chuck kottke

YAY, my very own spam thread!!:dance::dance::sunny::sunny::hat::jester: Today we will be discussing the value of a new type of economics - eco-economics. In an ideal world, things would be priced according to their real costs, including all externalities, and within the framework of a fair-market system.. In this world, governments would be responsive to the will of the people, and represent insofar as our intellectual capacity can purvey, a 'referee' of sorts, bringing into play all the things not visible when products or services are purchased, and representing the true will of the people - thus not allowing unscrupulous market activities to tilt the playing field in an unfair way to the advantage of those who do the 'tilting'. Is this possible? Certainly! What does silicon have to do with this? Well, Silicon is the element that's most abundant in the crust, after oxygen; therefore, we have a virtually inexaustable supply of it; It is by far the choice in a true economy representing all components, externalities included. And it is durable. So durable infact, that most solar panels quit after decades of use because of loose solider joints or connections; not because the cells no longer produce electricity! Newer coatings make these cells even more durable, and in the long run, an excellent choice for electric production. Ubiqity, energy-payback, durability, and good looks make silicon the element of choice.:sunny: All it takes is for silicon to see it's moment in the sun.:P

*Hi* *Zyta*! Powitaninia wy od The Great Lakes! Co jest wasz glo'wny punkt (glowny) zainteresowanie w *Coldplay*? Mial one ida do Polski?:)

:rolleyes::laugh3: And to what might you be referring to, Ms. Kelsey?:lipsrsealed2: My 'umph' has run away, and I must retire to this nice soft, pencil-free bed over yonder.. good night, and sleep well.;):sleeping:

Ah, my very own technologically advanced spam thread!:smug: Did you know that silica is an important part of plant stems? In fact, silica is a significant part of what makes club moss stems rigid, and also makes them abrasive! Silica in diatoms gives them a unique property of lasting for eons as 'shells', and silica is also a component of portland cement - the formation of calcium silicate complexes adds greatly to the strength and setting of concrete. Silicon alone cannot function as a semiconductor junction capable of producing solar power, so it is laced with very tiny amounts of elements that have either an extra electron which can be knocked loose by a photon, or atoms with a missing electron which will accept an electron. Typical "dopants" as they are called, include elements such as boron, phosphorous, arsenic, and several others.

It's midnight, so he's actually a VAMP:vampire:., but the abbreviations limit what's available to show on-line..:laugh3:

Hey there Kelsey! Aren't you supposed to be resting, Ms.??:P You must be feeling a bit better then, eh?

Yes!! I think that would be an excellent business to be in, Jay! I thought about a summer fruit stand/ strawberry farm here, but the season's short. I for one would definitely go to a place offering fresh fruit salads, juices, and the like as opposed to WhackDonalds anyday!;););) And I'm sure a lot of people would too. I know out in Seattle and Tacoma the cappuccino kiosks do a brisk business.. (but it helps to have a cute girl at the window..:laugh3:)

I like a good mechanical pencil, but it's not as much fun as milling down a wooden pencil, and the point - it's always got that 'slanted cylinder' effect, unlike the woodies.

Juice can give you a buzz; maybe not as big a buzz as super-sugary soda, but it's got some kick to it. Better buzz from getting the 'runner's high' methinks..

Dr. Pepper used to be my fav.. Mr Pibb elsewhere, right? Propylene Glycol is the 'flavoring' I think.. But how about a munchy-crunchy apple:D?!!

Pipe elbow, yes. Human elbow, no.:P What sound does your computer make when all else is quiet?

Welcome back Blacksmith!:cool:

Corn syrup is bad for us. High fructose corn syrup is deadly!:P Better just to use normal cane or beet sugar, methinks is best. I think the bigger issue is the sugar-rush effect - too much, all at once causes whiplash for the pancreas's islet's of langerhans, and the insulin ups and downs, and the metabolic roller-coaster ride. Fine in moderation, or with a meal 1st, but corn syrup is probably the wrong sweetener for humans. Maybe corn syrup is ideal for corn borers, though..:laugh3: But juices have the right kinds of sugar, and not too high levels of them.. plus vitamins.;) Better still is to vend with fruit.

