Apparently the transition has started:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/fashion/07campus.html?pagewanted=1&em

Not news to me, nor to any other field researchers, and apparently little recognized on an anecdotal level, but that will change soon enough.

The Zerbeda conference was invigorating. There is so much fascinating data being collected, it almost makes me feel hopeful about our work on this planet.

I will write more as soon as I am able. In my absence, it rained a good deal, causing the weeds in my garden to multiply. I have spent most of the last 36 hours weeding and, to my surprise, interacting a good deal with neighboring gardeners, who have become friendlier and more curious of late.