LernerMedia™ Journal

Since the deadly explosion on 20 April 2010, and subsequent sinking of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig on 22 April 2010, we’ve been monitoring and contributing to coverage of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The story quickly took on international dimensions, BP (formerly British Petroleum), initially labeled the primary party responsible clean up costs and damages, operated the exploratory Deepwater Horizon on lease from Transocean, a Swiss-based company. While the accident remains under investigation, the finger pointing and attempts to fix blame and legal liability  immediately began between BP, Transocean, and other companies.

Relying on expert colleagues — ranging from marine biologists to senior engineers with experience, access, and insight into the offshore drilling disaster and the fight to contain the leak at sea — LernerMedia creates, contributes to, and coordinates science-related coverage for a number of media outlets.

News and photos of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico  dominated news racks and media broadcasts in Cannes, France, and across Europe. ©2010 LernerMedia

From what we can discern from Europe, the initial coverage in the United States quickly became a political football related to offshore drilling. While that is inevitable, it was hard to find fact-based reporting that did not inevitably spin into political posturing (the spin masters for both pro-drilling and anti-drilling interests were obviously hard at work).  In Europe , we hope that in some very small way that our modest efforts have helped better focus initial attention on determining the exact details of the engineering disaster (facts important to creating an effective response) and the globally catastrophic environmental impacts of the spill.  The impact of this spill will range far beyond damage to fragile wetlands ecosystems and already beleaguered communities along the Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida Gulf Coasts.

Because of the magnitude of the spill (and an unanticipated, exiting, new book project set to start this week) some ongoing projects and developmental production work is being reassigned to trusted colleagues. This will free us over the next few months to focus on  continuing to provide fact-based science content and analysis (and, of course,  Brenda provides health impact analysis). We have also been asked to shift gears in order to evaluate and/or collaborate on a number production and documentary projects.  As always, colleagues can keep up with news and opportunities to contribute to projects at our secure forum site.

At this point, our focus remains on helping our publishing and production clients understand and critically evaluate the vast amounts of scientific data produced by DOI, EPA, NOAA, NASA, BP, and what will soon be a bewildering array of federal, state, and NGO  sources. In addition to producing fact-based content. We are also asked to make recommendations about contracting and coordinating coverage of the spill at the local level. We have, quite literally, already received and evaluated hundreds of links to scientist blogs, environmental reporter sites, and citizen journalist’s coverage of the spill.  Within days of the rig explosions, an army of talented people were on scene producing blog posts, YouTube videos, Twitter feeds, etc.  The usual ephemera exists, but some of these resources offer unique and insightful information that many major media outlets don’t have the time, resources, or inclination to report.

We recommend that colleagues evaluate and balance information obtained from a variety of media sources.

As always, part of our job is to help our professional clients identify genuine signal within the noise.   One of our highest priorities remains the accurate translation of sometimes complex science and engineering concepts into content that enhances understanding and critical evaluation of the news by students and lay audiences.

We plan to wrap up work (which yesterday moved into Italy) on the continent as soon as possible and after a set of meetings in London, we hope to be back at the Gulf Coast by mid-month.  Alas, it increasingly appears that the most optimistic projections (e.g., lowest-end estimates of the rate of leakage, time projections for engineering alternatives, etc.) combined  with most dedicated efforts to mitigate damage will fail to prevent a large scale environmental catastrophe.

If is also inevitable that people, equipment, and plans will fail. One of the first things we checked following the explosion was for the catastrophic spill contingency plans on file with the Minerals Management Service (MMS) of the DOI. we expected it to be a game plan by which we could evaluate both government and industry response. We made our initial inquiries on 22 April 2010 but have yet to find documentation of such a contingency plan. If indeed the MMS ruled that, in part, because of the distance from shore no  contingency plan was necessary, that would be unconscionable from a scientific and engineering standpoint.

Regardless of how marvelously the engineers perform (and given the challenging environment ANY engineering fix would be a technological marvel) the spill is already significant.  Even under the best scenarios where oil stays largly out to sea or is dispersed, there will be both environmental and economic costs.  One storm can change things in a matter of hours. As I advised one of our publishing clients on 27 April, “I am very skeptical of the (early) minimal impact assessments. They are self-serving to too many interests as there has been no time to make scientific estimation. I know these ocean models very well. They fix a number if variables to come up with snap models… Besides. I remember Nixon.”

Regardless the outcome, this disaster should result in robust inquiry and debate about the real costs and perils of drilling, and hopefully increase our determination toward development of alternative and clean energy resources. But we also live in an oil dependent world, and that will not change soon.  The engineering complexities related to deep water drilling are rivaled only by space exploration.  The technological feats are magnificent, the failures deadly and foreboding to contemplate.

As we are under contract to several media outlets, we will not be posting editorial workproduct or related analysis about the spill in this journal.  I anticipate, however, that we will eventually offer some personal observation, insights, and opinions.

