The Generator

This week's questions: What the Tesla is pareidolia?

For a discussion of pareidolia, have a look at our pareidolia page. The concept was introduced on The Generator by Jim Nutter in September 2006. It appears to be a significant breakthrough in thinking about religion and philosophy.

Is my shampoo organic? For a full break down of the contents of your shampoo bottle visit the answer to this question.

Email us your thoughts, suggestions and experimental approaches. Or send us a question.

Under discussion

Does the earth accumulate energy from the sun?

Email us your thoughts, suggestions and experimental approaches. Or send us a question.

Why focus on peak oil? The world is running out of water, fish, land and trees in the same way that we are running out of oil. Have a look at this site for a shocking account of the state of the world's fresh water.

At the dawn of the 21st century, a global water crisis is looming. According to the United Nations, 1.3 billion people in the world today lack access to clean water while 2.5 billion do not have adequate sewage and sanitation. No less than 31 countries are considered to be in water stressed areas. Worldwide demand for water is doubling every 20 years, twice the rate of population growth. By the year 2025, demand for fresh water is expected to outstrip global supply by 56 percent.

Previous questions and answers

What is the krill in my dog bowl?: They are land shrimp, or terrestial amphipods. Amphipods are a group of crustaceans much like the marine equivalent of an insect. These particular type, were first discovered in NSW and are regularly observed in Hawaii and Florida. They are attracted to light and die on the concrete of people's back steps. ... more

How does an electric eel work?: They have a stack of small electroplaques (plates) in them each delivering less than 10 volts. The active substance is also used in photosynthesis, and transfers of electric energy in neurons. ... more

How does a body in space cool?: Since there is no material in space to conduct heat or support convection it must be through radiation. All objects above absolute zero radiate energy at some frequency. This leads indirectly to the concept known as black body radiation ... more

Who was Nicola Tesla? A Czechoslovakian inventor responsible for commercialisation of alternating current and the modern electricity grid. Believed in a free global power supply delivered from space. ... more

This amazing mathematician and political satirist has written some of the wittiest songs to come out of America in the twentieth century. For more information about this amazing and funny man, click his image to the right.

I have played one song of his each show so far. You can download and listen to theses songs by clicking these links.

• Hunting
• Pollution
• Vatican Rag
• Oedipus Rex

Sammy Davis Jnr and Carmen McCrea opened the show with Baby it's cold outside just as the temperature started to climb through 40 degrees. As well as the obvious inversion we are used to in the Southern hemisphere in terms of weather and global events, this song is a classic example of "No matter how good their voices are, how well tuned the orchestra, it's always about a guy trying to get into the chick's pants."

Australia's 30 bishops issued a statement last week calling on the nation's 5 million Catholics to treat the environment as sacred. This follows calls last month by the Papal Nuncio to the UN demanding that every economic decision take into account the cost to the environment. "Protecting the environment is a sacred duty, as is protecting human life" the statement said.

Diagrams of the following segments are available.

• Vetiver Grass
• Wheelie Bin WormFarm

This Australian invention concentrates solar energy, increasing the efficiency of the cells and, ultimately, reducing the cost. At the moment it's still expensive, but it can significantly cut your electricity bill.

This publishing sensation has politicised everyone who has read it. Click here for more information or here for Rebecca Grenfell's book review.

This remarkable Nimbin company has been helping people reduce their energy footprint, and enjoy the fruits of modern technology at the same time, for over two decades. Founder, Peter Pedals spoke with Giovanni this week.