Bright Future

Introduction to Bright Future

Bright Future Founder — 2006-08-10T07:00:00+00:00

Welcome to Bright Future!

The Bright Future project was inspired by the understanding that decisions and actions taken by society today will very much determine the quality of life we all will experience 10 � 20 years from now. With the power of our technologies, resources, energy and creativity we have become the stewards of our own future and will leave a legacy for many generations to come. The questions are: What kind of life do we wish to experience 10 - 20 years from now; and what kind of a legacy would we be proud to leave for our children and grandchildren?

We have observed how little attention the media pays to long-term problems and challenges. When the media does focus on issues like global warming, our energy supply, or terrorism most of the coverage is on the problems and threats, and very little (if any) attention is paid to how we might solve our problems and confront our challenges. The result of this is the general public feeling overwhelmed by these issues and leaves them (us) feeling hopeless and powerless to do anything about these challenges.

Fortunately, there are people and organizations making progress on these challenges in real-world situations all over the world. These forward thinking individuals and groups are proving that we do not need to resign ourselves to a diminishing quality of life. In many cases they are showing how we can actually improve the quality of life on planet earth while we address our most challenging issues.

The Bright Future mission is to identify and illuminate these existing real-world solutions that have gone beyond theory and are at this very moment demonstrating that they are viable. Each solution is published in article form on our website creating a treasury of solutions available to the general public. Our radio shows and podcasts put this information into a portable form that is easy and enjoyable to listen to. Our intention with this project is to inspire hope and optimism in motivated groups and individuals to create positive change in how we approach and solve major challenges facing humanity in the next 10-20 years.

Bright Future Values:

Solutions over Problems

Truth over Righteousness

Issues over Politics

Substance over Appearances

Clarity over Details

We appreciate your interest and participation in creating a brighter future for all!

Randy Bisenz

Bright Future Founder

Blog Prologue

Bright Future Founder — 2007-08-03T07:00:00+00:00

Welcome pioneering publishers and visitors!

You have been invited to participate in the pre-launch development of the Bright Future Website. We are looking forward to your feedback! The site will be made available to the general public only after we have received and implemented your feedback, and once the first 40 articles are posted.

To pioneering visitors: Please look around the site and let us know what is working well for you, and which functions and/or text you think can be improved. In particular we would like your feedback on how we have structured the categories that organize the written content on the site, and how we have defined and described the Bright Future project on the home page and on the "About Us" page.

To pioneering publishers: Please let us know how "user friendly" the publishing functions are and what suggestions you might have. Before you publish your work please read the publishing guidelines listed on the publishing page.

Our goal was to make the website as clear and easy to use and understand as possible. Any suggestions you might have to improve the website will be appreciated. Please send your comments to: feedback@brightfuture.us

Please also read the Introductory Blog Entry below. It may answer many of your questions.

Thank you very much for your participation!

Randy Bisenz,

Bright Future Founder

A Crappy Solution

www.speechwriter.web.officelive.com — 2008-02-19T03:22:21+00:00

Imagine a world where every time you flush the toilet the lights in your house turn on. Well you’d better stock up on laxatives because with biomass, imaginary is becoming reality. The burning of municipal waste along with other organic items is becoming increasingly beneficial for both the environment and Oregon’s economy. Biomass is found in two main forms, biofuels and municipal solid waste (MSW).

The public commonly knows biofuels in the form of biodiesel, bioethanol and biogas. These cleaner burning fuels contribute less pollution compared to fossil fuels, boasting other favorable impacts on Oregon’s atmosphere, lowering almost all harmful emissions and toxic pollutants. Even with the benefits of biofuels, this form of renewable energy has not become widespread enough to support Oregon’s growing industries. Municipal solid waste (MSW), as we mentioned earlier, can be burned to create electricity using heat and steam to turbines. When brought to full efficiency the burning of MSW can total around 200 times more energy, Oregon uses in a year. This reduces side effects from waste treatment and landfills that harm ecosystems. However the process creates a toxic ash containing many harmful metals. Precautions can be taken to solve this problem, causing much of the ash to be safe in the use in the building of roads, cement blocks, and artificial reefs for wildlife.

Biomass is a resource that we already have at our fingertips. What people need to know is all it takes is a little effort to utilize its power for our needs. Your imaginary renewable resource world is soon to be a reality. As long as there’s garbage there’s biomass.

Simple Fuel Efficiency

Randy Bisenz — 2008-04-15T02:50:46+00:00

As gas prices have skyrocketed more and more of us are looking for ways to minimize our fuel usage. Almost everyone I know has cut down on their driving to one extent or another, but still we cringe when we have to fill it up a couple to times to make it to that wedding or graduation that we can not miss. Since most of you are not in a position to scurry down to your local car dealership and buy the latest super hybrid fuel miser I thought you might appreciate some less expensive options to increasing how much value you are getting for your fuel dollar.

Superior maintenance maximizes fuel efficiency
It is amazing to hear someone complaining about gas prices and then balks at spending the money to give their car a tune-up. When ignition components become worn mileage drops significantly. A clogged air filter or PCV valve can destroy good fuel efficiency.

Most of these items are fairly easy to service yourself. Replace your air filter and PCV valve frequently. Make sure the spark plugs and wires are in good condition. If your engine has a distributor make sure that the rotor and cap are in free of corrosion or wear.
A vehicle in good tune may get 25-40% better mileage than one that is in need of maintenance.

Alternative TV Covers Anti-War Movements

Bright Future Staff — 2008-05-09T08:00:00+00:00

Problem: Mainstream news organizations tend to avoid covering controversial stories; particularly those that might upset government officials and their supporters.

Solution: Grass roots television networks have emerged that use public access and alternative media distribution services to cover these kinds of controversial stories.

The following article describes how alternative news organizations have used technology, innovative networking techniques, and mandated public access requirements to offer coverage on subjects that do not receive much airtime on commercial television. The article also explains how these networks evolved in response to the lack of coverage on US military action overseas since 9/11 and various peace movements that have opposed this action..

Cost-Effective Solar Energy Technology

Bright Future Staff — 2008-05-17T08:00:00+00:00

Problem: Solar energy technology offers a clean renewable alternative to conventional energy production. The main barrier to implementation of solar technology in electrical power production is the cost and availability of the materials used.

Solution: Concentrator Photovoltaic systems concentrate the sun�s energy onto a relatively small surface limiting the amount of expensive materials required to build these systems.

Concentrator PV systems are not new. There is a Concentrator PV power plant that has been operating in the Mojave Desert for over 25 years. This older design takes up a tremendous amount of space and is not practical for most applications. The following article describes a new design that is much more efficient and can be used in a relatively small amount of space.

Live Birds of Prey Excite Student's Interest in Environment

Bright Future Staff — 2008-06-01T08:00:00+00:00

Problem: Teaching children about environmental issues in the classroom tends to be too abstract to provide the kind of deep understanding necessary for retention of key ideas.

Solution: Bringing live animals to the classroom provides an experiential learning experience that is exciting to kids and stimulates their interest while increasing retention. The Road Raptors program not only brings student in direct contact with wildlife, but also has a �walk our talk� comprehensiveness that shows kids the people putting on the program truly live and believe in its� principles.

The following was reprinted from the website maintained by Audubon New York

ROAD RAPTORS PRESENTS A NEW 'SPIN' ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CONGRESSWOMAN MCCARTHY, KEYSPAN FOUNDATION ANDAUDUBON NEW YORK UNVEIL NEW ADDITON TO SUCESSFUL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGAM

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK � Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy and representatives from the KeySpan Foundation, Audubon New York and the Uniondale School District unveiled a new set of wheels and a new name for the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center's popular and successful raptor education program. Newly dubbed Road Raptors, the program, a fixture in many Long Island schools, has delivered a bird's eye view of nature to students and families all across Long Island and the boroughs for over a decade. To help support expansion of the program, the KeySpan Foundation is providing Audubon with a specially customized, environmentally friendly dual fuel "Raptor Mobile", and $30,000 in funding. The van was rolled out at Walnut Street Elementary School, kicking off a year-long partnership with the Uniondale School District.

Wind Power Coming Online

Bright Future Staff — 2008-06-02T08:00:00+00:00

Modern life is powered by electricity. We are reminded of this fact each time we experience a power failure. Nearly all our activities and comforts depend either directly or indirectly on the availability of electricity. Last year in the wake of a particularly intense hurricane season some residents in Southern Florida experienced an especially unpleasant reminder of just how dependent we have become on electricity. It seems that many of these communities are situated below sea level and their sewage treatment plants are located on higher ground. Large electric pumps are used to pump wastewater up to the treatment plants. As power failures lingered the back up systems began to fail. Soon resident were waking up to toilets overflowing and filling their homes with raw sewage.

Ideological Campaigns Counter Terrorism

Bright Future Staff — 2008-06-02T08:00:00+00:00

Problem: Radical Islamic movements are continuing to declare war against the Western world. The result of this is an ongoing recruitment of potential terrorists and plans to execute terrorist attacks. Conventional combat and surveillance approaches to prevent these attacks are not sufficient to stop attacks from happening and tend to bolster ideological support for the growth of radical Islamic movements determined to attack Western targets.

Solution: The best way to prevent terrorism is at the ideological level. Radical Islamic movements depend on the perception on the part of certain Muslim communities that the Western world is an evil empire intent on destroying Islamic values. Radical Islamic clerics and terrorist operatives perpetuate this myth and preach that Westerners will destroy Islam unless Islam destroys �the infidels� first. Consistent presentation to these Muslim communities that the Western world not only accepts Islam, but also supports the right of its� followers to live the values of the Islamic religion counters the destructive ideology perpetuated by the radical element within Islam. One key to this program is to point out that these radical Islamic campaigns not only threaten Westerners, but also threaten Muslim communities as well. To be fully successful such a program must be backed up with actions consistent with that message.

