The truth, any semblance of journalistic skill, er...?
When broadcasting turns bad: Sky / Virgin negotiations left in bloody tatters
I have followed this spat on the various news media these last few days.
What got me was that at no point did a reporter pin either down to what was and was not said. I'm sure that both at one stage were accusing the other of mendacity (no Mr. Arsenal comments from me!).
It might have helped if one was caught in a porkie.
Other wise the only losers are the viewers as a bunch of testosterone gets redirected elsewhere.
Telegraph - Why must I be divorced from The Simpsons?
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Space, the final affront?
Hawking to get brief experience of weightlessness on space flight
As an eminent scientist, one can only presume he will be taking his place to further our understanding of the planet and the changes it faces, say, in climate.
If it were just space tourism or a cheap PR gimmick it would be harder to justify as I doubt this thing is powered by rubber bands or even biodiesel.
As an eminent scientist, one can only presume he will be taking his place to further our understanding of the planet and the changes it faces, say, in climate.
If it were just space tourism or a cheap PR gimmick it would be harder to justify as I doubt this thing is powered by rubber bands or even biodiesel.
Telling it like it is
Rail chief's overcrowding solution - don't travel
Actually, he's dead right. At least in the terms above (it gets a bit fudgier in the piece)
Bit of a tough sell though.
Actually, he's dead right. At least in the terms above (it gets a bit fudgier in the piece)
Bit of a tough sell though.
And the band played o...
All those scientists may still be wrong
I've just popped over today at a late stage from another debate (prompted by a possible discrepancy between what he says 'we' should do, and does himself... not a predilection exclusive to just him, mind) about Mr. Gore's role as a leader of one set of views.
And again I witness what seems more like a game of shuffleboard... to the death... on the Titanic, with the victor hopefully enjoying a last piece by the band before all go under.
All I know is I'd prefer to be around to see him (and others) proved wrong than right.
But then I guess the devil was always in the details.
I've just popped over today at a late stage from another debate (prompted by a possible discrepancy between what he says 'we' should do, and does himself... not a predilection exclusive to just him, mind) about Mr. Gore's role as a leader of one set of views.
And again I witness what seems more like a game of shuffleboard... to the death... on the Titanic, with the victor hopefully enjoying a last piece by the band before all go under.
All I know is I'd prefer to be around to see him (and others) proved wrong than right.
But then I guess the devil was always in the details.
Laugh and the world laughs with you
I just got an email from a comedian. No... really. Actually that's no, I didn't (it was from his publishers), but yes, really, he's a comedian. His name is Mark Watson.
It was headed:
Letting Junkk-ers know about CATE-ers (and vice versa)
We prefer Junkketeers, but what's not to like already?
And, as promised, I am doing exactly what I said on the bin:
499 people to his cause.
Well, make that a round 500! I 'm in. All I have to do is figure out MySpace. I know we are on it musically, and I think we are on it as Junkk.com. I just don't know how to work it yet. Think dinosaur. But I know a lady who can (my lovely missus, who certainly is on it).
Mark's really keen to link up with people who are already Good At The Environment,
Ah, problem. I don't think I am. I'm p*ssing off a lot of good greens by taking them to task.
But I'm sensing there is a movement that's not so 'Prius Pious' and Mark's' is one such.
...and it would be fantastic if you'd consider featuring his campaign on your website and newsletter.
Can and Can. I shall also blog him on my, er, blog, as soon I as I put down this mouse and keyboard.
It would also be a great way of directing people to Junkk.com.
Well, there's a plus!
The idea is to create a community of people who work together to come up with creative ways to cut their carbon footprints and live more greenly
Can do. Am trying.
(in a non-expert,
Tick
...amusing,
Tick (immodestly)
...unsanctimonious way)
BIG TICK!
...through a network of online blogs (including to more seasoned campaigners who are Good At The Environment),
See above.
...comedy gigs, marathon live shows,
I'll leave that to him. But may visit. I could make a flag to wave. Out of Junkk:)
If he ever needs musical input my lovely lady sings with a band called greenhaus, who do nice mellow, angry protest stuff to chill to.
...real world challenges,
Just so long as it is not flying to the Arctic to study why the glaciers are melting because so many people are going there with film crews to study why thy are melting... etc.
...and eventually a book.
Did you know I write too? Just saying's all...
In contrast to the greener-than-thou eco-warriors who have enough time, money and dedication to devote their lives to living sustainably in the country,
That'll teach me to reply as I read. I'm guessing you are on board with my mantra above, then?
Mark is on a mission to get well-meaning but apathetic
Don't forget poorly informed, woefully motivated and disastrously incentivised...
...urban dwellers to stop being terrified about climate change, and to put their heads together to help change things.
My record, while cracked, speaks for itself.
Cunning plans so far include art installations using rubbish,
We can help. We do cunning like a fox does anti-hunt protests.
...a large-scale musical endeavour involving instruments made from trash;
Well, the band does use electronica, which is a bit of a deal breaker. But we can help with this too. We know people who make noises from Junkk.
...a peaceful campaign to get specific celebrities to give up their private jets, by asking them in ingenious way;
I blogged a while ago about how funny it would be to get a load of Land Rover workers to chain themselves to a Greenpeace flight.
...a massive cycling effort powering an entire show;
Oh... in with a chance:)
...'pimping' the allotments of a whole town in the North of England;
As opposed to knocking them down to feed the Olympic maw. We know a lot of allotment people too.
...and a lot more besides
Might even know some stuff to help here.
Perhaps the best thing to do is to check out his blog.
I did. I like. I can't... yet... work it. Patience Grasshopper.
Mark's won the 2006 Eddies Award (formerly the Perrier award) for his cult Edinburgh festival shows, is a regular on BBC2's Mock The Week, currently has two TV sitcoms in pilot, has a written a couple of literary novels, and his series 'Mark Watson makes the world a substantially better place' (are you sensing a Messiah theme yet?) is currently being aired on Radio 4. Basically, he's a very funny and talented guy,
I'm sensing that.
...it's a really important issue and it would be fantastic to let lots of people (who are not, perhaps, MySpace addicts) know about CATE.
My best is being done as we speak.*
Your website seems a really great fit.
Ta.
Anyway, let me know what you think,
Kinda have. See above. And being reaaaaallly, lazy and strapped for time, this is what will go in my blog, now, Feb's (don't ask) Newsletter er... soon and the site, somewhere appropriate in several places asap, but to do this you need to help me by filling out of free diRE:ctory pages.
Say hi to Mark and a big up on the effort.
*I just wish I had his people!
ADDENDUM - you know what's a nice start to the day? When folk write back. In this case, the man himself:
[That was] the lady in charge of promoting the whole thing from the publishers' angle.
See, you are ahead of the game. You have people. I need people. Then my people and your people could kick us into shape.
I think she'll probably be very happy that you mentioned the whole odd exchange on your blog.
Good. I was just concerned that she'd disappeared into the ether after a very nice email. But now we are in touch, too, which is a bonus.
I will mention it on my site, in turn.
Ta muchly.
Sorry you had to read a lot of propaganda about my career.
No worries. It was interesting, edifying and inspiring. Probably in that order.
Basically, it looks like we have the same aims,
Agreed.
except you were there a lot sooner.
But somewhat of a slower-burner, PR-wise. Plus you have people. I am green... with envy. Too.
So perhaps we can join forces in some way.
As so much in the world of planet-saving is downright divide and rule (sadly mostly EcoElites - vs. our EcoLites (I can muck about with acronyms and spiffy new words with the best of 'em!) - dickin' about arguing/slagging each other off as to who is greener rather than getting on and DOING) I see this as a plan, and hence am up for it.
That's probably all she was suggesting. But in publisher-talk.
Ah, Bisto. Well, the offers all stand. Maybe I need a Babel fish to convey my enthusiasm publisherspeekly back. I'll repeat it, in tangentially-prone creative speek mano-a-mano here. I will trawl your site and MySpace a bit more when I get a mo.
You can go on my site wherever you please. A diRE:ctory invite is attached below.
You will be in our February newsletter, which is now due next month (don't ask). I know the power of celebrity. If not how to meet deadlines.
I have an events page, too. And will pop your tour on... soonish (it's that people thing again)
I can offer a lot more from self and others (my people, if not my 'people') to assist yours with various efforts if required. Music, junkk bands, allotment warriors. Mention us to yours next time you are chatting and I'll put 'em in touch with mine. Then they can do all the work and we'll just turn up on the day for the good seats and glory.
And... er... that's babadababa... all folks! At least for this exciting episode.
Look forward to our many paths crossing one day.
It was headed:
Letting Junkk-ers know about CATE-ers (and vice versa)
We prefer Junkketeers, but what's not to like already?
And, as promised, I am doing exactly what I said on the bin:
499 people to his cause.
Well, make that a round 500! I 'm in. All I have to do is figure out MySpace. I know we are on it musically, and I think we are on it as Junkk.com. I just don't know how to work it yet. Think dinosaur. But I know a lady who can (my lovely missus, who certainly is on it).
Mark's really keen to link up with people who are already Good At The Environment,
Ah, problem. I don't think I am. I'm p*ssing off a lot of good greens by taking them to task.
But I'm sensing there is a movement that's not so 'Prius Pious' and Mark's' is one such.
...and it would be fantastic if you'd consider featuring his campaign on your website and newsletter.
Can and Can. I shall also blog him on my, er, blog, as soon I as I put down this mouse and keyboard.
It would also be a great way of directing people to Junkk.com.
Well, there's a plus!
The idea is to create a community of people who work together to come up with creative ways to cut their carbon footprints and live more greenly
Can do. Am trying.
(in a non-expert,
Tick
...amusing,
Tick (immodestly)
...unsanctimonious way)
BIG TICK!
...through a network of online blogs (including to more seasoned campaigners who are Good At The Environment),
See above.
...comedy gigs, marathon live shows,
I'll leave that to him. But may visit. I could make a flag to wave. Out of Junkk:)
If he ever needs musical input my lovely lady sings with a band called greenhaus, who do nice mellow, angry protest stuff to chill to.
...real world challenges,
Just so long as it is not flying to the Arctic to study why the glaciers are melting because so many people are going there with film crews to study why thy are melting... etc.
...and eventually a book.
Did you know I write too? Just saying's all...
In contrast to the greener-than-thou eco-warriors who have enough time, money and dedication to devote their lives to living sustainably in the country,
That'll teach me to reply as I read. I'm guessing you are on board with my mantra above, then?
Mark is on a mission to get well-meaning but apathetic
Don't forget poorly informed, woefully motivated and disastrously incentivised...
...urban dwellers to stop being terrified about climate change, and to put their heads together to help change things.
My record, while cracked, speaks for itself.
Cunning plans so far include art installations using rubbish,
We can help. We do cunning like a fox does anti-hunt protests.
...a large-scale musical endeavour involving instruments made from trash;
Well, the band does use electronica, which is a bit of a deal breaker. But we can help with this too. We know people who make noises from Junkk.
...a peaceful campaign to get specific celebrities to give up their private jets, by asking them in ingenious way;
I blogged a while ago about how funny it would be to get a load of Land Rover workers to chain themselves to a Greenpeace flight.