We currently plan to use our Bellessima B. to provide offshore photos, footage, and as a platform for documentary exploration of both offshore and and onshore impacts of the spill.  Bella will allow us to range the Gulf Coast from Texas to the Florida Panhandle. However, although we are experienced blue water sailors, we know not to underestimate the dangers presented by tranquil bays and inland waterways moved to quickly violent by churning winds. In addition to sailing in the Gulf, Mobile Bay, Pensacola Bay, and the Mississippi Sound present unique challenges (including navigational challenges related to changes brought about by Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, Gustav and other recent severe storms. Very few people have real experience with the special hazards presented by operations in fouled water  (e.g. clogged intakes that can impair generators needed for shipboard operations and for media and communications equipment.  Accordingly, we are seeking and appealing for expert advice regarding “blackwater” operations.

Suddenly, being “stranded” by the Iceland volcano while on a working in Europe is less amusing. Along with Texas, the U.S. Gulf Coast is our home. We raised our children there, the last learning to walk in the sugar white sands of Santa Rosa Island and the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Our daughters have already signed up to help with wildlife rescue and other clean-up efforts as needed.

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We have many friends along the U.S. Gulf Coast, not all of them human (and no, we are not talking about our photographer and cinematographer colleagues).  In addition to the human tragedy of lost lives and livelihoods,  we fear for the dolphins, birds, and other wildlife who routinely surround and follow the Bellissema B. Although our hands are absent for a few weeks, our thoughts are with them all.

Cheers,

Lee & Brenda

Genoa, Italy.

Starting on March 25 we left for New Orleans on what initially was a three day work/road trip. However, evolution happens. An odd combination of work opportunities, family matters, and volcanic natural disasters took us to Europe and stranded us there.

Finished with work in Paris, we took a brief working trip to Lyon, Provence, and Girona, Spain. We were literally at the edge of the Barcelona runway — number 2 for takeoff to London and a connecting flight to Italy– when Eurocontrol closed UK airspace due to volcanic ash. While in Spain, we remained on guard for six-fingered swordsmen and tried to stay sober enough to buy Brandy (actually, Sangria). However, it appears that no one expects either the Spanish Inquisition or volcanic ash.

I’ve always maintained that anyone who relies on the airlines to take of them in a crisis is asking for even more misery.  No airline, even our beloved British Airways, is equipped, staffed, or insured sufficiently to handle a natural disaster the magnitude of the volcanic ash crisis (and perhaps the human folly that followed). Neither should BA or other carriers be the insurer of last resort.  People were seeking care and compensation normally designed to accommodate people after airline overbookings, etc.  The bottom line is that when disasters happen, EVERYONE (airlines, related businesses, and travelers alike ) will lose money. Accordingly, if you are going to lose money, best to find some work to pay for it –or at least get out and enjoy what you are spending. So begins the LernerMedia 2010 Spring Odyssey…

In all, five of our ticketed flights were canceled. BA seemed pleased with our attitude and willingness to provide for ourselves and wait while they took care of more urgent passenger needs. The BA staff were very helpful in moving a number of business flights to later in the year. Some of the agents were stressed –and BA does need to find a way to service North American executive club business members working in Europe on European time. Following the initial airspace closure, things were already quite messy by the time the North American office opened.  However, in our experience, BA ultimately takes care of its regular business customers and this crisis proved no exception. We’re apparently flying back to the U.S. in mid-May without cost or loss of miles. We even have our usual seats reserved. So, we are free to concentrate on work AND enjoying spring in Spain, Provence and eventually in Italy (we have to be in Italy in early May to start a project).  Thank you, British Airways!

Autos were hard to find, but colleagues helped and we’ve been lucky in that regard too. We were told we secured one of the last international rentals in Spain.  Now that we have a car, we can eventually return it in Italy. So, we are driving, exploring and working our way along the Med coast. We are, however, on thin ice with regard to technology.  We have only one computer (and thus no backup), so we covet good wifi when we find it. However, we are fairly savvy young monkeys. I even managed to answer a deadline query from our publisher while climbing Mount Ventoux on a bicycle!   Doug Merrill and other new-media Google gurus would be proud; how’s that for integrating life and work!

Our youngest daughter, Ellie, alleges that  this the “most convenient natural disaster ever.” As long as we navigate home in time to take her to Chicago and her Second City summer improv and writing classes, I think she will forgive us.  We are, however,  working very hard.  Keeping good Internet access is a priority. It was initially a bit tricky, but we are making our deadlines and all projects are on schedule.

Except in the direst of emergencies, we could not get home anyway, so we might as well do good work and enjoy it all. We’ll be posting pictures to the video log below every few days. Enjoy, as you desire.

Cheers,

Lee

P.S. Comments are turned off. Last post we had more than 30 legitimate comments but we also twice as many spam comments. Alas, we don’t have the net access to keep the site tidy. Brenda and I are already on the 200 MB overseas iphone plan and may have to sell some internal organs to pay next months cell phone bill (last time I peeked it was at $700 and climbing). ACK! 

