Getting what you deserve?

This could be deemed a slight case of shooting in the foot if taken one way, but I choose to believe that, having had some measure of award success in certain areas, I can at least make comment without being accused of total sour grapes (especially as, in the case below, I didn't apply - by clean forgetting - more fool me).

In fact I won't comment too much, but let the facts, and others, do it for me.

First up is this from the press office of the Observer Ethical (hold that thought) Awards:

AL GORE, GORDON BROWN AND DAVID CAMERON SHORTLISTED

The shortlist is revealed today for the second Observer ethical awards... The entrants were judged by a combination of reader votes and by a celebrity panel, which included Alastair MacGowan, David James and Emily Eavis. The winners will be announced at an award ceremony in London on June 7.

The Observer ethical awards aim to reward those pioneering a sustainable
future for the country and provide a unique opportunity to recognise and
reward the very best products, innovations and schemes that make living
ethically achievable.

There are some other interesting nominees in my view (look at the supermarkets), but this little lot grabbed my attention:

Politician of the Year
Gordon Brown
Caroline Lucas
David Cameron

Looking at the way the votes were cast, and having a vague understanding of people's motivations, I can sort of see how Mr. Cameron made it through sheer media spin and presence (that is, being on it, an no , in my view, by having any), if not, by any tangible measure why. Caroline Lucas makes sense, but I'd be fascinated to know who outside a pretty small circle have heard of her.

In fact I'm guessing a lot of folk had to scrabble to think of anyone in politics as actually, genuinely 'green' (which, as Ethical Man's travels taught me, is not quite the same as ethical).

But.... Gordon Brown?????!

Let's leave it to Dave of Solarventi:

And as on one hand Gord tells us about promoting eco houses and renewables....
… the other hand reduces grants! See the Indy

Hmn. Worth winning in such company?

Couldn't Express it better!

A loooong day.

Up very early to try and cover off some work before leaving for the NEC Total Packaging Show again, followed by a very pleasant drive up (1 hr, door to door).

It was well worth it. The booths, sadly, are not the best places to trawl. For a start, as I am finding out from seasoned attendees, the big guys are not there any more, and of those who are you will not meet a decision maker.


So I lurked around the seminars mostly. Now, most of these were as is suspected, and pretty much a guy or gal reading from the PowerPoint slide I was looking at; but there were good opportunities at Q&A afterwards. And my trusty Junkk.com lappy-sling served me well as a substitute billboard, while the Vac:Sac is doing duty elsewhere, in getting the name across to those in the audience who may be moved to come up and chat afterwards, which many did.

My lack of in-depth industry knowledge worked to my advantage, as I was able to pose some pretty dumb questions which nonetheless left a few 'gurus' floundering.

This was mainly because I am acquiring a certain sympathy for the packaging industry. Now, while they may be no more angels than any other profit-oriented business grouping, they know their stuff, what works, what doesn't... and when they are getting a raw deal. Thing is, they are often constrained by relationships from being as vocal as they could be for what is essentially two goat functions: sacrificial and scape.

Government, quangos, activists and, most shamefully, the media have rather dumped the high profile woes of our consumer society upon them, and them alone. And, frankly, a lot of it stinks by being unfair, untrue and often not very 'eco'-logical at all in any case. For a start, I was amazed to learn that, considering this to be one of the highest profile packaging events of the year, no major media - who had been invited - had chosen to attend. Now, it may not be the most exciting niche in the news world, but it has been enough for a few high-profile 'campaigns' to be run in such as the Indy and Daily Mail. I rather think they owe their readers the opportunity to learn just why certain seemingly poor examples of 'excessive' packaging are used... and who specifies them. This latter is important, as the industry is usually only doing what it is asked, or rather demanded of it.

My head is buzzing with facts I simply did not know, and whilst I have no reason to doubt them, really do need to check up a bit before trotting them out. But, as I say, these guys do know their stuff, and it became quickly obvious to me that those who are quick to criticise (a few of whom were game enough at least to attend, to their credit) were doing so from a pretty woeful one-sided or agenda-driven viewpoint. Or were simply very badly briefed. My main concern was that, even at this stage, we seemed to be again only at the start of 'we must start discussing this more' talk. Er... now?

I do have a lot to digest, not just for Junkk.com but also RE:tie, as I also found many people there to be more than helpful in offering advice and leads, for which I must be more than grateful.

Anyway, as I think it is worth going back again, I must hit the sack.

At least one last thing will be worth a pleasant thought or two as I doze off. As I was leaving I had an excited call from Peter, the lovely photographer who had 'shot' me for the rather bruising interview for the Daily Express piece. Well, it had appeared today. And I must say it was a pretty big... and nice... spread (though they did add six years to my age - maybe I look it lately).

I hope it will serve to complement my activities at the show, and soon we will see both RE:tie and Junkk.com move into newer, better... and, with luck, more profitable areas. So now I must go off and work hard at having more luck:)

Like, Total...er..Packaging, man

Just dashing out the door for my second day at the show.

Already a bit exhausted as I'm trying to squeeze a Junkk.com day in at the beginning before I leave and at the end when I get back.

So far, so good. Which is why I'm going back.

There has been a good reception for RE:tie so far. No chequebooks being whipped out, but better than nothing. Unilever seemed more than interested.

The show itself is vast, and gives one a whole new perspective on the industry behind packaging. And just what goes into that bottle, cap and even label.

I have met some nice guys and gals from many aspects of the industry, and have been pleasantly surprised how happy to engage they are... even the media! I guess Junkk.com and RE:tie are not exactly bad for their businesses, so perhaps it's no surprise.

Today I intend to hit some seminars, but am not too hopeful. They tend to be dead boring anyway, so I am trying to score the PDFs of the slides and scoot through here at leisure. Plus the only real value is pouncing on the speaker. This may be more possible as they are quite small (the seminars, not the speakers), and open sided. And it looks like they are happy to hang about and chat.

So... gotta dash!

What's big, yellow...

I was never good at those shark in the custard jokes.

Two letters in reply to a piece I missed in the Indy (which I am sure is traceable):

Sir: Your feature on the huge area of land occupied by oilseed rape (12 May) made me recall a conversation with my father, a former airline pilot. I remarked about how much of France and England were covered in yellow fields and he said that this was how you could tell, from 37,000 feet, where the boundaries of the EU were. Present airline pilots may like to confirm if this is still the case. This would seem to indicate that the supply of oilseed rape products is determined by subsidy, rather than demand.

Sir: "The Rape of Spring"?(article, 12 May) "Garish"; "Slicks of Day-Glo yellow"; "an intercontinental crisis"? What an emotive introduction to a report that fails to find any evidence for a major role for oilseed rape in hay fever. This is a crop that produces a useful and healthy oil, which could also help to cut our carbon dioxide production.