...a massive cycling effort powering an entire show;
Oh... in with a chance:)
...'pimping' the allotments of a whole town in the North of England;
As opposed to knocking them down to feed the Olympic maw. We know a lot of allotment people too.
...and a lot more besides
Might even know some stuff to help here.
Perhaps the best thing to do is to check out his blog.
I did. I like. I can't... yet... work it. Patience Grasshopper.
Mark's won the 2006 Eddies Award (formerly the Perrier award) for his cult Edinburgh festival shows, is a regular on BBC2's Mock The Week, currently has two TV sitcoms in pilot, has a written a couple of literary novels, and his series 'Mark Watson makes the world a substantially better place' (are you sensing a Messiah theme yet?) is currently being aired on Radio 4. Basically, he's a very funny and talented guy,
I'm sensing that.
...it's a really important issue and it would be fantastic to let lots of people (who are not, perhaps, MySpace addicts) know about CATE.
My best is being done as we speak.*
Your website seems a really great fit.
Ta.
Anyway, let me know what you think,
Kinda have. See above. And being reaaaaallly, lazy and strapped for time, this is what will go in my blog, now, Feb's (don't ask) Newsletter er... soon and the site, somewhere appropriate in several places asap, but to do this you need to help me by filling out of free diRE:ctory pages.
Say hi to Mark and a big up on the effort.
*I just wish I had his people!
ADDENDUM - you know what's a nice start to the day? When folk write back. In this case, the man himself:
[That was] the lady in charge of promoting the whole thing from the publishers' angle.
See, you are ahead of the game. You have people. I need people. Then my people and your people could kick us into shape.
I think she'll probably be very happy that you mentioned the whole odd exchange on your blog.
Good. I was just concerned that she'd disappeared into the ether after a very nice email. But now we are in touch, too, which is a bonus.
I will mention it on my site, in turn.
Ta muchly.
Sorry you had to read a lot of propaganda about my career.
No worries. It was interesting, edifying and inspiring. Probably in that order.
Basically, it looks like we have the same aims,
Agreed.
except you were there a lot sooner.
But somewhat of a slower-burner, PR-wise. Plus you have people. I am green... with envy. Too.
So perhaps we can join forces in some way.
As so much in the world of planet-saving is downright divide and rule (sadly mostly EcoElites - vs. our EcoLites (I can muck about with acronyms and spiffy new words with the best of 'em!) - dickin' about arguing/slagging each other off as to who is greener rather than getting on and DOING) I see this as a plan, and hence am up for it.
That's probably all she was suggesting. But in publisher-talk.
Ah, Bisto. Well, the offers all stand. Maybe I need a Babel fish to convey my enthusiasm publisherspeekly back. I'll repeat it, in tangentially-prone creative speek mano-a-mano here. I will trawl your site and MySpace a bit more when I get a mo.
You can go on my site wherever you please. A diRE:ctory invite is attached below.
You will be in our February newsletter, which is now due next month (don't ask). I know the power of celebrity. If not how to meet deadlines.
I have an events page, too. And will pop your tour on... soonish (it's that people thing again)
I can offer a lot more from self and others (my people, if not my 'people') to assist yours with various efforts if required. Music, junkk bands, allotment warriors. Mention us to yours next time you are chatting and I'll put 'em in touch with mine. Then they can do all the work and we'll just turn up on the day for the good seats and glory.
And... er... that's babadababa... all folks! At least for this exciting episode.
Look forward to our many paths crossing one day.
Shooting the Messenger #101
More on Gore
There a very good, US-based, free eco-newsletter called GRIST. I like what they are doing. I like their style. Usually.
'You are bang on. The best way to handle attacks is with good nature. And the best way to promote good nature is with humour (there’s not enough ‘u’ in humour, for the benefit of some of our US friends... evidently).
However, I would suggest that on its own this is not enough. You also have to listen (not in the way our government here does, which is without hearing, so as to keep on doing what they would anyway), engage and communicate. Or at least make the effort. Which means getting inside various heads you may not wish to (which now makes me realise why my government doesn’t hear: there’s nothing to stop anything that goes in one ear go straight through and out the other!).
And that means dealing in facts. Not just the facts of the matter, but also the facts of how matters get reported these days.
Even in the old days, which I still hanker after, this held true. I recall a Rolling Stone ad campaign... Perception: Reality. There’s what is. There is what should be. There is how what is should be reported and is. And there is appreciating that fact.
We are in a hype-driven, celebrity-obsessed culture. There is a vast industry feeding off it, with a serious interest in keeping a lot of folk employed and paid very well on the incoming, ongoing and departing antics of those selected or who volunteer to be the icons. Hence you can carve some serious column inches, readership, broadcast minutes and ratings with the ‘problem’. Then you can keep it bubbling in the same way for a while with ‘awareness’, usually surrounding the icon, and then when it gets a bit tired you can feed off the decaying bits by turning the icon info a fallen idol.
Which is why I get a bit concerned by the various icons the common man, woman and child often get presented with. Here in the UK our very own PM is shaping up as a ‘Green Ambassador’, but only once a few things that are a ‘bit impractical’ to his personal social life and professional career have been established as ‘not applicable’. Mr. Gore is different. When it comes to the environment he has form, and it is long-standing and mostly good.
However, we are living in the today of the media spotlight, with all those (purely personally opinionated) factors ranged at a public figure, ready to boost and then burst at will.
Look at this very blog and posts. What has happened? What are the %ages ‘pro’ & ‘con’? And this is a specialist eco-publication! I don’t know about rearranging deckchairs, but it reads more like shuffleboard to the death before the thing sinks. What on earth is a semi-informed, give-a-hoot populist press and TV news industry going to make of it all (from my reading the ‘tabloids’ here they could have cared less, and the ‘qualities’ such as the Times. Telegraph and even greener, more liberal, papers like the Indy and Guardian went pretty much with the ‘bubble prick’ side, I’m afraid. As did the BBC)?
That is an inconvenient fact of life. No point railing against it. It’s here to stay. And will get worse. So to manage it you have to play the system with skill. Which means everything from the selection of your candidate to working with the media by their rules... and be purer than the driven snow. Circling the wagons and retreating inside a comfort zone of like-minded huggers may offer respite, but won’t deal with the real, harsh world. You need to get out and deal. But you need to be consistent. ‘Hypocrisy’ is a very sticky brush to get tarred with, and difficult to remove. Worse even than doing wrong, so long as you do not commit the heinous crime of changing your mind, as our Leader of the Opposition will find should he come down hard on drug use having been given free pass for indulging while young, silly and very rich.
Speaking of which, while no fault of the individual, and no valid reason to not have an opinion or wish to express it, rolling in it does carry certain problems when telling, or even suggesting how other folk should, or need to behave. As does celebrity, which these days does tend to equate to rich, no matter how gobsmackingly unworthy it may be.
Because there is a slight tendency for a bit of a ‘them’ and ‘us’ thing getting set up from the get-go; more than happily exploited by those who can feed off the tensions created.
To save the future, we are realistically looking at some ‘doing without’, which does not quite gel with global population expansion, economic growth, greater (ie: powered) efficiencies, etc, but there you go.
And to paraphrase another intense farm book wildly, ‘Some can do without more easily than others’. It’s all relative. For every downshifting Pious Prius Person living a posh urban lifestyle, there is a Fairly-concerned Fiesta (it’s a small Brit Ford) Family who may not mind a bit of upward mobility and find it a bit rich that, while flying private jets is OK to spread the word about not flying is necessary for some, it’s not any more for their two week bit of sun a year.
You lead... by example. And hence you need to ask whether the EnviROI (Environmental Return On Investment) is worth the ‘awareness’ of the ‘problem’ vs. the sense of discord sown.
We are starting to get more and more celeb ‘green’ stories and events, and it is striking how the media who get invited into the inner circle (I almost fell off my chair laughing at one gushing report from the backstage VIP ‘Green room’, which had to be cordoned off from the hoi polloi who wanted to see their idols scoff eco-canapés and bubbly) are quite happy to be part of this elite new ‘club’. While a few, either without an invite or with a few remnants of journalistic integrity, do wonder how a PR from a non P-on going from a Hummer to a Lexus Hybrid 4x4 a) warrants a story, b) is in any way making a sacrifice or c) helps the planet, lugging a big battery down the motorway.
So it is perhaps reasonable to expect our ‘green’ ‘leadership’, self-appointed, thrust upon us or, fingers crossed, worthy, to at least try to do what they say we should do.
I don’t really think Gandhi would have quite got where he did with his cause if he decked a few folk who got in his way and then justified it because he was carrying an important message on non-violence, so you just gosh-darn well cut him some slack... or else. Equally any of his entourage. And I do believe if he, they or indeed any supportive entity had tried to argue otherwise they would have got short shrift. Too much flailing about and saying ‘look who’s talking’ just comes across as a tad holier than thou, and not a little defensive and indoctrinated.
So, in such a case, are questions on the validity of the messenger’s effectiveness in bearing this message ‘an attack’?
Looking at the originators (speaking of tarring with broad brushes what is a right wing vs. a left wing think tank anyway?) of the piece, it is probably meant to be so. And I am grateful for a level of back story insight from this and other blogs to have a better idea of the facts. Plus a very reasonable, and unexploited (even here, beyond the original poster, though some have posed questions I hope will see answers to clarify doubt) explanation of high usage to supply a home office (as is mine, hence running the house utilities 24/7) and a staff, though I might need security at some stage for having doubts others would seem to wish to deny me on some issues.
Because some remain, and it really doesn’t matter to me who started what or said what once the debate is engaged if certain facts are established. And beyond the energy usage one that will never change is the media. Was this managed well? About as well as the UK government handled road pricing, I’d say. A sensible notion for future transportation now an electoral albatross to any who dare mention it, even in more considered terms.
I too favour personal responsibility for actions, and by my lifestyle would estimate my family will do quite well from most initiatives.
However I still have a lot of doubts as to who gets to decide (there are also a few Kalahari bushmen may wonder why they don’t get to trade a holiday to Aspen with a broker from Brooklyn flying overhead to sort out some carbon credits between those who have them to trade), as an ex-engineer who dealt in numbers and efficiencies, and a current ad man and green-lite writer who understands short-term politics, corporate activist priorities and corporate PR/CSR greenwashing only to well.
I know it won’t... can’t be 100%, but I don’t want to see any efforts in the name of green on behalf of my future generations carved up between government, NGO and financial trading empire builders’ departments, staff, pensions, comms budgets, fact-finding tours, climate change conferences in nice sunny places. Or subsidising celebs and their massive support systems and sycophantic media camp followers, to have nice parties to boost ‘awareness’ of how much they need to do this so we can’t .
Do what you do best. Live the life. Share it online. Do before you talk. And if it’s worth it, fun and inspiring, people will want to read about what you do.
They may even follow your example.'
New Consumer - Al Gore & Diaz: ‘Live Earth climate crisis gigs will reach 2 billion
There a very good, US-based, free eco-newsletter called GRIST. I like what they are doing. I like their style. Usually.
'You are bang on. The best way to handle attacks is with good nature. And the best way to promote good nature is with humour (there’s not enough ‘u’ in humour, for the benefit of some of our US friends... evidently).
