I bike 18km to work each day and want to keep track of my performance and comment on the podcasts I listen to. Typically: On Point with Tom Ashbrook from NPR, which I subscribe to via iTunes.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Last post of the week: Up to 2,413 Kms YTD
Have a client meeting Friday morning, so no biking. Going direclty to Oregon to see high school friends for the weekend, so will not get much excercise. I'm part of a "stepping" team competition here at work so I have to see if the pedometer works on the bike. If not, I'll add some running.
Capitalism Doomed?
2 day update: Got a flat on Monday AM so wound up getting a partial ride in, but the ride home was fine. Left the house without a spare tube because I ran out of patches, and specifically said to my wife that I hoped I wouldn't get a flat ("Ha ha....") Of course I had a nail in the tire by the time I got to Cypress. Tuesday it rained in the AM, but was beautiful on the way home.
NPR On Point's show was on the success of state capitalism vs. private capitalism. China and Singapore were discussed as being able to unilaterlly manage their economies without interference from private corporations or elected bodies, e.g. Congress. If China needs to change policy or spend money right away it can do it, whereas the U.S. Congress needs to have hearings, draft motions, etc. before getting anything done.
Good discussion on how large businesses in N. America and Europe are accustomed to getting their way through lobbying and relationships, but when they enter China or state-run markets they are in a far more subordinate position. Also a discussion on China's growing problems: Sure, they have a lot of jobs, but most of them are low-paying, subsistence jobs that help exports, but there's no money left to create a domestic consumer economy. As China's wages go up there is the threat that export jobs are affected, and the economic gap is not filled by employing these workers to produce for the domestic market. Singapore is hailed as the ideal economic model for state capitalism, and achieves a balance of personal liberties and economic freedom, all controlled by a benevolent government. Having worked there, it should be stated clearly that Singapore is easy to manage because it's geographically small and therefore easier to control than say India or America.
NPR On Point's show was on the success of state capitalism vs. private capitalism. China and Singapore were discussed as being able to unilaterlly manage their economies without interference from private corporations or elected bodies, e.g. Congress. If China needs to change policy or spend money right away it can do it, whereas the U.S. Congress needs to have hearings, draft motions, etc. before getting anything done.
Good discussion on how large businesses in N. America and Europe are accustomed to getting their way through lobbying and relationships, but when they enter China or state-run markets they are in a far more subordinate position. Also a discussion on China's growing problems: Sure, they have a lot of jobs, but most of them are low-paying, subsistence jobs that help exports, but there's no money left to create a domestic consumer economy. As China's wages go up there is the threat that export jobs are affected, and the economic gap is not filled by employing these workers to produce for the domestic market. Singapore is hailed as the ideal economic model for state capitalism, and achieves a balance of personal liberties and economic freedom, all controlled by a benevolent government. Having worked there, it should be stated clearly that Singapore is easy to manage because it's geographically small and therefore easier to control than say India or America.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Superweeds, and I'm not talking "weed"
Had an early phone call so I lifted my game and made it in 46 minutes. 13C, no wind or rain. Year-to-date I've biked 2,359 KMs vs. a potential 4,308 KMs if I had biked 100% of the time to work. That's 55% of the time on the bike, 45% on the bus.
Today's NPR On Point show was on the evolution of agricultural superweeds after Monsanto introduced Roundup in the 1970s. It worked great and allowed farmers to stop manual tilling to control weeds, and with fertilizer reduced the need to rotate crops. More money, more efficiency. But some weeds are now resistant and farmers are getting nervous again. Should industry spray more, use stronger chemicals and live with the risk of even more resistant weeds and environmental pollution?
Here comes the need for balance again. Non-farmers and activists simply say "Told you so" and "Go organic", but practical farmers say "It's not economical anymore to pull weeds, and we can't hire people to do it." In the middle of that, progressive farmers are using a combination of reasonable chemical application, crop rotation and ground cover plants to keep weeds at bay and avoid over reliance on chemicals. I would absolutely avoid strengthening the chemicals because without doubt we know that superweeds and pollution will materialize. I think the public needs to pay more for food if it results in a more sustainable environment. The public won't WANT to pay, but as with other things (e.g. national debt, reliance on cheap oil, and poor lifestyle habits) people have to be realistic about the repercussions of continually relying on an economic answer to their problems.
Today's NPR On Point show was on the evolution of agricultural superweeds after Monsanto introduced Roundup in the 1970s. It worked great and allowed farmers to stop manual tilling to control weeds, and with fertilizer reduced the need to rotate crops. More money, more efficiency. But some weeds are now resistant and farmers are getting nervous again. Should industry spray more, use stronger chemicals and live with the risk of even more resistant weeds and environmental pollution?
Here comes the need for balance again. Non-farmers and activists simply say "Told you so" and "Go organic", but practical farmers say "It's not economical anymore to pull weeds, and we can't hire people to do it." In the middle of that, progressive farmers are using a combination of reasonable chemical application, crop rotation and ground cover plants to keep weeds at bay and avoid over reliance on chemicals. I would absolutely avoid strengthening the chemicals because without doubt we know that superweeds and pollution will materialize. I think the public needs to pay more for food if it results in a more sustainable environment. The public won't WANT to pay, but as with other things (e.g. national debt, reliance on cheap oil, and poor lifestyle habits) people have to be realistic about the repercussions of continually relying on an economic answer to their problems.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Is the internet making us dumber?
