Cafe Scientifique Orlando

Last night's Cafe Scientifique event at Taste restaurant in College Park was a fascinating presentation about Math and Modern Medicine, with a focus on the fight against TB.  Some key take-aways:

1) 1.9 billion people, almost 1/3 of humanity, are infected with Tuberculosis, although 90% are latent, with no symptoms.  Infection rates are lowest in North America.

2) Within about 20 years, virtually every significant pathogen will be drug resistant.  Once that happens, antibiotics will be useless.  Against everything, not just TB.

3) Advanced computer models coupled with interdisciplinary research teams are advancing science faster than ever before.

Cafe Scientifique is held on the first Wednesday of each month at Taste.  No reservations needed.  I've been to several and enjoyed the interesting talks, great food, and great networking.
http://cafesciorl.com/

The One Degree Principle

I was on an Army bus to Ft. Stewart, GA last week with my National Guard unit, having a conversation with a few other officers and NCOs.  We were discussing a few cases we'd heard recently of people we knew that had made some extremely bad ethical decisions, and all the personal and professional carnage they'd caused.  We noticed there was a common theme in almost every one of these cases.  Each of them had started out with every intention of doing the right things and making the right decisions, but had gradually, little bit by little bit, gotten further and further away from the straight and narrow.  It occurred to me that it was a lot like being only one degree off of your intended heading in navigation.  It's barely noticeable at first, but the farther you go, the farther you get from where you're supposed to be.