Tuesday, October 2, 2007
A Moving Performance
Attended a moving performance by local actors that drew attention to the issue of violence against women. It was of readings from the book A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer, which is edited by Eve Ensler. Performances were on several evenings last week at the Lady of the Lake Cafe. When we attended on Friday, we started the evening with a delicious supper. The performance was free of charge, with donations accepted for The Women’s Resource Centre. Well done, cast members and organizers!
Monday, October 1, 2007
Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Stories
My latest Brandon Sun column was a book review of Jim Sheeler's Obit: Inspiring Stories of Ordinary People Who Led Extraordinary Lives. This column also marks my new location, as I have moved from the Community News Edition to the Op-Ed / Comment page of the daily paper. Read the column.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Professor's Last Lesson
A news story currently circulating through the Internet is an inspiring story of a short, but very full, life. I wrote a description for my Obituary Guide website.
Monday, September 24, 2007
The Portable Obituary
As part of my on-going obituary research, I’m reading the new book The Portable Obituary: How the Famous, Rich, and Powerful Really Died by Michael Largo. Read my review.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The Shock Doctrine
Lots of current coverage for Naomi Klein's new book The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism. Klein is well known for her earlier book, No Logo.
The Shock Doctrine had several excepts in the National Post last week, along with some critical reviews. In last night's The Hour on CBC TV, George Stroumboulopoulos interviewed Klein. She was quite unassuming, even saying at one point that she agreed with all of her critics. Her work is certainly getting much attention and she is no doubt receiving many ideas that can fuel her next project. (Watch the The Hour interview.)
The Shock Doctrine had several excepts in the National Post last week, along with some critical reviews. In last night's The Hour on CBC TV, George Stroumboulopoulos interviewed Klein. She was quite unassuming, even saying at one point that she agreed with all of her critics. Her work is certainly getting much attention and she is no doubt receiving many ideas that can fuel her next project. (Watch the The Hour interview.)
Monday, September 17, 2007
Green Communities Canada
This look like an excellent organization. Green Communities Canada describes itself as "a national association of non-profit organizations that deliver innovative, practical solutions to Canadian households and communities." Resource Conservation Manitoba is the member from Manitoba.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Community Shared Agriculture
Yesterday I picked up our weekly share of produce, which consisted of potatoes, carrots, beans, tomatoes, cucumber, winter and summer squash, peppers, watermelon, cantaloupe, and ground cherries. The list does not do justice to the variety and tastiness of the offerings. I wrote a column about this concept Shared Agriculture: A Growing Notion earlier this year.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
The Way We Mourn?
The article “The Way We Mourn,” in the latest issue of Maclean’s magazine, certainly has some interesting points about modern ways of observing death. Pulling no punches, writer John Fraser takes aim at what he asserts are over-the-top obituaries and funerals. I wrote a review of the article for my Obituary Guide website.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Taxes and Income
My latest Brandon Sun column Our Citizenship, Paid For By Our Taxes was on different tax rates for Manitoba and its closest neigboring provinces. Although taxes can be important, other issues - such as availability of jobs and overall quality of life in different places -are often more crucial.
One interesting point that I didn’t have space for in the column is the real difference in the income levels of married people as compared to single people. Looking at Statistics Canada data, one can see why some say that families headed by a single mom are the main impoverished group in Canada.
At first glace, this would seem to be obvious: two earners would make more income than one. As well, anyone who is part of a married couple can relate how economically advantageous this can be, for example, one can be going to school while the other works – thus raising the income potential of both for the long-term, and so on.
But the statistics show that even more seems to be going on: two earner families with children make much more than the expected twice as much as one earner families. (Income is 2005 “market” income, such as employment, and excludes government transfers.) Single mom families make an average of $30,900 per year. Two parent families make on average much more than twice as much: $83,900 annually. Even when there is only one earner in a two parent family, they have an income of $56,600 – much more than the single mom family. (One last statistic: single dad families have an income of $58,300.) See Statistics Canada.
One interesting point that I didn’t have space for in the column is the real difference in the income levels of married people as compared to single people. Looking at Statistics Canada data, one can see why some say that families headed by a single mom are the main impoverished group in Canada.
At first glace, this would seem to be obvious: two earners would make more income than one. As well, anyone who is part of a married couple can relate how economically advantageous this can be, for example, one can be going to school while the other works – thus raising the income potential of both for the long-term, and so on.
But the statistics show that even more seems to be going on: two earner families with children make much more than the expected twice as much as one earner families. (Income is 2005 “market” income, such as employment, and excludes government transfers.) Single mom families make an average of $30,900 per year. Two parent families make on average much more than twice as much: $83,900 annually. Even when there is only one earner in a two parent family, they have an income of $56,600 – much more than the single mom family. (One last statistic: single dad families have an income of $58,300.) See Statistics Canada.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Some Brandon History
I had some fun writing recently about the Palliser Expedition which explored the Canadian Prairies from 1857 to 1860. I found the topic so interesting that it extended to three columns. The first one of the series was titled Is It Time For A New “Palliser Expedition”?
I wrote about this subject about 20 years ago in a piece for the Winnipeg Free Press. I was always interested in history and studied it in University, and it is great to be able to still indulge in this interest. I re-read the book The Palliser Expedition: An Account of John Palliser’s British North American Exploring Expedition 1857 – 1860 by Irene M. Spry (Macmillan, 1963), which I borrowed from the Brandon Public Library. Spry’s book is well written and makes one feel that one is going on the original expedition. And, now there is the web to do even more research on such topics.
Now is a excellent time to re-visit the Palliser Expedition, as we are at the 150th anniversary of its start. Plus, it isn’t every day that I get to use the word "sesquicentennial"!
Also fun writing the column Proud History of Looking Forward for the special edition of the Brandon Sun marking the 125th anniversary of Brandon’s beginning as city. Brandon grew so quickly at the start, it began as a city - never having had time to be a village or town.
Interesting to compare the two concepts: what our region was like around 1860 to what Brandon was like in the 1880s. When John Palliser explored the area, the railway had not reached here. He travelled by horse-drawn Red River cart and by walking (using snowshoes in the winter). Other modes of transport were canoe and dog sled. The only permanent settlements west of what is now Winnipeg were Hudson Bay fur trading forts.
There was quite a difference between what Palliser saw to what residents of the new City of Brandon experienced in the 1880s. By then, they were connected to the wider world by the railway; there were daily stock market quotes by telegraph. They also had the telephone and electricity.
When I reflect on those changes, I think that people living in the latter half of the 19th century and the early 20th century often saw more technological changes than we see today. For example, going from the telephone to the Internet is less of change than going from nothing to the telephone or to having electricity.
One other observation: even in Palliser’s time, “globalization” was important. Even though there was no railway then, the residents of the Prairies – both Europeans and First Nations peoples – were tied into a global economy. Of course, Brandon's start was even more a result of globalization - it was created only because the railway linked it to world markets.
I wrote about this subject about 20 years ago in a piece for the Winnipeg Free Press. I was always interested in history and studied it in University, and it is great to be able to still indulge in this interest. I re-read the book The Palliser Expedition: An Account of John Palliser’s British North American Exploring Expedition 1857 – 1860 by Irene M. Spry (Macmillan, 1963), which I borrowed from the Brandon Public Library. Spry’s book is well written and makes one feel that one is going on the original expedition. And, now there is the web to do even more research on such topics.
Now is a excellent time to re-visit the Palliser Expedition, as we are at the 150th anniversary of its start. Plus, it isn’t every day that I get to use the word "sesquicentennial"!
Also fun writing the column Proud History of Looking Forward for the special edition of the Brandon Sun marking the 125th anniversary of Brandon’s beginning as city. Brandon grew so quickly at the start, it began as a city - never having had time to be a village or town.
Interesting to compare the two concepts: what our region was like around 1860 to what Brandon was like in the 1880s. When John Palliser explored the area, the railway had not reached here. He travelled by horse-drawn Red River cart and by walking (using snowshoes in the winter). Other modes of transport were canoe and dog sled. The only permanent settlements west of what is now Winnipeg were Hudson Bay fur trading forts.
There was quite a difference between what Palliser saw to what residents of the new City of Brandon experienced in the 1880s. By then, they were connected to the wider world by the railway; there were daily stock market quotes by telegraph. They also had the telephone and electricity.
When I reflect on those changes, I think that people living in the latter half of the 19th century and the early 20th century often saw more technological changes than we see today. For example, going from the telephone to the Internet is less of change than going from nothing to the telephone or to having electricity.
One other observation: even in Palliser’s time, “globalization” was important. Even though there was no railway then, the residents of the Prairies – both Europeans and First Nations peoples – were tied into a global economy. Of course, Brandon's start was even more a result of globalization - it was created only because the railway linked it to world markets.
AGLOCO August Update
AGLOCO (“Get your share of the Internet”) has been online now for three months and I’m quite used to the Viewbar at the bottom of my computer screen. AGLOCO seems to have upgraded their systems, for example one can now get quickly onto their website. And the space for ads in the Viewbar now seems to be filled, although they don’t seem to be particularly relevant to my surfing.
AGLOCO is non intrusive - there are no emails bothering us members. In fact, so non intrusive, we are left wondering how things are going!
AGLOCO is sort of like "Air Miles" for the Internet – except that it is owned by the members and you don’t have to buy anything to benefit. If you would like to know more, you can check out my earlier post or click on my referral link here.
AGLOCO is non intrusive - there are no emails bothering us members. In fact, so non intrusive, we are left wondering how things are going!
