OK, OK I know Denmark is not a state. It's a country, the ancestral home of my mom, etc., You want more details? I have enclosed Wikipedia's page on the country that does more than share its name with a breakfast pastry, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark
But permit me an esoteric reference to the Bard without involving a lesson in geography.
The reason I am writing about Denmark is that I came across a really interesting article about how incredibly "green" Denmark is. I don't mean green like how Iceland is really green and Greenland is really, really icey, but in the environmental sense of the word.
There was a good article in the March 16, 2009 edition of TIME magazine entitled, "the Gutsy Superpower. How Denmark's green energy initiatives power its economy" by Bryan Walsh http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1881646,00.html#
I used to think that TIME magazine was kind of old and stogy, but they've had such good articles (of personal interest) lately that I'm seriously getting a subscription. Either that or I'm getting old. Eh.
Anyway, I've always considered the Danes honest, hardworking folk who don't seem to get all uppity over anything or demand more than their fair share of the global pie. I knew that my mom's family is from there and that's about all I knew.
However, I found out that Denmark is the world's leader in wind power. According to Wikipedia it is the 10th greenest country in the world, which is also good. Denmark is also home of Vestas, a manufacturer that has become the top producer of turbines.
This didn't just happen due to good luck and great timing. The Danish government made a commitment to producing and improving their wind power technology, including involving the utility companies to "purchase wind energy at a preferential price- thus guaranteeing a customer base." (-Bryan Walsh, "the Gusty Superpower,"TIME, March 16, 2009, 42-43) Like Field of Dreams, "if you build it, they will come."
This was due, mainly from the 1973 oil crisis. Denmark relied on petroleum, almost all of it imported. Sound familiar? Realizing that they were causing their own problems, they set about to fix it before it happened again. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. . .
We could stand to take a lesson from their book. I know that President Obama is super busy right about now, but this is why great leaders delegate! No time like the present, so let's learn from our friends who don't hate us.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
the New Venice?
I realized that April is almost over, and I only have one posting credited to the month of showers and spring flowers.
I attribute it to my mattress that is trying to kill me, rendering me with excruciating back pain (between the shoulder blades no less) that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, if I had enemies. I say a life well lived is the best revenge.
Therefore, I decided to post a little something something so that come fall when I am at USC (yay my #1 choice !!!) people won't think that I'm a pretentious idiot who just says that she has a blog, which she hasn't touched since 2007- that's my other blog- youneedaninja.blogspot.com, which has, like 3 recipes on it and that's about it. I don't even remember which e-mail it's tied to.
I have been thinking a lot about this whole economy (and how we got here), new urbanism, and Detroit, all of which will merit their own postings. But I had to share this bizarre concept that I discovered in an article from Wired's February 2009 issue called, "Live Free or Drown"
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/startups/magazine/17-02/mf_seasteading
There is an entrepreneur named Patri Friedman who is the executive director of a non-profit called, the Seasteading Institute. The Seasteading Institute has big plans to start a new society on water. Yes, water. Mr. Friedman is a former software engineer who worked for Google, but wanted to pursue something much bigger. (in full disclosure I do process some health insurance claims at my current position for Google) Mr. Friedman is also the son of libertarian legal theorist David Friedman and grandson of free-market economist Milton Friedman, who won the Nobel Prize (facts from Chris Baker's article)
I'll spare you the political ideology behind this idea. Suffice to say it'll be both laissez-faire (let do, literally > let things take their natural course) and laissez bon temps roule (let the good times roll)
Wired covered this story, not only because it's unusual, but also because the concept is supposed to be like a platform in the same sense that Linux is a platform, which can expand and build upon itself. This is definitely out of my depth, but the author of the article, Chris Baker, does an excellent job explaining it. If you know anyone who's a tech nerd/sociologist this may intrigue them.
My dad, though I love him dearly, sometimes entertains rather "unusual" thoughts about separating from the government, libertarian ideals, etc., But this concept takes the cake, past the people in Montana who want to succeed from the U.S. (good luck with that. . .), past the hermits and the recluses, even the Unabomber seems "normal" to a relative degree. These people and their motivations are interesting, no doubt about it, but they are seriously out there, both literally and figuratively.
I did think, however, that though there is technically a definite absence of any need for planners- what will they need people to help plan make sure that the world's first floating Wal-mart doesn't affect the quality of life of these post-libertarians- it draws striking parallels to the city of Venice, which I had ruminated on in my posting Ah Venice!. . .is sinking? (February 20th, 2009)
It's the same basic concept- people seeking freedom above all- from politics, social norms, etc., and constructing a new society on er, water. And it hasn't been done for hundreds of thousands of years, not counting the people who live on houseboats. People build new sub-divisions all the time, but a new society?! I mean a brand-new society! Far out man.
A short history of other entrepreneurs who attempted to build their own freestanding societies is included in the article.
I do doubt that the occupants of this new society will feel the need to steal treasures from other cultures, like the Venetians did by stealing the horses during the Crusades, most probably from the Hippodrome in Constantinople, though their point of origin remains in dispute.