The article that follows points out that an ideological approach was a key solution to ending the �Cold War� between the Western world and the former Soviet Union.

Healing with Sports Challenges

Bright Future Staff — 2008-06-20T08:00:00+00:00

Problem: Recovering from battlefield wounds is a long and arduous struggle for many GI�s injured in the line of duty.

Solution: Holistic treatment of the mind, body and spirit of wounded soldigers speeds recovery. Having the recovering soldier involved with outdoor sports boosts spirits and recovery rates.

Healing War's Wounds
By Karen Breslau

The Pentagon is testing a new approach to mending the growing number of severely injured soldiers: extreme sports. A ride on the rugged road to recovery.

"Hey, have any of y'all seen the crocodile that got my arm?" U.S. Army Maj. Anthony Smith hoists his prosthetic hook, tied to a paddle, as he floats down Idaho's Salmon River in a large blue raft, manned by a cackling crew of fellow amputees. Momentarily rattled, a group of rafters resting onshore stare as Smith's boat glides by, before someone on the beach points down the rapids and yells, "He went that-a-way." Smith, digging his paddle back into the water, growls with mock pirate glee. "You should see what happens when I'm in a restaurant and I say to the waitress 'Can you give me a hand?'"

Vegetables Clean Up Pollution From Waterways

Bright Future Staff — 2008-06-24T08:00:00+00:00

Problem: Waterways and public drinking sources can contain deposits of heavy metals that can cause serious health problems. These contaminants are very difficult to remove using conventional methods.

Solution: Certain plants that thrive in watery environments can absorb these pollutants as they grow.

The following article was reprinted from Asian Age:

By Syed Akbar

Pineapple, sunflower and amaranthus, the popular leafy vegetable of the Indian kitchen, can suck up pollution from the soil, water and air, researchers at the University of Hyderabad have reported.

These plants accumulate the pollutants in their roots, stems and leaves and leave the substratum clean.

Convenience Improves Voter Turnout

Bright Future Staff — 2008-06-24T08:00:00+00:00

Problem: Low voter turnout in elections is a challenge to maintaining a healthy democracy.

Solution: In the UK some districts have switched to all-postal ballots. Voter turnout is substantially increased.

This article was reprinted from a website maintained by the BBC.

New voting methods 'increase turnout'

All-postal ballots appear to have increased turnout for this year's local elections - even before polls close on Thursday.

Early indications suggest that many local authorities in the 32 pilot areas have received more votes already than at the final count in the most recent comparable elections.

In 17 other local authorities, up to 1.9m voters have been given the chance to cast their vote electronically - in the biggest voting experiment to date - by text message, internet, electronic kiosk, and for the first time, digital TV.

The Electoral Commission - the independent body responsible for promoting participation in elections - says so far the figures show that convenience enhances the voting process.

Cleaner Burning Coal Technologies

Bright Future Staff — 2008-06-25T08:00:00+00:00

Problem: Coal burning power plants produce much of the electricity used in the world today. The burning of coal releases a variety of pollutants into the air.

Solution: Modern advances in coal processing, new innovations in how coal is used and improvements in the efficiency of coal burning power plants greatly reduce how much coal is used to produce a watt of electricity and how many emissions are produced from the burning of that coal.

The following article was reprinted from the National Energy Technology Laboratory�s website. NETL is a division of the US Department of Energy.

Coal Becomes a Future Fuel

Rising high above a reclaimed phosphate strip mine in southern Florida is a preview of coal's future. Within the gleaming steel towers of Tampa Electric Co.'s Polk Power Station, near Lakeland, Florida, are the latest � and to date, one of the most technologically advanced � of a series of innovations that make the plant one of the cleanest and most efficient coal plants operating anywhere in the world.

Many of these innovations can trace their engineering roots back a quarter century or more. In fact, for much of coal's modern history, technological progress has been defined by efforts to reduce pollutants released when coal is burned.

Credibility and Solid Record Keeping Expose Propaganda

Bright Future Staff — 2008-06-26T08:00:00+00:00

Problem: Often government officials give misleading information to the press to create public impressions favorable to their positions and activities. The public is then deprived of the truth.

Solution: Credible experts who have meticulously documented the facts of various government media falsehoods make it difficult for PR specialists to mislead the public.

The following article was reprinted from the Global Research website:

Downing Street Memo is but the Tip of the Iceberg

by Gar Smith

This Article first published in November 2003 sheds light on the web of disinformation emanating from the White house and the Pentagon. The controversial Downing Street Memo was just one piece of evidence in a web of deceit, which points to the criminalization of the upper echelons of the State, not to mention the media which fed the lies on WMD and Islamic terrorists into the news chain.

See our compendium of sixty related articles at Fabricating Intelligence as a Justification for War, Selected articles and essays, Michel Chossudovsky , Editor, Global Research E-Monograph and Reports Series, No. 4, May 2005.

The Power of Pet Poop

Bright Future Staff — 2008-06-27T08:00:00+00:00

Problem: Most pet owners place their pets waste into the trash. When this waste is deposited into landfills it can later seep into and contaminate municipal water supplies.

Solution: Methane digesters can recycle pet waste into methane gas which can be used as a fuel for producing energy.

According to Will Brinton, an environmental scientist and director of Woods End Laboratories in Maine, dogs and cats in the US produce over 10 million tons of organic waste each year. Most of that waste ends up in public landfills. In Oakland, CA they had to close local beaches when too much pet waste ended up in the local creeks that flowed into the San Francisco Bay. The problem was significant enough to motivate several Bay Area cities to look into ways to recycle this waste.

It is estimated that one ton of dog and cat poop might produce up to 50 gallons of fuel.

Freedom From Fossil Fuels for Vehicles

Bright Future Staff — 2008-07-01T08:00:00+00:00

Modern society depends on mobility to sustain modern lifestyles. Personal transportation facilitates individual freedom and transportation services distribute goods and services all over the world. Without this mobility the modern lifestyle we have all quietly become accustomed to would simply not exist. Most of this mobility has been provided by the efficiency and reliability of the internal combustion engine which powers the vast majority of our vehicles. Each day it becomes more clear that, if we wish to perpetuate a high quality of life on planet earth, we are going to need an alternative to the internal combustion engine.

Internal combustion engines require fuel to burn in order to produce power. This process has two serious drawbacks; 1. Most of the fuels that work well in internal combustion engines are becoming more expensive and the increasing demand for these fuels will eventually outpace supply, and 2. Combustion produces heat, greenhouse gases and other pollutants.

Local Action on Global Warming

Bright Future Staff — 2008-07-01T08:00:00+00:00

Over the past century scientists have been tracking average world temperatures to determine if the planet is getting warmer or cooler over time. These observations have also included data about climate volatility. The most important goal of this research is to determine if human activities are having an effect on the stability and temperature of our climate. By the early 90�s most of the evidence indicated that the emissions produced by modern manufacturing, transportation and energy production have begun to alter the earth�s climate by increasing the average global temperature and increasing the volatility of our weather. This evidence was compelling enough to motivate scientists from all over the world to meet to discuss what each nation can do to slow or reverse this trend.

Improving Circulation with Natural Herbs

Bright Future Staff — 2008-07-01T08:00:00+00:00

Problem: coronary artery diseases kill millions every year. Conventional medicinal treatments for these diseases often produce unpleasant and dangerous side effects.

Solution: Padma 28 is a Tibetan herbal formula that is free of side effects and is at least or more effective at improving circulation than any of the drugs available to treat coronary artery disease.

The following article was written by a knowledgeable medical student. Interested readers will find considerable material on the web about the use of the Padma 28 formula for a host of circulatory disorders. This natural formula has gone through rigorous scientific testing where it has been compared to a variety of drug products with similar indications. In every case Padma 28 was at least as effective as the drugs it was tested against and had fewer side effects. This product is also available under the trade name Adaptrin.

Lessons From Ireland on Economic Growth

Bright Future Staff — 2008-07-02T08:00:00+00:00

Lessons from Ireland on Economic Growth

For most of the past 300 years or so Ireland has had the dubious distinction of being a country more known for the hardships suffered by its inhabitants than for its beautiful countryside. While people in other parts of the United Kingdom and in Europe enjoyed a relatively high standard of living Ireland lagged far behind. Up until the early 1970�s the average income in Ireland was approximately one half of that of the rest of the UK. Over the next 35 years that status would change dramatically.

Today Ireland is rated one of the best countries in the world in which to live. Ireland boasts the fourth highest gross domestic product per person and very low unemployment. University tuition is free and there are a high percentage of skilled positions available.

How did Ireland accomplish such a dramatic turnaround?

Grassroots Movements Can Protect Civil Liberties

Bright Future Staff — 2008-07-03T08:00:00+00:00

The collapse of the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001 sent a wave of fear and anxiety across the United States that rippled around the world � exactly the result the terrorists were hoping for. Most people do not do their best thinking when they are terrorized and tend to overreact to whatever scared them. The planners of the attacks are well aware of this phenomenon and this was part of their plan. If they could prod the US and other large developed nations to overreact and create a disruption to their culture, then they have been able to multiply their results and further serve their goal of disrupting the functioning of the target countries. In effect by creating such a far reaching result they proved that they are powerful enough to be reckoned with � exactly the status they were hoping for.

Breaking Up Media Companies

Bright Future Staff — 2008-07-07T08:00:00+00:00

Problem: Over the past 30 years Congress has been relaxing the laws that govern media companies that had been designed to ensure that they honored their responsibility to serve the public good. One of these laws was the Fairness Doctrine which required media outlets that allowed political commentary to offer equal time to parties with opposing points of view. This prevented access to the media being limited to those with large amounts of funding behind them. These restrictions were enacted in recognition that media companies utilize public resources such as the public airwaves and therefore have a responsibility to serve the public fairly and equally. The Fairness Doctrine has been eliminated and now the only parties that are able to afford media access are those backed by large amounts of money. The average Congressperson has to raise about $2,000 a day the entire time they are in office to be able to purchase enough media time to have a chance of reelection.