AGLOCO is sort of like "Air Miles" for the Internet – except that it is owned by the members and you don’t have to buy anything to benefit. If you would like to know more, you can check out my earlier post or click on my referral link here.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Labyrinth of Peace
Brandon has a nice network of walking / bicycling paths that we try to use every day. From behind our house we can walk down along the river in just a few minutes. Great for that daily exercise regime.
Meg and I like to take a circular bicycles route sometimes and we did that this weekend. The route is interrupted by the construction of the new bridges over the Assiniboine River, but the consolation there is that the new bridges will have better bicycling and walking facilities than the current bridge does now.
This time, we looped around by the "Labyrinth of Peace." This is an area developed to show that all religions are different paths to one God, and that all lead to peace. A descriptive plaque explains the concept and 10 concrete posts show the different religions. A colorful picture on top of each post shows each religion. In the centre is a representation in limestone of Manitoba with a sheaf of wheat. The centre illustrates that Brandon, Manitoba is a place where different religions co-exist in peace.
The Labyrinth is only a few years old, but unfortunately, almost all of the religious pictures are gone, whether removed by vandalism or the weather. The bare posts which remain are actually quite ugly.
Meg and I remarked to each other that the Labyrinth now illustrates perhaps a greater truth: that religions - while appearing bright and shiny in theory - are often unworkable in practice.
Meg and I like to take a circular bicycles route sometimes and we did that this weekend. The route is interrupted by the construction of the new bridges over the Assiniboine River, but the consolation there is that the new bridges will have better bicycling and walking facilities than the current bridge does now.
This time, we looped around by the "Labyrinth of Peace." This is an area developed to show that all religions are different paths to one God, and that all lead to peace. A descriptive plaque explains the concept and 10 concrete posts show the different religions. A colorful picture on top of each post shows each religion. In the centre is a representation in limestone of Manitoba with a sheaf of wheat. The centre illustrates that Brandon, Manitoba is a place where different religions co-exist in peace.
The Labyrinth is only a few years old, but unfortunately, almost all of the religious pictures are gone, whether removed by vandalism or the weather. The bare posts which remain are actually quite ugly.
Meg and I remarked to each other that the Labyrinth now illustrates perhaps a greater truth: that religions - while appearing bright and shiny in theory - are often unworkable in practice.
Friday, August 17, 2007
The Cult of the Amateur?
I am enjoying reading the excerpts in the National Post from The Cult of the Amateur: How Today's Internet is Killing our Culture
by Andrew Keen. Now I just saw the author interviewed on The Colbert Report.
I always like a good argument, and Keen knows a lot and is articulate. However, he was a bit humourless on Colbert - lighten up, it is supposed to be a comedy show! His comments about blogs and other information on the Internet does merit some consideration, but I thought he was off base with some points.
Keen, for example, asked Colbert if he believed there were WMDs in Iraq, as though anyone who thought that there were was duped by the ramblings on the Internet. Colbert, in character, said he believed that there were WMDs because President Bush said there were, and that was that. But surely Keen has to agree that this example actually proves the worth of the Internet. It was the word of the US Administration, often backed up by the conventional media, that made the case for the invasion of Iraq. It is the blogging and other postings on the Internet that challenge these standard assumptions.
by Andrew Keen. Now I just saw the author interviewed on The Colbert Report.I always like a good argument, and Keen knows a lot and is articulate. However, he was a bit humourless on Colbert - lighten up, it is supposed to be a comedy show! His comments about blogs and other information on the Internet does merit some consideration, but I thought he was off base with some points.
Keen, for example, asked Colbert if he believed there were WMDs in Iraq, as though anyone who thought that there were was duped by the ramblings on the Internet. Colbert, in character, said he believed that there were WMDs because President Bush said there were, and that was that. But surely Keen has to agree that this example actually proves the worth of the Internet. It was the word of the US Administration, often backed up by the conventional media, that made the case for the invasion of Iraq. It is the blogging and other postings on the Internet that challenge these standard assumptions.
Obituary Guide Now Online
The Obituary Guide is now online. I have been long intrigued by obituaries. On and off during the past year, I have been working on a concise guide for people who need to write an obituary for a family member or friend, or who want to get started on their own. As well, I am offering my services as a writer to help others: by proofreading their efforts, helping with suggestions, or actually writing one.
Few people are famous enough or fortunate enough to have a news obituary written about them, and this is where my website comes in. In my searching on the Internet, I have not seen a resource quite like this, so I am hoping to fill a niche. It feels great to actually have it completed and online.
Few people are famous enough or fortunate enough to have a news obituary written about them, and this is where my website comes in. In my searching on the Internet, I have not seen a resource quite like this, so I am hoping to fill a niche. It feels great to actually have it completed and online.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Crime and Punishment
A few days ago a letter to the editor appeared in the Brandon Sun about youth crime. Entitled “Labour and the Lash,” it was about punishing young offenders with either forced work or the cane.
I think we are going to see more reactions like this one to crime. Even though some crime stats are down, it is still a public concern. One excerpt from the letter: “. . .auto theft has become part of the youth culture. What an indictment of the youth justice system!”
But, it is more than government policy that affects youth culture. In an earlier post, I commented on both the high auto theft rate in Manitoba and crime and youth culture.
These will be continuing topics of debate, especially in Manitoba, and I plan more columns and posts about these ideas in the future.
I think we are going to see more reactions like this one to crime. Even though some crime stats are down, it is still a public concern. One excerpt from the letter: “. . .auto theft has become part of the youth culture. What an indictment of the youth justice system!”
But, it is more than government policy that affects youth culture. In an earlier post, I commented on both the high auto theft rate in Manitoba and crime and youth culture.
These will be continuing topics of debate, especially in Manitoba, and I plan more columns and posts about these ideas in the future.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Nice Slow Days in the Turtle Mountains
Spent a couple of relaxing days in the Turtle Mountains over the long weekend. Great camping at Adam Lake, and visits to the Peace Garden and the Town of Boissevain.
Turtle Mountain Provincial Park has many amenities, such as nature trails of varying lengths, including ones where one can bicycle - which we did. You can even bring your horse for some of them.
The International Peace Garden, on the Canada - U.S. border, is a gem in our part of the world. Perhaps it is more appreciated in the U.S. than in Canada - the North Dakota licence plate has "Peace Garden" right on it. Interesting how September 11th has made an impact at the Garden, including a memorial made out of girders from the World Trade Center.
The Town of Boissevain is an international "Communities in Bloom" winner, and the visitor can see why. Plantings and flowers are everywhere, with much community spirit on display. The town also features many murals on its buildings. A small park called "Arts Park" is alive with the color of flowers, and appears to be maintained by different companies and families. A"Winnie the Pooh" corner is especially creative.
Turtle Mountain Provincial Park has many amenities, such as nature trails of varying lengths, including ones where one can bicycle - which we did. You can even bring your horse for some of them.
The International Peace Garden, on the Canada - U.S. border, is a gem in our part of the world. Perhaps it is more appreciated in the U.S. than in Canada - the North Dakota licence plate has "Peace Garden" right on it. Interesting how September 11th has made an impact at the Garden, including a memorial made out of girders from the World Trade Center.
The Town of Boissevain is an international "Communities in Bloom" winner, and the visitor can see why. Plantings and flowers are everywhere, with much community spirit on display. The town also features many murals on its buildings. A small park called "Arts Park" is alive with the color of flowers, and appears to be maintained by different companies and families. A"Winnie the Pooh" corner is especially creative.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Are You Ready Skeedaddy?
Great fun now that CNBC has put Jim Cramer's Sound Board from TV onto the Internet. I wrote about Cramer's stock pick TV show "Mad Money" in an earlier post. If you want to learn about stocks and the economy in general, watch the show. If you want some fun, go to the Sound Bound and try it at home!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Brandon Folk Festival
Wonderful time at the Brandon Folk Festival this weekend. Beautiful weather: day in the low thirties, sunny, cooler in the evening. After the sun goes down, a nearly full moon rises. Friday evening had a great ending with Brandon's "The Errant" then "NuPhunk Orchestra," and finally a demonstration of the "Prairie Pyros Fire Dancers." The setting is the quaint grassy treed area of the Keystone Centre - an oasis in the middle of the city. Seeing many old friends is the icing on the cake.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
What's Up at the Wheat City Journal?
Over the years when I worked at Westman Recycling, I always enjoyed being interviewed by Kyla Henderson at the Wheat City Journal. She was very interested in the environment, and wrote a number of positive articles. She also wrote a very sympathetic A Sad Day for Westman Recycling when our facility closed in February, 2006.
She had been recently promoted, but then seemed to mysteriously disappear. I sent the paper the following "Letter to the Editor." (The newspaper has not acknowledged my letter to them.)
She had been recently promoted, but then seemed to mysteriously disappear. I sent the paper the following "Letter to the Editor." (The newspaper has not acknowledged my letter to them.)
Where's Kyla?
What happened to Kyla Henderson?
For five years, readers of the Wheat City Journal have been treated to the writing of Kyla Henderson. Whenever I was interviewed by her, I was always impressed by her friendliness, enthusiasm, and professionalism. I'm sure readers enjoyed Kyla's column where we learned of her personal life, including her marriage, change of name, new house, garden, the dogs, and more.
I'm also sure many congratulated her on her promotion to "News Editor." We read Kyla's first column in the new role, of her taking a "deep breath" as she faced the challenge of filling the big shoes of her former boss, Bruce Penton.
