Don Osborn
@donosborn.bsky.social
Africa agriculture Baha'i China development environment food ict4d justice L10n language policy research rural security systems. JHU, MSU. RPCV. PhD.
Ajami is still used by some for these languages. There are usage conventions, but lack of standardization limits utility. There are recent efforts to standardize (but at least one was based on systems outside of Africa)
Fwiw, in 1986-7 I studied Ajami for Pular using Arensdorff's 1913 (1966) book:
Fwiw, in 1986-7 I studied Ajami for Pular using Arensdorff's 1913 (1966) book:
November 9, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Ajami is still used by some for these languages. There are usage conventions, but lack of standardization limits utility. There are recent efforts to standardize (but at least one was based on systems outside of Africa)
Fwiw, in 1986-7 I studied Ajami for Pular using Arensdorff's 1913 (1966) book:
Fwiw, in 1986-7 I studied Ajami for Pular using Arensdorff's 1913 (1966) book:
And sunset, the same place & day (zoom shot)
September 17, 2025 at 4:22 PM
And sunset, the same place & day (zoom shot)
Looking back from the other side of the gate at Corey Marsh, 9/14/25
September 17, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Looking back from the other side of the gate at Corey Marsh, 9/14/25
September 17, 2025 at 4:01 PM
We need to reset the frame of reference for “renewable” energy. In this suggestion, the green circle 🟢 is what is commonly referred to as “renewable,” and the red circle 🔴 is what is burned or combusted to release energy. Bioenergy is in both - here in the brown overlap of the two.
August 14, 2025 at 12:46 PM
We need to reset the frame of reference for “renewable” energy. In this suggestion, the green circle 🟢 is what is commonly referred to as “renewable,” and the red circle 🔴 is what is burned or combusted to release energy. Bioenergy is in both - here in the brown overlap of the two.
Somehow brings this to mind…
heartheboatsing.com/wp-content/u...
heartheboatsing.com/wp-content/u...
August 10, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Somehow brings this to mind…
heartheboatsing.com/wp-content/u...
heartheboatsing.com/wp-content/u...
Sunset-lit cloud over tree.
Thought the symmetry of this was interesting.
Thought the symmetry of this was interesting.
July 29, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Sunset-lit cloud over tree.
Thought the symmetry of this was interesting.
Thought the symmetry of this was interesting.
Stir-fried leafy vegetables:
(l.) collard greens w/ dried red chilis
(c.) kale w/ Sichuan peppercorn
(r.) bok choy w/ dried red chilis
Heat clear (olive) oil in wok w/ salt & choice of pepper. When very hot, add progressive amounts of the veg. while stirring. Temper heat slightly to avoid burning.
(l.) collard greens w/ dried red chilis
(c.) kale w/ Sichuan peppercorn
(r.) bok choy w/ dried red chilis
Heat clear (olive) oil in wok w/ salt & choice of pepper. When very hot, add progressive amounts of the veg. while stirring. Temper heat slightly to avoid burning.
July 27, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Stir-fried leafy vegetables:
(l.) collard greens w/ dried red chilis
(c.) kale w/ Sichuan peppercorn
(r.) bok choy w/ dried red chilis
Heat clear (olive) oil in wok w/ salt & choice of pepper. When very hot, add progressive amounts of the veg. while stirring. Temper heat slightly to avoid burning.
(l.) collard greens w/ dried red chilis
(c.) kale w/ Sichuan peppercorn
(r.) bok choy w/ dried red chilis
Heat clear (olive) oil in wok w/ salt & choice of pepper. When very hot, add progressive amounts of the veg. while stirring. Temper heat slightly to avoid burning.
Modified version of a World Bank End Poverty Campaign image.
May 18, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Modified version of a World Bank End Poverty Campaign image.
Could it help to use loanwords, like proso, to help establish identities for #millets as crops & foods? E.g.