However, I would suggest that on its own this is not enough. You also have to listen (not in the way our government here does, which is without hearing, so as to keep on doing what they would anyway), engage and communicate. Or at least make the effort. Which means getting inside various heads you may not wish to (which now makes me realise why my government doesn’t hear: there’s nothing to stop anything that goes in one ear go straight through and out the other!).
And that means dealing in facts. Not just the facts of the matter, but also the facts of how matters get reported these days.
Even in the old days, which I still hanker after, this held true. I recall a Rolling Stone ad campaign... Perception: Reality. There’s what is. There is what should be. There is how what is should be reported and is. And there is appreciating that fact.
We are in a hype-driven, celebrity-obsessed culture. There is a vast industry feeding off it, with a serious interest in keeping a lot of folk employed and paid very well on the incoming, ongoing and departing antics of those selected or who volunteer to be the icons. Hence you can carve some serious column inches, readership, broadcast minutes and ratings with the ‘problem’. Then you can keep it bubbling in the same way for a while with ‘awareness’, usually surrounding the icon, and then when it gets a bit tired you can feed off the decaying bits by turning the icon info a fallen idol.
Which is why I get a bit concerned by the various icons the common man, woman and child often get presented with. Here in the UK our very own PM is shaping up as a ‘Green Ambassador’, but only once a few things that are a ‘bit impractical’ to his personal social life and professional career have been established as ‘not applicable’. Mr. Gore is different. When it comes to the environment he has form, and it is long-standing and mostly good.
However, we are living in the today of the media spotlight, with all those (purely personally opinionated) factors ranged at a public figure, ready to boost and then burst at will.
Look at this very blog and posts. What has happened? What are the %ages ‘pro’ & ‘con’? And this is a specialist eco-publication! I don’t know about rearranging deckchairs, but it reads more like shuffleboard to the death before the thing sinks. What on earth is a semi-informed, give-a-hoot populist press and TV news industry going to make of it all (from my reading the ‘tabloids’ here they could have cared less, and the ‘qualities’ such as the Times. Telegraph and even greener, more liberal, papers like the Indy and Guardian went pretty much with the ‘bubble prick’ side, I’m afraid. As did the BBC)?
That is an inconvenient fact of life. No point railing against it. It’s here to stay. And will get worse. So to manage it you have to play the system with skill. Which means everything from the selection of your candidate to working with the media by their rules... and be purer than the driven snow. Circling the wagons and retreating inside a comfort zone of like-minded huggers may offer respite, but won’t deal with the real, harsh world. You need to get out and deal. But you need to be consistent. ‘Hypocrisy’ is a very sticky brush to get tarred with, and difficult to remove. Worse even than doing wrong, so long as you do not commit the heinous crime of changing your mind, as our Leader of the Opposition will find should he come down hard on drug use having been given free pass for indulging while young, silly and very rich.
Speaking of which, while no fault of the individual, and no valid reason to not have an opinion or wish to express it, rolling in it does carry certain problems when telling, or even suggesting how other folk should, or need to behave. As does celebrity, which these days does tend to equate to rich, no matter how gobsmackingly unworthy it may be.
Because there is a slight tendency for a bit of a ‘them’ and ‘us’ thing getting set up from the get-go; more than happily exploited by those who can feed off the tensions created.
To save the future, we are realistically looking at some ‘doing without’, which does not quite gel with global population expansion, economic growth, greater (ie: powered) efficiencies, etc, but there you go.
And to paraphrase another intense farm book wildly, ‘Some can do without more easily than others’. It’s all relative. For every downshifting Pious Prius Person living a posh urban lifestyle, there is a Fairly-concerned Fiesta (it’s a small Brit Ford) Family who may not mind a bit of upward mobility and find it a bit rich that, while flying private jets is OK to spread the word about not flying is necessary for some, it’s not any more for their two week bit of sun a year.
You lead... by example. And hence you need to ask whether the EnviROI (Environmental Return On Investment) is worth the ‘awareness’ of the ‘problem’ vs. the sense of discord sown.
We are starting to get more and more celeb ‘green’ stories and events, and it is striking how the media who get invited into the inner circle (I almost fell off my chair laughing at one gushing report from the backstage VIP ‘Green room’, which had to be cordoned off from the hoi polloi who wanted to see their idols scoff eco-canapés and bubbly) are quite happy to be part of this elite new ‘club’. While a few, either without an invite or with a few remnants of journalistic integrity, do wonder how a PR from a non P-on going from a Hummer to a Lexus Hybrid 4x4 a) warrants a story, b) is in any way making a sacrifice or c) helps the planet, lugging a big battery down the motorway.
So it is perhaps reasonable to expect our ‘green’ ‘leadership’, self-appointed, thrust upon us or, fingers crossed, worthy, to at least try to do what they say we should do.
I don’t really think Gandhi would have quite got where he did with his cause if he decked a few folk who got in his way and then justified it because he was carrying an important message on non-violence, so you just gosh-darn well cut him some slack... or else. Equally any of his entourage. And I do believe if he, they or indeed any supportive entity had tried to argue otherwise they would have got short shrift. Too much flailing about and saying ‘look who’s talking’ just comes across as a tad holier than thou, and not a little defensive and indoctrinated.
So, in such a case, are questions on the validity of the messenger’s effectiveness in bearing this message ‘an attack’?
Looking at the originators (speaking of tarring with broad brushes what is a right wing vs. a left wing think tank anyway?) of the piece, it is probably meant to be so. And I am grateful for a level of back story insight from this and other blogs to have a better idea of the facts. Plus a very reasonable, and unexploited (even here, beyond the original poster, though some have posed questions I hope will see answers to clarify doubt) explanation of high usage to supply a home office (as is mine, hence running the house utilities 24/7) and a staff, though I might need security at some stage for having doubts others would seem to wish to deny me on some issues.
Because some remain, and it really doesn’t matter to me who started what or said what once the debate is engaged if certain facts are established. And beyond the energy usage one that will never change is the media. Was this managed well? About as well as the UK government handled road pricing, I’d say. A sensible notion for future transportation now an electoral albatross to any who dare mention it, even in more considered terms.
I too favour personal responsibility for actions, and by my lifestyle would estimate my family will do quite well from most initiatives.
However I still have a lot of doubts as to who gets to decide (there are also a few Kalahari bushmen may wonder why they don’t get to trade a holiday to Aspen with a broker from Brooklyn flying overhead to sort out some carbon credits between those who have them to trade), as an ex-engineer who dealt in numbers and efficiencies, and a current ad man and green-lite writer who understands short-term politics, corporate activist priorities and corporate PR/CSR greenwashing only to well.
I know it won’t... can’t be 100%, but I don’t want to see any efforts in the name of green on behalf of my future generations carved up between government, NGO and financial trading empire builders’ departments, staff, pensions, comms budgets, fact-finding tours, climate change conferences in nice sunny places. Or subsidising celebs and their massive support systems and sycophantic media camp followers, to have nice parties to boost ‘awareness’ of how much they need to do this so we can’t .
Do what you do best. Live the life. Share it online. Do before you talk. And if it’s worth it, fun and inspiring, people will want to read about what you do.
They may even follow your example.'
New Consumer - Al Gore & Diaz: ‘Live Earth climate crisis gigs will reach 2 billion
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Legal, decent, honest... and evasive?
I get these all the time, and have at last decided to have a scope.
As an ad man and enviro-concerned person, I found this one of interest, especially with my concerns on financial vs. enviROI.
To do it justice I will need to read it carefully, but I have to say that if I am not sure what was going on at the outset, I'd have to err on the side of caution.
As an ad man and enviro-concerned person, I found this one of interest, especially with my concerns on financial vs. enviROI.
To do it justice I will need to read it carefully, but I have to say that if I am not sure what was going on at the outset, I'd have to err on the side of caution.
Getting some offside, but maybe one on?
Terence Blacker: Pimp your ride the green celebrity way
Dear Mr. Blacker
While I can only agree with all else you have written (and indeed delight in blogging on relentlessly - Mr. Gore's inconvenient utility bill today, for instance), I do rather hope that Mr. Banks opted for low-energy, long-life bulbs. Otherwise he is helping neither his financial nor the planet's environmental ROI.
And by being one of a long line in celeb pedestal pronoucers to look a tad shaky to us mere mortals, I do wonder if he is doing the cause of genuine green advocacy to the masses much good either.
From your article's thrust I'm guessing not. But uncritical media complicity will tend to maintain the trend, no? Though one suspects there is ratings value in sending out the PR going in and then catching them on the way out with commentary such as yours.
ps: Replacing a fleet of expensive motors with one expensive motor really only helps the green thing if its use in this case is weighed against a) other dirty great big SUVs and b) where it gets used. On a motorway it's mainly lugging a heavy battery around, which helps the planet.. er.. how?
But yes... let us visit a municipal dump, where health and safety regulations forbid the supply of unchecked electrical equipment through charity shops or auctions.
May I therefore direct you at a place where making and mending is made fun and friendly to those with less cash to flash, and don't feel it, or anything else needs to go to be burned either.
The author has been courteous enough to reply, and nice enough to offer his best (makes it worth the effort writing when that happens):
Thanks for your interesting email and for directing me to Junkk.com. All (energy-saving) power to your elbow.
Dear Mr. Blacker
While I can only agree with all else you have written (and indeed delight in blogging on relentlessly - Mr. Gore's inconvenient utility bill today, for instance), I do rather hope that Mr. Banks opted for low-energy, long-life bulbs. Otherwise he is helping neither his financial nor the planet's environmental ROI.
And by being one of a long line in celeb pedestal pronoucers to look a tad shaky to us mere mortals, I do wonder if he is doing the cause of genuine green advocacy to the masses much good either.
From your article's thrust I'm guessing not. But uncritical media complicity will tend to maintain the trend, no? Though one suspects there is ratings value in sending out the PR going in and then catching them on the way out with commentary such as yours.
ps: Replacing a fleet of expensive motors with one expensive motor really only helps the green thing if its use in this case is weighed against a) other dirty great big SUVs and b) where it gets used. On a motorway it's mainly lugging a heavy battery around, which helps the planet.. er.. how?
But yes... let us visit a municipal dump, where health and safety regulations forbid the supply of unchecked electrical equipment through charity shops or auctions.
May I therefore direct you at a place where making and mending is made fun and friendly to those with less cash to flash, and don't feel it, or anything else needs to go to be burned either.
The author has been courteous enough to reply, and nice enough to offer his best (makes it worth the effort writing when that happens):
Thanks for your interesting email and for directing me to Junkk.com. All (energy-saving) power to your elbow.
Issues! Bless you...
Going green is seen as 'the' issue
Nice to know I am not jumping on a bandwagon.
'...some of the most powerful players in the sector called for action on environmental issues despite the fact that many of the executives flew to the event in private jets.'
'Stephen Schwarzman, head of the Blackstone Group, was most vociferous, saying anybody who did not watch the documentary An Inconvenient Truth by the former US vice president Al Gore, had to be "intellectually deficient".'
Bet he wishes Big Al's untilty bill had cropped up the same day he said that:)
Nice to know I am not jumping on a bandwagon.
'...some of the most powerful players in the sector called for action on environmental issues despite the fact that many of the executives flew to the event in private jets.'
'Stephen Schwarzman, head of the Blackstone Group, was most vociferous, saying anybody who did not watch the documentary An Inconvenient Truth by the former US vice president Al Gore, had to be "intellectually deficient".'
