British Columbia : Frontier for Ideas

David Suzuki

In the coming years, as we are submerged in the Age of I nformation, the creativity of our people will be even more vital to the economic well-being of the province. [...] We are intrigued equally by the geologist-cum- prospector who pioneered the chemical analysis of vegetation to determine the mineral content of the earth beneath, as we are by the 'carpenter boss1 whose idea led to the development of an automatic side-dumping ore car, which became standard equipment in most of the world's leading mines. [...] From the moment we awaken under our warm blankets at the sound of the alarm until the end of the day when we sit in our armchairs watching television, we are using the accumulated practical ideas of the ages. [...] BUILDINGS OF STRENGTH AND BEAUTY Where the rain forests meet the sea, the Indians of the Northwest Coast built houses of huge cedar logs and cedar planks. [...] At the back of the house were the sleeping compartments of the important families who lived in the house.