"Everything is Rethinkable." - Hans Eich » online findings

Concept of Train that does no stop in Stations

admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:09:33 +0000

A concept for a train that never stops showed up on youtube recently. A very interesting idea, since this would save a lot of energy to accelerate the train and time that is otherwise wasted for passengers to get on and off the train. Have a look:

It really looks like a reasonable idea, but definitely has its technological challenges.

And the following version is for laughs. The echo makes this one sound like a public address, perfect communist style.

Is Meat the By-Product of Bio-Diesel and the Fashion Industry?

admin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:24:38 +0000

I found an article about a “Beef Bio-Diesel” Powered Train on mashable. I don’t think the economics really work. How many cows does it take to power the train? I assume this business model is fine, if we are using diesel trains anyways, and we can simply modify the trains to use less crude oil.

At which point does the meat become the by-product of bio-diesel though?

This brings me to another post published on ecouterre by Galahad Clark, the owner and director of Terra Plana. He talks about the fashion industry driving the cattle industry. Again, is meat the by-product of shoes and fashion?

I obviously am not an expert on this issue, but I encourage everyone to think about how everything ties in together.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you have any facts on this issue? Leave me a comment.

“Most Americans are Accidental Environmentalists”

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:29:29 +0000

I found this post on the website of Shelton Group. To me it sounds like the equivalent of “green is just a by-product” just from a consumer point of view. If a company is concerned for its cashflow and for the health of their workers and makes changes to accommodate that, they will most likely become greener and create greener products. If consumers are concerned for their and their families health, they choose “green products accidentally”.

Do you buy green products not for the sake of the planet but because you are concerned for your health?

A New Car for $2000

admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:43:43 +0000

If someone was to ask you to build a car that is simple and extremely robust that has to have a ticket price of $2000 with no compromises of quality and features, would you just shake your head and walk away?

Exactly that was the task of Tata Motors of India (see the video at the end of this post). I think it is very remarkable that we (the humans) can put out such seemingly complicated tasks and achieve them. In this case, the car industry is trying to tap into the huge growth potential of the car market in India, but why can’t we use this same determination and set out for other goals? Provide shelter for the people, health care for the poorest, clean water. Should it not be possible to provide clean drinking water for every person on this earth within 5 years? What growth potential is that? Think about it?

Hurry Up and Wait

admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:10:27 +0000

We asked some of the world’s most prominent futurists to explain why slowness might be as important to the future as speed.

Very intersting article by Julian Bleecker

Found through Swiss Miss