Then, with the July 12th issue of the paper, Kyla Henderson simply vanished. Her picture had been erased from the masthead showing those who put out the publication. A new editor's picture was there now, with a new name and face on the Editor's page four column. But to have someone as central as Kyla just disappear with no explanation shows disrespect to readers who get to know the people of a community newspaper.
Ironically, the new Editor's column was titled "Same Face - New Day." It may be a "New Day" at the Journal, but it is not the "Same Face," is it?
Wherever Kyla Henderson is now, I'm sure that Wheat City Journal readers would join me in thanking her for her past work and wishing her well in the future.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Community Shared Agriculture
Yesterday we picked up our week’s produce from the Community Shared Agriculture program, or CSA. We had participated last year, and I wrote a column about this in June. In our share this week were carrots, radishes, summer squash, potatoes, lettuce, and -most delightfully - berries: raspberries, strawberries, and saskatoons. Delicious!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Resource Conservation Manitoba and people of Winnipeg for doing so well in the 2007 "Commuter Challenge" in June. Read more.
Friday, July 13, 2007
More Malathion Spraying in Brandon
Officials were quoted in yesterday's Brandon Sun responding to criticism reported earlier. "I truly do have the utmost faith in the advice that I'm getting from our public health officials," said Manitoba Health Minister Theresa Oswald.
I think that this points out that the average person is caught between competing scientific claims. One thing could be more discussion of science and policy issues in schools - get the arguments out and prepare kids for the debates that they will experience in their futures. And there will be more debates in the future.
I think that this points out that the average person is caught between competing scientific claims. One thing could be more discussion of science and policy issues in schools - get the arguments out and prepare kids for the debates that they will experience in their futures. And there will be more debates in the future.
Conrad Black Trial Over
One of the interesting points made during this trial is that it is one of the first to be so influenced by emails, Blackberries, and blogs. A lawyer in the trial could make their presentation, then sit down to read an analysis of their performance in a blog about the trial, filed by a reporter sitting a few feet away.
This isn't the last we'll hear of this, either, as there will be a flood of electronic and print reports to follow.
This isn't the last we'll hear of this, either, as there will be a flood of electronic and print reports to follow.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Malathion Spraying in Brandon
In a front page story in the Brandon Sun today, there were strong words at a rally yesterday to protest the spraying of malathion in residential areas of Brandon. The provincial government, on the recommendation of public health officials, ordered the spraying to combat mosquitoes that could be carrying West Nile virus.
"The public health officials in Manitoba are incompetent. I know them well," Dr. Bill Paton, botany professor at Brandon University, was quoted as saying.
Added Errol Black, City of Brandon councillor, the public health officials who are advising the government "should be fired."
There were no comments from officials in the story, and the Sun only provides online access to the paper to its paid subscribers.
After reading that, I don't think I'll be the only one not sleeping as soundly when there will be spraying tonight in my area of town.
"The public health officials in Manitoba are incompetent. I know them well," Dr. Bill Paton, botany professor at Brandon University, was quoted as saying.
Added Errol Black, City of Brandon councillor, the public health officials who are advising the government "should be fired."
There were no comments from officials in the story, and the Sun only provides online access to the paper to its paid subscribers.
After reading that, I don't think I'll be the only one not sleeping as soundly when there will be spraying tonight in my area of town.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Live Earth
Here is the pledge from last weekend’s Live Earth concerts, “The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis.”:
I PLEDGE:
1. To demand that my country join an international treaty within the next two years that cuts global warming pollution by 90% in developed countries and by more than half worldwide in time for the next generation to inherit a healthy earth;
2. To take personal action to help solve the climate crisis by reducing my own CO2 pollution as much as I can and offsetting the rest to become "carbon neutral;"
3. To fight for a moratorium on the construction of any new generating facility that burns coal without the capacity to safely trap and store the CO2;
4. To work for a dramatic increase in the energy efficiency of my home, workplace, school, place of worship, and means of transportation;
5. To fight for laws and policies that expand the use of renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on oil and coal;
6. To plant new trees and to join with others in preserving and protecting forests; and,
7. To buy from businesses and support leaders who share my commitment to solving the climate crisis and building a sustainable, just, and prosperous world for the 21st century.
I know that concerts have raised awareness in the past, and galvanized people to action, but I think that the first pledge item (reduce pollution by 90%) looks undefined and unrealistic.
Anyway, all the best to them.
I PLEDGE:
1. To demand that my country join an international treaty within the next two years that cuts global warming pollution by 90% in developed countries and by more than half worldwide in time for the next generation to inherit a healthy earth;
2. To take personal action to help solve the climate crisis by reducing my own CO2 pollution as much as I can and offsetting the rest to become "carbon neutral;"
3. To fight for a moratorium on the construction of any new generating facility that burns coal without the capacity to safely trap and store the CO2;
4. To work for a dramatic increase in the energy efficiency of my home, workplace, school, place of worship, and means of transportation;
5. To fight for laws and policies that expand the use of renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on oil and coal;
6. To plant new trees and to join with others in preserving and protecting forests; and,
7. To buy from businesses and support leaders who share my commitment to solving the climate crisis and building a sustainable, just, and prosperous world for the 21st century.
I know that concerts have raised awareness in the past, and galvanized people to action, but I think that the first pledge item (reduce pollution by 90%) looks undefined and unrealistic.
Anyway, all the best to them.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Gossip in the Graveyard
This is a time for local history, as Brandon celebrates 125 years of being a city. Last Friday evening, Meg and I attended the presentation of “Gossip in the Graveyard.” Sponsored by Brockie Donovan Funeral Home and the Brandon 125 Committee, it was preformed by the Brandon theatre group Seven Ages Productions.
This event was a terrific way to bring community history to life. Actors portrayed colourful local figures from the past, at their actual grave sites in the Brandon Cemetery. Led by an actor dressed as Brandon's first mayor, the group stopped by about one dozen places throughout the cemetery. The weather was great, and those attending seemed to really enjoy themselves. Ending with refreshments, it was a wonderful evening.
This event was a terrific way to bring community history to life. Actors portrayed colourful local figures from the past, at their actual grave sites in the Brandon Cemetery. Led by an actor dressed as Brandon's first mayor, the group stopped by about one dozen places throughout the cemetery. The weather was great, and those attending seemed to really enjoy themselves. Ending with refreshments, it was a wonderful evening.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The iPhone Cometh
Here's a funny, and informative, review of the iPhone (due for release this Friday) from the New York Times:
What is interesting about this review is that here is a newspaper making a video. It sure blurs the line dividing print and TV - but they all converge on the Internet, which threatens to replace much of the other media.
What is interesting about this review is that here is a newspaper making a video. It sure blurs the line dividing print and TV - but they all converge on the Internet, which threatens to replace much of the other media.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
American vs. Canadian Justice
One of the interesting discussions to come out of the Conrad Black trial is about the differences in the American and Canadian criminal justice systems. Apparently, the American government is much tougher on its citizens than the Canadian. I find this odd, as I thought that the U.S. was supposed to value the individual more than we do in Canada.
Among the points made by the news reports and blogs I have been reading, is that in Canada the charges against Black likely would not be even dealt with in a criminal court. They would be resolved as a suit in a civil court, with the government not taking an interest in it. Another difference is that some of the charges (like mail fraud) that Black faces in the U.S. do not even exist here in Canada.
As well, the prosecution in the U.S. has much more influence than in Canada. For example, the prosecution gets the chance to rebut the final defence arguments, and so has the last word. Canadian lawyer Steven Skurka, in his blog about the Conrad Black trial, provides this interesting list of the differences between the legal systems of Canada and the United States.
Incidentally, Skurka was a member of the recent Maclean’s magazine panel who was a dissenting voice by predicting “Not Guilty” verdicts for all the defendants.
Among the points made by the news reports and blogs I have been reading, is that in Canada the charges against Black likely would not be even dealt with in a criminal court. They would be resolved as a suit in a civil court, with the government not taking an interest in it. Another difference is that some of the charges (like mail fraud) that Black faces in the U.S. do not even exist here in Canada.
As well, the prosecution in the U.S. has much more influence than in Canada. For example, the prosecution gets the chance to rebut the final defence arguments, and so has the last word. Canadian lawyer Steven Skurka, in his blog about the Conrad Black trial, provides this interesting list of the differences between the legal systems of Canada and the United States.
Incidentally, Skurka was a member of the recent Maclean’s magazine panel who was a dissenting voice by predicting “Not Guilty” verdicts for all the defendants.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Boo-Yah!
My sons and I enjoy Jim Cramer’s stock market tip TV show “Mad Money,” partly because we have some (small) investments, and also because of the interesting general content.
Jim Cramer was more reflective last week as he hit his 500th episode. On the “Father’s Day” special on Thursday, he set aside his blunt exterior to melt a bit as he introduced his own dad, and he almost shed a tear as he talked with Tim Russert and his son about the value of the father / son relationship.
He commented that he has lost 25 pounds since starting the show. If you watch it, you can easily see why. He is constantly in motion, yelling, jumping, hitting his sound buttons, playing with a myriad of props, and throwing around his books and anything else he can lay his hands on. To emphasize a good or bad stock he will unleash graphic cartoon images of either growling bears or bellowing bulls. He races through his show, excitedly explaining some stock picks, and then onto his other segments: phone calls from viewers, the “Lighting Round,” “Sudden Death,” “Mad Mail,” and sometimes even “Eating Crow,” or “Standing Corrected.”
