Articles by David Roberts

Far Side author working for Conservation Intl.

Several people have written to call my attention to this interview with reclusive cartoonist Gary Larson (of Far Side fame) in USA Today. Seems he's come out of hiding to promote his latest calendar, all profits of which will go to Conservation International to help fight illegal wildlife trade in Asia.

Give it a read.

Can Thompson become president?

I never got around to posting on this last week, but it seems Bush's old Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson is getting into the presidential race. The enterprise is already somewhat of a laughingstock in political circles, but what's remarkable to me is that Thompson seems to think he has a chance almost purely based on his long-standing support for and knowledge about ethanol subsidies -- oops, did I say "ethanol subsidies"? I mean energy policy.

Perhaps ethanol subsidies are the road to serious energy policy. But then again, perhaps "energy policy" is just a road to expanded ethanol subsidies. Which do you think it is? Leave predictions in comments.

Something you need to know

The DVD of An Inconvenient Truth is released tomorrow.

Speaking of which, it's entirely possible that AIT will win the 2007 Oscar for Best Documentary. Wouldn't that be something.

Sadly, it’s behind a paid subscription wall

Over on New York Times $elect, Steven Johnson -- author of Everything Bad Is Good for You and the just-released The Ghost Map -- is writing a blog called "Urban Planet":

Over the next month, I'll explore the many facets of our urban planet and its future, drawing upon the themes that were visible, in embryo, 150 years ago in the streets of London: the peril and promise of density, local knowledge, the importance of public health systems, and the strength of neighborhoods. I look forward to hearing -- and responding to -- your own stories and reflections on urban life.

Too bad only a tiny fraction of you can afford to read it.