/) 出来后出现了很多 GIS 项目，但地学图像处理方面的软件相对还是很缺乏。
一番比较后我决定使用 [GRASS GIS](http://grass.itc.it/intro/general.php) 和 [nip2](http://www.vips.ecs.soton.ac.uk/index.php?title=Nip2) 来完成工作。GRASS GIS 是目前自由/开源 GIS 中最成熟的项目（应该不用加“之一”了吧）。以前我用它做过一个简单的模型输出可视化，但没注意到它还有处理遥感图像的功能。看了它的手册和一些搜索之后，结论是它可以用来做几何与大气校正、合成和分类，虽然分类的算法可能没有商业软件包那么多样，不过理论上说可以自己写个实现，已经有人做出了[神经网络分类方法的实现](http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/conf/SANTA_FE_CD-ROM/sf_papers/muttiah_ranjan/muttiah.html)。
nip2 是 [VIPS](http://www.vips.ecs.soton.ac.uk/index.php?title=VIPS) 库的一个前端，号称是介于 Photoshop 与 Excel 之间的图像处理软件。其特点是可以用控件和脚本结合对图像方便地进行复杂的处理。虽然它的设计似乎并没有特别考虑地学应用的需要，但它有一个非常吸引人的特性，就是对大图像的处理速度非常快，而且可以处理大于内存容量的图像。我准备用它来处理观测角度与读数关系不大的图像，也可能用它来做分割和组合。
如果两周后我觉得这两个软件用得比较顺手，可能会一直用它们完成论文。商业软件包确实易用，能够节省一些学习和适应的时间，但我觉得用自由/开源的软件能让自己对 under the hood 的东西了解更多一些，而且现在掌握了 GRASS GIS 以后还可以很快上手 ERDAS Imagine，反之则不然。
在 [http://opensourcegis.org/](http://opensourcegis.org/) 上给出了一个比较全面的与 GIS/RS 有关的自由/开源项目的列表，虽然其中成气候的项目还很少，而且像 Imagemagick 和 Free Type 这样的通用项目都列上去了，不过这方面的开发工作确实比我想象的更多。在 [GDAL](http://www.gdal.org/) 出来后出现了很多 GIS 项目，但地学图像处理方面的软件相对还是很缺乏。
一番比较后我决定使用 [GRASS GIS](http://grass.itc.it/intro/general.php) 和 [nip2](http://www.vips.ecs.soton.ac.uk/index.php?title=Nip2) 来完成工作。GRASS GIS 是目前自由/开源 GIS 中最成熟的项目（应该不用加“之一”了吧）。以前我用它做过一个简单的模型输出可视化，但没注意到它还有处理遥感图像的功能。看了它的手册和一些搜索之后，结论是它可以用来做几何与大气校正、合成和分类，虽然分类的算法可能没有商业软件包那么多样，不过理论上说可以自己写个实现，已经有人做出了[神经网络分类方法的实现](http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/conf/SANTA_FE_CD-ROM/sf_papers/muttiah_ranjan/muttiah.html)。
nip2 是 [VIPS](http://www.vips.ecs.soton.ac.uk/index.php?title=VIPS) 库的一个前端，号称是介于 Photoshop 与 Excel 之间的图像处理软件。其特点是可以用控件和脚本结合对图像方便地进行复杂的处理。虽然它的设计似乎并没有特别考虑地学应用的需要，但它有一个非常吸引人的特性，就是对大图像的处理速度非常快，而且可以处理大于内存容量的图像。我准备用它来处理观测角度与读数关系不大的图像，也可能用它来做分割和组合。
如果两周后我觉得这两个软件用得比较顺手，可能会一直用它们完成论文。商业软件包确实易用，能够节省一些学习和适应的时间，但我觉得用自由/开源的软件能让自己对 under the hood 的东西了解更多一些，而且现在掌握了 GRASS GIS 以后还可以很快上手 ERDAS Imagine，反之则不然。
2007年11月30日星期五
Iron the sea to combat climate change
[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/318/5855/1368](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/318/5855/1368)
With no doubt, climate change is one of the biggest challenge the mankind faces in the new century. Perhaps this explains why there are quite some strange proposal to battle increasing green house gases. For example, there are some researchers proposed to [increase aerosol in the atmosphere to block solar radiation](http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/jan/27/usnews.frontpagenews) as aerosol is observed to lead to [temperature decrease in some cities in China](http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Haze_Dynasty.html) and [may cancel out some effects of global warming](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/283/5406/1273). This somehow reminds me of ``Operation Dark Storm'' in [Animatrix](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Second_Renaissance#Part_II). But of course such a proposal will get almost nil support from any reasonable person.
Now here is the new idea: pump iron into the sea. As the sea has a sufficient level of nutrient already and iron is the limiting factor, this will lead to virtually an explosion of algae which will need considerable amount of carbon to grow and will rapidly sink into the sea, which may be a way of sequestrating carbon. If practical, this will be a cheap solution to reduce carbon in the atmosphere. However, from the article in science you can read a lot of suspicions with various reasons: altered ecosystem, the efficiency of the sinking process, and the methane and nitrous oxide emitted in the process.
As there are too many uncertainties, further experiments are desirable. This is supported by some companies which hope to earn some credits in the carbon trading system. Personally I hope the experiment a success. However I also have my own doubt: will the sea saturate? There are reports saying that the capability of ocean carbon sinks are decreasing, and in a recent article, Canadell et al. states:
[C]arbon emissions have grown faster than CO2 sinks on
the land and oceans. Because the land and oceans are
both mosaics of regions that are gaining and regions that
are losing carbon, this trend could result from any or all
of three scenarios: sink regions could have weakened,
either absolutely or relative to growing emissions; source
regions could have intensified; or sink regions could have
transitioned to sources. (Canadell et al. 2007)
And Le Quere et al. (2007) have reported that the Southern Ocean is losing ability to absorb carbon dioxide and becoming a source instead.
I know very little about the metabolism of algae and the biochemical process in the ocean, but I think the researchers proposing the experiment should also consider carbon that cannot make it to a depth below 500 metres. Will they enter the ocean and accelerate the saturation of carbon? If so, in what condition?
My other complain is that this proposal, even if a success, should not be relied upon as a solution to climate problem. It should function more as a means to slow the process of climate change and earn some time for mankind to ultimately solve the carbon balance. I am worried that successful carbon sequestration will only lead to more emission. A mature carbon trading system may help, but a global monitoring and enforcement system urging everyone's adaptation to cleaner energy and smaller carbon footprint is the solution.
1. J. G. Canadell et al., [“Contributions to accelerating atmospheric CO2 growth from economic activity, carbon intensity, and efficiency of natural sinks,”](http://www.pnas.org/cgi/reprint/0702737104v1.pdf) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2007).
2. C. Le Quere et al., “Saturation of the Southern Ocean CO2 Sink Due to Recent Climate Change,” Science 316, no. 5832 (June 22, 2007), [http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/316/5832/1735](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/316/5832/1735).
With no doubt, climate change is one of the biggest challenge the mankind faces in the new century. Perhaps this explains why there are quite some strange proposal to battle increasing green house gases. For example, there are some researchers proposed to [increase aerosol in the atmosphere to block solar radiation](http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/jan/27/usnews.frontpagenews) as aerosol is observed to lead to [temperature decrease in some cities in China](http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Haze_Dynasty.html) and [may cancel out some effects of global warming](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/283/5406/1273). This somehow reminds me of ``Operation Dark Storm'' in [Animatrix](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Second_Renaissance#Part_II). But of course such a proposal will get almost nil support from any reasonable person.
Now here is the new idea: pump iron into the sea. As the sea has a sufficient level of nutrient already and iron is the limiting factor, this will lead to virtually an explosion of algae which will need considerable amount of carbon to grow and will rapidly sink into the sea, which may be a way of sequestrating carbon. If practical, this will be a cheap solution to reduce carbon in the atmosphere. However, from the article in science you can read a lot of suspicions with various reasons: altered ecosystem, the efficiency of the sinking process, and the methane and nitrous oxide emitted in the process.
As there are too many uncertainties, further experiments are desirable. This is supported by some companies which hope to earn some credits in the carbon trading system. Personally I hope the experiment a success. However I also have my own doubt: will the sea saturate? There are reports saying that the capability of ocean carbon sinks are decreasing, and in a recent article, Canadell et al. states:
[C]arbon emissions have grown faster than CO2 sinks on
the land and oceans. Because the land and oceans are
both mosaics of regions that are gaining and regions that
are losing carbon, this trend could result from any or all
of three scenarios: sink regions could have weakened,
either absolutely or relative to growing emissions; source
regions could have intensified; or sink regions could have
transitioned to sources. (Canadell et al. 2007)
And Le Quere et al. (2007) have reported that the Southern Ocean is losing ability to absorb carbon dioxide and becoming a source instead.
I know very little about the metabolism of algae and the biochemical process in the ocean, but I think the researchers proposing the experiment should also consider carbon that cannot make it to a depth below 500 metres. Will they enter the ocean and accelerate the saturation of carbon? If so, in what condition?
My other complain is that this proposal, even if a success, should not be relied upon as a solution to climate problem. It should function more as a means to slow the process of climate change and earn some time for mankind to ultimately solve the carbon balance. I am worried that successful carbon sequestration will only lead to more emission. A mature carbon trading system may help, but a global monitoring and enforcement system urging everyone's adaptation to cleaner energy and smaller carbon footprint is the solution.
1. J. G. Canadell et al., [“Contributions to accelerating atmospheric CO2 growth from economic activity, carbon intensity, and efficiency of natural sinks,”](http://www.pnas.org/cgi/reprint/0702737104v1.pdf) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2007).
2. C. Le Quere et al., “Saturation of the Southern Ocean CO2 Sink Due to Recent Climate Change,” Science 316, no. 5832 (June 22, 2007), [http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/316/5832/1735](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/316/5832/1735).
2007年11月26日星期一
A better evaluation?
My research needs a conceptual model. At present, I think it would be desirable to have a social dimension aside of the ecological one. Therefore, in the conceptual model, I need not only links denoting the flow of nutrient and energy, but also those representing flow of ecosystem services, which can be considered as the interface between the "human" and the "nature" parts in the system.
But "ecosystem service" would be too abstract to use even in a conceptual model. A concrete, and more desirable if universal surrogate of [these services](http://www.greenfacts.org/glossary/def/ecosystem-services.htm) is needed. I am very reluctant to use monetary measures as there are many values that cannot be underestimated using such an approach.
A search at Google Scholar gives about [200 results](http://scholar.google.com/scholar?num=50&hl=en&lr=&newwindow=1&q=%22ecosystem+service%22+surrogate&btnG=Search) using keywords "ecosystem services" and "surrogate". After a browse I cannot say that I find much enlightenment, although [this one](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V5X-4CC7V6J-D&_user=10&_coverDate=12%2F31%2F2004&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=52b27906458558832f14c738d40e8a95) is interesting. Non-linearity and changes should be considered when choosing the sorrogate. But it will not do if too many factors are considered, right?
Biodiversity is another often (ab-)used surrogate. But it is surely not adequate for the area I am studying, as the productivity there is so limited that it can only support a relatively simple system. The only way to achieve ``diversity'' is eutrophication, not like an option.
Or as an alternative, the energy flow combined with monetary evaluation can be used as the measure of ecosystem service?
But "ecosystem service" would be too abstract to use even in a conceptual model. A concrete, and more desirable if universal surrogate of [these services](http://www.greenfacts.org/glossary/def/ecosystem-services.htm) is needed. I am very reluctant to use monetary measures as there are many values that cannot be underestimated using such an approach.
A search at Google Scholar gives about [200 results](http://scholar.google.com/scholar?num=50&hl=en&lr=&newwindow=1&q=%22ecosystem+service%22+surrogate&btnG=Search) using keywords "ecosystem services" and "surrogate". After a browse I cannot say that I find much enlightenment, although [this one](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V5X-4CC7V6J-D&_user=10&_coverDate=12%2F31%2F2004&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=52b27906458558832f14c738d40e8a95) is interesting. Non-linearity and changes should be considered when choosing the sorrogate. But it will not do if too many factors are considered, right?
Biodiversity is another often (ab-)used surrogate. But it is surely not adequate for the area I am studying, as the productivity there is so limited that it can only support a relatively simple system. The only way to achieve ``diversity'' is eutrophication, not like an option.
Or as an alternative, the energy flow combined with monetary evaluation can be used as the measure of ecosystem service?
2007年11月22日星期四
2007年11月16日星期五
理性的幻想家
今天读完了 Ursula K. Le Guin 奶奶的 [The Language of the Night](http://www.anobii.com/books/Language_of_the_Night/9780704342026/01a65fb3e4b0a2a830/)。200多页的小书，从10月11日到现在，总算断断续续地读完了，好在这本集子里的文章都不算太长，每天读一篇，或许不能获得编者 Susan Wood 所希望读者获得的整体印象，但对于 Le Guin 对于科幻文学和艺术的态度，倒是可以有个大致的了解。
今天的科幻文学，比这本书里大部分文章写成的年代里的科幻小说，恐怕不能说有长足的进步，反倒显露出日渐式微的趋势。而在70年代，Le Guin 就观察到了这种现象，并将其归因于社会对快餐文化的追捧和功用主义对幻想的抵触，这个主题是这本书第一、第二部分的重点。除了社会的不认可，Le Guin 也指出在社会不将科幻作为主流文学看待的情况下，科幻作家们妄自菲薄，在写作时的态度有所欠缺，也是造成部分科幻小说文学性不强的原因，这是第三部分的主题。
Le Guin 在第四部分接着提出了她认为的好的科幻小说应具有的性质：文学性，科学上的可信性，以及艺术性。她在这部分也提出了她对新手开始科幻写作的观点。最后一部分，她鼓励科幻作家将自己的作品作为艺术来对待，不要用“仅仅是娱乐”来自嘲，也不要受到“市场审查”（Market Censorship）的影响，为迎合大众的口味炮制模板化、快餐式的小说。
书中贯穿始终的一个主题还包括女性主义的思想——虽然 Le Guin 本人在80年代的新版序言中也说这是70年代的女性主义——更多地主张男女平权而非提出一个女性视角，还有就是对幻想文学的艺术价值的肯定和对批评家们指责幻想是“escapism”的反驳。其实，虽然整本集子谈的都是科幻和奇幻，Le Guin 的主张——将作品看作艺术——对于其他创作，也是具有积极意义的提法。再推广一下，甚至也可以说工作和研究在一定程度上也需要这种态度。
Le Guin 在书中使用的语言不乏愤怒和戏谑，但自始至终态度都非常理性，就如同她自己在文章中所说，是以一种“外来者”，而非爱好者的身份分析科幻写作。在知名的科幻作家当中，能够对自己所处的领域进行一番分析的屈指可数，而能有如此客观的态度和深刻的见解就更为难得。虽然 Le Guin 在今天肯定会对书中许多论点进行修正，但这本书对于今天刚踏入科幻作者行列的人们仍然是极具价值的。对于一般的读者而言，读完此书后也能对上世纪科幻小说“黄金时代”和70年代后的作品具有更深入的认识。
今天的科幻文学，比这本书里大部分文章写成的年代里的科幻小说，恐怕不能说有长足的进步，反倒显露出日渐式微的趋势。而在70年代，Le Guin 就观察到了这种现象，并将其归因于社会对快餐文化的追捧和功用主义对幻想的抵触，这个主题是这本书第一、第二部分的重点。除了社会的不认可，Le Guin 也指出在社会不将科幻作为主流文学看待的情况下，科幻作家们妄自菲薄，在写作时的态度有所欠缺，也是造成部分科幻小说文学性不强的原因，这是第三部分的主题。
Le Guin 在第四部分接着提出了她认为的好的科幻小说应具有的性质：文学性，科学上的可信性，以及艺术性。她在这部分也提出了她对新手开始科幻写作的观点。最后一部分，她鼓励科幻作家将自己的作品作为艺术来对待，不要用“仅仅是娱乐”来自嘲，也不要受到“市场审查”（Market Censorship）的影响，为迎合大众的口味炮制模板化、快餐式的小说。
书中贯穿始终的一个主题还包括女性主义的思想——虽然 Le Guin 本人在80年代的新版序言中也说这是70年代的女性主义——更多地主张男女平权而非提出一个女性视角，还有就是对幻想文学的艺术价值的肯定和对批评家们指责幻想是“escapism”的反驳。其实，虽然整本集子谈的都是科幻和奇幻，Le Guin 的主张——将作品看作艺术——对于其他创作，也是具有积极意义的提法。再推广一下，甚至也可以说工作和研究在一定程度上也需要这种态度。
Le Guin 在书中使用的语言不乏愤怒和戏谑，但自始至终态度都非常理性，就如同她自己在文章中所说，是以一种“外来者”，而非爱好者的身份分析科幻写作。在知名的科幻作家当中，能够对自己所处的领域进行一番分析的屈指可数，而能有如此客观的态度和深刻的见解就更为难得。虽然 Le Guin 在今天肯定会对书中许多论点进行修正，但这本书对于今天刚踏入科幻作者行列的人们仍然是极具价值的。对于一般的读者而言，读完此书后也能对上世纪科幻小说“黄金时代”和70年代后的作品具有更深入的认识。
2007年11月15日星期四
Graphical presentation of food/population dynamics
I encountered this article[1] when I am doing some search related to resilience and its mathematical methodology. In fact it is another way to explain Carpenter's S-shape curve in lake models[2]. I put the link here for future reference. Please note that the copyrights belong to [Resilience Alliance](http://www.resalliance.org/) and the author.
