africa - io9

posts about #africa more →
Researchers Say Africa Needs "Genetic Prospectors"
Plans to Convert the Sahara Into a Forest
Liberia Declares Emergency After Massive Worm Invasion
Ocean Shows Up In The Middle of Africa
Kibera's "Instant Farm" System Is the Future of Urban Agriculture
Your Car Is Your Own Personal Spy
African Scientists Set to Create a New Developed World
A View of Thunderheads Brewing from Space
Dealing with Climate Change the Way African Farmers Do
Don't Piss off the Wolverine Frog, Unless you Want to Taste its Claws

Your version of Internet Explorer is not supported. Please upgrade to the most recent version in order to view comments.

Dsmvwl Admin Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×

Evil Tortie's Mom: R.O.A.C.H.
06/17/09

In reply to Researchers Say Africa Needs "Genetic Prospectors"
What did they grow before maize? Seeing as how that's NOT an ancestral African crop.

Thomas Jefferson was a pretty cool dude, other than the slave thing.
Reply

CSX321
06/17/09

@Evil Tortie's Mom: R.O.A.C.H.: I actually have a portrait of him hanging right here in front of me on the wall. Also Einstein and Mark Twain. We should do a "What's hanging on the wall by your computer?" photo thing sometime.
Reply

CSX321 was starred CSX321 was unstarred

Evil Tortie's Mom: R.O.A.C.H.
06/17/09

@CSX321: I have a Cute Overload calendar. :)
Reply

Dug
06/17/09

In reply to Researchers Say Africa Needs "Genetic Prospectors"
Little known fact: Thomas Jefferson was a genetic property rights pirate.

During the Revolutionary War, the American long grain rice crop had been pillaged by English troops, and after the war the remaining stocks of short grained rice did not sell well on the global market.

Italy had tasty and valuable long grain rice, but seed stocks were banned for export, under penalty of death. Jefferson "toured" a northern Italian farm with a jacket made without bottom seams in the pockets. When no one was looking, he simply scooped up handfuls of Italy's genetic property, and dumped the loot in his coat. He was invited down to Rome, but feigned illness and high tailed it back to France. The seed stocks were shipped home, and there you have it.

Thats right, the early American economy, founded on genetic piracy!
Reply

Dug was starred Dug was unstarred

Annalee Newitz
06/17/09

@Dug: ARRRRGGH!
Reply

Annalee Newitz was starred Annalee Newitz was unstarred

ZanipoloLebron
06/17/09

In reply to Researchers Say Africa Needs "Genetic Prospectors"
Except that the selection criteria are assuming that alternative crops that dont do as well are not worth continuing with. This isnt always the case. What they need is to be paid for the 20 billion-billion in resources being plundered that would other wise build technologically advanced cities for the two billion africans who will soon be living there, and given two seats on a six seat security council so that no once can come along and take what is theirs withouth having to fight the United nations for it.
Charcoal bands in the soil retain water and liquid fertilizers longer allowing crops to function at higher temperatures than tose coping with dehydrated clay topsoils.
Reply

ZanipoloLebron was starred ZanipoloLebron was unstarred

Pope John Peeps II
06/17/09

@ZanipoloLebron: Temperature effects more than water. Some plants simply won't sprout if the temperature is too high or too low.
Reply

Pope John Peeps II was starred

CSX321
06/17/09

In reply to Researchers Say Africa Needs "Genetic Prospectors"
What about natural selection? Assuming the seed for the next year's crop comes from the current crop, the plants that survive and produce seed are the ones best able to grow in current conditions.
Reply

CSX321 was starred CSX321 was unstarred

Annalee Newitz
06/17/09

@CSX321: This is farming, not "nature." So there is no system of natural selection at work - these farmers are working with strains of maize developed for the immediate climate. And they need crops for the following year. No time to wait for their current strain to evolve, if indeed it evolves at all and doesn't just die out. They need new strains that are easily available in neighboring countries.
Reply

Annalee Newitz was starred Annalee Newitz was unstarred

CSX321
06/17/09

@Annalee Newitz: Yes, I'm familiar with farming, living in the heart of the Midwest and having a father who worked for the Department of Agriculture for over 30 years.

