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Links:http://www.worldchanging.com (((The favorite Viridian website ever. With email increasingly dysfunctional due to spam and viruses, sites like Worldchanging are oases of sanity. I am getting so many bounces off Viridian email now that I wonder how much longer this email medium will remain a plausible means of communication.))) http://partnerships.typepad.com/civic/2004/01/top_10_open_sou.html The Top Ten Open-Source Tools for eActivism.
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(((Nice list. I have promptly put these green products into Viridian Order, with the wack cool techie stuff at the top, and the tedious allergenic hypochondria at the bottom.))) "TOTO USA makes a sensor-activated faucet that uses a tiny hydropower
generator to keep its battery charged." (((Yowzah!))) Link: (((It seems that Andrew Marshall of the Office of Net Assessment, the "Yoda of the Pentagon," has finally noticed the increasing likelihood of the Viridian "Khaki Green" scenario.))) Link:
"In an article published Jan. 26 in Fortune magazine, Marshall released the findings of an unclassified report‹written by Peter Schwartz and Doug Randall of the Global Business Network‹entitled 'An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario and Its Implications for United States National Security.' (((Viva GBN!))) "The ONA-commissioned report, using the well-established scenario-planning techniques developed at Shell's planning unit, generated a plausible future scenario in which the thermohaline conveyor collapses in 2010. What follows that oceanic shut-down sounds apocalyptic and yet the authors contend, is quite plausible. "By 2020, average rainfall in Europe drops 30 percent; 'megadroughts' affect Southern China and Northern Europe; massive boatlifts of people from the Caribbean attempt to enter the United States and Mexico; China is unable to feed its population due to the combination of droughts and violent monsoons and flooding; Eastern European countries invade a weakened Russia to seek minerals and energy; nuclear India, Pakistan, and China go to war over water, land, and refugees. "In all 400 million people could be forced to migrate from uninhabitable regions. In the United States, the East Coast population areas experience severe shortages of freshwater; flooding creates an inland sea in California's Central Valley and disrupts freshwater supplies for Southern California; and energy disruptions are commonplace due to storms, ice and conflict. The authors make the point clear: this is not a prediction, this is a plausible scenario given what we know now." (((The upside for military boffins? This is a global emergency regime with martial law; we'll all be in uniform. Those not busy killing non-state "terrorists" will be piling the sandbags.))) Link:
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(((But then again, Exxon is known to be grumpy about being held accountable:)))
"Exxon Mobil ordered to pay $6.75 billion for Valdez "ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) A federal judge on Wednesday ordered Exxon Mobil Corp. to pay about $6.75 billion in punitive damages and interest to thousands of fishermen and others affected by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. "Exxon Mobil has 30 days to appeal the order by U.S. District Judge Russel Holland, who ordered the Irving-based company to pay $4.5 billion in punitive damages and about $2.25 billion in interest. "The money is to go to 32,000 fishermen, Alaska natives, landowners, small businesses and municipalities affected by the 11-million gallon spill in Prince William Sound. "'We have now closed the trial court doors for the last time in this litigation after 15 years,' said David Oesting, lead attorney for the plaintiffs. 'We're definitely on track to the end of the entire dispute.' "Exxon Mobil said it plans to appeal. Spokesman Tom Cirigliano said the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has twice vacated Holland's decision in the case. The judge had been ordered by the appellate court to reconsider the damages awarded in an earlier ruling in light of a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year about punitive damages. "'This ruling flies in the face of the guidelines set by the appeals court,' Cirigliano said." (((Unlike a burst supertanker, which merely oozes into one's face.))) Link:
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"Stories from the Source: Design Excursions Out of the Ordinary March 18 - 21, 2004" "We have been delighted by the warm response to THE ART CENTER DESIGN CONFERENCE to date. Steelcase has signed on to provide comfortable auditorium seating, Maharam and Design Within Reach are graciously contributing the stage design, WIRED is hosting the opening night party, and GM is throwing a spectacular closing night gala. (...) "But the real excitement, of course, is what's coming together on the stage. Renowned journalist and design aficionado JOHN HOCKENBERRY has been named Master of Ceremonies. (...) Our roster includes DAVID BALTIMORE, Nobel Prize-winning biologist and president of the California Institute of Technology; LEE CLOW, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer Worldwide of TBWA\Chiat\Day; MAIRA KALMAN, poet and illustrator extraordinaire; BOB LUTZ, Chairman of General Motors; BRAN FERREN, co-founder of Applied Minds; EIKO ISHIOKA, Academy Award winning creative director; ANDREW STANTON, Oscar-nominated Pixar director; SANDRA TSING LOH, humorist and cultural commentator; FRANK GEHRY, Pritzker Prize-winning architect; BRUCE MAU, designer and author; CHARLES ELACHI, Director of Jet Propulsion Labs; RICKY JAY, sleight-of-hand performer; and many others. "Go to the website at "We look forward to seeing you in Pasadena! "Warm regards, "Chee Pearlman Guest Program Director "Erica Clark Senior Vice President, International Initiatives Art Center College of Design "Richard Koshalek President Art Center College of Design" Link:
(((From no less a man than Tucker Viemeister comes the nano-future of shaving:))) "On the eve of Gillette's introducing a new shaver, the Boston Globe published our concept for future shaving that we called: 'Disposable micro razor pads.' You just wipe one of the pads over your face. Microscopic enlargement shows the tiny sharp cutting ribbons (like a mini cheese grater) but they are so small that they can't cut the skin, only 'grate' the ends of the beard. Next, look out for larger shaving pads for women (like mittens)! "Just thought you'd like to know what the best brains in the industry are thinking about in our spare time!" "See ya tucker viemeister springtime-usa" (((And, as a grand finale, the drowned island of Niue (see Note 00399) loudly refuses to perish, flaming reporters via Internet.))) Link:
"FOTW: Niue is NOT dead. Nor will it ever be" By Drew Cullen "Posted: 17/01/2004 at 06:09 GMT "Flame of The Week "Niue is Dead! Long live .nu! "From: 'miss amanda' "Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 11:48 PM "i am emailing concerning your article on Niue....................... Niue is NOT dead nor will it ever be................ those are rumours about the population, Niue ofr one will not give in to New Zealand Rule.......... What do you know about Niue anyway? You havent been there! What is your point in this article!!!!!!!! Half of, well most of your articcle was full of crap!!! Incase you care the isaldners are actually helping each other.......... now the niuen domains, YOU HAVENT EVEN BEEN ON THEM! the ones you talk off you act as if you knwo what happens on the boards! unless you knwo how to speak or translate Niuen you really need to find yourself a hobby and stop ditching a country you dont know never been to or even going to go to!" "Flames are published unedited, in full. They may not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Register." O=c=O O=c=O O=c=O O=c=O O=c=O O=c=O O=c=O |