[http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol3/iss2/art11/figure7.html](http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol3/iss2/art11/figure7.html)
Ref:
1. Scheffer, Marten. 1999. Searching Explanations of Nature in the Mirror World of Math. Conservation Ecology 3, no. 2: 11. [Fulltext](http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol3/iss2/art11/manuscript.html)
2. Carpenter, Steve, Brian Walker, J. Marty Anderies, and Nick Abel. 2001. From metaphor to measurement: Resilience of what to what? Ecosystems 4, no. 8 (December): 765-781. http://www.springerlink.com/content/lu5mxqkxbblkly62/.
[http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol3/iss2/art11/figure7.html](http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol3/iss2/art11/figure7.html)
Ref:
1. Scheffer, Marten. 1999. Searching Explanations of Nature in the Mirror World of Math. Conservation Ecology 3, no. 2: 11. [Fulltext](http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol3/iss2/art11/manuscript.html)
2. Carpenter, Steve, Brian Walker, J. Marty Anderies, and Nick Abel. 2001. From metaphor to measurement: Resilience of what to what? Ecosystems 4, no. 8 (December): 765-781. http://www.springerlink.com/content/lu5mxqkxbblkly62/.
2007年11月9日星期五
More on GPS Visualizer: GE Overlays
I did some experiment with GPS Visualizer which I mentioned yesterday. I used it to visualise some Landsat images that I can use for my research.
In this screenshot you can see three overlays generated from Landsat visual images provided by [Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA](http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/targetFamily/Earth). If you take a closer look at places where these images overlap you will find that the quality of registration is very impressive. However, GPS Visualizer seems not able to control the skewness of the image, all overlays are rectified to the latitude and longtitude, which is not the direction of Landsat's nadir path (shown in the image as a white line). Anyway, using it I can get an idea of the satellite coverage of my study area (red box) without using complicated GIS/RS software packages.
In this screenshot you can see three overlays generated from Landsat visual images provided by [Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA](http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/targetFamily/Earth). If you take a closer look at places where these images overlap you will find that the quality of registration is very impressive. However, GPS Visualizer seems not able to control the skewness of the image, all overlays are rectified to the latitude and longtitude, which is not the direction of Landsat's nadir path (shown in the image as a white line). Anyway, using it I can get an idea of the satellite coverage of my study area (red box) without using complicated GIS/RS software packages.
2007年11月8日星期四
GPS Visualizer
[GPS Visualizer](http://gpsvisualizer.com/)
This is an essential for geography hobbists and serious GE users. Without a flashy interface (yet?), this site provides a rich set of tools to help you visualise geographic data on Google Maps and Google Earth. Haven't got time for all its features, but the first thing I am going to do with it is to create a Landsat overlay of my study area. More details in later posts.
This is an essential for geography hobbists and serious GE users. Without a flashy interface (yet?), this site provides a rich set of tools to help you visualise geographic data on Google Maps and Google Earth. Haven't got time for all its features, but the first thing I am going to do with it is to create a Landsat overlay of my study area. More details in later posts.
A Vision of Students
It's the first time I post a video clip to my blog. But believe me, I have seen hundreds and this one is standing out. Great shooting, skillful editing and thoughts provoking -- at least those of students and teachers.
I think it illustrates life of students in the U. S. and perhaps in U. K. quite well. Some facts even work for intl. students (like me).
2007年11月2日星期五
Grindhouse 很好玩
如果不带任何道德有色眼镜看这两个 back-to-back 的片子的话还是很有意思的。当然还要对 gory 有一定的承受能力才行……
昨天跟一群本科生挤在法学院的大教室里一起看的这个片子，屏幕不大，旁边的人狂吃薯片，果然很有 grindhouse 或者国内小录像厅的感觉。那几个 fake trailer 收获了最多的笑声，而正片的时候大家除了鼓掌就是不断的 "gosh" "yeeeesh~" 之类感慨了。
片子里有不少向老 B 级片致敬的片段……嗯，你要说是戏仿也行……Planet Horror 放到那个僵尸片流行的年代也应该是一部佳作。
如果你看的 Grindhouse 是两个片子各长 60 分钟的版本并且看完后没有任何不适感的话，推荐把两个片子的完整版本都找来看一遍，特别是 Death Proof。
昨天跟一群本科生挤在法学院的大教室里一起看的这个片子，屏幕不大，旁边的人狂吃薯片，果然很有 grindhouse 或者国内小录像厅的感觉。那几个 fake trailer 收获了最多的笑声，而正片的时候大家除了鼓掌就是不断的 "gosh" "yeeeesh~" 之类感慨了。
片子里有不少向老 B 级片致敬的片段……嗯，你要说是戏仿也行……Planet Horror 放到那个僵尸片流行的年代也应该是一部佳作。
如果你看的 Grindhouse 是两个片子各长 60 分钟的版本并且看完后没有任何不适感的话，推荐把两个片子的完整版本都找来看一遍，特别是 Death Proof。
2007年10月29日星期一
This is what I call failure
And it is outrageous!
Zhong, Li, and Peng, “Analysis on the Status of Farmers, Agriculture and Countryside, and Development Strategies and Measures in Tibet Autonomous Region,” Journal of Mountain Science 1, no. 2 (2004): 175--182.
One of the worst research articles I have ever read. People doing research on Tibet should never be an armchair researcher. There are always needs to go into the field. However, this article is a typical armchair work. Everything the authors have is but statistical data. And merely from this they can pretend to make "scientific decisions" for people who really have to make a living in Tibet. These workers (I am very reluctant to call them "scientists") are irresponsible and do not know Tibet at all.
For example, they do not know what kind of agriculture the ecosystem in Tibet can support. They naively think that Tibetan chicken eggs and pork "ha[ve] a good market" in the competition with products from outside. And they think they can improve grassland productivity in Tibet just by thinking.
Anyone with ideas about how northern Tibet agriculture system works will not put the problem so lightly. And these researchers are supposed to know.
The cause of the problem seems to be the inadequate pressure to publish, as well as the ill-formed evaluation system which is based on the quantity of publications rather than quality. Of course the lame peer review system of the journal also helped.
This, I am afraid, is the state of China's Tibetan studies.
Wake up, you lazy bones. You have the privilege to study in Tibet, without so much fuss as I and my foreign colleagues had. You should really go down there and hear what the people and the land have to say!
Zhong, Li, and Peng, “Analysis on the Status of Farmers, Agriculture and Countryside, and Development Strategies and Measures in Tibet Autonomous Region,” Journal of Mountain Science 1, no. 2 (2004): 175--182.
One of the worst research articles I have ever read. People doing research on Tibet should never be an armchair researcher. There are always needs to go into the field. However, this article is a typical armchair work. Everything the authors have is but statistical data. And merely from this they can pretend to make "scientific decisions" for people who really have to make a living in Tibet. These workers (I am very reluctant to call them "scientists") are irresponsible and do not know Tibet at all.
For example, they do not know what kind of agriculture the ecosystem in Tibet can support. They naively think that Tibetan chicken eggs and pork "ha[ve] a good market" in the competition with products from outside. And they think they can improve grassland productivity in Tibet just by thinking.
Anyone with ideas about how northern Tibet agriculture system works will not put the problem so lightly. And these researchers are supposed to know.
The cause of the problem seems to be the inadequate pressure to publish, as well as the ill-formed evaluation system which is based on the quantity of publications rather than quality. Of course the lame peer review system of the journal also helped.
This, I am afraid, is the state of China's Tibetan studies.
Wake up, you lazy bones. You have the privilege to study in Tibet, without so much fuss as I and my foreign colleagues had. You should really go down there and hear what the people and the land have to say!
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2007年10月27日星期六
Follow-up: biofuel debate
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Biofuels 'crime against humanity'
There is yet another voice to express the concerns behind the large scale adoption of biofuel crops, especially corn. It has been pointed out by Mr Ziegler that plantation of biofuel crops has already led to decrease of available arable land, and the increase of food price.
This seems to be one thing that market cannot solve satisfyingly. If we rely solely on price and demand to adjust the production of food and biofuel, it can be expected that farmers will always have incentives to plant corn to produce ethanol before the price of biofuel is the same as fossil fuel. At the same time food price will also rise and leave more people in hunger. But farmers will not turn to food production until food price (combined with subsidies, maybe) is high enough to provide revenue as good as fuel. By then millions would have starved.
A threshold should be determined which states the maximum land and other resources allocated to biofuel production and should be enforced as a law. If we cannot determine the threshold yet, I think it is another time to apply precaution principle and set a safe limit. At the same time attempts to reduce fuel consumption and improve fuel efficiency should always be encouraged.
On the other hand, Food and Agriculture Organization in 2005 considered biofuel as a key to fight against hunger, as it reduces the import bill as well as brings investments and jobs. But that argument seems to miss the resource part, ignoring food production while it examines hunger.
There is yet another voice to express the concerns behind the large scale adoption of biofuel crops, especially corn. It has been pointed out by Mr Ziegler that plantation of biofuel crops has already led to decrease of available arable land, and the increase of food price.
This seems to be one thing that market cannot solve satisfyingly. If we rely solely on price and demand to adjust the production of food and biofuel, it can be expected that farmers will always have incentives to plant corn to produce ethanol before the price of biofuel is the same as fossil fuel. At the same time food price will also rise and leave more people in hunger. But farmers will not turn to food production until food price (combined with subsidies, maybe) is high enough to provide revenue as good as fuel. By then millions would have starved.
A threshold should be determined which states the maximum land and other resources allocated to biofuel production and should be enforced as a law. If we cannot determine the threshold yet, I think it is another time to apply precaution principle and set a safe limit. At the same time attempts to reduce fuel consumption and improve fuel efficiency should always be encouraged.
On the other hand, Food and Agriculture Organization in 2005 considered biofuel as a key to fight against hunger, as it reduces the import bill as well as brings investments and jobs. But that argument seems to miss the resource part, ignoring food production while it examines hunger.
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2007年10月23日星期二
Bio-fuel and resilience
Today I attended a lecture given by Alan Bullin with the topic ``Biofuels in the Asia-Pacific'', which is just a general review of the situation of biofuel legislation, adoption and application in developed and developing world. But my question would be, how biofuel crops affect the resilience of farmers who adopted them out of economic interest?
I asked this because I thought of farmers in China. If they know this is going to make money you can bet they will begin to plant sugarcanes overnight. However, their relatively slow rate to access relevant information means they are very likely to encounter market failures and have losses. On the other hand, the question is also about long-term perspectives. If one day we suddenly do not need biofuel and fossil fuels anymore (invention of safe and cheap hydrogen/nuclear/solar/you-name-it energy technologies), will the farmers be able to quickly and easily turn to other income sources?
Dr. Bullin's answer to the questions, as I perceived, is that the market will determine what the farmers plant, the adoption of new energy will not be sudden, but a gradual process. The competition between various biofuel crops means the farmers will not be trapped in one crop and cannot get themselves out. They can always turn to another kind of biofuel. Of course, in the market, there is always risk.
I did not mention resilience or China's immature market in my question, which may change his answer a bit. On a second thought, the farmers may not always have alternatives due to climate and hydrology restrictions. I still would like to know whether farmers can turn their sugar cane field into, say, potato garden quickly enough. There have already been some studies on biofuels and resilience. Many of them expressed optimistic evaluation of this new technology concerning long-term gains and resilience, stating their positive role in the conservation of forest and reduction of carbon. However, I do think there is some negative issues that should be scrutinised carefully, for example, increased food price [1], changed land use and threat to natural area/food production [2], and Fairtrade concerns.
1. [Kill king corn](http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/449637a). Nature 449, 637 doi: 10.1038/449637a (2007).
2. [Fuelling controversy -- can biofuels slow the speed of climate change?](http://www.panos.org.uk/PDF/reports/climatetoolkit1.pdf)
I asked this because I thought of farmers in China. If they know this is going to make money you can bet they will begin to plant sugarcanes overnight. However, their relatively slow rate to access relevant information means they are very likely to encounter market failures and have losses. On the other hand, the question is also about long-term perspectives. If one day we suddenly do not need biofuel and fossil fuels anymore (invention of safe and cheap hydrogen/nuclear/solar/you-name-it energy technologies), will the farmers be able to quickly and easily turn to other income sources?
Dr. Bullin's answer to the questions, as I perceived, is that the market will determine what the farmers plant, the adoption of new energy will not be sudden, but a gradual process. The competition between various biofuel crops means the farmers will not be trapped in one crop and cannot get themselves out. They can always turn to another kind of biofuel. Of course, in the market, there is always risk.
I did not mention resilience or China's immature market in my question, which may change his answer a bit. On a second thought, the farmers may not always have alternatives due to climate and hydrology restrictions. I still would like to know whether farmers can turn their sugar cane field into, say, potato garden quickly enough. There have already been some studies on biofuels and resilience. Many of them expressed optimistic evaluation of this new technology concerning long-term gains and resilience, stating their positive role in the conservation of forest and reduction of carbon. However, I do think there is some negative issues that should be scrutinised carefully, for example, increased food price [1], changed land use and threat to natural area/food production [2], and Fairtrade concerns.
1. [Kill king corn](http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/449637a). Nature 449, 637 doi: 10.1038/449637a (2007).
2. [Fuelling controversy -- can biofuels slow the speed of climate change?](http://www.panos.org.uk/PDF/reports/climatetoolkit1.pdf)
2007年10月22日星期一
Preliminary Image Availability Survey
I am looking for satellite images over Anduo County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China.
- AVHRR： Search at EarthExplorer gives 11577 images in daylight condition, most focus on Indian subcontinent, but should be enough for me. Dates are from 1980 to 2000s.
- Declassified Satellite Imagery-1: Low and medium images taken in 1960s, earliest 1961, from CORONA, ARGON and LANYARD satellites. Most are medium to low resolution (15-30 m). A large portion are cloudy. $30 per frame.
- Declassified Satellite Imagery-2: Much higher camera resolution at 2 to 4 feet and 20 to 30 feet, from KH-7 and KH-9. Taken in 1964-1965 and 1973. Large swath, relatively lower cloud mask. $30 per frame.
- EO-1: no images.
- Landsat 1-5 MSS: From 1972 to 1992. Some scan line can be seen. Less cloud. $200 per frame.
- Landsat 4-5 TM: July 1982 to Present. Good resolution, less cloud. $425 per frame.
- Landsat 7 ETM+ International Ground Stations: No reviews available. No uniform price.
- Landsat 7 ETM+: From 1999 to 2003, some are a bit cloudy. Most are usable. $475-600 per frame.
- Landsat 7 ETH+ SLC-off: More difficult to process and probably data loss. From 2003 to Present. Can be downloaded with ordering. $200-275 per frame.
Landsat 7 ETM+ scenes acquired from 5/31/03 - 7/14/03 and 9/3/03 - 9/17/03 are not available. - SPOT: no image from USGS.
