Betsy Albright

Hence, therefore, the general government can never be in danger of being well administered. And if a government is not well administered, it must end in despotism, as other forms have done before it.

Ben Franklin
17 September 1787

#constitutionday
#foundingfathers
#philadelphia
#democracy

Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution, because I expect no better. … I doubt too whether any other convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution. For when you assemble men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with them all their prejudices…

I am glad my little Paper on the Aurora Borealis pleas’d.5 If it should occasion farther Enquiry, & so produce a better Hypothesis, it will not be wholly useless—
I am ever, with the greatest & most sincere Esteem, Dear Sir, Yours very affectionately
BF 8 February 1780 (written to Joseph Priestly)

O that moral Science were in as fair a Way of Improvement, that Men would cease to be Wolves to one another, and that human Beings would at length learn what they now improperly call Humanity.—

Agriculture may diminish its Labour & double its Produce. All Diseases may by sure means be prevented or cured, not excepting even that of Old Age, and our Lives lengthened at pleasure even beyond the antediluvian Standard.

It is impossible to imagine the Height to which may be carried in a 1000 Years the Power of Man over Matter. We may perhaps learn to deprive large Masses of their Gravity & give them absolute Levity, for the sake of easy Transport.

Dear Sir, I always rejoice to hear of your being still employ’d in Experimental Researches into Nature, and of the Success you meet with. The rapid Progress true Science now makes, occasions my Regretting sometimes that I was born so soon. 2/n

Concerned about our #democracy and (lack of) support of science, so dressed up as Ben Franklin today. Read the Constitution and a letter Ben wrote in 1780 about his vision of #science. Nothing like a little performance art at the Farmers Market on Wednesday afternoon. 1/n

Not sure what to do in response to what I see as violations of the #constitution, last week i embodied President John Adams and read our founding document at our local farmer’s market. I think I’ll do it again—but focus on Article I, Section 9, Clauses 2 and 8. #democracy #habeascorpus
#emoluments

Ignoring the federal happenings (at least for an hour) to focus on Durham’s Free Pie Celebration. Happy Pi Day!
#community
#piday
#durham

Oops, 2025. Today.

Oil Can.
13 March 2024

Charcoal on cardboard

In response to USEPA’s intention to roll back climate change, air pollution, and other environmental regulation.

#climatechange
#Art
#climateartist

USEPA released their intention to roll back climate change, air pollution and other regulations, including fuel efficiency standards. This is my artistic response.
#art
#climatechange

Been working on some paintings of their home to raise awareness (this one isn’t finished—day two of many). @altnps.bsky.social

Reverend Pauli Murray, a Black, non-binary civil rights activist and Episcopal priest grew up in our Durham neighborhood. Her childhood home is a National Historic Landmark, but the NPS website has been scrubbed of their full identity.

After much doing and undoing, i think i have finished my study of Andrew Wyeth’s Wind from the Sea (1947). It’s challenging but also kind of fun. I love Wyeth’s work.

23 February 2025
#art
#environment
#oilpainting
#artistsonbluesky

A Ball Jar
22 February 2025
#art
#artistsoninstagram
#artistonbluesky
#oilpainting
#stilllife

Started on a study of Andrew Wyeth’s Wind from the Sea (1947). It’s challenging but also kind of fun. I love Wyeth’s work. Not done yet.
16 February 2025
#Art
#artistsonbluesky

Supporting A Safe and Resilient LA Recovery

What does equitable, resilient LA fire recovery look like? Led by LCI'S @mullinmeg.bsky.social, UCLA research experts will provide data-informed policy recommendations to rebuild; retrofit buildings & catalyze climate-resiliency measures & investments @uclasustainablela.bsky.social bit.ly/40PRo3u

Honored to serve as UCLA PI on this effort.

We'll bring expertise from across UCLA & other area universities to support the Commission in rebuilding communities that are resilient to the climate conditions of our present & future.

@uclasustainablela.bsky.social @luskininnovation.bsky.social

checking out whether the Bluesky #Art feed works. Sorry for art repeat.

Teapot
5 February 2025
#canvasart
#oilpainfing
#stilllife

And by 5 January, i mean 5 February. Been a long month—lost track of days…#artistsoninstagram #artistsonbluesky
#tea
#teapot

Yesterday’s break from the 24-hour news cycle.
Teapot.
5 January 2025
#artistonbluesky #art #clumatechange #teapot

I'm speaking with our group of Masters of Environmental Management (MEM) Environmental Economics and Policy students at Duke Environment. Any wisdom, tips, and hints to share with students (soon to be on the job market) during this uncertain time? #USEPA #environment #policy #climate

Took a break from the world today to paint an apple cider press. Not done yet (need to fix the wheel), but close enough…. #art #artistsonbluesky #apple #cider #environmentalart

LA Wildfires: Loss, Recovery and Resilience It’s been more than two weeks since massive infernos started in Los Angeles. New fires just broke out near San Diego. As of when this episode was recorded, the Palisades and Eaton fires have killed at...

Collaborator @andrewrumbach.bsky.social talking about #wildfires and our #Marshallfire work. www.climateone.org/audio/la-wil...

Opinion | There Is No Way to Retreat From the Risk of Wildfires Some more realistic ways to think about the challenges ahead.

Lots of folks handwaving at managed retreat after the LA fires. It's a thorny business for floods that gets only thornier when applied to fire risk.

Essential reading from Liz Koslov @koslov.bsky.social & Katie McConnell on our future of living with fire.

Promoting Equitable Wildfire Recovery in Lahaina: Four Lessons for Local Leaders, from Colorado’s Marshall Fire As Lahaina local leaders embark on a years-long recovery process, they need to consider who they’re including in recovery decisions and who might be left behind.

Our Marshall #wildfire research group wrote this essay a couple years back, applying what we learned in the Marshall Fire in Boulder County to the Lahaina fire. Perhaps we should rewrite for the #LAfires #Palisades and #Eaton Fires. www.urban.org/urban-wire/p...

Generation Alpha in a Changing #Climate
5 January 2025

#climatechange
#climateanxiety
#climatecrisis
#oilpainting
#artistsonbluesky

Except I’ll spell Resilience correctly.