... and I have managed to become the anti-christ of two extremes of the 'climate' debate.
Simultaneously!
I could see where this was going...
The BBC’s amazing U-turn on climate change
...and decided to pitch in and make a case for the middle ground (whilst trying to point out to the extremes that the whole issue is highly complex and waaay above petty tribal tallies... such as trying to claim a single BBC report is a 'U-turn'*) but also firmly staking out how I think it is too important to be left any more to the various protagonists who have pitched in so far.
Of course it is but a small aspect of a very complex overall debate.
However, it comes at a point when public trust is being demanded from some quarters that have less than stellar records in this regard, in the run up to some fairly honking great decisions with some hefty, long term price tags attached.
I personally believe the climate is changing, and for the worse, and that ‘we’ sure as heck are not helping so it’s well worth proceeding with caution and mitigating sensibly wherever and whenever we can.
Just as the penned words of one media employee mean diddly squat to the totality, what I write here is NOT support for the ‘all is fine’ brigade to keep on as they have, but I fully concede that a few rather high profile, possibly well-meaning eco types have tried to have their cake and eat it, and it’s gone off.
We need new advocates. But seeing how comfortable most of the ‘green elite’ have become, I am not hopeful.
Because I believe, to date, the communication of the issues to the public (who are key) have been totally mismanaged by usually self-selected cabals in support of often unelected but usually totally inept / scientifically -ignorant / lobbyphilic / target-centric complementary boxtickocracies in the politico / activist / quango / media establishment who can come up with such as this:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6867046.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=1515793
‘Climate change sceptics are to be targeted in a hard-hitting [£6M - that would buy a lot of winter insulation, just as $35M from some other awareness-addicted clowns would buy a few water wells http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8300374.stm ] government advertising campaign that will be the first to state unequivocally that Man is causing global warming and endangering life on Earth.
If the Copenhagen missions from other countries are guided by equal groupings, then the planet is well and truly stuffed.
You persuade through the power of your argument and being honest, un-hypocritical and clear with your audience. The powers that be are now highly compromised in this regard, having been mostly addicted to policies of fine, frighten, guilt and threat too often in pursuit of power and control over legitimate issues of concern that do need addressing. And have been waaaay too cavalier in boosting anything that served their causes. Especially whilst conveniently ignoring a bunch of other stuff which was either too hard or didn’t involve a tariff or taxable offset.
http://www.panda.org/wwf_news/news/?uNewsID=176141
http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2009/10/11/how-much-rainforest-is-destroyed-each-day/
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/10/european-union-corrupt-african-governments-block-stronger-redd-scheme.php?dcitc=th_rss
And now it’s all coming back to bite ‘em on the tush they’ll be screaming ist/zi/inger like Milliband. D when he doesn’t get the pudding he wanted at his birthday party.
I want a better planet for my kids, but I am not prepared to consign them to living it in a small box eating Soylent Green and not going anywhere. Because all that mindset buys is a bit more time.
We need better, more creative minds on this.
All the current batch have managed to do is to make my job a ton more difficult, as I spend all my waking hours DOING stuff on ways to reduce waste and improve efficiencies.
It’s saving planet AND pocket. But even with those clear plusses the audience needs to feel the effort is worth it. Stuff like this either confuses them or puts them off, and gets the door slammed in my face, and those like me.
I can already feel the ‘traitor to the cause’ knives sharpening, but crushing other views has backfired at near every turn, and I think, for the sake of my kids, to save the tree we need to cut out the dead wood and start again.
Heaven knows how, but the alternative status quo under the current regimes is a dead-end creek that stinks.
It got noticed, but not always in a good way:( So I hope this comes across as suitably firm in rejection of partisan demands, but fair:
I have a a dream, and that is meeting the Marketing Director Kellogg’s to pitch my idea for making all their cereal packs reusable.
And I’ll kick off by saying ‘It would all just be junk but for that extra Special K’
That way everyone involved (brand, customer and me) can make money and help the future.
I prefer to go for incentive and reward. Seems to be more reliable.
If you’d like to debate any points I’m making I’m cool. But if it’s playing with names and my calling… not so much.
