A platform where Business News, Affairs of State, New Technologies, Travel and Personal Convictions are all openly discussed... (Your comments are welcomed.)
Here is a link (Click HERE) that takes you right to a "Gapmided, statistic model".
After you try that, pick your own world statistics of interest. http://www.gapminder.org/ You might even find a picture of our, quickly flattening world, that inspires you!
Helium.com, is an interesting blog format that I like reading. It ranks the positions on both sides of most issues through a voting system. So it is assumed that the cream sort of rises to the top. You can then easily read the best results on both side of each issue first.
Better in my opinion, than just digging through endless back and forth banters. Banters where some of the statements are educated and informed; and some, let's just say - are way below the mark...
Anne Korin: Co-Director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, a Washington-based think-tank focused on energy security; Chair of Set America Free, a coalition of people and groups of all political persuasions that focuses on the goal of reducing American dependence on oil.
Had a nice weekend... My middle brother, Philip, hosted the whole family over at his new home north of Frisco.
Had some interesting conversations with a couple of my Uncles on a broadvariety of topics. These discussion lead to me compliing some additional information, once I was later back at the house; for the purpose of primarily providing links to content already posted on my website. AT least on of my Uncles and I will now use this information to continue our banters in the up and coming weeks via e-mail.
Should be fun...
(Thought it was a bit much for one read, so I sectioned it into chunks.)
STATISTICS WE DISCUSSED: For the unique statistics site I was talking about; primarily sourced from the UN’s data, head to my “Going Green” page under “Noteworthy Links” on my home page and choose the third link down called “Gapminder”. It actually makes statistics pretty cool.
Better yet, to view a very cool, MUST SEE, video of the professor who created this novel statistics site;. Just go to my “TED” page on my site. (Which is also under the “Noteworthy Links” menu.) The second video down on the TED page is by Hans Rawlins. The video really improve one’s understanding of the unique offering “Gapminder” provides when illustrating the changes occurring socially around the world You may also watch the video here: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen.html Directly from TEDs website.
Incidentally, if you found his original lecture interesting there is also a follow-up, given on March of 2007; called, “New insights on poverty and life around the world”. This is when he actually announces the fact that the UN was making all of its’ statistics public, by May of that year; he then shares some of the results he had yielded in advance; and he announces the browser based version of his software “Gapminder”.
MY SMART CARS SITE: The area of my website that show some interesting information on new state-of-the-art vehicles, and the SMART car (which has been out and refined over the last 10 years.) is all under my “Extras” are of my website. Just choose the link, “SMART cars are smart”.
MY INSTANT NEWS SITE: This is that “news at a glance” site I have enjoyed for several years (at least 5 or 6,) that just compiles all the latest and most popular headlines from Google news, in a sort of unique, at a glance visualization. I feel it serves as an affective sort of an electronic newspaper. http://www.marumushi.com/apps/newsmap/newsmap.cfm?layout=0
ARE WE PART OF THE SOLUTION OR PART OF THE PROBLEM? This is an area of my site I really want to work on and develop further. I want it to not only compel us all to seriously research and consider if we are, “Part of the Solution, or Part of the Problem?” (or as I call it, “POT-S or POT-P”) It will ultimately house good, verified, useful statistics; and then, perhaps more importantly, present real solutions to the problems we are all plausibly facing and possibly causing.
I just feel it does other’s little good for me to weigh-in to heavily on any discussion, if I’m not armed with facts and almost exhausted from research. So I try to spend most of my time reading as many reasonable arguments from all sides, rather than talking to definitively as if I have a solution; or an educated understanding for that matter – yet.
Unfortunately, at the moment this POTSorPOTP page on my site consist of nothing more than a video “Mash-up” of researched feeds, bookmarked to my own YouTube Channel, called “POTSorPOTP” = http://www.youtube.com/potsorpotp.
IN RESONSE TO (one of my uncle's) FRIDAY (8/1/08) E-MAIL: “This is really incredible. Please watch the short C-Span broadcast and forward to other Americans concerned about the rising cost of gasoline.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0FcNNeuf0E
This particular YouTube Channel is probably one you would find even more inspiring; towards these frustrations currently faced by Republican’s their battles within congress. http://www.youtube.com/user/AmericanSolutions
CONCERNING THE REAL TOPIC, OF POLLUTION: Of course I still don’t know what will incentivize any auto industry to start sternly consider modern advances that matter to anyone! Much less any “solutions” to pollution; such as those proposed in talk’s by guys like Amory Lovins, presented in 2005 when Oil was only actually “only” $45 a barrel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMTCNOlozTA <- Skip to about 8:00 minutes into this talk if you want to save some time; then it only takes about 10 minutes to finish…
In states like California, despite all their strict regulations, it is still true that cars are the guiltiest party in the transportation sector at producing harmful waste.
However, given the fact only a, very debatable, percentage of our overall pollution in this country is caused by Vehicles; there are perhaps many even more reasons, but often even less incentives, to apply new technologies towards our industrial and commercial sources; before we worry too much about expecting each of us to sell our current vehicle and buy new better solutions.
I’m still trying to figure out how to productively utilize, what should be one of the most useful, Air Data websites. But it is not the most user friendly index. http://www.epa.gov/air/data/index.html
WHAT ARE THE REAL ADVANTAGES OF CHANGE: Definitely some of our biggest reasons to stop overseas dependencies, is minimally to flip our trade deficits; and thereby, perhaps more significantly, eliminate a rather shameful need to empower Middle Eastern countries. Which would otherwise merely have the political clout of any other dessert region in this world – zero!