Election Good for the Environment

Bright Future Staff — 2008-07-07T08:00:00+00:00

Dear Sierra Club Supporter:

Looking at yesterday's election results, I can say unequivocally that the environment won a resounding victory -- a victory that thousands of Sierra Club staff, volunteers, and supporters worked hard to achieve.

America's voters made it clear that they want change and new leadership that will move our nation in a dramatically different direction. A big part of that demand for change is about enacting smart energy solutions that will decrease our dependence on oil, clean up our environment, curb global warming, and create jobs.

And candidates at all levels heard the people. Never before have so many candidates -- of both parties -- run on energy issues or shown such commitment to the development of new energy sources, policies, and practices.

Bottom line: Voters yesterday elected new local, state, and national leaders who are ready to take us forward.

Fighting Terrorism With Education

Bright Future Staff — 2008-07-09T08:00:00+00:00

Problem: In many undeveloped Muslim countries education is not widely available to all citizens. Many of the boys and young men in these countries get their education in small religious schools called madrasas that teach a strict fundamentalist interpretation of Islamic law to their students. Militant Islamic extremists use these schools as a vehicle for recruiting potential terrorists.

Solution: The citizens in these countries have shown that they are open to new schools being built with funding and assistance provided by western nations. These schools encourage women to participate and teach a well rounded curriculum free of fundamentalist teachings. The resulting improvement in literacy and understanding of the outside world creates a more moderate point of view, and reduces poverty and overpopulation.

A Recycling Sucess Story

Bright Future Staff — 2008-07-10T08:00:00+00:00

Problem: The perception in many communities it that recycling does not produce measurable results. Every year millions of tons of potentially valuable materials are deposited into landfills. Much of that waste is organic material that can break down and seep into public water supplies. Some of these organic materials release pathogens that can degrade water quality.

Solution: Community commitment to recycling programs produces excellent results over time when goals are set. Communities that dedicate innovation and resources to recycling programs are able to successfully recycle the majority of their waste. The recycling of organic materials reduces the possibility of organic pathogens being deposited into municipal water supplies.

In 1960 over 88 million tons of solid waste was generated in the US. By 2000 this number had increased to 223 million tons.

Restoring Democracy

Bright Future Staff — 2008-07-11T08:00:00+00:00

For most of the past 230 years the United States of American has enjoyed the status of being the World�s preeminent democracy. Prominently featured in the US Declaration of Independence are the words: �Of the People, By the People, and For the People�. These words were drafted by people who were fed up with the tyranny of a ruling elite that imposed their will and values on average citizens while taxing them without representation. A look at how government officials are now elected in the US and how new legislation is created begs the question: �Is the US still a democracy?�

Solving Population Growth the Easy Way

Randy Bisenz — 2008-07-11T08:00:00+00:00

Problem: As the total human population of the earth increases it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain a sustainable society.

Solution: As the average level of education increases birth rates decline.

There is a consistent relationship between the level of education attained by women in a society and their birth rates per capita. Reviewing the statistics below suggests that increasing education programs in underdeveloped countries with high birth rates would have the effect of putting more women into the workforce and falling birth rates � changes that would not only reduce the strain on local resources, but also may help to build the local economy.

Stress Busting With Popular Relaxation Methods

Paul Hata — 2008-08-01T16:58:27+00:00

Too much stress brings about ischemia that can lead to or cause a heart attack. Relaxation takes on added importance in light of this matter. Relaxation can help you recharge anytime of the day. Here are some of the popular relaxation techniques used around the world..

Simple Solution to Squash Global Warming

Ryan Rodgers — 2008-08-07T17:02:50+00:00

Global Warming is on everyone's mind these days and people are trying to come up with new technology and complex solutions to the problem. KISS- Keep It Simple Stupid, or go back to basics. Planting a simple tree, a natural carbon buffer, may be the best and easiest way to win the fight.

COHOUSING, HOUSING COOPERATIVES, AND INTENTIONAL COMMUNITIES

Dave Pollard — 2008-08-08T16:06:57+00:00

Perhaps because of the ponderous nature of the term "Intentional Community", many such communities are called cohousing neighbourhoods. Other terms like ecovillages, communes and housing cooperatives are also used. Since even wikipedia mis-defines some of them, it may be worthwhile defining what we mean by all these terms.

The How to Save the World Reading List

Dave Pollard — 2008-08-28T15:53:04+00:00

An updated bibliography of the 50 most important books and articles on the causes and solutions to our environmental crisis (July 2004) .

Toyota to Accelerate Development of HEVs, PHEVs and EVs; Downgrades Sales Target for FY2009

Green Car Congress — 2008-09-03T19:25:24+00:00

Outlining Toyota’s response to rapidly changing global market conditions, growing environmental issues and increasing material costs, President Katsuaki Watanabe said that the company was accelerating its development of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all electric vehicles. Watanabe said that Toyota would advance its delivery of plug-ins for fleet deployment to 2009 from 2010, and was planning series production of a next-generation electric vehicle in the early 2010s.

Watanabe characterized the rapid change is the US market toward more fuel-efficient vehicles as structural. Click to enlarge.

Our Earth Our Donkey - Stewardship and Environment

Randy Bisenz — 2008-09-18T08:00:00+00:00

Our Earth, Our Donkey

Our health very much depends on how well we take care of our body. Poor health limits what we can do. In a sense, how much freedom we have depends on the condition of our body. Our lives depend on the heath of our bodies – when our body is done we’re done.

If you were a miner in the gold rush era your life would depend on the health of your donkey. These miners frequently worked in isolated places alone with nothing but their donkey to carry what they needed to live and work. These miners learned quickly that taking good care of their donkey was necessary for survival.

It is very helpful to think about our body as an innocent animal that is depending on us to take care of it and in return is willing to take us any place we wish to go – if it can.
Thinking about our body this way helps us to treat it compassionately, respectfully, and to make sure it’s needs are meet. When we treat our body extremely well we are much more likely to function and feel better, and live much longer than people who abuse their body.

Similarly, the Earth is the “donkey” that humanity uses to sustain human life. In this analogy the Sun is the energy source that the Earth “feeds upon”. .

eGRID Calculates Emissions

a price — 2008-10-18T18:46:04+00:00

With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can find information on air emissions from power plants. EPA has issued a new edition of its Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) and updated Power Profiler to help you better understand the environmental impacts of electricity use. With today's updates, eGRID and Power Profiler now contain 2005 emissions data.

Getting Things Done

Randy Bisenz — 2008-11-15T09:00:00+00:00

The other day I read an article from the cover of Time Magazine that told the story of a Afghan warlord who was working with the FBI to try to find information about the location of Osama Bin Laden and Mohammed Omar – oh yeah, those guys. The FBI invited this man; his name is Haji Bashar Noorzai, to New York for a meeting. After putting him up in a posh hotel and pumping him for information for a few days the FBI proceeded to arrest him for drug trafficking and put him in prison. In one fell swoop the FBI traded the value of actually having an inside informant in the “war on terror” for one more drug trafficking arrest that will have no discernable effect on the import of heroin into the US .

I was furious. I bet you were too. It is really a drag to find out that our government is busy shooting itself in the foot when we are depending on them – and doing it on our dime. Don’t you find it offensive when someone else wastes your money? Of course you do. How about another example?

Protect Our Man � Guarding the leader of the free world

Randy Bisenz — 2008-11-21T20:12:09+00:00

After 8 years of decline and poor management the United States of America finally decided to bring in new talent for the nation’s highest post. This change in leadership comes at a critical time in world history. Never before has our society faced so many challenges at once, and never before has the events in one part of the world effected so much of the rest of the world.

Barrack Obama walks into this situation attempting to turn things around without the considerable advantages enjoyed by most of his predecessors.

The nation’s reputation is badly tarnished and relationships with key allies are strained. In the past the President could rely on the country’s vast wealth – Obama inherits a badly shaken economy that is flirting with collapse and bankruptcy. In the past, the President could rest easy in the knowledge that he was Commander in Chief of the most powerful military in the world – Obama inherits a military that is spread out all over the globe fighting multiple wars that are straining and draining its’ resources. And now the nation that has been the most successful at exploiting energy to produce wealth and abundance is completely dependent on energy sources that are in decline and possessed by hostile nations.

Obama has just accepted what might be the most difficult task ever faced by a leader in the history of the world – the least we can do is make sure that he and his family are safe and protected. .

Please Offend Me

Randy Bisenz — 2008-11-28T09:00:00+00:00

I am wondering if you have noticed the trend towards censorship that is gathering steam with each passing day? For some reason individuals and businesses in our society are becoming less and less tolerant of things that might offend them, and are passing laws and pressuring the media to eliminate words, ideas and behaviors. Most of us are too busy to track these trends; and as a result may not realize how rapidly this is happening.

Here is a sample of articles published in the last week reporting on this trend: More and more college newspapers are being edited for content by university officials and students are being censored for publishing their views on the Internet. An astonishing number of cities and counties have passed laws making it a crime to wear low-riding baggy pants. Property managers are banning tenants with piercings or tattoos. Women are being singled out and escorted off airplanes if the crew thinks that someone might be offended by her outfit. Congress dropped all the important legislation they were working on to ram through resolutions condemning an ad sharply critical of the Administration’s report on the war. Remember, this is just a sampling of trends reported in the past week.

No Honeymoon - Calling the President-Elect into action

Randy Bisenz — 2008-12-03T09:00:00+00:00

The words “The Great Depression” strike terror in the hearts of consumers and investors alike – and with good reason. The economic depression that tormented the world during the early part of the 20th Century destroyed millions of lives and created enormous hardship.

Financial historians have carefully studied the events leading up to this collapse. While here is great debate about the contribution of the various economic factors involved, most agree that the fundamental cause was the public’s sudden loss of confidence in the economic future.