Just off a BBC post board where some climate change ‘enthusiasts’ (hard to get a snappy descriptor that is accurate and/or not a silly pejorative) reckon those who don’t follow their ‘way’ blindly need to be jailed.
It gets heated. And it seems like too many prefer that to illumination.
Not interested.
Ah well, off now to visit Mum in her home to tell her all we have done this week with Junkk and are going to DO next. Peace will reign. Briefly.
Nowt like being an equal opportunity offender.
*Telegraph
One swallow does not a summer make.
So I do wonder if it is fair, or accurate, to totally project the reporting of but one employee onto the ‘views’ of a corporation, not that ‘they’ should have ‘views’ one way or t’other in the first place. part of the problem, I suspect.
As one interested, I am not clear as to Mr. Hudson’s status, at least as ‘its’ climate change correspondent.
There are surely others in the ‘reporting/corresponding/editing mix (Harrabin, Black, etc), so do they enjoy other, semantically different and hence significant titles, and no specific brief on this odd, rather hard to pin-down entity… climate change?
There is however significance to be sure to be read into the fact that this solo chap’s piece has been seen to stray from… well… best not to get into that.
I sense others have the time and energy to square off on the consequences in days to come.
Addendum: Yet more form the funny farm. There really seems a need on the parst of soem that you offer total fealty to their respective religions. Spooky.
In this day and age, is having your own mind so scary to some?
Still with worrying about the who and less worried with the what of the discussion, eh?
Oddly, just like that other interesting bunch over at Richard Black's (another BBC green/eco climate/whatever reporter/correspendent/editor/whatever (I am sure the difference matters... to someone) who seem so emboldened with the... ahem.. 'success' of a certain Ms. Abbess with Roger Harrabin (another BBC, etc) they seem to figure they, and only they are 'the way', and any dissent is to be dealt with harshly.
I tend to follow a less certain, less dogmatic line. And in a sad era of a need to belong to a tribe, it's my own.
The extra feedback JustinXS and geofftheref on the main protagonist is appreciated and encouraging. I have long had more than a concern that events were being interpreted, narratives enhanced and represenations made fair by folk whose popular reach was not quite matched by their qualifications in matters of scientific investigation and explanation. Mr. Hudson seems a rare, and most welcome exception to the 'rule'. Still just 'a' bloke, mind.
Can't speak for t'other (seems very nice) fellow I seem to be associated with coincidentally on the basis of no more than names with two k's, but since you asked so nicely... oh.. you didn't.
So, sorry, cannot find it in me to oblige:)
It's kind of weird to find myself as an equal opportunity 'offender', as by my stance I seem to have incurred the attention, and ire, of both climate optimists AND pessimists (the best non-judgmental descriptor I can muster for the two bookend camps for whom 'you are either with us or against us' seem shared mantras) simultaneously.
Which is quite a feat, if one thinks about it.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Inspiration is the worthiest form of flattery
30 Clever And Creative Package Designs
So much already done, so much more to do...
Dumbells
Characters
Christmas Decorations
...so little (if still too ahead of our) time.
Well, at least our message is spreading:)
So much already done, so much more to do...
Dumbells
Characters
Christmas Decorations
...so little (if still too ahead of our) time.
Well, at least our message is spreading:)
Compare and contrast
EU Sides with Corrupt African Governments to Block Stronger REDD Forest Protection Scheme
Saving forests five times better than carbon capture for climate action: WWF Sweden.
But some clown blows $35M (that's a lot of wells) on raising awareness atop a column of greenhouse gasses, and it's wall to wall on the media.
'Space clown' hosts show from ISS
Saving forests five times better than carbon capture for climate action: WWF Sweden.
But some clown blows $35M (that's a lot of wells) on raising awareness atop a column of greenhouse gasses, and it's wall to wall on the media.
'Space clown' hosts show from ISS
QUOTE OF THE DAY - If you're happy and you know it...
... you're an engineer! Does 'ex' count?
Or do I still qualify as I still design and make things?
Dyson answers the call to fill a vacuum in British life
“But only 16 per cent of engineers are unhappy in their careers, compared with 44 per cent of journalists and 25 per cent of medics. We need to show it’s respectable to make money out of making things, not just shuffling money around.”
