Plugs are great things.
Better yet, they can often easily be duplicated. But maybe not the kind you might be thinking of.
Just now I was talking to my tech guru, who has the unenviable job of keeping a site he inherited from someone else working, even when he 'wouldn't have done it that way'.
I was asking him about Google Analytics. Seems I should be on top of such things.
Anyways, he was guiding me through when there was a pause, and he then asked if I'd done anything lately. 'No, why?' I asked. 'Because you are showing a serious spike' he said.
And now we think we have the reason: a nice mention in a nice post from a nice person on a great blog, Karen's therubbishdiet, which is why it is on my link list.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
On blogging and social networking... art & science
I went to a fascinating talk on these subjects last night at Cardiff University.
And, as a consequence, the next blog is born. The speaker, Dr. Kelly Page, shared and raised many aspects that I, at least, valued, and would suggest that if this is a topic you are interested in too (as content creator or just surfer/reader/seeker of stuff), this link is to be recommended, as this seminar, and other topics, will be uploaded, covered, and discussed.
A gifted speaker, she sparked a lot in my imagination and, I am sure others present.
As she was open to helping if she could, I have written to her, in the hope she may be able to help me with the issues, problems and opportunities I face with Junkk.com and this associated blog.
It does also serve, in edited form as a summary of some topics covered to 'give you a flavour', but mainly this shares, warts and all, what I am facing here. Read on at your discretion. Feel free to offer advice if it's constructive!
Talk about topical!
No sooner do I sit down to gather my thoughts whilst engaging in my morning trawl of the 'net and newsletters and feeds, and look what contradictory, depressing and/or inspirational information one gets bombarded with (how this is currently happened being relevant, which I'll come back to later on):
http://www.brandrepublic.com/Revmail/News/887524/Skittles-pulls-Twitter-feed-homepage/?DCMP=EMC-Revolution-Bulletin
http://www.brandrepublic.com/Revmail/News/886043/OMG-Twitter-is-like-so-2008/?DCMP=EMC-Revolution-Bulletin
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/shane_richmond/blog/2009/03/04/10_features_to_improve_twittercom
http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/04/facebook-mark-zuckerberg-technology-internet_facebook.html?partner=technology_newsletter
http://adage.com/digitalnext/article?article_id=135034
A WEE BIT OF BACKGROUND
By way of a quick potted history, I am a creative (this is significant, as so much with the web requires business experience rolled in) ad man from a dinosaur age, who nonetheless saw and still sees technology as the way forward. And as a karmic correction for being a wee bit too good at getting folk to buy stuff they don't need and fly places more often than necessary, I created Junkk.com.
Basically it was... is... 'Friend's Reunited for rubbish'. In many ways it was ahead of its time (no good thing), combining social networking with communities with databasing and search. It was, at the time, cutting edge. Now... it is steam-driven. I designed the basic concept, but it was created by experts. The kind that get Linda Evangelista to wake them up, and she famously claimed not to do so for less than $10k.
And I have blundered along, alone, making it what it is. There have been highs, such as many awards and even awesome PR on occasion, and one point a few years ago when (possibly due to that PR) it had a high of 120,000 unique monthly visitors. And even my relatively new, opt-in newsletter grows daily, now around 3,000 registrants.
But there have been, and are still lows, such as taking my eye of many balls and seeing the monthly visits drop to the few thousands, the Forum stutter and die (you mentioned possible bolt-on scripts to help here, but do remember this site is steam driven and I think HTML rather than XML, especially 'back-end') and all other manner of missed opportunities. Not good for something with a model based on ad revenue based on traffic.
I attended the talk based on a simple notion... getting the traffic back up. And when that happens, the ad revenue might yet appear to allow me to run the site as I would wish. But this belies the fact that I did have it 'working' once, and dropped that ball. There is no reason that, even if I do drive traffic again, using the methodologies shared, the same will not eventually happen again.