* bajra/bajri (India) = pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum
* xiaomi (China) = foxtail millet, Setaria italica
* ragi (India) = finger millet, Eleusine coracana
Fwiw, these names in a mnemonic
* bajra/bajri (India) = pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum
* xiaomi (China) = foxtail millet, Setaria italica
* ragi (India) = finger millet, Eleusine coracana
Fwiw, these names in a mnemonic
April 27, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Could it help to use loanwords, like proso, to help establish identities for #millets as crops & foods? E.g.
* bajra/bajri (India) = pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum
* xiaomi (China) = foxtail millet, Setaria italica
* ragi (India) = finger millet, Eleusine coracana
Fwiw, these names in a mnemonic
* bajra/bajri (India) = pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum
* xiaomi (China) = foxtail millet, Setaria italica
* ragi (India) = finger millet, Eleusine coracana
Fwiw, these names in a mnemonic
Interesting item (among many) reflecting evolving public understanding of #millets. First time I've seen "proso" listed rather than "proso millet" in a diagram of grains. No problem (see 🧵). But then noted "millet," separately, w/ image resembling pearl millet
Source: www.freepik.com/premium-vect...
Source: www.freepik.com/premium-vect...
April 27, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Interesting item (among many) reflecting evolving public understanding of #millets. First time I've seen "proso" listed rather than "proso millet" in a diagram of grains. No problem (see 🧵). But then noted "millet," separately, w/ image resembling pearl millet
Source: www.freepik.com/premium-vect...
Source: www.freepik.com/premium-vect...
Remembering my parents on what would be their 70th anniversary today, April 16, 2025.
This photo was taken in 1985, I believe, at the Cadet Chapel, West Point, where they were married one fine spring day.
This photo was taken in 1985, I believe, at the Cadet Chapel, West Point, where they were married one fine spring day.
April 17, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Remembering my parents on what would be their 70th anniversary today, April 16, 2025.
This photo was taken in 1985, I believe, at the Cadet Chapel, West Point, where they were married one fine spring day.
This photo was taken in 1985, I believe, at the Cadet Chapel, West Point, where they were married one fine spring day.
This document makes many good points. Thank you,
Biofuel really isn't "green." It's a very inefficient conversion of solar energy, and land & water resources into potential energy, which is released by burning - with many of the same downsides of fossil fuel, plus environmental externalities.
Biofuel really isn't "green." It's a very inefficient conversion of solar energy, and land & water resources into potential energy, which is released by burning - with many of the same downsides of fossil fuel, plus environmental externalities.
March 31, 2025 at 12:27 PM
This document makes many good points. Thank you,
Biofuel really isn't "green." It's a very inefficient conversion of solar energy, and land & water resources into potential energy, which is released by burning - with many of the same downsides of fossil fuel, plus environmental externalities.
Biofuel really isn't "green." It's a very inefficient conversion of solar energy, and land & water resources into potential energy, which is released by burning - with many of the same downsides of fossil fuel, plus environmental externalities.
Laura Freele Osborn (c.1866-1955), long-time member of the Detroit Board of Education.
"I believe in #publiceducation - I believe in it passionately. My teaching certificate has inscribed on it 'The common school, the hope of our country.' It meant just that to me then, and it has ever since."
"I believe in #publiceducation - I believe in it passionately. My teaching certificate has inscribed on it 'The common school, the hope of our country.' It meant just that to me then, and it has ever since."
March 16, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Laura Freele Osborn (c.1866-1955), long-time member of the Detroit Board of Education.
"I believe in #publiceducation - I believe in it passionately. My teaching certificate has inscribed on it 'The common school, the hope of our country.' It meant just that to me then, and it has ever since."
"I believe in #publiceducation - I believe in it passionately. My teaching certificate has inscribed on it 'The common school, the hope of our country.' It meant just that to me then, and it has ever since."
Some events or outcomes are tragic, but of those, some result from evil intent & maybe illegal actions. For these, the word "tragic" by itself seems wholly inadequate.
Could "tragicriminal" be a better term for such situations? (Cf. "tragicomic.") Possible first use in 2018:
x.com/Rey_Brazil/s...
