Archive for 2009

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Fuel The Movie

[ Comments Off ]Posted on February 26, 2009 by admin in Clean & Green, Popular Media

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

How Innovation Can Power The Future

Although I’m still convinced America would reap multiple benefits by fueling itself with its own fat, my mind is open to other possibilities. Which is why I’m intrigued with the Sundance Award winning documentary Fuel, directed by activist Josh Tickell, and based on his book Biodiesel America. The film explores America’s irrational history of dependence on the petrochemical industry, and through interviews with a surprising array of notable figures (Robert Kennedy Jr, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Richard Branson, and more), looks into the plethora of solutions to our numerous energy woes. Early reviews are mostly positive, and the film is scheduled for wider limited release beginning March 13, 2008. The Hulu clip here is from Tickell’s appearance on Jay Leno; see the trailer here, and visit the film’s web site for more information. One of the key pitches for the film involves talking about Rockefeller’s strategy to halt Ford’s first ethanol cars by backing prohibition. I just want to say that after some light research, this assertion seems a little feeble in my opinion; Ford himself aggressively supported prohibition. In any case, I can’t wait to see it for myself; it’s exciting to see this kind of interest in a film that takes a look at positive possibilities instead of just lazily re-stating the glaringly obvious flaws in our petrol-driven economies. Read the rest of this entry »

Hungry For Change

[ 6 Comments ]Posted on February 25, 2009 by admin in Politics

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

Hunger is a reality for 1 in 8 Americans – Support FeedingAmerica.org

I was impressed by the “We Will Rebuild” message of President Obama’s speech last night. Although I’m hesitant to start plugging into the idea that we’re entering a catastrophic depression, it’s been on my mind that things are already pretty bad in certain spots around the country, and I’ve been wondering if there was something in particular I might do to help out. Ironically, while we have problems here at home, I’m currently busy working on a project with a Kenya/US non-profit called Amara Conservation. Kenya’s pretty proud of the Obama connection, but has some problems of their own! As fate would have it though, I received an e-mail today from Dan Michel of Feeding America, asking that we help spread the word that an astounding 1 in 8 Americans don’t have enough to eat. In the clip at left, President Obama talks about places like Elkhart, Indiana, where the 15% unemployment rate is contributing to a situation in which the food banks are running out of food. Yes, right here in the states. Visit feedingamerica.org to learn more, or feedingamericacentral.org to download media to help you spread the word. If you have any worthwhile causes to promote, drop us a line, we’ll be glad to do what we can. Read the rest of this entry »

High Tech Arctic Transportation 1924-2008

[ Comments Off ]Posted on February 24, 2009 by admin in Technology

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

Screw-driven snow machines? How about “Screw Winter”…

One of the things that occasionally drives me nuts about living in Michigan (I know, I know, I should just get out) is the perpetual weather conversations. Every season – and don’t let anyone kid you, there are two: 3 months of Summer, 9 months of Winter – there’s a constant checking of weather web sites by MEN, who use it as a secret weapon to dictate the day’s activities, and an ongoing banter of “think it’s gonna rain?” or “I seen on the TEEvee we gonna get SIX INCHES.” So here I am, in what feels like the longest Winter on record (although so far last year will go down as the snowiest winter on record in Michigan, with 89 inches for the season) and what am I doing? TALKING ABOUT THE WEATHER! But I will now claim that it is not gratuitous weather chit chat, bacause I thought you should see the crazy Buck-Rogers-meets-farm-tractor snow vehicle from 1924 in the video at left. The clip looks almost fake at points, but I’m convinced the SPCA would have shut these guys down for the way they treat the horse in the film if it were filmed today. I find it amazing how much clever technology never finds its way into production. My pick for high-tech arctic travel would have to be the 2008 Lotus Model.

Does Obama Have A Message?

[ Comments Off ]Posted on February 23, 2009 by admin in Politics

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

I still have lots of Hope but I’m running out of Change

Like many, I was deeply moved by Barack Obama’s inauguration speech. In spite of this, I can’t at this moment remember a single word of what he said. And this troubles me slightly, in spite of my mild disdain for the sound-bite-centered language of the era we live in. I’ve recently been reading Words That Work by Frank Luntz, the man that has helped define the messages that have been helping the GOP win elections for over a decade. Luntz comes across to me as kind of an arrogant jerk, but I guess if you’re the Wizard to to the GOP’s Land of Oz, you’re entitled to poke out from behind the curtain once in a while. If you read around his gloating and self-aggrandizement, the book is full of excellent insights. Insights about language which I hope are put to work in Obama’s speech Tuesday night; this is an incredibly critical moment, with the global economy more obviously lurching back toward a downward spiral after what was feeling like a brief pause, and world leaders rattling sabres as they’re obligated to do at times like this. One hope I have is that he can provide a galvanizing message, as he did so well during the elections. America needs a simple set of words to pull it together. I certainly wouldn’t want Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau’s job at this point. See this US News piece for some amusing insight into how the guy works. Can he come up with the next “Nothing to fear but fear itself” or “Ask not what your country can do for you”?

Mardis Gras: The Sacred Rite of Beads For Boobs

[ 3 Comments ]Posted on February 23, 2009 by admin in Holidays

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Why I’m Giving Up Boobs For Lent

Unless someone buys me a plane ticket tomorrow, it looks like I’ll miss Mardi Gras once again. Which is okay by me, if this National Geographic Traveler article is any indication. Most of their suggestions seem to revolve around how not to be a blithering idiot, like “be wary of scam artists” or “don’t pee in public“. It otherwise has suggestions for how not to lose your family, friends, net worth, and personal freedom. Sounds like a great time down in New Orleans, doesn’t it? I have to laugh at people who proclaim that they’re not giving up anything for Lent because it’s a stupid Christian holiday, and then turn around and whoop it up about Mardi Gras, which is essentially Carnival, which is essentially a way to go nuts before you give up things for Lent. Haha! They gotcha anyway, you anti-Christan rebel you! And for an interesting look at how trading beads for boobs supports sweatshops in China, don’t miss the award-winning documentary Mardi Gras: Made in China

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