Having made his own millions, and as he says, helped the rich get even richer, he is now turning his attention to helping the little guy. A nice change! And he doesn’t just have specific stock picks, but much information about the market and the world in general. He infuses his explanations with tidbits of knowledge from literature, history, and pop culture. Watch the show for one minute, you might think he is just nuts; watch for one week, and you see just how smart he is.
After watching the show for a while, you'll not only know much more about stocks and the economy, but also be into a whole new manic language. For example you'll know that “Sudden Death” is a "boo-yah free zone"!
I’m convinced that Cramer is onto something here - maybe even the future of teaching and learning in our media age. (Especially – perhaps - for men?) As he says, his crazy antics are to keep the audience’s interest in what could be a dry subject. His mantra: “My job is not just to entertain you, but to educate you.”
We watch Cramer on CNBC. We have also enjoyed two of his books: Jim Cramer's Mad Money: Watch TV, Get Rich
and Confessions of a Street Addict.
If you want both entertainment and education, stick with Cramer!
Jim Cramer was more reflective last week as he hit his 500th episode. On the “Father’s Day” special on Thursday, he set aside his blunt exterior to melt a bit as he introduced his own dad, and he almost shed a tear as he talked with Tim Russert and his son about the value of the father / son relationship.
He commented that he has lost 25 pounds since starting the show. If you watch it, you can easily see why. He is constantly in motion, yelling, jumping, hitting his sound buttons, playing with a myriad of props, and throwing around his books and anything else he can lay his hands on. To emphasize a good or bad stock he will unleash graphic cartoon images of either growling bears or bellowing bulls. He races through his show, excitedly explaining some stock picks, and then onto his other segments: phone calls from viewers, the “Lighting Round,” “Sudden Death,” “Mad Mail,” and sometimes even “Eating Crow,” or “Standing Corrected.”
Having made his own millions, and as he says, helped the rich get even richer, he is now turning his attention to helping the little guy. A nice change! And he doesn’t just have specific stock picks, but much information about the market and the world in general. He infuses his explanations with tidbits of knowledge from literature, history, and pop culture. Watch the show for one minute, you might think he is just nuts; watch for one week, and you see just how smart he is.
After watching the show for a while, you'll not only know much more about stocks and the economy, but also be into a whole new manic language. For example you'll know that “Sudden Death” is a "boo-yah free zone"!
I’m convinced that Cramer is onto something here - maybe even the future of teaching and learning in our media age. (Especially – perhaps - for men?) As he says, his crazy antics are to keep the audience’s interest in what could be a dry subject. His mantra: “My job is not just to entertain you, but to educate you.”
We watch Cramer on CNBC. We have also enjoyed two of his books: Jim Cramer's Mad Money: Watch TV, Get Rich
and Confessions of a Street Addict.If you want both entertainment and education, stick with Cramer!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Brandon Parades and Races
On a recent Saturday, Meg and I enjoyed the annual 52nd Annual Travellers’ Day Parade. A week before that was the 21st Annual Kiwanis “Kar” Derby. As a Kiwanian, I was a volunteer in the latter. Such events take a lot of volunteer organizing work, but really do contribute to the life and fun of a community. The soapbox car derby also is a fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club of Brandon.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
International Development Answers in Brandon
Stopped in the other day at the new location of the Marquis Project at 912 Rosser Avenue, Brandon. The new location is excellent: more space and a better overall busier location, especially right beside Scarlatti’s Cappuccino Bar. If in Brandon, check out the new digs; otherwise, check out their website.
I really enjoyed interviewing Deanna Ginn, President of Marquis, for a recent Brandon Sun column about fair trade and the Marquis move. During our conversation, we discussed the visit to Brandon of Stephen Lewis a few weeks earlier. He could be the most articulate and passionate speaker one ever hears. He gave a public talk at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School, about the HIV / AIDS crisis in Africa.
One of the questions asked from the audience that I commented on in the column was “What can we do?”
Stephen Lewis answered that the public needed to fill the moral leadership gap left by governments. One suggestion he had was for the public to challenge politicians during the next Canadian federal election. Another was to support good non-governmental organizations. Lewis mentioned several worthy national organizations, including his own foundation.
Unfortunately, missing from the answer is something about local organizations like the Marquis Project. Marquis is a rare jewel in the community, and I don’t think gets the recognition it deserves. Hopefully, there will continue to be enough support for its continuation into the future.
During his speech, Lewis heaped praise on Crocus students who had organized his talk and who had turned over all proceeds to the Lewis foundation. Lewis also complimented Brandon high school students who were setting up a program to refurbish discarded medical equipment from Manitoba and send it to Africa.
But here was an unasked question: “How much fundraising would we need to do and how much medical equipment would we need to collect to outweigh the effect of our recruiting doctors from Africa to practice here in Manitoba?” There's some food for thought when our socialized medicine here seems to depend on donations from developing countries - in the form of trained doctors we receive.
Congratulations to the Marquis Project here and world leaders like Stephen Lewis who are raising the awareness of - and doing something about - important global problems.
I really enjoyed interviewing Deanna Ginn, President of Marquis, for a recent Brandon Sun column about fair trade and the Marquis move. During our conversation, we discussed the visit to Brandon of Stephen Lewis a few weeks earlier. He could be the most articulate and passionate speaker one ever hears. He gave a public talk at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School, about the HIV / AIDS crisis in Africa.
One of the questions asked from the audience that I commented on in the column was “What can we do?”
Stephen Lewis answered that the public needed to fill the moral leadership gap left by governments. One suggestion he had was for the public to challenge politicians during the next Canadian federal election. Another was to support good non-governmental organizations. Lewis mentioned several worthy national organizations, including his own foundation.
Unfortunately, missing from the answer is something about local organizations like the Marquis Project. Marquis is a rare jewel in the community, and I don’t think gets the recognition it deserves. Hopefully, there will continue to be enough support for its continuation into the future.
During his speech, Lewis heaped praise on Crocus students who had organized his talk and who had turned over all proceeds to the Lewis foundation. Lewis also complimented Brandon high school students who were setting up a program to refurbish discarded medical equipment from Manitoba and send it to Africa.
But here was an unasked question: “How much fundraising would we need to do and how much medical equipment would we need to collect to outweigh the effect of our recruiting doctors from Africa to practice here in Manitoba?” There's some food for thought when our socialized medicine here seems to depend on donations from developing countries - in the form of trained doctors we receive.
Congratulations to the Marquis Project here and world leaders like Stephen Lewis who are raising the awareness of - and doing something about - important global problems.
Friday, June 8, 2007
An Encounter with Conrad Black
I will get all my name dropping over this week. I am an avid reader of the National Post, and occasionally write letters to the editor. A few months ago, I wrote a letter in response to a column that Conrad Black had written on “The Great Man” in Canadian history and currently. Black is no stranger to thinking about this issue, having written books on Quebec Premier Maurice Duplessis and American Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Richard Nixon.
My letter was about Black’s reference to the timing of the imposition of the War Measure’s Act in 1970. The Act was actually imposed just before Pierre Laporte was killed, but reversed in the column. I thought the point should be clarified and discussed, especially as it relates to such measures today. I wrote a light letter beginning with, “Imagine spotting an error in a column by Conrad Black…” I ended with a note about appreciating the thoughtful columns in the paper.
In response, the Post’s Letters Editor showed the column to Conrad Black and sent his response to me. Black said that the timing error resulted from an editing change to his original copy. Also he said that my point, although technically correct, was not an important distinction.
The Post asked if I would be content to leave the matter at that? I replied that the response was fine, and thanked them for the exchange.
What is especially interesting in this correspondence is that it happened just days before the start of Conrad Black’s court case in Chicago on fraud, racketeering and other charges. Black faced the rest of this life in prison, yet took time out to write a column in the National Post, and then to reply to an ordinary newspaper reader.
Yes, I am following the Conrad Black trial, especially by reading these two blogs: Mark Steyn’s on the Macleans website, and Steven Skurka’s “The Crime Sheet.” Interesting to see what happens; Skurka predicts a verdict by July 1.
My letter was about Black’s reference to the timing of the imposition of the War Measure’s Act in 1970. The Act was actually imposed just before Pierre Laporte was killed, but reversed in the column. I thought the point should be clarified and discussed, especially as it relates to such measures today. I wrote a light letter beginning with, “Imagine spotting an error in a column by Conrad Black…” I ended with a note about appreciating the thoughtful columns in the paper.
In response, the Post’s Letters Editor showed the column to Conrad Black and sent his response to me. Black said that the timing error resulted from an editing change to his original copy. Also he said that my point, although technically correct, was not an important distinction.
The Post asked if I would be content to leave the matter at that? I replied that the response was fine, and thanked them for the exchange.
What is especially interesting in this correspondence is that it happened just days before the start of Conrad Black’s court case in Chicago on fraud, racketeering and other charges. Black faced the rest of this life in prison, yet took time out to write a column in the National Post, and then to reply to an ordinary newspaper reader.
Yes, I am following the Conrad Black trial, especially by reading these two blogs: Mark Steyn’s on the Macleans website, and Steven Skurka’s “The Crime Sheet.” Interesting to see what happens; Skurka predicts a verdict by July 1.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
AGLOCO Update
I have now been surfing for a few days with the new AGLOCO Viewbar at the bottom of my computer screen. It is very simple – just sign in every day and there it is. A little circle on the left hand side indicates whether you are accumulating hours for credit (green), or not (red).
If you are actively surfing the Internet, your hours are being logged to your account. The AGLOCO Viewbar FAQ says you might need to give it a couple of minutes when you first connect, but I have found that my green light usually has been going on immediately when I go on the Internet. And, I have noticed that it stays on for a while after closing the Internet.