This sudden drop in confidence was greatly exacerbated by the lack of appropriate decisive action on the part of the government. In the US where most of this started “Black Tuesday” occurred during a Presidential election. Outgoing President Calvin Coolidge was very passive in his response and incoming President-Elect Herbert Hoover, adopted a “hands off” approach until he was officially sworn into office, as is custom. Looking at the present situation this feels eerily familiar. .

The Elephant in the Room � Overpopulation, Resource Depletion, Pollution

Randy Bisenz — 2008-12-24T09:00:00+00:00

The other day I was talking to some friends about why the media never mentions overpopulation. If you think about it for a while this seems somewhat bizarre.

Nearly every day most of the major news services produce an article or show on global warming or the energy crisis. Almost as frequently stories about food or other resource shortages, and stories on pollution are published, recorded and delivered to the general public. It is not difficult to see the relationship between these issues and the rate at which the world population is growing; yet I challenge you to find a single serious article on population control featured in the mainstream media channels. (Check out one serious article published in The Economist ).

Why is there such a taboo about talking about the one issue that created all the others? .

The 2024 Plan

Bright Future Staff — 2009-01-01T09:00:00+00:00

Under Construction

We are currently activating the links on this page - you may need to scroll manually to each section until this is completed. Thank you for your patience!

The 2024 Plan

Make our society sustainable within the next 15 years while strengthening our economy, assuring our freedoms and privacy, and increasing our sense of security.

Introduction:
Each element in this plan has a very practical purpose in being there – read all the way through before evaluating the plan on the basis of any one element. Have suggestions, questions or comments? We are ready to listen!

BF Blog - Constitutional Hypocrisy

Randy Bisenz — 2009-02-20T09:00:00+00:00

Recently our Congressional representatives voted to roll back our constitutional rights and liberties for political reasons - to look tough on terrorism. The bill known as the “Protect America Act of 2007” goes far beyond the spying provisions of the so-called “Patriot Act”. In essence the act condones the illegal surveillance activities that the Administration had admitted they had been conducting.

In the past this would have been unthinkable in “the land of the free and the home of the brave”. It is surreal to hear politicians claiming that it is “Patriotic” to sacrifice our freedom for the appearance of security. What Cowards! Remember well the words of America ’s most famous Patriot, Patrick Henry who said, “Give me liberty or give me death”.

We Can Have a Brighter Future

Randy Bisenz — 2009-02-27T09:00:00+00:00

You are deciding what your life is going to be like tomorrow and you don’t even know it.

Each day you, along with the other 6.5 Billion (and counting) people on this planet, are taking actions (or not taking actions) and making decisions (or, not making decisions) that will affect what all of our lives are going to be like in the not too distant future.

For example, at this very moment the fishing industry is taking more fish out of the sea than can be replaced by nature. If you doubt that we have a problem with fishing just look at the prices you are now paying at the supermarket, or read the reports coming from marine biologists and fishing industry trade associations.

About the 2024 Plan

Randy Bisenz — 2009-03-27T08:00:00+00:00

The changes necessary for our society to survive the next 50 years require major realignment of our economy and a massive redirection of our resources and technologies. This is the greatest task ever faced by humanity in history and will take considerable time and coordinated effort to succeed. The actions taken in the next few years will determine if we will have enough momentum to avoid a collapse and build a sustainable future or not. We need to get moving now and commit for the long-term to pull it off. .

The Deal of the Century - Part 1

Randy Bisenz — 2009-05-08T08:00:00+00:00

Living in the 21^st Century is like living in another world. Up until now the Earth’s resources seemed to be endless and had an unlimited capacity to absorb our waste and byproducts. We are now consuming many resources faster than they can be replenished. Many of the waste and byproducts we flush down the drain are turning back up in the food supply and disrupting ecosystems. It’s a brave new world where concepts like sustainability and renewable energy are topics for dinner conversation.

In last week’s news was the story of how Rupert Murdock, chairman of the largest media company in the world, has begun a campaign to reduce his company’s carbon emissions. For decades Murdoch’s Fox News channel has done everything it could to debunk things like climate change and now he has clearly found himself in the new world and is not about to left behind. Murdock is not the only high profile business leader who is embracing the future. Every day there is another story in the news about another company or organization that is committing itself to recycling, renewable energy, or efficiency.

Clearly the world is moving on. The big question now is who will lead and who will be left in the dust?

The Deal of the Century � Part 2

Randy Bisenz — 2009-05-15T08:00:00+00:00

Who Will Become the "Lord of Energy?"

Energy is the engine that drives our economy. When energy prices are low transportation costs are lower. Since nearly all goods and services require transportation the cost of all goods and services are effected by rising or falling energy prices. All of the other critical components of the global economy are also effected. Modern businesses require automation, telecommunications, computer technology and other energy consuming devices to function effectively in the global marketplace. Even raw materials cost more when energy cost rise since all raw materials must be transported from where they are found to where they are used.

Energy is also the engine that drives our quality of life. Almost all of our modern conveniences and comforts are dependent on cheap and abundant energy. Imagine for just a moment what your daily life might be like if you did not have access to electricity or fuel. For most of us even having our energy costs double would put a pretty big crimp on our lifestyles.

The Deal of the Century - Part 3

Randy Bisenz — 2009-05-22T08:00:00+00:00

Today in part 3 in our series about the challenges and opportunities we face going into the 21^st Century we will continue asking the question, Who Will Become the Lord of Energy?

It is becoming clearer and clearer that we will be much better off if we can produce most of our energy without consuming fossil fuels. This presents a huge opportunity for those societies that lead the way in this field. Last week we took a look at increasing our energy efficiency and using wind power to supply some of our electricity. This week we will take a look at solar and geothermal energy.

Who Will Become the Steward of the Sun? Far and away the most abundant energy source available to our planet is our sun. All fossil fuels start out as sunlight. When we have learned how to efficiently convert sunlight directly into usable energy we will have eliminated our dependence on fossil fuels for energy. This is important because we depend on fossil fuels to grow food and produce most of the industrial and consumer products we use. Every gallon we burn for energy is a gallon that is not available to supply our modern lifestyles with the goods and services we have come to depend on.

The Deal of the Century - Part 4

Randy Bisenz — 2009-05-29T08:00:00+00:00

Today we will finish up the part of our series that has to do with our growing need for new sources of energy. All of the energy technologies we have explored thus far have the potential to produce energy without consuming resources and without producing significant waste or pollution. The society that best masters these kinds of technologies will become the Lord of Energy.

Who Will Become the Warden of the Magma? Geothermal energy is another viable form of consumption-free energy production that is already producing results in many parts of the world. Although geothermal uses heat from the earth’s core the process of using this energy does not produce excess heat like the burning of fuels.

The most common application of geothermal energy is in the use of heat pumps to heat and cool structures. This technology is delightfully simple. Pipes are run underground that circulate water below the frost line to exchange energy that can be used to either heat or cool the home or business. The use of heat pumps can lower energy requirements by 30-40% according to the US Department of Energy. Even President Bush is a believer in heat pumps. His new ranch home in Crawford, TX features state-of-the-art geothermal heat pumps throughout. Learn more about the use of heat pumps by reading Geothermal Heating and Cooling Saves Energy on the Bright Future website.

The Deal of the Century � Part 5

Randy Bisenz — 2009-06-05T08:00:00+00:00

Who Will Become the World’s Engineer?

Over the last few weeks we have been looking at how much our world will change as we move further into the 21^st Century. Many of these changes will challenge our existing infrastructure. Rising sea levels from the melting of our polar icecaps will flood many highly populated areas like Hong Kong and New York City. More extreme weather conditions will necessitate better resource management and a strengthening of our bridges, buildings and highways. As our population increases we will need to increase how much food we produce, how much fresh water is available and deal with larger amounts of waste products.

Meeting these challenges will require a great deal of innovation and a ton of new development. Who is going to design, build and develop the structures and production facilities we will need? Engineers, scientists, builders and designers will be in high demand and companies that establish a reputation for efficient and effective solutions to these infrastructure challenges will have as much business as they can handle. The society that does the best job of creating solutions to our infrastructure challenges will become The World’s Engineer.

To Burn or Not to Burn

Randy Bisenz — 2009-06-13T08:00:00+00:00

In the Pacific Northwest where I live logging has been a contentious issue for decades. Loggers are lined up on one side of the fence fighting for their jobs, and environmentalists are lined up on the other side fighting to protect the forests from habitat destruction. These battles are fought in the courts and in Congress at tremendous cost to the taxpayer.

Neither side seems willing to acknowledge that their opponent’s point-of-view may have merit. This is unfortunately typical of how contentious issues tend to be handled. The end result is that people become polarized around the issue and spend most of their energy attempting to gain ground instead of focusing on compromise and creativity to resolve their disputes.

Fortunately, these kinds of issues can be approached differently and with far better results. As we continue we will see some examples of this. Suffice to say that this issue can be resolved by fire.

Technorati Profile.

BF Blog - The Energy Racket

Randy Bisenz — 2009-06-19T08:00:00+00:00

In most parts of the world today capitalism is the dominant economic system. Our economists tell us that the success of capitalism depends on the existence of healthy competition between providers of goods and services, which in turn is supposed to stimulate innovations and efficiencies that ultimately result in better products and services and increased value to buyers.

Maintaining healthy competition requires that individuals and organizations all have unlimited free access to markets. In a free market new individuals and companies can compete fairly with established businesses; which forces the established businesses to deliver competitive products and services or lose market share. When this free market access is maintained everybody ends up winning – the best providers of goods and services gain market share and purchasers get the best value for their money.

Arabs lead while American�s lag far behind on energy and sustainability

Randy Bisenz — 2009-07-03T08:00:00+00:00

After months of wrangling and arguing the US House of Representatives just barely passed a new energy bill that will do little to wean our society from its addiction to petroleum. Its business as usual at Congress where short-term political concerns dwarf our long-term needs to provide our country with a dependable, sustainable and affordable supply of energy to fuel our heavily energy-dependent economy.

