Eating the Sun: Oliver Morton's Sweeping Take on Photosynthesis, Plant Evolution and Renewable Energy
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles
on 11.17.08
Those of you who, as I do, have long felt that photosynthesis was the unsung hero of the energy debate will find much to like about Oliver Morton's "Eating the Sun." Though ostensibly about the history of photosynthesis, this epic volume is so much more: an account of the planet's early development, a vivid recounting of some of the twentieth century's most heated scientific rivalries and discoveries and a shrewd, almost philosophical, take on the climate and energy crises.
Morton, who has written for several publications, including The New Yorker and The Economist, and who is now Nature's chief news and features editor, has the keen eye of a scientist and the flowing writing style of an accomplished novelist. Where another might have struggled with the sheer scope of this book, Morton ably guides the reader through the dense narrative, describing every technology, theory and equation down to the minutiae with the ease of an accomplished scholar-scientist (at over 400 pages, that is quite a feat).




















































At first glance,
Even set amidst the backdrop of a multitude of multi-million dollar mansions, the WIRED Home - nestled in posh Brentwood - is hard to miss. The 2-story, 19-room, 4057 sq. ft. home finally opened its doors to the public this Monday, and we were on hand to be amongst the first to visit it.
It did not disappoint. Every aspect, from its ultramodern/chic aesthetic to its amazing views, was spot-on; the house features an exhaustive list of eco-friendly fixtures and technologies - including a photovoltaic system, energy/water-efficient appliances and a healthy dose of reclaimed materials. Steve Glenn, founder and CEO of LivingHomes (the company that built the house for WIRED), Ray Kappe, the house's architect, and Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures (and a LivingHomes investor), were on hand to give tours to the assembled media and cast of LA power-brokers. ...








