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Nature's Chaos is a clear and approachable introduction to the recent science of chaos comprised of an essay by James Gleick (a science writer whose first book Chaos was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award and was a national bestseller) and more than a hundred glowing photographs by internationally-renowned nature photograher Eliot Porter.

In just about 16 pages of text, Gleick covers the basic concepts behind chaos science. From the beginning, he slowly chips away at the ordinary manner in which we view nature, historically considered to be most "beautiful" when tamed and controlled by humans. Gleick discusses the history of science, emerging concepts like fractals, the apparent consistency of nature's proportions and patterns whether manifested at large macro levels or infinitessimally small micro levels, and more. He also ably ties this new science to the types of views caught by Eliot Porter's remarkably gifted eye.

See Another Side of Our World

In a Foreword to the book, Porter describes his interest in the natural world, in his sense of wonder kindled by early studies in the biological and physical sciences. According to the Porter entry on Wikipedia, Porter earned degrees in chemical engineering and medicine and worked as a biochemical researcher at Harvard University. Clearly a bright guy, and I believe his scientific and medical interests gave him a unique outlook on the natural world that set him apart from other photographers, even the best ones, in emphasis as much as in quality.

You can see in the varied photos that illustrate this book that Porter's contention that, "Nature should be viewed without distinction. All her processes and evolutions are beautiful or ugly to the unbiased and undiscriminating observer. She makes no choice herself--everything that happens has equal significance." is at work as he captures nature in a multitude of new poses. These are not your typical nature photos of glorious blue skys and lofty snow-capped peaks (as beautiful as those very often are).

Slow, repeated viewing of Porter's mysteriously haunting pictures are rewarded with scales falling from the eyes, refreshing your view of our world with a new appreciation of the infinite variety of imaginative creation that appears in nature. It does take some work to see anew, but the ability to see the world as it really is seems to be the endpoint of Porter's work, and a goal of the new science of chaos. This is a terrific little book.

For More Information:

Nature's Chaos

by James Gleick with Photographs by Eliot Porter

This is a really fun book, not only for kids either. Even as a parent, I learned quite a bit I'd never known. Comprised of four sections, this guide covers the basics of exactly what money is, how to obtain it, how to grow it, and finally a few ways to have fun with it.

See It

Part I is an entertaining introduction to money, both what it is and descriptions of the physical characteristics of our American money and the American money system. Did you know that Congress passed the dollar money system into law in 1792? I didn't.

There are fascinating charts and discussions that reveal the various codes, symbols, and illustrations found on our American bills and coins. Many references to American history and politics, Latin phrases, famous paintings, and more put our physical money, and the design of each bill and coin within our money system, into perspective.

Add To It

Part II covers a variety of ways that kids (and adults too!) can acquire and earn money. From simply finding money on the street to earning allowances, receiving monetary gifts, selling items or services, to a brief overview of adult job skills, this section has the basics of moneymaking covered.

Monetary vehicles and terminology including bonds, savings accounts, interest, mutual funds, and stocks are introduced in this section. America's Social Security System is described as well. "Money Math" is covered here, too; basic calculator operations are covered, as well as financial rules such as the Rule of 72.

Grow It

Part III covers some physical aspects of banking, including opening an account, depositing money, using a passbook, examining a bank statement, and use of ATM machines and ATM cards.

More in-depth discussions of interest, corporate bonds, mutual funds, and stocks follow. These are all presented at a level that most any 10- or 12-year-old can understand, and since most adults like myself have never learned too much about these, it is also interesting for adults as well. I certainly found it enlightening. A particularly interesting section covers three companies and their financials: Berkshire Hathaway, eBay, and Cannondale.

Fun With It

Part IV contains money-related word searches, crossword puzzles, multiple-choice questions, word-matching, coin games, and more. There are also financial quotes from famous people, several money-related glossaries, and additional reference material.

Learn It

Money Sense for Kids! is an excellent introduction to one of life's most important systems in present-day America. Many adults were never taught about much that this book covers, and we only learn about these things as we go through life, which is not necessarily the most effective way to become acquainted with such an important aspect of our own society.

If you have, or know, a child who hasn't learned about the American monetary system, this book is a must-read!

For More Information:

Money Sense for Kids!

by Hollis Page Harman

Visual Design of the User Interface was prepared for the IBM Design Program during Edward Tufte's years there as a consultant. The book is a mere 12 pages in length, but in that small "package" Tufte ably encapsulates his thinking about the design of information for maximum understanding. In five short sections, Tufte lays out the basics of how to present information and what to think about when presented with the task of transmitting data or information through screen to an end-user.

