Subject: Viridian Note 00063: Real-World Projects

Key concepts: imaginary products, ad campaigns, Viridian 
Curia, solar power banners, Viridian commentary, 
organizational problems

Attention Conservation Notice:  It's mostly about products 
that don't exist.  Lots of rambling.

Links:  http://www.bespoke.org/viridian
http://www.solarsolar.com

Entries in the Viridian Power Banner Contest:
http://www.ugrad.cs.jhu.edu/~rmharman/img/viridian/warn.fo
ssil.gif
http://www.subterrane.com
http://www.netaxs.com/~morgana
(note dino animation at bottom of page)
http://www.phuq.com/viridian
http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/vandewater/banner.gif
http://humlog.homestead.com/viridianart/index.html
http://www.powerbase-alpha.com/bigmike/banner.html
This contest expires May 31, 01999

On the subject of solar banners, Cor Van de Water 
(deleau@freemail.nl*) remarks:

"I have my own web pages, although not my own server. I 
also do generate my own power. The Solar system that I am 
powering my home with is on display on my web pages. Last 
40 days I (my solar system) generated 250 kWh while I (my 
appliances at home) used only 200. The rest is surplus, 
back into the grid. Theoretically this could be used by 
the server that my web pages are on, resulting in a green-
powered site. Although in practice I think it is just my 
PC, where I make my web pages, which is powered 100% green 
AND the neighbour's dish-washer (or something like that). 
Anyway, I did make a banner (actually for Linkexchange) 
where I feature some solar cells and the address of my 
page, supported by the slogan: "No time to waste PV".

If you want to look at the banner:
http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/vandewater/banner.gif
My solar pages are located at:
http://start.at/solar
Kind regards,
Cor van de Water
the Netherlands"

(((bruces remarks:  This is yet another fine example of 
the Viridian practice known as "predicting the 
present.")))

Roger Weeks (roger@bayarea.net^^^?) offers a new idea for 
a Viridian Imaginary Product:

"I'm working on another idea for the Imaginary Products 
catalog == the Viridian Home.  Not all of the ideas are 
conceptualized yet, but it features the following:

"Rain-collection system that serves as the primary 
irrigation and water source.
"Septic tank is fitted with microbes that eat waste and 
output pure H2O.
"The house is a single-story set into a hill, with 
indigenous flora planted on the roof.  This keeps the 
house cool in summer and blends into the landscape.
"Wind-up washer and dryer.
"Power is supplied either from solar, wind, or fuel cells.
"Construction is from entirely recycled cellulose or other 
fibers.
"Walls are extremely thick, at least 18-24 inches, again 
for insulation.
"Skylights provide all daytime light.
"Nighttime lights are provided by bacteria or fungi that 
give off natural light.  Ideally, these would be the same 
microbes that eat waste.  Perhaps their other byproduct 
would be light.
"No cathode ray tubes. All displays in the model Viridian 
house are smart ink displays.
"Wireless or satellite data connections to the world net. 
No copper cable or telco lines in the future.

"We should get someone with 3D design skills to mock up a 
demo.  This would make a great Viridian gallery piece.   
Visitors could walk marvelling through a 3D full-size 
house that *they can't purchase.*"

Bruce Sterling remarks:

   I am eager for more suggestions along this line.  We 
have now assembled a group of Viridian Volunteers, known 
as "the Viridian Curia," who want to work on Viridian 
imaginary ad campaigns.  Members of the Curia are the 
highest-ranking Viridians, and have their elite status 
denominated by a Viridian "bishop's crook" <?> by their 
log-in name.

    If you would like to join the Curia and engage in the 
rough-and-tumble of undertaking ad projects, send me your 
snailmail address, and a 100-word biography indicating 
your areas of creative interest.  Note that there are 
about thirty Curia members already.  Manpower is not our 
problem.

     Here is a summary list of Viridian Imaginary Products 
suggested to date.  I've not yet decided which project 
will be first, how to divvy up authority within the Curia, 
how to coordinate volunteers, what to do with the "ad" 
when we have it, or how to pay for any of this.  This is 
why Viridian life is rich and full.   Perhaps we will 
divide the Curia into rival design teams, depending on 
popular response to potential products.  

    Attention please, Curia members:  if you find any of 
these notions particularly attractive, let me know and I 
will make careful note of it.

The Viridian EcoSystem Game (Note 00053)
The Viridian Alcohol Cellphone (Note 00042)
The Viridian Electrical Meter (Note 00043)
The Viridian Service Station (Note 00044)
The Viridian Teakettle (we have our design; this is a 
model-building project)
The Viridian Model Home (Note 00063)
The Viridian Model Family (Note 00018)
The Viridian Genetically Reconstituted Mammoth-Fur Sweater
Viridian "Fungal Brew" Relaxant De-Stressing Beverage
Viridian Swag:  temporary tattoos, giveaway pencils, T-
shirts, foul-weather gear, Big Mike logo'd decontamination 
Tyvek jumpsuits, bumper stickers, etc.

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CAUTION! CO2! SMOGGY SERVER!
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