Or do I still qualify as I still design and make things?
Dyson answers the call to fill a vacuum in British life
“But only 16 per cent of engineers are unhappy in their careers, compared with 44 per cent of journalists and 25 per cent of medics. We need to show it’s respectable to make money out of making things, not just shuffling money around.”
About that incentive thing...
As many will know, I am not big on nanny, fine, guilt, scare, etc.
Tories will lend every household £6,500 to save energy and make money
Slightly better than blowing £6M on 'awareness'?
But...
Then look at the comments. That's against 'finding' £1.65B to fund it. Hence, a bit hard to grasp on how it will work. Only another £1B to go.
Interesting how the feedback is almost unremittingly negative, in a Conservative-friendly paper.
But I think this one at least shows an interest in looking in more productive directions.
Tories will lend every household £6,500 to save energy and make money
Slightly better than blowing £6M on 'awareness'?
But...
Then look at the comments. That's against 'finding' £1.65B to fund it. Hence, a bit hard to grasp on how it will work. Only another £1B to go.
Interesting how the feedback is almost unremittingly negative, in a Conservative-friendly paper.
But I think this one at least shows an interest in looking in more productive directions.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Hmnnnn...
Ministers target climate change doubters in prime-time TV advert
This may not end well. No matter how well intentioned.
Climate change sceptics are to be targeted in a hard-hitting government advertising campaign that will be the first to state unequivocally that Man is causing global warming and endangering life on Earth.
The £6 million campaign, which begins tonight in the prime ITV1 slot during Coronation Street, is a direct response to government research showing that more than half the population think that climate change will have no effect on them.
Ministers sanctioned the campaign because of concern that scepticism about climate change was making it harder to introduce carbon-reducing policies such as higher energy bills.
My emphasis points.
That's quite a set of words, especially if from the PR.
As to the commercial... well... I'll reserve creative commentary. But there's a certain irony that I saw it preceded by a consumer-driven message that is, at the end of the da... world... 'buy more stuff'.
Addendum 1:
Just watching it being 'promoted' on BBC Breakfast News: the commercial that aims to scare us into taking climate change seriously. Yup, this 'un will do it. And scaring has worked great so far. But maybe doing it with kids might be a better line of attack.
Addendum 2:
Energy Minister Joan Ruddock on now explaining it helps people 'understand climate change' and 'makes it clearer'. In which case: #Major Fail! The woman is a classic poor messenger for this message. She has no clue. On science... or communications. And this is who we have steering our efforts to a greener Britain
Addendum 3:
Telegraph - Government's £6 million 'Bedtime Story' climate change ad: most pernicious waste of taxpayers' money ever?
Last time I was subjected to one of these 'awareness' fests (board bonuses seem to be measured on whether the box marked 'Yes I saw it' gets ticked by another quango's research team, which makes blowing money on comms budgets to drive up said bonuses a tad unethical, conflict of interest wise...IMHO) by some other eco-quango diverting money from DOING something useful (like helping poor and/or old folk with things like insulation), it was also rather directed at the audience you suggest.
Never got a reply to my question back then as to why the white, middle class family of four were off to buy their pack of four eco-bulbs in a stonking great big, black Porsche Cayenne Turbo S 4x4, when it looked like they were greening up the des res from Wandsworth B&Q to leafy Fulham. Possibly with a 'my other car is a Prius to beat the Congestion Charge' sticker in the back window, as electric cars are 'green'.... apparently, because the juice comes from... er... um...
I rather suspect that, to save a bit of dosh on house and car rental for the TVC, the producer/directors donated their pads and favoured modes of urban transport to 'help'. Nice bit of reuse, perhaps, but a smidge light on the irony front.
Still, speaking of clowns blowing money on targets, or looking good to your mates in the green elite section of the VIP lounge come the next 'concert' it could be worse... it could have been $35M blown to sit atop a column of Russian greenhouse gasses... well, well, well, well, well... not.
ps: while I think they have at last decided to look beyond reprinting press releases from agenda-comfortable sources (a bit late to be taken seriously or regain any trust, mind), I do think one 'non-solely anthro concessionary' article by one (albeit better qualified than most so far) science reporting employee is getting stretched a bit to become a "U-turn' by Aunty.
