February 8, 2010
· Filed under Random Musings, Uncategorized · Tagged Bottled Water, Culver, Earth2o, Water
Recently in class we were discussing bottled water vs. tap water and, correct me if I’m wrong, a good portion of the class agreed that there was essentially no difference and that Portland’s tap water “is great” and “some of the best” put by Jacob. It was also brought up, in disgust I might add, that some companies even bottle water straight from the tap. Well I don’t disagree that there is worse water out there than Portland and I’m not saying that I know the properties and makeup of water, but I do know that Portland does not have great tap water.
I know this because I grew up in the small town of Culver, Oregon, having a population of about 1400 people and a high school of fewer than 250 students. How does this have anything to do with water? Simple, Culver is home to Opal Springs. Our unpurified tap water, which is also piped to Metolious and Madras, is the same water bottled at a company called Earth2o and shipped to places all over the Pacific Northwest. The water that I showered in and flushed the toilet with for more than 18 years was better than the water you Portlanders have ever tasted from the tap. I dare say it is really some of the best water in the world.
So the next time you decide to take a break from the same old, nasty Portland water, grab a bottle of Earth2o and support the small community of Culver, Oregon and experience what I did everyday for 18 years.
Nevin Lewis
February 8, 2010
· Filed under Art and Culture, Science and Technology · Tagged drainage, engineer, Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is always one of those places I keep in mind to go visit some day. With an elevation of 8,000 ft. above sea water, sheer cliff drops on all sides, and with neighboring peaks all around, makes it a breathtaking sight I can’t wait to experience in real life. Aside from the physical beauty of it, there’s also the historical mystique of the Incas who once lived their. What really threw me recently was watching a nova program that aired on Feb. 2 titled The ghosts of Machu Picchu, when they started talking about the engineering of the underground drainage systems. I was flabbergasted to realize what a feat it must have been, and how they executed their designs perfectly to insure that Machu Picchu still stands today, and for many years to come. Built on the site where it stands today is an astonishing accomplishment that would challenge any modern day engineers, even with all their measurements and paper work. They had the incredible foresight to think about the environmental disasters that would occur with heavy precipitation that cause floods, erosion, and landslides. All the extra granite scraps leftover from building the actual foundation were used deep underground as drainage systems. They built multiple terraces to prevent water runoff by creating multiple levels of rich top soil, granular soil, and finally the granite scraps. The water would then quickly absorb into the ground and would secure their foundation from eroding. Even in the city plaza their were drainage holes on all sides of the walls to prevent water from collecting and pooling. They also engineered an incredible canal system of fresh water with just the right angle, to cause a slow steady flow into the city that stretched on for 2,500 ft. Enough water to supply a population of 10,000 people. These canals also supplied water for the visually spectacular fountains within the plaza walls. They accounted for heavier rainfall by overflow drainage leading into their irrigation fields. The engineers of Machu Picchu were geniuses in hydrology where nothing they did was by accident. Modern technology have a lot to learn from the miracles of a historical site that has withstood time, and a highly volatile mountain slope for more than 450 yrs, thanks to the brilliance of well thought out drainage systems.
-Anne-Marie A.
February 5, 2010
· Filed under Media, Marketing and "Green" Economics
Fred Pearce writes this article. It gives a deeper look into hacked emails that reveal the peer review of the climate change articles. The famous ‘hockey stick’ graph is possibly false, as the jealousy of scientists can affect the peer review process. Fred Pearce is also the author of When the Rivers Run Dry, which is one of the two reading materials that we have read in class.
As scientists peer review the data, if the information contradicts with what the peer reviewer wants in mind, then the information can be skewed. Hacked emails of the scientists reveals this information and leaves doubts about climate change in respect with the ‘exponential CO2 graph’.