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2007年10月21日星期日
再看 Contact
Contact (1997)
首先表示对小p同学的感谢，感谢他从 Sheffield 把 DVD 带给我。
不太记得上次看这个片子是什么时候了，不过可以确定的是那时候我已经有了电脑，同时还没有从高中毕业，因为我看完电影以后不久就下载了 SETI@Home 的客户端，然后问我的一位同学有没有看这个片子。那位同学高中毕业后就很少联系，直到不久以前才在北京又见到。这样算来，我上次看 Contact 已经是至少6-7年前的事了。
对于这部电影，我想我这样一个工科生的语言并不能表达它是怎样带给我兴奋和长期的激励──关于科学和理想主义的激励。借用女主角的一句话：“Poetry....They should send a poet!”它提醒了我们，习惯于在家购物，网上冲浪，足不出户的现代人，还有一些东西是“out there”，有一些东西是“above us”的。我们所受的关于科学的教育告诉我们，不要好高鹜远，要在前人的基础上慢慢前进，但这部影片对我的作用，无异于在泥沼中缓慢前行时头顶的星空，它提醒我，在单调重复的科学研究背后，永远都有值得追求的美丽的“Truth”。
六七年过去了，我电脑里运行的分布式计算程序已经从 SETI@Home 变成了更加 practical，也许甚至更加 profitable 的 Folding@Home，我身上的理想主义色彩也早已淡去不少。但是重新看到 Ellie 这个角色，仍然让我兴奋。电影里她也面临着寻求经费的压力，同行的排挤，来自社会各界的怀疑和反对，她缺少的是其他电影里科学家都有的先进的设备，花不完的经费，还有聪明又性感的助手──当然她的助手是很聪明的──而她的理想主义，或者说她的信念，始终支撑着她。我们在老一辈科学家的故事里也常能看到这种理想主义的存在，而科学界的现实也许是排斥这种理想主义的，但我确实相信科学发现的背后，必须要有独立于 Practicality 和 Profitability 之外的动机。所以我喜欢 Ellie 这个角色，喜欢她代表的理想主义精神。
除了“信念”，影片的第二个主题，关于科学与宗教的关系，几乎每篇关于 Contact 的影评都会提到。我在这里不想深入。当看到电影里 Ellie 被问到是否相信上帝时，我也试图帮她回答。做为一个受科学教育长大的人，我不相信人造的宗教，也不相信做为人类创造物而反过来主宰宇宙命运的上帝──那只是一种人类沙文主义的 delusion。但我确实相信这个复杂的世界是被一些更高的原则所决定的，为了方便理解，我们可以称其为上帝，但它肯定不是我们所创造出来用来膜拜的偶像，住在九天之上俯瞰众生。相反，它可能只是一些可以从量子力学方向试图理解的“弦”，或者其他更渺小而基本的东西，组成了我们，组成了世界。但是，纯粹地从科学的角度理解这些原则可能也是危险的，至少从我们现在的认识，我们知道像“爱”“信仰”这样的东西不能被分析，不能被量化，所以我们在科学之外还需要 humanity 来帮助我们更好地理解自己。对于影片的这个主题，我认为与其说它是科学与宗教的共存与和解，不如说是科学与人性的共存与和解。可能唯有如此，我们才能认识自己和宇宙，成为宇宙大家庭中成熟的一员。
生活的压力让我们需要面对现实，对于科学家来说也是如此，但 Contact 在生动地刻画了科学家所面临的现实的同时，也提醒了我们还存在着一个广袤而美丽的宇宙，我们每一个普通人都是它的 small and trivial, yet unique and precious 的一分子，这足以引起我们的许多思考。也许有人认为这不过是畅销小说改编的好莱坞科幻片，但在我看来，它是一些真正有创造力的人对于人类的自省，是我们走向启蒙的一小步，也许这一小步会引领我们去接触智慧，接触未来。
首先表示对小p同学的感谢，感谢他从 Sheffield 把 DVD 带给我。
不太记得上次看这个片子是什么时候了，不过可以确定的是那时候我已经有了电脑，同时还没有从高中毕业，因为我看完电影以后不久就下载了 SETI@Home 的客户端，然后问我的一位同学有没有看这个片子。那位同学高中毕业后就很少联系，直到不久以前才在北京又见到。这样算来，我上次看 Contact 已经是至少6-7年前的事了。
对于这部电影，我想我这样一个工科生的语言并不能表达它是怎样带给我兴奋和长期的激励──关于科学和理想主义的激励。借用女主角的一句话：“Poetry....They should send a poet!”它提醒了我们，习惯于在家购物，网上冲浪，足不出户的现代人，还有一些东西是“out there”，有一些东西是“above us”的。我们所受的关于科学的教育告诉我们，不要好高鹜远，要在前人的基础上慢慢前进，但这部影片对我的作用，无异于在泥沼中缓慢前行时头顶的星空，它提醒我，在单调重复的科学研究背后，永远都有值得追求的美丽的“Truth”。
六七年过去了，我电脑里运行的分布式计算程序已经从 SETI@Home 变成了更加 practical，也许甚至更加 profitable 的 Folding@Home，我身上的理想主义色彩也早已淡去不少。但是重新看到 Ellie 这个角色，仍然让我兴奋。电影里她也面临着寻求经费的压力，同行的排挤，来自社会各界的怀疑和反对，她缺少的是其他电影里科学家都有的先进的设备，花不完的经费，还有聪明又性感的助手──当然她的助手是很聪明的──而她的理想主义，或者说她的信念，始终支撑着她。我们在老一辈科学家的故事里也常能看到这种理想主义的存在，而科学界的现实也许是排斥这种理想主义的，但我确实相信科学发现的背后，必须要有独立于 Practicality 和 Profitability 之外的动机。所以我喜欢 Ellie 这个角色，喜欢她代表的理想主义精神。
除了“信念”，影片的第二个主题，关于科学与宗教的关系，几乎每篇关于 Contact 的影评都会提到。我在这里不想深入。当看到电影里 Ellie 被问到是否相信上帝时，我也试图帮她回答。做为一个受科学教育长大的人，我不相信人造的宗教，也不相信做为人类创造物而反过来主宰宇宙命运的上帝──那只是一种人类沙文主义的 delusion。但我确实相信这个复杂的世界是被一些更高的原则所决定的，为了方便理解，我们可以称其为上帝，但它肯定不是我们所创造出来用来膜拜的偶像，住在九天之上俯瞰众生。相反，它可能只是一些可以从量子力学方向试图理解的“弦”，或者其他更渺小而基本的东西，组成了我们，组成了世界。但是，纯粹地从科学的角度理解这些原则可能也是危险的，至少从我们现在的认识，我们知道像“爱”“信仰”这样的东西不能被分析，不能被量化，所以我们在科学之外还需要 humanity 来帮助我们更好地理解自己。对于影片的这个主题，我认为与其说它是科学与宗教的共存与和解，不如说是科学与人性的共存与和解。可能唯有如此，我们才能认识自己和宇宙，成为宇宙大家庭中成熟的一员。
生活的压力让我们需要面对现实，对于科学家来说也是如此，但 Contact 在生动地刻画了科学家所面临的现实的同时，也提醒了我们还存在着一个广袤而美丽的宇宙，我们每一个普通人都是它的 small and trivial, yet unique and precious 的一分子，这足以引起我们的许多思考。也许有人认为这不过是畅销小说改编的好莱坞科幻片，但在我看来，它是一些真正有创造力的人对于人类的自省，是我们走向启蒙的一小步，也许这一小步会引领我们去接触智慧，接触未来。
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2007年10月20日星期六
Trying to choose a plotting package
During the process of writing my review, I meet the problem of plotting. For now I can copy figures from other people's work but I think there will be times when I need to draw my own plot.
There are a number of plotting software packages out there. Some are used by a lot while some have a relatively small user base. For one who want to get some help from the community, it is important to choose one that has a friendly syntax/interface and a larger user base. For now I am looking at [Asymptote](http://asymptote.sourceforge.net/) and [gnuplot](www.gnuplot.info). They are both powerful packages with extensive features, both support LaTeX well. Both have good documentation, which make the choice even harder to make.
In terms of language they use, Asymptote seems to be more formal, using structures more like those of C++ and Java. gnuplot seems to be more similar to (Bourne Again) shell scripts. If I have C++ programming experience it should be easier to pick Asymptote, but in fact I am more familiar with shell scripts and a little bit Fortran.
Taking a closer look, I think gnuplot is better at plotting data and non-parameter functions, as it is easy to do so in a sequential way, and it can read inputs from standard output (Asymptote seems cannot). But for more complicated graphic, the language used by Asymptote really boost it to a higher level.
The best way seems to be to learn both packages, as they have different advantages. But learning both at the same time seems to be very challenging. Without much drawing at hand, perhaps I'll start with gnuplot.
There are a number of plotting software packages out there. Some are used by a lot while some have a relatively small user base. For one who want to get some help from the community, it is important to choose one that has a friendly syntax/interface and a larger user base. For now I am looking at [Asymptote](http://asymptote.sourceforge.net/) and [gnuplot](www.gnuplot.info). They are both powerful packages with extensive features, both support LaTeX well. Both have good documentation, which make the choice even harder to make.
In terms of language they use, Asymptote seems to be more formal, using structures more like those of C++ and Java. gnuplot seems to be more similar to (Bourne Again) shell scripts. If I have C++ programming experience it should be easier to pick Asymptote, but in fact I am more familiar with shell scripts and a little bit Fortran.
Taking a closer look, I think gnuplot is better at plotting data and non-parameter functions, as it is easy to do so in a sequential way, and it can read inputs from standard output (Asymptote seems cannot). But for more complicated graphic, the language used by Asymptote really boost it to a higher level.
The best way seems to be to learn both packages, as they have different advantages. But learning both at the same time seems to be very challenging. Without much drawing at hand, perhaps I'll start with gnuplot.
2007年10月19日星期五
2007年10月18日星期四
What you know, you don't know, and you thought you know about resilience
Today I stumped on [this article](http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol11/iss1/art13/main.html) on [Google Scholar](http://www.google.com/). I think it is a good one for people just beginning to study resilience (with all due respect; those people include me).
I haven't got time to read it slowly but from my skimming I think it is good in terms of clarifying some concepts and methodology issues. Return to it from time to time we may save ourselves considerable energy and do more sound research.
The article has no access restriction as long as you have Internet connection.
I haven't got time to read it slowly but from my skimming I think it is good in terms of clarifying some concepts and methodology issues. Return to it from time to time we may save ourselves considerable energy and do more sound research.
The article has no access restriction as long as you have Internet connection.
2007年10月17日星期三
Computation, modelling and resilience
I just attended a (poorly organised) seminar on my university's computer cluster system. Presumably it can facilitate computation in my study, if any. It is easy to think about using it in some resilience models, I can add a lot of factors and agents in the model so the result would be ... so what?
Given enough time and opportunities to collect data I will be able to produce a reasonably good model for the dynamics of grasslands in Tibet. But to convince myself that this model can be actually used to describe the resilience difference between different management styles, I need to validate it. But how?
Usually we would put data from 200 years ago into the model, let the model simulate what happened in 100 years after that, then compare the output with what was actually there 100 years ago. If the comparison shows enough similarity between simulation and reality, suppose the key things determining the system's behaviour haven't changed, we can use the model to predict next 100 years from now on. But this is not always the case for resilience modelling. Itself tries to predict what would happen if key variables and system behaviour changes.
Therefore I think modelling should not be the end but a means in resilience study. Modelling helps us find key agents, variables, and behaviours in the system. God-willing, it would be easier to define domains of attraction and therefore resilience in the system.
For now, it seems plausible trying to build a model based on the findings up-to-date and see how management styles and environmental changes affect the system, thus identify the key variable.
I am considering using spatial or agent-based model to tackle this problem.
Given enough time and opportunities to collect data I will be able to produce a reasonably good model for the dynamics of grasslands in Tibet. But to convince myself that this model can be actually used to describe the resilience difference between different management styles, I need to validate it. But how?
Usually we would put data from 200 years ago into the model, let the model simulate what happened in 100 years after that, then compare the output with what was actually there 100 years ago. If the comparison shows enough similarity between simulation and reality, suppose the key things determining the system's behaviour haven't changed, we can use the model to predict next 100 years from now on. But this is not always the case for resilience modelling. Itself tries to predict what would happen if key variables and system behaviour changes.
Therefore I think modelling should not be the end but a means in resilience study. Modelling helps us find key agents, variables, and behaviours in the system. God-willing, it would be easier to define domains of attraction and therefore resilience in the system.
For now, it seems plausible trying to build a model based on the findings up-to-date and see how management styles and environmental changes affect the system, thus identify the key variable.
I am considering using spatial or agent-based model to tackle this problem.
2007年10月16日星期二
Firefox 的杀手级扩展── Zotero
嗯，我也标题党一回。Zotero 对我来说确实是杀手级的一个应用，不过对于没有这方面需求的人来说它也就是一个普通的扩展。那么具体是什么样的需求呢？大量文献信息的组织，文献的有序保存，以及按需调用。
不错，这正是许多文献管理软件，比如[Endnote](http://www.endnote.com)，[RefWorks](http://www.refworks.com)，以及 [jabref](http://jabref.sourceforge.net) 都具有的功能。但是回忆一下我们在使用这些软件时的行为：看到一篇文献，点击输出参考文献的链接，选择格式，然后等待软件启动，导入文件后我们再把焦点重新放回到浏览器继续浏览。在看文献的过程中我们还要找个东西记笔记，笔记如果不能很好地组织起来，又怕将来忘记，所以每篇笔记还得加上有关文献的链接。这样是无法建立一个有效率的个人[工作流](http://www.answers.com/topic/workflow)的。
Zotero 就不同，它把我们进行文献研究时的主要活动──搜集，整理，阅读和引用都很好地集成到了一个界面之内，就在浏览器的一角，唾手可得，而且没有 Endnote 那种复杂的下拉式菜单，一切都可以用快捷按钮和上下文菜单解决（[这里](http://www.zotero.org/images/quick_start/zoteropane_800x635.png)是界面的截图，版权归原所有人）。在 [Google Scholar](http://scholar.google.com) 和 [Web of Knowledge](http://www.isiknowledge.com) 之类搜索引擎和 Elsevier、Springer 等出版商的网站上还可以利用自动发现功能一键添加文献数据。
大多数情况下，使用 Zotero 的流程可以归纳为：在互联网上发现文献──（利用 [SFX](http://www.exlibrisgroup.com/sfx.htm) 等文献服务发现全文）──利用导入功能得到文件信息和有关附件（pdf 等）──做笔记、tag、与相关文件链接──搜索文献──输出有关文献为其他软件格式──在 TeX 或字处理软件中引用。除最后一步外都不需要打开任何其他软件。
此外，Zotero 的相关文献功能允许我们把关键词和标题上看不出任何联系的文章放在一起，这在我们进行某些跨学科研究时非常方便──比如讨论航海技术和全球化的联系。Zotero 的其他特色功能还包括对 pdf 文件进行索引，通过搜索创建类似于 MacOS X 的智能文件夹，对多种文献来源和格式的支持，在文献快照上进行批注（仅限于文本和 html 文件），以及文献时间线的创建（对于写 review 非常有用）。在 [Zotero 官方网站](http://www.zotero.org)上有对这些功能的[详细介绍和教程](http://www.zotero.org/documentation/)。
据说将来 Zotero 也会引入类似 RefWorks 的线上文献库功能，但是现在使用本地 sqlite 数据库的好处是可以方便地脱机使用，也可以用备份和版本控制工具管理。我倒是希望 Zotero 将来能有这些功能：
- 单独搜索笔记和批注
- 界面上对搜索词高亮
- 记录文献库中项目的访问时间，并可用它作为条件搜索最近看过的文献
- 增加对更多文献数据库的自动发现功能，或者允许用户自己添加自动发现网站和信息提取语法（更新：Zotero 的[开发网站](http://dev.zotero.org/scaffold/)上提供了扩展的下载，用于“高级”用户自行添加 site translator）
总地说来 Zotero 是我目前遇到的用得最顺手舒心的文献管理和笔记软件，向任何看到这篇 blog，平时上网不仅仅是看 YouTube 的人推荐。
\[再更新：如果你是大学内的用户，可以把默认的 OpenURL 解析器（Resolver）改成自己的 sfx 或者其他类似服务的解析器。各学校的解析器 url 可能不太一样，但你自己用 sfx 搜索一次以后就应该知道是怎么构成的了，在设置中填上，用 Locate/定位功能实验一下即可。\]
不错，这正是许多文献管理软件，比如[Endnote](http://www.endnote.com)，[RefWorks](http://www.refworks.com)，以及 [jabref](http://jabref.sourceforge.net) 都具有的功能。但是回忆一下我们在使用这些软件时的行为：看到一篇文献，点击输出参考文献的链接，选择格式，然后等待软件启动，导入文件后我们再把焦点重新放回到浏览器继续浏览。在看文献的过程中我们还要找个东西记笔记，笔记如果不能很好地组织起来，又怕将来忘记，所以每篇笔记还得加上有关文献的链接。这样是无法建立一个有效率的个人[工作流](http://www.answers.com/topic/workflow)的。
Zotero 就不同，它把我们进行文献研究时的主要活动──搜集，整理，阅读和引用都很好地集成到了一个界面之内，就在浏览器的一角，唾手可得，而且没有 Endnote 那种复杂的下拉式菜单，一切都可以用快捷按钮和上下文菜单解决（[这里](http://www.zotero.org/images/quick_start/zoteropane_800x635.png)是界面的截图，版权归原所有人）。在 [Google Scholar](http://scholar.google.com) 和 [Web of Knowledge](http://www.isiknowledge.com) 之类搜索引擎和 Elsevier、Springer 等出版商的网站上还可以利用自动发现功能一键添加文献数据。
大多数情况下，使用 Zotero 的流程可以归纳为：在互联网上发现文献──（利用 [SFX](http://www.exlibrisgroup.com/sfx.htm) 等文献服务发现全文）──利用导入功能得到文件信息和有关附件（pdf 等）──做笔记、tag、与相关文件链接──搜索文献──输出有关文献为其他软件格式──在 TeX 或字处理软件中引用。除最后一步外都不需要打开任何其他软件。
此外，Zotero 的相关文献功能允许我们把关键词和标题上看不出任何联系的文章放在一起，这在我们进行某些跨学科研究时非常方便──比如讨论航海技术和全球化的联系。Zotero 的其他特色功能还包括对 pdf 文件进行索引，通过搜索创建类似于 MacOS X 的智能文件夹，对多种文献来源和格式的支持，在文献快照上进行批注（仅限于文本和 html 文件），以及文献时间线的创建（对于写 review 非常有用）。在 [Zotero 官方网站](http://www.zotero.org)上有对这些功能的[详细介绍和教程](http://www.zotero.org/documentation/)。
据说将来 Zotero 也会引入类似 RefWorks 的线上文献库功能，但是现在使用本地 sqlite 数据库的好处是可以方便地脱机使用，也可以用备份和版本控制工具管理。我倒是希望 Zotero 将来能有这些功能：
- 单独搜索笔记和批注
- 界面上对搜索词高亮
- 记录文献库中项目的访问时间，并可用它作为条件搜索最近看过的文献
- 增加对更多文献数据库的自动发现功能，或者允许用户自己添加自动发现网站和信息提取语法（更新：Zotero 的[开发网站](http://dev.zotero.org/scaffold/)上提供了扩展的下载，用于“高级”用户自行添加 site translator）
总地说来 Zotero 是我目前遇到的用得最顺手舒心的文献管理和笔记软件，向任何看到这篇 blog，平时上网不仅仅是看 YouTube 的人推荐。
\[再更新：如果你是大学内的用户，可以把默认的 OpenURL 解析器（Resolver）改成自己的 sfx 或者其他类似服务的解析器。各学校的解析器 url 可能不太一样，但你自己用 sfx 搜索一次以后就应该知道是怎么构成的了，在设置中填上，用 Locate/定位功能实验一下即可。\]
2007年10月10日星期三
Defining and studying complexity in ecosystems
There are some new projects relating to complexity studies in some UK Universities (e.g. [University of Bristol](http://bccs.bris.ac.uk/), [University of Warwick](http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/comcom/)). Although I doubt how many enrolled in these programs would know what are complexities in complex systems (in contrast to "simple" systems such as computers). At least I don't understand.