Interesting. I am also keen to understand how it helps cut our CO2 production.

This allows me to air one of my odd ponders, like what happens to the inland climate if we suck all the energy out of the air coming in from the sea with wind farms (just asking - it may be minimal).

I remember an album from my youth, called, I think, Albedo 0.39, which was the reflectivity of the Earth.

My ponder is what the effect of such high reflectivity crops are vs. a darker green on the whole sun beating down thing? One has to presume there may be one if the coverage gets significant.

It struck me as I was leaving the UK for Geneva to help save the planet with RE:tie. By air, I have to admit. But as the Indy did point out yesterday - Deforestation: The hidden cause of global warming (I must mention two things. One is that I do recall us all being a bit worried about cutting down rain forests even when I was a kid, so how hidden it is/was escapes me. Two: that's no excuse to keep on wasting away now) - the whole travel thing rather pales (pun intended) in comparison to other effects... possibly.

Grist - If not an answer, a lead to further info

Calls are free. The shrink bill is mounting.

Speaking of count-ups (see previous post).

Today is day 5 of my Skype saga.

Goaded by a more tech-literate mate in Hong Kong, and the promise of free calls, I last week ordered up a handset.

And this weekend I played software roulette with this piece of hardware and the various online options between our PCs and Macs, made all the more fun by the various drivers coming on disks that won't fit into a Mac, and when they do fit in the PC then clashing with the XP OS.

So far, all I now have a very good, extra, instant messaging system, but then what was wrong with email, especially as you don't waste all morning saying hello to and fro? And I can hear the other end but can't seem to get my voice heard even though the test says if you can hear yourself (which I can) then it's all spiffy, while the online icon says 'Skype can't hear you'.

So far, it is: Me = 0. Skype = 0. My psychiatrist = kids through college.

News, new, slow news day

I don't really have much to lose with most parts (a few nice, notable, exceptions, who are the only ones likely to be reading this) of the BBC these days, so what the hey.

Turned on at 5.30am to get straight into day whatever of the Maddyfest. Concerned journalists and anchors here and there swapping war stories about how the beastly Portuguese coppers don't give press conferences BECAUSE THEY ... ER... 'WE' NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON!!!! No irony at all when they interview a Brit policeman who mutters that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing here to be allowed to get on with their jobs rather than having to tell the bad guys (I didn't mean the media, but...) every ten seconds what they may or may not be doing to satisfy the demands of the media.

And now, having got that off my chest, here is the rest of the news.

Seems a highly-funded bunch of academics has announced a study that pumping out endless 'We're all toast' climate change doom 'n gloom stories to a willing and eager ratings machine such as our media... isn't helping much. Check back a few years to see why I can only ponder, with some rueful shaking of head, that I wish I'd said that. Oh, I did. Along with a few (not many) others. And I told a few media outlets, such as the BBC, but maybe offering a word of caution on the responsibility of outrageous reporting wasn't quite in keeping with their journalistic standards of... 'WE'RE ALL DOOMED! - say eco-activists with book tours', vs. 'NO, WE'RE NOT! - say big-oil funded deniers'. Which ever way, the ratings flames are fanned to good effect by those less interested in the truth, accuracy and a better future tomorrow, than a good headline today.

And so we come to Declan, 'discussing' (if that is what his slot can be called) train travel today, looking as cute and cuddly as ever in his Thomas the Tank outfit on the footplate of a steam train. Now, remind me, how do these things work? Oh, yes, they burn vast amounts of of coal, and not very efficiently belch it out of their smokestack. Ah, well, a little artistic licence in the name of good TV, eh? But one wonders when he'll be off to the Arctic to 'study' global warming.

Anyway, a point was made. The eco-family tested out a train and the car. Train = fun. Car = chore. No contest. But... Train = loadsamunny, plus lots more per person. Oops. There's also the small matter of where you are setting off from and going to. Plus flexibility. And convenience. And...

I am leaving soon for the first day of the Total Packaging Show at the NEC. I need to get there, do the biz and get back. Money, time and convenience. On a good day in the car outside of rush-hour I can get there in about an hour, and back to get in more work, for about a tenner in petrol. In that time I may just about have got a bus to Gloucester to the station, if one runs at the right time and there is a train. And I have a family to feed by every minute of my day being used to try and make my business work. Because the demands of those in power require that.

Sorry, no contest. So I am not sure what point was served by the piece, as it merely served to confirm my situation. As far as I was aware, not one jot of 'discussion' about how to improve matters was attempted. Plus ca change...

But I think they are flying more reporters to the Iberian Peninsula. The weather is lovely there at this time of year, I gather.

Indy - Wild theories and a warped sense of priorities - at least they didn't also put the latest 'scoop' on the front page.

Indy - Reporting The Hunt For Madeleine: Media and police collide on the Algarve - Has a nice sense of irony and moral outrage, though you do suspect they are also not averse to feeding off it all. One thing that does come across, to me at least, is how sidelined the actual finding of the little girl has become to the process of reporting upon the cirrus surrounding it.

The Human Footprint

Ch4, repeated recently on More4

As I wrote:

I live and work in the world of environmental issues, specifically trying to make people think more and then act on their impacts. This programme was excellent. Entertaining as well as thought-provoking. And stunningly produced, directed, shot and edited. Well done. If you ever decide to move into a similar, more specific effort of this nature on any aspect of our consumer lifestyles, especially packaging (I have, as an exercise, not thrown anything away for 4 years - so the scenes of endless rows of bottles resonated. Though the missus is not thrilled), let me know.

This is the way to make a difference, through fun and not guilt, nanny or scold. Rather than an Inconvenient Truth this should be in all our schools, and I'm amazed to have only stumbled upon it tucked away like this. I must have been asleep when it was aired mainstream.

Only logical, it is.

This is interesting as I had almost given up on Innocent, who seem a darn good fit in more ways than one, but there may yet be a way (he said, mysteriously, and Yoda-like), of which more another time.

Lament for lost Innocence

Such alliances/deals always seem to spark the same commentary. I find it interesting the higher standard that some are held to just because they have a product that is healthier/more ethical, etc. Like Anita Roddick and Body Shop. It is theirs, and business is business. It's not like they are going to the Dark Side.

A powerful riposte to such critiques would be to simply stand one's ground and point out it is a lot more effective to get 'in' and cause change from that side, than being outside ranting... so long as one is firm on one's principles and takes all chances to let them spread.

I was once asked if I'd ever put an Esso ad on my site, and caused much feather ruffling by saying 'of course'. Thing is, my local station has an LPG pump, and I will for sure let them advertise THAT, but certainly not 4* . You never know, if they start seeing enough revenue coming in they may ditch a petrol pump for another more eco-option.

Use the market forces, Luke...

Also cures baldness, the ague, ill humours...