But, yes, almost Brownian in timing.
And you would think that about the bunnies, wouldn't you? Maybe they were eaten by all the alligators splashing around Gothenburg in the school project diorama Milibands D. & E. took with them to scare those easily scared types in the EU foreign ministries recently. I wonder if they got Gerry Anderson in on it all... at taxpayer's expense, natch.
green thing - NEW - Mad World - Another view. I am unsure if two wrongs justify anything. And when an ad states something as fact which is not, yet, much as some might find it helpful to be, it's not mad, it's reality, however unpalatable. And, yet again, I find myself expected to accept an analogy that is flawed. Also interesting to note the party affiliation, too.
Looking at the forces ranged around this latest icon, has it helped or merely added fuel to a distracting fire?
BBC - NEW - 'Scary' UK climate ad faces probe - a balanced piece IMHO
Treehugger - NEW - Climate Change TV Ad Under Investigation for Scaring Kids - Also balanced, though I think the responding readers took what they wanted from it. Not worth entering the lion's den by pondering the impact on sensible debate of it possibly being pulled for being factually challenged (if successful). Mr. Gore's last schoolkid outing did sooo well on that count.
Telegraph - NEW - Government TV climate ad is propaganda
Of course it is propaganda... pretty much by definition any advertising to us (ironically funded by us), by government to suit agendas, influence opinion, alter behaviours surely has to, doesn't it? By no stretch do most I see 'impartially provide information'.
And in the spirit of 'one person's terrorist is another's freedom fighter' I suspect most either agree, disagree, don't care or let it wash over.
I reckon having the odd 'Boo!' can be effective and tend to tolerate 'em. And suspect most others do to. Which is why it's kinda cute this is being made about being 'scary' after the watershed.
What does get interesting is the factual basis. In my day it was called 'legal, decent, honest and truthful'. Not quite so clear what the ASA works on nowadays, but it will be interesting to see how it stands up.
Because in the PR that went with its launch there was such as this...(above):
After a similar such outing, I think involving the courts, by such as Mr. Gore's school effort, and how that worked out, if the factual basis of this effort is found wanting, I dread to think the damage done, yet again, to sensible environmental advocacy.
If these are the calibre of folk who think they are best suited to make my kids' futures better, and how they see the mission best projected, god help the planet if they end up dealing with grown-ups in Copenhagen.
Teblog - NEW - Frighten the kids, or encourage the grown-ups? Insightful
This may not end well. No matter how well intentioned.
Climate change sceptics are to be targeted in a hard-hitting government advertising campaign that will be the first to state unequivocally that Man is causing global warming and endangering life on Earth.
The £6 million campaign, which begins tonight in the prime ITV1 slot during Coronation Street, is a direct response to government research showing that more than half the population think that climate change will have no effect on them.
Ministers sanctioned the campaign because of concern that scepticism about climate change was making it harder to introduce carbon-reducing policies such as higher energy bills.
My emphasis points.
That's quite a set of words, especially if from the PR.
As to the commercial... well... I'll reserve creative commentary. But there's a certain irony that I saw it preceded by a consumer-driven message that is, at the end of the da... world... 'buy more stuff'.
Addendum 1:
Just watching it being 'promoted' on BBC Breakfast News: the commercial that aims to scare us into taking climate change seriously. Yup, this 'un will do it. And scaring has worked great so far. But maybe doing it with kids might be a better line of attack.
Addendum 2:
Energy Minister Joan Ruddock on now explaining it helps people 'understand climate change' and 'makes it clearer'. In which case: #Major Fail! The woman is a classic poor messenger for this message. She has no clue. On science... or communications. And this is who we have steering our efforts to a greener Britain
Addendum 3:
Telegraph - Government's £6 million 'Bedtime Story' climate change ad: most pernicious waste of taxpayers' money ever?