Credit for the time is not an issue at all. After just a few days, I see by checking my AGLOCO account, that I have already accumulated five hours credit. And that means I have already reached the maximum for the month, and there are still three weeks to go in June! (It appears that AGLOCO may be overwhelmed with success right now - too frequently one cannot get on to their website. Time to upgrade to meet the demand.)
Is this going to be a problem for AGLOCO – with such a low maximum number of hours, then people will simply stop using the Viewbar when they've already received the maximum for the month? After all, the Viewbar does take up a bit of space. But it is hardly any bother. AGLOCO is set up so that both AGLOCO and its member-owners benefit by hours of use. Why not encourage members to accumulate as many hours as possible?
Some speculate that AGLOCO is still trying to differentiate itself from AllAdvantage. That company flew high like Icarus before crashing and burning during the dot com bubble era. AllAdvantage had a maximum of 20 hours per month.
Five hours sounds easy to get, and is attractive for new AGLOCO members. But why not make that a minimum instead of a maximum, and let members who are eager Internet surfers get more hours credit?
If you would like to know more about AGLOCO (“Get your share of the Internet”), you can check out my earlier post, or click on my referral link to AGLOCO.
If you are actively surfing the Internet, your hours are being logged to your account. The AGLOCO Viewbar FAQ says you might need to give it a couple of minutes when you first connect, but I have found that my green light usually has been going on immediately when I go on the Internet. And, I have noticed that it stays on for a while after closing the Internet.
Credit for the time is not an issue at all. After just a few days, I see by checking my AGLOCO account, that I have already accumulated five hours credit. And that means I have already reached the maximum for the month, and there are still three weeks to go in June! (It appears that AGLOCO may be overwhelmed with success right now - too frequently one cannot get on to their website. Time to upgrade to meet the demand.)
Is this going to be a problem for AGLOCO – with such a low maximum number of hours, then people will simply stop using the Viewbar when they've already received the maximum for the month? After all, the Viewbar does take up a bit of space. But it is hardly any bother. AGLOCO is set up so that both AGLOCO and its member-owners benefit by hours of use. Why not encourage members to accumulate as many hours as possible?
Some speculate that AGLOCO is still trying to differentiate itself from AllAdvantage. That company flew high like Icarus before crashing and burning during the dot com bubble era. AllAdvantage had a maximum of 20 hours per month.
Five hours sounds easy to get, and is attractive for new AGLOCO members. But why not make that a minimum instead of a maximum, and let members who are eager Internet surfers get more hours credit?
If you would like to know more about AGLOCO (“Get your share of the Internet”), you can check out my earlier post, or click on my referral link to AGLOCO.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
An Encounter With Paul Walker
I don’t usually get to (or even want to) name drop, but today I do. I was an extra in a movie starring Paul Walker. The movie is being filmed partly in Brandon and last Friday I was an extra in it. I may not be actually seen in the background of the final movie, but it was a fun experience and, yes I did get to be oh-so-close to the star - during a snack break and on the sidelines of another scene.
The movie – the Heaven Project - is using the old Brandon Mental Health Centre. BMHC is filling in for a psychiatric facility in Oregon. Interesting to be back at the deserted site – Meg worked there for many years. One of the last chances to see it empty, though, as Assiniboine Community College will be starting to move there soon. When completed, the new ACC campus will be beautiful.
The movie – the Heaven Project - is using the old Brandon Mental Health Centre. BMHC is filling in for a psychiatric facility in Oregon. Interesting to be back at the deserted site – Meg worked there for many years. One of the last chances to see it empty, though, as Assiniboine Community College will be starting to move there soon. When completed, the new ACC campus will be beautiful.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Happy World Environment Day
June 5 - World Environment Day, like Earth Day in April, is a time to celebrate the environment. Today is more international, more Canadian, and part of World Environment Week. Earth Day has the advantage of the springtime air and the fact that university staff and students are around to organize and participate.
All the best to the good folks at Resource Conservation Manitoba and their projects this week, like the “Commuter Challenge.”
All the best to the good folks at Resource Conservation Manitoba and their projects this week, like the “Commuter Challenge.”
Monday, June 4, 2007
AGLOCO Viewbar Finally Ready
Just got the email notifying me that the AGLOCO Viewbar is ready. I had no trouble downloading it from AGLOCO, taking only a couple of minutes (one hour if you read every word of the agreement, but seriously, it looked fine).
The AGLOCO Viewbar is sitting comfortably at the bottom of my computer screen. Right now it has a calculator, calendar, your Explorer and FireFox “favorites,” as well as links to Google, Yahoo, eBay, Amazon, Dictionary, and Wikipedia. Much of it is blank right now, presumably waiting for more features to be developed.
After months of delay, it is great to actually see the AGLOCO Viewbar as a reality. As outlined in a previous post, the AGLOCO Viewbar is billed as an effortless way to share in the riches being generated by the Internet. If you would like to check it out, you can click on my AGLOCO referral link here.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
The Long Tail Review
This review originally appeared in my column in the Brandon Sun, March 15, 2007, with the title: All Those Little Things Can Really Add Up These Days - To Cash.
Two recent books provide fascinating reading of how the Internet is changing our world. These are The Long Tail and Wikinomics.
The author of The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More is Chris Anderson, the editor in chief of Wired magazine.
The “long tail” describes the shape that appears when numbers, such as the quantity of items sold, are plotted on a graph. It swoops down dramatically from left to right. The graph illustrates that a few mainstream products dominate a market. Numerous less popular products sell much less frequently.
Think of a video store. A small number of popular new releases makes up the bulk of the sales. These few films are the short “head” of the graph. Now think of all the rest of the store. This multitude of movies is the “long tail.”
As an example in The Long Tail, Anderson describes the music industry. Wal-Mart is by far the largest music retailer in the United States. A typical Wal-Mart carries 4,500 unique CD titles. Although that might sound like quite a lot, there are actually many more possibilities. Furthermore, 30,000 new albums are released every year.
Now say hello to the Internet and the availability of virtually unlimited variety. As Anderson notes, Amazon carries 800,000 different CDs. Online music retailer Rhapsody has over 1.5 million different tracks.
There is money to be made selling just a few of each of the many, many items along the long tail. On the Internet there is no constraint of limited shelf space. This new reality is shaking up the retail industry, creating whole new businesses, and impacting our culture.
Compared to the choices on the Internet, even the most gigantic big box store is actually quite empty. “Walk into a Wal-Mart and you’re overwhelmed by the abundance and choice,” says Anderson. “Yet look closer and the utter thinness of this cornucopia is revealed.” After all, he points out, “more than 99% of music albums on the market today are not available in Wal-Mart.”
The recording industry has become painfully aware of the force of the Internet. Whole new businesses, however, are blossoming and becoming sustainable in this new “paradise of choice.” Among the winners are web-based music stores such as Apple’s iTunes, as well as, of course, Internet staples like Google, Amazon, and eBay.
Will we welcome or be overwhelmed by this new marketplace? “Online retailers offer variety on a scale unimaginable even a decade ago – millions of products in every possible variant and combination,” notes Anderson.
“But does anyone need this much choice?” he asks. “Can we handle it?”
Anderson refers to a research study that set up outside a food store. Consumers were offered a taste test of either six or 24 types of jams. They were also offered coupons to buy jam at the store. Interestingly, more people tasted with the larger selection, but fewer went on to buy.
Apparently, too much choice actually can discourage buying. To resolve this conundrum, Anderson predicts that we increasingly will seek help in making our selections.
In our daily lives, we will employ more advisers, counsellors, planners, and coaches.
On the Internet, we will use more “filters” such as search engines and online reviews to help us sort out what we want.
Whatever the future picture, however, we’d better get used to it. For example, Amazon and its online retail partners already offer us a choice of more than 1,200 varieties of jam!
Not only commerce, but also culture, is being transformed. Perhaps there will always be a “mainstream,” but in some ways every one of us is a bit of an “oddball.” As examples, cites Anderson, “We may collect strange memorabilia or read esoteric books, hold unusual religious beliefs or wear odd-sized shoes, suffer rare diseases or enjoy obscure movies.”
On the Internet, everyone can find - and find support for - any inclination. “The resulting rise of niche culture will reshape the social landscape,” says Anderson. “People are re-forming into thousands of cultural tribes of interest.”
The Long Tail predicts a more informed, questioning citizenry. “This is the end of spoon-fed orthodoxy and infallible institutions,” says Anderson. We are experiencing “the end of the couch potato era.”
Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything delves even further into how the Internet is changing business and society. In a future column, I’ll review Wikinomics.
(Read an updated version of original Long Tail magazine article.)
To go to chapters.ca: The Long Tail.
Two recent books provide fascinating reading of how the Internet is changing our world. These are The Long Tail and Wikinomics.
The author of The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More is Chris Anderson, the editor in chief of Wired magazine.
The “long tail” describes the shape that appears when numbers, such as the quantity of items sold, are plotted on a graph. It swoops down dramatically from left to right. The graph illustrates that a few mainstream products dominate a market. Numerous less popular products sell much less frequently.
Think of a video store. A small number of popular new releases makes up the bulk of the sales. These few films are the short “head” of the graph. Now think of all the rest of the store. This multitude of movies is the “long tail.”
As an example in The Long Tail, Anderson describes the music industry. Wal-Mart is by far the largest music retailer in the United States. A typical Wal-Mart carries 4,500 unique CD titles. Although that might sound like quite a lot, there are actually many more possibilities. Furthermore, 30,000 new albums are released every year.