Global Cool is hot on carbon emissions

I just hope that you are right in the hope expressed in your second para.

Just reading the rest of the piece it struck me just how many of the
green elite 'ambassadors' already on board seemed to think nothing
of flying hither and thither in the name of saving the planet...
with it all being hunky-dory so long, one presumes, as it is 'offset'.

As someone who only cares about genuine efforts to reduce the
wasteful and/or not necessarily necessary consequences of
expanding, more affluent populations in a consumer driven global
economy, I remain to be convinced how genuine and/or effective
these efforts really are.

Especially when there's big money to be made dealing in green
as opposed to simply living it.

Steaming

BMW hopes M&S chief will lead the drive towards hydrogen

While the emission of water vapour (itself, I believe, a potential
greenhouse 'gas' ) is certainly to be encouraged as an alternative,
I do wonder about a commensurate commitment to the spirit of
reduction.

Is there any reason this thing is six litres and 300bhp? Is it not possible
to create a safe, high-performance vehicle of more reasonable size?
I recently saw the Governator lob up in his US version of this...
in a 2-ton Humvee!

While one recognises the need for mobile test beds, one has to
wonder a bit about how genuine the green message is. Fine if it is filled
up and only used within range of the station (Mr. Rose, one presumes,
lives and works in the vicinity, otherwise he just got a massive petrol
Beemer to run around the country in), but what is the enviROI of the
hydrogen production considering the cost pressures?

It may not pollute on combustion but how does it rate to get to the
tank vs. other alternatives? Please reassure it's all thought
through as genuine green.

The Write Stuff

Someone (actually a lovely freelance writer called Jo Cantello, who has offered to try and help promote Junkk.com and RE:tie for no more than her own entertainment, another string to a rather humbling bow of support we are bringing to bear in our mission) asked me last night if I'd had a 'productive' week.

If she had used the word 'busy' I'd still be on the floor giggling.

The best I could do by way of reply was to hope that events were still 'promising'.

Thursday I was beeing shot for a few hours by a photographer here, holding the RE:tie, for a possible piece in a national daily (actually, their Sunday Business Section, so a fingers crossed trip to the newsagents tomorrow, even though it may be a tad premature). Then a draining 80 minute interview with the journalist yesterday. No stone was left unturned, nor weakness in strategy exposed, rather proving my point... again... that you can't bang a round peg into a square hole, and it really makes sense to devote more effort now to building a team than making me do stuff I am not very good at. I need Men (or Ladies) in Grey... suits! Who can talk numbers, and IP, etc.

For instance, UKTI has arranged for me to go to Total Packaging at the NEC next week. Assuming the big boss of anything - Tescos, Bottle Top Makers Ltd - is there, and identifiable rather than a face in the crowd, I'm not sure what I do. Rush up with my prototype and say 'Fancy buying this?' I'd get arrested.

But glimmers abound. I had a great chat with the official media editor for the event, Mike Hall of Retail Packaging, and he has offered to usher me around, as well as kindly making intros to people I'd have never found, doing things I didn't know existed, and offering advice and leads I can only dream about. One such is Robin Moorby of Clipper Containers and Closures, who has been more than helpful already. So, busy, yes, and productive... I think so.

Plus the encouraging signs continue. Having moaned about missing all these potentially useful conferences by them being silly money, I have been offered a guest ticket to one biggie by a speaker... via these pages! I just hope it will come off.

And as a further welcome sign that what we are trying to do... and share with a lite green public audience... is being respected and, better yet, valued, a book just plonked in my in-tray for review, totally unsolicited.

By noted enviro-author Leo Hickman, I am hoping to catch a moment to 'relax' this weekend and read it. But I am honour bound to read a few others in the queue first. Plus make a new Vac:Sac as my mobile billboard for next week's show as I'd donated Old Pinky to a Cumbria Recylcing Roadshow. Oh, and do the standby plug tests for my re:view on that. And the low energy bulbs. And the newsletter.....

I think my RSI is coming back.

Saving the planet. Next!

This from the Telegraph - Expanding our coverage - and horizons

'...we hope will gather together in one place on the internet all that we feel the Telegraph already does well about nature and the environment - whether it is the latest news reporting, comment, pictures or features - together with a little bit more.'

'The internet gives us the opportunity to give depth to our coverage of environmental and scientific issues and to expand this by evaluating and giving feedback on environmentally friendly products for our readers whether they find themselves at the leading edge of, or reluctantly bowled over by, the "green" shock-wave currently passing through the High Street.'

'But the green vein in our readership is matched by an equally deep loathing of cant and over-statement. So, we hope, the Earth Channel will be a place with a strong, Telegraph character, where inconvenient facts are sought out and views tested with common sense.'

Hmn. Can't argue with any of that. Hope it all gets delivered.

So far, about 5 readers, at least motivated to write. Not too encouraging.

And I have to agree with the post about their seeking pictures; the science is sloppy, but the ratings intent is clear: 'Oh look, nasty stuff!'.

The Telegraph has a history of moderating me, and Mr. Clover I have approached on many occasions to no result, be it for Junkk.com, a point on coverage or RE:tie. At least this post is now up. Maybe a new era of cooperation may dawn elsewhere, as I have tried to offer a constructive post:

'Anything that spreads further knowledge - especially in clear terms we can all understand and engage with positively and proactively - is welcome.

But be prepared for debate. On the one hand I welcome it, but in some areas I fear I have grown rather weary of all that surrounds 'climate change' or 'global warming' as it seems to pretty soon to end up as a slanging match between 'big oil-funded deniers' at one opposition-designated end, and 'agenda-driven, green elite activists' at the other. To the best of my knowledge neither, yet, can claim to know what the heck is going on, and their spats are simply consuming time we may not have and putting off folk that need to be engaged with and motivated now.

My personal belief is that whatever may or may not be happening, man-created waste (in any form - through disposal or inefficient consumption) is neither justified nor logical on any basis. We are a planet of finite size, with a growing population, and there is an end point approaching to sustain our current behaviours. Checking waste seems a key, immediate task. Not to mention potentially profitable, if also 'inconvenient'. Lifestyle sacrifices will need to be made.

And while the big stuff is the domain of governments and commerce, their actions are ultimately decided by those who vote, with a cross on a ballot or their wallets. These are who need to be persuaded with truth, accuracy, logic, fun and incentive. Not spin, threat, target, agenda, guilt or the frighteners. We need more 'I will...' than 'I can...', as the latter to me offers the option of opting out if not convenient, which is par for the course for a cabinet of lawyers, but less encouraging to those who are thinking less of career, pension and/or profit first at the moment.