You have to hand it to the people who believe that this really can work. It's like the kids that really grew up to be the astronauts and firefighters that they said that they wanted to be.
Or like the incredibly poetic line from one of my favorite works, the Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, one of society's overlooked philosophical tomes as it masquerades as a children's book,
"Now and then, though, someone does begin to grow differently. Instead of down, his feet grow up toward the sky. But we do our best to discourage awkward things like that."
"What happens to them?" insisted Milo.
"Oddly enough they often grow ten times the size of everyone else," said Alec thoughtfully. "and I've heard that they walk among the stars."
I attribute it to my mattress that is trying to kill me, rendering me with excruciating back pain (between the shoulder blades no less) that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, if I had enemies. I say a life well lived is the best revenge.
Therefore, I decided to post a little something something so that come fall when I am at USC (yay my #1 choice !!!) people won't think that I'm a pretentious idiot who just says that she has a blog, which she hasn't touched since 2007- that's my other blog- youneedaninja.blogspot.com, which has, like 3 recipes on it and that's about it. I don't even remember which e-mail it's tied to.
I have been thinking a lot about this whole economy (and how we got here), new urbanism, and Detroit, all of which will merit their own postings. But I had to share this bizarre concept that I discovered in an article from Wired's February 2009 issue called, "Live Free or Drown"
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/startups/magazine/17-02/mf_seasteading
There is an entrepreneur named Patri Friedman who is the executive director of a non-profit called, the Seasteading Institute. The Seasteading Institute has big plans to start a new society on water. Yes, water. Mr. Friedman is a former software engineer who worked for Google, but wanted to pursue something much bigger. (in full disclosure I do process some health insurance claims at my current position for Google) Mr. Friedman is also the son of libertarian legal theorist David Friedman and grandson of free-market economist Milton Friedman, who won the Nobel Prize (facts from Chris Baker's article)
I'll spare you the political ideology behind this idea. Suffice to say it'll be both laissez-faire (let do, literally > let things take their natural course) and laissez bon temps roule (let the good times roll)
Wired covered this story, not only because it's unusual, but also because the concept is supposed to be like a platform in the same sense that Linux is a platform, which can expand and build upon itself. This is definitely out of my depth, but the author of the article, Chris Baker, does an excellent job explaining it. If you know anyone who's a tech nerd/sociologist this may intrigue them.
My dad, though I love him dearly, sometimes entertains rather "unusual" thoughts about separating from the government, libertarian ideals, etc., But this concept takes the cake, past the people in Montana who want to succeed from the U.S. (good luck with that. . .), past the hermits and the recluses, even the Unabomber seems "normal" to a relative degree. These people and their motivations are interesting, no doubt about it, but they are seriously out there, both literally and figuratively.
I did think, however, that though there is technically a definite absence of any need for planners- what will they need people to help plan make sure that the world's first floating Wal-mart doesn't affect the quality of life of these post-libertarians- it draws striking parallels to the city of Venice, which I had ruminated on in my posting Ah Venice!. . .is sinking? (February 20th, 2009)
It's the same basic concept- people seeking freedom above all- from politics, social norms, etc., and constructing a new society on er, water. And it hasn't been done for hundreds of thousands of years, not counting the people who live on houseboats. People build new sub-divisions all the time, but a new society?! I mean a brand-new society! Far out man.
A short history of other entrepreneurs who attempted to build their own freestanding societies is included in the article.
I do doubt that the occupants of this new society will feel the need to steal treasures from other cultures, like the Venetians did by stealing the horses during the Crusades, most probably from the Hippodrome in Constantinople, though their point of origin remains in dispute.
You have to hand it to the people who believe that this really can work. It's like the kids that really grew up to be the astronauts and firefighters that they said that they wanted to be.
Or like the incredibly poetic line from one of my favorite works, the Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, one of society's overlooked philosophical tomes as it masquerades as a children's book,
"Now and then, though, someone does begin to grow differently. Instead of down, his feet grow up toward the sky. But we do our best to discourage awkward things like that."
"What happens to them?" insisted Milo.
"Oddly enough they often grow ten times the size of everyone else," said Alec thoughtfully. "and I've heard that they walk among the stars."
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Men of the World You Have Been Warned!
OK, as you all know, I try to keep this blog fairly academic. However, my friend at work sent this to me and after I picked myself up off the floor, having fallen out of my chair from laughing so hard I knew I needed to post this. Plus, I got into my school of choice- go Trojans!!! So I feel a little "safer" posting less than cerebral stuff every once in a while.
I also work on a computer all day and at the end of the day I don't want to be anywhere near a keyboard, but as my blog has been a little sparse these past few weeks I'll rectify that this weekend. In the meantime- enjoy!
NINE WORDS WOMEN USE -
(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine. (see #2)
(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bring on a 'whatever').
(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying Screw YOU!
(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.
I also work on a computer all day and at the end of the day I don't want to be anywhere near a keyboard, but as my blog has been a little sparse these past few weeks I'll rectify that this weekend. In the meantime- enjoy!
NINE WORDS WOMEN USE -
(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine. (see #2)
(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bring on a 'whatever').
(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying Screw YOU!
(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)