Last time I was subjected to one of these 'awareness' fests (board bonuses seem to be measured on whether the box marked 'Yes I saw it' gets ticked by another quango's research team, which makes blowing money on comms budgets to drive up said bonuses a tad unethical, conflict of interest wise...IMHO) by some other eco-quango diverting money from DOING something useful (like helping poor and/or old folk with things like insulation), it was also rather directed at the audience you suggest.
Never got a reply to my question back then as to why the white, middle class family of four were off to buy their pack of four eco-bulbs in a stonking great big, black Porsche Cayenne Turbo S 4x4, when it looked like they were greening up the des res from Wandsworth B&Q to leafy Fulham. Possibly with a 'my other car is a Prius to beat the Congestion Charge' sticker in the back window, as electric cars are 'green'.... apparently, because the juice comes from... er... um...
I rather suspect that, to save a bit of dosh on house and car rental for the TVC, the producer/directors donated their pads and favoured modes of urban transport to 'help'. Nice bit of reuse, perhaps, but a smidge light on the irony front.
Still, speaking of clowns blowing money on targets, or looking good to your mates in the green elite section of the VIP lounge come the next 'concert' it could be worse... it could have been $35M blown to sit atop a column of Russian greenhouse gasses... well, well, well, well, well... not.
ps: while I think they have at last decided to look beyond reprinting press releases from agenda-comfortable sources (a bit late to be taken seriously or regain any trust, mind), I do think one 'non-solely anthro concessionary' article by one (albeit better qualified than most so far) science reporting employee is getting stretched a bit to become a "U-turn' by Aunty.
But, yes, almost Brownian in timing.
And you would think that about the bunnies, wouldn't you? Maybe they were eaten by all the alligators splashing around Gothenburg in the school project diorama Milibands D. & E. took with them to scare those easily scared types in the EU foreign ministries recently. I wonder if they got Gerry Anderson in on it all... at taxpayer's expense, natch.
green thing - NEW - Mad World - Another view. I am unsure if two wrongs justify anything. And when an ad states something as fact which is not, yet, much as some might find it helpful to be, it's not mad, it's reality, however unpalatable. And, yet again, I find myself expected to accept an analogy that is flawed. Also interesting to note the party affiliation, too.
Looking at the forces ranged around this latest icon, has it helped or merely added fuel to a distracting fire?
BBC - NEW - 'Scary' UK climate ad faces probe - a balanced piece IMHO
Treehugger - NEW - Climate Change TV Ad Under Investigation for Scaring Kids - Also balanced, though I think the responding readers took what they wanted from it. Not worth entering the lion's den by pondering the impact on sensible debate of it possibly being pulled for being factually challenged (if successful). Mr. Gore's last schoolkid outing did sooo well on that count.
Telegraph - NEW - Government TV climate ad is propaganda
Of course it is propaganda... pretty much by definition any advertising to us (ironically funded by us), by government to suit agendas, influence opinion, alter behaviours surely has to, doesn't it? By no stretch do most I see 'impartially provide information'.
And in the spirit of 'one person's terrorist is another's freedom fighter' I suspect most either agree, disagree, don't care or let it wash over.
I reckon having the odd 'Boo!' can be effective and tend to tolerate 'em. And suspect most others do to. Which is why it's kinda cute this is being made about being 'scary' after the watershed.
What does get interesting is the factual basis. In my day it was called 'legal, decent, honest and truthful'. Not quite so clear what the ASA works on nowadays, but it will be interesting to see how it stands up.
Because in the PR that went with its launch there was such as this...(above):
After a similar such outing, I think involving the courts, by such as Mr. Gore's school effort, and how that worked out, if the factual basis of this effort is found wanting, I dread to think the damage done, yet again, to sensible environmental advocacy.
If these are the calibre of folk who think they are best suited to make my kids' futures better, and how they see the mission best projected, god help the planet if they end up dealing with grown-ups in Copenhagen.
Teblog - NEW - Frighten the kids, or encourage the grown-ups? Insightful
The first jummy of autumn
Iiiii wwwwwwilll resist pppputting the hhhhheating on.
Iiiii wwwwwwilll resist pppputting the hhhhheating on.
Iiiii wwwwwwilll resist pppputting the hhhhheating on.