I have but one interest for any and all initiatives that cross my path, and that is the enviROI; the return on investment to my kids' futures on this planet. It can be fine if something doesn't make much sense financially - that is a personal choice to make - but it is not idf some green commitment merely serves a short term political point, a CSR cause or a greenwash money motive. It has to reduce the gunk going up in smoke that 'may' be doing the big damage, or going into holes that are full to bursting. A lot do not, and as an ex-engineer and ad man (an odd, but useful mix in this area) I am seeing too much that doesn't add up in this regard.

Technology can help, but it must not be rushed out and especially not be endorsed if the enviROI is not proven.

What is it actually for a B&Q wind turbine, especially as advertised on these pages? I don't know, yet, but I am finding out. I know the financial ROI can often be pretty poor, depending on location, as Newsnight's Ethical Man and Mr. Cameron have already discovered. Why has home solar had almost all its funding removed?

And while a hybrid or electric may make a nifty statement, let's not rush to buy a new one without thinking of the totality behind such an act. Is it instead of another car or as well as? Is the ex-vehicle being removed from use, and hence emissions? What are the consequences of using a hybrid if most travelling is non-urban, simply lugging round a heavy battery? And how 'good' is an electric, really? Its exhaust pipe is merely in another location, and electricity transfer and storage from generator to wheel is not that efficient. They may be helpful for airborne pollution, but how good for enviROI? And for both, what is served by a Congestion Charge-Free pass in London, if that merely allows them to emit away all day, no matter how efficiently?

This is the kind of reporting I would appreciate, to ensure my decisions are informed... and in the best interests of future generations."

Ending on a high note

Life would be pretty boring if one had nothing but victories, but it is nice to cap a day off with a feeling that a few more nice things have happened than downers.

A long time ago I was a guest speaker at event organised by the National B2B Centre (a very useful networking group specialising in IT) of the University of Warwick, held at Aston Science Park.

It was a good event, well attended, with an appreciative audience who responded well to the Junkk.com message. It is telling that I have yet to write to all who gave me their cards... in March!

Anyway, one lady was kind enough to get in touch with me. Her name is Ranbir Sahota, and she has a PR agency called Vitis PR. She really liked what Junkk.com was trying to do, and simply offered to help... no strings.

Well, she has, and when she learned of the RE:tie went ahead and has brought it to the direct attention of some of her contacts, a couple of which I had sent to, but it seems in the mysterious way of media editorial receptions simply got nowhere near the addressee.

Anyway, she's another who I am proud to add to the list of those helping us, and who we will help in any way we can. Which in the absence of revenue is a little bit of profile on our pages.

Getting Places

No, not a new travel agency. Though I'm sure I will soon get a PR from one who is trying (it will be a tough, if interesting, sell) to suggest that they can satisfy our holiday needs and save the planet, too. As I'm still not too big on the buy-off culture that is carbon offsetting, about the only one that would seem to fit the bill would be 'CycleFromHomeTours'. You heard it here first.

No, yesterday was a good day. If exhausting, both physically and mentally, especially the latter, as it was pretty much full on from about 6am until I went into brain-meltdown at 7pm. I'm afraid my days of pulling 24/7 all-nighters as I did in my ad days are over, it seems.

I am still resisting the urge to read all the papers and newsletters, and blog back accordingly. I have to say I miss this to an extent, because I do get to stay on top of stuff but also engage and, often, get the Junkk.com name out there. But it does mean a large chunk of the day is opened up for other activities.

For a while this was filled by the trial journalistic response system I engaged with, which was running at about 50 posts a day. Of these about 5 were relevant, and in replying during the week I was getting positive replies to my input (everything from request for ideas to offer to eco-summer section in Women's Mags, to a comment on the state of social entrepreneurship in Accountancy, which has my RE:tie PR lady biting her nails) , with the chance of coverage. In the great sales scheme of things not too bad.

Trouble is, my free week stopped. And then the invite to subscribe swung in. Gulp! I'd gone for about 10 sections (and there are scores), and each was £200+ per year to continue with. But then I was called by the sales guys and when I told them it was out of my league they went away and had a think and have offered me a deal based on what Junkk.com was trying to do that will make a couple worth investing in. I just have to figure out which to choose, as a good lead can come from anywhere, and often the least obvious. Anyway, thank you Response Source (what goes around..., see).

Next up, my ongoing PR for the RE:tie is still and, at long last, starting to bear fruit. I am getting some very nice reactions from a lot of places. Especially the trade media, which may in the end be the best for forging business relationships. Still not too much from the Holy Grail of consumer nationals, but maybe an award for an idea is not really enough to float their boats. But that said, Lucy Siegel of the Observer wrote back with a nice note about seeing what she could do, and there are a few other irons in the fire that have yet to cool.

The business aspect also gathers steam. Thanks to a connection made by a school chum, I have been put in touch with a Business Angel brokerage that looks not only promising, but has the added value of a personally-endorsed, and hence trusted, relationship to kick off on a more than reassuring note. And this is complemented by UKTI-supported leads in IP and sustainable packaging that is knitting it all together. But you may see why my brain is frying as, at the end of the day, it is still all down to me to get on top of and coordinate.

Speaking of which, after many months, my much-missed ex-Chief of Stuff Emma got in touch. I miss her input so very much, but wish her well in her new career.

And, in a packed day, I came in this AM to find that, at PM, my blog does sometimes get read by more than my Aunty, and a very helpful reply was posted to a rather un-PR (if not PC) comment about London-based, and weighted, conferences. Check back a few blogs to see the latest.

It's still a roller-coaster ride, but as the analogy suggest, it cannot be accused of being anything other than exciting.

When good links go bad

One, of many, things I am desperately keen to address is a proper media management system.

Not just because that would, at last, mean some serious ad revenue flowing through, but I can be responsive to opportunities (a good friend of Junkk.com has asked for a banner in a local section relevant to them, but I can't remove Google Adsense - which does offer some fair revenue - from the system as it is 'all or nothing'), but I can also impose some ethical publisher control.

This is important not just to maintain Junkk.com brand values, but to avoid being accused of the very thing I (don't accuse, but cock a wry eyebrow at on occasion, so for now let's call it...) 'note' some rather preachy media can be when they say such as flying is the work of the Devil, yet run an ad for a weekend in the Bahamas atop the piece. And I know you can't sail there and back and still enjoy a Mai-Tai on the beach in the time... though trying would be fun.

So I was disturbed to see an ad for Tesco Insurance on the site yesterday (unless it was e-related, which I didn't notice, so it wasn't very good if it was). And a few for less than eco-topics on my blog, too.

None were contradictory I guess, but I'd just prefer the ads on the site to be totally in keeping with what is being written about and, just as important, the values we espouse.

Now, how the heck do I get that across to a robot at Google central? I recall the fun my wife had trying to get a human at eBay recently.

Getting reuse taped

There's opportunity at every turn:

End of the reel for cassettes?

If anyone has any tips or suggestions for re:use or re:cycling these little dudes, and their bigger VHS cousins, I'd be grateful.