Information Resolution

Although this booklet was written back in the late 1980s when personal computing was closer to its infancy, all of the suggestions Tufte makes are still pertinent today and can be successfully applied to nearly any project that will be viewed through a screen, whether it be a website, a web application, a piece of software, an informational kiosk in a museum, or any other such system in which information must be communicated through, "the low-resolution, low-information, narrow-band user interface of a video display terminal."

The two strategies that Tufte identifies for improving information resolution are (1) reducing noise and (2) improving signal. When designing for the screen, it is essential to eliminate every pixel that doesn't serve the data, and it is also essential to turn as much screen real estate over to user information as possible. Fundamental tenets of design, but very hard to do well.

Interaction of Design Elements

The interaction of multiple design elements on a screen are powerfully demonstrated by a number of graphics, several of which appear below, that show 1 + 1 = 3 effects that Tufte ascribes to the artist Josef Albers.

Here, when two or more black lines are drawn, "extra" visual effects occur: active white stripes between the lines. Below, further complexity appears as various shapes interact with white space, producing additional visual effects that can distract from clarity in user interfaces.

This map from 1724 exemplifies an information source that includes the organizing grid within the main structure of the source. Its tidy inclusion into the data container makes the grid seemingly invisible, allowing the data (the map itself) to show through the data container clearly. This clarity also eliminates potential 1 + 1 = 3 effects between various design elements on the map.

Lastly, the map demonstrates the appropriate application of color to a body of data, effectively using nature's colors for the presentation of data.

Color for the User Interface

Tufte observes that, "Of all design elements, color most exemplifies the wholeness of design, the necessity to reason globally." The graphic below shows the effect of combining bright, garish colors with 1 + 1 = 3 effects. Such combinations cause "damaging noise and strong after-images." It very nearly hurts to look at this sort of design.

Tufte states his first principle for use of color: "Above all, do no harm." He expounds on the proper use of color, using cartography as his primary example of effective use of color in data presentations. What colors should be used on computer screens? "A good way to avoid colorjunk is to use colors found in nature, particularly toward the lighter side, such as grays, blues, and yellows of sky and shadow. Nature's colors are familiar and have a widely accepted harmony. Particular, local emphasis to screen information is then given by means of spots of stronger colors against the serene background."

Typography and Icons

According to Tufte, standards for typography and icons should be just as high when creating screen presentation as when designing for print. He asserts that, "Typographic excellence requires the production of clean, crisp images by display terminals; and today the best high-resolution terminals leave no excuse for poor typography."

Icon design presents its own unique problems to be overcome. Here Tufte discusses the importance of the effective combination of icon graphics with suitable naming conventions to produce the greatest clarity. Especially helpful is his admonition that "cute" icons will not successfully translate to different languages and cultures.

Design Quality

Tufte closes by reminding the reader that the best screen interfaces are consciously designed, with high priority being given to the visual quality of the interface itself (and not just attention given to the underlying system below the interface).

As he states in the first paragraph of this wonderful little booklet, "Today the competition is at the user interface." Tufte was correct in writing this back in 1989, and this statement still holds true today. "Poor screen design can destroy underlying excellence in software and hardware. Graphic design details are not cosmetic matters or decorative touches. In fact, carful attention to visual craft is a distinguishing characteristic of nearly all excellent user interfaces now in the marketplace."

For More Information:

Visual Design of the User Interface

by Edward R. Tufte

There’s nothing on Earth like a good book…a suspenseful story, a helpful manual, prose and poetry to enliven the mind and touch the soul. Check out the sites listed here to find just the perfect gift for the reader in your life.

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As described on the back cover of this delightful collection of some of Wodehouse's finest short stories:

Blandings Castle is the home of Lord Emsworth, whose IQ may be some thirty points below that of an absent-minded jellyfish. His Lordship loves nothing better than to potter among his flowers, but even in this garden of Eden there is an influx of serpents ready to poison the peace.

His corrosive-tongued sister Constance is forever trying to reorganize his household. McAllister, official trainer of the prize pumpkin, leaves at a critical moment; that peach among pigs, the Empress of Blandings, goes off her food; and there is an outbreak of lawlessness not unconnected with an airgun and the trouser-seat of the abominable Baxter. And then there are the tangled love affairs of the Hon. Freddie Threepwood. Blandings is a place where anything can happen...

read more about how Lord Emsworth Acts for the Best

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