Now say hello to the Internet and the availability of virtually unlimited variety. As Anderson notes, Amazon carries 800,000 different CDs. Online music retailer Rhapsody has over 1.5 million different tracks.
There is money to be made selling just a few of each of the many, many items along the long tail. On the Internet there is no constraint of limited shelf space. This new reality is shaking up the retail industry, creating whole new businesses, and impacting our culture.
Compared to the choices on the Internet, even the most gigantic big box store is actually quite empty. “Walk into a Wal-Mart and you’re overwhelmed by the abundance and choice,” says Anderson. “Yet look closer and the utter thinness of this cornucopia is revealed.” After all, he points out, “more than 99% of music albums on the market today are not available in Wal-Mart.”
The recording industry has become painfully aware of the force of the Internet. Whole new businesses, however, are blossoming and becoming sustainable in this new “paradise of choice.” Among the winners are web-based music stores such as Apple’s iTunes, as well as, of course, Internet staples like Google, Amazon, and eBay.
Will we welcome or be overwhelmed by this new marketplace? “Online retailers offer variety on a scale unimaginable even a decade ago – millions of products in every possible variant and combination,” notes Anderson.
“But does anyone need this much choice?” he asks. “Can we handle it?”
Anderson refers to a research study that set up outside a food store. Consumers were offered a taste test of either six or 24 types of jams. They were also offered coupons to buy jam at the store. Interestingly, more people tasted with the larger selection, but fewer went on to buy.
Apparently, too much choice actually can discourage buying. To resolve this conundrum, Anderson predicts that we increasingly will seek help in making our selections.
In our daily lives, we will employ more advisers, counsellors, planners, and coaches.
On the Internet, we will use more “filters” such as search engines and online reviews to help us sort out what we want.
Whatever the future picture, however, we’d better get used to it. For example, Amazon and its online retail partners already offer us a choice of more than 1,200 varieties of jam!
Not only commerce, but also culture, is being transformed. Perhaps there will always be a “mainstream,” but in some ways every one of us is a bit of an “oddball.” As examples, cites Anderson, “We may collect strange memorabilia or read esoteric books, hold unusual religious beliefs or wear odd-sized shoes, suffer rare diseases or enjoy obscure movies.”
On the Internet, everyone can find - and find support for - any inclination. “The resulting rise of niche culture will reshape the social landscape,” says Anderson. “People are re-forming into thousands of cultural tribes of interest.”
The Long Tail predicts a more informed, questioning citizenry. “This is the end of spoon-fed orthodoxy and infallible institutions,” says Anderson. We are experiencing “the end of the couch potato era.”
Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything delves even further into how the Internet is changing business and society. In a future column, I’ll review Wikinomics.
(Read an updated version of original Long Tail magazine article.)
To go to chapters.ca: The Long Tail.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
AGLOCO: Scam or Smart Move?
“Own the Internet” is the intriguing slogan of AGLOCO, which also describes itself as ”the Internet’s first member-owned economic community.” Is it a scam or a smart move?
AGLOCO is just a few months old, and is, in fact, just in the pre-launch phase. What is AGLOCO? And, is it viable?
AGLOCO is an acronym for A GLObal COmmunity. The slogan “Own the Internet” is a bit presumptuous, but it does suggest the objective of giving ordinary Internet users the chance to own at least a piece of the riches of the Internet. AGLOCO also uses the more accurate: “Get your share of the Internet.”
AGLOCO was started by a group that includes some of those who were involved in the ill-fated AllAdvantage company in 1999 – 2001. AllAdvantage gained a reputation for its early efforts in “viral marketing,” desktop user tracking, ad targeting, and for pioneering the installation of a Privacy Officer.
In its heyday, AllAdvantage was one of the most visited websites on the Internet, had 10 million members, and paid out over $120 million to its members. Then it crashed.
AGLOCO looks like it is on a much sounder footing than AllAdvantage ever was. Surfing tracking technologies, affiliate programs, and Internet advertising revenues are much more developed than in 2001. Although AGLOCO promises cash payment to its members, the program should be sustainable, as any payments will wait until the money is actually earned.
How will the money be earned? AGLOCO promises its members a share of the billions of dollars currently sloshing through the Internet: for doing searches, clicking on ads, referring others, and buying products.
Members will download a “Viewbar” (currently in development), and install it on the bottom or top of their computer screens. Ads will appear on the Viewbar targeted to the websites the member is visiting. Members will also be able to search and buy through the bar. Members will be rewarded for using the Viewbar, up to a maximum of five hours per month.
Members, however, will not need to change any of their surfing or buying habits. At least initially, individual members will not be paid for their own product buying. Instead, members will be paid a share of the overall AGLOCO revenues.
The company will be structured so that all of the company’s shares are owned by the members. (The management team will be paid 10% of the revenues as its compensation.) The ownership scheme is quite ambitious, as the company is open to people from all over the world. The company currently is “exploring public offerings of the stock on various major global stock exchanges as a means to facilitate the issuance of shares to members.” How these shares will be valued, and traded across many different countries, are among the many details yet to be worked out.
AGLOCO’s structure reminds me of the co-operatives and credit unions that are popular where I live in Western Canada. These co-ops are owned by the members and sell groceries, gasoline, and other products. (Credit unions are similar and provide banking services.) Members join by paying a nominal membership fee, such as $5 or $10 (Canadian).
Although anyone can shop at these co-op stores, each individual members’ purchases are tracked through the year. At the end of the year, members are refunded a portion of their spending, based on the success of the co-op’s overall performance.
Typically, part of the refund is made in cash to the members, and part is allocated to the member’s “share equity.” This latter amount is like a reserve and usually only paid out, for example, when the member moves from the area or reaches the age of 65.
These co-operatives are owned by all the members. The co-op is governed by a Board of Directors, who are elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). One member gets one vote. The Board hires and pays managers and other staff to run the operation.
In a similar way, AGLOCO members will own the company and will receive a distribution of it’s profits: partly in cash, and partly in shares. As mentioned earlier, however, the distribution largely would not be based on the individual member’s purchasing or viewing (other than using the Viewbar). Payments would be based on the success of the company as a whole. (The company also later plans to add some payments based on each member’s individual purchases.)
There are no details yet on the AGLOCO website about the company’s governance, such as the selection of its Board of Directors. Being Internet based, however, there is potential to involve members in selecting and interacting with the Board of Directors much more than in conventional institutions.
An important point of difference with many traditional organizations: membership in AGLOCO is free of charge.
AGLOCO also offers a referral feature, where members can benefit from signing up new members. This aspect builds on the social networking and affiliate marketing characteristics of the Internet. The AGLOCO program will reward members for their referrals, and for their referral’s referrals, up to four levels of extended referrals.
The information on the AGLOCO website may get some members dreaming of overly optimistic revenues for signing up additional members. In the “Member Calculator” section, members are invited to enter a hypothetical scenario. I entered a modest three direct referrals, with each of them getting three referrals, and everyone surfing the Internet for five hours per month. The monthly calculation? 458.75!
But that number is “Hours accumulated towards earnings.” And there is this disclaimer: “For illustrative purposes only. Your actual earnings could vary from this example.” By clicking on the “Global Earnings Table,” one is supposed to “see the current listing for hourly rates, hours and minimum payout limits.” The actual information, however, is basically non-existent.
I think that this part of the AGLOCO website should be suspended until there is more specific information about the payout procedures. The monthly hours / earnings confusion and the disclaimer itself do not fit with the tone of the rest of the website. I think that this part of the website supports those who accuse AGLOCO of being a “scam.”
Some more realistic estimates seem to be in the Simmons research report, linked to AGLOCO’s company blog. The Simmons report figures that an average user - even with no referrals - could expect to receive $150 worth of company shares, plus $5 to $15 cash monthly. Each referral generated would be worth an additional $30 in shares, plus some additional cash distribution, according to Simmons.
The basis of the program seems sound. AllAdvantage paid out for each new member until it went broke. In contrast, AGLOCO’s clout in the Internet marketplace actually increases with each additional new member.
As AGLOCO points out, many activities on the Internet are already based on referral and affiliate payments. “Just about every time you view an ad, click an ad, search, buy something, download something, join a community, or post a story, picture, or video, some person or some company is making a fee, commission, and / or sale from your activity.”
Many successful websites – like YouTube or MySpace – were built by the input of the ordinary community members. As AGLOCO asks, “The users created the community, where’s their share of the profit?” AGLOCO invites everyone to help build a new Internet community, and share in the proceeds.
Two of the criticisms of AGLOCO centre around privacy and sustainability issues. Privacy seems to be dealt with by the company’s commitment, but there is a certain amount of trust needed anywhere. Building on the pioneering work of AllAdvantage, AGLOCO promises to respect the privacy of its members.
Members, as the owners, can also help to make sure that their company keeps its pledge: “Privacy is paramount. No spam, no pop-ups, no selling information, no emails from people you don't know, no emails to people you don't know, and no tricks. Period.”
Is the referral system itself just another scam: another form of pyramid or Ponzi scheme which depends on more and more people buying into it, with only the first members actually getting paid? This argument is refuted by the fact that the process is reversed: the members are the ones being paid. Since membership is free, members really have nothing to lose, and only something to gain.
I like the overall feel of much of the AGLOCO website. I like the co-operative aspect, with members owning the company. I like the fact that membership really is free and there is no “upselling,” hidden fees, or costly “premium membership” that you discover later.