Bet he wishes Big Al's untilty bill had cropped up the same day he said that:)
One and one's lost plot.
As I munch on my Big Mac and Fries, while I can see some environmental (how many fields to support one cow?) and even health benefits, I can't help but think that if it was as simplistically put as it has been reported (in the Indy, mind), the guy is a little more shy on reality grasping than I had thought.
Charles suggests McDonald's ban
Indy - The Third Leader: Burger kings
Mad - A Big Mac by appointment to the Burger King in waiting
It's a stretch to equate the HRH's A&P remarks to have been targetted at a competitor such as MacD. I'd say it was just a case of 'foot-in-ones-mouth disease'.
What a nice way to end a Thursday - a charming note from the author conceding I may have a point. Now if only we could all comment and chat in such a civilised way!
Telegraph - Star chef backs the Big Mac
Indy - Janet Street-Porter: Charles is cashing in on our food snobbery
Charles suggests McDonald's ban
Indy - The Third Leader: Burger kings
Mad - A Big Mac by appointment to the Burger King in waiting
It's a stretch to equate the HRH's A&P remarks to have been targetted at a competitor such as MacD. I'd say it was just a case of 'foot-in-ones-mouth disease'.
What a nice way to end a Thursday - a charming note from the author conceding I may have a point. Now if only we could all comment and chat in such a civilised way!
Telegraph - Star chef backs the Big Mac
Indy - Janet Street-Porter: Charles is cashing in on our food snobbery
Why skilled engineers make perfect leaders
Amen!
Peter Martin, Junkk Male, Big 'Ed, top 40 producer, ad agency owner CD... and BSc Civ. Eng (Hons - so long as I promised not to try and build anything)
Times - The world’s your oyster
Times - Professional development
Times - Making a difference
Times - Engineering a solution
I left Uni 25 years ago with a BSc Civ. Eng.
A combination of happy factors took me through advertising and
music production to an ideal career now trying to save the planet
through science AND the art of persuasion, via branding, reward and
incentive.
However, it was rather sad then (and I'm not so sure it's too different
now) that of a graduating class of around 35, less than 10% remained
directly in the profession. And most of (well, 3 and a half of them) were
not spanning the Humber or building dams bestride a mighty D10. A
two-up two-down in Slough was more the speed. So good careers
planning and management of graduate expectations is still critical I'd say.
Mind you, most of my mates are now 'Masters of the Universe' in the
City (bit of a black sheep, me),so something must have worked out
well, if not perhaps for our culture of innovation in actually making
tangible 'things' any more. But as Mr. Dyson has proven, it's hard to
design them and sell them if you don't know how to make them.
Peter Martin, Junkk Male, Big 'Ed, top 40 producer, ad agency owner CD... and BSc Civ. Eng (Hons - so long as I promised not to try and build anything)
Times - The world’s your oyster
Times - Professional development
Times - Making a difference
Times - Engineering a solution
I left Uni 25 years ago with a BSc Civ. Eng.
A combination of happy factors took me through advertising and
music production to an ideal career now trying to save the planet
through science AND the art of persuasion, via branding, reward and
incentive.
However, it was rather sad then (and I'm not so sure it's too different
now) that of a graduating class of around 35, less than 10% remained
directly in the profession. And most of (well, 3 and a half of them) were
not spanning the Humber or building dams bestride a mighty D10. A
two-up two-down in Slough was more the speed. So good careers
planning and management of graduate expectations is still critical I'd say.
Mind you, most of my mates are now 'Masters of the Universe' in the
City (bit of a black sheep, me),so something must have worked out
well, if not perhaps for our culture of innovation in actually making
tangible 'things' any more. But as Mr. Dyson has proven, it's hard to
design them and sell them if you don't know how to make them.
A word in your shell-like, squire
Don’ t force me. I’m open to persuasion
I agree with the notion of persuasion, but in this day and age
would merely advocate that the funding that goes behind it is
channeled wisely into accountable, and responsible mechanisms
with genuine ROI measures.
So yes, let's have no more 'fine first, figure out a solution later' social
divisions created, but equally let's not see all useful funding poured
into black-hole govt. and quango (same paymaster, different branding
empires and immense comms budgets that serve only to keep ad
agencies, media buying houses and the guys they are hired by
entertained.
I agree with the notion of persuasion, but in this day and age
would merely advocate that the funding that goes behind it is
channeled wisely into accountable, and responsible mechanisms
with genuine ROI measures.
So yes, let's have no more 'fine first, figure out a solution later' social
divisions created, but equally let's not see all useful funding poured
into black-hole govt. and quango (same paymaster, different branding
empires and immense comms budgets that serve only to keep ad
agencies, media buying houses and the guys they are hired by
entertained.
Ken and Me
I cringe that this is the best that he could come up with at this stage, but: It won't cost the earth
It is a pleasure to focus, for once, on a fairly unequivocal and positive set (though there are some interesting, if inevitable re-run pros, cons, defences and accusations to be found in subsequent posts) of ideas, and with few politically or class-hued bolt-ons to sour the soup.
‘We don't have to reduce our quality of life to tackle climate change, but we do need to change the way we live.’
Bang on! Shame to see this popped in though: ‘...hear from rightwing commentators’. Creates camps, see. We need to bring folk together in the common cause of reducing waste without having to choose what colour flag they fight under.
‘It is ironic that...’
Well, yes. In fact the words and deeds of those who would claim to act on our behalves can often seem at odds with actuality. And hence weaken their cases and authority to even pass comment. Let alone expect any to follow.
‘Put the other way, we actually have a moral responsibility to lead.’
No argument.
‘...a new one-stop-shop Green Homes advice service.’
I await with interest and anticipation on the details. But some dread that it will be another over-funded, over-staffed and under-utilised box-ticking quango with a vast comms budget that delivers a poor ROI to rate-payers pockets and the environment. Fingers crossed!
‘It will also be important to offer financial incentives for change.’
Amen. You could also try and swing some cooperation from your mates in the City, too:
http://www.globalideasbank.org/site/bank/idea.php?ideaId=6038
Speaking of folk who live in your ‘hood, try this one as well on your good buddies in Westminster (that even the guys in the £xM flats overlooking your office may see merit in):
http://junkk.blogspot.com/2007/02/carbon-legacy-its-alive-i-tell-you.html
It’s a compromise IHT solution to the deadlock caused by ‘us not being able to take it with us’, ‘you not wanting to let go of it’ and ‘them not trusting you to make good use of it if and when you get it’.
What’s not to like?
‘...we have to introduce a comprehensive carbon-pricing system across the UK - so that people's economic decisions take account of the carbon impact.‘
Yup. But... who runs it? Where is the money taken from and sent to? How efficient will the logistics of management, assessment, monitoring, imposing, policing, IT-support, etc , be?
Just so long as 99% of all excess monies taken in the name of green do not get split between City brokers and public service and quango empires before any goes to reducing our planetary impact. A guy has to hope:)
‘Now is the time for action.’
How many times have I heard that? But yes, the time for talking is over, so long as we can trust the motivations and abilities of those who would lay claim to the reins.
Now, let’s check the form book...
BBC - Mayor unveils climate change plan
Yahoo - Livingstone to announce climate change strategy
Reuters - London plans to be world's greenest city
It is a pleasure to focus, for once, on a fairly unequivocal and positive set (though there are some interesting, if inevitable re-run pros, cons, defences and accusations to be found in subsequent posts) of ideas, and with few politically or class-hued bolt-ons to sour the soup.
‘We don't have to reduce our quality of life to tackle climate change, but we do need to change the way we live.’
Bang on! Shame to see this popped in though: ‘...hear from rightwing commentators’. Creates camps, see. We need to bring folk together in the common cause of reducing waste without having to choose what colour flag they fight under.
‘It is ironic that...’
Well, yes. In fact the words and deeds of those who would claim to act on our behalves can often seem at odds with actuality. And hence weaken their cases and authority to even pass comment. Let alone expect any to follow.
‘Put the other way, we actually have a moral responsibility to lead.’
No argument.
‘...a new one-stop-shop Green Homes advice service.’
I await with interest and anticipation on the details. But some dread that it will be another over-funded, over-staffed and under-utilised box-ticking quango with a vast comms budget that delivers a poor ROI to rate-payers pockets and the environment. Fingers crossed!
‘It will also be important to offer financial incentives for change.’
Amen. You could also try and swing some cooperation from your mates in the City, too:
http://www.globalideasbank.org/site/bank/idea.php?ideaId=6038
Speaking of folk who live in your ‘hood, try this one as well on your good buddies in Westminster (that even the guys in the £xM flats overlooking your office may see merit in):
http://junkk.blogspot.com/2007/02/carbon-legacy-its-alive-i-tell-you.html
It’s a compromise IHT solution to the deadlock caused by ‘us not being able to take it with us’, ‘you not wanting to let go of it’ and ‘them not trusting you to make good use of it if and when you get it’.
What’s not to like?
‘...we have to introduce a comprehensive carbon-pricing system across the UK - so that people's economic decisions take account of the carbon impact.‘
Yup. But... who runs it? Where is the money taken from and sent to? How efficient will the logistics of management, assessment, monitoring, imposing, policing, IT-support, etc , be?
Just so long as 99% of all excess monies taken in the name of green do not get split between City brokers and public service and quango empires before any goes to reducing our planetary impact. A guy has to hope:)
‘Now is the time for action.’
How many times have I heard that? But yes, the time for talking is over, so long as we can trust the motivations and abilities of those who would lay claim to the reins.
Now, let’s check the form book...
BBC - Mayor unveils climate change plan
Yahoo - Livingstone to announce climate change strategy
Reuters - London plans to be world's greenest city
Worth a punt, I mean tent, eh?
101 uses for a manky tent
Or simply chuck it in the bin. No one will notice. Will they?
Yes they will, if it is the wrong one, and try to fine whoever's name is on it even if they had nothing to do with disposal.
So, as you have so womanfully done on a personal basis, play safe and go with the re:use option.
You may suggest or indeed find a few more ideas here: http://www.junkk.com
Or simply chuck it in the bin. No one will notice. Will they?
Yes they will, if it is the wrong one, and try to fine whoever's name is on it even if they had nothing to do with disposal.
So, as you have so womanfully done on a personal basis, play safe and go with the re:use option.
You may suggest or indeed find a few more ideas here: http://www.junkk.com
Gored?
I am very glad that I have established Junkk.com on the basis of information, incentive and reward, rather than fright, guilt and fine, but despite this there is the small matter of setting an example.
There is a limit to how much I can say 'do what you gotta do', so when something makes sense to do, or not, to help the situation, I will try and share it. Which means I should and would feel a bit uncomfortable advocating not flying so much as I book the family for a weekend in Verbier to catch the last of the season's skiing.
So you have to feel, but only a bit, for Mr. Gore: Al Gore faces truth about his own energy use
Typically the issue seems to have immediately descended into who is behind it all at the expense of the facts, but as at least some seem undoubted there is the question of example.
And that is where the darlings of the green elite need to start getting their houses in order. For a start, by at least switching the thermo down and a few rooms' lights off.
And I do question how many firs can get whacked in the firmament to allow them to keep on emitting rather than simply cutting back.