I rarely quote anyone as profound as one of our founding fathers; therefore, here is a little statement from a member of our pop culture. “Idealism detached from action is just a dream, but idealism allied with pragmatism, with you rolling up your sleeves and making the world bend a bit, is very exciting.” – Bono…
His whole speech in context is a little more compelling, (http://tedblog.typepad.com/tedblog/files/bono.html) but I like that quote 15 minutes in… And of course, this video is posted on my site as well… J
I’m still trying to figure out what action are the best ones to take and/or stand behind… Let me know your thoughts whenever you can…
GUN CONTROL:
Although gun control was also a rather invovled topic during our discussions; I didn’t really touch on any issues related to gun control in this e-mail; Although, I admit, I personally, find movies such as, “Bowling for Columbine” interesting. As I do most of Michael Moore’s films. Notice, I simply said “interesting”.
HOWEVER, I also feel they have to be VIEWED before they can be affectively criticized. Do you agree? Hard to really identify with what is provoking about the films, from either side of the issues & arguments aired; when the films have seldom been viewed firsthand. Right?
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Considering the challenges, researching and hypothesizing or execution of solutions, (found most often via the internet,) was my plight for 14+ years in the design & technology sectors I served; so it is a hard habit to break. I just direct it towards many different areas of interest these days.
Well, we all made it to August 2008! Excellent... It is about as hot and humid as any person can stand here in Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas! 105 and counting! With, I would assume about 98% humidity; since a portion of the city is getting intermittent showers. All I know, is if you stick your head out the door, it feels like you’re about to head into a sauna, fully clothed! Truly uncomfortable!
I remember one time questioning my grandmother as to how folks dealt with the heat in this part of the country, prior to having A/C? More specifically, I ended up asking, "why folks did it"? And, "why our family lived here; given this crazy uncomfortable weather, and the fact that they use to have no air conditioned reprieve?" Her answer was rather straightforward... She simply said, "We didn't know any better."
Well, I guess that is as good of a reason as any! I just wonder, now that we live in this; jet set, well traveled, information age; and assume I end up having children; who in turn one day ask me, “why in the world did I chose to I live in an environment with 105 degree 98% humidity for weeks on end?” What will I tell them?
I think for now, I'm just going to take the easy way out - and explain, "My grandparents didn't know any better." Hate to make a scapegoat out of the folks I respect the very most! But what else can I say...?
Here's another possibility, which thankfully avoids targeting my family's earlier generational decisions. "Al Gore failed to do anything to ward off global warming during his own 8 years as VP. Which you would think would have been the ideal platform and office to speak to such things as floral carbons, and new green technologies. Instead he was able to parlay his non-responsive vice presidency into a post career of touring with an inconvenient, academy award winning power point presentation; which ironically offered no solutions! And yet, acted as if he was the holder of all things Green! As a result, temperatures in the Dallas, Fort Worth area, have risen faster than I realized, since I was a child. And I simply failed to shop for a career or home in a more suitable climate for my family's survival.
Sorry kids… It’s Al Gore’s fault… But at least he (claims to have) “invented the Internet”!
That guy makes me sad… Folks that have to, tailcoat other people’s ideas, leadership, hard work and productivity; and then act as if they had some part in the efforts, are really pathetic…
Wow! This blog entry went from somewhat light hearted “talk of the weather”, to a sad observation about one of our ex leaders. Oh well…
Well, I don't want to stick with this "newbie" theme to many nights in a row, but I'm still going to take a "Kings X" tonight, where related to posting anything substantial.
Suffice to say, I've spent the last several days making significant strides on the content of my personal website. If you haven't visited it before, feel free to take a peek. http://www.michaelhulme.com/ .
The "Portfolio" section is probably the area I have spent the most time organizing. However there are some intriguing areas like the "POT "S" or POT "P"" page; and the "TED" page. Or if you are just looking for a little distraction, visit the "Movie Time" page.
I know the blog title "The Michael Hulme Project", leads one to believe there is going to be some discussion here about some; formal, possibly impressive, undergoing, "project" or event; but the truth of the matter is, I have no formal plans for this blog or its real "purpose" at the moment. And honestly, the Blog URL "Michael Hulme", was already taken! ...what can one do?
Fact is. as of this month there are times when it feels the "Michael Hulme Project" is merely the task of getting older! I turned 40 this month! Ugg - who can feel to excited about that milestone? That's kind of a big one! One inspiring relative (uncle) of mine who hit 50 last month, tell me "50 was the new 35", so I'm not sure what official hope that can give me as far as an age conversion, but I need to get creative.
I have definitely hit certain ages with a bit more grace, and a bit less reflection on the passage of time and where life has come from and where it is going. But I think I will indeed survive this transition into my fourth decade. Would be kind of nice if the latest consensus were "40 is the new 25." 25! Now those were the days. Well, let's see - if memory serves perhaps those were just, "the younger days."
I guess the fact is I made of fraction of the income I deem appropriate these days. I was much less mature in so many ways, and I'm not sure I even considered the passage of time. And weather such consideration are spun positively or negatively, you have to agree considering the passage of time; or should I say, considering ones legacy which will be left to this world, is always a good thing.
Well, there is plenty more time to add plenty more thoughts - I'm going to end this (first / opening / premier) blog entry of mine here and now... Until later...
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