I like the idea of the vision that is as lofty as the name itself: a global community. “The Internet unites the world across cultures, borders and languages,” says the website. “AGLOCO wants to bridge the divide in global understanding and promote itself as a cross cultural, socially aware and responsible community.”
The “mass collaboration” potential of all those members is a feature that could be further developed. Members could be engaged in creating the community, not only economically but also culturally. Hopefully, this broader vision can be fleshed out as the company grows.
There will also be a provision to donate one’s shares and cash earnings to the charity of one’s choice. As well, an AGLOCO Foundation has been set up “to promote free access to information across the world.”
The major disappointment has been the delay in releasing the AGLOCO Viewbar, leading some to wonder if it is just a “scam.” However, if the Viewbar is released soon, there could then be a flurry of interest. Those who got in early and started signing up others would look like they made a “smart move.”
Suggestion to AGLOCO: change the wording on the website about the Viewbar release. It has stated the Viewbar “will be available to download in several weeks” for months now! AGLOCO could be better at making itself look more like a “smart move” rather than a “scam.”
I myself joined AGLOCO in December of 2006. I haven’t seen anything yet, but it hasn’t cost me anything, either. And, there is all that potential. If you would like to learn more about joining, click on my referral link here.
See you in the global community?
AGLOCO is just a few months old, and is, in fact, just in the pre-launch phase. What is AGLOCO? And, is it viable?
AGLOCO is an acronym for A GLObal COmmunity. The slogan “Own the Internet” is a bit presumptuous, but it does suggest the objective of giving ordinary Internet users the chance to own at least a piece of the riches of the Internet. AGLOCO also uses the more accurate: “Get your share of the Internet.”
AGLOCO was started by a group that includes some of those who were involved in the ill-fated AllAdvantage company in 1999 – 2001. AllAdvantage gained a reputation for its early efforts in “viral marketing,” desktop user tracking, ad targeting, and for pioneering the installation of a Privacy Officer.
In its heyday, AllAdvantage was one of the most visited websites on the Internet, had 10 million members, and paid out over $120 million to its members. Then it crashed.
AGLOCO looks like it is on a much sounder footing than AllAdvantage ever was. Surfing tracking technologies, affiliate programs, and Internet advertising revenues are much more developed than in 2001. Although AGLOCO promises cash payment to its members, the program should be sustainable, as any payments will wait until the money is actually earned.
How will the money be earned? AGLOCO promises its members a share of the billions of dollars currently sloshing through the Internet: for doing searches, clicking on ads, referring others, and buying products.
Members will download a “Viewbar” (currently in development), and install it on the bottom or top of their computer screens. Ads will appear on the Viewbar targeted to the websites the member is visiting. Members will also be able to search and buy through the bar. Members will be rewarded for using the Viewbar, up to a maximum of five hours per month.
Members, however, will not need to change any of their surfing or buying habits. At least initially, individual members will not be paid for their own product buying. Instead, members will be paid a share of the overall AGLOCO revenues.
The company will be structured so that all of the company’s shares are owned by the members. (The management team will be paid 10% of the revenues as its compensation.) The ownership scheme is quite ambitious, as the company is open to people from all over the world. The company currently is “exploring public offerings of the stock on various major global stock exchanges as a means to facilitate the issuance of shares to members.” How these shares will be valued, and traded across many different countries, are among the many details yet to be worked out.
AGLOCO’s structure reminds me of the co-operatives and credit unions that are popular where I live in Western Canada. These co-ops are owned by the members and sell groceries, gasoline, and other products. (Credit unions are similar and provide banking services.) Members join by paying a nominal membership fee, such as $5 or $10 (Canadian).
Although anyone can shop at these co-op stores, each individual members’ purchases are tracked through the year. At the end of the year, members are refunded a portion of their spending, based on the success of the co-op’s overall performance.
Typically, part of the refund is made in cash to the members, and part is allocated to the member’s “share equity.” This latter amount is like a reserve and usually only paid out, for example, when the member moves from the area or reaches the age of 65.
These co-operatives are owned by all the members. The co-op is governed by a Board of Directors, who are elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). One member gets one vote. The Board hires and pays managers and other staff to run the operation.
In a similar way, AGLOCO members will own the company and will receive a distribution of it’s profits: partly in cash, and partly in shares. As mentioned earlier, however, the distribution largely would not be based on the individual member’s purchasing or viewing (other than using the Viewbar). Payments would be based on the success of the company as a whole. (The company also later plans to add some payments based on each member’s individual purchases.)
There are no details yet on the AGLOCO website about the company’s governance, such as the selection of its Board of Directors. Being Internet based, however, there is potential to involve members in selecting and interacting with the Board of Directors much more than in conventional institutions.
An important point of difference with many traditional organizations: membership in AGLOCO is free of charge.
AGLOCO also offers a referral feature, where members can benefit from signing up new members. This aspect builds on the social networking and affiliate marketing characteristics of the Internet. The AGLOCO program will reward members for their referrals, and for their referral’s referrals, up to four levels of extended referrals.
The information on the AGLOCO website may get some members dreaming of overly optimistic revenues for signing up additional members. In the “Member Calculator” section, members are invited to enter a hypothetical scenario. I entered a modest three direct referrals, with each of them getting three referrals, and everyone surfing the Internet for five hours per month. The monthly calculation? 458.75!
But that number is “Hours accumulated towards earnings.” And there is this disclaimer: “For illustrative purposes only. Your actual earnings could vary from this example.” By clicking on the “Global Earnings Table,” one is supposed to “see the current listing for hourly rates, hours and minimum payout limits.” The actual information, however, is basically non-existent.
I think that this part of the AGLOCO website should be suspended until there is more specific information about the payout procedures. The monthly hours / earnings confusion and the disclaimer itself do not fit with the tone of the rest of the website. I think that this part of the website supports those who accuse AGLOCO of being a “scam.”
Some more realistic estimates seem to be in the Simmons research report, linked to AGLOCO’s company blog. The Simmons report figures that an average user - even with no referrals - could expect to receive $150 worth of company shares, plus $5 to $15 cash monthly. Each referral generated would be worth an additional $30 in shares, plus some additional cash distribution, according to Simmons.
The basis of the program seems sound. AllAdvantage paid out for each new member until it went broke. In contrast, AGLOCO’s clout in the Internet marketplace actually increases with each additional new member.
As AGLOCO points out, many activities on the Internet are already based on referral and affiliate payments. “Just about every time you view an ad, click an ad, search, buy something, download something, join a community, or post a story, picture, or video, some person or some company is making a fee, commission, and / or sale from your activity.”
Many successful websites – like YouTube or MySpace – were built by the input of the ordinary community members. As AGLOCO asks, “The users created the community, where’s their share of the profit?” AGLOCO invites everyone to help build a new Internet community, and share in the proceeds.
Two of the criticisms of AGLOCO centre around privacy and sustainability issues. Privacy seems to be dealt with by the company’s commitment, but there is a certain amount of trust needed anywhere. Building on the pioneering work of AllAdvantage, AGLOCO promises to respect the privacy of its members.
Members, as the owners, can also help to make sure that their company keeps its pledge: “Privacy is paramount. No spam, no pop-ups, no selling information, no emails from people you don't know, no emails to people you don't know, and no tricks. Period.”
Is the referral system itself just another scam: another form of pyramid or Ponzi scheme which depends on more and more people buying into it, with only the first members actually getting paid? This argument is refuted by the fact that the process is reversed: the members are the ones being paid. Since membership is free, members really have nothing to lose, and only something to gain.
I like the overall feel of much of the AGLOCO website. I like the co-operative aspect, with members owning the company. I like the fact that membership really is free and there is no “upselling,” hidden fees, or costly “premium membership” that you discover later.
I like the idea of the vision that is as lofty as the name itself: a global community. “The Internet unites the world across cultures, borders and languages,” says the website. “AGLOCO wants to bridge the divide in global understanding and promote itself as a cross cultural, socially aware and responsible community.”
The “mass collaboration” potential of all those members is a feature that could be further developed. Members could be engaged in creating the community, not only economically but also culturally. Hopefully, this broader vision can be fleshed out as the company grows.
There will also be a provision to donate one’s shares and cash earnings to the charity of one’s choice. As well, an AGLOCO Foundation has been set up “to promote free access to information across the world.”
The major disappointment has been the delay in releasing the AGLOCO Viewbar, leading some to wonder if it is just a “scam.” However, if the Viewbar is released soon, there could then be a flurry of interest. Those who got in early and started signing up others would look like they made a “smart move.”
Suggestion to AGLOCO: change the wording on the website about the Viewbar release. It has stated the Viewbar “will be available to download in several weeks” for months now! AGLOCO could be better at making itself look more like a “smart move” rather than a “scam.”
I myself joined AGLOCO in December of 2006. I haven’t seen anything yet, but it hasn’t cost me anything, either. And, there is all that potential. If you would like to learn more about joining, click on my referral link here.
See you in the global community?
Monday, May 21, 2007
Thoughts on Auto Theft
The Manitoba provincial election is tomorrow, and I’m reflecting on two previous columns I wrote about auto theft in our province. Manitoba has the highest rate of auto theft in Canada, even in North America.
Many cars are stolen by youngsters under the age of 18. In a recent column, I noted that, according to news reports, many of these child car thieves, suffer from intellectual disabilities or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - FASD.
During the election campaign, both the NDP and the PC want more police, which is fine. The NDP, during the campaign, has advocated tougher sentencing laws from the federal government. But the NDP hasn’t really addressed the main issue: the federal laws are the same across Canada - why is Manitoba’s auto theft rate so much higher than elsewhere?