Gore feels the heat
Guardian - An inconvenient truth: eco-warrior Al Gore's bloated gas and electricity bills
Indy - Gore faces up to inconvenient truth over his electricity bill
There is a limit to how much I can say 'do what you gotta do', so when something makes sense to do, or not, to help the situation, I will try and share it. Which means I should and would feel a bit uncomfortable advocating not flying so much as I book the family for a weekend in Verbier to catch the last of the season's skiing.
So you have to feel, but only a bit, for Mr. Gore: Al Gore faces truth about his own energy use
Typically the issue seems to have immediately descended into who is behind it all at the expense of the facts, but as at least some seem undoubted there is the question of example.
And that is where the darlings of the green elite need to start getting their houses in order. For a start, by at least switching the thermo down and a few rooms' lights off.
And I do question how many firs can get whacked in the firmament to allow them to keep on emitting rather than simply cutting back.
Gore feels the heat
Guardian - An inconvenient truth: eco-warrior Al Gore's bloated gas and electricity bills
Indy - Gore faces up to inconvenient truth over his electricity bill
Am I missing something?
Nothing to do with the environment. A lot to do with the media... who report on the ways to save the planet, if not very thoroughly.
Ice cream can help women get pregnant
I write this as I watch the same piece on BBC Breakfast with the bouffant and the blonde reading out the same press release and saying 'Yummy, mummy'.
Now, valid though this may or may not be (I'm guessing pregnant ancestors may have needed a high fat boost to weather the demands of an extra kid from conception to weaning), I do wonder if some context may not have been worthwhile about how that rather unchallenged bit of info may apply in these modern days of obesity being a bit of a problem?
Times - Obese mothers blamed for baby deaths
Indy - Ice cream 'helps increase chance of pregnancy'
Ice cream can help women get pregnant
I write this as I watch the same piece on BBC Breakfast with the bouffant and the blonde reading out the same press release and saying 'Yummy, mummy'.
Now, valid though this may or may not be (I'm guessing pregnant ancestors may have needed a high fat boost to weather the demands of an extra kid from conception to weaning), I do wonder if some context may not have been worthwhile about how that rather unchallenged bit of info may apply in these modern days of obesity being a bit of a problem?
Times - Obese mothers blamed for baby deaths
Indy - Ice cream 'helps increase chance of pregnancy'
Stamping Out... er... in... DM?
Dearer stamps 'could mean more junk mail' through your letterbox
There's a new dynamic these more environmentally aware days: the ECOst.
As an ad man I cannot quite fathom why an increase in prices would also be accompanied by an increase in marketing material. The reason our papers are the price they are, and not more, is because of the ads.
However, should one's ECOncern run to unwanted or indeed unnecessary excess printed paper in any medium, there is a certain logic to allowing you can't have it all ways.
There's a new dynamic these more environmentally aware days: the ECOst.
As an ad man I cannot quite fathom why an increase in prices would also be accompanied by an increase in marketing material. The reason our papers are the price they are, and not more, is because of the ads.
However, should one's ECOncern run to unwanted or indeed unnecessary excess printed paper in any medium, there is a certain logic to allowing you can't have it all ways.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Screw up again, and others will pay. Again
Fireman wins £100,000 in sex-bias case
Careful, it may need to be 'Fireperson', or you could get sued!
In this, rare, case, the man deserves all he got... and more.
Miss Kelly is now out of the frame, but the question on pensions is
one worth an answer (see below).
But the all the people who so mishandled this case and cost the
local taxpayer this money, along with causing Mr. Owers such pain?
All still in employ? With index-linked pensions?
Why? If you don't punish those who cause the problems, the problems
will recur.
Am I missing something?
ps; I don't expect an answer. There never is one (even from the media,
who have already moved on) . That's why it will happen again and again
and again and again....
Careful, it may need to be 'Fireperson', or you could get sued!
In this, rare, case, the man deserves all he got... and more.
Miss Kelly is now out of the frame, but the question on pensions is
one worth an answer (see below).
But the all the people who so mishandled this case and cost the
local taxpayer this money, along with causing Mr. Owers such pain?
All still in employ? With index-linked pensions?
Why? If you don't punish those who cause the problems, the problems
will recur.
Am I missing something?
ps; I don't expect an answer. There never is one (even from the media,
who have already moved on) . That's why it will happen again and again
and again and again....
Warp factor
Another quango? They never learn.
Au contraire. I believe 'they' learn very well. For putting up with the
few voices of protest (or, more painfully but ultimately less effective...
satire), 'they' create a bunch of servile and beholden groups who are a
few stages removed (but still know where their index-linked bread gets
its butter from), and get to play with vast sums for empire-building
(offices (head & regional), officers, boards, research, conference,
etc) first of all before they ever start on the project at hand. And before
any money gets spent on that, there is the black hole that is
'communications'. What's more warped (they know who they are) than
blowing tens of millions on telling people to do something when such
money could be invested direct from source in incentivising them?
Now, what have I missed?
Au contraire. I believe 'they' learn very well. For putting up with the
few voices of protest (or, more painfully but ultimately less effective...
satire), 'they' create a bunch of servile and beholden groups who are a
few stages removed (but still know where their index-linked bread gets
its butter from), and get to play with vast sums for empire-building
(offices (head & regional), officers, boards, research, conference,
etc) first of all before they ever start on the project at hand. And before
any money gets spent on that, there is the black hole that is
'communications'. What's more warped (they know who they are) than
blowing tens of millions on telling people to do something when such
money could be invested direct from source in incentivising them?
Now, what have I missed?
The Lord-it-over-you giveth. And what geth takethaway...eth?
Fairtrade Man: day one
I don't envy the food miles carbon offset!
Now if we would all only eat stuff from halfway around the planet...
I don't envy the food miles carbon offset!
Now if we would all only eat stuff from halfway around the planet...
Why some get the big bucks
I was going to comment on this, but it has been 'closed' (wonder why?)
Uniting the union
Maybe, having waded through all that, it is my initial thought at reading this: 'Above all, the EU requires cooperation.'
It was 'No sh*t, Sherlock,' followed closely by 'and Gloucester Old Spots will soon be used as eco-jumbos by Virgin Atlantic.'
Shame that will only bee read here.
Uniting the union
Maybe, having waded through all that, it is my initial thought at reading this: 'Above all, the EU requires cooperation.'
It was 'No sh*t, Sherlock,' followed closely by 'and Gloucester Old Spots will soon be used as eco-jumbos by Virgin Atlantic.'
Shame that will only bee read here.
It's not where you live, it's... actually, it is where you live
"Internet People: How to make successful start-up'
Before even clicking on the first link, as I rather feared the first requirement looks like being 'Live in London'. Sigh.
Still, an interesting piece with some worthy advice and avenues of further investigation.
ADD:
Thank you Futurescape (and Ms. J for putting us all together so nicely... and virtually)
And as what goes around... from waaaaay out West at http://www.junkk.com we are more than happy to offer anyone with a consumer product or service that helps the planet a nifty slot and promo via our free diRE:ctory and newsletter.
Web-based especially welcome (a bit of NO-COtoo saving on all that gadding about)!
Before even clicking on the first link, as I rather feared the first requirement looks like being 'Live in London'. Sigh.
Still, an interesting piece with some worthy advice and avenues of further investigation.
ADD:
Thank you Futurescape (and Ms. J for putting us all together so nicely... and virtually)
And as what goes around... from waaaaay out West at http://www.junkk.com we are more than happy to offer anyone with a consumer product or service that helps the planet a nifty slot and promo via our free diRE:ctory and newsletter.
Web-based especially welcome (a bit of NO-COtoo saving on all that gadding about)!
Bugging
It would be funny if it were not true: What is the most annoying phrase in the English language?
Anything... said by a politician these days to avoid saying, and hence being held to account for... anything.
eg: 'We're looking into it'. 'That's a good question' (before going on to not answer it but use it as a segue to a bit of waffle on safe stuff). Or, my current favourite... 'we're keen to get your views' (sometimes uttered as: we're listening').
Anything... said by a politician these days to avoid saying, and hence being held to account for... anything.
eg: 'We're looking into it'. 'That's a good question' (before going on to not answer it but use it as a segue to a bit of waffle on safe stuff). Or, my current favourite... 'we're keen to get your views' (sometimes uttered as: we're listening').
BOGOF
If you're poor, ethical shopping means 9p beans
Having just read elsewhere some comments made by the NFU, and Mr. King's retort, I am not so sure it is in fact a win-win for 'everyone'.... especially the cause of helping the planet heal.
Many eco-initiatives that are proven to be effective, if only on an EnviROI (as opposed to going green without going into the red) basis, are a matter of making a conscious decisions to save the planet before the wallet.
Sadly supermarkets and their officers seem more concerned with profit and career first... and exclusively. Actual ethics only seem to kick in when the PR or CSR value is worthwhile. And a lot of media are happy to oblige them.
Telegraph - Dairy farmers warn of industry 'meltdown'
Times - Farmer's Challenge - Sounds like a quiz game!
I rather thought they have been. For a while.
But there is rather a problem with faith in toothless, old-boy or
downright lobby-phobic quangos these days.
So... to whom else is he suggesting they do this?
The purchasing munchkin with power over verbal contract
or no contract ever again, perhaps?
And, while we're at it, we'll ask all the other nasty folk around the
place to jolly well stop being beastly and play fair.
Yo! Ah,madinner'sbad! We've put out a ' noddymouse
sanctimonious fatwah. That'll see you, Jimmy!
Bless.
Having just read elsewhere some comments made by the NFU, and Mr. King's retort, I am not so sure it is in fact a win-win for 'everyone'.... especially the cause of helping the planet heal.
Many eco-initiatives that are proven to be effective, if only on an EnviROI (as opposed to going green without going into the red) basis, are a matter of making a conscious decisions to save the planet before the wallet.
Sadly supermarkets and their officers seem more concerned with profit and career first... and exclusively. Actual ethics only seem to kick in when the PR or CSR value is worthwhile. And a lot of media are happy to oblige them.
Telegraph - Dairy farmers warn of industry 'meltdown'
Times - Farmer's Challenge - Sounds like a quiz game!
I rather thought they have been. For a while.
But there is rather a problem with faith in toothless, old-boy or
downright lobby-phobic quangos these days.
So... to whom else is he suggesting they do this?
The purchasing munchkin with power over verbal contract
or no contract ever again, perhaps?
And, while we're at it, we'll ask all the other nasty folk around the
place to jolly well stop being beastly and play fair.
Yo! Ah,madinner'sbad! We've put out a ' noddymouse
sanctimonious fatwah. That'll see you, Jimmy!
Bless.
2007
'Close your door to the mafia tax collectors in the town hall'
I hear all you say*.
However I am unsure as to the consequences to my liberty and my family's subsequent life should I do as you say.
*especially this: 'Lambeth Council, named by the Audit Commission as one of the worst-performing authorities, is recruiting a £79,000-a-year "Director of Campaigns and Communications", the aim of whose job is to "build a lasting dialogue with our citizens". It is unlikely that any Lambeth citizens would notice if the post were to remain unfilled. Waste is endemic in local government.'
I hear all you say*.
However I am unsure as to the consequences to my liberty and my family's subsequent life should I do as you say.