I meant to imply that cultivation of selected crops (which is, after all, what crop farming is) has been working pretty well for several thousand years. I expect it will continue to work pretty well. It's not evolution, but simple varietal seed selection, which doesn't necessarily take more than one year.
Reply

CSX321 was starred CSX321 was unstarred

Pope John Peeps II
06/17/09

@CSX321: Did you just say that natural selection isn't evolution?
Reply

Pope John Peeps II was starred

Annalee Newitz
06/17/09

@CSX321: I guess what I'm trying to say is that since the climate is likely to change from year to year, the seeds that survived last year may not work the following year.
Reply

Annalee Newitz was starred Annalee Newitz was unstarred

Garrison Dean: R.O.A.C.H.
04/24/09

In reply to Plans to Convert the Sahara Into a Forest
Wait wait wait. If turning Forests into deserts is bad for the environment... wouldn't it stand to reason that the opposite might be true?
Reply

NotChoinski
04/24/09

In reply to Plans to Convert the Sahara Into a Forest
Silly question: wouldn't reforestation of the Sahara alter how 'Sunny' it got (wouldn't it get cloudier?)
Reply

NotChoinski was starred NotChoinski was unstarred

allocater
04/24/09

In reply to Plans to Convert the Sahara Into a Forest
don't plants need minerals in their water or something? can they grow/survive on distilled water (evaporated seawater)??
Reply

allocater was starred allocater was unstarred

NotChoinski
04/24/09

@allocater: I thought so too until I saw an old Cosmos rerun. I have a bamboo stem is a glass of water and it keeps growing.

Water provides hydrogen and oxygen moloucules, and atmospheric gasses provide alot of the rest. Considering much of a plant is carbohydrates, I can see how its (generally) done. Thanks, dead Carl Sagan!
Reply

NotChoinski was starred NotChoinski was unstarred

allocater
04/24/09

@NotChoinski: yes, but was the water in the glass distilled water? and how can plants suck stuff out of the atmosphere if they are 'imprisoned' in a green house?
Reply

allocater was starred allocater was unstarred

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@allocater: I'm hoping that the greenhouse isn't a closed environment and that outside air can flow in.
Reply

NotChoinski
04/24/09

@allocater: Not distilled. There are even some pepples at the bottom, but I think thats for anchorage.

I doubt the air inside a nondescript desert warehouse is any different from the air outside it. It 'breathes' (or absorbs) Atmospheric carbon, and probably nitrogen, which probably accounts for the vast majority of elements it needs for its organic compunds.

Cellulose, sugar, alcohol are all the same three atoms in different combinations.
Reply

NotChoinski was starred NotChoinski was unstarred

NotChoinski
04/24/09

In reply to Plans to Convert the Sahara Into a Forest
Oh Noes! Will no one think of the Sand Worms?
Reply

NotChoinski was starred NotChoinski was unstarred

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@NotChoinski: It's like you can just use a gigantic magnifying glass on them now. SPICY!
Reply

Boas_MC
04/24/09

@crashedpc: Especially nice with a tasty onion-chili sauce!
Reply

Boas_MC was starred Boas_MC was unstarred

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@Boas_MC: Dude you're making me hungry. Stop that. How many villagers can a Sand Worm feed?
Reply

Boas_MC
04/24/09

@crashedpc: Well, let's see...the desert is a pretty good environment for preserving things like meat, so...I'd say 1,000 villagers for five years or 100 for fifty years. Mmmm...vintage Sand Worm meat. "You know, 2009 was a great year for Sand Worms. They all have that oaky-asparagus-y afterbite." I'm guessing their new favorite cookbook would be How to Eat Fried Worms.
Reply

Boas_MC was starred Boas_MC was unstarred

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@Boas_MC: Niiiice.

"Kid, you're gonna have to eat 15 sand worms in 15 days."

"What the fuck? Fuck you."
Reply

acrobatic rabbit
04/24/09

@crashedpc: dude, do you know how fucked up you would be? I mean those little makers can pack a real astral-projection-esque high that can bake the brain. I'm just sayin. Better put some [www.baconsalt.com] on it.
Reply

acrobatic rabbit was starred acrobatic rabbit was unstarred

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@acrobatic rabbit: "DUDE... BACON SALT... IS... SALT... FLAVORED... BACON..."

"Kid, you high."
Reply

dsmeek36
04/24/09

In reply to Plans to Convert the Sahara Into a Forest
can't we just do something like this in Mexico? then we have a lot more control and could just supply free electricity for North, Central and South America!
Reply

dsmeek36 was starred dsmeek36 was unstarred

Boas_MC
04/24/09

@dsmeek36: Who's this "we" that needs so much control? Is electricity consumption all about the US, then? Especially when talking about a source that would provide electricity to the whole world? And hell, then why Mexico? Why not Texas or Arizona? You know, places that used to be Mexico? (Although since Texas is apparently seceding, better not put it there.) Though personally, I like corpore-metal's idea of a more decentralized system. Aren't they building a solar collection tower in Australia?
Reply

Boas_MC was starred Boas_MC was unstarred

Evil Tortie's Mom: R.O.A.C.H.
04/24/09

@Boas_MC: Maybe he's Mexican and so he wants the stuff there?
Reply

OW-Holmes:Bringer of Fear
04/24/09

In reply to Plans to Convert the Sahara Into a Forest
The Golden Path! Siaynoq! I believe!
Reply

Fate'sBitch
04/24/09

@OW-Holmes, the housekeeper.: Kwisatz Haderach alert.
Reply

Fate'sBitch was starred Fate'sBitch was unstarred

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

In reply to Plans to Convert the Sahara Into a Forest
Whoa! That seawater greenhouse is TOTALLY in ACTION and EXCITING.

