25.8.08

Natural Plastics for Defense

The beetle, Abax ater, secretes monomeric methyl methacrylate. This material instantly polymerizes, immobilizing the beetle's enemies by encasing them in what is essentially chemically identical to plexiglass.

The first plastic invented by humans was cellulose nitrate, the formulation of which was discovered by accident in a chemist's kitchen. The ivory market was one of the first to be displaced, celluloid being an easy replacement for everything from knife handles to billiard balls. Being highly combustible--and explosive with a forceful strike-- these early plastic billiard balls occasionally exploded upon being hit by a pool player's cue.

"Three ball in the corner pocket..." BANG!

I reckon this had the general effect of increasing the number of gun fights in the Old West.

4.6.08

Enneagram of Personality

Oscar Ichazo, Claudio Naranjo, his student, Robert Ochs, and G. I. Gurdjieff separately offered developments to this model for the nine archetypical forms of human personality. The Enneagram, below, maps these personalities according to their relationships to each other.

1. Reformers, Judges, Perfectionists
2. Helpers, Givers, Caretakers
3. Achievers, Performers, Status Seekers
4. Romantics, Individualists, Aesthetes
5. Experts, Thinkers, Investigators
6. Loyalists, Heroes and Rebels, Defenders
7. Enthusiasts, Adventurers, Sensationalists
8. Bosses, Mavericks, Challengers
9. Mediators, Peacemakers, Preservationists

Each personality type has its advantages and disadvantages, and, it is said, true spiritual enlightenment comes with mastery over the nine types and an understanding of their inter-relationships.