Yes, I remember now! Thanks!!:)

That's something too - music is better (at least initially) as simply music! I think the power of music and imagination by far outweighs visuals; in fact, the visuals often diminish the music, unless the song's been 'out there' for so long, and then the video offers something new to explore.. lest I think so - it seems that way. I can see the original artists performing the song, but something about the music as it's own. In art, less is more.

Well, how about juice then??:cool:

Yea, I see that as true as well - good "texture" as in opening up a new surprise as each page is turned.. and the music itself can't be too "pure" sine wave - I agree, nature uses the same devices. Bird songs as well - the liquid melodic sounds that capture our attention are best if there's imperfections of sorts, and variations.. And yes too - a buildup is essential, and I think a changeup too - it almost has to transition into something different after the climax, or it lacks greater staying power in the imagination. Just listening to Paul McCartney's 'Baby I'm Amazed', it's really an interesting piece, as is Coldplay's Life in Technicolor. But some songs work well without the changeup, if they're not too long; probably the repeating of "sweet notes" works very well, with subtle variations (meadow lark, enter's stage left)..

:laugh3: Good one Jay! In all likelihood Bart, you can simulate Coca-cola. All you need is carbonated water, sugar, carmel coloring (overheated sugar), cola nut extract, and some secret ingredients. Oh, and add some caffeine (a smidgen; about a third of the amount in de-caffeinated coffee). One could probably add a small amount of coffee instead, and omit the cola nut, though I've never quite tried it that way.. or get some root beer extract, and try that.

David Bowie's Space Oddity was all about Major Tom, wasn't it??:confused: (& Carla will need a spacecraft before June 1st it seems!)

:laugh3: What really makes for a great song??

Yes, it's the keyboard synthesizer - you're right, Ricardo!! Modern equipment is designed to simply "create" effects at the touch of a button, and thus the sound - I think the setting was "bell tone", and the bass was a repeat of a basic accompaniment, with computer variations added. To deconstruct it is admirable, as it is a bit complex; but I'm sure with a good ear, you'll get it.;)

^^ GOOD LUCK BRIGGINS! I just saw a little blurb on Link TV - all the hard work for debt relief for African nations went down the drain because 'Vultures' (debt buyers) got a hold of the foreign debts owed by many of these nations, and then turned around and sued these poorer countries for ungodly sums, and the 'Vultures' won on technicalities. What started as large debts owed became crushingly huge court settlements and findings. Greg Pallast included an introduction featuring Bono and the effort for debt relief, and the end result went the other way.. The President at the time (George Bush) could have stopped the lawsuits, and John Conyers and others approached him to do just that, but instead Bush did nothing. (think perhaps political payoffs & favors had anything to do with it?? Can anyone say Jack Abrahamoff jumped over a candle stick?;)) So, while Bono and everyone involved, especially all those who donated and called, did their very best, still the greedy beasts in politics and money did their damage. This raises the important issue of Campaign Finance Reform - because it's those who pay for the elections/TV spots/news media who get their way all too often; it's up to us in the US and anywhere else this type of bribery is allowed to put an end to it. It can be done - England has a far better record of curtailing election abuses, and so do many other economically powerful nations. Bono, if you're ever on here reading this, help get to the core issue - the need for Fair Elections and Campaign Finance Reform here in the US - and don't let those bastards do this to us again!

I got punched in the nose by a flying C-clamp today..:laugh3: (does that count??)

Here's something from Sir Paul after the breakup of the Beatles:YouTube - Wings/Paul McCartney - Maybe I'm Amazed (HQ)

Imagination is more important than knowledge. So if you can use you're imagination, you're sure to be able to see Martin!