We are getting asked a lot, and I suspect this news will result in more.

http://www.junkk.com/ideas.asp?slevel=0z622&parent_id=622

The Summit of All Ears... and what action?

I've mentioned this before, and will doubtless mention it again... until I move from being a struggling and in need of help and connections business, to being nice and comfy and no longer in need of much except a cushy lifestyle surrounded by my fellow green elite.

For I have just had yet another 'invitation' - with major price tag attached - to attend yet another summit discussing things green and how to profit from them, this time from Alan Rusbridger, Editor of the Guardian: The Guardian Climate Change Summit 2007

It is 'a must-attend event for all directors and managers wanting to be at the forefront of solving the carbon challenge'. Well, unless you are not quite up for the £1k price tag for the day, once fee, travel and accommodation are totalled up.

I would like to go, as it could be of use to me and, who knows, I could have something to offer. Just look who is going to be there:

Peter Ainsworth MP, shadow secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs
Keith Allott, head of climate change, WWF
Kathryn Barker, head of environment, BAA
Paul Dawson, director, Barclays Capital
Richard Gillies, director of store development, design and procurement, Marks & Spencer
Adrian Hewitt, energy and sustainability manager, Merton Borough Council
Senior executive, HSBC
Chris Huhne MP, shadow environment, food and rural affairs secretary
Andrew Jones, senior manager, energy and environment, Boots
Tony Juniper, executive director, Friends of the Earth
Sir David King, chief scientific advisor to HM Government and head of the Office of Science and Innovation
Simon Lewis, group corporate affairs director, Vodafone
Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London
Caroline Lucas, Green Member of the European Parliament
Paul Monaghan, head of ethics and sustainability, Co-operative Group
David North, community and government affairs director, Tesco
Ian Pearson MP, minister of state for climate change and environment
Jonathon Porritt, founder director, Forum for the Future
James Smith, chairman, Shell UK ltd
Ben Stimson, director corporate responsibility, BskyB
Karl Whiteman, Managing Director, Berkeley Homes (Central London)

Confirmed facilitators (for sector specific breakout sessions):

Simon Mills head of sustainable development unit, City of London
Bill Clark, sustainability policy manager, Southampton City Council
Nick Coad, head of group environmental strategy, National Express Group
Jo Confino, executive editor, the Guardian
James Stacey, head of sustainable business, Standard Chartered

But then again, what chance would I have of actually meeting them? They will be in the VIP enclosure or up there speaking. I would just be a face in the crowd and maybe get to chat to a few guys around me who may ask about my Vac:Sac, which is my mobile billboard.

Frankly, unless you are speaking, it hardly seems worth the money or effort.

However, I may have a rummage round the sponsors list to see who I can try and blag an invite from.

You never know, they could feel having someone from less rarefied places may bring them closer to earth, where the rest of us live.

Studying to death?

I quick Grinch-risking missive to the Beeb:

Dear Sirs,

Re: Antarctic Global Warming Prizes

While the theory behind this initiative, and the ideas it inspired are to be applauded, I have to wonder at the prizes.

Our polar wastelands seem to be getting pretty crowded these days with people traveling there (often with film crews in tow) to 'study the effects', one presumes with certain irony, of people traveling there.

And did I hear right that the runner up prizes were for... travel?

http://www.iceedge.co.uk/

Just watched some winners (with a few non-winners sounding typically much more interesting actual solutions as opposed to TV-friendly gimmicks).

Further to my Grinch views, I thought the comments were telling: 'Well, it is a dilemma flying up there, but at least getting to see it before it goes will be amazing'.

Hmn, indeed. Maybe we should all go up and catch it before it has gone then?

Then I read this:

Binge-flying culture is just beginning. The only way to stop it is a severe tax

As an environmentally-concerned individual, I face the dilemma of being married to a Singaporean with all the family-related annual travel consequences that creates (no flights for several years now, but wife and kids do deserve to see their folks soon). Sadly, time and money preclude the options of other alternatives, unless I can get sponsored on a slow travel blog by some green-minded newspaper. However, unless you are a mate of the editor that may be a dodgy sell, as people may tire of 'I'm spending a year having a hoot doing no work... and getting paid for it' efforts by now.

It does rather seem the travel issue is getting more and more polarised, if you'll forgive the pun... bearing in mind what follows.

Today I watched BBC Breakfast News with what seemed like an excellent initiative to encourage kids to come up with some ideas (a few which that were perhaps less televisual not getting the credit they deserved, IMHO. Chewing gum will sort climate change?) to tackle global warming.

The prize? A trip to see the polar regions before they disappear because, one presumes, of people going to see them before they disappear.

And the runner up prizes were... travel!

There is quite an interesting industry being created in saving, and promoting the saving of this planet.

Shame it seems there is little actual desire or effort to actually get around to actually doing it in favour of hype, spin and a quick slot on the TV.

SlowNewD

Ok, with all that's going on, adding a new category to Blogger, and a non-enviro one at that, seems pretty typical of my tangential nature and knat-like attention span.

But I really have to get this one out of mine and into this system.

SlowNewD stands for Slow News Day, which I will invoke when the sorry collection of individuals that constitutes or media these days, from producers to editors to journalists to anchors, in whichever order of pondweed you choose to stack them, start excavating through the bottom of the barrel en route to China.

I was already poised at 7ish, having watched the latest Newswatch 'don't think so, don't know, don't care if it was' weekly dismissal of some truly egregious examples, when I went to Mum's place to take her lunch over. Sadly she is addicted to BBC News 24, and it is on all day.

Now there is a tragedy that has happened, and still unfurling. And, to an extent, it is news. But the blow by blow bullsh*t that is being served up by the story of this blonde Brit kidnapped kiddie in Portugal is beyond the pale. It was on first thing, and is still on now.

How many kids are abducted every day, all round the world AND in Britain, without so much as a mention?

Everything possible should be done to get her back, but I can't see what serves this process that I am seeing unravel here and now. The act is sickening, but the media coverage is proving more than a complement. Queue the copycats. But at least it will get a rating or two extra.

I probably do agree with what he says...

The right to be wrong

Voltaire is either spinning in his grave or pi**ing himself laughing.

Too.. er, something, to miss

Looking out for polar bears

I think everyone should visit these beautiful, unspoiled but devastated places to see just how in danger they are from folk taking a last chance to see/study these beautiful, unsp...

Are we perhaps in danger of killing with 'awareness'? Just askin'

Let's send a film crew up to find out.

Meanwhile, my Maplin solar phone charger is doing the business in my home office window as I write.

What's source for the goose...

Still in the thick of trying to squeeze the maximum PR for the RE:tie award whilst juggling all sorts of help and advice - solicited and some often not - from everyone who kindly wants a piece of the action.