One interesting definition of complexity is the length of the shortest description of a series of the system's regularities. This definition can only be used in comparisons because it is not possible to cover all classes of regularities in a system. For ecosystems there may be a defined set of regularities that can be used to describe the complexity of the system.
For the moment we cannot tell how complexity of a system is linked to its unpredictability and surprises. We only know that a complex system may have these features: emergence, surprises, chaos, and paradoxum. Some tools are being developed to get a grasp of complex systems, but the success is still limited. These tools may be only suitable for a limited range of applications.
Can we at last deal with complexity in a scientific way? Possibly we can deal with it with more certainty as science develops. But a more likely scenario is that we incorporate uncertainty and complexity into the existing science system, just like what quantum mechanics did. Ecology and sociology recognising complexity may have a complete shift in the coming decades.
One interesting definition of complexity is the length of the shortest description of a series of the system's regularities. This definition can only be used in comparisons because it is not possible to cover all classes of regularities in a system. For ecosystems there may be a defined set of regularities that can be used to describe the complexity of the system.
For the moment we cannot tell how complexity of a system is linked to its unpredictability and surprises. We only know that a complex system may have these features: emergence, surprises, chaos, and paradoxum. Some tools are being developed to get a grasp of complex systems, but the success is still limited. These tools may be only suitable for a limited range of applications.
Can we at last deal with complexity in a scientific way? Possibly we can deal with it with more certainty as science develops. But a more likely scenario is that we incorporate uncertainty and complexity into the existing science system, just like what quantum mechanics did. Ecology and sociology recognising complexity may have a complete shift in the coming decades.
2007年10月3日星期三
Annual presentation
I received the notice that I am going to do the presentation today when I was in China, busy packing my luggage to go back to England. So it was quite a fuss. Luckily I was preparing a presentation knowing that I will need it some time.
The most difficult thing is to introduce the concept of resilience to an audience of human geography background. Sometimes I wonder why I do such a ``biological'' project at school of Geography. However, things turned not so bad. Resilience has become a more widely accepted metaphor and method nowadays.
The slide I made lack a bit of consistency I am afraid. It may left the audience trying to grab the topic. It would be better if there are some links between the different parts.
Next week there will be another group of PhD students doing presentation, I think I'd better learn from them about how to make more understandable presentations....
The most difficult thing is to introduce the concept of resilience to an audience of human geography background. Sometimes I wonder why I do such a ``biological'' project at school of Geography. However, things turned not so bad. Resilience has become a more widely accepted metaphor and method nowadays.
The slide I made lack a bit of consistency I am afraid. It may left the audience trying to grab the topic. It would be better if there are some links between the different parts.
Next week there will be another group of PhD students doing presentation, I think I'd better learn from them about how to make more understandable presentations....
2007年10月1日星期一
Bourne 走出谍影
原以为我9月底回到小岛后，没有机会再看已经上映一个多月的 Bourne Ultimatum，得等 DVD 了。没想到影院里还有场次，更没想到入场之前还需要排队。
Bourne 系列拍到现在，再翻译成《谍影重重》似乎已经不太恰当了。在第一集里观众可能和 Bourne 一样一头雾水，需要不断寻找真相，而第三集里对于观众来说一切他们关心的真相似乎都已大白，剩下的只是看 Bourne 如何找回自我。在这种条件下，如何保持影片的悬疑色彩就成为对导演的一大挑战。让观众增强对 Bourne 的代入感是最容易想到的一种办法，但是一旦观众不能入戏，就容易觉得不知所云。Paul Greengrass 作为一个以纪录片风格著称的导演，自然也更习惯于用第三人称的视角来拍戏。这一集里他很聪明地没有强求观众体会 Bourne 所感受到的重重迷雾，而更多地把注意力集中在双方的斗智戏上，于是保留了 Bourne 系列中那种旧式间谍影片的剧情张力。
但是这部戏毕竟不是 The Good Shepherd 这样的纯剧情片。大概是为了和暑期档其他的动作影片抗衡，影片的动作场面比上一集增加了不少，而且打戏兼顾了 Identity 中令人眼花缭乱的动作设计和 Supremacy 中拳拳到肉的拍摄风格，可谓三部中最佳的一作。不过追车戏感觉不如 Supremacy 中精彩，主要可能是因为时间太短，而且混乱的街道让 Paul 的拍摄更显混乱。但总的来说，动作戏比上一集精彩许多。
表演方面，女演员比男演员出彩，Julia Stiles 和 Joan Allen 分别饰演 Nicki 和 Pamela，表现不错。Matt Damon 又要演动作戏，又要诠释失忆杀手，基本都比较到位，也够难为他了，不过总觉得他在后半段的表演还是力有不逮。如果有第四部的话，可以想见表演的参照物会越来越少，要演好越来越难，Matt 及早宣布收手应该是个正确的抉择。
当大家都在拿 Bourne 跟 Bond 做比较时，可以说前者也已经成为了一个文化符号，片尾字幕最后的画面更增强了这种感觉。Ultimatum 可以说是这个系列的一个巅峰，但是原作者 Robert Ludlum 提供的这个失忆杀手的概念在这一作也应该是走到了一个尽头，再拍第四第五集的话就只能是榨取剩余价值了。或许 Jason Bourne 会成为像 James Bond 那样长盛不衰的银幕形象，但到目前为止的这个 Bourne 才是最独一无二，最值得记住的。
p.s. 从影片前的片花得知 Hitman: Codename 47 系列也被改编成电影了，既然女主角不好看，我的希望就是它能拍出游戏的深度，不要又是一个狂洒狗血和子弹的感官刺激片。
Bourne 系列拍到现在，再翻译成《谍影重重》似乎已经不太恰当了。在第一集里观众可能和 Bourne 一样一头雾水，需要不断寻找真相，而第三集里对于观众来说一切他们关心的真相似乎都已大白，剩下的只是看 Bourne 如何找回自我。在这种条件下，如何保持影片的悬疑色彩就成为对导演的一大挑战。让观众增强对 Bourne 的代入感是最容易想到的一种办法，但是一旦观众不能入戏，就容易觉得不知所云。Paul Greengrass 作为一个以纪录片风格著称的导演，自然也更习惯于用第三人称的视角来拍戏。这一集里他很聪明地没有强求观众体会 Bourne 所感受到的重重迷雾，而更多地把注意力集中在双方的斗智戏上，于是保留了 Bourne 系列中那种旧式间谍影片的剧情张力。
但是这部戏毕竟不是 The Good Shepherd 这样的纯剧情片。大概是为了和暑期档其他的动作影片抗衡，影片的动作场面比上一集增加了不少，而且打戏兼顾了 Identity 中令人眼花缭乱的动作设计和 Supremacy 中拳拳到肉的拍摄风格，可谓三部中最佳的一作。不过追车戏感觉不如 Supremacy 中精彩，主要可能是因为时间太短，而且混乱的街道让 Paul 的拍摄更显混乱。但总的来说，动作戏比上一集精彩许多。
表演方面，女演员比男演员出彩，Julia Stiles 和 Joan Allen 分别饰演 Nicki 和 Pamela，表现不错。Matt Damon 又要演动作戏，又要诠释失忆杀手，基本都比较到位，也够难为他了，不过总觉得他在后半段的表演还是力有不逮。如果有第四部的话，可以想见表演的参照物会越来越少，要演好越来越难，Matt 及早宣布收手应该是个正确的抉择。
当大家都在拿 Bourne 跟 Bond 做比较时，可以说前者也已经成为了一个文化符号，片尾字幕最后的画面更增强了这种感觉。Ultimatum 可以说是这个系列的一个巅峰，但是原作者 Robert Ludlum 提供的这个失忆杀手的概念在这一作也应该是走到了一个尽头，再拍第四第五集的话就只能是榨取剩余价值了。或许 Jason Bourne 会成为像 James Bond 那样长盛不衰的银幕形象，但到目前为止的这个 Bourne 才是最独一无二，最值得记住的。
p.s. 从影片前的片花得知 Hitman: Codename 47 系列也被改编成电影了，既然女主角不好看，我的希望就是它能拍出游戏的深度，不要又是一个狂洒狗血和子弹的感官刺激片。
2007年9月26日星期三
中国人自己的 twitter：饭否
一直觉得 twitter 应该叫做唧歪。
很佩服最早想出 twitter 这个主意的人，换成我自己的话根本是想不到这个东西会有用的——真的有那么多人只想说些只言片语么？真正看到这个东西才发觉它很方便。
不过始终不太喜欢上 twitter，毕竟是西方人的地盘。自己写些方块字大概也不会有人看。
好在国内马上出现了克隆：[饭否](http://www.fanfou.com/)，据说还有一个 jiwai.de，听说而已，还没有亲见。马上注了 snakehsu 这个 id。现在可以随时发布状态报告了：）
有时候也惊叹于社交网络的无孔不入，不知道还有没有什么领域是 web 2.0 还没有覆盖到的了。不过为什么 [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/) 上类似的功能我就总是懒得用呢？看来语言是一个重要的原因，还是使用母语舒服，特别是在北京呆了好几个月之后。
很佩服最早想出 twitter 这个主意的人，换成我自己的话根本是想不到这个东西会有用的——真的有那么多人只想说些只言片语么？真正看到这个东西才发觉它很方便。
不过始终不太喜欢上 twitter，毕竟是西方人的地盘。自己写些方块字大概也不会有人看。
好在国内马上出现了克隆：[饭否](http://www.fanfou.com/)，据说还有一个 jiwai.de，听说而已，还没有亲见。马上注了 snakehsu 这个 id。现在可以随时发布状态报告了：）
有时候也惊叹于社交网络的无孔不入，不知道还有没有什么领域是 web 2.0 还没有覆盖到的了。不过为什么 [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/) 上类似的功能我就总是懒得用呢？看来语言是一个重要的原因，还是使用母语舒服，特别是在北京呆了好几个月之后。
2007年9月16日星期日
Got a million-dollar syndrome
From [New York University School of Medicine](http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/depres.html):
Self-test questions and my answers:
1. Do you feel sad, blue, unhappy or "down in the dumps"?
C. Sometimes
2. Do you feel tired, having little energy, unable to concentrate?
B. Rarely
3. Do you feel uneasy, restless or irritable?
D. Very Often
4. Do you have trouble sleeping or eating (too little or too much)?
C. Sometimes
5. Do you feel that you are not enjoying the activities that you used to?
C. Sometimes
6. Do you feel that you lost interest in sex or experiencing sexual difficulties?
C. Sometimes
7. Do you feel that it takes you longer than before to make decisions or unable to concentrate?
D. Very Often
8. Do you feel inadequate, like a failure or that nobody likes you anymore?
C. Sometimes
9. Do you feel guilty without a rational reason, or put yourself down?
D. Very Often
10. Do you feel that things always go or will go wrong no matter how hard you try?
C. Sometimes
Can somebody help?
**Note:** This is __NOT__ a medical treatment and the author is not responsible for any outcomes from the use of this blog entry. Even if you thing you have similar answers to these questions before you take the NYU test, it does not mean that you are in depressive syndrome. Please refer to acknowledged tests and professional doctors.
Online Depression Screening Test
Brought to you by the
NYU Department of Psychiatry
Your answers reflect the presence of significant depressive symptoms.
It is advised to seek a psychiatric consultation,
Click here for
Referral Information
Self-test questions and my answers:
1. Do you feel sad, blue, unhappy or "down in the dumps"?
C. Sometimes
2. Do you feel tired, having little energy, unable to concentrate?
B. Rarely
3. Do you feel uneasy, restless or irritable?
D. Very Often
4. Do you have trouble sleeping or eating (too little or too much)?
C. Sometimes
5. Do you feel that you are not enjoying the activities that you used to?
C. Sometimes
6. Do you feel that you lost interest in sex or experiencing sexual difficulties?
C. Sometimes
7. Do you feel that it takes you longer than before to make decisions or unable to concentrate?
D. Very Often
8. Do you feel inadequate, like a failure or that nobody likes you anymore?
C. Sometimes
9. Do you feel guilty without a rational reason, or put yourself down?
D. Very Often
10. Do you feel that things always go or will go wrong no matter how hard you try?
C. Sometimes
Can somebody help?
**Note:** This is __NOT__ a medical treatment and the author is not responsible for any outcomes from the use of this blog entry. Even if you thing you have similar answers to these questions before you take the NYU test, it does not mean that you are in depressive syndrome. Please refer to acknowledged tests and professional doctors.
Blender 信笔涂鸦作
[Blender](http://www.blender.org) 是一个在 GPL 2.0 许可下发布的 3D 建模和动画软件。刚学会一点操作，用它画了个雪人──嗯，从小就爱画雪人，因为它比较简单。
2007年9月13日星期四
Discuss to battle global warming
[willyoujoinus.com](http://willyoujoinus.com/), a website I tumbled on today, is sponsored by [Chevron Corporation](http://www.chevron.com/) and focuses on debating on global environmental and energy issues.
The website runs basically like this: once a month or so, a topic is raised and the members of the site can write their entries under the topic while everyone can comment on everyone's post. The discussion is moderated from the beginning. When the topic is closed in about one month, the discussion will be analysed by experts in related areas. Apparently such discussion can help Chevron to some extent in their R&D and corporation policy making processes.
Is this grassroot power in action? I am not sure. Discussions by ``lay people'' may provide some useful insights given adequate analysis. However, they are prone to lose focus if there are no experts giving them guidelines and clues to discuss. The idea of ``one topic per month'' may be based on the same concern. If people have a better perception of their circumstances they will be better prepared in the discussion and can be more constructive. However, the brief summary on our environment provided on the website seems not to be more useful than Lester Brown and Al Gore. Surely some ideas can be extracted and contribute to decision-making, but I doubt how much weight such ideas have compared to expert opinions.
Another interest aspect is the composition of the members of the site. I guess most would be U. S. citizens. If they can post the composition in nationality, gender, age groups etc., it would be interest to see how these factors affect people's opinion on climate change and other hot questions.
I have registered on this site and it will be approved in 24--48 hours. Perhaps you can find me in some of the discussions :).
The website runs basically like this: once a month or so, a topic is raised and the members of the site can write their entries under the topic while everyone can comment on everyone's post. The discussion is moderated from the beginning. When the topic is closed in about one month, the discussion will be analysed by experts in related areas. Apparently such discussion can help Chevron to some extent in their R&D and corporation policy making processes.
Is this grassroot power in action? I am not sure. Discussions by ``lay people'' may provide some useful insights given adequate analysis. However, they are prone to lose focus if there are no experts giving them guidelines and clues to discuss. The idea of ``one topic per month'' may be based on the same concern. If people have a better perception of their circumstances they will be better prepared in the discussion and can be more constructive. However, the brief summary on our environment provided on the website seems not to be more useful than Lester Brown and Al Gore. Surely some ideas can be extracted and contribute to decision-making, but I doubt how much weight such ideas have compared to expert opinions.
Another interest aspect is the composition of the members of the site. I guess most would be U. S. citizens. If they can post the composition in nationality, gender, age groups etc., it would be interest to see how these factors affect people's opinion on climate change and other hot questions.
I have registered on this site and it will be approved in 24--48 hours. Perhaps you can find me in some of the discussions :).