(plus get a shave, bathe, haircut and lose 20kg)
PR COVERAGE - Blooming great!
Just wish they'd spelled the name right!Many either use 'junk' or 'junnk'
To late to change now.
But welcome coverage.
With luck, more to come.
A headline to savour 2
And what... is not to like?
Move Over Recycling: Creative Reuse Is Dethroning You as the More Impactful 3R
Move Over Recycling: Creative Reuse Is Dethroning You as the More Impactful 3R
Mixed feelings
Junkk was set up with help from a variety of quarters.
Mostly grants. Though I was mainly looking for assistance in areas to complement those I had, and those I definitely lack.
I have lost count of the number of BusinessLinks, UNLtds and other assorted quangos my business model and plan went through.
Sometimes it worked, and I go some money... and a box got ticked. And then they moved on. Giving out money and ticking boxes seemed, and still seems the order of the day.
What I was, am and seek to DO always seemed to pass these geniuses by, with their P&Ls, forward forecasting and 'Widgets from Wigan' mentalities (it needs to be a 'thing' that you buy for 50p, sell for £1, and can turn around in a month, and you'll be on a subsidised trip to Taiwan before you can say match funding) is look at the future, and long term ways to make a difference... and make money too, if I can.
And one of the very first, and most fundamental aspects of the Junkk.com plan was, is and always will be to see rubbish as a resource.
And I set out from day one on this basis, with a view to harnessing the power of the internet, and the principles of incentive and reward via this medium, to motivate 'better' environmental practices by the consuming public.
That aspect was never appreciated by the money folk, nor the quangocrats, especially those with all this 'experience' in social enterprise.
So I look with envy, over the pond, at this:
Terracycle (no more space to add a label:(
They are getting there, because they, and others around them, have 'got it'.
I just hope after 10 years of plugging away here, I an make it happen in the UK too.
We have certain advantages. I think Junkk.com adds a sense of fun to it all, but we also have a built-in searchable database and postcode location sytem that can easily connect people looking and offering.
I have often been told I am 'ahead of my time'. To date, it has been a curse... I want, need to be of it. But I am determined that my vision will yet be fulfilled, and 'Rubbish need not be a dirty word'.
Mostly grants. Though I was mainly looking for assistance in areas to complement those I had, and those I definitely lack.
I have lost count of the number of BusinessLinks, UNLtds and other assorted quangos my business model and plan went through.
Sometimes it worked, and I go some money... and a box got ticked. And then they moved on. Giving out money and ticking boxes seemed, and still seems the order of the day.
What I was, am and seek to DO always seemed to pass these geniuses by, with their P&Ls, forward forecasting and 'Widgets from Wigan' mentalities (it needs to be a 'thing' that you buy for 50p, sell for £1, and can turn around in a month, and you'll be on a subsidised trip to Taiwan before you can say match funding) is look at the future, and long term ways to make a difference... and make money too, if I can.
And one of the very first, and most fundamental aspects of the Junkk.com plan was, is and always will be to see rubbish as a resource.
And I set out from day one on this basis, with a view to harnessing the power of the internet, and the principles of incentive and reward via this medium, to motivate 'better' environmental practices by the consuming public.
That aspect was never appreciated by the money folk, nor the quangocrats, especially those with all this 'experience' in social enterprise.
So I look with envy, over the pond, at this:
Terracycle (no more space to add a label:(
They are getting there, because they, and others around them, have 'got it'.
I just hope after 10 years of plugging away here, I an make it happen in the UK too.
We have certain advantages. I think Junkk.com adds a sense of fun to it all, but we also have a built-in searchable database and postcode location sytem that can easily connect people looking and offering.
I have often been told I am 'ahead of my time'. To date, it has been a curse... I want, need to be of it. But I am determined that my vision will yet be fulfilled, and 'Rubbish need not be a dirty word'.
POOH CORNER - If you think about it...
...which I would not blame you for not doing:
Nippon Airlines Asks You to Please "Lighten Your Load" Pre-Board
The composting toilet idea might be fun, except for the guys under the flight path.
Now, about not packing 500% more luggage than you actually need...
