Sunday Reading

Ceramic teapot at Wasabichaya in Hadano.

One benefit of the rainy season is that it becomes a little easier to sit down and do some reading. At least, that's what my office assistants keep telling me. It's always hard to choose, but here we are with another week of reading highlights.

Japan

Disaster-hit Fukushima Struggles to Secure Forest Industry Workers Efforts Slowly Bearing Fruit at The Japan Times 
This is a great story, despite its awkward headline, of long-term recovery work beginning to pay off for that most lovely northern prefecture in exciting ways.

In Search of Japanese Roots at Discover Magazine
Jared Diamond's piece may be somewhat dated, but general principles are sound and offer a fascinating insight into the culture, place, and people of this country.

Seeds

Biology and Medicine at Discover Magazine
Another Jared Diamond piece that still packs a punch after all these years, this one discusses how our ancestors came to set seeds in soil rather than just walk and munch.

Saving Seeds and Genes to Save Lives at Scitable, Nature Magazine's Collaborative Learning Space for Science
An interesting piece about the importance of saving seeds and the genetic diversity they represent, the article makes a good case for biodiversity.

Climate Change

Trees That Have Lived for Millenia Are Suddenly Dying at The Atlantic
I cannot say this isn't an incredibly depressing piece, but it is an important one. Understanding why these trees are dying suddenly and in large numbers is an important warning for us all.

Grief

The Unpredictability of Grief at the Covey Club
Erika Dreifus shared this compelling read about grief and how it entwines itself into our hearts and minds. Sad but also uplifting, the story made me think of how there are so many other things we think we have resolved or come to terms with only to discover in a single moment that they are as present as ever.