Gordian Knots

I am eagerly waiting for this extraordinary nature spectacle. After 17 years underground, millions of periodical cicadas will emerge throughout the eastern United States in late spring 2004.

“Periodical cicadas, which are unrelated to but often confused with locusts, are harmless to humans or animals but their egg-laying may cause some plant damage. Many millions of periodical cicadas are expected in Maryland from the end of May into July, 2004, though numbers will vary widely by location. In 1987, some woodlots held up to 100,000 per acre, while numbers in other areas were very light. Residents, event planners, and nurserymen can research their neighborhoods or the places where graduations, weddings, family reunions or other outdoor events will occur to learn if there was a large cicada outbreak in 1987. Old newspapers and long-time residents are good starting points. These cicada usually emerge by the end of May in Maryland. At that time, the nymphs crawl out of the soil after 17 years of feeding on small subterranean roots and climb up”

Economist has a superb overview of latest developments in Industrial Biotechnology. I had always wondered what would happen to the petrochemical industry when the feedstock from the petroleum industry rises in costs. Industrial biotechnology seems to be the answer. Presently the raw material costs are a magnitude higher than what one can get from the petroleum industry. However, as in any technological progress, this yield or gap will further reduce in the coming years and the transformation will start happening in the fringe speciality chemicals market first.

The above instance underscores a theory I believed in for long. That technology and human ingenuity comes to the rescue whenever there is a rise in the pressure on natural resources by humans. There is always a better tomorrow. No economic, or resource problem is insurmountable without the aid of technology.