The solution is to close the brick-and-mortar post offices -- which the government has no clue how to run effectively -- and offer cheap franchising packages. We'll see new "Mailbox Etc." outlets open on every corner. Then the USPS can focus on what they do brilliantly -- door to door delivery.

Hog oilers are no longer in used because of modern pesticides and antibiotics. http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=hog+oiler

... Does It Look Like Michael Trucco?

Calling it GPS implies they are using external signals to locate. The article says the chimps are creating and using internal distance transform maps.

I find much of this review to be spot-on but for two big points:

religious orders have provided a certain amount of continuity, and have pursued theoretical scientific research

My own impression is that religious orders have pretty much receded to the fringe, but theoretical science morphed into a religion-like institution.

My other nitpick with the review is the criticism of the use of made-up words. Considering that the book is about parallel universes, and Arbre is an ever-so-slightly-alternate version of Earth, then it supports the story that there would be alternate words for everyday things.