Lies, Damned Lies, and the Public Relations Industry – November 10, 2011

In an Age of Information Warfare, We Must All be Forensic Scientists and Rhetoricians

Table 5.1 in the U.S. Army Counterinsurgency Field Manual contains, among many, the following recommendations:

“Learn the insurgents’ messages or narratives. Develop countermessages and counternarratives to attack the insurgents’ ideology.”

“Respond quickly to insurgent propaganda. Delaying responses can let the insurgent story dominate several news cycles. That situation can lead to the insurgents’ version of events becoming widespread and accepted.”

Photo by Flickr user RootytootootActivists and entrepreneurs have to be creative in order to compete with
massive corporate PR departments. ChicoBag created the Bag Monster to
represent the 500 plastic bags the average American consumes each year.

These are military strategies, intended for… more

by: Brian Scoles

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An In-Depth Look at the New Face of the Automobile Industry – November 4, 2011

Review: Revenge of the Electric Car (Documentary)

Like its predecessor, Who Killed the Electric Car, Chris Paine’s new documentary, Revenge of the Electric Car, captures the significant, seemingly insurmountable challenges facing the nascent electric vehicle industry. But this time the story is more personal, and much more optimistic.

When Who Killed the Electric Car came out in 2006, it captured a national sense of outrage, disbelief, and frustration. The film followed the development and release of GM’s electric car prototype, the EV1, which though never sold was leased out to hundreds of enthusiastic early adopters. Then, in November of 2003, GM recalled every last EV1 and had them crushed… more

by: Brian Scoles

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Why we Need a Stiff Tax on Chinese Solar Goods – October 24, 2011

A Clear Benefit Would be to Stem the Flow of Cheap Chinese Panels that Lead to Devastating Pollution

The blogosphere is abuzz with news of struggle in the US solar industry. Last week, Solarworld, the largest manufacturer of conventional solar panels in the United States, submitted a petition for a tariff of more than 100 percent on solar panels imported from China. Six other panel makers signed the petition as well, but those companies have preferred to remain anonymous. The petition alleges that Chinese companies receive government subsidies that are “illegal” under World Trade Organization rules, and are “dumping” panels on the U.S. market at price points too low to compete with. Panels can now be bought wholesale for as little as $1.20 per watt, down from $3.30… more

by: Brian Scoles

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New Roots for Green Business – October 18, 2011

Mushrooms Grown on Coffee Waste Inspire Innovation and Cooperation

As the world economy increasingly collides with the limits of linear, “cradle-to-grave” production, more eyes are turning towards resource synergies, upcycling, and improved efficiencies to relieve some economic pressure and get more value with less waste.

Photo by David JoyceUsed coffee can be recycled as a substrate for growing oyster mushrooms. As a double
bonus, growing mushrooms in it turns the coffee pulp into an excellent animal feed.

Take coffee. For every pound of coffee beans harvested (of which there were 17 billion in 2010, according to the International Coffee Organization), four pounds of pulp must be collected, and it is generally considered… more

by: Brian Scoles

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