网上参考资料来源整理
参考（References）部分：
1. [bartleby.com](http://www.bartleby.com/): 内容很丰富，可搜索的内容包括词典、作家作品片断和全文、同义词典、总统就职宣言等等。
2. [Citizendium](http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Main_Page): 类似[Wikipedia](http://www.wikipedia.org/)，也是用 Mediawiki 平台搭建的，特点是内容均由有一定经验的人士撰写，而且所有编辑必须实名。其目标是建立一个“Reliable”的 wiki，不过看样子要老师们接受它还需要很长时间。
3. [Answers.com](http://answers.com/): 这个就不用多说了，很大众化，对于一般的搜索也很好用。
4. [ePodunk](http://www.epodunk.com/): 只能搜索美国范围以内，虽然似乎很翔实，对非美国居民或旅美人士来说用处不大。
5. [Encyclopedia Britannica](http://www.britannica.com/): 虽然据说 Wikipedia 的准确程度和它相仿，但是引用不列颠百科全书，老师是不会有什么意见的。对于国人来说，有些内容要付钱才能看到是件很不方便的事。
6. [Scholarpedia](http://scholarpedia.org/): 跟 Citizendium 想法类似，这次是由真正的学者撰写并有同行评议，不过现在内容还很少。
7. [JSTOR](http://www.jstor.org/): 期刊全文库。对于大专院校的同学强烈推荐，除了最新期刊看不到，文章内搜索不便外可说没有什么缺点，如果你所在学校的图书馆没有买这个，应该到他们办公室去吵，直到他们答应买为止。
8. [Oxford English Directionary](http://www.oed.com/): 最权威的英语词典，但需要订购后方可浏览查询。提供多种搜索方式。缺点一个字：贵。目前的个人订阅价是195英镑/年，或50英镑/季度。如果没有专业需求还是继续用金山词霸或者 [dict.cn](http://dict.cn/) 好了。
9. [Wikiseek](http://www.wikiseek.com/) 和 [WikiMindMap](http://www.wikimindmap.org/): 顾名思义，Wikiseek 提供了一个跨 wiki 搜索的引擎。不过现在大部分结果自然都是 Wikipedia 里的。后者可以看作是一个更好地阅读 Wikipedia 的工具：输入一个关键词，它能帮你找出相关的文章，并用 Mind Map 的形式组织起来。
10. [Online Education Database](http://oedb.org/library/college-basics/research-beyond-google): 基本上，这是个数据库的数据库，主要内容包括在线课程、在线学位、在线教育的搜索，也提供了一些其它的学术数据库的链接。
11. [MathWorld](http://mathworld.wolfram.com/): 数学狂人 Wolfram 建立的数学数据库，内容非常全面，可以当做数学手册使用。
12. [GeoHive](http://www.xist.org/default1.aspx) 和 [Fedstats](http://www.fedstats.gov/): 前者提供了全球各国的统计数据，后者看名字就看得出，又是只有美国的数据，不过也非常丰富。
13. [Theoi](http://www.theoi.com/) 和 [Encyclopedia of Mythology](http://www.pantheon.org/): 两个神话学的数据库，似乎只有考古专业的哥们和写玄幻小说的会感兴趣了。
14. [Glossary of Poetic Forms](http://www.poeticbyway.com/glossary.html): 关于英语文学，特别是诗歌中若干概念的解释。
15. [Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy](http://plato.stanford.edu/) 和 [FOLDOP](http://www.swif.it/foldop/): 哲学百科全书和词典，适合啃原著的朋友。
16. [Religion Online](http://www.religion-online.org/): 宗教和社会研究者的论文集，按主题分类。
电子书部分：
1. [Classics in the History of Psychology](http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/): 心理学史经典，提供了经典书籍和文章的全文。
2. [The Online Books Page](http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/search.html): 可通过作者名和书名搜索，不过我试着输入了几个生态学家的名字，都没有结果，似乎是社会科学著作为主。
3. [eBrary.com](http://shop.ebrary.com/): 相信不少大学已经买了他家的服务，不过作为一个 \*nix 用户，对它总觉得有点不爽：浏览器依赖 ActiveX，书籍又不能脱机阅览。
4. [Google Books](http://www.google.com.au/books?hl=en): Google 图书搜索，大部分书只能看有限几页，少数版权过期的书可以下载。国内用户注意如果不用这里的链接可能会撞墙。
5. [Project Gutenberg](http://www.gutenberg.org/): 提供过了版权有效期的老书下载，对于搞自然科学的同学来说可能意义有限……
以上，就是 Scholastici.us 提供的网上参考资料和电子图书来源汇总。看完他们的两篇文章，我的心情久久不能平静。什么时候我国也能拿出这么多参考资源放到网上造福学子呢？
1. [bartleby.com](http://www.bartleby.com/): 内容很丰富，可搜索的内容包括词典、作家作品片断和全文、同义词典、总统就职宣言等等。
2. [Citizendium](http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Main_Page): 类似[Wikipedia](http://www.wikipedia.org/)，也是用 Mediawiki 平台搭建的，特点是内容均由有一定经验的人士撰写，而且所有编辑必须实名。其目标是建立一个“Reliable”的 wiki，不过看样子要老师们接受它还需要很长时间。
3. [Answers.com](http://answers.com/): 这个就不用多说了，很大众化，对于一般的搜索也很好用。
4. [ePodunk](http://www.epodunk.com/): 只能搜索美国范围以内，虽然似乎很翔实，对非美国居民或旅美人士来说用处不大。
5. [Encyclopedia Britannica](http://www.britannica.com/): 虽然据说 Wikipedia 的准确程度和它相仿，但是引用不列颠百科全书，老师是不会有什么意见的。对于国人来说，有些内容要付钱才能看到是件很不方便的事。
6. [Scholarpedia](http://scholarpedia.org/): 跟 Citizendium 想法类似，这次是由真正的学者撰写并有同行评议，不过现在内容还很少。
7. [JSTOR](http://www.jstor.org/): 期刊全文库。对于大专院校的同学强烈推荐，除了最新期刊看不到，文章内搜索不便外可说没有什么缺点，如果你所在学校的图书馆没有买这个，应该到他们办公室去吵，直到他们答应买为止。
8. [Oxford English Directionary](http://www.oed.com/): 最权威的英语词典，但需要订购后方可浏览查询。提供多种搜索方式。缺点一个字：贵。目前的个人订阅价是195英镑/年，或50英镑/季度。如果没有专业需求还是继续用金山词霸或者 [dict.cn](http://dict.cn/) 好了。
9. [Wikiseek](http://www.wikiseek.com/) 和 [WikiMindMap](http://www.wikimindmap.org/): 顾名思义，Wikiseek 提供了一个跨 wiki 搜索的引擎。不过现在大部分结果自然都是 Wikipedia 里的。后者可以看作是一个更好地阅读 Wikipedia 的工具：输入一个关键词，它能帮你找出相关的文章，并用 Mind Map 的形式组织起来。
10. [Online Education Database](http://oedb.org/library/college-basics/research-beyond-google): 基本上，这是个数据库的数据库，主要内容包括在线课程、在线学位、在线教育的搜索，也提供了一些其它的学术数据库的链接。
11. [MathWorld](http://mathworld.wolfram.com/): 数学狂人 Wolfram 建立的数学数据库，内容非常全面，可以当做数学手册使用。
12. [GeoHive](http://www.xist.org/default1.aspx) 和 [Fedstats](http://www.fedstats.gov/): 前者提供了全球各国的统计数据，后者看名字就看得出，又是只有美国的数据，不过也非常丰富。
13. [Theoi](http://www.theoi.com/) 和 [Encyclopedia of Mythology](http://www.pantheon.org/): 两个神话学的数据库，似乎只有考古专业的哥们和写玄幻小说的会感兴趣了。
14. [Glossary of Poetic Forms](http://www.poeticbyway.com/glossary.html): 关于英语文学，特别是诗歌中若干概念的解释。
15. [Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy](http://plato.stanford.edu/) 和 [FOLDOP](http://www.swif.it/foldop/): 哲学百科全书和词典，适合啃原著的朋友。
16. [Religion Online](http://www.religion-online.org/): 宗教和社会研究者的论文集，按主题分类。
电子书部分：
1. [Classics in the History of Psychology](http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/): 心理学史经典，提供了经典书籍和文章的全文。
2. [The Online Books Page](http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/search.html): 可通过作者名和书名搜索，不过我试着输入了几个生态学家的名字，都没有结果，似乎是社会科学著作为主。
3. [eBrary.com](http://shop.ebrary.com/): 相信不少大学已经买了他家的服务，不过作为一个 \*nix 用户，对它总觉得有点不爽：浏览器依赖 ActiveX，书籍又不能脱机阅览。
4. [Google Books](http://www.google.com.au/books?hl=en): Google 图书搜索，大部分书只能看有限几页，少数版权过期的书可以下载。国内用户注意如果不用这里的链接可能会撞墙。
5. [Project Gutenberg](http://www.gutenberg.org/): 提供过了版权有效期的老书下载，对于搞自然科学的同学来说可能意义有限……
以上，就是 Scholastici.us 提供的网上参考资料和电子图书来源汇总。看完他们的两篇文章，我的心情久久不能平静。什么时候我国也能拿出这么多参考资源放到网上造福学子呢？
2007年9月12日星期三
Highlights in recent articles
* [What is the Value of a Good Map? An Example Using High Spatial Resolution Imagery to Aid Riparian Restoration](http://www.springerlink.com/content/953308008086wv32/)
QuickBird satellite images are used to map harvested and intact forests. The difference between coarse and fine resolutions are studied. The implications of map errors are also examined by modifying confusion matrix to create a ``cost error matrix''.
* [Quantifying search effort of moving animals at several spatial scales using first-passage time analysis: effect of the structure of environment and tracking systems](http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01370.x)
This article has both theoretical and methodological implications: the advantages and limitations of first-passage time analysis (FPT) are assessed. FPT was able to detect changes of movements and area-restricted search (ARS) in various scales.
QuickBird satellite images are used to map harvested and intact forests. The difference between coarse and fine resolutions are studied. The implications of map errors are also examined by modifying confusion matrix to create a ``cost error matrix''.
* [Quantifying search effort of moving animals at several spatial scales using first-passage time analysis: effect of the structure of environment and tracking systems](http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01370.x)
This article has both theoretical and methodological implications: the advantages and limitations of first-passage time analysis (FPT) are assessed. FPT was able to detect changes of movements and area-restricted search (ARS) in various scales.
2007年9月6日星期四
2007年8月27日星期一
北京实行“单双号”制度的成效
这张照片于本月27日拍摄于北京中关园，也许在没到过北京的人看来没什么特别，但是实际上这是一个月来第一次在正午的北京能看到蓝天。
不过虽然限行措施是有效的，能有效多久却不能让人放心。因为如果购买新车的审批手续还是没有变得严格，车辆的增加迟早都会抵消限行的作用，而且放开购买新车，也意味着车主们可以下有对策──等咱有了钱，车子买两辆，一辆单号，一辆双号。意大利人早就这么干过，而北京的有钱人其实不在少数。
不过虽然限行措施是有效的，能有效多久却不能让人放心。因为如果购买新车的审批手续还是没有变得严格，车辆的增加迟早都会抵消限行的作用，而且放开购买新车，也意味着车主们可以下有对策──等咱有了钱，车子买两辆，一辆单号，一辆双号。意大利人早就这么干过，而北京的有钱人其实不在少数。
深圳黑雨事件暴露规划与发展问题
8月23日的《南方周末》18版报道了今日发生在深圳南山区的一次“黑雨”事件。根据环监部门的说法，黑雨 pH 值低达3.53，且含有大量硫化物。因此有关官员怀疑黑雨是当地热电厂吹除锅炉中的重油燃烧残留物所致。
在《南方周末》记者的调查中，虽然还未能证实在黑雨前几天进行的吹灰操作与黑雨有直接联系，但确实有一些问题暴露出来。最突出的，是城市不断增加的电力需求与电厂能源供应的矛盾，以及电厂附近诡异的火爆楼盘。
热电厂解决硫污染的一条一劳永逸的途径是“油改气”，即改变燃料，由煤炭、重油改为天然气，然而南山区电厂面临的问题是高昂的油价导致天然气供应不足，4台机组中的3台仍然需要燃烧重油，而且周围城区对电力的要求仍然在不断增加。因此，排放二氧化硫的问题一时间难以从根本上解决。
而更加奇特的现象是，热电厂周围一般不会被用做房产建设的土地，在南山区竟然也被开发，而且“房价暴涨至2万元每平方米”，这个价位在深圳全市都属于高档。如果说开发商唯利是图在这样已经遭受严重污染的地方建房还可以理解的话，难以理解的是为什么当地环保和规划部门给这样的楼盘以许可，更难以理解的是住进这些楼盘的居民为什么一直以来都没有对自己的健康状况表达过明显的担忧。因为如果有他们的声音在房市上出现，这个区域的房价应该不会一路走高。
黑雨事件也许算不上是一次严重的环境污染事件，但是它暴露出了一个快速发展的城市在环保和规划当中的慢性问题，即能源安全得不到保证，规划缺乏环境考虑。这个事件也说明了战略环境评价在规划过程中的重要性。我们自然不能要求深圳最初的建设者们现在回过头去为当年的规划进行战略环评，但具体到现在的每个项目，比如将南山区定位为居住区的举措，难道不能先搞这类评价，看看怎样才能有利于民吗？
另一方面，深圳特区建立以来一直致力于吸引资金和人力，这在建设的初期并非一件坏事，但是城市不能可持续地迅速扩张，在城市规模达到一定水平后，是否应当把资源用于改善现有居民的生活条件，而不是一味地建设新区新楼？特别是深圳这样在地理条件上受到限制的城市，也许更应该发出适当的信号，避免盲目地吸引人口和工业，否则能源、环境和基础设施都会面临巨大的压力。
在《南方周末》记者的调查中，虽然还未能证实在黑雨前几天进行的吹灰操作与黑雨有直接联系，但确实有一些问题暴露出来。最突出的，是城市不断增加的电力需求与电厂能源供应的矛盾，以及电厂附近诡异的火爆楼盘。
热电厂解决硫污染的一条一劳永逸的途径是“油改气”，即改变燃料，由煤炭、重油改为天然气，然而南山区电厂面临的问题是高昂的油价导致天然气供应不足，4台机组中的3台仍然需要燃烧重油，而且周围城区对电力的要求仍然在不断增加。因此，排放二氧化硫的问题一时间难以从根本上解决。
而更加奇特的现象是，热电厂周围一般不会被用做房产建设的土地，在南山区竟然也被开发，而且“房价暴涨至2万元每平方米”，这个价位在深圳全市都属于高档。如果说开发商唯利是图在这样已经遭受严重污染的地方建房还可以理解的话，难以理解的是为什么当地环保和规划部门给这样的楼盘以许可，更难以理解的是住进这些楼盘的居民为什么一直以来都没有对自己的健康状况表达过明显的担忧。因为如果有他们的声音在房市上出现，这个区域的房价应该不会一路走高。
黑雨事件也许算不上是一次严重的环境污染事件，但是它暴露出了一个快速发展的城市在环保和规划当中的慢性问题，即能源安全得不到保证，规划缺乏环境考虑。这个事件也说明了战略环境评价在规划过程中的重要性。我们自然不能要求深圳最初的建设者们现在回过头去为当年的规划进行战略环评，但具体到现在的每个项目，比如将南山区定位为居住区的举措，难道不能先搞这类评价，看看怎样才能有利于民吗？
另一方面，深圳特区建立以来一直致力于吸引资金和人力，这在建设的初期并非一件坏事，但是城市不能可持续地迅速扩张，在城市规模达到一定水平后，是否应当把资源用于改善现有居民的生活条件，而不是一味地建设新区新楼？特别是深圳这样在地理条件上受到限制的城市，也许更应该发出适当的信号，避免盲目地吸引人口和工业，否则能源、环境和基础设施都会面临巨大的压力。
2007年8月24日星期五
The 11th Hour Movie
This is [another environmental awareness movie](http://wip.warnerbros.com/11thhour/) made in the U. S. after [Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth](http://www.climatecrisis.net/). Narrated by Hollywood actor and environmental activist [Leonardo DiCaprio](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000138/), The 11th Hour tries not only to raise awareness, but also to give suggestions on tackling the global warming problem. The message being carried by the movie is that people should change their ways of lives to help save themselves from formidable global climate disaster.
The goal however, is not easy to achieve. Asking Leo to do the narrator work is a nice consideration to raise people's interest. However, it is the quality of persuation of the movie that determines to what extent will the current undesirable state be changed. I will see if I can watch it myself in a cinema and continue the report.
The goal however, is not easy to achieve. Asking Leo to do the narrator work is a nice consideration to raise people's interest. However, it is the quality of persuation of the movie that determines to what extent will the current undesirable state be changed. I will see if I can watch it myself in a cinema and continue the report.
2007年8月14日星期二
终于看完了银河系漫游指南
在小岛上一直想看这本书，无奈书价实在太贵，而且学校图书馆又不收藏这种过多地探讨宇宙终极问题的读物。回国后找到了电子书下载，在硬盘上放了一个多月后终于读完了一遍。
文字和细节方面，书本比电影还是稍胜一筹，不过在阅读很多段落的时候还是禁不住要联想到电影里的画面，特别是 Heart of Gold 在超空间飞行的那段，电影的处理相当有趣。
阅读时发现了一个可能跟 Google 有关的细节：有一台计算机名字里有 Googleplex 这个词，不知道 Google 当初是不是用它给自己总部命名的。
文字和细节方面，书本比电影还是稍胜一筹，不过在阅读很多段落的时候还是禁不住要联想到电影里的画面，特别是 Heart of Gold 在超空间飞行的那段，电影的处理相当有趣。
阅读时发现了一个可能跟 Google 有关的细节：有一台计算机名字里有 Googleplex 这个词，不知道 Google 当初是不是用它给自己总部命名的。
2007年7月19日星期四
What went right in I. Mongolia and what went wrong in Tibet
A news focus article "Getting at the Roots of Killer Dust Storms" on this week's [*Science*](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/317/5836/314?etoc) reported the recent progress in combating desertification by grazing management and ecological restoration in Bayinhushu, Inner Mongolia.
Apparently by reducing the number of livestocks and grazing intensity, as well as natural restoration, after five years the vegetation in this villiage is recovering towards the level 50 years ago. The production of pastoralism products are not hindered as the output per livestock doubled due to improved nutrient from corn planted by villagers instead of natural grown grass.
Other measures employed before, such as forestation and settlement development, proved not feasible while counterproductive in the semi-arid areas. Trees either die or suck too much groundwater, thus make draught worse. Settled communities brings higher pressure to the land and create denuded rings around their villages.
The success in Inner Mongolia is due to its consideration over economic and social as well as ecological effects. Such approach suits better to the local situation. However, the successful method cannot simply be copied to other semi-arid areas in China, such as Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Inner Mongolia has better water and nutrient conditions than TAR. If it is to be imitated, at least local environmental conditions should be considered first.
In some areas in Tibet, where moving sand dunes make the hand-off approach not feasible, human intervention may be needed to stablise sand dunes first, then surface vegetation can be reestablished. The fragile economy and poor soil in Tibet may prove difficulties to local people who are asked to control the grazing. But the experience from Inner Mongolia does provide a more desirable to restore grassland in Tibet than the current settle-down policy.
Apparently by reducing the number of livestocks and grazing intensity, as well as natural restoration, after five years the vegetation in this villiage is recovering towards the level 50 years ago. The production of pastoralism products are not hindered as the output per livestock doubled due to improved nutrient from corn planted by villagers instead of natural grown grass.