I lack key areas of expertise, skill sets, and strategy. Maybe there's a chance that at least I may be pointed in better directions, or indeed to some who may help. I can't work much harder, but I can work smarter. Sadly, much is down to having the personnel, but as that is an area that cannot be addressed until the chicken starts making golden eggs, I need to prioritise first, make money next, and then delegate.
I commissioned a full consultant report recently, and the site got slaughtered, over a dozen jargon-heavy pages. I think it has huge problems to be sure, but none that cannot be addressed, and make it worth persevering. Too many people like it, and what I am trying to do wit it not to at least try.
ABOUT LAST NIGHT
This would lead to my first comment about the lecture. It is hard, if not impossible to be all things to all people, but often I sense that such events, from overarching funders (EU, RDAs) down, that while the target is SME's, very often the pitch is the high end of the big "M", and very often the majority of attendees, like me, are from the very small 's' rump.
Hence, many things, whilst inspirational, can be outside of our financial, expertise and hence practical reach. Like I joked, when folk say 'get your head of IT to call our head of IT', I rather have to choke on the reply that, along with most other daily functions, that person is me. Equally, whilst I'd love to hire an intern for a year to (wo)man a webcam, that person has to eat to live, as do I. The ROI can bite, in all senses of that word. I actually had one who came for two months and ended staying two years, but sadly my funds could not sustain her immense value and contributions, hence a tail off in the site's performance and visitor levels.
The issue of monetisation was all rather left to the end, and also a tad 'high-end'. I think I identified three basic 'models', with the first two being perhaps the more highly represented in the audience and hence being satisfied more by what you covered:
* e-commerce - even to most basic levels, social networking can of course be a driver to the site, and hence purchase opps.
* branding - again, this can be of great value, but may even not result in any site linkage. Merely keeping the brand top of
mind at POP is enough
* traffic - my situation. I am trying to operate a publisher, 'build it and they will come... and if they pass through so will guys who want to reach them', rather discredited old dot bomb model. Kinda what I am stuck with.
But though advertising was referred to, it was not really in the context I would have valued knowing more about. In fact few, if any of the examples showed do I recall having a banner or button, which required a person to visit first and then click on to generate revenue.
I know, I need massive help here. I knew enough to build the site for this very purpose and did much I am proud of in this regard (inc: 1) a fortune on legals, to protect not only myself and the site, but and brands who engage with ideas and or ads; it is still well ahead in this, 2) data protection; again at the top limit, with positive opt-ins or newsletter and/or 3rd party follow ups and 3) health and safety warning options. It is not great on disability compliance any more, but that is a matter of money and the vast database I need to address, mainly uploaded by the public. I am sure it can and will be sorted).
Sadly there was not enough time for more questions in the room, but one I was going to ask related to CRM, though maybe this does not fall under social networking umbrella. I refer to reaching out to and staying in touch once someone has expressed an interest. Again my knowledge is limited to talk sensibly at this juncture, but I refer to such as RSS feeds and/or emails, etc. I can only share my own experiences, on both sides of the coin here.
Though I am registered with almost all of the social networking sites mentioned (FaceBook (hunting down after I write a possible avenue I noted on a slide... Green Patch?), MySpace, twitter, Bebo, Linked In... and many more) I barely 'use' them (may explain a lot - can't even recall half the log-ins) even as in individual (as a business not at all, yet, hence my attendance). It's a sad excuse, but I don't feel I have the time. One too many initial pokes, friend invites from 'Candy' or pointless 140-character rambles draining my day and I switched off. I have to, and enjoy reading prodigiously, and turn much into content of value for my site and/or blogs.
But I have noticed that my time-poor life means that RSS's are now left unchecked, at least as I have them on my Mac/Safari combo, as they come in to a folder I forget to access. Equally I don't check the Times or Telegraph online unless I remember I should. What I do do is open and read email summaries that come in, especially with pictures, a brief line and a link. This ranges from The Guardian to the Indy to Trade rags... to some blogs.
