Sticks, stones, words...

I got a compliment just now from a fellow blogger I respect.

On a blog that is important, but I am always conscious how often I take the author to task.

Newsnight - Can climate spending save money?

In thanking her, I ended up writing a fair bit (which might see the snipers cocking their rifles..., so sod 'em), but I am proud of what I wrote and the sentiments that inspired it.

Sadly I find my contributions on a few blogs to err a tad too often at eyebrow crankings when I honestly prefer the rewards of positivity and incentivisation, but I am cursed by an odd mix of an education and early career in the sciences and engineering, followed by an even longer one, to date, in the dubious world of persuading the masses, that is advertising and design. So I tend to detect BS masquerading as fact, especially when gilded with some unsubtle smoke and mirrors swirling around to make it palatable.

Combine all that with a passion for environmental common sense in making this planet better for my kids than I inherited (not looking great so far), and I often slam into problems of detail when it comes to what I have coined the enviROI of various 'eco initiatives' (namely, even if the £/$ financial return still sucks, it can still be OK, unless it so out of kilter money is being simply poured down a green hole and away from better projects). Plus I do find that some self-appointed messengers bearing certain messages they deem vital (often with cause), either don't seem to have noticed (or are bothered) that the vast majority who DO matter either don't care for their pitches, or are a tad offside on the often multiplicity of standards between what they say (others should do) and what they might actually inspire by way of example (exemption by believing one is acting in the public interest is a fair conceit, and epic delusion, at best). I think many do register this discrepancy (often aided by those pushing other agendas I find equally discomfiting) and at best ignore, or at worst kick back. Which, IMHO, is not helping much.

Hence I like to crank the odd eyebrow, and often suggest the odd sharp object may be directed at overinflated sacks of hot air, in the hope that a more measured, moderate dialogue based on fact, objectivity and compromise might see us drift to truly productive shores than just trying to win often unwinnable debates.

There is so much that can be DONE, but talk is still vital to coordinate valuable efforts. I like them civilised and intelligent, and by way of a 'backatcha' have enjoyed reading your posts not just for the content, but the manner of their delivery. It is possible to disagree with style, and maybe in so doing change a view that a knee jerk will only make worse. And humour is well, harder to resist. Funny (not ha-ha) how some keep failing to appreciate that.

Green is good, but only if you really think about it, and in debate it is also worth recalling that green can rarely be viewed just in black and white, as some often seem to forget. Or don't seem to care.

I think the human race will work this whole thing through, but possibly not to the satisfaction of the many who see life as a series of absolutes, be they through dogma, idealism or a bunch of other rather restricting standpoints.

And as I learn or am persuaded by new information, links or just great arguments from the likes of your goodself, and many others here (who you seem to tease the best from), I often find my views can and do evolve and even change. I hope for the better. For my... our kids' sake.

Sometimes, 140 characters is not enough

I have come to Twitter late.

And... but, I am loving it.

Though I am also coming to dread it.

For all the great tweets, comments and links, this morning's scroll was 10 pages... and 2hrs! Just checking, reading and replying. Another hour at least topping up to now through the day.

Maybe it is because I am not using it right, but then few of those I appreciate do either.

My understanding is that it was/is designed to be social and personal, but I really cannot be too bothered with the 'good mornings' and whether so and so likes their mate's new shoes (almost put dress, which might have riled the sexist community, who in turn could be accused of an 'ism' by the transgendered one).

Frankly I wish I could delete these, that I deem major clutter, even as the time waste is moot.

But I love, and try to contribute to the shares. The occasional considered ponder, but mainly awesome links. And, in following those, finding other great tweeters to follow.

But it is getting out of control. I have yet to figure out the FF's (for Follow Fridays) when along come various Mention Mondays and Who-hoo Wednesdays, and of course RT's (Re-tweets). I appreciate being a beneficiary, and have tried to respond in kind, but one guy I follow did his whole follow list in batches, and filled a whole page of twitter up. Who is going to read that? Or him, much more, if he keeps it up.

And the whole admin side is becoming an obsession. I am so worried about missing one, or losing the archive (when I came back after 2 weeks hols, the thought of not going back to see all I missed was too horrible to contemplate, but not doing so caused real angst. Especially when, even though I probably would never try to re-read, I dread the archive falling off the back end. My Mac has a pretty nifty search capability now where I can access 'internal' stored references quickly).

I am sure there are training tips and even bolt-ons to assist, but who has the time to search and learn?

There's also the small matter of relevance. I use JunkkMale, currently, for everything.

Now that is great if a followee pops back and sees a post on green if that is their bag, but what about my interests in music, design, invention or the ad world? I think I am going to have to split and run complements. But that suggests a danger of Xx2hrs each morning... and counting as I add more.

But even if you focus, just how does a guy with 20k+ followers, especially one who follows back in kind, engage? They have to be purely on transmit, which means they are possibly missing so much new and useful. But, practically, they are I guess prioritising as best they can.

Currently I check each follow to see what they are up to before following back. I want to read their stuff, and get back when it's good. Or share.

It is all so exciting, but overwhelming. Better than being boring and underwhelming, I guess.

MOBILE MOMENTS - The law of unintended consequences?

I guess we can't

Well I found it funny:)