Nice to see, however, that the PC platform includes about $5 million in funding for FASD prevention and treatment. That approach would seem to address more of the root causes, rather than simply calling for “tougher” laws.
In a column I wrote a couple of years ago, I looked at the Grand Theft Auto games. I might have thought, as many still do, that these games actually encourage real behaviour like auto theft. And, in fact, the Manitoba government has moved to restrict the sale of these games to kids. I was quite struck, however, by the arguments made by Steven Johnson in his book: Everything Bad is Good for You: How Today’s Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter.
In the United States, Johnson points out, auto theft is down substantially since the first Grand Theft Auto game was released in 1997. Violent crime has dropped dramatically in the last ten years, coinciding with the release of more violent video games. Could it be, asks Johnson, that would-be auto thieves and other criminals are now “getting their thrills on the screen instead of the street?”
Johnson also cites several large-scale studies which have been tracking American kids since the 1970s. They find that today’s youth are not only less violent, but also do better academically.
I think we should take another look at our kids here in Manitoba, the ones affected by FASD, the ones stealing cars. As I said in my column, if it takes a village to raise a child, then something is rotten in the state of our provincial village.
Although suffering from intellectual disabilities, many of these youngsters are quite technically adept. At least at stealing cars, these kids exhibit technical competence that is well beyond that of the average person. Perhaps they should be playing more video games. Perhaps their technical skills could be harnessed for their, and society’s, good.
Such thoughts probably can’t be considered during the heat of an election campaign. But maybe they could be considered in the light of day afterwards.
Many cars are stolen by youngsters under the age of 18. In a recent column, I noted that, according to news reports, many of these child car thieves, suffer from intellectual disabilities or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - FASD.
During the election campaign, both the NDP and the PC want more police, which is fine. The NDP, during the campaign, has advocated tougher sentencing laws from the federal government. But the NDP hasn’t really addressed the main issue: the federal laws are the same across Canada - why is Manitoba’s auto theft rate so much higher than elsewhere?
Nice to see, however, that the PC platform includes about $5 million in funding for FASD prevention and treatment. That approach would seem to address more of the root causes, rather than simply calling for “tougher” laws.
In a column I wrote a couple of years ago, I looked at the Grand Theft Auto games. I might have thought, as many still do, that these games actually encourage real behaviour like auto theft. And, in fact, the Manitoba government has moved to restrict the sale of these games to kids. I was quite struck, however, by the arguments made by Steven Johnson in his book: Everything Bad is Good for You: How Today’s Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter.
In the United States, Johnson points out, auto theft is down substantially since the first Grand Theft Auto game was released in 1997. Violent crime has dropped dramatically in the last ten years, coinciding with the release of more violent video games. Could it be, asks Johnson, that would-be auto thieves and other criminals are now “getting their thrills on the screen instead of the street?”
Johnson also cites several large-scale studies which have been tracking American kids since the 1970s. They find that today’s youth are not only less violent, but also do better academically.
I think we should take another look at our kids here in Manitoba, the ones affected by FASD, the ones stealing cars. As I said in my column, if it takes a village to raise a child, then something is rotten in the state of our provincial village.
Although suffering from intellectual disabilities, many of these youngsters are quite technically adept. At least at stealing cars, these kids exhibit technical competence that is well beyond that of the average person. Perhaps they should be playing more video games. Perhaps their technical skills could be harnessed for their, and society’s, good.
Such thoughts probably can’t be considered during the heat of an election campaign. But maybe they could be considered in the light of day afterwards.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Remember Diana Rattlesnake
Brandon, Manitoba - a city of 40,000 people - has a well-deserved reputation for being a safe, friendly, place. We can go one, two, or even more, years without a single homicide.
However, there were several homicides in Brandon a couple of years ago, and two of the cases made national headlines. One was the Erin Chorney murder. The body of Chorney was found in early 2004; the teen had been first reported missing two years earlier. Her ex-boyfriend, Michael Bridges, was convicted of murdering her after an elaborate police sting operation. (Winnipeg Free Press crime reporter, Mike McIntyre, has written a best-selling book about it: To the Grave: Inside a Spectacular RCMP Sting.)
Another case was the Joubert murders. Respected elderly retired physicians, Noel and Doreen Joubert, were murdered by their son, Paul, in September, 2004. He was arrested after a cross-country chase, and later committed suicide awaiting a court-ordered mental health assessment, before he could be brought to trial.
There was yet another homicide around the same time; one that sometimes doesn’t even make the local news. Diana Rattlesnake was killed in October, 2004. At the time of her death, she was an employee at the recycling facility where I was the General Manager. Her killer has still not been found. The conventional media have an obligation to report accurately about her death, especially since reporting on the event actually could help bring her killer to justice. (And here is where the Internet can help to keep alive the stories that otherwise might fade away. Or not be generally available, for example, the Brandon Sun makes its content available only to its paid subscribers.)
The following is a “Letter to the Editor” from me that was published in the Brandon Sun on February 10, 2007:
Remember Rattlesnake
However, there were several homicides in Brandon a couple of years ago, and two of the cases made national headlines. One was the Erin Chorney murder. The body of Chorney was found in early 2004; the teen had been first reported missing two years earlier. Her ex-boyfriend, Michael Bridges, was convicted of murdering her after an elaborate police sting operation. (Winnipeg Free Press crime reporter, Mike McIntyre, has written a best-selling book about it: To the Grave: Inside a Spectacular RCMP Sting.)
Another case was the Joubert murders. Respected elderly retired physicians, Noel and Doreen Joubert, were murdered by their son, Paul, in September, 2004. He was arrested after a cross-country chase, and later committed suicide awaiting a court-ordered mental health assessment, before he could be brought to trial.
There was yet another homicide around the same time; one that sometimes doesn’t even make the local news. Diana Rattlesnake was killed in October, 2004. At the time of her death, she was an employee at the recycling facility where I was the General Manager. Her killer has still not been found. The conventional media have an obligation to report accurately about her death, especially since reporting on the event actually could help bring her killer to justice. (And here is where the Internet can help to keep alive the stories that otherwise might fade away. Or not be generally available, for example, the Brandon Sun makes its content available only to its paid subscribers.)
The following is a “Letter to the Editor” from me that was published in the Brandon Sun on February 10, 2007:
Remember Rattlesnake
There was someone missing from the front page story about Brandon’s latest homicide in the February 6 Brandon Sun. “Yesterday’s death marks the first homicide investigation in Brandon in more than two years,” the article noted. Then there was a recap of the Joubert and Chorney murders.
But there was another homicide in Brandon during the same period — one that is still not solved.
Diana Rattlesnake was killed on October 28, 2004. An aboriginal woman, she lived and died in modest circumstances. Her death did not bring to Brandon the national publicity of the other cases mentioned. Perhaps such reasons make it possible to overlook her death.
Diana Rattlesnake lived, worked, and died as a member of our community. She should be remembered by the media. She should be remembered by the public as well. Someone might remember something that could bring justice to this case. Furthermore, remembering those who have been killed might help to prevent other homicides in the future.
As someone who knew her, I ask the media and the community to please remember Diana Rattlesnake.
But there was another homicide in Brandon during the same period — one that is still not solved.
Diana Rattlesnake was killed on October 28, 2004. An aboriginal woman, she lived and died in modest circumstances. Her death did not bring to Brandon the national publicity of the other cases mentioned. Perhaps such reasons make it possible to overlook her death.
Diana Rattlesnake lived, worked, and died as a member of our community. She should be remembered by the media. She should be remembered by the public as well. Someone might remember something that could bring justice to this case. Furthermore, remembering those who have been killed might help to prevent other homicides in the future.
As someone who knew her, I ask the media and the community to please remember Diana Rattlesnake.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Welcome
Welcome to my blog, “The Good, The Bad, and The Unsustainable.”
I would like to start off with a bit about myself, and a bit about my plans for this blog.
I grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Since 1979, I have lived with my family in Brandon, Manitoba. My wife Meg and I have been married for 35 years; our three children are now grown up. Much of my work has been with non-profit organizations - in the areas of community education, volunteerism, and environmental action. For 15 years, until that program ended in 2006, I was employed as the General Manager of the non-profit Westman Recycling Council.
I am currently a writer and consultant. A column I write for the Brandon Sun is now called "Citizen Active," but was formerly called “The Good, The Bad, and The Unsustainable.” I like the old name (even though it was deemed too long for the newspaper), and thought it would be a good one for this blog.
For my blog, I plan to post some of my previously published columns, as well as some new thoughts and comments about life, community, and the world.
Thanks for joining me. I am looking forward to this blog journey, and hope you enjoy it, too!
I would like to start off with a bit about myself, and a bit about my plans for this blog.
I grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Since 1979, I have lived with my family in Brandon, Manitoba. My wife Meg and I have been married for 35 years; our three children are now grown up. Much of my work has been with non-profit organizations - in the areas of community education, volunteerism, and environmental action. For 15 years, until that program ended in 2006, I was employed as the General Manager of the non-profit Westman Recycling Council.
I am currently a writer and consultant. A column I write for the Brandon Sun is now called "Citizen Active," but was formerly called “The Good, The Bad, and The Unsustainable.” I like the old name (even though it was deemed too long for the newspaper), and thought it would be a good one for this blog.
For my blog, I plan to post some of my previously published columns, as well as some new thoughts and comments about life, community, and the world.
Thanks for joining me. I am looking forward to this blog journey, and hope you enjoy it, too!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)