Could "tragicriminal" be a better term for such situations? (Cf. "tragicomic.") Possible first use in 2018:
x.com/Rey_Brazil/s...
March 15, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Some events or outcomes are tragic, but of those, some result from evil intent & maybe illegal actions. For these, the word "tragic" by itself seems wholly inadequate.
Could "tragicriminal" be a better term for such situations? (Cf. "tragicomic.") Possible first use in 2018:
x.com/Rey_Brazil/s...
Could "tragicriminal" be a better term for such situations? (Cf. "tragicomic.") Possible first use in 2018:
x.com/Rey_Brazil/s...
The best neighbor(s) in the world.
March 9, 2025 at 5:19 AM
The best neighbor(s) in the world.
Altho never employed by #USAID, I was connected with USAID projects in one capacity or another over the years. This agency was no more perfect than any other, but had many positives & many good people (US & HCN). Definitely not "evil." The way it & its people are being treated now is unconscionable.
February 5, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Altho never employed by #USAID, I was connected with USAID projects in one capacity or another over the years. This agency was no more perfect than any other, but had many positives & many good people (US & HCN). Definitely not "evil." The way it & its people are being treated now is unconscionable.
I had nuclear in its own category, since it has its own advantages & problems. Fwiw, here's an exploration done a few years ago (on a blog I haven't maintained consistently): donosborn.org/blog/2018/re...
In this diagram I attempted to regroup a range of energy categories. Other approaches possible
In this diagram I attempted to regroup a range of energy categories. Other approaches possible
January 26, 2025 at 3:23 AM
I had nuclear in its own category, since it has its own advantages & problems. Fwiw, here's an exploration done a few years ago (on a blog I haven't maintained consistently): donosborn.org/blog/2018/re...
In this diagram I attempted to regroup a range of energy categories. Other approaches possible
In this diagram I attempted to regroup a range of energy categories. Other approaches possible
However, the burning of forest biomass for energy is also classified as “renewable.”
www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/2020/open-le...
Not such a Great Transition to the extent that coal is being replaced with wood.
www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/2020/open-le...
Not such a Great Transition to the extent that coal is being replaced with wood.
January 26, 2025 at 12:35 AM
However, the burning of forest biomass for energy is also classified as “renewable.”
www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/2020/open-le...
Not such a Great Transition to the extent that coal is being replaced with wood.
www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/2020/open-le...
Not such a Great Transition to the extent that coal is being replaced with wood.
The familiar, looked at differently. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South-u...
January 22, 2025 at 3:28 AM
The familiar, looked at differently. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South-u...
Need to vary our perspectives.
January 22, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Need to vary our perspectives.
Mansur (my great3 grandfather) was a lawyer, businessman & politician in Lowell & Fitchburg, MA. He served 2 terms each in the Mass. House of Representatives & Senate, as well as some local offices. He later owned & edited the Kalamazoo (MI) Gazette (1862-65)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_...
January 6, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Mansur (my great3 grandfather) was a lawyer, businessman & politician in Lowell & Fitchburg, MA. He served 2 terms each in the Mass. House of Representatives & Senate, as well as some local offices. He later owned & edited the Kalamazoo (MI) Gazette (1862-65)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_...
Found this: Joseph W. Mansur's response to a request of public figures in Massachusetts for their positions on slavery. From The Liberator (Boston), 2 Nov 1838. www.newspapers.com/image/345997...
"I am opposed to slavery, in whatever form it may exist..."
Abolitionist sentiment was strong there.
"I am opposed to slavery, in whatever form it may exist..."
Abolitionist sentiment was strong there.
January 6, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Found this: Joseph W. Mansur's response to a request of public figures in Massachusetts for their positions on slavery. From The Liberator (Boston), 2 Nov 1838. www.newspapers.com/image/345997...
"I am opposed to slavery, in whatever form it may exist..."
Abolitionist sentiment was strong there.
"I am opposed to slavery, in whatever form it may exist..."
Abolitionist sentiment was strong there.