This, my main blog, is on Blogger. I know it is widely read and by useful folk (a pommy whinge once resulted in a Tesco Director giving me a £1k invite to a conference he was at). It is not linked to anything, and especially the very site it refers to!!!! I have tried to pop a few things as Google ads on them, but they are poorly coordinated at best.
I have no clue on Adsense vs. Adwords on any of them.
I get great stuff from folk daily (I think weekly is better, mind) usually from such as Feedburner.. FREE! I use dotmailer (waaaay too infrequently - losing hordes between mailings through folk changing newsletter recipient hot/g-mail email addys like they do underwear and firewall issues), which is as mailwashed, spam-safe as you can get... but cost me £35 a mailing... monthly... if I get my act together.
Other areas were covered, such as Wikis, the IAB (should I join?), google, vlogs, podcasts, etc. So many to check, so few to really add value?
I see the value, and hence need to do all you suggested, and get on all you shared. But my ad experience restrains me because you 'shouldn't do it until you can do it right, keep on doing it... and keep on making it ever better'. I don't want to go in half-cocked, and make a mess with the set up, running, responses, moderation, etc.
I see value in creating entities to complement a Junkk.com and Junkk Male RE:view that are themselves much better integrated first, and then use these to drive traffic in, and around, and up. Then get round to addressing monetising. The first I might be able to do on my own, with a bit of help from my basic-HTML savvy, pro-am web-designer-skilled, Second Life (we have plans to integrate this too! She runs global concerts all the time - I see enviro apps aplenty. Plus, as they present, others) champion missus.
Being very immersed as a user, one direction I see much more value in pursuing is focussing on solutions, rather than discussions. There are billions out there having spats on climate change and knocking spots off each other. The core of Junkk.com is a niche, reuse and repair, with elements of pragmatic reduction, and the much more popular (though low end-benefit to consumers, IMHO) recycling in there too. Plus it offers ideas, and the opportunity to share them.
I would seek to make the Junkk.com site the pre-eminent global portal for these topics, offering true, free value to the public, and in so doing a sustainable business model by 'green' marketers seeing the benefit of being there too to talk to and/or reach this highly targeted audience.
Sorry for the ramble. I'd have sent this as a tweet, but it may have run a tad over 140 characters:)
And, as a consequence, the next blog is born. The speaker, Dr. Kelly Page, shared and raised many aspects that I, at least, valued, and would suggest that if this is a topic you are interested in too (as content creator or just surfer/reader/seeker of stuff), this link is to be recommended, as this seminar, and other topics, will be uploaded, covered, and discussed.
A gifted speaker, she sparked a lot in my imagination and, I am sure others present.
As she was open to helping if she could, I have written to her, in the hope she may be able to help me with the issues, problems and opportunities I face with Junkk.com and this associated blog.
It does also serve, in edited form as a summary of some topics covered to 'give you a flavour', but mainly this shares, warts and all, what I am facing here. Read on at your discretion. Feel free to offer advice if it's constructive!
Talk about topical!
No sooner do I sit down to gather my thoughts whilst engaging in my morning trawl of the 'net and newsletters and feeds, and look what contradictory, depressing and/or inspirational information one gets bombarded with (how this is currently happened being relevant, which I'll come back to later on):
http://www.brandrepublic.com/Revmail/News/887524/Skittles-pulls-Twitter-feed-homepage/?DCMP=EMC-Revolution-Bulletin
http://www.brandrepublic.com/Revmail/News/886043/OMG-Twitter-is-like-so-2008/?DCMP=EMC-Revolution-Bulletin
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/shane_richmond/blog/2009/03/04/10_features_to_improve_twittercom
http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/04/facebook-mark-zuckerberg-technology-internet_facebook.html?partner=technology_newsletter
http://adage.com/digitalnext/article?article_id=135034
A WEE BIT OF BACKGROUND
By way of a quick potted history, I am a creative (this is significant, as so much with the web requires business experience rolled in) ad man from a dinosaur age, who nonetheless saw and still sees technology as the way forward. And as a karmic correction for being a wee bit too good at getting folk to buy stuff they don't need and fly places more often than necessary, I created Junkk.com.