*especially this: 'Lambeth Council, named by the Audit Commission as one of the worst-performing authorities, is recruiting a £79,000-a-year "Director of Campaigns and Communications", the aim of whose job is to "build a lasting dialogue with our citizens". It is unlikely that any Lambeth citizens would notice if the post were to remain unfilled. Waste is endemic in local government.'
Monday, February 26, 2007
What they said
A Rubbish Outcome
Electoral expediency and refuse costs lie behind the latest council tax figures
'The real solutions are a radically simplified tendering process for waste disposal contractors so that more of them bid, more competitively; a serious effort to require food manufacturers to cut back on packaging; and vastly more practical household recycling systems.'
Amen. And, one might suggest, investment in any and all ways that
are attractive by incentive or reward to the individual householder and/or
consumer, such as repair, reuse and reduction.
Recycling, while very worthwhile, still pretty much puts the onus on the
individual to act as an unpaid sorter and logistics operative for councils
and vastly overpaid contractors who are motivated more on targets
than any benefit to the environment. And all funded to the tune of
multi-tens of millions by poorly monitored monopolistic quangos with
more interest in empire-building than seeing money go to where it can
and should to deliver the most benefits.
The people know it, and are getting to resent funding words, pensions
but no actual delivery.
Electoral expediency and refuse costs lie behind the latest council tax figures
'The real solutions are a radically simplified tendering process for waste disposal contractors so that more of them bid, more competitively; a serious effort to require food manufacturers to cut back on packaging; and vastly more practical household recycling systems.'
Amen. And, one might suggest, investment in any and all ways that
are attractive by incentive or reward to the individual householder and/or
consumer, such as repair, reuse and reduction.
Recycling, while very worthwhile, still pretty much puts the onus on the
individual to act as an unpaid sorter and logistics operative for councils
and vastly overpaid contractors who are motivated more on targets
than any benefit to the environment. And all funded to the tune of
multi-tens of millions by poorly monitored monopolistic quangos with
more interest in empire-building than seeing money go to where it can
and should to deliver the most benefits.
The people know it, and are getting to resent funding words, pensions
but no actual delivery.
One law for you. And one for me.
Fines clampdown ‘will hit innocent drivers’
Let me get this straight.
Without due process or any burden of proof being established,
someone's rightful property can be seized and impounded against
their proving they are innocent?
And the justification for this being it's 'needed to help tackle the problem of unpaid congestion charges by drivers registered outside London.'
Now, what if Gordon Brown phoned them up and suggested a fellow
Ministerial colleague's Caravan-tower was in breach?
Why don't they just line-up against the wall and shoot each other?
It would save the rest of us the job.
Let me get this straight.
Without due process or any burden of proof being established,
someone's rightful property can be seized and impounded against
their proving they are innocent?
And the justification for this being it's 'needed to help tackle the problem of unpaid congestion charges by drivers registered outside London.'
Now, what if Gordon Brown phoned them up and suggested a fellow
Ministerial colleague's Caravan-tower was in breach?
Why don't they just line-up against the wall and shoot each other?
It would save the rest of us the job.
Circular Argument?
Honda F1 scraps sponsorship logos
This is a vehicle that rushes round in circles at vast speed using fuel and emitting global warming gasses right?
You know, maybe they read my blog on what the effect of someone having a fag was, and that's why they ditched the tobacco guys.
Hey, I'm scooping the big guys:
Being Green
They could always suggest car-sharing.
All the drivers get in one car and rush around really carefully. Then get Richard & Judy's
& Sunday Kitchen's production company to hold a a phone competition on who was the winner, as it really could still be anyone's guess!
Honda go for green with logo-free car made to save world one pixel at a time
I think I'll pass on the Civic Hybrid. It's got a bit too much baggage (literally... for all my non-urban trips I'd be lugging round a battery)
This is a vehicle that rushes round in circles at vast speed using fuel and emitting global warming gasses right?
You know, maybe they read my blog on what the effect of someone having a fag was, and that's why they ditched the tobacco guys.
Hey, I'm scooping the big guys:
Being Green
They could always suggest car-sharing.
All the drivers get in one car and rush around really carefully. Then get Richard & Judy's
& Sunday Kitchen's production company to hold a a phone competition on who was the winner, as it really could still be anyone's guess!
Honda go for green with logo-free car made to save world one pixel at a time
I think I'll pass on the Civic Hybrid. It's got a bit too much baggage (literally... for all my non-urban trips I'd be lugging round a battery)
Why pay for something pointless? That's why talk is cheap.
The global revolution
A few previous bloggers have addressed some opinions stated here as fact, but let me lob in a few of my own:
“...the electorate's demand for action is growing.”
Everything is relative. Considering the amount of money and media thrown at promoting such demands I’d say it blooming well should grow. But by how much in relation to what has already been invested?
I was stunned that the IPCC report got reported for about 3 days tops across all major media. Then I believe it was back to normal. Tipping point minus 10 years less a few weeks, according to the calculations of some...2500 top scientists. No wonder no one is too bothered.
“Until recently, Exxon Mobil and other companies paid lobbyists to try to distort the public debate."
Have they, and others... stopped now? Doubt it. Wouldn’t expect it. And frankly I think it’s good for debate. If all dissent was shut down, who would believe anything, especially as most solutions are little of gain for not much gain (well, except for the mankind surviving – if not with a Hummer beach holiday with A/C – thing)?
‘Yet truth has triumphed over political manoeuvres.’
I think you’ll find there’s life in the index-linked, short-term career, target and self-serving agenda’d dogs yet. Sadly.
‘...leaders such as General Electric, are also sending a clear message: we can solve the problem at modest cost if we put our best thinking and action into real solutions.’
Well, some may be sincere. Some may just be doing it either piecemeal, badly, or for the money. And GE just got sued did it not, for not delivering shareholder value as much as it could but for all this green innovocationaeering? You gotta love lawyers. I wonder if they will be all that’s left, along with cockroaches?
‘... we must start now and act on a global basis, using carbon taxes and emission permits’
Established and controlled by which government geniuses and their corporate, IT and city mates, on what enviROI, and for what or whose benefit? Road pricing as a kick-off anyone?
‘...create market-based incentives for companies and individuals to make the necessary changes.’
Couldn’t agree more. Now sell me on it all with ideas and tangibles. All I see is platitudes on one side and scaremongering, nanny stateism, fines and duties on the other. Very little inspiration and reward out there to get the public on side... or even designed to help them grasp the issues in terms they can relate and respond to.
‘The Kyoto Protocol was the first attempt...’
It’s good to try. But it was, how shall we say... a tad flawed by being no more than a bit of spin with no practical substance. And like so many such things, backfired by devaluing the real issues and insulting the global electorate’s intelligence.
‘All of that will have to change. All countries will have to shoulder their responsibilities to the rest of the world and to future generations.
No, really!?
‘There is now a way for individuals and companies to make their own voices heard. The Earth Institute at Columbia University...’
I’ll have a gander later. It may turn out to be ‘a’ way, along with a load of others, to help. My measure as to whether it is one of ‘the ways’ is if it gets beyond ‘we must...’ rhetoric and gets into tangible DOING stuff pronto, and does not just turn out to be another talking shop so highly paid consultants (who decides who or what actually are ‘leading businesses, environmental groups, and other international organisations’? Or ‘leading scientists’? Maybe the Guardian, who has PR’d this event, can help answer this... as a journalistic medium?) can whiz around the world Club Class staying in 5* hotels to figure out how to save the rest of us not privileged or connected enough to understand what is bearing down.
Me, I guess for now I’ll stay here and keep trying to suss out the substance from the spin in the comfort of my own home, whilst DOING something, no matter how small, with ‘a’nother effort, http://www.junkk.com , and my blog.
A few previous bloggers have addressed some opinions stated here as fact, but let me lob in a few of my own:
“...the electorate's demand for action is growing.”
Everything is relative. Considering the amount of money and media thrown at promoting such demands I’d say it blooming well should grow. But by how much in relation to what has already been invested?
I was stunned that the IPCC report got reported for about 3 days tops across all major media. Then I believe it was back to normal. Tipping point minus 10 years less a few weeks, according to the calculations of some...2500 top scientists. No wonder no one is too bothered.
“Until recently, Exxon Mobil and other companies paid lobbyists to try to distort the public debate."
Have they, and others... stopped now? Doubt it. Wouldn’t expect it. And frankly I think it’s good for debate. If all dissent was shut down, who would believe anything, especially as most solutions are little of gain for not much gain (well, except for the mankind surviving – if not with a Hummer beach holiday with A/C – thing)?
‘Yet truth has triumphed over political manoeuvres.’
I think you’ll find there’s life in the index-linked, short-term career, target and self-serving agenda’d dogs yet. Sadly.
‘...leaders such as General Electric, are also sending a clear message: we can solve the problem at modest cost if we put our best thinking and action into real solutions.’
Well, some may be sincere. Some may just be doing it either piecemeal, badly, or for the money. And GE just got sued did it not, for not delivering shareholder value as much as it could but for all this green innovocationaeering? You gotta love lawyers. I wonder if they will be all that’s left, along with cockroaches?
‘... we must start now and act on a global basis, using carbon taxes and emission permits’
Established and controlled by which government geniuses and their corporate, IT and city mates, on what enviROI, and for what or whose benefit? Road pricing as a kick-off anyone?
‘...create market-based incentives for companies and individuals to make the necessary changes.’
Couldn’t agree more. Now sell me on it all with ideas and tangibles. All I see is platitudes on one side and scaremongering, nanny stateism, fines and duties on the other. Very little inspiration and reward out there to get the public on side... or even designed to help them grasp the issues in terms they can relate and respond to.
‘The Kyoto Protocol was the first attempt...’
It’s good to try. But it was, how shall we say... a tad flawed by being no more than a bit of spin with no practical substance. And like so many such things, backfired by devaluing the real issues and insulting the global electorate’s intelligence.
‘All of that will have to change. All countries will have to shoulder their responsibilities to the rest of the world and to future generations.
No, really!?
‘There is now a way for individuals and companies to make their own voices heard. The Earth Institute at Columbia University...’
I’ll have a gander later. It may turn out to be ‘a’ way, along with a load of others, to help. My measure as to whether it is one of ‘the ways’ is if it gets beyond ‘we must...’ rhetoric and gets into tangible DOING stuff pronto, and does not just turn out to be another talking shop so highly paid consultants (who decides who or what actually are ‘leading businesses, environmental groups, and other international organisations’? Or ‘leading scientists’? Maybe the Guardian, who has PR’d this event, can help answer this... as a journalistic medium?) can whiz around the world Club Class staying in 5* hotels to figure out how to save the rest of us not privileged or connected enough to understand what is bearing down.
Me, I guess for now I’ll stay here and keep trying to suss out the substance from the spin in the comfort of my own home, whilst DOING something, no matter how small, with ‘a’nother effort, http://www.junkk.com , and my blog.
piMP my ride!
Ministers put foot down on carbon emissions
'The number of miles driven by ministerial drivers has increased sharply...'
Well, hot diggedy. Anyone would think they say one thing and do another.
'The number of miles driven by ministerial drivers has increased sharply...'
Well, hot diggedy. Anyone would think they say one thing and do another.
Swallowing your Greens. That's ratings.
