I was catching up on the impacts of this year’s Nobel Prize winners. I was mainly interested in scientific advances. Riveting, I thought, without a hint of sarcasm. Two researchers, Victor Ambrose and Gary Ruvkun, discovered microRNA, tiny bits of genetic material which control what cells do and when they do it. Without getting too…

I looked back over the years at how I celebrate Remembrance Day. I remember when I was a cub and then a scout. I would be in my uniform, and I would march in a community parade in Montreal. I forget the starting point, but the destination was the cenotaph in the nearby park. November…

I recently visited a friend in the hospital for an unexpected admission and an unexpected lengthy stay. During one of my visits, shortly after his admission, he was understandably not in a good mood. In part, I noted he was upset with a staff member who seemed curt with him. Short on patience. He also…

I am fascinated with how humans connect with religion, spirituality, and science. There are many variations, combinations, and permutations – whatever the latter means. I came across an article in Wired magazine based on David DeSteno’s book How God Works: The Science Behind the Benefits of Religion. A gold mine for connecting the dots of…

I heard this phrase, and it got me thinking about my own moments in life. Did that moment define me or remind me? It usually occurs at an extraordinarily high or low point—when all is lost or when I’m simply the best. After one moment in which I tried to be funny but thoughtlessly, I…

I was strolling through my limited social media channels and came across a ‘discouraging older quote’ that made me laugh. I thought it was worth sharing. “You are the sand in the swimsuit of the organization.” It got me thinking about its meaning to me. I’m not very much of a rebel but more of…

I think my mental health is generally pretty good, but maybe I’d be the last to know if it wasn’t. This Thursday, October 10, 2024, is World Mental Health Day – a timely opportunity to check in and self-evaluate. Socially Engaged: Just so we are all on the same page, I think of this area…

I have been reading, educating myself and generally trying to get a handle on all this Artificial Intelligence (AI) stuff. It’s coming whether I like it or not. It seems to have its benefits, but there are a lot of cons. I’m thinking about what AI will look like in my life in ten years….

I recently enjoyed my favourite 4 days of the year with my wife at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. Time for reflection.                                                            Let’s start with a few thoughts about ‘The Sphere’ in Los Vegas. Think IMAX and Planetarium combined into a building that would fit the Statue of Liberty. Think BIG. It was initially envisioned…

I learned that broad design trends in hospitals have always changed with the times. Hospitals aren’t built very often, so it is interesting to watch how they adapt to the current beliefs about healthcare delivery. It’s complicated. Florence Nightingale advocated for the pavilion look. This design entailed wards of big rooms with long rows of…