Basically it was... is... 'Friend's Reunited for rubbish'. In many ways it was ahead of its time (no good thing), combining social networking with communities with databasing and search. It was, at the time, cutting edge. Now... it is steam-driven. I designed the basic concept, but it was created by experts. The kind that get Linda Evangelista to wake them up, and she famously claimed not to do so for less than $10k.
And I have blundered along, alone, making it what it is. There have been highs, such as many awards and even awesome PR on occasion, and one point a few years ago when (possibly due to that PR) it had a high of 120,000 unique monthly visitors. And even my relatively new, opt-in newsletter grows daily, now around 3,000 registrants.
But there have been, and are still lows, such as taking my eye of many balls and seeing the monthly visits drop to the few thousands, the Forum stutter and die (you mentioned possible bolt-on scripts to help here, but do remember this site is steam driven and I think HTML rather than XML, especially 'back-end') and all other manner of missed opportunities. Not good for something with a model based on ad revenue based on traffic.
I attended the talk based on a simple notion... getting the traffic back up. And when that happens, the ad revenue might yet appear to allow me to run the site as I would wish. But this belies the fact that I did have it 'working' once, and dropped that ball. There is no reason that, even if I do drive traffic again, using the methodologies shared, the same will not eventually happen again.
I lack key areas of expertise, skill sets, and strategy. Maybe there's a chance that at least I may be pointed in better directions, or indeed to some who may help. I can't work much harder, but I can work smarter. Sadly, much is down to having the personnel, but as that is an area that cannot be addressed until the chicken starts making golden eggs, I need to prioritise first, make money next, and then delegate.
I commissioned a full consultant report recently, and the site got slaughtered, over a dozen jargon-heavy pages. I think it has huge problems to be sure, but none that cannot be addressed, and make it worth persevering. Too many people like it, and what I am trying to do wit it not to at least try.
ABOUT LAST NIGHT
This would lead to my first comment about the lecture. It is hard, if not impossible to be all things to all people, but often I sense that such events, from overarching funders (EU, RDAs) down, that while the target is SME's, very often the pitch is the high end of the big "M", and very often the majority of attendees, like me, are from the very small 's' rump.
Hence, many things, whilst inspirational, can be outside of our financial, expertise and hence practical reach. Like I joked, when folk say 'get your head of IT to call our head of IT', I rather have to choke on the reply that, along with most other daily functions, that person is me. Equally, whilst I'd love to hire an intern for a year to (wo)man a webcam, that person has to eat to live, as do I. The ROI can bite, in all senses of that word. I actually had one who came for two months and ended staying two years, but sadly my funds could not sustain her immense value and contributions, hence a tail off in the site's performance and visitor levels.
The issue of monetisation was all rather left to the end, and also a tad 'high-end'. I think I identified three basic 'models', with the first two being perhaps the more highly represented in the audience and hence being satisfied more by what you covered:
* e-commerce - even to most basic levels, social networking can of course be a driver to the site, and hence purchase opps.
* branding - again, this can be of great value, but may even not result in any site linkage. Merely keeping the brand top of
mind at POP is enough
* traffic - my situation. I am trying to operate a publisher, 'build it and they will come... and if they pass through so will guys who want to reach them', rather discredited old dot bomb model. Kinda what I am stuck with.
But though advertising was referred to, it was not really in the context I would have valued knowing more about. In fact few, if any of the examples showed do I recall having a banner or button, which required a person to visit first and then click on to generate revenue.