Meanwhile, in Abu Dubai, the Mecca of oil profit excess and home to some of the largest petroleum reserves in the world, they have announced their dedication to a revolution in sustainability and clean renewable energy.

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Investing Wisely (in ourselves) � Taxes, Poverty, Overpopulation and Education

Randy Bisenz — 2009-07-10T08:00:00+00:00

It is always interesting to hear a person talk about their values. When we are asked what are our values most of us can rattle off an impressive list of noble virtues with conviction and righteousness. If you were to conduct interviews with large groups of people about their values you might start to wonder how it is possible to have so much injustice in a world populated by such virtuous people.

Perhaps a more accurate way of finding out what people’s true values are is to look at what they spend their time, energy and money on instead of listening to what they think they value. When someone tells us that their kids are what is most important to them, but spends so much time at work that they seldom have time to spend with their kids then their actions are not in alignment with their words. If we say that we have “traditional values” and that marriage is important to us, and then indulge in infidelity then maybe sexual gratification is actually more important to us than fidelity. As the saying goes “Actions speak much louder than words”.

Since we all are human and human beings are by nature fallible it is not surprising that most of us have difficulty living up to our high ideals. It seems clear that our thoughts about what is important are our ideals and our behavior is what expresses what are our values. Perhaps we would be much better served if we stopped listening to our politician’s speeches about values and instead evaluated our candidates on the basis of what they have done in the past and how they invest time, energy and money?

Investing Wisely (in ourselves) � Part 2 Public Spending and Public Security

Randy Bisenz — 2009-07-17T08:00:00+00:00

Last week we began discussing our society’s collective values and suggested that based on how much of our money, time and energy we spend on the military and law enforcement that what we as a culture value most is security. While this may or may not be the most important value for many individuals the fact that we as a culture have dedicated such a high percentage of our resources to measures intended to create security shows us that we are investing the majority of our collective Value into attempts to create security.

Most citizens do not place the same value on public funds that they do on their own personal funds. If we spend our money on a new heat pump to reduce our energy costs then we expect a significant reduction in our energy costs. We also expect the contractor we hire to be competitive with other contractors so we get the very best “bang for our buck”. If our energy costs do not decrease as much as promised, or if we are charged considerably more than we agreed to pay, then we will hold the contractor who did the work accountable. We simply cannot afford to have our hard-earned paycheck spent inefficiently or on things that do not produce results.

If we consider that all public funds are generated from taxes, and that taxes are paid by citizens, we realize that there is no difference between a dollar we spend personally and what the government spends for us. When we look at public activities from this perspective we realize that we cannot afford to have our money wasted or poorly spent through governmental activities any more than we can afford to have our personal funds ill spent. To get anything done we need government to invest its time, energy and money as efficiently as possible to generate the best possible results in return for our public dollars.

Investing Wisely (in Ourselves) � Part 3 Defense Spending

Randy Bisenz — 2009-07-24T08:00:00+00:00

In this series we have been questioning how our tax dollars are spent, especially for programs designed to protect us. The single largest items in the budgets for the US are defense and law enforcement. In previous posts we have suggested that using some of that money on programs to improve education and decrease poverty may be a better long-term investment for producing lasting security.

Since most of these tax dollars are already allocated for security programs let us take a look at how this money is spent to see if the lion’s share of our taxes are being spent wisely.

Shortly after George W. Bush became President in 2001 the media interviewed his newly minted Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld about defense spending. Rumsfeld was in a unique position to comment having served as a Navy pilot, and previously holding the post of Secretary of Defense under President Gerald Ford. Rumsfeld had also been White House Chief of Staff, an Ambassador to NATO and a US Congressman.

During the interview Rumsfeld commented that nearly two thirds of the US defense budget was dedicated to Cold War Programs that simply were not relevant to the political landscape and threats facing the US in 2001. When pressed Rumsfeld elaborated that these funds were being used to develop new types of long-range nuclear Bombers, nuclear missile systems and long-range nuclear submarines.

2024 � Politics and Civil Liberties

Randy Bisenz — 2009-07-31T08:00:00+00:00

It is a bright sunny day at the beach and you are thinking about how great it is to be alive. This has been the best vacation you have had in years and you wish it could go on forever. Already you are thinking about where you will go next year…could be Tahiti or maybe for a change of pace you will take a trip to Alaska and go hiking. How glorious it is to be free!

Suddenly the light changes and you feel afraid – there is this strange disembodied voice coming from inside your head…something about having to be somewhere…

Then you blink and the sunlight is gone and you find yourself in your bed with this mechanical voice telling you that if you are late for work today you are going to have to work overtime later this week. As you begin to wake up a sigh comes from deep inside you as you realize that idyllic scene you just left in your dream is only a fantasy…you will never be able to go to a place like that for the rest of your life.

It all started in 2008 when you attended a meeting about stopping animal cruelty sponsored by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). After PETA was declared a terrorist organization by the Administration, the Department of Homeland Security raided their offices and computers and found you listed on their email list – this was enough to have you declared “an Enemy Of the State”.
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2024 Part 2

Randy Bisenz — 2009-08-07T08:00:00+00:00

Mary was so excited she was nearly prancing down the aisle at Neiman Marcus. For months she had saved for this dress – it was a very special occasion, her younger sister Julie was finally getting married! She had tried on nearly every one in her size and decided on this beautiful emerald green off-the-shoulder gown. It fit her perfectly. Wait until her husband George got a look at her in this!

At the cash register everything changed. The nice salesperson frowned as she ran Mary’s credit card. “What’s wrong”, Mary said. “I’m sorry”, the salesperson said, “I am going to have to take your card”. “Why?” Mary asked. “I’m sorry Madam”, but you will have to take that up with Security. Just then two large muscular men showed up in forbidding black uniforms that looked a lot like those worn by military personnel. “You will have to come with us Madam, using an overdrawn card is a crime”.

By that afternoon Mary was wearing an orange prison jumper and was in a dorm with hundreds of other women who had also been charged with being Irresponsible Consumers – a classification of offenses that were the result of the Banking Reform Laws of 2010.

In the Greystone Security “Retraining Facility” (a fancy name for prison) where she would be spending the next five years (the mandatory minimum sentence for consumer crimes) she would be working off the massive fines levied against her by sewing in the prison factory to make uniforms for Greystone Security personnel.

2024 � Part 3

Randy Bisenz — 2009-08-14T08:00:00+00:00

During the past two weeks I have been painting a picture of how our society might look if the Politics of Fear win out over Hope for Our Future. The images presented are disturbing and some of you may feel I have been excessively dramatic in my depiction of the “land of the free and home of the brave” becoming a police state.

For the record I do not think this will happen. I am a great believer in the power of the human spirit and have tremendous faith in humanity. After all we have been through this one once before.

During the McCarthy years our society succumbed to the Politics of Fear and our nation began to slide into a police state with Blacklisting, citizens turning in their friends, and trials that were little more than shams presided over by officials that were less interested in the truth than they were in their own self aggrandizement. When the public became fully aware of what was going on they became outraged. This public outrage fueled the Civil Rights Movement that restored and expanded our freedoms by the early 70s.

We have proven that we are capable of reversing this kind of trend. When the general population truly understands where we are headed today we will again work together to turn us away from oppression and towards hope and opportunity.

For this to happen we will need to become clear about how we might be affected by new laws, technologies, and trends in government and the defense and intelligence businesses. We need to share with others what we see happening and how we can create a different outcome that preserves our way of life and freedoms.

This Is Not A Drill - Energy, Renewable, Climate Change

Randy Bisenz — 2009-08-21T08:00:00+00:00

Thirty years ago some really smart people began warning us about the emerging energy crisis and global warming. These experts strongly recommended that our society immediately begin planning for these challenges and developing alternative ways of powering our culture.

These brave souls were met with tremendous resistance from a host of politicians, business interests and journalists who poked fun at their predictions and warned of dire economic consequences if we followed their suggestions. The critic’s favorite strategy was to insist that there simply was “not enough evidence” that these things were actually happening, and suggesting that “more research needs to be done” before we began to take any action..

Numbers Lie � Statistics, Politics and the Media

Randy Bisenz — 2009-08-28T08:00:00+00:00

Years ago I worked as a Marketing Manager for a large health products company. It was an eye opening experience. I was astounded to find out how willing top management was to distort information (in other words lie) in order to increase sales and profits or to boost the price of the company’s stock. I was constantly under pressure to mislead the public and decided that I needed to leave that profession to preserve my integrity.

Marketing professionals are not the only “spin jockeys” who distort information to forward their agenda. Political advisors and the politicians who hire them have honed this skill into a fine art. One of the most powerful forms of distortion used by the spin jockeys is to quote numbers and statistics that support their assertions and conclusions.

Now the key to a successful distortion is to use as much of the truth as possible. In the case of numbers and statistics it works best to use real numbers rather than making them up. The distortion begins with the source of the numbers…If you hire XYZ Mail Order University to do a study for you they can probably engineer almost any result you wish by setting up the study in a certain way that biases the data. This is the garbage in - garbage out phenomenon you have heard so much about. Just because the number was accurately calculated does not mean that what is being measured is being measured properly.

Numbers Lie � Part 2 � Statistics, Politics and the Media

Randy Bisenz — 2009-09-04T08:00:00+00:00

Last week we began looking at how numbers and statistics can be used by the spin jockeys who work in marketing and politics to mislead the public into believing what they wish us to believe. The spin jockeys decide what message they wish to convey and then find or create numbers to support their position.

The messages and statistics are then released to the media through press releases, advertising or delivered by a spokesperson, or in some cases they are delivered directly by company representatives or politicians. This is remarkably effective because the media will often use these “sound bites” of information without checking to find out if they are accurate – this is especially true of numbers and statistics. As news services continue to cut back on investigative journalism resources and staff this is becoming more and more common.