Other measures employed before, such as forestation and settlement development, proved not feasible while counterproductive in the semi-arid areas. Trees either die or suck too much groundwater, thus make draught worse. Settled communities brings higher pressure to the land and create denuded rings around their villages.
The success in Inner Mongolia is due to its consideration over economic and social as well as ecological effects. Such approach suits better to the local situation. However, the successful method cannot simply be copied to other semi-arid areas in China, such as Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Inner Mongolia has better water and nutrient conditions than TAR. If it is to be imitated, at least local environmental conditions should be considered first.
In some areas in Tibet, where moving sand dunes make the hand-off approach not feasible, human intervention may be needed to stablise sand dunes first, then surface vegetation can be reestablished. The fragile economy and poor soil in Tibet may prove difficulties to local people who are asked to control the grazing. But the experience from Inner Mongolia does provide a more desirable to restore grassland in Tibet than the current settle-down policy.
2007年7月16日星期一
ifmslide -- 一个似乎没什么人用的 LaTeX 演示宏包
今天在无聊的时候随便用
- 可以方便地定义背景图像；
- 可以自定义导航按钮的形状和位置；
- 可以方便地开关导航栏和定义导航栏位置；
- 用 pdf 格式时生成幻灯片，用 dvi 格式可以生成 handout ，基本不需要改动代码。
不过还不清楚对中文支持如何，也不清楚是否像
locate 命令看了一下自己的硬盘，发现 TeXlive 2005 里还有一个用于制作 slide 的宏包，叫做 ifmslide。这个东东似乎利用了 texpower、seminar 等多个宏包的功能，有一些它自己的特点，包括：- 可以方便地定义背景图像；
- 可以自定义导航按钮的形状和位置；
- 可以方便地开关导航栏和定义导航栏位置；
- 用 pdf 格式时生成幻灯片，用 dvi 格式可以生成 handout ，基本不需要改动代码。
不过还不清楚对中文支持如何，也不清楚是否像
Beamer 那样支持 pgf 提供的绘图命令。另外一个缺点就是没有提供设计好的模板，不清楚做出来的幻灯片美观程度如何。
2007年6月29日星期五
"New Priorities for Climate Change Research"
Apparently the new IPCC synthesis on climate change has provided ground that current climate change is largely anthropogenic. Although it may still take up to decades for the U.S. to put carbon emission control system into their legislation, the responsibility of *Homo Sapiens* cannot be easily exempted.
For the U.S., their research focus has been shifted from proving the responsibility to "the causes, the impacts, and solutions". From [Science](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/316/5833/1828b):
> [the budget bills] include more than half a billion dollars for new applied energy research, a novel $50 million climate research commission that would address regional impacts, and some $17 million to spread the message on climate change through education and public outreach....
>
> ...[A] draft spending bill would set aside $24.9 million for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to begin to develop two of the canceled sensors--both crucial for measuring Earth's heat balance--to bolt onto the crafts later if possible.
These priorities are, in fact, hardly anything new. The scientific society has called it for years. It is just at present that these budget requests are finally seen to. Of course such investment and prioritisation of climate-related research will surely accelerate the gain of understanding of climate trends and impacts. But the U.S. should not be boasting such late-bestowed attention to a pressing and significant problem.
For the U.S., their research focus has been shifted from proving the responsibility to "the causes, the impacts, and solutions". From [Science](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/316/5833/1828b):
> [the budget bills] include more than half a billion dollars for new applied energy research, a novel $50 million climate research commission that would address regional impacts, and some $17 million to spread the message on climate change through education and public outreach....
>
> ...[A] draft spending bill would set aside $24.9 million for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to begin to develop two of the canceled sensors--both crucial for measuring Earth's heat balance--to bolt onto the crafts later if possible.
These priorities are, in fact, hardly anything new. The scientific society has called it for years. It is just at present that these budget requests are finally seen to. Of course such investment and prioritisation of climate-related research will surely accelerate the gain of understanding of climate trends and impacts. But the U.S. should not be boasting such late-bestowed attention to a pressing and significant problem.
2007年6月27日星期三
Scientists in the blogosphere
This is an initiative of [Nature][1], providing a platform for scientists to write their opinions as blog entries. It can be seen from [this page](http://network.nature.com/blogs/list). Apparently there are already a number of researchers put their names on the Nature's list. However, if you take a closer look, you will find that most of them has only a handful of posts. Except for [this one](http://network.nature.com/blogs/user/U2929A0EA).
The causes of this gloomy appearance may include: a. established scientists are way too busy to write their blogs; b. few scientific blog writers like the templates and space provided by Nature Network; and c. there are scientific blogs out there but they are just like needles in a pile of stray that needs one to pay considerable effort to find.
By typing keywords "science" and "blog" into the search engine, it can be find that there is no serious and influencial blog space dedicated to the science community, which I think is a shame for both the Internet and scientists. I do believe that blogs can be a good place for scientific information and ideas to disseminate. While there are too many blogs which has virtually nothing meaningful on them, a scientific blog service provider may be helpful to counterbalance this trend.
****
[1]: http://www.nature.com
The causes of this gloomy appearance may include: a. established scientists are way too busy to write their blogs; b. few scientific blog writers like the templates and space provided by Nature Network; and c. there are scientific blogs out there but they are just like needles in a pile of stray that needs one to pay considerable effort to find.
By typing keywords "science" and "blog" into the search engine, it can be find that there is no serious and influencial blog space dedicated to the science community, which I think is a shame for both the Internet and scientists. I do believe that blogs can be a good place for scientific information and ideas to disseminate. While there are too many blogs which has virtually nothing meaningful on them, a scientific blog service provider may be helpful to counterbalance this trend.
****
[1]: http://www.nature.com
2007年6月15日星期五
不许郁闷
>“主席，世界上啥子四情是最痛苦地哟？”
>“上自习。”
>“还有比上自习更痛苦地不得？”
>（烟）“天天上自习……”
在北京痛苦的找房过程终于结束。目前我寄居在某大学的防空洞改造的招待所里，冬暖夏凉，安静舒适，而且既没有手机信号也没有网线，适合隐居。
之前找的几个房，因为都拿不出靠谱的房产证，虽然居住方便一些，但终归是不放心。现在想来，虽然我对小岛上的房子有诸多的不满，但当时租房的过程毕竟比这次方便多了。
为了用手机与他人保持联络，就必须从招待所的地洞里钻出来。作为一个穷学生，钻出来也没有多的事可做，只有假装还是个本科生，然后跑到该大学的教学楼去上自习。除了8月份要再考一次雅思考试需要复习，其它大量的自习时间应当怎样度过呢？其实这段时间倒觉得上自习并不是一件难熬的事，天天上自习也没有什么，大概是没有什么考试压力的缘故吧。既然时间很多，那么决定好好复习一下吃饭必须的统计学知识，有空再复习一下微积分，然后看看能不能自学个数学分析或者离散数学啥的。
>“上自习。”
>“还有比上自习更痛苦地不得？”
>（烟）“天天上自习……”
在北京痛苦的找房过程终于结束。目前我寄居在某大学的防空洞改造的招待所里，冬暖夏凉，安静舒适，而且既没有手机信号也没有网线，适合隐居。
之前找的几个房，因为都拿不出靠谱的房产证，虽然居住方便一些，但终归是不放心。现在想来，虽然我对小岛上的房子有诸多的不满，但当时租房的过程毕竟比这次方便多了。
为了用手机与他人保持联络，就必须从招待所的地洞里钻出来。作为一个穷学生，钻出来也没有多的事可做，只有假装还是个本科生，然后跑到该大学的教学楼去上自习。除了8月份要再考一次雅思考试需要复习，其它大量的自习时间应当怎样度过呢？其实这段时间倒觉得上自习并不是一件难熬的事，天天上自习也没有什么，大概是没有什么考试压力的缘故吧。既然时间很多，那么决定好好复习一下吃饭必须的统计学知识，有空再复习一下微积分，然后看看能不能自学个数学分析或者离散数学啥的。
2007年6月5日星期二
2007年4月29日星期日
Week 30: Before departure
It is just one week before I set out to Beijing and Tibet. This week is mainly about doing some small tasks that are relevant to the fieldwork. On Tuesday I met my supervisors and it turns out that I need to change the way I ask certain interview questions. They also suggest that I read more about interviews conducted in another language and culture as well as hybrid research.
I considered the problem of finding an interpreter who can accompany me all the way through the study. I wonder if any college student can do this. A more practical way may be seeking them through other research institutes or organisations.
I considered the problem of finding an interpreter who can accompany me all the way through the study. I wonder if any college student can do this. A more practical way may be seeking them through other research institutes or organisations.
2007年4月23日星期一
Week 29: Continue to deal with trivials
If I had better information when I was booking my ticket, I would have been packing and prepare for leaving this week. However I have to stay for another week or I have to pay dearly for a reschedule of my ticket.
Trying not to be too idle, I tried to come up with the structure of my annual report, as well as a data management system which should help me organise potentially large amount of notes and other raw data.
At the same time I tried to find some anecdotes from previous travellers who had been to Tibet in the hope that some of these writings may be helpful in providing some information on what to expect in the field. However, so far there has not been any useful hints from these materials.
Trying not to be too idle, I tried to come up with the structure of my annual report, as well as a data management system which should help me organise potentially large amount of notes and other raw data.
At the same time I tried to find some anecdotes from previous travellers who had been to Tibet in the hope that some of these writings may be helpful in providing some information on what to expect in the field. However, so far there has not been any useful hints from these materials.
2007年4月21日星期六
Otaku 的福音书
前段时间看电影就是为了工作之余放松，到处找那些打得暴力的片子。这几天对动作片几乎失去了兴趣，反倒想找那些节奏慢的，有些剧情的片子来看。看来我这几天太闲了。
这周末又放弃了一顿晚饭，赶到电影院看刚上映的 Reign Over Me。之前看预告片，觉得应该还是比较靠谱的一个片子。看完后果然没有失望，是我个人这段时间喜闻乐见的慢节奏小场面剧情片。而且最重要的是，片子里没有坏人。
这片子就像生活一样琐碎。里面不少角色都有自己的问题，而问题最多的两人就是两位男主角——到这里为止，我以为我在看一部另类的 buddy movie；然后看两人玩旺财战大象，跟着摇滚乐 jam，我又以为我在看一部纽约背景的 otaku 电影。作为实际上过着 otaku 生活的我来说，我觉得自己白天像 Alan，总是假装很忙地把自己关在工作里，晚上像 Charlie，一个人玩旺财战大象，自然而然地就对角色有了亲切感。片子最后，跟生活一样，他们迈过了面前的很大一道坎，不过也许还有这样那样的问题等待着他们，就像我的很多问题也没有解决一样。不过观众和角色一样都看到了生活的光明面，心满意足地走出电影院回家了。
这片子线索太多，好像每个角色的问题都得放到这两小时内解决，而且观众跟着 Charlie 一起压抑了一个多小时，最后连个明显的高潮都没有，确实是一个大闷片。但是，如果能以一个 otaku 的心态来看这个片子，真正看进去之后，会觉得它很亲切。你跟着角色们一起憋屈了，又跟着他们一起舒坦了，你走出电影院，角色们走进家门，你会觉得你和他们的生活都要继续，他们并不随着演职员表的出现而在你生活中消失了，而是像你很久不联络的朋友那样，在别的什么地方继续生活着。对于我这样一个生活在虚幻中的 otaku 来说，这电影是极为真实的。至少，Charlie 的家比我现在呆的鬼地方看起来更像一个家。
Otaku 们听到最多的教训就是“Get a life!”，而这个片子的确给了 otaku 们一点生活的滋味。如果你不能体会这个片子的好，那是因为你不是或者不曾是一个真正的宅男，恭喜你。
这周末又放弃了一顿晚饭，赶到电影院看刚上映的 Reign Over Me。之前看预告片，觉得应该还是比较靠谱的一个片子。看完后果然没有失望，是我个人这段时间喜闻乐见的慢节奏小场面剧情片。而且最重要的是，片子里没有坏人。
这片子就像生活一样琐碎。里面不少角色都有自己的问题，而问题最多的两人就是两位男主角——到这里为止，我以为我在看一部另类的 buddy movie；然后看两人玩旺财战大象，跟着摇滚乐 jam，我又以为我在看一部纽约背景的 otaku 电影。作为实际上过着 otaku 生活的我来说，我觉得自己白天像 Alan，总是假装很忙地把自己关在工作里，晚上像 Charlie，一个人玩旺财战大象，自然而然地就对角色有了亲切感。片子最后，跟生活一样，他们迈过了面前的很大一道坎，不过也许还有这样那样的问题等待着他们，就像我的很多问题也没有解决一样。不过观众和角色一样都看到了生活的光明面，心满意足地走出电影院回家了。
这片子线索太多，好像每个角色的问题都得放到这两小时内解决，而且观众跟着 Charlie 一起压抑了一个多小时，最后连个明显的高潮都没有，确实是一个大闷片。但是，如果能以一个 otaku 的心态来看这个片子，真正看进去之后，会觉得它很亲切。你跟着角色们一起憋屈了，又跟着他们一起舒坦了，你走出电影院，角色们走进家门，你会觉得你和他们的生活都要继续，他们并不随着演职员表的出现而在你生活中消失了，而是像你很久不联络的朋友那样，在别的什么地方继续生活着。对于我这样一个生活在虚幻中的 otaku 来说，这电影是极为真实的。至少，Charlie 的家比我现在呆的鬼地方看起来更像一个家。
Otaku 们听到最多的教训就是“Get a life!”，而这个片子的确给了 otaku 们一点生活的滋味。如果你不能体会这个片子的好，那是因为你不是或者不曾是一个真正的宅男，恭喜你。
2007年4月20日星期五
Some (interesting to me) articles on Science this week
__ENVIRONMENT: The Burning Issue__
David J. Lohman, David Bickford, Navjot S. Sodhi
[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/316/5823/376](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/316/5823/376)
__Adapting to Tibet's Thin Air__
Ann Gibbons
[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/316/5823/365](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/316/5823/365)
__ECOLOGY: Rapid Domestication of Marine Species__
Carlos M. Duarte, Nùria Marbá, Marianne Holmer
[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/316/5823/382](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/316/5823/382)
David J. Lohman, David Bickford, Navjot S. Sodhi
[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/316/5823/376](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/316/5823/376)
__Adapting to Tibet's Thin Air__
Ann Gibbons
[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/316/5823/365](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/316/5823/365)
__ECOLOGY: Rapid Domestication of Marine Species__
Carlos M. Duarte, Nùria Marbá, Marianne Holmer
[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/316/5823/382](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/316/5823/382)
报道不等于哀悼
中国国内的新闻媒体在弗吉尼亚理工惨案的报道过程当中得到的可能更多的是尴尬。从一开始转载八卦小报专栏作家的猜测被骗，到未能连线知情人士，只有被外国报道牵着鼻子走并被 [blog](http://blog.sina.com.cn/drwho) 抢去风头，再到被国内许多网民批评对几乎同时发生在国内的另一起死亡人数接近的惨案几乎没有任何动作，国内媒体在这两起事件的报道当中可谓丢尽脸面，嗯……如果他们有过脸面的话。
但是，在媒体受到的众多指责当中，我以为批评他们漠视国内工人的生命这一点是不公正的。人和人性命的平等并不是说受害者数目差不多，新闻的力度也就应该一样。除了所谓众所周知的原因阻碍了国内媒体的报道，美国的校园枪击事件和中国的工人安全问题都是近几年越来越多地被关注，但这两类事件的原因有很大的不同。就这次国内的事故而言，责任是明确的，相关人员也受到了相应处分，媒体给他们的 coverage 是完全适当的。从道义上说，可以说不给工人适当的安全保障或者没有及时发现明显的安全问题是谋财害命，但真实的报道不可能建立在这样的诛心之论上。而很多更为恶性的生产事故，从证据链上说，很大程度上也只能证明为责任人的不作为而非故意地谋害工人的性命，其影响也仅限于一个行业。而校园枪击事件则不同，首先它是少数个人出于他们自己的意志故意地剥夺他人生命的行为；其次，当事人的身份决定了事件的特殊性，无论是加害者还是受害者，都曾经可以是社会未来的希望，而事件也促使我们去探究这一代人所受的影响和他们的想法；更重要的是，由事件引发的关于青少年教育和持枪权利的讨论，以及讨论中的利益团体——学校，学生，长枪协会，军火制造商，乃至普罗大众，牵动着社会的方方面面。因此给 VT 这样的报道力度也是完全恰当的。
BBC 对中国国内的事故只发了一条新闻（[Molten metal kills China workers](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6567649.stm)），而对 VT 的事件做了系列报道。这种差异，一方面是“校园”这个环境的敏感性，一方面也是由于传统媒体的地理限制使他们无法进行深入的报道。国内媒体的类似现象确实暴露出了他们的问题，但并不存在对国内工人性命的过度冷漠或者对国外新闻的过度关注这样的问题，而是
1. 对于国外事件的报道受制于人；
2. 因为：缺乏能够第一时间开展第一手报道的前方人员；
3. 而且：缺乏在突发事件中可靠的信息来源和对情况的迅速分析能力；
3. 缺乏公信力，因此也缺乏国际话语权。
我相信最后一点是问题的根本。
从海外媒体来说，对中国的这起事故一笔带过也并不代表他们冷漠无情，或者反过来说，对 VT 枪击事件的深入报道并不代表他们对于美国的这33条人命有更多的同情。新闻的任务在于报道和记录历史，而只要做到了如实报道，人们怎样阐释历史，从中得到什么收获或教训，并不是新闻的功能。新闻没有义务用报道来表达自己的哀悼，因为它并不具备这样的感情。而我们作为有感情的具体的人，是可以给遇难者我们的哀悼之情的，这与新浪和 CCTV 首页有多少相关的报道无关，与死亡了多少人也无关。那些指责媒体不公正的人们，在不认识受害者中的任何一人的情况下，能否面无愧色地说，你做到了你对国内媒体的要求，对国内每一次悲剧的受害者都怀着同样的哀悼之情呢？媒体的特性决定了它必须很快地遗忘这些事件，将注意力转向国内和世界的其他角落，关注那里发生的新事件。媒体的任务在给予事件适当的关注后就已完成，而在这样的报道下哀悼，反省，改正和传承，是每一个普通人的责任。
小字：向 Professor Liviu Librescu 致敬并表示深切哀悼。向遇难的工人和学生表示哀悼。
小字：清华大学两位校友在得知 VT 的事件后在 BBS 上互相揶揄，让对方在自己目前所在单位也做出类似 Cho 的举动，我对你们的表示深感失望和痛心。强烈鄙视这种看客心态和行为。
但是，在媒体受到的众多指责当中，我以为批评他们漠视国内工人的生命这一点是不公正的。人和人性命的平等并不是说受害者数目差不多，新闻的力度也就应该一样。除了所谓众所周知的原因阻碍了国内媒体的报道，美国的校园枪击事件和中国的工人安全问题都是近几年越来越多地被关注，但这两类事件的原因有很大的不同。就这次国内的事故而言，责任是明确的，相关人员也受到了相应处分，媒体给他们的 coverage 是完全适当的。从道义上说，可以说不给工人适当的安全保障或者没有及时发现明显的安全问题是谋财害命，但真实的报道不可能建立在这样的诛心之论上。而很多更为恶性的生产事故，从证据链上说，很大程度上也只能证明为责任人的不作为而非故意地谋害工人的性命，其影响也仅限于一个行业。而校园枪击事件则不同，首先它是少数个人出于他们自己的意志故意地剥夺他人生命的行为；其次，当事人的身份决定了事件的特殊性，无论是加害者还是受害者，都曾经可以是社会未来的希望，而事件也促使我们去探究这一代人所受的影响和他们的想法；更重要的是，由事件引发的关于青少年教育和持枪权利的讨论，以及讨论中的利益团体——学校，学生，长枪协会，军火制造商，乃至普罗大众，牵动着社会的方方面面。因此给 VT 这样的报道力度也是完全恰当的。
BBC 对中国国内的事故只发了一条新闻（[Molten metal kills China workers](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6567649.stm)），而对 VT 的事件做了系列报道。这种差异，一方面是“校园”这个环境的敏感性，一方面也是由于传统媒体的地理限制使他们无法进行深入的报道。国内媒体的类似现象确实暴露出了他们的问题，但并不存在对国内工人性命的过度冷漠或者对国外新闻的过度关注这样的问题，而是
1. 对于国外事件的报道受制于人；
2. 因为：缺乏能够第一时间开展第一手报道的前方人员；
3. 而且：缺乏在突发事件中可靠的信息来源和对情况的迅速分析能力；
3. 缺乏公信力，因此也缺乏国际话语权。
我相信最后一点是问题的根本。
从海外媒体来说，对中国的这起事故一笔带过也并不代表他们冷漠无情，或者反过来说，对 VT 枪击事件的深入报道并不代表他们对于美国的这33条人命有更多的同情。新闻的任务在于报道和记录历史，而只要做到了如实报道，人们怎样阐释历史，从中得到什么收获或教训，并不是新闻的功能。新闻没有义务用报道来表达自己的哀悼，因为它并不具备这样的感情。而我们作为有感情的具体的人，是可以给遇难者我们的哀悼之情的，这与新浪和 CCTV 首页有多少相关的报道无关，与死亡了多少人也无关。那些指责媒体不公正的人们，在不认识受害者中的任何一人的情况下，能否面无愧色地说，你做到了你对国内媒体的要求，对国内每一次悲剧的受害者都怀着同样的哀悼之情呢？媒体的特性决定了它必须很快地遗忘这些事件，将注意力转向国内和世界的其他角落，关注那里发生的新事件。媒体的任务在给予事件适当的关注后就已完成，而在这样的报道下哀悼，反省，改正和传承，是每一个普通人的责任。
小字：向 Professor Liviu Librescu 致敬并表示深切哀悼。向遇难的工人和学生表示哀悼。
小字：清华大学两位校友在得知 VT 的事件后在 BBS 上互相揶揄，让对方在自己目前所在单位也做出类似 Cho 的举动，我对你们的表示深感失望和痛心。强烈鄙视这种看客心态和行为。
2007年4月18日星期三
Considering the database design
To organise qualitative data obtained during fieldwork, a mindmap is drawn with [FreeMind](http://freemind.sourceforge.net/). It is shown here, see the thumbnail below and click for a full size version. For now I cannot think of another item in this map but I guess there will be some additions in the coming days.