I know, I need massive help here. I knew enough to build the site for this very purpose and did much I am proud of in this regard (inc: 1) a fortune on legals, to protect not only myself and the site, but and brands who engage with ideas and or ads; it is still well ahead in this, 2) data protection; again at the top limit, with positive opt-ins or newsletter and/or 3rd party follow ups and 3) health and safety warning options. It is not great on disability compliance any more, but that is a matter of money and the vast database I need to address, mainly uploaded by the public. I am sure it can and will be sorted).
Sadly there was not enough time for more questions in the room, but one I was going to ask related to CRM, though maybe this does not fall under social networking umbrella. I refer to reaching out to and staying in touch once someone has expressed an interest. Again my knowledge is limited to talk sensibly at this juncture, but I refer to such as RSS feeds and/or emails, etc. I can only share my own experiences, on both sides of the coin here.
Though I am registered with almost all of the social networking sites mentioned (FaceBook (hunting down after I write a possible avenue I noted on a slide... Green Patch?), MySpace, twitter, Bebo, Linked In... and many more) I barely 'use' them (may explain a lot - can't even recall half the log-ins) even as in individual (as a business not at all, yet, hence my attendance). It's a sad excuse, but I don't feel I have the time. One too many initial pokes, friend invites from 'Candy' or pointless 140-character rambles draining my day and I switched off. I have to, and enjoy reading prodigiously, and turn much into content of value for my site and/or blogs.
But I have noticed that my time-poor life means that RSS's are now left unchecked, at least as I have them on my Mac/Safari combo, as they come in to a folder I forget to access. Equally I don't check the Times or Telegraph online unless I remember I should. What I do do is open and read email summaries that come in, especially with pictures, a brief line and a link. This ranges from The Guardian to the Indy to Trade rags... to some blogs.
This, my main blog, is on Blogger. I know it is widely read and by useful folk (a pommy whinge once resulted in a Tesco Director giving me a £1k invite to a conference he was at). It is not linked to anything, and especially the very site it refers to!!!! I have tried to pop a few things as Google ads on them, but they are poorly coordinated at best.
I have no clue on Adsense vs. Adwords on any of them.
I get great stuff from folk daily (I think weekly is better, mind) usually from such as Feedburner.. FREE! I use dotmailer (waaaay too infrequently - losing hordes between mailings through folk changing newsletter recipient hot/g-mail email addys like they do underwear and firewall issues), which is as mailwashed, spam-safe as you can get... but cost me £35 a mailing... monthly... if I get my act together.
Other areas were covered, such as Wikis, the IAB (should I join?), google, vlogs, podcasts, etc. So many to check, so few to really add value?
I see the value, and hence need to do all you suggested, and get on all you shared. But my ad experience restrains me because you 'shouldn't do it until you can do it right, keep on doing it... and keep on making it ever better'. I don't want to go in half-cocked, and make a mess with the set up, running, responses, moderation, etc.
I see value in creating entities to complement a Junkk.com and Junkk Male RE:view that are themselves much better integrated first, and then use these to drive traffic in, and around, and up. Then get round to addressing monetising. The first I might be able to do on my own, with a bit of help from my basic-HTML savvy, pro-am web-designer-skilled, Second Life (we have plans to integrate this too! She runs global concerts all the time - I see enviro apps aplenty. Plus, as they present, others) champion missus.
Being very immersed as a user, one direction I see much more value in pursuing is focussing on solutions, rather than discussions. There are billions out there having spats on climate change and knocking spots off each other. The core of Junkk.com is a niche, reuse and repair, with elements of pragmatic reduction, and the much more popular (though low end-benefit to consumers, IMHO) recycling in there too. Plus it offers ideas, and the opportunity to share them.
I would seek to make the Junkk.com site the pre-eminent global portal for these topics, offering true, free value to the public, and in so doing a sustainable business model by 'green' marketers seeing the benefit of being there too to talk to and/or reach this highly targeted audience.
Sorry for the ramble. I'd have sent this as a tweet, but it may have run a tad over 140 characters:)
It's a gas, gas... er...
