ShortFormBlogconsumption Archives

25% the percentage of global oil production that’s consumed by the U.S.
2% the percentage of global oil reserves under the control of the U.S.
1/3rd the reduction in fuel imports Obama wants for the next decade source

» So, how do we get there? The nitty-gritty policy proposals President Obama spoke on seemed hauntingly familiar, with emissions standards, electric car production, (safety reviewed) nuclear power and natural gas all figuring into his pitch. These are all worthwhile possible answers or supplements to reduce foreign fuel imports, but will Congress has the desire, or failing that the collective will, to act on issues they’ve to this point been pretty willing to pass on? Especially with a Republican-led House, whose leadership is demonstrably opposed to emissions standards, it’s a worrisome possibility that this effort, like so many over the last thirty years, will fall by the wayside.

Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

What he said about new tech In his commencement speech at Hampton University yesterday, the president threw out this gem: “With iPods and iPads and Xboxes and PlayStations – none of which I know how to work – information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation.” He also notes that it allows false claims to quickly gain traction.
Why we (mostly) disagree May we note that all those new ways to get information empower us to hear a huge diversity of voices? While we agree that this technology has an addictive element to it, the fact of the matter is, it empowers a diversity of voices that didn’t exist even a decade ago. And plus, Obama’s arguments could easily apply to television or radio, if you think about it. We do agree with the false claims part, though. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

2,300 the number of milligrams of salt dietary guidelines recommend
you eat daily
3,200 the number of milligrams of salt people actually eat daily; see the problem here? source

» Putting it in manufacturers’ hands: The Institute of Medicine released a report about this on Tuesday, which the FDA may use to set limits for how much salt can be in certain foods. The food industry is complaining about this: “It is a very complicated, technical challenge for our food scientists to execute this,” said General Mills vice president Susan Crockett. “What you want to do is reduce the sodium so the taste is good enough and the consumer doesn’t add salt with the shaker.”

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

On the left: The lights were on. On the right: The lights were off in support of “Earth Hour.” Any questions? source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Mar 2011 16:06