海角大神

The idea of 鈥渁djusted expectations鈥� can carry a whiff of compromise. This week brought reminders that the adjustment can also be upward.

It began with post-Oscar buzz about Frances McDormand鈥檚聽聽for 鈥渋nclusion riders鈥� 鈥� at least one production company quickly聽. Melinda Gates would opine about the聽聽of putting money in 鈥渢he hands of women who have the authority to use it.鈥�

It was mostly symbolic that some outlets of American cultural juggernaut McDonald鈥檚聽聽to form a W in a salute to women. It was arguably at least a small cultural shift when carmakers at a聽聽shed the tradition of decorative 鈥渂ooth babes.鈥�

Then there were聽. A supercolony of more than 1.5 million birds 鈥� Ad茅lies, thought to be in rapid decline 鈥� is now known to exist on the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Perspective about the tiny birds鈥� plight was shifted from space. Satellite images had revealed massive guano fields.

Finally, a development on聽. The state is overproducing relative to its goals. It set two big records this month alone. That stands to renew a push to adopt much more aggressive targets. Old mandate: half the state鈥檚 electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Now, how about 100 percent by 2045? That鈥檚 raising expectations.

Now to our five stories for your Friday, highlighting the importance of equal opportunity, of always favoring a closer look, and of choosing innovation over closing doors.