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Friday, August 23, 2002
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Timothy Wilken, MD writes: Life’s pattern of organization is the tensegrity, it has been in use on earth for over three and one half billion years. The tensegrity is the basis of organizing all living systems including our own bodies. Up until now we humans have not understood the mechanism and therefore could not use this pattern to organize our marriages, our businesses, our organizations and institutions, our communities, or even the entire human species. Humans who organize themselves using the pattern of tensegrity will find themselves orders of magnitude more efficient, more productive, more creative, more intelligent. More importantly they will be much more successful in pursuing their goals and desires. Within this half century, we humans have developed ergometric science to help us improve our tool-making. Ergometric scientists tell us how to best design tools to fit the human form. By carefully measuring both the physiology and psychology of the human body, today’s scientists are seeking to determine the best designs for new tools. They know that the best tools are those that fit you like a well-tailored glove fits your hand. Recently ergometric science has been much advanced by a breakthrough in our understanding of human intelligence. With the development of the “dual mind” model of human intelligence it is now possible to design tools that fit the human “mind-brain”. In other words, we can now ergometrically engineer tools to fit the way we humans think. We humans are the toolmakers, and in our history we have made many tools — both simple and complex. The most complex and complicated of all our tools are our organizations — the corporations, institutions, militaries, and governments of earth. These are also the most important tools in all our lives, for they significantly influence both the quality and quantity of our lives. Of all the tools we might seek to ergometrically engineer to fit the human “mind-brain”, there exists no greater potential benefit for all humankind then by applying this science to our most complex tools — our human organizations. One such tool has recently completed development, and is now available to organizations for immediate application. This first ergometrically designed tool for human organizations is called the Ortegrity. The Ortegrity is a “mind-brain” compatible system of organizing humans. It can be used by a small group of individuals or a giant corporation with hundreds of thousands of employees. The Ortegrity is a “system of human organization that creates a conflict-free environment for decision making and action implementation”. This is an environment so ergometrically suited to human thinking that efficiency and productivity are predicted to increase 10 to 1000 times. Yes, that is 10 to 1000 times more efficient and productive. (08/23/02) | |
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Robert Waldrop writes: As our supplies of fossil fuels continue to fall, sheltering and feeding your family will only get harder. There is no relief in sight. Next year will be worse. Over the long term, everyone should plan as though the price of energy will continue to increase. How will your family meet this challenge? The currently high prices for natural gas and electricity are not a temporary phenomenon that will go away soon. Plan as though the price of whatever energy you use will continue to increase over the long term. That's what is going to happen, so you might as well get ready for it right now. If you procrastinate, your delay will cost you big money. Energy prices are climbing because demand is exceeding supply, and the energy markets are being distorted by irrational and unjust economic structures. In California, the situation was so bad last summer they were having rolling blackouts. While it's true that more oil and gas is being found, we are using more fuel than we are finding. With about 3% of the world's population, the US devours 25% of the world's annual oil supply. Production in the US peaked in 1970 and has been declining ever since, so 60% of our oil is imported. Usage of natural gas is expected to increase by more than 30% in the next 5 years due to new electrical generating plants coming on line. With demand showing no signs of abating anywhere, expect higher prices over the short and long term. ... Start by sitting down with your family and making a list of everything you do that uses energy. You have control over your energy bill. Every bit of energy you don't use is money you can spend on something else. Even small things you do (or don't do) add up over time. You can make changes in the ways that you do things that add up to big savings every month. It won't happen without some effort, but aren't we all tired of high utility bills? Which would you rather do -- give your money to a big corporation, or spend it on something nice for yourself or your kids? It's your choice. Even if you're renting, there are many things you can do to save money on your energy bills. Think of ways to do things differently so you use less energy, discuss them with your family, and get busy. (08/23/02) | |
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Alex Kirby of BBC News writes: Humanity's choices are getting harder and fewer. The Earth's population has doubled since 1950 and consumption has risen even faster. There has to be a reckoning. For many people, it is here already. The few first-class passengers on the planet that is our Noah’s Ark are safe for now on the upper deck. It’s a very different story down below. How much longer can the rich keep their feet dry? Oil consumption has increased seven-fold in the last 50 years and meat production, marine fish catches and carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning have all at least quadrupled. And freshwater use increased six-fold last century. According to one recent study, the human race is consuming the Earth's resources at a rate that is 20% faster than it can replenish itself, with the result that we would need 1.2 Earths to sustain this lifestyle. ... The gap between rich and poor is becoming wider and more visible. Nearly 30% of the world's population suffers some form of malnutrition and almost two thirds of humanity lives on less than $2 a day. (08/23/02) | |
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