Reinke Faces Life

http://brownlovesgreen.com/2011/09/10/clean-cars-mean-green-jobs

Clean Cars Mean Green Jobs

SEPTEMBER 10, 2011

by Lindsay E. Brown

*** begin quote ***

It’s one of my life’s great ironies; I loathe the big, bad oil companies, and yet my boyfriend and I purchase it every week. We’re saving up to change that, but it’s besides my point.

*** and ***

The electric vehicle (EV) industry is bringing automotive production back home and creating jobs. With the technology for EVs steadily improving, and gas prices volatile, consumers are more interested in EVs than ever before.

Our economy and our citizens will not only benefit from domestic production, just like we did way back when, but also in the production of powertrains, batteries packs, and other components.

*** and ***

The Chevy Volt is another fine example of a hybrid-electric car that’s creating jobs for Americans. In the past year, GM has invested nearly $1 billion in electric vehicles. Their investment of $270 million on an electric motor plant near Baltimore, Md., will create more than 200 green-collar and managerial positions, along with hundreds of assembly-line jobs when the plant starts production.

*** end quote ***

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Electric cars are not the solution. At least not yet; who knows what the future will hold. In the meantime, there are two type of “green people”. The watermelons, for whom green is about control of people. And, all the rest who are dreamy idealists.

Economics, that dismal science, tells us that there are resources that are scarce. There are different political systems for allocating them. Free market capitalism, which is not what is practiced in the USA, has been shown to equalize opportunity while spreading benefits in a complex calculus that makes everyone roughly equally happy / unhappy. When Gooferment leaves people to their own devices, magic happens. Stuff (wealth) gets created. Up out of the masses yearning to be free comes immense benefits. Our “poor” are far better off than the “poor” of the past. Our “poor” are far better off than the “poor” in third world countries.

While your love affair with electric cars is “cute”, the economics are not there. Despite Gooferment putting its giant “thumb” on the economics, electric cars aren’t solving folks’ problems. Are not “satisfying their needs”. Hence, they spend their limited wealth of the stuff that does. This begs the question that if the Gooferment had stayed out of the problem and there was a true need, maybe other solutions would have been created. But we only have what we have now BECAUSE the Gooferment preempted that development in its conceit that it KNOWS what the right answer it.

The electric car is an Edsel that no one wants. It’s expense, even with the Gooferment subsidy. It’s limited in range and useful lifespan. It’s new and therefore assumed to be “buggy”. And, had the characteristics of a “lifeboat” (i.e., limited range). And, it’s usefulness presumes and “refiling” infrastructure that isn’t there (i.e., “gas” recharging stations). Over and above that, even if they could be recharged at home, where does that juice come from? Coal fired plants! Also, in an accident or at the end of its useful life, what happens to that battery.

No, electric cars are an idea who’s time has not come yet. If it ever does. I’m sure a lot of fat old white guy injineers are working on the problem hoping to hit it rich. But till then you’re left with the mean old nasty oil companies who make life good and imho get excoriated for doing so. (They really don’t earn that much money when you look at the investment.) And, those oil companies are really fictions for a lot of employees and pensioners.

Sorry, TANSTAFL. You want today’s benefits; it comes to you on oil.

# – # – #

GM is Gooferment Motors. Don’t get me started on this idiocy. How many dollars have been wasted on picking this pig? Start with the robbing of the bond holders. Argh!

# # # # #

http://www.geekosystem.com/japanese-wind-power/

A CLEANER GREENER CITY
Japanese Innovation Could Make Wind Power Cheaper Than Nuclear
Fukushima Kyushu University wind lens wind power
by Eric Limer | 11:18 am, August 31st, 2011

*** begin quote ***

Wind lens construction and installation, compared to constructing additional pylons windmills, is trivial, and while the extra toll on turbines could require more maintenance, it is again trivial compared to building more windmills. In short, wind lenses could make wind energy a possible alternative to traditional power sources instead of just a supplement like it is today.

*** end quote ***

Interesting for two reasons:

Directly, if wind power can be made equivalent to nukes, then why wouldn’t we do it. It’d be cheaper.

Indirectly, why is this significant work being done in Japan? Where are the scientists and engineers in the USA?

Argh!

# # # # #

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/05/business/in-internet-age-postal-service-struggles-to-stay-solvent-and-relevant.html

Postal Service Is Nearing Default as Losses Mount
By STEVEN GREENHOUSE
Published: September 4, 2011

*** begin quote ***

The United States Postal Service has long lived on the financial edge, but it has never been as close to the precipice as it is today: the agency is so low on cash that it will not be able to make a $5.5 billion payment due this month and may have to shut down entirely this winter unless Congress takes emergency action to stabilize its finances.

*** end quote ***

An idea who’s time has past?

# # # # #

http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-internet-archive-tries-to-get-digital-copy-of-every-web-page-printed-book-20110825,0,6876833.story

“Internet Archive” Tries to Get Digital Copy of Every Web Page & Printed Book

*** begin quote ***

Robert Miller is director of books for the archive, he’s helping bring Khale’s vision to life. Miller says that since he was a boy, Brewster yearned to recreate the ancient library of Alexandria, said to house 20-30% of the world’s knowledge under one roof.