David D
February 2, 2010
· Filed under Uncategorized
Today’s groundhog’s day and once again, it looks like we’re in for a longer winter. For the past 10 years, Punxsutawney Phil has foreseen a long winter 90 % of the time. The one time he did say that we were in for an early spring was in 2007, and let’s face it, he was probably just trying to jump on the global warming bandwagon caused by the release of An Inconvenient Truth. This brings me to the obvious, but important point. PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL DOESN’T BELIEVE IN GLOBAL WARMING. I would have expected this about of naivety from other groundhogs like Buckeye Chuck or General Beauregard Lee, but from an animal head in such high regard, I was flabbergasted. He’s probably just trying to gather an impressive portfolio for when he eventually tries to advance his career by applying for a Fox News Anchor position. It bothers me to see this American icon sell out, but that’s the society we live in. For more information on this years prediction, click here.
Adam “Iron Thighs” McCoy
February 2, 2010
· Filed under Uncategorized
Last week we discussed our capitalist system and the economic theory it is based on. Last semester one of my classes looked at a economist of name Muhammad Yunus. In this article that I’ve pulled up, Mr. Yunus outlines, among other things, his theory for a new economic system based on “social capital”. If last week’s class sparked any interest in you at all, i recommend giving this article a quick read through!
Matthew Kilgore
February 2, 2010
· Filed under Uncategorized
As I was surfin’ the internets today I came across a video called “How Monsanto Killed The News.” The first time I actually heard the name Monsanto was last quater when looking at the genetically modified seeds. This is actually kind of impressive if you think about it. The company that’s behind Round Up, Aspartame and other commonly heard items manage to keep the umbrella corporation completely unheard from me, a member of the generally informed public. Anyway, the point of the post is to share the video that I found to be rather appalling. To think we live in a nation where good, honest news can be squashed by the corporations is a little disconcerting. The video can be found here.
-Adam “Iron Thighs” McCoy
February 1, 2010
· Filed under Art and Culture
Recently I’ve noticed there are many things made from recycled products, such as cans, glass, magazines, tires, etc. I came across this website called Smart Glass Jewelry, which crafts jewelry from recycled materials. I think it’s very fashionable and a great way to reuse glass. There are also many products out there, such as Simple Shoes, made from recycled rubber and car tires, and random objects of decor made out of who knows what. What do you guys think of this? I’ve heard mixed responses, like “Why should I pay more for shoes that used to be tires?”. Many times these products made from recycled things are more expensive than new stuff (ie. Target, Walmart). What do you guys think? Would you be willing to pay more for something that’s
“used” in order to have the feeling of “saving the environment” or “being sustainable”? And should we have to pay a higher $ amount to be sustainable?
January 31, 2010
· Filed under Science and Technology, Waste, Consumption, and Personal Choice
>Scientists are testing out biofuels made from wastes at teeside university. Biofuels are usually made from organics such as crops. What these researchers are doing is seeing if they can use waste materials such as domestic refuse and sewage sludge to produce biofuel instead of crops. If they are succsessful we can hit two problem causing “birds” with one stone. Eliminate the build up of waste, and fix our energy problems, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. heres a link http://tinyurl.com/ygmqnst
Esteban Pacheco
January 30, 2010
· Filed under Civic Engagement and Solutions, Discussion Blogs · Tagged City, Roadways, Trees
While I was on the bus the other day looking at the buildings, trees and people through my window and I thought about how the city goes through so much trouble to plant trees along side the roads. But what happens when the trees get bigger and their root system expands out of there little patch of dirt and start going under the streets and around pipes and what have you? Once they start destroying the roads, will they get fixed? or will drivers just have to deal with the bumps and cracks in the roads? will they remove the trees? So my question to you is, is planting trees in the city really sustainable?
Melissa L.
January 29, 2010
· Filed under Random Musings
After the final chapter of The Myth of Progress, I wondered what personal fulfillment really entails. In psychology, our discussion of happiness turned my original view upside. Personal fulfillment really comes from selfless awareness. An increase in income does not raise a person’s life satisfaction once a person’s basic needs are met. Living in a sunny environment such as near Mexican and Californian beaches does not increase happiness. Instead, making time for friends and family connection creates a better state of mind.
Claudia Wallis, The New Science of Happiness, January 9th 2005, Time Inc.
Katie P.