As a consequence of paying a PR-dissemination service to send out our release, I also ended up with a free trial for a service called 'Enquirer', whereby you get bombarded with pitch and story lead requests posted by journalists.

It has been fairly fruitful, and I have had a couple pick up as a consequence of my replying. With luck one will be in Accountancy with my views on 'being' a social enterprise, and another will pitch my plea for help in a subscription only net magazine called Scientific Business.

Having gone cold Turkey on scanning the papers and online feeds to concentrate on all this, I now have another addiction, as there are about 50 a day. And I can't resist peeking at even those which are nothing in my area.

It's also fascinating to see how 'news' is actually created. I saw on the news today a 'story' which was basically created by a journalist setting out what they needed to fill out their medium's agenda.

War is hell. Except for sales and ratings. Discuss.

Nothing much to do with the environment (though I have to say war is pretty poor on the carbon footprint front), or my current fun and games, but I was moved to write to our national broadcaster again (so there is a tenuous link), and really have nowhere else to file it. Sorry.

Washington's War by Gen Sir Michael Rose

I watched this piece, sporting the now inevitable Newsnight twofer sandwich, with the General on one side, a single, totally opposing view from Washington on the other, and the BBC voice of sweet, cynical reason in the middle.

I confess to little in the way of historical, military or geopolitical education and experience in comparison to this collection, but really couldn't get my head around even the basic premise that has lead the BBC to help this old boy advertise and sell his controversial product, and stir up a nest of WASPS (geddit?) to drive some ratings.

Surely in the War of Independence the British were fighting even initially a relatively coherent, and ever-more united group of folk who stood FOR something, and were prepared to defend it with their lives to get... or keep it, and make it work for self-betterment on resolution?

Whereas, by any reasonable estimation, the coalition forces and those around them are just being attacked by an amorphous collection of anarchic organisations and individuals whose simple, even stated, aim is to stand solely AGAINST anything 'Western' (with the occupation serving up a cause on a plate). And they will attack to their deaths any aspect associated with this, including the very people, soil and ways of life they are in theory 'defending'. Job done, they will rattle about a while to ensure the maximum misery is caused for the benefit of any who may have missed the point... and the media... and then move on to the next appropriate venue. I am sure our political ‘leadership’ will soon provide this opportunity to them.

So in this case I just can't make any aspect of the cited comparison stick, and hence wonder what the point of it all was. Bar the sales and ratings, of course.

Just a quicky

The rich world's policy on greenhouse gas now seems clear: millions will die

Sorry, my limit is 50 posts, so I'll just throw this in and apologise if anyone else has made the point.

It just tickles me we get such articles in a publication with a banner ad that says 'Prefer the Sun? Prefer the Snow? Guardian Unlimited will send you a brochure'

All the news that's unfit to print, broadcast, etc

Dilemma time. I need them, but I can't stand most of them, or what they stand for.

This blog, maybe rightly, will continue to be slim for a while as I try to maximise the PR value of the Geneva win.

So far, it has been a mixed bag.

One thing that is hard to understand is the almost complete silence from the majors.

But then again, as Carol Thatcher rightly pointed out yesterday on the Andrew Marr Sunday Show, as she dumped all the packing and inserts from her papers on the table: 'how can we take any of them seriously in their 'wars' on packaging when they are so hypocritical?' It seems they are so obsessed with being seen to be green they are not in the least bit interested in actually being it. Or playing up genuine efforts to help people make a small difference.

Meanwhile the various BBC programmes remain mute. Paranoia is knowing they are out to ignore you, but I do wonder if my critiques have resulted in some kind of blacklist. So be it. They have a new Chairman of the Trust in place now, and his claimed remit is to respond to the customers they serve rather than just defend the Corporation. I think this needs testing more.

The same day I get yet another form 'so what?' reply to a complaint about a blatant ad for ASDA in the increasingly laughable Breakfast 'Business' slot, they run another, even more ridiculous plug for them.

And I've just switched off the TV this morning in disgust at the boss of EDF energy being given his opportunity to do the same, before running off like excited kids to see the new Kate Moss collection being unveiled. This isn't news, but if there is no financial reward for them doing it, I can't figure what it is mean to be, or for.

BBC - EDF to lower its gas bills by 10% - In case you missed the plug on air

The Good, the Bad and the... can't be bothered

You can see a few more here.

There's money in talking about the environment, obviously.

And I now, in addition to Junkk.com have something well worth talking about, not least because it actually is a physical thing that does something, and does it less.

Yet still I face an uphill struggle to share it.

This piece in the Indy allowed me a slight venting opportunity:

Terence Blacker: Why I'm not sold on 'The Apprentice'


Dear Mr. Blacker,

'Selfishness, a lack of personal accountability, a ruthless aggression towards others are, in everyday life, regarded as social problems. How odd it is that [any successful medium] suggests that they are so desirable in business [and engages in such practices itself].' My brackets.

Couldn't agree with you more.

Having been involved in a positive campaign for a years to change consumers' attitudes towards packaging, and recently winning a Gold international award for an invention to help them to improve matters, I still await any acknowledgement, recognition or support from the paper you write for.

I will put anything and anyone on my site if it helps improve the environment, even if they are technically competitive. A shame that other enterprises are not so able to share in the bigger picture, when self-interest, opportunism, ego and greed take over. Good luck to the Indy and the Daily Mail as the latest self-appointed guardians of our eco-future as they slug it out to gain the high profit green ground. Sir Alan would be proud.

However, to end on a more positive note, there are glimmers of gold glinting in the morass.

Having waded through a lot of government 'stuff', I ended up with some guys at the Centre for Remanufacturing and Reuse. They may or may not be able to help, but by golly got back nice and quick with a compliment and some nifty areas that look promising.

With so much deadweights around it's hard not to get weighed down, but it's the few positives like these that keep you going.

We may even make it yet.

STOP PRESS - Relief! The UKTI/BizLink are keen to help and coming round next week. Phew!

Indy - No time to waste - no s**t, really?

STOP PRESS #2 - Mr. Blacker has replied and, despite my venting if not at him at least his employers, kindly, which makes me blush (though the tone does make me wonder if it is not more than a little 'form' in nature. Better than telling me to p*ss off, though!):

Many thanks for your kind email - and the best of luck with your campaign.

Who's a clever boy then?

Well, I'm back.
Actually, I have been since Monday, but for reasons that will hopefully become apparent, have been a tad busy elsewhere dealing with the backlog that built up during the Geneva trip... and the consequences of it. Because....

I won. And I won big!



Here's the press release that has been prepared, and I am touting around as we speak to try to make the most of it while it is fresh.