Nippon Airlines Asks You to Please "Lighten Your Load" Pre-Board
The composting toilet idea might be fun, except for the guys under the flight path.
Now, about not packing 500% more luggage than you actually need...
Thursday, October 08, 2009
PROF'S POSER - Long & slow or on, off and up?
First really nippy day of the year.
Well, this morning.
Now, with the sun... glorious.
Missus well happy at the 7am central heating kick-of and blissfully unaware that it goes off at 9am until 5pm, when it kicks in again until bedtime.
I noticed, at around 10am. Hence the jummy.
Thing is, am I doing the right thing?
As with the immerser, is it better to have it on all day, albeit 'ticking' over, or have two bursts to top and tail the day?
What is best for the overall thermal performance of a thick stone-walled building?
Well, this morning.
Now, with the sun... glorious.
Missus well happy at the 7am central heating kick-of and blissfully unaware that it goes off at 9am until 5pm, when it kicks in again until bedtime.
I noticed, at around 10am. Hence the jummy.
Thing is, am I doing the right thing?
As with the immerser, is it better to have it on all day, albeit 'ticking' over, or have two bursts to top and tail the day?
What is best for the overall thermal performance of a thick stone-walled building?
Not to mention....
...oh go on then.. reuse!
UK losing £650m a year by binning and burning waste
Even less impacting on the environment. doesn't require the public to work free for others/targets/bonusses, can save oodles of munny and... is well fun!
UK losing £650m a year by binning and burning waste
Even less impacting on the environment. doesn't require the public to work free for others/targets/bonusses, can save oodles of munny and... is well fun!
What goes up , might not be a downer
Well, not as much of one.
What, exactly, makes a rocket fuel environmentally friendly?
I think, as with many headlines, adding an 'er' might be more accurate.
But any step in the right direction must be welcome.
At least it seems a tad more credible than some of the claims made by such as Virgin Galactic (and which have attracted a few eyebrow cranks of mine).
Exploration is necessary, so mitigating the consequences is the best option.
What, exactly, makes a rocket fuel environmentally friendly?
I think, as with many headlines, adding an 'er' might be more accurate.
But any step in the right direction must be welcome.
At least it seems a tad more credible than some of the claims made by such as Virgin Galactic (and which have attracted a few eyebrow cranks of mine).
Exploration is necessary, so mitigating the consequences is the best option.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Getting there...
Yesterday started in the pits.
I was being stalked by a nutter on a BBC blog, the boiler didn't work, the washing machine repair was 2 weeks' off, it was raining... and I was staring at a potential 'efinsaftee disaster to my proposed stand to next week.
Fire regs on non-certificated plastics.
Notwithstanding that any Junkk stand is usually 95% plastic junk anyway, this was going to be a real issue.
Anyway, in the course of the day the nutter got modded (might be back mind), the boiler fixed (on insurance), the washing machine fixed (on insurance) thanks to me being a home worker and getting a cancellation, the sun shone again, and.... the lovely organisers of BIS said they had no problem with my stand proposal. Especially as it is made from two reused climbing frames the boys are two old for.
Now all I have to do is figure out what to put in it, on it and around it, and then get it all to London to set up in a few hours on the 13th.
Data Day
Postcodes: Adam Crozier letter
From MP Tom Watson.
From me:
I will follow this issue with interest: thank you for raising it. And for pursuing it further.
I think a nice balance between sympathetic commercial realism and community challenge on matters of 'public' data.
My website has a postcode location facility to help, amongst other things, people to locate each other to facilitate reuse swaps, etc.
I think I paid for that, a long while ago.
Now many folk, especially new registrants, are complaining that their postcodes 'don't work'. I'm guessing boundary changes or additions.
Now as a commercial business I can see how things that take money to create need to be compensated, but I do get interested when the ways such data are gleaned are less clearly defined.
And, as stated above, when there is a clear public benefit to having access to information about themselves.
I believe the Guardian has been on this case also for quite a while: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/free-our-data
Taking a tip from another poster, as Junkk.com also finds itself followed in, but (until now, for monetary reasons, poorly serving) the USA, this is pretty significant, and cheering:
Federal Register in XML
From MP Tom Watson.