This is a very unfortunate phenomenon because the general public tends trust the media to be true and accurate. As soon as the numbers appear in the media they become more credible and are usually treated as facts. This makes it much easier for the spin jockeys to mislead us.

So far we have been talking about deliberate distortions created from the use of inaccurate or misleading numbers. There are just as many “honest” ways that numbers can lie.
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Planning Our Future

Randy Bisenz — 2009-09-11T08:00:00+00:00

The other day I was talking with a family member about how Climate Change might affect us in the years ahead. I suggested that it would be wise to prepare for some of the more difficult scenarios that have been predicted.

She looked at me like I was Chicken Little. Her response was that many times over the past few decades disasters had been predicted, but none of these events ever came to pass.

I understood where she was coming from. After all Y2K went by without a hiccup, the Soviet Union never launched a nuclear attack, and none of the new diseases or plagues wiped out half our population. She was justified in wondering how this was any different?

The answer lies in understanding the difference between probability and possibility and how to track trends and patterns over time. .

Planning Our Future Part 2 � Trends, Patterns, Predictions and Climate Change

Randy Bisenz — 2009-09-18T08:00:00+00:00

We have been talking about how understanding probabilities, patterns and trends can help us predict how likely it is that an event will occur at some time in the future.

To plan for natural events like Climate Change it makes sense to use the methodology used by weather forecasters. Now I know that many of us like to make fun of weather forecasting because these forecasts are occasionally inaccurate. However, there are weather forecasters (like the National Weather Service) who have a consistent track record of being reasonably accurate.

Weather forecasters use data accumulated over time to understand the probability that certain patterns will create certain climate conditions. For example they know that when areas of high pressure are located near areas of low pressure that wind will result. If there is moisture in the air that moisture will be pulled with the wind and concentrate in the low-pressure area, thus increasing the probability of precipitation. Using historical data of what kind of weather is associated with similar conditions in the past gives them a pretty good idea of what is likely to occur.

As more and more data becomes available the predictions become more and accurate. If weather patterns are tracked over time the accuracy of predictions increases in proportion to how consistent the patterns have been and for long they have been maintained. This is how we predict trends. .

Women to the Rescue! - Women, Politics and Social Change

Randy Bisenz — 2009-09-25T08:00:00+00:00

Most of us understand that the folks that have been dominating politics recently are not taking us in the direction we wish to go. Clearly, change is required. The most effective way to facilitate change is to have fresh input and leadership from a new group of people interjected into our social and political processes. Last week we suggested that having young people become more involved is a critical part of creating that change. When young people became more involved during the Social Revolution in the 60’s and 70’s things actually changed.

As powerful as it was to have the younger population come forward the Social Revolution would not have happened the way that it did without women coming forward as well.

Historically, women have been excluded and/or discouraged from taking part in the political process. Over the last Century or so women have been fighting back and earning their way into politics and leadership – and society has benefited as a result. The effect of having women become equal partners in a society goes far beyond the political landscape. If you take a look at various societies it is clear that there is a direct relationship between the role of women in a particular society and the overall quality of life in that society.

Planning for Climate Change � Environment, Infrastructure and Global Warming

Randy Bisenz — 2009-10-02T08:00:00+00:00

Climate scientists have methods that enable them to calculate the temperatures and CO2 levels that prevailed during a particular point in time in the distant past. They can also review evidence of what kinds of weather patterns occurred at that same point in time. These patterns are then tracked over many years to reveal trends. In the case of Global Warming these patterns have been tracked over hundreds of thousands of years.

These studies show that when CO2 levels rise temperatures begin to increase. There is considerable time lag between rises in CO2 levels and corresponding increases in temperature. It may take many decades or even centuries before temperatures peak after CO2 levels stop rising. This means that even if CO2 levels stop rising tomorrow temperatures will continue to increase for many years.

The other trend that climate scientists have determined is part of global temperature changes is the volatility of weather patterns. During periods of global warming weather patterns become more extreme and erratic. Droughts, floods and more powerful storms are much more likely when temperatures are rising. We are now beginning to see clear evidence of this in the last 10 years. .

Understanding Our Economic Crisis - Human Nature, Integrity, Values, Education, Media

Randy Bisenz — 2009-10-09T08:00:00+00:00

Understanding our economic difficulties and all the other big challenges we face requires a very good understanding of human nature. That’s right. All of our big problems have been caused by human nature, and pointing fingers at who is to blame deflects attention away from this simple fact.

The wisest members of our society have always understood this and when people of such wisdom have been in positions of power they erect systems of checks and balances to keep the most pernicious aspects of human nature from screwing things up.

Understanding Our Economic Crisis Part 2

Randy Bisenz — 2009-10-16T08:00:00+00:00

Greed, corruption, ignorance, and making mistakes are all part of human nature and wise leaders create a structure of rules, checks and balances to insure that these traits do not tear a society down. Some of the rules, checks and balances that have served our society for several generations have been compromised in the last few decades allowing trends to develop that jeopardize our economic stability and sustainability. How did this happen?

As the media has declined as a reliable source of news and information the general public has become disconnected from what is going on it the world. At the same time our education system has been allowed to deteriorate lowering the average level of education of our citizens. To make matters worse our modern lifestyles keep us so busy that it is difficult to keep track of anything except making a living and taking are of our families. So now we have less educated and less aware voters electing our political leaders.

As a result these political leaders are being elected on the basis of personality instead of their track record, talent, or wisdom, resulting in a decline in the quality of government and leadership. An ignorant public tends to elect ignorant, incompetent, or corrupt leaders. It is these leaders who have compromised our system of checks and balances and run up the largest national debt in history. .

Understanding Our Economic Solutions - prosperity and value

Randy Bisenz — 2009-10-23T08:00:00+00:00

Creating a healthy, stable and sustainable economy is completely within our capability, but will require some changes in how we do business. To start with it helps to review the guiding principle of healthy economics.

As an example let’s take a look at a simple economy composed of a farmer, a woodcutter and clothing maker. The farmer produces food and fibers for rope. The woodcutter supplies energy in the form of firewood, and building materials. The cloth maker supplies clothes, shoes, and other textiles. If each of these participants only produces what they alone can consume then they have nothing to trade and their comfort and prosperity are limited to what they can produce themselves. When they become more efficient or productive and begin producing more than they can consume they are in a position to trade.

Let’s assume that each participant produces three times as much as they can consume and they begin trading with each other. Now everyone has more. The farmer has clothes and textiles, and wood and lumber without having to produce them. The woodcutter has more food, clothing and textiles without having to farm or weave, and the cloth maker has more food and wood without having to grow or chop. Also, because they no longer have to spend time producing what the others supply they can increase their productivity creating even more opportunities to trade. Now our little economy has grown and each participant is more prosperous.

Now suppose a new resident moves into town who is a trader... .

The Perfect Candidate � Politics, Elections & Tolerance

Randy Bisenz — 2009-10-30T08:00:00+00:00

A very wise woman once said to me that perfection does not exist. She paused for a moment to let this sink in, and went on to say that the only way we can know if something is perfect is to have a standard to measure it against. The only problem with this is that we do not always agree about what the standards should be.

Now the context of this conversation concerned how we tend to judge ourselves and others when we are not happy with the outcome of certain behaviors. That sense of falling short of expectations can devastate our sense of self-confidence and self-worth. When our leaders fall short of our expectations we tend to lose faith in their competence and leadership abilities.

Over the years as I contemplated what she said I began to realize that her statement that perfection does not exist is especially true of morality. Morals and values are our definitions of what is “right and wrong” or “good and bad”. This is where is becomes most difficult to find standards that we can agree upon.

Tolerance - the path to freedom

Randy Bisenz — 2009-11-06T09:00:00+00:00

Do you remember the first time you heard the term “Zero Tolerance”? I remember all too well feeling a chill running down my spine the first time I heard it. Flashes of Orwell’s 1984, Huxley’s Brave New World, and Steven King’s the Running Man went racing through my head. For the first time in my life I began to realize that the rights and freedoms that I had taken were being threatened. I am wondering how many of you feel a twinge of doubt when you hear a politician touting their “Zero Tolerance” position on a social issue?

A disturbing example of intolerance on the part of government is the Tianamen Square massacre where the Chinese government attacked and killed many of her citizens for – staging a protest over repressive social policies. In contrast, in the United States during the civil rights movement government was pressured to become more tolerant of demonstrations and other acts of civil disobedience by the public and the media, and as a result many more Americans were awarded rights and liberties that had previously been denied them. It begs the question where would you rather live?

How Many is too Much?

Randy Bisenz — 2009-11-20T09:00:00+00:00

How many of you have noticed the increase in population where you live? Since 1960 the population of the Earth has doubled. With each passing year the highways have become more crowded, the lakes, rivers and oceans more depleted and polluted, and less and less open space is available for outdoor activities. I bet most of you have noticed the changes that come with crowding and would prefer to live in a world with just a little more space.

Recent studies looking at population growth are predicting that the Earth’s population will increase by another third by 2050. Imagine what the world will be like with another 3 billion people competing for the same resources. It is pretty clear that life would probably be much easier if we did not have to accommodate that many more people.

Politicians Need Not Apply

Randy Bisenz — 2009-11-27T09:00:00+00:00

Imagine that you are responsible for hiring the most important person in the world. This individual will have the world’s largest budget and supervise a workforce that serves over 300 million customers. This position is responsible for all the relationships your organization has with every other organization in the world. This individual will also have at their command tremendous powers of destruction that could end life on Planet Earth in minutes.

I am assuming that you would not stop until you found the best possible person for this incredibly important position. To start with you are going to need some screening criteria.