2007年4月17日星期二
添加了 instiki (wiki)
给网站加了一个 wiki，用来记录自己平时看书会需要用到，又不容易在网上搜到的资料。地址在 http://snakehsu.info/wiki/。目前是开放编辑权限的，如果被滥用了就会关掉。
设置这个版本（0.11.pl1）时有一点小问题，很多文件都是 DOS 格式，导致在类 Unix 服务器上工作不正常，把大部分文件 dos2unix 之后就好了。
设置这个版本（0.11.pl1）时有一点小问题，很多文件都是 DOS 格式，导致在类 Unix 服务器上工作不正常，把大部分文件 dos2unix 之后就好了。
2007年4月15日星期日
Week 28: Patches here and there
The last week passed without much writing. It seems that most documents I need have been prepared. The rest is to find what are needed and to patch these documents.
I have spent considerable time in revision of resilience concept. The study of application of resilience in social vulnerability is a feasible direction to which my study can take. However, does this make my study more complicated and exceed its original scope? One thing is for sure: that to measure social vulnerability I cannot ignore ecological vulnerability. In a resource-dependent society the two vulnerabilities are closed linked.
I have spent considerable time in revision of resilience concept. The study of application of resilience in social vulnerability is a feasible direction to which my study can take. However, does this make my study more complicated and exceed its original scope? One thing is for sure: that to measure social vulnerability I cannot ignore ecological vulnerability. In a resource-dependent society the two vulnerabilities are closed linked.
One point about stability and resilience
I have just read a few pages of Pimm's classic [*Food Webs*](http://www.amazon.com/Food-Webs-Stuart-L-Pimm/dp/0226668320/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-9631600-9467103?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176637864&sr=8-1). One of the examples used by Pimm to illustrate the idea of stability made me think about the difference between Pimm's stability and Holling's resilience notions.
From the example of England Song Thrush, it seems that stability is a numerical measure of _species_ characteristics, while resilience is a feature of the system as a whole. While one single species can have changes and come back to its equilibrium, for the system as a whole the equilibrium may be difficult to find or simply do not exist. While stability concerns the fluctuation of a single species or a series of species, it does not indicate whether the structure of the system changes as the species shift from their ``equilibrium''. Resilience, on the contrary, does not question how impact on one species affects this species, but the implications of the impact on the whole system.
My understanding of stability may change as I read more of Pimm's book. But for now I think I grasped some essence in these two concepts.
From the example of England Song Thrush, it seems that stability is a numerical measure of _species_ characteristics, while resilience is a feature of the system as a whole. While one single species can have changes and come back to its equilibrium, for the system as a whole the equilibrium may be difficult to find or simply do not exist. While stability concerns the fluctuation of a single species or a series of species, it does not indicate whether the structure of the system changes as the species shift from their ``equilibrium''. Resilience, on the contrary, does not question how impact on one species affects this species, but the implications of the impact on the whole system.
My understanding of stability may change as I read more of Pimm's book. But for now I think I grasped some essence in these two concepts.
2007年4月13日星期五
终于看完了《忏悔录》
昨天晚上看完了卢梭的《忏悔录》的最后9页。我第一次翻开这本书时，还是刚进大学的惨绿少年，那一次只看了前45页。后来断断续续好几次试图看完这本书，却每次都没有超过100页就放弃了。小岛上精神生活的极度贫乏，终于证明了不是完全没有好处——我终于可以静心下来把这本六百多页的书看完。
作者开头就强调，这本忏悔绝对前无古人，没有人可以再像他这样把自己的一切毫无保留地展现和剖析。从书的第一部看来，所言不虚，虽然作者并没有时时强调”这么做是我的不对……“，但的确做到了比较忠实地记录自己的所作所为，其中是非，则全部交给读者自行评价。其中也不乏温馨感人的场面，例如和童年玩伴的青梅竹马，远赴他乡学艺的艰辛，以及和”妈妈“共度的美好时光。读者似乎确实可以分享作者本人那些年的感受，阅读时或者觉得和作者同病相怜，或者为作者的遭遇扼腕叹息，这是阅读其他大人物的传记时不常有的感受。
不过，从第二部开始后不久，我倒觉得这不完全是作者的忏悔，倒成了对当时欧洲达官贵人和欺世盗名的文人的控诉。或许是我阅历尚浅，读这一部分时并没有很能理解作者的感觉，只觉得被复杂的人际关系和斗争搞得晕头转向。卢梭在其中对狄德罗、Grimm 等人的指责，有时甚至显得十分偏执。
对于这一段时间自己的为人和学术，卢梭似乎都没有多作忏悔的意思。兴许这是因为这段时间的经历是他写作忏悔录时境遇的直接原因，他也不能作出非常客观的评价。
不过这本书在让读者更好地认识卢梭之余，也描绘了一副法国大革命以前的欧洲风情画卷。从卢梭本人的遭遇，折射出当时的社会现实，也许是这本书在史料方面的重要价值之所在。而作为自传，《忏悔录》虽然也算是详尽忠实，但可能不足以起到让人借鉴的作用。
作者开头就强调，这本忏悔绝对前无古人，没有人可以再像他这样把自己的一切毫无保留地展现和剖析。从书的第一部看来，所言不虚，虽然作者并没有时时强调”这么做是我的不对……“，但的确做到了比较忠实地记录自己的所作所为，其中是非，则全部交给读者自行评价。其中也不乏温馨感人的场面，例如和童年玩伴的青梅竹马，远赴他乡学艺的艰辛，以及和”妈妈“共度的美好时光。读者似乎确实可以分享作者本人那些年的感受，阅读时或者觉得和作者同病相怜，或者为作者的遭遇扼腕叹息，这是阅读其他大人物的传记时不常有的感受。
不过，从第二部开始后不久，我倒觉得这不完全是作者的忏悔，倒成了对当时欧洲达官贵人和欺世盗名的文人的控诉。或许是我阅历尚浅，读这一部分时并没有很能理解作者的感觉，只觉得被复杂的人际关系和斗争搞得晕头转向。卢梭在其中对狄德罗、Grimm 等人的指责，有时甚至显得十分偏执。
对于这一段时间自己的为人和学术，卢梭似乎都没有多作忏悔的意思。兴许这是因为这段时间的经历是他写作忏悔录时境遇的直接原因，他也不能作出非常客观的评价。
不过这本书在让读者更好地认识卢梭之余，也描绘了一副法国大革命以前的欧洲风情画卷。从卢梭本人的遭遇，折射出当时的社会现实，也许是这本书在史料方面的重要价值之所在。而作为自传，《忏悔录》虽然也算是详尽忠实，但可能不足以起到让人借鉴的作用。
2007年4月12日星期四
Niche dimensionality and biodiversity
[Grassland species loss resulting from reduced niche dimension](http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v446/n7137/abs/nature05684.html)
The idea of niche dimensionality is an analogy of ``space'' concept -- that the niche space is defined and separated by a series of ecological factors and their values. More such dimensions means that more subspaces or niches can be defined therefore more species may be supported.
Resource addition can make some limiting factors not limiting anymore, allowing fewer trade-off opportunities and thus reduce the dimensions of the niche space. Increased supplies of limiting resources can also change the [stoichiometry](http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=stoichiometry) or decrease the heterogeneity of limiting resources.
The increase of resources does create new niches. However, most local species cannot occupy these new niches. Thus local species number and evenness both decline. The more the species are co-limited by multiple resources, the more likely they will be influenced in the face of diminishing limiting factors.
This concept can be considered as a formalised explanation of the effects of eutrophication. Traditionally eutrophication is interpreted as encouraging nutrient-demanding species so they outcompete those oligotrophic species. The notion of niche dimension provided us with a new perspective.
The question: is there other management actions other than increasing nutrient that can reduce niche dimensions? A guess is that any management that turns limiting factors to unlimiting ones may do so. Will the prohibition of grazing have the same effect on the grassland? It has been observed that biodiversity is higher in grazed plots than nongrazed plots (e.g. [(Taddese et al., 2002)](http://www.springerlink.com/content/vn024bc60xqrg2ca/)).
The idea of niche dimensionality is an analogy of ``space'' concept -- that the niche space is defined and separated by a series of ecological factors and their values. More such dimensions means that more subspaces or niches can be defined therefore more species may be supported.
Resource addition can make some limiting factors not limiting anymore, allowing fewer trade-off opportunities and thus reduce the dimensions of the niche space. Increased supplies of limiting resources can also change the [stoichiometry](http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=stoichiometry) or decrease the heterogeneity of limiting resources.
The increase of resources does create new niches. However, most local species cannot occupy these new niches. Thus local species number and evenness both decline. The more the species are co-limited by multiple resources, the more likely they will be influenced in the face of diminishing limiting factors.
This concept can be considered as a formalised explanation of the effects of eutrophication. Traditionally eutrophication is interpreted as encouraging nutrient-demanding species so they outcompete those oligotrophic species. The notion of niche dimension provided us with a new perspective.
The question: is there other management actions other than increasing nutrient that can reduce niche dimensions? A guess is that any management that turns limiting factors to unlimiting ones may do so. Will the prohibition of grazing have the same effect on the grassland? It has been observed that biodiversity is higher in grazed plots than nongrazed plots (e.g. [(Taddese et al., 2002)](http://www.springerlink.com/content/vn024bc60xqrg2ca/)).
2007年4月11日星期三
A slide presentation on interview
Office ladies please stop reading here and return to your search result immediately. This is **NOT** about how you tackle with job interviews nor how to make attracting presentation.
The slide provided [here](http://www.public.asu.edu/~kroel/www500/Interview%20Fri.pdf) is about how to conduct interviews for qualitative research. The highlights including the checklist before and at the beginning of the interview, and issues about processing of interview data.
The slide provided [here](http://www.public.asu.edu/~kroel/www500/Interview%20Fri.pdf) is about how to conduct interviews for qualitative research. The highlights including the checklist before and at the beginning of the interview, and issues about processing of interview data.
2007年4月7日星期六
Week 27: Brain ferreting
After I really go down to the work and made a series of plans and budgets, I find that planning an expedition is not so dreadful as I thought before. There are still many uncertainties but apparently they will not prevent my plan from being carried out.
The contact with local government and researchers is going well.
But for a newbie in interviewing like me, I am not sure if my interview outline is as good as it should be. I have so many questions to ask yet I find the question list already a bit long for a group interview. I am also uncertain about the sequence of the questions.
The application for this year's Slawson award failed, which renders my fieldwork more costly. I hope that I can get other funding later this year and next year.
The contact with local government and researchers is going well.
But for a newbie in interviewing like me, I am not sure if my interview outline is as good as it should be. I have so many questions to ask yet I find the question list already a bit long for a group interview. I am also uncertain about the sequence of the questions.
The application for this year's Slawson award failed, which renders my fieldwork more costly. I hope that I can get other funding later this year and next year.
2007年4月6日星期五
Will scientists save the world (again)?
This week's *Science* magazine published [an editorial](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/316/5821/17) by Rosina M. Bierbaum and Peter H. Raven. This editorial promotes another effort to prevent reaching the tipping point of global climate change by urging the government and companies as well as individuals to take measures. Different from IPCC, this new initiative is managed by the UN (see [http://www.unfoundation.org/SEG/](http://www.unfoundation.org/SEG/)). Hopefully, the influence of UN will be more useful than IPCC, which can only ``suggest'' the governments but cannot ``urge'' them to act.
However, a group consist of purely scientists may have a problem, that their suggestions are often theoretically sound but politically too abstract or impractical. Arguably, the suggestion made by the SEG suffers from the same problem. If you want to give advice to all over the world, you have to be abstract.
I think the next step would be giving every country a ``recipe'', indicating the costs and benefits of every measure they mentioned, that is what politicians really care about.
However, a group consist of purely scientists may have a problem, that their suggestions are often theoretically sound but politically too abstract or impractical. Arguably, the suggestion made by the SEG suffers from the same problem. If you want to give advice to all over the world, you have to be abstract.
I think the next step would be giving every country a ``recipe'', indicating the costs and benefits of every measure they mentioned, that is what politicians really care about.
