Technical Difficulties

I've been having some problems with the wireless card on my computer. IT has ordered a replacement, so that will be in on Tuesday.

Also, the class I registered for at Wellesley was full. STAR apparently tried to notify me of that last spring, but I didn't get the email for some reason. I still haven't figured out what I'll do about that, but there are other classes I want to take being taught at the same time, and there's still a chance a space will open up in the class during add/drop. I emailed the professor, but I haven't heard back yet.

"Humanity? ... How Many Countries is That?"

Yesterday evening was the seminar on the book that Oliners read over the summer, Mountains Beyond Mountains (a good book, I recommend it).

Ophelia Dahl (one of the founders of Partners in Health, the organization discussed in the book, and the daughter of Roald Dahl) was the speaker. She talked about the story surrounding the founding of PIH, and also about the importance of creativity and interdisciplinary thinking in solving major problems.

Some of the anecdotes she used to illustrate this last point were very thought-provoking. She shared a story about trying to get funding from an organization supporting AIDS treatment. While creating the budget for the project sponsored by this organization, PIH had included a minor line item ($3K) for a well for the village being helped by the project. The administrator approving the budget couldn't understand the connection between clean water and AIDS treatment. When Ophelia, in desperation, finally said, "They need the water to take the pills," the administrator responded, "We'll send bottled water."