From me:
I will follow this issue with interest: thank you for raising it. And for pursuing it further.
I think a nice balance between sympathetic commercial realism and community challenge on matters of 'public' data.
My website has a postcode location facility to help, amongst other things, people to locate each other to facilitate reuse swaps, etc.
I think I paid for that, a long while ago.
Now many folk, especially new registrants, are complaining that their postcodes 'don't work'. I'm guessing boundary changes or additions.
Now as a commercial business I can see how things that take money to create need to be compensated, but I do get interested when the ways such data are gleaned are less clearly defined.
And, as stated above, when there is a clear public benefit to having access to information about themselves.
I believe the Guardian has been on this case also for quite a while: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/free-our-data
Taking a tip from another poster, as Junkk.com also finds itself followed in, but (until now, for monetary reasons, poorly serving) the USA, this is pretty significant, and cheering:
Federal Register in XML
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Bang goes my audience?
Apparently the passwords of hotmail account holders have been compromised.
Now, which single grouping is the greatest sign-ups to Junkk.com?
And of which grouping who is least likely to inform us of a change of email addy?
Which I rather suspect they will do, along with a possibly compromised password.
And that... means we will be unable to get any future comms, such as newsletters, to them.
Brilliant:(
BBC - Top G-man in Phishing scam
Now, which single grouping is the greatest sign-ups to Junkk.com?
And of which grouping who is least likely to inform us of a change of email addy?
Which I rather suspect they will do, along with a possibly compromised password.
And that... means we will be unable to get any future comms, such as newsletters, to them.
Brilliant:(
BBC - Top G-man in Phishing scam
IRONY ALERT - Aunty says switch off. Not her, of course
Watching (on a PIP on my PC) Breakfast BBC News.
Just loved the way they intro'd a piece on an energy saving story about the Isles of Scilly.
'What one thing could you switch off now?'...pause... 'Er... not the TV of course'.
First image I see? A person switching off her TV.
Always a bit dubious about 'days', and this one seems no different. However, it did gain the community some PR to share notions like not running a power shower for 5 minutes before getting in it.
O....k.
Actually, all this energy awareness seems to be spinning on its own axis to me. Not that any that is shared is in any way not worth knowing, but there is a ton of money saying very few, blooming obvious things and... over and over. Good enviROI?
Just look at the latest EST ad that this would appear to be coinciding with.
If not having a bath and switching down your fridge is the best they can do after all this time, I think the money could really have been spent better elsewhere, on issues where folk may well be persuaded by pragmatic advice.
Addendum - the event site, sadly not shared by the national broadcaster. Interesting stuff, if a bit 'busy'
Just loved the way they intro'd a piece on an energy saving story about the Isles of Scilly.
'What one thing could you switch off now?'...pause... 'Er... not the TV of course'.
First image I see? A person switching off her TV.
Always a bit dubious about 'days', and this one seems no different. However, it did gain the community some PR to share notions like not running a power shower for 5 minutes before getting in it.
O....k.
Actually, all this energy awareness seems to be spinning on its own axis to me. Not that any that is shared is in any way not worth knowing, but there is a ton of money saying very few, blooming obvious things and... over and over. Good enviROI?
Just look at the latest EST ad that this would appear to be coinciding with.
If not having a bath and switching down your fridge is the best they can do after all this time, I think the money could really have been spent better elsewhere, on issues where folk may well be persuaded by pragmatic advice.
Addendum - the event site, sadly not shared by the national broadcaster. Interesting stuff, if a bit 'busy'
Monday, October 05, 2009
QUOTE OF THE DAY - And proud of it
Just heard on SKY News*
Guest commentator: "I'm afraid I don't get science"
Anchor: "Yes, well, I guess that is why we became journalists"
Ne'er a truer word. Sadly.
*Discussing 'elfinsaftee removing yet more experimentation opportunities to inspire students, this time in Chemistry.
Guest commentator: "I'm afraid I don't get science"
Anchor: "Yes, well, I guess that is why we became journalists"
Ne'er a truer word. Sadly.
*Discussing 'elfinsaftee removing yet more experimentation opportunities to inspire students, this time in Chemistry.
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