‘Hole-in-one’ for award-winning Herefordshire inventor Ross-on-Wye inventor Peter Martin has been awarded a Gold Medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions held in Geneva last weekend… for a small hole in a strip of plastic. His patented Re:tie concept is simple, but shows just what you can achieve from an inventive approach to recycling. Peter has redesigned the security closure strip used in many drinks bottles and jars, by introducing a block with a hole. This means the strip can be saved and reused as a tie, in the garden, for cabling, for bags – for anything which needs tying together. Peter took his invention to Geneva with his company Junkk.com, and won the Award against stiff competition from the world’s top inventors and major R&D institutions. The international Judges were so impressed with the simplicity and potentially wide application of the eco-design tie that they awarded Gold, and several have subsequently congratulated him by email. ‘It’s one of those “Why didn’t anyone think of this before?” ideas,’ says Peter, whose free website Junkk.com has been created to share how virtually any potentially discardable item can be reused. “I am proud to win such a prestigious award for myself, my company and the UK, but I am particularly thrilled that it was noted for its environmental impact, and potential positive contribution to commercial eco-design. When you are in a place like Switzerland and surrounded by eco-inventions from the likes of Germany and Asia, it is good to show we Brits are creating consumer-friendly solutions that need not incur or impose additional costs.” The RE:tie may be a small change to a piece of plastic, but every little bit helps when it comes to reducing waste and helping save the planet. The Re:tie will also bring manufacturers considerable green-£-based benefits as Peter intends to license the concept for commercial use. He is also hoping to turn the commercial and public interest in RE:tie into further official support for his free re:use ideas website initiative Junkk.com – which offers people a way to exchange second use ideas for all sorts of products and packaging. “After immense interest and support from the 70,000 international visitors to the show, I'd like to accelerate my plans to expand the site into other languages, and establish its postcode localisation facility into other countries.” Peter is now seeking investors for RE:tie, especially if he is to fight off imitations despite his patent: “It would be a pity not to exploit this idea worldwide from a British base. I'd like to see it not only on an Innocent juice carton here, but a jar of jam in China and a bottle of pop in the US, too’.

So, a lot of work to do. I'm trying to get help to protect the idea from the likes of the BusinessLink, UKTI and various government agencies, and of course support from the media.

Both are proving an effort.

I know business help takes time, but it can be frustrating to wade through the systems. There is so much that is in theory on offer, but finding it and making use of it demands a lot of time and inside knowledge which I don't have.

Then there is the media.

I am getting some coverage, but in a week when waste and packing is all over the media, from the Indy to the Daily Mail (who shamelessly seem to have copied the Indy's campaign, not that it was that original or skillfully applied), the level of interest so far (with a few notable, and appreciated, exceptions) has been about what I'd expect from our mighty 4th estate.

And now I watch BBC's Declan in a 5 minute slot* on the same thing. Having already queried their addiction to giving free PR to ASDA, I guess it wouldn't help to wonder why the majority of the slot was about 'an initiative' in 'a few stores', whereby customers are asked to put packs in a bin 'for analysis'. Hmn. Does it it wash as a real, credible attempt? And does the BBC's coverage count as valid, skillful reporting?

Maybe I haven't yet sussed out the secret to getting coverage in this new media age.

*BBC - Tough packaging fines are urged - Check out the vid top right: nice ad for ASDA guys!

RE:solution time

It seemed a nice idea: What is your Earth Day Resolution? April 22nd, 2007

Mine: To get back and DO more by uploading at least one new re:use idea a week to Junkk.com, and stop wasting time arguing theory on blogs.

Green Gold

Totting on the Costas

'Nowt wrong wi' a bit off reuse, lad!

I am in the business of bringing this process online (see signature link), and look to such folk in such countries as a source of inspiration.

ps: In Singapore, where I spent several years, he was the Kallang (or maybe Karran, as the former is a place - never did get the spelling) Guni man. Sadly, they stopped taking PCs when I left... no money in them!

An interesting point...

... well made in today's Indy letters:

Sir: The Department of Education and Skills, in conjunction with the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs, will this week begin distributing the Al Gore film, An Inconvenient Truth, to all 3,385 secondary schools in England.

According to the DfES, "influencing the opinions of children is crucial to developing a long-term view on the environment among the public" (press release, February 2007). This is an explicit admission by the Government that its intention in circulating the film is to indoctrinate children politically.

Such deliberate political indoctrination of children is contrary to the Education Act 2002, which at section 78 says the school curriculum for maintained schools is to be "balanced and broadly based", and section 79 requires the Secretary of State, local education authorities, governing bodies and headteachers to exercise their functions "with a view to securing that the curriculum for every maintained school satisfies the requirements of section 78".

Political spin is bad enough, but when we start brainwashing our own children we are finished.

I write as one concerned more than many about where we are headed, but beyond the question of legality have to also wonder if this is a bit of indocrination too far.

Swiss Adventure

Just to let you know that I will be blogging off shortly for a while in Switzerland to attend the 35th International Exhibition of Inventions, New Techniques and Products in Geneva. I think we'll call it the Geneva Invention Show from hereon in.

I am exhibiting an actual invention I have patented called the RE:Tie, which was inspired by Junkk.com and is a unique (I hope), new (I trust), solution (bank balance at the ready, fingers crossed) to offer packagers/fmcg manufacturers/retailers a way to offer a second use for an aspect of their packs to consumers to boost sales, offer better PR, make 'em smug at CSR report time during the AGM and, oh, I don't know, help save the planet, too.

Wish me luck!

Back Monday, whereupon I promptly disappear off again to London to speak at another invention 'do', this time the Global Women's Inventor & Innovator Network Awards at the DTI

Good question. But is it the most important?

Is Arnie really green?

To the one you pose, personally my answer would have to be 'no', not 'really'. But matters of green are pretty broad in scope, and can seldom be viewed in just black and white.

As you point out, at least he is doing something, which in comparison to others is a heck of a lot better than nothing. Or is it?

Because we have the message, and then we have the messenger. As Janet Street Porter pointed out a few days ago, few can be unaware of global warming by now, so do we really need more awareness from celebrity politicians, green-tinged celebrities and the remoras of the media that follow, share and bask in their gre-e-lite (pronounced 'leet) movements and issue forth their pronouncements of what should be done, if not by them, as such? Maybe a bit more back-room deal-making with the power-brokers would help a tad more?

There is also the small matter of gesture politics not actually serving the one thing that matters, which is enviroROI - simply, will what gets done save more carbon emissions than they cause? Financial ROI is another consideration of course, and one for those rich enough to indulge in if they can and wish to. Frankly if you can afford to go green and it does good, then I say go for it.

However, lobbing up to 'sell' such an effort in a hydrogen powered Humvee (or aspiring to a similarly-configured BMW as is apparently the case with Stuart Rose of M&S) to me helps not one jot. For a start, much as I appreciate the potential of hydrogen, its production and distribution currently means that such a vehicle may make the owner look green, but certainly is not helping Mother Earth. And... a Humvee? Why not just get Chris Eubank on the horn and convert his truck? The first message we get is that it is better (only better, mind, as creation and use does still extract an e-cost) than fossil fuels, hence we must therefore use the biggest, most fuel-inefficient-for-purpose lump of tin to consume it?