CLARIFYING A STATEMENT I MADE IN A GENERAL POST TO COLLEAGUES: PLEASE DO FEEL FREE TO SEND ME  EMAIL POSTS (PERSONAL OR BUSINESS). EMAIL is NOT taxing on our usage because we can defer downloading posts until we have wifi access.  Cheers, Lee

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As this post discusses some aspects of what I define as spirituality (certainly only my limited personal definitions and views), it is prudent to start with a few disclaimers. The most important disclaimer is that although I use “we” quite a bit, anyone who has worked with us knows that Brenda is independently intelligent and insightful, and does not share my views on all matters.

There is no place for the supernatural in science, and I regard spiritual matters, at their core, as intensely private matters. Regardless, we’ve adopted a fascination and sometimes profound appreciation for the cultural aspects of religion. We also tend to observe the calendar and rituals of our milieux du jour.

My working definition of a “soul” includes that part of you that can’t helped but be moved by the dedication of people to life, work, and art undertaken as part of their faith. Balancing this, of course, is the line from A Room with a View, where a remark that the Basilica di Santa Croce, in Firenze (Florence), was “built on faith” is explained as meaning “the workers were not paid properly.”

With reservations to write about the soaring spirituality of the utterly humanistic Pantheon in Paris, and my annual meditations in front of Newton’s tomb at Westminster Abby, one of the most spiritually moving places related to Christianity in Europe can be found in Florence. Although better known for its treasures of art and architecture, Florence portrays passion for art and science like no other city in the world.

Brenda at Basilica di Santa Croce.

Walking into the Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence immediately puts the Italian love of art and science in perspective. To the left is the tomb of Galileo, to the right, the tomb of Michelangelo, each a venerated monument to towering talent and genius. (The photos shown were taken looking toward the front entrance and so the tombs are reversed, with Galileo’s on the right side of the screen.)

It’s always profoundly moving spot to stand for a few moments. We’ve been privileged to work and visit Florence almost a dozen times, and spent weeks working there. One of our daughters studied art restoration there, and lived in the city for more than a year. We have many good colleagues in Florence, and we know the city well. I always try to sneak a visit to this “spiritual” spot.

What also makes it profoundly moving is noticing who goes unnoticed — it is a humbling life lesson. Buried in the floor between these giants of science and art lie the remains of the once mighty and powerful — the princes, politicians, and church officials — who constituted the Florentine elite of their respective days. Their tombs, often inscribed with the details of the occupant’s power to make war or issue edicts, show the weathering effects of time and millions of indifferent shuffling shoes beating a path to pay homage elsewhere.

After a few minutes of respectful reflection, I usually turn and head back out the door. While the ever-present tour groups head across the Piazza di Santa Croce and then turn right to scurry toward Brunelleschi’s famous dome atop the Duomo (the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore); or to form a crowd in front of the golden doors of the Baptistery of San Giovann; or to circle Michelangelo’s David at the Galleria dell’Accademia, I make a left turn and head toward the Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza [IMSS or History of Science Museum] situated near the Uffizi along the Arno.

The IMSS is favorite personal destination and a good place to work. It’s a museum dedicated to both the preservation of science history and vibrant presentations of science theory. Its collection, dating to the 13th century, includes clocks, compasses, microscopes, and a myriad of other scientific instruments — many hand crafted by Galileo.

The museum, located inside the Palazzo Castellani, is also one of the world’s most modern museums and prized research centers. In addition to hosting a number of seminars and conferences each year, IMSS publishes a biannual review on the History of Science (Nuncius. Annali di Storia della Scienza) and other specialized publications. The museum maintains an online exhibit catalogue. More modern scientific achievements are described in presentations devoted to Evangelista Torricelli’s discovery of the weight of air, the first explorations of the nature of a vacuum, electrical aurora, frictional electrostatics, the gold-leaf electroscope, and Volta’s lamp-lighter. Although some of the presentations are in Italian only, an increasing number are available in English.

The exhibition halls of the IMSS contain a wide array of instruments used in Galilean experiments. Beautifully crafted celestial globes and other models demonstrate the Copernican system and Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. The floor exhibition also offers a chance to gaze upon and into Galileo’s telescope. In addition to exhibition halls, the museum consists of a library, archives, and a series of laboratories dedicated to application and advancement of multimedia, photographic, and restoration technologies.

IMSS exhibits are renowned for their artistically inspired insight into some of the most fundamental principles of science.

One exhibit also provides a bit of enduring humor for the classroom or lecture hall. On exhibit at IMSS is Galileo’s detached right middle finger (the rest of his remains are, as previously mentioned, at the Basilica di Santa Croce).

Photos of the famous finger (and, of course, it is also the finger used for “giving someone the finger”) find their way into many of my lectures and usually became a running joke over a series of lectures or exams.

After a particularly tough lecture, or after administering a brutal exam, I used to ask, “Now, for an extra 2 points on the next exam, show me which of Galileo’s fingers is housed at the History of Science Museum in Florence!”

There is just something deeply and mutually cathartic about a mass of students shooting hands skyward to show the teacher “the finger.”