9 posts tagged “sustainability”
I am estimating a total of 100 lbs of junkmail this year, when I get finished weighing. 100 lbs is one whole tree, one whole, beautiful tree that will have died for me this year, just to force me to take junkmail I don't want. You would think there would be a way to stop this. I don't want trees to die. It's their ASSUMPTION that I want to know about their products, it's not so. I can look up products on my own, and if I want stimulus or fresh idea, I know where to go. Google! My local paper! Craigslist! Meetup! Yelp! Angies List! Heck, I can go walk around and look at bulletin boards. No, there's no reason I need junkmail. I daresay we would all be willing to pay 60 to 75 cents a letter JUST to avoid junkmail. We can support the Postal Service, there's no reason for these trees to die.
I will keep you posted on how much junkmail it actually is. Right now I'm expecting a total of about 100 lbs, which is estimated to be one whole tree, this year, just for that.
I'm catching up with the junkmail project. I had these pics but hadn't posted them yet.
So far now, this adds up to 66-1/2 lbs. of unavoidable junk mail forced on me this year, without choice.
Currently my bike is my only vehicle, but I kept breaking spokes in the rear wheel due to the stress of carrying stuff besides myself. Apparently the wheel was built for the bare minimum of stress -- hence the bicycle's affordability. Anyway, my bike mechanic suggested I get a new, heavier duty wheel so I ordered one made -- it came today, they installed it, and wow! There's a huge difference in feel, even unloaded. It rolls more smoothly and really does seem more durable. A great investment! So my vehicle "repair" bill was only..... $114 for parts and labor, much better than a car! Here's the pony loaded up with groceries, I have no fear of being stranded now. I'm on my way home...
This is May's pile of unavoidable junkmail. It weighs10 lbs. That makes a total of 43 lbs forced on me so far this year, without choice. I have opted out in every way possible, but this is the volume of dead trees I am still forced to receive.
In Okayama, Japan, there's a new pedal-powered roller coaster.(!?) Here are some pics. It looks like it might be (#1) hard to pedal up the uphill parts, but also (#2) not that safe on the downhill parts! There isn't much of a cage around you, and if you look at picture no. 3, all you get is a little, teeny woven seatbelt -- not a big bar across your lap. It might be worth it to make people put in effort first, in order to get their thrill, but jeez... You might even say it defeats the whole purpose of an amusement park, which is where people get to be mindless and wasteful for fun.
A very cool community resource, worth a pilgrimmage. (note: video below looks like it has an error but it doesn't)
I like this guy, he talks about having several "crackpot businesses", but he's very forward thinking and inventive. Very right on.
I must say, this little bike looks amazing. A guy in New York City has two (watch the video), hangs them in his closet and still has room for coats. It looks well-designed and sturdy. Check it out! A guy in Corona del Mar is selling them on eBay also, in either white or black.... Fun stuff for the future.
Such inventiveness, really. There is so much creativity around bikes!
