There is an ethanol hysteria going on that defies all logic. This stuff costs a fortune to make, uses more fossil fuels in its production than it replaces and is a terrible use for corn in a world that needs corn for food. Sugarcane would be a much better source but a system of government protections that enriches sugar producers eliminates that source. Companies like Archer Daniels Midland, the massive corporate commodity company, have spent hundreds of millions and years creating a mythology of corn as a fuel source to drive prices up.
Am I ranting or going into conspiracy mode? No. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) chose corn ethanol as one of their year’s losers in technology stories. They are the most highly respected standards group for engineers worldwide.
We have no time to pursue short term solutions that are nothing more than farm subsidies.

This one hits all my categories which in itself is a pretty big rave. TED is a conference of people from the Technology, Entertainment and Design worlds that takes place each year in Monterey. It costs a lot to attend ($4400. last time) and it’s by invitation only (although you can apply to be invited) so most of us aren’t likely to experience it in person. This is too bad because a lot of really brilliant people get up and do brief talks and demos about things they’re working on or interested in, things that may change the world.
Fortunately they’ve posted these presentations on the TED Talks site and anyone can watch, download and even grab code to embed them into your site or blog. I was orginally going to embed the Al Gore talk from last year but decided instead to provide info and the site link so you can explore what TED has to offer. This is another incredible web resource, one that reminds me of what a remarkable information age we live in.

John Thackara has written a thought-provoking essay on World Changing addressing the global design challenges inherent in moving to a world with much lower carbon emissions. Starting with an epiphany about a concrete column in the Madrid airport, he expands his vision to how a world design consortium may be forming to counter global warming and climate change.

This is not a dull read- it is an example of how a macro POV is critical to understanding the eco-system of climate change and our response to it. When businesses begin to integrate, at a strategic level, enviromental issues into their planning we are at a tipping point. John details the signs that such an event may be occurring. Read it.

Here’s something to raise the hackles: According to the Observer Guardian in the UK (how come this received zero US coverage? Conspiracy theorists arise!), the Pentagon issued a report in 2004 predicting worldide chaos by 2020 as rising populations create shortages of water and food. It is a dire prediction, but not surprising from military scenario planners who have to accomodate any reasonable future problem.
This report was suppressed by the Bush administration. While some accuse them of burying their heads in the sand with denial, I believe they are simply hiding the truth so they don’t have to deal with it while in office. It doesn’t hurt that their friends in the oil business are reaping record profits in the meantime.