*** end quote ***

An amazing accomplishment.

How do they handle “copyright”?

http://openlibrary.org/

# # # # #

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14717695

31 August 2011 Last updated at 04:44 ET
Tests show fastest way to board passenger planes
By Jason Palmer
Science and technology reporter, BBC News

*** begin quote ***

The most common way of boarding passenger planes is among the least efficient, tests have shown.

The best method has been the subject of study for years but now various approaches have been put to the test.

Boarding those in window seats first followed by middle and aisle seats results in a 40% gain in efficiency.

However, an approach called the Steffen method, alternating rows in the window-middle-aisle strategy, nearly doubles boarding speed.

*** end quote ***

Not likely that the airlines will change.

And, “We, The Sheeple” will not comply.

I still like my idea of treating people like cargo. Load the plane like the cargo pod. In “long coffins”! Slide the pod on and off the plan.

In the old days, luggage was handled by hand. Now cargo goes in pods.

Why not people?

# # # # #

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-secret-language-code

Mind Matters | Mind & Brain
The Secret Language Code
Psychologist James Pennebaker reveals the hidden meaning of pronouns
By Gareth Cook | August 16, 2011 | 5

*** begin quote ***

These differences hold up across written and spoken language and most other languages that we have studied. You can’t help but marvel at the fact that we are all bombarded by words from women and men every day of our lives and most of us have never “heard” these sex differences in language. Part of the problem is that our brains aren’t wired to listen to pronouns, articles, prepositions, and other “junk” words. When we listen to another person, we typically focus on what they are saying rather than how they are saying it.

Men and women use language differently because they negotiate their worlds differently. Across dozens and dozens of studies, women tend to talk more about other human beings. Men, on the other hand, are more interested in concrete objects and things. To talk about human relationships requires social and cognitive words. To talk about concrete objects, you need concrete nouns which typically demand the use of articles.

No matter what your sex, if you have to explain that Sally is leaving her husband because of her new lover, you have to make references to all the actors and you have to do some fairly complex cognitive analyses. If you have to explain why your carburetor in your car is broken, your causal analysis will likely be relatively pallid and will involve referring to concrete nouns.

*** end quote ***

So where is the website that analyzes my emails and tells me what a wack job I am? I can use the dikw (i.e., data, information, knowledge, wisdom) to figure out how to get from here to there.

Argh!

# # # # #

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/remote-controlled-truck-soldier-afghanistan-saves-soldiers-lives/story?id=14225434

Afghanistan War: Hobbyists’ Toy Truck Saves 6 Soldiers’ Lives
By NED POTTER (@NedPotterABC)
Aug. 4, 2011

*** begin quote ***

Staff Sgt. Christopher Fessenden is on duty in Afghanistan now after tours with the Army in Iraq. He has traveled with standard-issue equipment — weapons, helmet, uniform, boots and so forth — plus a radio-controlled model truck his brother Ernie sent.

*** end quote ***

Like the body armor!

(When a young man I know went to the sandbox, I volunteered to buy him a dragon. The Army was woefully unprepared; I wasn’t. I studied ballistic armor. Six months later, towns were having fund raising to properly equip their children. Argh!)

Like the Civil War, the Generals fought using tactics developed in the English and French wars a century before. With bloody consequences.

We need to be like Switzerland. Defend our borders and MYOB!

# # # # #

http://www.economist.com/node/21524822

Schumpeter
The trouble with outsourcing
Outsourcing is sometimes more hassle than it is worth
Jul 30th 2011

*** begin quote ***

Companies are rethinking outsourcing, rather than jettisoning it. They are dumping huge long-term deals in favour of smaller, less rigid ones. The annualised value of “mega-relationships” worth $100m or more a year fell by 62% this year compared with last. Companies are forming relationships with several outsourcers, rather than putting all their eggs in few baskets. They are signing shorter contracts, too. But still, they need to think harder about what is their core business, and what is peripheral. And above all, newspaper editors need to say no to the temptation to outsource business columns to cheaper, hungrier writers.

*** end quote ***

Having seen some of the disasters from bad outsourcing deals, it’s not always a winner for everyone.

Clearly, to be competitive, USA industry and “We, The Sheeple” have to be razor sharp.

# # # # #

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_bfd1cc1c-089b-5682-9465-955bcab1fbea.html

Home / News / Local / Metro
Officials say mummified Jennings woman thought dead for years was receiving benefits
BY MARLON A. WALKER • mwalker@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8104 | Posted: Tuesday, August 2, 2011 12:07 am |

*** begin quote ***

JENNINGS • A woman whose mummified remains were found earlier this year in the Jennings home she had shared with her daughter had been receiving Social Security benefits, the agency confirmed Monday.

*** end quote ***

Remember when some genius eliminated mailing Social Security checks saving a lot of administrative expense?

Well, here’s the collateral damage.