... that's all folks?
I have been sent the following press release from the University of Aberdeen (printed as posted, E&EO), that seems worthy of consideration.
I do so making a note to try and get my gasses sorted out soon, which may have a bearing on how and where this gets filed later for archiving.
I know that my cooker uses gas and, to the best of my knowledge this is 'natural' gas either from dwindling North Sea reserves or a tap with Mr. Putin's bear paws upon it. I also have a few bottled varieties, probably propane, for a few domestic uses such as a heater and the BBQ. And then there is my new transport option, running on LPG which, though I need to confirm this, is actually not too different (if at all) from that propane.
Natural gas as answer to oil decline could lead to catastrophe, says leading expert
Ploughing resources into the use of natural gas as an alternative energy supply could lead to global shortage within 20 years time, according to a leading energy expert.
Professor in Physics at Uppsala University in Sweden, Kjell Aleklett, says reliance on natural gas – believed by many to be a key source of alternative fuel for the future – would be a major mistake.
Whilst it could provide a short term solution to the energy issue, Professor Aleklett believes it is not the long term answer we need to tackle what he predicts will be a continuing decline in global oil production.
Professor Aleklett will outline his views this evening (Thursday 5 March) in his lecture Global Energy Resources – The Peak Oil View– which takes place as part of the institution’s Energy Controversies lecture series.
Professor Aleklett said: “The problem we should be concerning ourselves with is not climate change but the fact that there are too many people and not enough energy resources.
“We have reached a level where economic growth in the oil and gas industry is no longer possible. Looking for alternative energy sources has to become a key priority to counteract the continuing decline in global oil production which I predict we will experience.
“Many are looking to natural gas as a solution for electricity production in the future, but this is a massive mistake. Natural gas could generate enough energy to meet the demand for the next five to 10 years, but it is not a long term sustainable option.
“To expand the use of natural gas would be a mistake which could have catastrophic economical consequences for UK, Europe and across the globe in 20 years time. When we are hit by “Peak Gas” there are no alternatives for power generation. We have a discussion about future energy policy - it’s time to start to discuss the future power policy.”
The University’s Energy Controversies lecture series brings together leading international industry and academic experts to discuss the current challenges and debates facing the energy sector.
Professor Aleklett will deliver his lecture to a 250 strong audience at the sold out event which begins at 6pm at the University’s King’s College Conference Centre.
Aimed at influencing energy and social policy at a local and national level, the Energy Controversies series features seven public lectures and a discussion panel event.
Highly topical issues to be covered over the course of the series include:
The exhaustion of fossil fuel reserves and their decline as an energy source
The impact of the changing political climate on the energy industry
The concern surrounding the environmental impact of our continued use of fossil fuels
Dr Peter Jackson, Senior Director for Oil Industry Activity at Cambridge Energy Research Associates and Professor Bahman Tohidi, Director of the Centre for Gas Hydrate Research at Heriot Watt University, will be amongst the lecture speakers, providing their unique insights into critical issues high on the energy agenda over the next few weeks.
Anyone interested in booking a free place for any of the remaining lectures in the series should visit (well worth it - Ed) www.abdn.ac.uk/energycontroversies or telephone the University of Aberdeen Events Office on 01224 273874.
Now there is that word 'could' in there, much beloved by scientific experts and media looking to boost a rating with a worse case scenario, but this resonates. I invite comment form any better informed.
As with so many things pertinent to environmental debate, from population to peak oil, I simply look at the consequences of finite resources and increasing demand, and am not keen with what I see projected.
I have been sent the following press release from the University of Aberdeen (printed as posted, E&EO), that seems worthy of consideration.
I do so making a note to try and get my gasses sorted out soon, which may have a bearing on how and where this gets filed later for archiving.