Eco-label will create green standard for food, says Miliband
Will this be run alongside the one from the other retailers, which will be designed to tell a very different set of stories and totally flummox the consumer? Instead of traffic lights what will we have? Eco-stars? Green thumbs up? They are going to have to make the packs bigger at this rate (oh, the irony)! How many lobbyists, consultants and 'experts' will feed off this one for the next decade. Ship-borne dried apricots vs. airflown prawns vs. Spuds shunted from one end of the UK for scrubbing and then back to be deemed 'local' to where they are bought.
And are we going to have sub-sets where there is what is good for local farming, the local MP, the national purse, global environment, targets, media ratings and all the various pulls on green issues that can often be... at odds. Me, I vote less CO2... and unproductive civil servants and other talk-onlys to monitor and debate it all.
This is actually a great idea in principle, but when I see a PR piece floated telling me only something 'will be announced that is to considered' I have to wonder what exactly is going to be done at all, if ever.
For a change.
DEFRA - Mr. Miliband's Speech
Telegraph - 'Traffic light' labels backed by parents
Marketing Week - Parents reject GDA labelling system
BBC - Public want food 'traffic lights'
Will this be run alongside the one from the other retailers, which will be designed to tell a very different set of stories and totally flummox the consumer? Instead of traffic lights what will we have? Eco-stars? Green thumbs up? They are going to have to make the packs bigger at this rate (oh, the irony)! How many lobbyists, consultants and 'experts' will feed off this one for the next decade. Ship-borne dried apricots vs. airflown prawns vs. Spuds shunted from one end of the UK for scrubbing and then back to be deemed 'local' to where they are bought.
And are we going to have sub-sets where there is what is good for local farming, the local MP, the national purse, global environment, targets, media ratings and all the various pulls on green issues that can often be... at odds. Me, I vote less CO2... and unproductive civil servants and other talk-onlys to monitor and debate it all.
This is actually a great idea in principle, but when I see a PR piece floated telling me only something 'will be announced that is to considered' I have to wonder what exactly is going to be done at all, if ever.
For a change.
DEFRA - Mr. Miliband's Speech
Telegraph - 'Traffic light' labels backed by parents
Marketing Week - Parents reject GDA labelling system
BBC - Public want food 'traffic lights'
We're in with the 'in' crowd. So there.
I was watching BBC news yesterday morning and they had on Andrew Marr on selling his show later on.
On it, he was going to have Rory Bremner, who had just pulled what I thought was a rather fun stunt, though its ethics are under debate.
Of more interest to me was Andrew Marr's reaction to his colleague's question as to the competence of the No.10 switchboard and system such that this could have happened.
He was quick to defend 'his girls'. Without him being the BBC's political editor I wonder if they would be so helpful in putting him through in future had he had, as did I, some doubts? How did RB know what must surely be the oft repeated manner in which GB asks for folk? 'Hi, Gordo here, is Madge free..?'
Guardian - Beckett shows how to survive in politics
On it, he was going to have Rory Bremner, who had just pulled what I thought was a rather fun stunt, though its ethics are under debate.
Of more interest to me was Andrew Marr's reaction to his colleague's question as to the competence of the No.10 switchboard and system such that this could have happened.
He was quick to defend 'his girls'. Without him being the BBC's political editor I wonder if they would be so helpful in putting him through in future had he had, as did I, some doubts? How did RB know what must surely be the oft repeated manner in which GB asks for folk? 'Hi, Gordo here, is Madge free..?'
Guardian - Beckett shows how to survive in politics
Ask. Don'tell. Don't worry about it.
I saw a strange, worrying and all too frequent performance get played out on BBC Breakfast 'News' this morning. Check 'ONGO' labels for others, such as the latest on my spat with them over not posing the question I provided in answer to their request for... questions.
Apparently, a large number of NHS frontline staff are getting assaulted these days, which is terrible and a damning indictment of some sections of society, how they are created... and dealt with.
So after the stats we get a 'victim'; a nurse who suffered a terrible assault. Now I didn't catch how long ago it was, but her distress was clear. Thing is, her distress was wielded by the anchor as a symptom of her attack. Not to detract from what happened, was it not possible that it was just as easily to do with being dragged, albeit willingly, in front of the nation's cameras to perform live?
And this particular person's view (representing?) was that there should be a police person attending every treatment. Now there is a slight issue of practicality here. I'd like my own personal copper when I am out and about, but it ain't going to happen. And, as in her case, I am not sure this SAS, kung-fu-lighting-reaction doughnut muncher would be able to do much about a booze or drug fueled pyscho grabbing a needle and stabbing the nearest poor sod in A&E. The logic of this was not debated very much.
What we did get was the now obligatory Title Wearing Admin Template in suit and shaved skull (on £xxx,000/pa doubtless), whose job (something to do with security) it was to say nothing much really, beyond it was 'not acceptable', and waffle about measures. Meanwhile the blonde tries, in vain, to make him say something so her salary can go up with a 'gothca' on her CV. Which is why he will say... nothing.
'And that's all we have time for.'
All parties served. NHS. BBC. Just maybe not the issue. Or justice.
I've now regsitered another website: newsflip.info, where we will post examples of articles or broadcast clips and simply ask viewers what public interest was served at the expense of simply filling a slot and/or getting a senior talking head to fill it, or a highly subjective and limited viewpoint to stir up ratings value. You never know. It may stir up an answer. In this way, with my zero resources, I can use the major media to scare up the stories, and then use public pressure to actually get answers.
BBC - Violence costs NHS '£100m a year'
Apparently, a large number of NHS frontline staff are getting assaulted these days, which is terrible and a damning indictment of some sections of society, how they are created... and dealt with.
So after the stats we get a 'victim'; a nurse who suffered a terrible assault. Now I didn't catch how long ago it was, but her distress was clear. Thing is, her distress was wielded by the anchor as a symptom of her attack. Not to detract from what happened, was it not possible that it was just as easily to do with being dragged, albeit willingly, in front of the nation's cameras to perform live?
And this particular person's view (representing?) was that there should be a police person attending every treatment. Now there is a slight issue of practicality here. I'd like my own personal copper when I am out and about, but it ain't going to happen. And, as in her case, I am not sure this SAS, kung-fu-lighting-reaction doughnut muncher would be able to do much about a booze or drug fueled pyscho grabbing a needle and stabbing the nearest poor sod in A&E. The logic of this was not debated very much.
What we did get was the now obligatory Title Wearing Admin Template in suit and shaved skull (on £xxx,000/pa doubtless), whose job (something to do with security) it was to say nothing much really, beyond it was 'not acceptable', and waffle about measures. Meanwhile the blonde tries, in vain, to make him say something so her salary can go up with a 'gothca' on her CV. Which is why he will say... nothing.
'And that's all we have time for.'
All parties served. NHS. BBC. Just maybe not the issue. Or justice.
I've now regsitered another website: newsflip.info, where we will post examples of articles or broadcast clips and simply ask viewers what public interest was served at the expense of simply filling a slot and/or getting a senior talking head to fill it, or a highly subjective and limited viewpoint to stir up ratings value. You never know. It may stir up an answer. In this way, with my zero resources, I can use the major media to scare up the stories, and then use public pressure to actually get answers.
BBC - Violence costs NHS '£100m a year'
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Well is it?
I always like questions. You can stick it to 'em without quite being the hatchet man.
Fairtrade is booming - but is it still a fair deal?
Fairtrade is booming - but is it still a fair deal?
No2. He flies harder.
'Airmiles Andy' attempts image overhaul
I just liked the headline (actually both theirs and mine)
I also liked this: "But by employing Sir Digby, he is suggesting that he takes his role seriously, and is working to be a more effective trade ambassador."
I'd suggest he's a good candidate for tushtissue.info, as to me it reads like he's got in some paid spin to do a papering over job... badly.
I just liked the headline (actually both theirs and mine)
I also liked this: "But by employing Sir Digby, he is suggesting that he takes his role seriously, and is working to be a more effective trade ambassador."
I'd suggest he's a good candidate for tushtissue.info, as to me it reads like he's got in some paid spin to do a papering over job... badly.
GO FIGURE
As you will gather, I have been a busy blogger today.
Partly it's because I was away at a show (which will need blogging... sheesh) yesterday, but mainly because I found a big pile of clippings from my last Sunday's Times' read. And it was a rich seam.
And an eclectic one, too.
Thing is, now I have revisited a few hours later to check links (how pro is that?), I'm trying to figure out the rationale why some made it in... and some are conspicuous by their absence.
It may be that there are different moderators for different areas, and some are on a break this weekend. Fair dos. But I do wonder, as those that are not there are mostly (if not all) perhaps a tad critical of the media and its representatives' professional performance lately.
It was actually a salutary read, as in noting my blog on the ethics of getting a paid holiday in the sun counting as journalism of any form, I went back a bit further to find another not (yet) featured was one about the law of press junkets. Apparently, any form of paid/assisted PR jolly is illegal under UK law.
Partly it's because I was away at a show (which will need blogging... sheesh) yesterday, but mainly because I found a big pile of clippings from my last Sunday's Times' read. And it was a rich seam.
And an eclectic one, too.
Thing is, now I have revisited a few hours later to check links (how pro is that?), I'm trying to figure out the rationale why some made it in... and some are conspicuous by their absence.
It may be that there are different moderators for different areas, and some are on a break this weekend. Fair dos. But I do wonder, as those that are not there are mostly (if not all) perhaps a tad critical of the media and its representatives' professional performance lately.
It was actually a salutary read, as in noting my blog on the ethics of getting a paid holiday in the sun counting as journalism of any form, I went back a bit further to find another not (yet) featured was one about the law of press junkets. Apparently, any form of paid/assisted PR jolly is illegal under UK law.
Pols Porkies doing well today
‘Four homes’ Charles picks on property owners half his size
Live and let... well, at least let out lots of others for oddles of dosh, ey, what?
What a super-dooper example one sets.
Live and let... well, at least let out lots of others for oddles of dosh, ey, what?
What a super-dooper example one sets.
Out of the mouths of consumers...
Green pallor
When it comes to environmental issues, Ms. Taylor, you can ask a
lot of very good questions. Just don't expect many good answers.
Especially from those we used to imagine were tasked to ask them,
despite ad budgets on media:)
I'm guessing after week you have heard... er... nothing?
It not just retailer greenwashing, it's media-contrived greenwashing:)
When it comes to environmental issues, Ms. Taylor, you can ask a
lot of very good questions. Just don't expect many good answers.
Especially from those we used to imagine were tasked to ask them,
despite ad budgets on media:)
I'm guessing after week you have heard... er... nothing?
It not just retailer greenwashing, it's media-contrived greenwashing:)
Don't shoot the messenger. Or the guys flying him for free on a jolly.
Blair Force One fails to take off
What exactly is 'a full press corps', and why do we need to pay
(both financially and environmentally to fly them around?
Nothing like freedom of the press.
What exactly is 'a full press corps', and why do we need to pay
(both financially and environmentally to fly them around?
Nothing like freedom of the press.
Lack of logic is driving me... to Distraction
CAR CLINIC - Congestion chargers
How about the Smart Fortwo I recall reviewed in the paper? And don't
biodiesels like the Saab of dual-fuels such as Volvo offer count?
Mind you, I am still unclear how use of such vehicles solves congestion.