*stares at drab building in the middle of the desert*

Kidding aside, that sounds interesting. But, uh, if 90,000 km^2 of desert can generate all of our electricity, why hasn't it been funded like, yesterday?? Get on with it!
Reply

turniptable
04/24/09

@crashedpc: Its Not 90,000 km², its 300km².

And Yeah, this should happen.
Reply

turniptable was starred turniptable was unstarred

corpore-metal
04/24/09

@turniptable:

Um, no, it's 90,000 square kilometers. 300 times 300 equals 90,000.

Personally I'd rather have the solar energy plants scattered as diffusely around the world as possible. Concentration has drawbacks.
Reply

corpore-metal was starred corpore-metal was unstarred

turniptable
04/24/09

@corpore-metal:

The problem is that you keep putting the square at the end. 300km² = 90000km. not 90000km².
Reply

turniptable was starred turniptable was unstarred

Belabras: now with Kung Fu grip!
04/24/09

@crashedpc:

Hey, what happens in the nondescript desert greenhouse STAYS in the nondescript desert greenhouse.
Reply

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@turniptable: Seriously? Ok, I'm just gonna not comment on that anymore.
Reply

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@Belabras Told Me To: Bom Chika Wow Wow
Reply

corpore-metal
04/24/09

@turniptable:

????

How can a unit of area equal a unit of length? It's 90,000 square kilometers.

You are misreading what 300 by 300 kilometers means. That's not 300 square kilometers. 300 by 300 is telling us that the area is 90,000 square kilometers. Nothing personal, but I don't think I'll let you do my taxes next year.
Reply

corpore-metal was starred corpore-metal was unstarred

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@corpore-metal: I just let CP reply, cuz he's the straight man to my wacky joke man in our routine.
Reply

turniptable
04/24/09

@corpore-metal:

I'm misreading it?

300km X 300km does not equal 300km² somehow?

explain this.
Reply

turniptable was starred turniptable was unstarred

turniptable
04/24/09

@turniptable:

Just use any calculator.

Enter in 300X300.

Now Enter in 300, then hit the x² button.

What number do you get?
Reply

turniptable was starred turniptable was unstarred

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@turniptable: 300km x 300km = 300^2km, km^2 means Square Kilometers. Not Squared Kilometers.

A 3km x 3km area = 9 km^2.

CORP! I NEED YOUR HELP EXPLAINING THIS IN A CALM FASHION BEFORE I 'SPLODE
Reply

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@turniptable: You get 90000. What the hell are you talking about?

Am I being trolled? Someone take me away!
Reply

corpore-metal
04/24/09

@turniptable:

Yes, you're misreading it. "By" means "multiply the first number with the second number to get the area in square units." In other words you apply the word "square" after you do the calculation, not before like you're doing.

The same applies for cubic units. A volume of 100 by 100 by 100 meters equals 1,000,000 cubic meters.

This is pretty basic stuff. I suggest you consult Wikipedia or the search engines for some pages about how this arithmetic works.
Reply

corpore-metal was starred corpore-metal was unstarred

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@corpore-metal: *weeping with relief* Thank you.
Reply

turniptable
04/24/09

@crashedpc:

Ok, i understand that 300km X 300km = 300km^2.

300km X 300km ≠ 90000km^2
Reply

turniptable was starred turniptable was unstarred

tetracycloide
04/24/09

@turniptable: when finding an area both the numbers AND the units must be multiplied so 300km by 300km is 300^2 km^2 or 90,000 km^2. 300km^2 does not equal 900000 km because km^2 is a unit of area and km is a unit of distance.
Reply

tetracycloide was starred tetracycloide was unstarred

turniptable
04/24/09

@corpore-metal:

And please, don't insult me. You are agreeing with what I am saying. it is not 90,000km^2.

90,000km^2 = 90000km X 90000km.
Reply

turniptable was starred turniptable was unstarred

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@turniptable: NO! IT'S EQUAL THEY ARE EQUAL! KM^2 IS A UNIT, NOT A ARITHMETIC FUNCTION!
Reply

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@turniptable: Ok, you're a troll. No way you can be serious. I'm done with this thread.
Reply

turniptable
04/24/09

@crashedpc:

*hug*

I love you.
Reply

turniptable was starred turniptable was unstarred

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@turniptable: *wheeze* We good? We clear? Good. Let's go get a breakfast Scotch.
Reply

turniptable
04/24/09

@crashedpc:

Gladly :D

Boas, it was already explained. I had the units messed up.
Reply

turniptable was starred turniptable was unstarred

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@turniptable: *ahem* So, anyway...

