Terry Pratchett's The Nation

I finished Terry Pratchett's The Nation last night -- weeks after my wife had finished it, but not long after I had flipped it open on the bus, on the way to work one morning. Pratchett's books tend to be devoured in my house -- my wife, my daughters and me, where the addiction first got started. My wife and I picked up the Nation at Waterstone's on Sauchiehall Street, in Glasgow, when we were on holidays in Scotland. I think we got it before its North American release. We usually have to wait until after Christmas to read a new Pratchett book, since it's usually bought as a Christmas present for someone. Not this time around, however.

The Nation is a departure of sorts for Pratchett. It's not a Discworld novel. It's set in a new world, very much like our own, but slightly askew. I'm not sure if the novel was intended for young readers, as it featured young protagonists -- but Pratchett doesn't do well writing for a young audience. If he's writing for a younger audience, he's specifically targeting the smarter, thoughtful bunch. They are the introverts. The ones who hang out in the library, and are inclined to join the library club in school and know the difference between the Dewey Decimal Classification system and the Library of Congress Classification system. Like every other Pratchett book however, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm not going to review the book or give a synopsis in this post. You can find that stuff via Google. If you're a Pratchett fan, don't be afraid of the departure.

From the cover-flap of the book:

The sea has taken everything.

Mau is the only one left after a giant wave sweeps his island village away. But when much is taken, something is returned, and somewhere in the jungle Daphne—a girl from the other side of the globe—is the sole survivor of a ship destroyed by the same wave.

Together the two confront the aftermath of catastrophe. Drawn by the smoke of Mau and Daphne's sheltering fire, other refugees slowly arrive: children without parents, mothers without babies, husbands without wives—all of them hungry and all of them frightened. As Mau and Daphne struggle to keep the small band safe and fed, they defy ancestral spirits, challenge death himself, and uncover a long-hidden secret that literally turns the world upside down.

India is on the Moon

The Indians have landed on the Moon. Yesterday, the Moon Impact Probe (MIP) separated from the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft for a dusty splash down. Immediately after landing, the MIP righted itself, and started to dance. See more images of this historic event for India at the ISRO site.

First Photos of Planets Around Other Stars

Astronomers have taken the first ever direct photos of planets outside of our solar system. Three planets orbiting the star HR 8799, have been photographed in the infrared. And another, photographed by Hubble, orbits Fomalhaut. The planets are all larger than Jupiter. These planets are gas giants, but it can't be far off before direct photos are taken of smaller terrestrial planets. And won't that be cool?! We know we're not the only solar system. How long more before we find out that we're not alone?

The Business of Human Rights

Here's a new one for you -- the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre -- tracking the impact of over 4,000 companies operating in over 180 countries around the world. Allegations of corporate misconduct get a little light, with the organization confronting businesses and seeking responses. As expected, a lot of the issues deals with first world corporate giants and their colonial adventures in far off lands. But, there are still issues right on our doorstep, and the BHRRC is there too. The site acts as a clearinghouse for social responsibility news, and is worth the bookmark for those passionate about justice.

Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow stoned to death

Yet another little girl has been murdered. Horribly murdered. Thirteen year old Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow, of Kismayo, Somalia, was raped by three men. She was convicted of adultery by the Islamic Courts in Kismayo, and was stoned to death by dozens of men in a stadium packed with about 1,000 spectators.

If the UN doesn't do something in Somalia, Ethiopia should just permanently occupy the country and open hunting season on the murderous Islamic Court.

bomomo

OK ... I don't know what it is. But you can waste time there too.

Environmental Crime - a Threat to Our Future

The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) recently presented a report, Environmental Crime - a Threat to Our Future, to a UN meeting on trans-border organized crime. According to the report, environmental crime generates billions in profits for criminals annually. Environmental crime includes the illegal trading of wildlife, smuggling of toxic substances and hazardous waste, illegal fishing, illegal logging and trade in stolen timber.

The fact that there are those willing to steal and destroy the environment for profit, doesn't surprise me. How often do you hear of legitimate businesses that take advantage of public trust and harm the environment? Be it the dumping of toxic waste, including banned substances in their products or lobbying governments to reign in regulators -- well respected corporate giants already do it -- although those that break the law are thankfully few. I'm not suggesting that the criminals in the EIA report are no different from legitimate businesses. They are different. Crime is the enterprise of criminals -- not legitimate businesses.

The hardened criminals and legitimate businesses, have one thing in common however -- customers -- the public. There are people willing to buy the tusks of elephants; the skin of endangered animals; the fins of shark -- and by extension, shark-fin soup; trees cut illegally and the products made from them; and yes, even chemicals that contribute to the destruction of the planet they and us, live on. You've probably know the type. They're the ones for whom doing the right thing is for someone else. They're motivated by self interest and feel no remorse for their wrongdoing. It's not enough to just shine the light on the criminals -- more needs to be done to expose the market these criminals service.