Making old folks show up at the bank with their check at least ensured that they were alive and hence being properly paid.

It may be a good trade off but there should be a compensating control.

# # # # #

http://picocool.com/travel/edge-walk–cn-tower-toronto-1

*** begin quote ***

Edge Walk | Cn Tower Toronto

EdgeWalk at the CN Tower, has become Toronto’s most extreme attraction. Thrill lovers will walk on the edge of one of the world’s tallest buildings, 356m/1168ft (116 storeys) above the ground. Visitors will walk in groups of six, while attached to an overhead safety rail via a trolley and harness system.

*** end quote ***

This is one of those pictures that will make you wonder if they have lost their minds.

It’s one of those that makes me sick!

I’d need more than a safety harness.

# # # # #

http://blog.ted.com/2011/08/02/ted-books-hit-apples-ibookstore

TED Books hit Apple’s iBookstore

*** begin quote ***

Great news: TED Books are now available on Apple’s iBookstore. It’s an exciting time for publishing, and we’re glad to work with Apple to make TED Books available to as many readers as possible. TED Books, which launched earlier this year, are an imprint of short nonfiction works designed for digital distribution. Shorter than traditional books, TED Books run fewer than 20,000 words each–long enough to explain a powerful idea, but short enough to be read in a single sitting. They are $2.99.

{Extraneous Deleted}

The Happiness Manifesto: How Nations and People Can Nurture Well-Being by Nic Marks; Weekday Vegetarian: Finally, a Palatable Solution by Graham Hill with Alex Estes; Media Makeover: Improving the News One Click at a Time by Alisa Miller; Beware Dangerism! Why We Worry About the Wrong Things and What It’s Doing to Our Kids by Gever Tulley; Make Love Not Porn: Technology’s Hardcore Impact on Human Behavior by Cindy Gallop; Homo Evolutis: Please Meet the Next Human Species by Juan Enriquez and Steve Gullans; and Aftercrimes, Geoslavery, and Thermogeddon: Thought-Provoking Words from a Lexicographer’s Notebook by Erin McKean.

*** end quote ***

TED is interesting thinking about technology.

Three bucks is cheap!

# # # # #

http://www.networkworld.com/news/tech/2011/080211-80211-networks.html

Why Wi-Fi as we know it is in trouble
Today, 8/02/11, is the perfect time to contemplate the future of 802.11 networks
By Bill McFarland, VP of technology for Qualcomm Atheros, special to Network World
August 02, 2011 12:08 AM ET

*** begin quote ***

With 1 trillion-plus devices coming online soon, it’s imperative that the 802.11ac standard gets ratified, and devices are launched as soon as possible. 802.11n was slowed by vendor in-fighting. It’s critical to avoid such foot-dragging this time, since we are entering an era where Internet-connected devices will be responsible for everything from flood control in dams to airport runway safety.

*** end quote ***

An argument AGAINST cloud?

Even if you have connectivity, all the rich content will crowd you out.

Interesting.

And, the prediction is that it will become an internet of things.

# # # # #

http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/05/why-and-how-i-self-published-a-book/

Why and How I Self-Published a Book
Posted by James Altucher on May 22nd, 2011

*** begin quote ***

I just self-published a book. “How to Be the Luckiest Person Alive”. I published it in paperback form, kindle form, and free PDF (see directions below to get free PDF). The entire process took me three weeks. Using an established publisher would’ve taken over a year.

*** end quote ***

I did mine with Lulu. He did his with Amazon.

Is there any doubt that the publishing industry is dead?

Borders is just the first casualty.

Content is king!

# # # # #

http://netjmc.com/future-intranet/way-of-working/real-time-intranet-from-20-years-ago

Real-time intranet from 20 years ago
July 25, 2011 | Comments (0), | Categories: New Ways of Working |

*** begin quote ***

My first vision of the potential of intranets was back in 1994 when an Italian engineer working at an American company located in Sophia Antipolis, high tech park in the South of France, showed me the famous, now defunct, Trojan Room coffee pot at Cambridge University from his own desktop in France.

*** end quote ***

I have several Dunkin Donuts in my area.

My grand niece in law, and her two siblings, my grand nephews in law, all under 10 ish, have very specific likes in donuts. I was invited to dinner and as usual I was tasked to bring the donuts.

I arrived at the closest DD and to my horror I find I can’t complete the usual order.

Aside: DD has committed terminal stupidity. Cost cutting the bakers. Donuts are delivered daily. When they are out they are out. You can but your favorites as long as they have them. Dumb! Certainly, opens a hole for a competitor who wants to go back to the old model. Fresh donuts baked as needed. Stupid.

So, why don’t they have a real time display of what’s for sale at each of the three locations. I can go where I can get my order filled.

Better yet, why can’t I submit my order by the web and be assured it’s ready for me.

Bottom line: I substituted, children didn’t seem to mind, but I didn’t have the kind I liked. Dissatisfied Customer.

(What’s worse. I blog.)

Think anyone at DD will notice?

# # # # #