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One of the great builders and indeed inventors of musical instruments is Ken Butler, now of NYC but with strong PDX connections. www.mindspring.com/~kbhybrid/.

And just recently at PDX Pop Now a 20 year builder of experimental instruments Daniel Menche played an intriguing set. Always worth checking out.

Oh, and per first comment, in the 90's UK there was a huge home-made digerido (sp?) fad which led to youths ripping down drainpipes from houses!

posted 3 years, 9 months ago
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I'm not sure if a business of one is what you have in mind, but unquestionably, without the tax credit the solar panels that are now powering my studio would not be there. In the real world of interaction between the public & private sectors these incentives are vital, after all if true costs were factored in then all forms of energy are subsidized. Public Policy is a critical component influencing industrial choice and financial participation. One tangential area where regulations should change is in the rules controlling solar connection to the grid. When the grid goes down the solar energy generated is wasted because (unless there is a battery storage system) the DC-AC inverters automatically switch off. The stated reason for this is to prevent a line worker being shocked by excess energy coming from an independent system... this is true but only because of the implementation requirements which could be reconfigured to provide safety AND use of the resource when the grid is down.

posted 4 years ago
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imbedded??! broadcasted? Time to get off the keyboardzzzzzzz

posted 4 years ago
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An interesting mix of guests on the show, and well managed as usual, nothing confrontation for the sake of being so; rather taking their opinions seriously and asking about them intelligently. You have a quality programme.

Two reactions after listening to the show:
1. Pr. Doppelt wasn't able to actually answer my example of a less than clear-cut consumer question (which I appreciate you putting to him: how can anyone work out when an inefficient working appliance is worth replacing with an efficient one?). Of course not, it's a moving target, but we can do better than blanket industry/govt statements like "replace xxx every n years". I envisage coursework in Universities providing the ongoing effort and a public service reference point via online-libraray service.

2. The exchange between Mr. Anderson and Mr. Zerzan exposed two near polarisations of perspective. Mr. Anderson's contention that everything is getting better was correct within a narrowed context - i.e. Fridges are less polluting now, etc.. While Mr. Zerzan's contention that all industrialization and the system we live under needs to go away is startling, yet not an illogical conclusion to several overwhelming questions. The biosphere perspectives seem valid, still there are many great minds at work to see what can be done. I have a book written 25 years ago edited by Norman Myers when Ozone depletion was seen much as carbon emmissions are today.
On the global economic front, people feeling overwhelmed might want to follow posts at http://nevermisspens.wordpress.com/. where in 4 parts I attempt to distill many views on what the situation is, the politics of it and what might happen. I remain optimistic, but as all contributers will agree it requires intelligent, realistic and calm dialogue.

PS: Erik Golts (webmeister) it would increase listenership to have an imbedded podcast at the head of the page once the program has broadcasted.

posted 4 years ago
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One of the initiatives I am launching using The Energy Framework is to enable individuals (as energy users and as purchasers) to understand true costs of each option all the way back to source.

Some choices are obvious:
    •    Using powered leaf-blowers, particularly on windy days, is staggeringly stupid - they should be raked and picked up as a resource.
    •    On even lawns use push mowers instead of powered mowers, plus get fit!

Other are less clear:
    •    Is a car that runs on primarily 'dirty' coal generated electricity really less polluting than a petroleum fueled car. "Well-to-wheel" analysis purports that to be the case.
    •    Is replacement of an inefficient appliance that could run well for many more years, with a more efficient appliance justified? How does one decide?

Knowing the true 'back to source' costs of appliances, electronics, transportation, heating, lighting, cooking etc.would make for better decisions.

Many actions an individual can take involve changing methods and habits, sometimes at the loss of a convenience, but often at a gain:
    •    A washing line instead of the dryers (a huge energy hog) - inconvenient, difficult during rainy times, but there is nothing finer than the smell of fresh wind-blown sheets - remember your childhood?

The 3 'Rs' continue to be valuable (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle) and there are new 'Rs' with even more impact; Refuse, with it's ironic double-meaning; Why does someone purchasing a carton of milk require it to be put in a plastic bag?

Another idea is to come up with a completely new use: Pause before you dispose of anything and ask if there is another way of using it (Re-Invent)- I recently discovered that those mini sock hooks that many pairs are sold with make perfect clothes-line hooks!

Beyond the individual level, but very relevant to end-use, is the Re-Capture concept: Cars passing over a 'traffic-calming' device in the UK generates electricity - dancers in a nightclub generate electric power via capture devices in the floor, as do people exercising in a Danish gym.

With awareness and consciousness of just how precious energy actually is we can all help turn this around.

posted 4 years ago
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I do not intend to make light of this issue, sensibly and sensitively discussed on the show and here. There was however a mention that Oregon has the highest suicide rate in the USA and I reminded of the following exchange I had during a flight, with a Swedish passenger who was sat next to me. "I hear that Sweden has the highest suicide rate in the world; I admire the Swedish society so much I find this information surprising, is it due to the long dark days of winter?" I asked.

He replied, "it is very unlikely that Sweden has the highest suicide rate of any nation, but Sweden certainly does keep the most accurate statistics."

posted 4 years, 3 months ago
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