What a drab greenhouse, huh??
Reply

turniptable
04/24/09

In reply to Plans to Convert the Sahara Into a Forest
"300km by 300km square of the Sahara desert would be sufficient to generate all the world's electricity needs"

ummmmm.... LETS DO THIS.
Reply

turniptable was starred turniptable was unstarred

twDarkflame
04/24/09

@turniptable: Yes, no arguement, but the problem is moving the electricity after you got it.
Reply

twDarkflame was starred twDarkflame was unstarred

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@twDarkflame: With tongs and really steady hands?
Reply

szielins
04/24/09

@turniptable: Price. All manner of gee-whiz design concepts turn out to be too expensive for what you get to bother doing. (Although not all of them, of course.) Sooner or later, you have to bring in the guys with the Excel spreadsheets-- and if they say "No", game over.

The real question with the "seawater greenhouse in action in the Oman desert" isn't whether it looks as cool as the beautiful CGI illustration, but whether or not it's profitable. If it is, there's a chance.
Reply

szielins was starred szielins was unstarred

Triplanetary
04/24/09

@szielins: Rather than profitable, I'd say "viable." If this plan turns out to be more cost-effective than current efforts at farming in Africa, charities may take the reigns.

That still leaves the possibility that it's not cost-effective, of course.
Reply

Triplanetary was starred Triplanetary was unstarred

tetracycloide
04/24/09

@turniptable: after transmission loss i'm sure the area required would be much much larger. then there's the danger of placing 100% of the world's electricity production in the middle of the desert in africa.
Reply

tetracycloide was starred tetracycloide was unstarred

J_Frank_Parnell
04/24/09

@crashedpc:

Hey crashed, this one's for you! :P
Reply

J_Frank_Parnell was starred J_Frank_Parnell was unstarred

crashedpc - Haifisch
04/24/09

@J_Frank_Parnell: *facepalm* It's ok, we cool now.
Reply

szielins
04/24/09

@Triplanetary: A good way to look at it. And getting charity NGOs involved would help get the first few built, iron out some of the bugs.

It's worth bearing in mind that the whole "90000 km^2 of the Sahara" thing was illustrative-- it doesn't have to be the Sahara, or a single 90000 km^2 installation. Any otherwise unused sunny coastal desert is a potential site, and things only have to make economic sense for that particular location. California might be a bit too overpopulated at this point for this, but Baja California sure isn't-- and the power grids are already linked.
Reply

szielins was starred szielins was unstarred

EBone
04/24/09

@szielins: There's plenty of room in the SoCal desert. But the government keeps taking it off the table. The Bureau of Land Management, which manages most of the land, is tasked with resource utilization. But Senators Feinstein and Boxer have introduced bills in the past six months that take almost all of the remaining BLM land in SoCal off the table, designating it as wilderness preserve. This is frustrating because there is already hundreds of thousands of acres already in a natural preserved state in Joshua Tree National Park and other State Parks.
Reply

EBone was starred EBone was unstarred

Garrison Dean: R.O.A.C.H.
01/29/09

In reply to Liberia Declares Emergency After Massive Worm Invasion
I hope this doesn't affect the production of all their Liberian Legal Tender offensive fake American commemorative money.

[www.911twenty.com]
Reply

GitEmSteveDave_HazEnvy
01/29/09

In reply to Liberia Declares Emergency After Massive Worm Invasion
Please, please, please, don't anyone tell M. Night Shamalamadingdong about this. It will not end well.
Reply

crashedpc - Haifisch
01/29/09

@No,Comma_GitEmSteveDave: "The army worms are actually genetically modified superinsects that Liberia is using to take over the world! Only a world weary man and his spunky teenage daughter can save us now by using a metric fuckton of magnifying glasses and a sunny day! What a twist!"
Reply

Bootknife-Jackson
01/29/09

In reply to Liberia Declares Emergency After Massive Worm Invasion
i remember when i was but a wee Bootknife, there was this crazy 'Ladybug Summer', where my ol' pop's shop was completely infested with the polka-dotted bastards. he continuously harvested them with his shop-vac until it would clog (this was a chronic occurrence) and he would have to unload a good three inch thick by, say, thirty inch in diameter cake of solid ladybugs from the vac's reservoir. he did this at least three or four times throughout the season. than as the weather got colder, the bugs left, and we never did see another swarm like that... bugs are weird.
Reply

Bootknife-Jackson was starred

crashedpc - Haifisch
01/29/09

@Bootknife-Jackson: Ok! Well, I'm going to have this crawly, itchy feeling all over my body today! Thanks, Bootknife! *throws rock*
Reply

Earlier discussions Other discussions Show all discussions Show featured discussions only Start a new discussion

SUBSCRIBE TO io9

Login

Reset Password

Register

Submit Your Comment