The Building Blocks of a Healthy Economy � part 1 Infrastructure

Randy Bisenz — 2009-12-04T09:00:00+00:00

Building a healthy, stable, and sustainable economy requires a long-term investment into certain building blocks that give us a reliable economic foundation we can depend on. These building blocks must be placed on fertile ground for growth and prosperity. In our last segment we saw that the amount of value generated by a particular economy determines just how fertile this ground is for healthy economic growth.

The 5 key building blocks of economic sustainability are:

A strong infrastructure

Inexpensive and abundant energy resources

Programs to facilitate innovation and entrepreneurism

A regulatory climate that encourages growth while restricting unfair and unhealthy business practices

Maintaining an atmosphere of optimism

A Strong Infrastructure
Think of infrastructure as being the life-support system for a healthy economy. Our bodies need food, water, and shelter to function. Economies need roads and bridges, water treatment and supplies, law enforcement and courts – just for starters. These structures and services are necessary for society to function. As you might imagine economies do better when a society is functioning well.

The Building Blocks of a Healthy Economy � part 2 Energy

Randy Bisenz — 2009-12-11T09:00:00+00:00

Energy is such a critical component of a growing healthy economy that we should considered it an essential part of the Nation’s infrastructure.

To illustrate this we will refer back to our previous example of a simple economy composed of a farmer, a cloth maker, and a woodcutter. We saw before that as soon as each of these participants produces more than they need and begin to trade, everyone has more.

Let us suppose that the farmer obtains tractors and mechanical harvesting machines, the cloth maker gets weaving and sewing machines, and the woodcutter gets a truck, chain saw and some milling equipment to make lumber. Now they are not limited by their own labor and can increase their productivity dramatically. The farmer can now plant and harvest more crops, the cloth maker can make a greater quantity and variety of cloth, and the woodcutter can now produce a large amount of finished lumber products. If everyone participates in trade with each other everyone now has much more. Our little economy has become more prosperous.

Introducing the use of energy into this economy has enabled it to grow much faster and produce much more than if this energy was not available to power all this new equipment. However, the maintenance of this economy is now dependent on having this energy readily available and at a relatively low cost. As soon as electricity or fuel is not available, productivity slows immediately and there is less to trade and so the economy begins to contract. The cost of the electricity and fuel has a similar effect. If the cost escalates to the point where our participants have to spend more of their earnings on energy then they have less to spend on the goods and services produced by the other participants, and so trade has to suffer. As trade declines the entire economic system has to contract and slow down. .

The Building Blocks of a Healthy Economy � part 3 Creating a Climate for Growth and Sustainability

Randy Bisenz — 2009-12-18T09:00:00+00:00

The three remaining building blocks of economic sustainability all have to do with creating an atmosphere that is conductive to economic growth and sustainability.

Number 3 Maintaining programs to facilitate innovation and entrepreneurism

Few things stimulate an economy more than exciting new technologies, products, or services. Several times in the last few decades innovation has fueled vigorous economic growth. In the sixties and seventies the advent of microelectronics spawned a huge new industry that fundamentally changed our entire society. The biotech boom followed and inspired unprecedented investment into medical technologies. Then in rapid succession we had the personal computer revolution burst onto the scene, followed by the telecommunications expansion, which in turn created an entire new virtual economy as the Internet took off like a rocket.

Almost all this innovation and growth was started by engineers and small business owners taking chances and starting businesses on the promise that they could generate income by improving on something or creating something totally new for society.

Opportunity motivates people to work hard, come up with new ideas, and invest their time and energy. Opportunity is the essence of the “American Dream”. There are few opportunities more powerful than the possibility of starting and owning one’s own business. Consider that small business owners and entrepreneurs are the grass roots of economic vitality and growth. .

Walls that Divide Us � Partisan Politics and Righteousness

Randy Bisenz — 2009-12-25T09:00:00+00:00

Last week we talked about how the logging industry and environmental groups have been warring for decades over forestry policy. Each side of the debate is completely convinced that their beliefs and attitudes are “right” and the other party’s views are completely “wrong”. This kind of righteousness is blinding and sends us into destructive conflict that wastes a tremendous amount of time, energy and money and does little to actually resolve the issue long-term.

In last week’s blog we saw that there are other ways to approach things like forestry policy that work much better for all parties involved. The approach discussed was to put differences aside, find common ground and work from there. We provided an example of how this dispute was successfully resolved on Vancouver Island in British Columbia creating a win win for both loggers and environmental groups. If you have not had a chance to read this blog check out To Burn or Not to Burn on the Bright Future website.

Our society has some major issues that must be successfully resolved in order to maintain a high quality of life on planet Earth. Issues like climate change, the energy crisis or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction are all highly charged polarized issues with people dividing into camps either opposing or promoting various approaches. This creates a quagmire and it takes forever before anything substantial can happen to turn things around. Society is going to have to learn how to handle these kinds of things differently if we wish to be comfortable in the years ahead and leave our children with a bright future for their families.

Of Lemmings and People � Leadership and Democracy

Randy Bisenz — 2010-01-01T09:00:00+00:00

Imagine that you are a small furry creature (a lemming) living in a remote northern part of Norway. Food and water are plentiful allowing you to create many offspring. All the other lemmings living here are also producing large numbers of off-spring and enjoying the abundance of this beautiful place. It is peaceful here and everyone is enjoying life.

As time passes food and water become scarcer and scarcer as more and more off-spring are competing for the same resources. The sense of peace you have felt in your heart for your entire life begins to turn to fear in your belly as hunger and thirst begin to set in. One day a group of your brethren begins to run. They act like they might know where to find food and water and so you follow them. Soon, the entire community is on the run hoping that the leaders up front know where to find greener pastures.

The Borg - Part 1 - Corporate Behavior and Social Responsiblity

Randy Bisenz — 2010-01-08T09:00:00+00:00

In the television series Star Trek – the Next Generation the crew of the Enterprise are constantly battling an adversary called the Borg. The Borg is a collection of artificial intelligences and machines that seem bent on destroying all human beings. Finally, in the movie version Captain Picard and his crew have an epic confrontation with the Borg in which our heroes actually board the Borg ship and get a chance to speak with their chief emissary.

After subduing the Borg Picard learns that the Borg actually begun as the spacecraft Voyager set out by NASA centuries earlier. Over time Voyager acquired more and more technology and materials to eventually become the monstrous Borg ship. Picard and crew learn that the root command in Voyager’s computers was to “protect life” and over the years it began to view human beings as a threat to life. The Borg then mindlessly sought the destruction of the human race and planet Earth in an attempt to “preserve life”.

Root Commands

In computers, robots and other forms of artificial intelligence the root command is the underlying structure of the decision making process and overrides all other considerations. In the case of the Borg the seemingly innocuous root command to “preserve life” was so mindlessly pursued that it eventually ended up recommending the destruction of the very people that created it.

The Borg � Part 2 - Corporate Behavior and Social Responsibility

Randy Bisenz — 2010-01-15T09:00:00+00:00

Last week we looked how changes in corporate law and a shift in the ownership of public companies have increased the pressure on management to produce profits. This trend has progressed to the point where management has an incentive to value short-term gains over what is best for society. The Enron debacle is a good example of this.

The Enron story also reminds us that this trend is not particularly good for business either – Enron and Arthur Anderson are out-of-business and their shareholders were left holding the bag.

It is pretty obvious that creating a strong stable company requires planning and long-term investment. Unfortunately, the enormous pressure CEO’s are under to produce substantial gains each quarter creates a disincentive to invest for the long-term.

Just think about what is currently happening with the US economy. The dollar has lost substantial value and continues to decline. The country’s massive trade deficit is widening and the national debt has ballooned to record levels as the nation slides into a recession. One might be wise to wonder if the short-term nature of management thinking has anything to do with these declines.

Some of the sharpest people on Wall Street and in the financial community have been warning us about the consequences of this short-term thinking for years. The collapse of the mortgage market is one of those consequences.

A Chasm of isms � Economics and Solutions

Randy Bisenz — 2010-01-22T09:00:00+00:00

When we use words that end in “ism” we are talking about some sort of belief system or philosophy. This is true of both religion and economics. Sometimes when people talk about their favorite economic policy they sound much like someone talking about their religion. One of side effects of isms is that people tend to line up on one side or the other and fiercely defend their point-of-view while invalidating the alternative (or opposing) point-of-view. This behavior divides us and creates a chasm between us where cooperation and understanding becomes more difficult.

Capitalist Pigs and Commie Bastards

My circle of friends and family represent a microcosm of the economic philosophies that are currently in vogue. In this group there is a full spectrum of ideologies from very conservative Civil Libertarians to very liberal Socialists, and everything in between. Most of them are resistant to the ideas held by their opposition and completely convinced that their way of looking at things is the correct one.

From the liberal point-of-view corporations are often viewed as evil predators owned by greedy people that seek to make the “rich richer and the poor poorer”. Many conservatives view social programs and taxes as “gateway drugs” to repressive regimes and economic depression. In reality most of the people who own stock in public corporations are law-abiding citizens who would never intentionally hurt anyone. Similarly, most of the people who run social programs or propose taxes have no intention of limiting freedom or reducing prosperity.

Maybe economics, like life, is just not that simple.

The Politics of Hope

Randy Bisenz — 2010-01-29T09:00:00+00:00

Throughout history political leaders have used the Politics of Fear to motivate the public into supporting their agendas. If the general public believe that something or someone threatens their lives, livelihoods, or lifestyles they tend to concede power to government and authority figures. This makes it easy for unethically savvy leaders to make just about whatever they wish to have happen – happen.

Sometimes the Politics of Fear are frightfully effective. After WWI the Nazis managed to convince the public that Jews were gong to take everything away from them. The German citizens were told that the Jews were a threat to their livelihoods and lifestyles. The citizens of Germany gave their power away to the Nazis and found themselves living in a harsh police state that committed the largest genocide in history.