I know that my cooker uses gas and, to the best of my knowledge this is 'natural' gas either from dwindling North Sea reserves or a tap with Mr. Putin's bear paws upon it. I also have a few bottled varieties, probably propane, for a few domestic uses such as a heater and the BBQ. And then there is my new transport option, running on LPG which, though I need to confirm this, is actually not too different (if at all) from that propane.
Natural gas as answer to oil decline could lead to catastrophe, says leading expert
Ploughing resources into the use of natural gas as an alternative energy supply could lead to global shortage within 20 years time, according to a leading energy expert.
Professor in Physics at Uppsala University in Sweden, Kjell Aleklett, says reliance on natural gas – believed by many to be a key source of alternative fuel for the future – would be a major mistake.
Whilst it could provide a short term solution to the energy issue, Professor Aleklett believes it is not the long term answer we need to tackle what he predicts will be a continuing decline in global oil production.
Professor Aleklett will outline his views this evening (Thursday 5 March) in his lecture Global Energy Resources – The Peak Oil View– which takes place as part of the institution’s Energy Controversies lecture series.
Professor Aleklett said: “The problem we should be concerning ourselves with is not climate change but the fact that there are too many people and not enough energy resources.
“We have reached a level where economic growth in the oil and gas industry is no longer possible. Looking for alternative energy sources has to become a key priority to counteract the continuing decline in global oil production which I predict we will experience.
“Many are looking to natural gas as a solution for electricity production in the future, but this is a massive mistake. Natural gas could generate enough energy to meet the demand for the next five to 10 years, but it is not a long term sustainable option.
“To expand the use of natural gas would be a mistake which could have catastrophic economical consequences for UK, Europe and across the globe in 20 years time. When we are hit by “Peak Gas” there are no alternatives for power generation. We have a discussion about future energy policy - it’s time to start to discuss the future power policy.”
The University’s Energy Controversies lecture series brings together leading international industry and academic experts to discuss the current challenges and debates facing the energy sector.
Professor Aleklett will deliver his lecture to a 250 strong audience at the sold out event which begins at 6pm at the University’s King’s College Conference Centre.
Aimed at influencing energy and social policy at a local and national level, the Energy Controversies series features seven public lectures and a discussion panel event.
Highly topical issues to be covered over the course of the series include:
The exhaustion of fossil fuel reserves and their decline as an energy source
The impact of the changing political climate on the energy industry
The concern surrounding the environmental impact of our continued use of fossil fuels
Dr Peter Jackson, Senior Director for Oil Industry Activity at Cambridge Energy Research Associates and Professor Bahman Tohidi, Director of the Centre for Gas Hydrate Research at Heriot Watt University, will be amongst the lecture speakers, providing their unique insights into critical issues high on the energy agenda over the next few weeks.
Anyone interested in booking a free place for any of the remaining lectures in the series should visit (well worth it - Ed) www.abdn.ac.uk/energycontroversies or telephone the University of Aberdeen Events Office on 01224 273874.
Now there is that word 'could' in there, much beloved by scientific experts and media looking to boost a rating with a worse case scenario, but this resonates. I invite comment form any better informed.
As with so many things pertinent to environmental debate, from population to peak oil, I simply look at the consequences of finite resources and increasing demand, and am not keen with what I see projected.
Where will it all... um.. end?
First they came for the 4x4s, and then it snowed....
Then they came for the bottled water and the purification plant got flooded...
Sorry, a flippant take on a serious issue.
Leading first to a 'too much info' alert for those of weak tummy dispositions.
American taste for soft toilet roll 'worse than driving Hummers'
Thing is, I have to say I cannot see why... make that believe it's not possible to make suitably soft products without cutting down a virgin forest.
This is key. Because one has to be pragmatic. I come from an era when the school loos offered what was known as 'British Rail Smoothies' (giving you a hint as to the fun that train travel offered the hapless commuter) which, whilst not offering the tactile sensation of some other sandpaper varieties, was about as much use as a plastic bag.
And there is no way my missus and the golden boys are going to willingly go back to that in a hurry.