AM: 10C, wind E6, drizzle, 54 minutes. Slow because I had a big breakfast after an early call. Won't do that again!
The NPR On Point show was a debate between two guys who argued about the effect of the web, SMS, Twitter etc. on our ability to consume and process large amounts of material, such as reading an educational text or history book. Our brains are being trained to demand stimulation and sound bites, because of hyperlinks in web pages, etc. The contrary point is that it develops more nimble thinking. As always, I think a balance is required, but without doubt we're all getting more peripheral info about many things, and not the reverse. I'm glad I did an MBA and have written research based reports that require organization and consistency. It helps me remember that processing and creating a large, focused amount of material requires time and revisions. Whereas blogging for example can be done purely as a stream of thought, without care for a real theme, perfect style, etc.
The NPR On Point show was a debate between two guys who argued about the effect of the web, SMS, Twitter etc. on our ability to consume and process large amounts of material, such as reading an educational text or history book. Our brains are being trained to demand stimulation and sound bites, because of hyperlinks in web pages, etc. The contrary point is that it develops more nimble thinking. As always, I think a balance is required, but without doubt we're all getting more peripheral info about many things, and not the reverse. I'm glad I did an MBA and have written research based reports that require organization and consistency. It helps me remember that processing and creating a large, focused amount of material requires time and revisions. Whereas blogging for example can be done purely as a stream of thought, without care for a real theme, perfect style, etc.
The Perfect Tomato, in the rain
AM: 13C, wind SE 15km/hr, 60 minutes at least. Downpour, took lots of time of my ride, and complicated by flat tire that needed replacing before I left. Small nail right through the tire.
PM: Went to friend's house to watch the Stanley Cup, which Chicago wrapped up. Got a ride home from Jeanne.
NPR On Point show was on tomatoes, of all things. But it was completely fascinating. Evening ride was on grey divorce, ala the Gores. Really pretty boring as I'm not too grey and am happily married.
PM: Went to friend's house to watch the Stanley Cup, which Chicago wrapped up. Got a ride home from Jeanne.
NPR On Point show was on tomatoes, of all things. But it was completely fascinating. Evening ride was on grey divorce, ala the Gores. Really pretty boring as I'm not too grey and am happily married.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Yellowstone Bison go to Ted Turner
2,244 kms biked this year.
AM: Wind E 11km/hr, 13C, overcast no rain. 53 minutes: Slow, but I was tight from baseball.
PM:
Had client meeting Thu so no biking, but played softball. 3 for 5, caught a fly, slipped in the mud several times and got a few laughs from the guys.
AM, listened to On Point's discussion of the Yellowstone bison herd's problem with bruxellosis, which if transmitted to cows requires the entire herd to be slaughtered. Gov't is moving a # of animals to Ted Turner's Montana bison operation, for quarantine and observation, for 5 years. Clean animals will be returned to Yellowstone, and Turner gets 75% of the offspring during the time as payment. Lots of contraversy about the involvement of private business, but I think it's a fine idea. The opponents think private interests needn't be involved and the Montana gov't isn't trying hard enough to find a better solution.
AM: Wind E 11km/hr, 13C, overcast no rain. 53 minutes: Slow, but I was tight from baseball.
PM:
Had client meeting Thu so no biking, but played softball. 3 for 5, caught a fly, slipped in the mud several times and got a few laughs from the guys.
AM, listened to On Point's discussion of the Yellowstone bison herd's problem with bruxellosis, which if transmitted to cows requires the entire herd to be slaughtered. Gov't is moving a # of animals to Ted Turner's Montana bison operation, for quarantine and observation, for 5 years. Clean animals will be returned to Yellowstone, and Turner gets 75% of the offspring during the time as payment. Lots of contraversy about the involvement of private business, but I think it's a fine idea. The opponents think private interests needn't be involved and the Montana gov't isn't trying hard enough to find a better solution.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Sarah Silverman - On bed wetting
KMs this year: 2,172 out of a potential 3,801 KMs had I biked to work 5 days a week.
AM: Wind SE 2, 13C, no rain.
PM: Wind N 4, 12C, light rain.
Didn't bike yesterday due to rain and laziness after the 3-day weekend. Jumped on this morning to find my son left a flat rear tire after he borrowed it. Thanks a lot, dude.
Listened to Sarah Silverman's interview on NPR. I've only watched her recently cancelled show a few times, but it worked for me. Probably her most famous bit was the "I'm F***ing Matt Daymon" bit she played to then boyfriend Jimmy Kimmel on his show. And his reply with "I'm F***ing Ben Affleck" was a classic, both on You Tube.
AM: Wind SE 2, 13C, no rain.
PM: Wind N 4, 12C, light rain.
Didn't bike yesterday due to rain and laziness after the 3-day weekend. Jumped on this morning to find my son left a flat rear tire after he borrowed it. Thanks a lot, dude.
Listened to Sarah Silverman's interview on NPR. I've only watched her recently cancelled show a few times, but it worked for me. Probably her most famous bit was the "I'm F***ing Matt Daymon" bit she played to then boyfriend Jimmy Kimmel on his show. And his reply with "I'm F***ing Ben Affleck" was a classic, both on You Tube.
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