Ideas and knowledge of the essence. By Rafael Fraga and Edmundo Rodrigues.

Latest posts

(How) we did it - Europe just banned bee-killing pesticides!!

“It was a close vote, but thanks to a massive mobilisation by Avaaz members, beekeepers, and others, we won! I have no doubt that the floods of phonecalls and emails to ministers, the actions in London, Brussels and Cologne, and the giant petition with 2.6 million signers made this result possible.

Text by AVAAZ 2/05/2013

Take Off Right From the Beach

March 20th marks the beginning of Spring, which means Summer is just around the corner. Maho Beach in the Caribbean is not your conventional destination, but instead a place where you go to be marveled by airplanes and be jet blasted into the ocean.
Text by Edmundo Rodrigues 20/03/2013

idea mater is a place where history, arts, science and every day life reflections meet. By Rafael Fraga and Edmundo Rodrigues.

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Header/ photo of the week: "Winter Afternoon" in Kingston, Ontario - Photo by Edmundo Rodrigues

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I do not drink. So what?

I don't drink and never have. And most people get surprised, curious and even shocked: a Portuguese guy, musician (!) that doesn't drink? Unreal. "How can he endure life without the pleasure of a glass of wine?", they wonder.
Well, it's time for some answers!

Text by Rafael Fraga, 6/02/2013

Ravel and Albert Barnes: accidents, art and corruption

EN | The French composer Maurice Ravel and the American researcher and philanthropist Albert Barnes had assets estimated to be worth millions of dollars - and they were literally stolen. Study-cases in which money and power-driven individuals manage to manipulate public services and institutions.

Text by Rafael Fraga, 31/01/2013

The Guardian: two Portuguese highlights of the day

EN | They are not about state-of-the-art achievements nor world acclaimed contributions in science or arts. But they aren't about the economical crisis, political issues or corruption either - ups, pleonasm-o-meter reaching red, sorry for that! Shortie by Rafael Fraga, 30/01/13

The Power of Time... Lapse Photography

EN | There are moments in our day to day that are better described with a simple picture. A brief look at Toronto and the effectiveness of time lapse videos in portraying cities; where I share with you my two favourite clips of the city I call home and Vancouver.
Text by: Edmundo Rodrigues, 19/01/13

Self Portraits and Flowers on Mars

EN | The NASA Rover Curiosity has exploring the surface of Mars for just over 130 days now, after completing a 8.5 month journey from the Earth. By Edmundo Rodrigues, 4/01/2013

A man with a story: Varthema's trip

EN | After the previous post where Ludovico de Varthema and his book were presented, it's time to better understand who he was and the relevance of his work. A portrait of the man, his trip and account.
Text and graphics by Rafael Fraga 16/01/13

The andon cord of life and two stories about football

EN | This week I turned 35 - a round number, dangerously making me approach what shall be the middle point of my life-expectancy. A reflection on friendship, football and on the waste of early death - Aaron Swartz's tragedy.
Text by Rafael Fraga, 21/01/2013

The Green man welcoming at the Jerónimos

EN | A glimpse at the marvellous Green Man that welcomes us in the Jerónimos Monastery, in Lisbon, introducing Gothic architecture and alchemy as two main topics of my posts. By Rafael Fraga, 5/01/2013

Camera Assassin: The Smartphone

EN | The cell phone has pushed its way into our daily lives and the point-and-shoot camera is quickly being pushed to the edge of the tech radar. But this revolution isn't all bad news... By: Edmundo Rodrigues, 9/01/13

Children, big ladies and a Virgin in the Red Light

EN | On the heart of the Red Light District, in Amsterdam, religious art and contrasting worlds are explored. A dive in Dutch culture, to the amazement of tourists and occasional pass by viewers, revealing one of the many admiring subtleties the city has to offer. Text and photos by Rafael Fraga, 7/01/13

City of Children: an unique submarine

EN | Shaped by the hands of Angolan children, the Submarino Cidade da Criança is an amazing creation which perfectly reinterprets Noah's Ark, one of Mankind's most important myths. Text & photos by Rafael Fraga, 4/01/2013