Globalization is for everybody!
March 1, 2010 | by Maxwell | Comment
The Western lifestyle is characterized by aggressive and expanding rates of consumption. We already knew that. What many don’t know is that much of what we consume comes from places far away. In these places, people and their environments have been, and continue to be, destroyed so that items like Bananas (Ecuador), Coffee (Peru), Sugar (Brazil), Cotton (India), and Cocoa (Ghana) can be shipped to “wealthy” countries for consumption year-round.
The Fairtrade Foundation, a London based non-profit that licenses FAIRTRADE products in the UK, has designed a clever campaign to challenge people’s consumption habits. Buying FAIRTRADE products for two weeks sounds like a step in the right direction. Now if only we could design a way to float the containers here using only the ocean currents. I’ve never heard of FAIRTRADE oil, have you? Better reason yet to support local commerce.
Bombs Away: Why Extinction is OK :)
January 23, 2010 | by Maxwell | Comment
We, like the majestic dinosaurs of past prehistoric eras, share commonalities that most time go unnoticed. Our species will invariably fail. This disturbing truth is not so disturbing if one considers history. Extinction is natural. Virtually none of the species that existed during the Cretaceous period are active today. Put simply, their evolutionary development was retarded by competition from other species or, in our case, a lack of foresight. We cannot see our imminent demise in the future simply because our collective consciousness hasn’t evolved. We continue to exist happily in a state of mental lethargy.
Humans have eaten more grass than any other animal, ever. Our population is exploding while other less dominant species can’t find any grass to eat. Soon we (humans) wont have any grass to eat either. This is why you should not take more than you need.
“Once organisms get really good at sex, once they evolve the plumbing and passion for it, there gets to be a danger: so many competent DNA-exchanging beings may be born that they will improvidently gobble up all the food or nutrients or prey, and then almost everyone, including their close relatives, will die. This must have occurred innumerable times in the history of life.” – Carl Sagan
EAT DIRT
January 18, 2010 | by Maxwell | Comment
The “News” has been drenching us with coverage of the Earthquake in Haiti. Before the earthquake, there was little reporting on the dismantling of Haiti’s economy. However, CNN deserves accolades for highlighting SOIL, a non-profit organization who’s goal is to broaden the community of people concerned about development and social justice in Haiti by installing composting toilets.
Right now, donating money is popular. The founders of SOIL were motivated to make a difference long before it was as easy as sending a text message to Wyclef.
Read their first-person account here as they react to the disaster. SOIL has decided to devote 100% of all donations that come in the next month to disaster relief. Donate here
Guacamole (proper)
December 11, 2009 | by Maxwell | 3 Comments
I come from the highest avocado producing county in the United States. I know how to treat an avocado. The most preferred method of preparation is the Taco Bell style “Guack-a-mohl-EEE dip.”
Today you will learn how to properly construct guacamole.
- Red Onion (dice) as much or little as you want. I go big in this area.
- Cilantro (tear) this is non-negotiable. Anyone not including cilantro is very likely also a user of sour cream and tomato, an unconscionable offense.
- Garlic (mince) maybe go with a darker purple hardneck if available.
- Lime (juice) or Lemon :)
- Salt (sprinkle) go with a sea salt producer in your area.
- Avocado (crush) with a heavy handed drop of your knife, chop the seed and and twist for easy extraction.
Now if you’re concerned about the water issues in California (which you should be) then go ahead and try easy-to-grow fava beans. They require less water than avocados and can be produced in many parts of the world. To achieve a smooth consistency: soak, boil w/olive oil, and puree. Add more oil as needed.
Apoca-potpourri
December 4, 2009 | by Maxwell | Comment
Yet another indicator of the looming apocalypse.
Just in time for Christmas!
December 2, 2009 | by Maxwell | 1 Comment
The well-informed Annie Leonard simplifies the big ideas of today in her on-going video series. In this short, Annie gives a light and friendly presentation of the dark and terrifying blender that is, consumer culture. Find more of Annie’s short films here.