This household is already a bit divided on the porcelain front. Even before the water meter was but in, I was a a bit of a 'let it mellow' advocate, but after a few long days, hot summers and a bit of male forgetfulness on the bedtime flush front, it became an 'issue'.
There's also be the amount of tissue and where it gets used. I have a certain sympathy with my wife's views on the basic differences of the female anatomy to the males, and how certain functions are carried out. Let's just say what goes down can also splash back up. Hence I became aware that a little 'nest' was being created first, partly for hygiene but also to avoid the brush. Fair enough. But now I found the boys see merit in this too.
In some attempt at mitigation, I have instituted a dual roll (geddit?) policy, whereby cheap, recycled, rough stock is on hand to 'prepare', leaving, with luck, more 'high end' (sorry) material for the softer touch function.
However, having written all that, even the soft tissue we use is bog-standard (sorry again) supermarket recycled, and it seems pretty up to the task delicate-wise to all of us.
And so, flushed with .... no, I better get out while the going is still decent. If not the puns.
Telegraph - Fluffiness comes at a price': the eco-loons are after our loo paper! - A rather less than insightful diatribe. I include it because of a point made on bleaching making recycled worse in some cases (enviROI!). Now, how to confirm?
Guardian - American taste for soft toilet roll 'worse than driving Hummers' - At least they are recycling the images - Not these wise words: Yes - it should be recycled - here in California I buy "Bright Green" brand, which is recycled. But if you buy the thin stuff you only use more.
Gaurdian - NEW - Let's wipe out toilet paper - To date... 237 comments! The first dozen were enough. What would we do without our media?
Then they came for the bottled water and the purification plant got flooded...
Sorry, a flippant take on a serious issue.
Leading first to a 'too much info' alert for those of weak tummy dispositions.
American taste for soft toilet roll 'worse than driving Hummers'
Thing is, I have to say I cannot see why... make that believe it's not possible to make suitably soft products without cutting down a virgin forest.
This is key. Because one has to be pragmatic. I come from an era when the school loos offered what was known as 'British Rail Smoothies' (giving you a hint as to the fun that train travel offered the hapless commuter) which, whilst not offering the tactile sensation of some other sandpaper varieties, was about as much use as a plastic bag.
And there is no way my missus and the golden boys are going to willingly go back to that in a hurry.
This household is already a bit divided on the porcelain front. Even before the water meter was but in, I was a a bit of a 'let it mellow' advocate, but after a few long days, hot summers and a bit of male forgetfulness on the bedtime flush front, it became an 'issue'.
There's also be the amount of tissue and where it gets used. I have a certain sympathy with my wife's views on the basic differences of the female anatomy to the males, and how certain functions are carried out. Let's just say what goes down can also splash back up. Hence I became aware that a little 'nest' was being created first, partly for hygiene but also to avoid the brush. Fair enough. But now I found the boys see merit in this too.
In some attempt at mitigation, I have instituted a dual roll (geddit?) policy, whereby cheap, recycled, rough stock is on hand to 'prepare', leaving, with luck, more 'high end' (sorry) material for the softer touch function.
However, having written all that, even the soft tissue we use is bog-standard (sorry again) supermarket recycled, and it seems pretty up to the task delicate-wise to all of us.
And so, flushed with .... no, I better get out while the going is still decent. If not the puns.
Telegraph - Fluffiness comes at a price': the eco-loons are after our loo paper! - A rather less than insightful diatribe. I include it because of a point made on bleaching making recycled worse in some cases (enviROI!). Now, how to confirm?
Guardian - American taste for soft toilet roll 'worse than driving Hummers' - At least they are recycling the images - Not these wise words: Yes - it should be recycled - here in California I buy "Bright Green" brand, which is recycled. But if you buy the thin stuff you only use more.
Gaurdian - NEW - Let's wipe out toilet paper - To date... 237 comments! The first dozen were enough. What would we do without our media?
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