I agree with him on one point. Making things about guilt, fine or fear have not, and will not work. We need incentive-based initiatives with which the consumer will willingly engage through a perception (hopefully genuinely delivered) of end-benefit an/or reward. And a little bit of leadership by example wouldn't go amiss to get that across.

Sadly, by talking down to us from a Green Tower (I'm still trying to rationalise "[not] powering my private airplanes (plural!),” with “It's too bad for us that we can't live the lives of Buddhist monks (I guess they just go skiing on RyanAir)") I fear such as Arnie et Al (make sure y'all come to see me and my best bud Madge at Live Earth!) may not be the ideal choices to motivate the masses.

Governator aims to make green issues 'sexy'

Yes, he is 'on the cover of Newsweek as one of the big environmentalists'. Maybe that is more for that publication, and other media who publish eco-hype without thinking, to answer. And not only in America.

Amen

Stirring speeches won't tackle climate change

But, what will? Does this 'speech' move anything on?

So that's how they decide what's news

Establishing a rapport

Will any of these soirees be held outside London?

Then you could add one more to the two (so far) visiting here (at least in print. You can add you and your Mum as 'clickers-on') online, and the fifty you met in person t'other night.

It would be a shame to find the thoughts of our nation's journalists are shaped, even if ever so slightly, by such a limited sample of the blogosphere, much less the population.

ADDENDUM - my comment provoked a retort from one of the 'in' crowd, it seems.

I must brush up on my Vogon poetry

Oo-er. As this was a post on the craft of blogging, despite being invited to comment, and assuming this thread by being in the public domain is not... yet... 'club' members only, I must pen... key this carefully. It is all too often that a stray word in print without the benefit of tone can be... unkindly taken and not as intended, so going flaming downhill. Hence my being frustrated at an inability to share live and in person with '50 "consumers" asking questions and voicing their own opinions about what all we Telegraph bloggers collectively produce'. I do trust the author, upon his return, will appreciate I was simply trying to be kind enough to visit and, better yet, offer some feedback, if purely personal and possibly subjective.

I'd like to think I do try to be scrupulously fair, but how what I write gets taken can often be out of my hands. However looking back I do believe that I simply asked a question (which remains unanswered) and made a mild observation. In fact this all may be moot depending on the answer, which I was indeed trying to to offer an opinion upon, and it may be that a regional roadshow is envisaged. That it started in London is of course more than logical in the circumstances.

It is tremendous that many who attended did so from outside our fair capital and, indeed, country. Lucky also, and very committed, that they had the resources of time and money (return fares, overnight accommodation) to do so.

It could justifiably be argued that if one cares enough to share in such things one needs to make the effort. However, as the subject of what's fair has been raised, Douglas Adams did create a neat opening to the Hitchhikers Guide on this very point. Sorry, but I still have this odd notion that journalism is as much about going out and finding a story as having it handed to one. This is a nice initiative, certainly better than nothing, and plays well to the 'we're listening' audience, but if it stays 'centric' it can also offer opportunity to those with the wherewithal to make the most such an arrangement. Activists & lobbyists spring to mind. Now, where would they mostly be based or have easy access to? Is it too much to presume that the blogospshere, which already seems to have its more 'respected', 'influential' and even 'distinguished' representatives to court, is not a rich seam to exploit? More so for its image of independence and freedom from being part of the media 'in-crowd' that inhabits, inevitably, a certain capital city a long way from where I happen to live and work, if online (which is why I surf and blog a lot, see:)

I have lost count of the number of journalistic pieces lately that, IMHO, have poorly reflected the rest of the country, especially in the blog, commentary or viewpoint sections. How many were there surrounding the road pricing scheme wondering what all the fuss was about, as the bike ride from the Thameside des res, or bus/tube/taxi trip from the Islington pied a terre really renders even a Prius unnecessary?

Equally, I have almost lost count of the number of special 'invitations' from the public and private sector I have had in my area of interest (the environment, in case you hadn't guessed) to take part in some get-together where 'my views are valued and will shape policy for years to come', but come with a price tag in time and money that I simply cannot afford. Usually, these are located in London.

So I am afraid that, even though bias was not a word I used as it has yet to ne proven to apply, it is always possible that if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck and is held in Ducktown, there may be a slight danger that the potential GI from local Mallards may influence, ever so slightly, the possible GO produced by those working for the Daily Duck.

If I may end by repeating my question (I do gather at least one poster is an organiser, which makes out of three others so far two with questions, and one contented attendee): to have the opportunity of ensuring that a relatively (noting that nothing will ever be truly representative as me getting off my derriere and making a 30-50 mile trip is an unlikely commitment by most of the public at large, even the Telegraph-reading variety) well-rounded selection of contacts are made and views garnered from the four corners of the country this national paper serves, are there any plans to host future such events elsewhere?

No problem if not. I will simply view what I get presented bearing in mind where and from whom it is generated.

Pleased to meet you

Is this a private conversation?

A few blogs over, one of your colleagues has quipped 'As print reporters, we always joke that the only people who read our bylines are ourselves and our mums'. It seems there may be, Yoda-style, 'another'.

It may help if the rest of us were let in on who the heck you are talking about as you muse out loud.

Another day on Planet Spin

Our dishwasher has died. At least, it isn't washing dishes any more. I've done my best and all pipes seem clear, but it's just turning the crud into a soup that evenly dries onto the dishes.

So I have just spent an hour doing them at the sink, which got me to pondering which method was best for the environment. Three changes of hot, and at least 6 gallons of water (not including, as my increasingly frustrated missus points out, the extra rinsing after I use the dirty water to clean all the packaging we keep) vs.... what in a dishwasher? I'm sure it has been assessed. I must track it down.

And so I was in the kitchen to enjoy another irony free episode of the BBC news. You couldn't get much better than skipping over some real news to an all points bulletin on a kid and his bird chucking each other. OK, so he's an heir to the throne, but listening to ever more intense blondes and bouffants discuss whether 'all this media interest' may have been a factor in two kids who met at school going the separate ways was just so much...

Speaking of tri...te, I think I have identified the latest spinmeister 'Get out of Jail/Doodoo/whatever free' phrase du jour, and that is: 'In hindsight, it was not.... and I'm sorry'. This is of course followed by a big empty space which seems to say 'So now that's out of the way my mates in high places (all with an ossuary of their own in the cupboard) are quite happy for me to go right back to being as stupid/corrupt/ineffective as I ever was'.

Who next after the Des (Sure, let's sell the squaddies' stories to the Sun) & Paul (speaking of girlfriends, mine needs a bigger salary) show?