Or, for that matter, how two two miles in a 4x4 and then parking all
day kills the planet, while running all day on electric or hybrid helps
the planet. The pipe may be elsewhere or pump out less per mile,
but if you are doing the miles you are congesting and polluting more,
surely?
How about the Smart Fortwo I recall reviewed in the paper? And don't
biodiesels like the Saab of dual-fuels such as Volvo offer count?
Mind you, I am still unclear how use of such vehicles solves congestion.
Or, for that matter, how two two miles in a 4x4 and then parking all
day kills the planet, while running all day on electric or hybrid helps
the planet. The pipe may be elsewhere or pump out less per mile,
but if you are doing the miles you are congesting and polluting more,
surely?
The windmills of don't mind (the issues)
Ask the experts - Wind Turbines
You may wish to check the costs. As there is some debate as to
whether you can go green without going into the red as they actually
expire well before the payback period.
That is your eco vs. £ call.
What Ministers might also consider is whether the enviROI
helps the planet, either.
Get paid for making your own electricity
As indicated, there is some debate as to whether you can go
green without going into the red as they actually expire well before
the payback period.
That is a personal eco vs. £ call.
What does interest me, especially when Government and Ministers
get involved, is whether the enviROI helps the planet, either.
I'll put anything up (if I can afford it) IF it improves matters environmentally,
but not to meet some stupid green target
You may wish to check the costs. As there is some debate as to
whether you can go green without going into the red as they actually
expire well before the payback period.
That is your eco vs. £ call.
What Ministers might also consider is whether the enviROI
helps the planet, either.
Get paid for making your own electricity
As indicated, there is some debate as to whether you can go
green without going into the red as they actually expire well before
the payback period.
That is a personal eco vs. £ call.
What does interest me, especially when Government and Ministers
get involved, is whether the enviROI helps the planet, either.
I'll put anything up (if I can afford it) IF it improves matters environmentally,
but not to meet some stupid green target
When two sides go to bore
Open airspace to cut carbon, say airlines
At first I thought 'Nice one, Tel!', as it seemed another ace bit of spin
by RyanAir.
But in there, somewhere, is a modicum of logic.
Just like road pricing.
It's just a pity there tow sets of camps, at such extremes dealing with
it all, logic - and action - are as likely as that Gloucester Old Spot
dive-bombing crows out my window.
At first I thought 'Nice one, Tel!', as it seemed another ace bit of spin
by RyanAir.
But in there, somewhere, is a modicum of logic.
Just like road pricing.
It's just a pity there tow sets of camps, at such extremes dealing with
it all, logic - and action - are as likely as that Gloucester Old Spot
dive-bombing crows out my window.
The richer are different to you and I. They attract more leeches.
I stumbled across this.
I almost wished I hadn't. Almost.
Beam me up, Sir Richard... why space tourism is no longer a sci-fi fantasy
Well, golly. How sooooooper, for you.
And any of this serves anyone, especially the planet... how?
Sickening.
Don't pity me on Petit St Vincent
I almost wished I hadn't. Almost.
Beam me up, Sir Richard... why space tourism is no longer a sci-fi fantasy
Well, golly. How sooooooper, for you.
And any of this serves anyone, especially the planet... how?
Sickening.
Don't pity me on Petit St Vincent
Light out. The end of some tunnel vision?
Why do I feel the dead hand of a target, combined with some typically unjoined up thinking here?
Get ready for the big blackout
At first I thought 'Why not?' as a lot of motorway miles are driven
using just headlights. But beyond the human, I wonder about the
eco-cost of lights vs. the consequences of an accident in terms of
persons, travel and material damage/repair/recycling.
Brian has made a good suggestion.
Or there are ranges of low energy light made by Philips I have seen.
Get ready for the big blackout
At first I thought 'Why not?' as a lot of motorway miles are driven
using just headlights. But beyond the human, I wonder about the
eco-cost of lights vs. the consequences of an accident in terms of
persons, travel and material damage/repair/recycling.
Brian has made a good suggestion.
Or there are ranges of low energy light made by Philips I have seen.
Told you I was righ...
Gases, not sun, change climate
When are we going to move beyond the vast energies expended
discrediting things and concentrate on simply getting on and
DOING something?
I fully accept that we should not rush into precipitous actions that are
unproven to have environmental benefits, but the possibility of an
economic downturn seems a poor argument against the possibility
of going past a global warming tipping point, proven yet or otherwise.
This is the logic of Salem witchfinders, where you are only proven innocent
/right when it's too late and you are dead.
when you are dead.
When are we going to move beyond the vast energies expended
discrediting things and concentrate on simply getting on and
DOING something?
I fully accept that we should not rush into precipitous actions that are
unproven to have environmental benefits, but the possibility of an
economic downturn seems a poor argument against the possibility
of going past a global warming tipping point, proven yet or otherwise.
This is the logic of Salem witchfinders, where you are only proven innocent
/right when it's too late and you are dead.
when you are dead.
Yes, I am jealous. But also a litle jaded.... like a fox
Blog off
Was the content why, the readership why, or the fact that the author
and/or hubby know someone who knows someone in a)publishing,
b) PR and c) a compliant media hack who owes a favour or has a
slow news day?
I blog, therefore I am £70,000 richer
Was the content why, the readership why, or the fact that the author
and/or hubby know someone who knows someone in a)publishing,
b) PR and c) a compliant media hack who owes a favour or has a
slow news day?
I blog, therefore I am £70,000 richer
Now is the nuclear winter of my discontent
Just when you though you had had enough of all the Lovelocks, another comes along.
Go nuclear, save the planet... buy the book (that last bit was mine)
I have been erring on agreeing with Mr. Lovelock's analysis of late,
whilst wishing that such contentious, though sincerely meant as
thought-provoking, opinion pieces did not seem to always end with
"The book/TV series/movie is out now, priced £/$x, and the author
is on a tour of the planet to promote it now... but probably not on his
bike"
However, the value of blog post from those who care and know stuff
is clearly evidenced here.
Go nuclear, save the planet... buy the book (that last bit was mine)
I have been erring on agreeing with Mr. Lovelock's analysis of late,
whilst wishing that such contentious, though sincerely meant as
thought-provoking, opinion pieces did not seem to always end with
"The book/TV series/movie is out now, priced £/$x, and the author
is on a tour of the planet to promote it now... but probably not on his
bike"
However, the value of blog post from those who care and know stuff
is clearly evidenced here.
This is just too good a page turner!
No sooner do I put one Pol's Porky to bed, but another gets presented.
The eco minister’s 11,000-mile car claim
The shame of it is that Norman Baker's bill to make such info public domain, seems not only to have passed (yay!), but so quickly been consigned, along with what it thew up, to history. Pity.
The eco minister’s 11,000-mile car claim
The shame of it is that Norman Baker's bill to make such info public domain, seems not only to have passed (yay!), but so quickly been consigned, along with what it thew up, to history. Pity.
Puff piece
Last night a mate of mine asked my what the ecological consequences of the smoking industry was, from growing tobacco to setting fire to the stuff. I have no idea. Might be worth a scope.
Anyway, it leads me to this: MEPs’ cigarette ban goes up in smoke
I say nothing, but imply what you will that it is labelled 'POLPOR', which is for Pol's Porkies, my forthcoming website to log those that say one thing and do another. Hypocrite is too goo.. strong a word.
Anyway, it leads me to this: MEPs’ cigarette ban goes up in smoke
I say nothing, but imply what you will that it is labelled 'POLPOR', which is for Pol's Porkies, my forthcoming website to log those that say one thing and do another. Hypocrite is too goo.. strong a word.
Laptops of the Gods
A bit of good news:
Wind-up laptops for Third World
The £50 laptop to change the world
Can I buy one?
No, really. I go to a lot of shows where they charge £200 for
power and £100 for internet access.
Or eco-shows where they don't charge because they have neither.
Tricky when you are promoting a website that is out to help save
the planet.
Surely aversion can be made that is 'For sale', and one that is given
away clearly branded as only for a worthy recipient's use, such that
a person found in possession will at the very least be named and
shamed, if not held to account.
Wind-up laptops for Third World
The £50 laptop to change the world
Can I buy one?
No, really. I go to a lot of shows where they charge £200 for
power and £100 for internet access.
Or eco-shows where they don't charge because they have neither.
Tricky when you are promoting a website that is out to help save
the planet.
Surely aversion can be made that is 'For sale', and one that is given
away clearly branded as only for a worthy recipient's use, such that
a person found in possession will at the very least be named and
shamed, if not held to account.
What's green and has nothing to do with fixing a car?
Green travel off to a flying start
While whacking a fir in the firmament is the method du jour to attract
the tiny minority of well-informed Radio 4 listeners and even, it seems,
middle England to buying anything Climate Guilt-free, I was wondering
if there were any policies that addressed reduction of waste within the
automotive industry, and especially in the areas of reduction, reuse,
repair and recycling? Things like fixing stuff instead of just replacing.
I am aware of instances where this would be possible, and would
seem to confer more relevant benefits to the planet.
While whacking a fir in the firmament is the method du jour to attract
the tiny minority of well-informed Radio 4 listeners and even, it seems,
middle England to buying anything Climate Guilt-free, I was wondering
if there were any policies that addressed reduction of waste within the
automotive industry, and especially in the areas of reduction, reuse,
repair and recycling? Things like fixing stuff instead of just replacing.
I am aware of instances where this would be possible, and would
seem to confer more relevant benefits to the planet.
Cut and paste
I have been critical of some in the charity sector on occasion, and feel right to be so where excessive money goes not to those intended, but to those who see opportunity for being in a sacred cow industry.
So when I saw this I was impressed: What a donation buys around the world
20% is pretty much a standard agent's fee for any efforts on behalf of a client. So I think that is about right. And they have undercut that target by 4%.
Big up.
So when I saw this I was impressed: What a donation buys around the world
20% is pretty much a standard agent's fee for any efforts on behalf of a client. So I think that is about right. And they have undercut that target by 4%.
Big up.
Let's shoot at the guy in the window seat of the pressurised palne
Miliband mocked by his critics as climate Bill is downgraded
As Minister for the Environment and a claimed contender for party leadership it makes sense for anyone with an interest in this planet's future to watch Mr. Miliband's career and pay close attention to what he does, or does not do (or get done).
In this case I find it a shame that the 'critics' seemed more interested on how this reflected on him and his 'chances', than the issue at hand, and how it was delayed.
Further proof, if it were needed, that the denizens of Westminster and Fleet Street care more about themselves in the short term than anything pressing beyond the day after tomorrow.
Times - Labour accused of climate Bill chaos
Guardian - Watch thy neighbour
Ain't it a great way to run a country?
Whoops, it's where I live. Bummer.
As Minister for the Environment and a claimed contender for party leadership it makes sense for anyone with an interest in this planet's future to watch Mr. Miliband's career and pay close attention to what he does, or does not do (or get done).
In this case I find it a shame that the 'critics' seemed more interested on how this reflected on him and his 'chances', than the issue at hand, and how it was delayed.
Further proof, if it were needed, that the denizens of Westminster and Fleet Street care more about themselves in the short term than anything pressing beyond the day after tomorrow.
Times - Labour accused of climate Bill chaos
Guardian - Watch thy neighbour
Ain't it a great way to run a country?
Whoops, it's where I live. Bummer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)