2007年4月5日星期四
（我是）孤独的人（也）是可耻的
早上4点爬起来给准备去考察的县的政府打电话，也不知道电话那头有没有听出我的睡眼惺忪，不过我是觉得自己现在打电话完全没有当年那种面对任何一个小秘书都怯生生的模样了，奇怪啊奇怪，前几天给一个大学的研究员打电话还不是这样的。今天打电话的口气就好像说本西域总督大爷要到你们县视察，你们给安排车……这样。莫非本人刚起床的时候就是这么痞？还是说没睡醒就像喝醉酒的时候一样胆子会没来由地大一点？
放下电话，我又在想，我要是真变成一个坏人，该怎么办呢？
我已经是挺坏的一人了吧，灌个水都很刻薄，跟邻居室友的关系也极差。有时候我回来的时候他们在开 party，我就等到晚上10点多他们人散了我才去做晚饭。技术上说，他们只占用了客厅，我完全可以穿过客厅到厨房做饭。但是心理上，这么做我完全受不了。那简直就像一个可耻的罪犯被游街示众一样，他们的凝视会让我觉得快要发疯。
于是孤独的人会习惯于孤独并且寻求孤独，直到变成一个孤独得可耻的人。
在这种情况下，我会不断告诫自己要 tough，今后在考察的地方呆两个月，还会更加 tough，跟那些到八角街转了一圈，回来就为自己小小的头疼和皱着眉头喝下第一碗酥油茶而兴奋和夸耀不已的小青年们，和那些在西藏一边开着4500一边骂娘，在海拔5000米的县城钻头觅缝找地方浪费水洗澡，回来又一边数自己掉了几公斤肉，一边表达自己对西藏的再度向往的半老头子们都完全不同。
Tough 的人要跟人划清界限，所以就更加孤独，孤独的人需要更 tough，如是反复。
但是昨天才被人提醒，自己能还算正常地撑到现在，完全是靠别人上班似地每天花一两个小时陪我说话。没有她我会怎么样？可能是孤独到极点然后死掉，也可能是 tough 到极点然后成了不知道同情和理解的魔头。从这个意义上说，tough 的人同时也是脆弱的人。
Jason Bourne 系列的第三部电影今年夏天上映。我对它的浓厚兴趣不仅来自于 Matt Damon 的表演和（从 teaser 来看）扣人心弦的剧情，更多地是想看看 Marie 走后那些夜晚 Jason 是怎么熬过来的——在那之后，他比我更孤独。我很好奇第三部里会不会加进一些 Jason 在他的过去与现实之间挣扎，在光明与黑暗之间选择的剧情。
好吧，我知道 Jason Bourne 不是 Anakin Skywalker。
放下电话，我又在想，我要是真变成一个坏人，该怎么办呢？
我已经是挺坏的一人了吧，灌个水都很刻薄，跟邻居室友的关系也极差。有时候我回来的时候他们在开 party，我就等到晚上10点多他们人散了我才去做晚饭。技术上说，他们只占用了客厅，我完全可以穿过客厅到厨房做饭。但是心理上，这么做我完全受不了。那简直就像一个可耻的罪犯被游街示众一样，他们的凝视会让我觉得快要发疯。
于是孤独的人会习惯于孤独并且寻求孤独，直到变成一个孤独得可耻的人。
在这种情况下，我会不断告诫自己要 tough，今后在考察的地方呆两个月，还会更加 tough，跟那些到八角街转了一圈，回来就为自己小小的头疼和皱着眉头喝下第一碗酥油茶而兴奋和夸耀不已的小青年们，和那些在西藏一边开着4500一边骂娘，在海拔5000米的县城钻头觅缝找地方浪费水洗澡，回来又一边数自己掉了几公斤肉，一边表达自己对西藏的再度向往的半老头子们都完全不同。
Tough 的人要跟人划清界限，所以就更加孤独，孤独的人需要更 tough，如是反复。
但是昨天才被人提醒，自己能还算正常地撑到现在，完全是靠别人上班似地每天花一两个小时陪我说话。没有她我会怎么样？可能是孤独到极点然后死掉，也可能是 tough 到极点然后成了不知道同情和理解的魔头。从这个意义上说，tough 的人同时也是脆弱的人。
Jason Bourne 系列的第三部电影今年夏天上映。我对它的浓厚兴趣不仅来自于 Matt Damon 的表演和（从 teaser 来看）扣人心弦的剧情，更多地是想看看 Marie 走后那些夜晚 Jason 是怎么熬过来的——在那之后，他比我更孤独。我很好奇第三部里会不会加进一些 Jason 在他的过去与现实之间挣扎，在光明与黑暗之间选择的剧情。
好吧，我知道 Jason Bourne 不是 Anakin Skywalker。
Status update: privatisation in Naqchu
[ 那曲地区2007年落实和完善草场承包经营责任制工作会议胜利闭幕 ](http://xznm.agri.gov.cn/show.asp?id=10567)
The "responsibility system" will be adopted by all pastoralists on their spring/winter pastures before April 20th.
[ 进一步完善草场承包经营责任制工作](http://xznm.agri.gov.cn/show.asp?id=10580)
There are still a few villages in Shuanghu District where the privitisation is not complete. Namely Yaqchu (雅曲) and Gatso (嘎措).
Apparently I will still be able to find a few *real* nomads although to establish contact with them may be quite complicated. The help from the government will be quite delicate, while contact through networking can only rely on luck.
The "responsibility system" will be adopted by all pastoralists on their spring/winter pastures before April 20th.
[ 进一步完善草场承包经营责任制工作](http://xznm.agri.gov.cn/show.asp?id=10580)
There are still a few villages in Shuanghu District where the privitisation is not complete. Namely Yaqchu (雅曲) and Gatso (嘎措).
Apparently I will still be able to find a few *real* nomads although to establish contact with them may be quite complicated. The help from the government will be quite delicate, while contact through networking can only rely on luck.
2007年4月4日星期三
More policy-friendly ecology?
[Making ecological science policy-relevant: issues of scale and disciplinary integration](http://www.springerlink.com/content/n086m8543l301q83)
One of the main reason that ecology study is not widely applied in policy making is that the two processes are carried out in very different scales. Experiments successful in smaller scales are not necessarily so in a larger scale. **Scaling** thus becomes an important issue in ecological studies.
Knowledge transfer between ecologists and policy-makers can only be done in an interdisciplinary way. However, it is still easier said than done. The difficulty is brought along by misunderstanding, misconception (from each other's perspective), and the neglegence of funding/evaluating agencies. The non-linearity of the ecosystem complicates policy-making more.
To realise these problems is the first step. The researchers from different disciplines must establish trust in each other, The funding system should make some changes to meet the demand of long-term ecological studies.
As an individual researcher, I think knowing more about policy-making process in the region/country is desirable. To make the research more useful for policy making, an accumulation of large-scale, long-term experiments and theories/models derived from them is necessary. It is not saying that a 3-year PhD program will not be useful. But to make the policy-makers know the meaning of the study and adopt corresponding policies, the researcher will have to do more work to get the idea crossed, and try to understand how the policy-makers think.
One of the main reason that ecology study is not widely applied in policy making is that the two processes are carried out in very different scales. Experiments successful in smaller scales are not necessarily so in a larger scale. **Scaling** thus becomes an important issue in ecological studies.
Knowledge transfer between ecologists and policy-makers can only be done in an interdisciplinary way. However, it is still easier said than done. The difficulty is brought along by misunderstanding, misconception (from each other's perspective), and the neglegence of funding/evaluating agencies. The non-linearity of the ecosystem complicates policy-making more.
To realise these problems is the first step. The researchers from different disciplines must establish trust in each other, The funding system should make some changes to meet the demand of long-term ecological studies.
As an individual researcher, I think knowing more about policy-making process in the region/country is desirable. To make the research more useful for policy making, an accumulation of large-scale, long-term experiments and theories/models derived from them is necessary. It is not saying that a 3-year PhD program will not be useful. But to make the policy-makers know the meaning of the study and adopt corresponding policies, the researcher will have to do more work to get the idea crossed, and try to understand how the policy-makers think.
2007年4月1日星期日
Week 26: Need some ``salt''
First of all, I have to admit that I did not do much during the week. I spent considerable time wrestling with Ruby on Rails, Mephisto and Typo, and strange \.htaccess files. The writing on resilience has brought along some interesting questions, such as social vurnerability, ecosystem restoration, and perhaps equity, which I did not address enough in the writing. However, I find myself pretty fed up after so much reading (on the same guys' articles). I can only write one or two paragraph one day, just feel not like writing.
The other part of the work, preparation of the fieldwork, has some progress. However, from time to time I feel it pressing. There may be questions that I cannot solve here but can only tackle in China. Therefore I decided that I should go back some days earlier so I can do something before May Day holiday.
Perhaps I need some fresh air, as well as some social activities, to diversify my life a bit. Or there will be weariness and tedium.
The other part of the work, preparation of the fieldwork, has some progress. However, from time to time I feel it pressing. There may be questions that I cannot solve here but can only tackle in China. Therefore I decided that I should go back some days earlier so I can do something before May Day holiday.
Perhaps I need some fresh air, as well as some social activities, to diversify my life a bit. Or there will be weariness and tedium.
2007年3月30日星期五
又从 Typo 搬到 Mephisto 了……
Hack 1: 文章 meta 的修改
这里的 meta 是指每个 entry 下面一小块区域，包括文章作者、所属分类等信息，以及指向评论的链接。最初的模板没有订阅评论的链接，也没有文章所属 tag 的信息，所以改动模板的 _shared.liquid 文件如下，加入：
1 |
|
以及：
1 |
|
代码基本是自解释的，我就不说啥了。
Hack 2: 每次都要折腾的分类 feed 链接
分类的链接比较简单，Mephisto 的 wiki 上有说明，另有一个 articles_feed 的 filter 可以帮助获取用于自动识别的 feed，加上后会在 html 的 <head&rt; 部分加入 feed 地址，像 Firefox 这样的浏览器就可以自动发现这些 feed。但为了让使用 IE 之类浏览器的人也能看到 feed，就比较麻烦，google 了半天之后发现 mephisto 提供了一个 helper，叫 section_feed_url，终于搞定，代码是这个样子：
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折腾了一通之后发现有人写了插件提供这个功能……另外 Home 分类是默认的，就是全部文章，这里用 unless 把它去掉。
Hack 3: 最近评论
这是 0.7.3 最新支持的功能，在 CHANGELOG 里他们给出了一种用法，但无论怎么改参数，给出的评论数总是跟默认的页面文章数一致，似乎是参数没有传递过去。后来还是在 Mephisto Wiki 上的提问与回答部分找到了一段代码，依葫芦画瓢：
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至今也不明白为什么像 {{ site | latest_comments :5 }} 这样的代码不行，非得用 assign_to。
Hack 4: 每月文章
这个也是 Mephisto Wiki 上直接给了解决办法的，直接贴出代码：
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Hack 5: 分类存档
我最得意的 hack :)。Mephisto 的作者非常痛恨 blog 分页，据说是因为这样文章的链接会随其页面位置改变，不方便别人用搜索引擎查找，所以 Mephisto 默认没有分页功能，也没有“上一页”这样的选项。还好每月的文章是可以全部显示的，但查看分类、搜索和首页的文章数等等都要受同一个变量的控制。首页没有早期文章的链接还可以忍，分类也只能看十几篇就比较过分了，好在摸索之后发现每个分类也是可以按照月份显示所有文章的，通过以下代码：
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建立一个分类页面专用的模板，在 sidebar 部分加入即可通过每月文章访问到分类中所有的文章。但是这样跟我所要的效果还有一些差距。怎样能看到所有文章的标题呢？参考上面的代码，我依葫芦画瓢写了如下的代码，试验了一下，运气不错：
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增加了一重循环，在每月文章内再分别列出文章的题目，第二个 assign_to 的用法比较有趣。
Hack 6: Gravatar 支持
Mephisto 的管理界面直接支持 Gravatar 的头像，但我一开始没有找到对应的 filter，而插件工作也始终不正常。困扰了许久后在 Google Groups 上的 Mephisto Blog 小组找到了答案，原来 filter 就在 mephisto/apps/helper/url_filters.rb 这个文件中：
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修改一下评论模板，在合适的地方加上 {{ comment | gravatar: 32, "http://snakehsu.info/contacts.png"}}，即可看到评论者的 gravatar。两个参数分别是头像的大小和没有头像时的默认图像。
顺便说一句，前几天 gravatar 工作不正常是因为数据库和服务器的配合问题，目前已经基本解决，但是需要用户自己登录 gravatar 再重新提交一次头像。
Hack 7 & 8: 搜索和 Tag Cloud
如上面所说，内置搜索的结果只能给出最初十几个，所以我试图用 Google 定制搜索引擎 来解决这个问题，不过看来 Google 还没有来得及索引这个新地址，所以这几天内估计用 Google 搜不到这里的东西，且看看过一周后怎么样。
Tag Cloud 也是用的现成的插件，唯一的问题是域名不一致，因为它认为我的 blog 的基础地址是 snakehsu.info 而不是 snakehsu.info/main/，我也没空钻研 URL 重写的问题，就直接改了插件的源文件了事，这个是我唯一的一处”硬“修改。
现在这个新 blog 基本实现了过去 Wordpress blog 的所有功能，有些地方还更方便，比如内置的 Gravatar 支持和 Markdown （类似 emacs-wiki 的标记语言）。折腾了好久，现在基本可以熟练地在共享主机上安装 Ruby on Rails 程序了……
2007年3月29日星期四
Word: "panmictic"
It means of panmicxia: random mating within a breeding population.
According to [Merriam-Webster](http://www.webster.com/dictionary/panmixia).
According to [Merriam-Webster](http://www.webster.com/dictionary/panmixia).
2007年3月28日星期三
从 Wordpress 搬到 Typo 了
而且总算把两个 blog 统一了。导入原来 [blog](http://snakehsu.info/blog) 的文章时发现刚好写了365篇 entry，不知道有没有什么寓意，呵呵。
2007年3月26日星期一
Methodology reconsidered
I overlooked a fact that resilience is only one dimension of the adaptive cycle. To really use an adaptive cycle to measure resilience I will need to know three values: the position of the system in the cycle, the connectedness of the system, and the system's potential, which is perhaps outside my thesis's scope.
Thus the resilience should be measured by other methods, focusing on slowly changing variables. The outcome -- measurement of resilience, can be used in the future if I want to find out about the system's adaptive cycle.
To understand the history of the system and determine its position in the cycle will still be useful. It will help with understanding of current status and relative resilience of the system.
2007年3月25日星期日
Week 25: Get my hands dirty
The feedback on my previous piece of writing on resilience is a bit unexpected. Apparently my supervisors and I have some disagreement on our perception of resilience. The resilience I am familiar with has a strong ecological origin and may not be quite the same as those about social-economic systems. It is suggested that I take a look at vulnerability studies in both social and ecological terms.
The introduce of the concept in my writing is a bit too steep. Considering the audience of my thesis I am also told to rewrite the piece to make it more understandable by others. More examples, if available, can make my writing more detailed and grounded.
The following three week or so, I will divert considerable time and effort to make a series of plans for the field trip. It is not as interesting as studying concepts, but will be an essential part of my project.
The introduce of the concept in my writing is a bit too steep. Considering the audience of my thesis I am also told to rewrite the piece to make it more understandable by others. More examples, if available, can make my writing more detailed and grounded.
The following three week or so, I will divert considerable time and effort to make a series of plans for the field trip. It is not as interesting as studying concepts, but will be an essential part of my project.
2007年3月23日星期五
Drawing drokpas away from the pasture: Good or evil?
I just noticed that it is part of the state's pastoralism policy that drokpas are not only encouraged to reduce or stop grazing on certain pastures, but also to leave the land and enter the Third Industry.
The rationale behind this is that drokpas are mostly living a materially-deprived life. The policy will help them get richer by drawing them into service industries. The drokpas remain on the pasture will then be able to have larger pastures for their herds, and eventually become ranch managers like those in the U. S. or Australia.
But such measure does not necessarily increase individual pastoralists' strength, or resilience, in the face of sudden natural disasters. Traditionally, the drokpas divert the risk of snowstorms and droughts by dispersing their herds among those of their relatives or friends. The arrangement that less drokpas now occupy the pastures will disturb such traditional risk aversion method. The ranch manager without nearby relatives/friends to help him/her will inevitably rely singly on the state's aid in case of disasters. This may reduce the system's resilience.
It is also doubtful whether the new Third Industry staffed by drokpas is sustainable. Due to the economic development in Tibet at this moment, the Third Industry will mainly serve people from outside. This will bring currency to the region. But the limited income, except for several large cities, cannot be invested in other means than self-sustaining. Based on tourism only, without the support of the First and Second Industry, such Third Industry may swarm in large cities, living small cities and towns deprived of labour. Thus the gap between richer and poorer counties may be widened.
I still do not know to what extent has this policy being carried out and what are the effects. I will take this question along with me in the field and seek answers.
The rationale behind this is that drokpas are mostly living a materially-deprived life. The policy will help them get richer by drawing them into service industries. The drokpas remain on the pasture will then be able to have larger pastures for their herds, and eventually become ranch managers like those in the U. S. or Australia.
But such measure does not necessarily increase individual pastoralists' strength, or resilience, in the face of sudden natural disasters. Traditionally, the drokpas divert the risk of snowstorms and droughts by dispersing their herds among those of their relatives or friends. The arrangement that less drokpas now occupy the pastures will disturb such traditional risk aversion method. The ranch manager without nearby relatives/friends to help him/her will inevitably rely singly on the state's aid in case of disasters. This may reduce the system's resilience.
It is also doubtful whether the new Third Industry staffed by drokpas is sustainable. Due to the economic development in Tibet at this moment, the Third Industry will mainly serve people from outside. This will bring currency to the region. But the limited income, except for several large cities, cannot be invested in other means than self-sustaining. Based on tourism only, without the support of the First and Second Industry, such Third Industry may swarm in large cities, living small cities and towns deprived of labour. Thus the gap between richer and poorer counties may be widened.
I still do not know to what extent has this policy being carried out and what are the effects. I will take this question along with me in the field and seek answers.
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