One characteristic of societies that are ruled by the Politics of Fear is that they tend not to deliver prosperity to anyone except for a handful of insiders. The only economics that work very well with the Politics of Fear are to devote a significant part of the economy to the business of war and enforcement. When more of the economy is devoted to these activities livings conditions and civil liberties suffer. The culture becomes repressive.

On the other hand the Politics of Hope tend to stimulate economic growth, and skew that growth away from war and enforcement and into things like entertainment, travel, and investment. People are much more likely to spend and invest if they feel hopeful about the future. People are much more likely to give to charity in a climate of hope and optimism. This produces a culture that is expansive and promotes freedom and expression.

Young People to the Rescue!

Randy Bisenz — 2010-02-05T09:00:00+00:00

If you are under 30 you can expect to live in a much different world by the time your kids are ready for college. The Earth’s population will have just about doubled by then and climate change and the energy crisis will no longer be something you read about, but have to live with every day. If certain people and organizations get their way you will be under constant surveillance by the government and private security companies and will have lost many of your rights and civil liberties.

Most of you know this and sense that your parents are not doing what is necessary to protect your future so you can have the same opportunities they have enjoyed. Many of you are outraged – and you should be. How could the baby boomer generation take such advantage of our resources and leave nothing for you?

Before you decide to condemn everyone over 50 let’s first take a look at what they did accomplish when they were your age. Coming into the 60’s the US had some serious civil rights problems, and we had almost no awareness of how our lifestyles might harm the environment. By the mid-60’s the US was fully engaged in a bloody civil war being fought in Vietnam and Cambodia. The baby boomers were outraged. They took to the streets and began a series of mostly peaceful protests that got the attention of the Establishment and Government. By the time these kids were in their 30’s and having children of their own they had managed to initiate great social change that made our world a better place.

The Great Biofuel Hoax of 2008 - Energy Policy and Climate Change

Randy Bisenz — 2010-02-12T09:00:00+00:00

Biofuels. What a great name! It just sounds green. Looking around I see a proliferation of Biodiesel bumper stickers everywhere I look. In my home state of Oregon all filling stations will be required to add at least 10 % ethanol to all gasoline by next year. Environmentalists are cheering as politicians and the media are jumping onto the Biofuel bandwagon. Sounds like a big win for the environment and society – think again, in reality Biofuels are much more brown than they are green.

Here are five reasons why Biofuels may actually be harmful for the environment:

1.    Biofuels are so profitable that rain forest, the most efficient absorber of greenhouse gases, is being cut or burned to grow grains and sugarcane to make ethanol or Biodiesel.
2.    Farmers growing highly profitable Biofuel crops are looking for the fastest growth and biggest yields and use heavy amounts of chemical fertilizer; which strips key micronutrients out of our increasingly scarce topsoil, and the nitrogen-rich runoff causes massive algae growth that destroys our streams, rivers and lakes.
3.    Because Biofuels are more profitable than food crops large amounts of prime farmland is being devoted to Biofuel production creating grain shortages and increasing the price of grain products, especially in third world countries.

The Mother of All Solutions

Randy Bisenz — 2010-02-19T09:00:00+00:00

Society loves a silver bullet. When we are attempting to solve a problem we tend to be attracted to the possibility of finding a grand solution in an effort to simplify our lives. Who can blame us? For most us life is fairly hectic and complicated and anything we can do to reduce complexity is a relief. However, what many of us have learned is that in most cases solving big problems is better done by implementing a variety of smaller solutions and applying them over time and with consistency.

Here we would do well to learn from Nature. The most stable and efficient ecosystems are the ones with the greatest diversity of species. When ecosystems loose diversity they become more vulnerable to disease and environmental challenges. There is a good article on the Bright Future website entitled Electric Power Plants - Size Matters which goes into more detail about how this works. Solving a problem as big and complicated as the energy crisis requires a variety of solutions working together to provide reliability and efficiency. The article goes into detail about how this works with electrical power production.

This brings us to The Mother of All Solutions which is very simple in concept, but complex in its implementation. For many years I have spent most of my time researching solutions to society’s greatest challenges. The one variable that is the most consistent in that search is education. If there is a silver bullet out there it is that combination of knowledge, awareness and experience that we call education.

The Mother of All Solutions - Part 2

Randy Bisenz — 2010-02-26T09:00:00+00:00

Last week we looked at the relationship between the education available in a particular society and how much progress that society is able to make on a variety of social issues. We defined education as a combination of knowledge, awareness and experience.

The articles we looked at showed a clear correlation between the amount of formal education available and the quality of life experienced by citizens in that society. We saw this trend in both modern nations and small impoverished villages.

While formal education gives us a structure of understanding to help us interpret our world the media is the lens with which we view the world and shapes our awareness of what is going on. The media can also deliver new information that increases our knowledge. If the media does an excellent job of delivering comprehensive and accurate information our awareness and knowledge increases and we are empowered to make better decisions and take more appropriate actions. Think about this carefully. We are actually dependent on the media to understand what is happening beyond our daily lives.

The Mother of All Solutions � Part 3

Randy Bisenz — 2010-03-05T09:00:00+00:00

Today we continue our series on the Mother of All Solutions. We have talked about how increasing the general level of education in a society results in better decision making and a higher quality of life. We are defining education as a combination of knowledge, awareness and experience.

Last week we saw how improved access to formal education improves the quality of life and gives us a conceptual structure for our knowledge. We also talked about how the media (including books and magazines) expands our knowledge and helps us stay aware of what is going on in the world.

Now we are going to take a look at how our experiences shape our beliefs and mould our awareness of what is going on in the world. Consider that nearly everything and everyone we encounter has an effect on how we perceive things.

Interestingly, we are also affected by what we have not yet experienced. One of the most common primeval fears is of the unknown. Since most of us do not respond well to fear we tend to have negative opinions about things beyond our direct experience. This also is true about how we respond to other people. Similarly, we tend to see others who are different than us in a negative light. The more different they seem to us the more likely we are to judge them.

The Mother of All Solutions � Part 4

Randy Bisenz — 2010-03-12T09:00:00+00:00

Over the past few weeks we have been looking at the role that education plays in improving the quality of our lives. We have defined education as a combination of knowledge, awareness and experience. We have seen how improving formal education results in better overall conditions in a society, and how important it is that the media gives us an unbiased and comprehensive view of what is going on outside our daily lives. Last week we explored the relationship between expanding our personal experience of people and places we are unfamiliar with and how accurately we perceive the world around us.

If education is the Mother of All Solutions then the Internet is her most prodigious offspring. In this case the offspring has become the great protector and guardian of our education process, and so we are calling the Internet the Godfather of All Solutions.

If a school system begins to teach material that is biased or inaccurate students have the option to research this material on the web and get an alternative point-of-view. When the media refuses to cover a story we have the option to look up the story on the web and find out what is going on. If government officials publish misleading information in an attempt to influence public opinion we have the option to check things out on our own to verify or invalidate the press releases. When a company attempts to cover up unethical business practices you can bet that a knowledgeable insider has published the truth somewhere on the web.

The Internet is perhaps the most powerful instrument of the democratic process ever developed in the history of humankind.

Limitation is a Myth � Politics and Innovation

Randy Bisenz — 2010-03-19T08:00:00+00:00

One of the most common themes in the movies is when the hero or heroine faces an overwhelming impossible task and it seems like there is no way they can pull it off. In each of these stories the star battles the odds and begins to accomplish the impossible through sheer determination and creative problem-solving. Like many themes in stories this one is based on things that happen in real life. We clearly believe in our ability to accomplish the impossible…as long as someone else is doing the work.

For most of us when we are facing an overwhelming task we have to deal with a great deal of doubt before we can make any headway. If the task is beyond our personal resources we tend to start thinking that it is impossible. This is especially true of problems or challenges that affect us, but are too big for any of us to tackle on our own. Climate change, the Energy Crisis or International Terrorism are all good examples of these kinds of issues.

Another factor is fear. When we feel threatened we tend to pull back unless we are clear about how to handle the threat. If we are threatened by an overwhelming problem like the challenges mentioned earlier it seems almost easier to ignore the problem hoping it will go away or someone else will take care of it. These human tendencies are what create our limitations.

Effective Activism - Politics & Change

Randy Bisenz — 2010-03-26T08:00:00+00:00

A while back my friend Abby was on my radio show and made the comment that she used to be a “Re-actionist” and now had matured into a “Pro-activist”.

She went on to explain that before she would become angry about something going on in the world and then would immediately swing into action to confront what was bothering her. After a while she learned that sometimes she was reacting to a particular piece of information, and then had a completely different perspective once she understood the entire issue. The other thing she had learned was that it was somewhat difficult to engage others in her campaigns if she was angry and in reaction.

Abby has become quite effective in getting people involved in the things she cares about. She studies the issues that concern her to make sure she has the whole picture of what is going on, and then determines how she could be most effective in stimulating awareness of the issue and gaining support to address the issue. Once she has finished her “homework” she is then in a position to work patiently and consistently with others to create the change she believes in.

What is Sustainability?

Randy Bisenz — 2010-04-02T08:00:00+00:00

As the general population becomes more aware of our environmental challenges and the emerging energy crisis certain words have become popular in the media. Not too many years ago words like sustainable, green or renewable would bring snickers from people who thought the environmental movement and search for alternative energy sources were just hoaxes perpetuated by those with purely political agendas. Not anymore. Just about everywhere you look in media and advertising people are talking green and sustainability.

One unfortunate side effect of having meaningful words become marketing buzzwords is that what these words mean and represent is often lost in a barrage of advertising and shallow quasi-news reporting.

The words sustainable and sustainability are powerful words with meaning that reveals great wisdom for the future of humankind. It is important that we preserve the power of these words to help us understand what we must do to provide a high quality of life in the years ahead. It would be tragic to be seduced by the spin doctors that because we put a green or sustainable label on something that we are properly addressing our long-term challenges.