“Lichen are Fungi that took up farming with Algae.”
Dr Frank Bungartz, ASU Continue reading “Lichen”
WorldSkills
WorldSkills
I got a Postcrossing postcard from Kazan, Russia that was an advertising card for the 45th Annual WorldSkills Competition. It fascinated me both that I had never heard of it and that it is such a good idea. The skills that are involved include Auto Body, Cosmetics, Information Management and many more. The next competition is in Shanghai in 2021. Check the WorldSkills.org website. Continue reading “WorldSkills”
Promulgating Postcrossing
I’ve been a member of Postcrossing now for six years. I enjoy sending and receiving postcards from around the world. I’ve sent almost 4000 cards and I’m in the top 100 members from the USA. One thing I’ve noticed is that some countries are per capita much more likely to do Postcrossing than others. Germany has the most users followed by Continue reading “Promulgating Postcrossing”
Ten Years Ago: A Prediction
Nostalgia Post from October 2009
In this post ten years ago I predicted exactly the type of drink they sell for $20 at the Fat Ox. in 2019. An excellent restaurant btw.
Artisan Mixed Drinks
We live in a time when words like local, handcrafted and organic all add perceived value to products. We also pay large amounts of money for vintage wines that are produced far away by strangers. This apparent conflict creates an opportunity for an entrepreneur to start a bar that sells high end artisan mixed drinks.
Go after the niche that expensive wines now own. All drinks would be locally crafted with fresh, organic ingredients. The prices would be high enough to compete with high-end sushi. Things like fresh basil martinis and organic mint juleps
This idea would combine the slow food movement, the local crafts movement and the creative arts in a package with the desire to drink large amounts alcohol in a socially acceptable manner.
Earth Savers Recycling
A year or so ago China stopped buying recycled plastic on the world market and the economics of recycling suddenly got a lot worse. Here is a proposal that will lower costs, save resources, increase convenience for consumers and work as a carbon sink. Continue reading “Earth Savers Recycling”
Modern Matches
Charger cords should be given away at hotels, airports and trade shows. Imprinted, of course, with the name of the sponsor who made it free.
Stop Cooking Dinner
I am predicting that within a few generations there will be so little cooking in the average family that many homes will be built without kitchens. Continue reading “Stop Cooking Dinner”
Simon’s Book Sanctuary
In Kanab, Utah there is Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Its mission is to be sure that every pet has a home. It is so successful that it is the largest employer in the area.
I propose copying the business model of Best Friends and doing the same thing for books. Many people love books and they don’t want their books destroyed. At the Book Sanctuary all books will be put to their highest and best use. None will be destroyed. Donations of books and other resources will fund the nonprofit organization as it attempts to stop the annual destruction of millions of books.
I visualize a town of books in Arizona somewhere that sorts books sells duplicate books, builds collections, gives tours and has work for volunteers. It would be of course a nonprofit organization but there would be lots of good paying management jobs and some even better paying executive jobs.
Book Review: The Last Days of Night
The Last Days of Night
by Graham Moore
The book is historical fiction and the story is compelling but the historical inaccuracies, even though admitted, left me wanting stronger fare. It tells the story of Edison, Westinghouse and Tesla and their struggle to control the development of electricity in America. It was not too dissimilar to our time with Google, Facebook and Amazon fighting for mindspace. I couldn’t put the book down but I wanted more. Summary: a good book about a very interesting subject but not totally satisfying.
Luggage Tags Now
How about a luggage tag vending machine in the airport?
You could try this entrepreneurial idea for about $100,000. If it works you could sell millions for $5.00 or $10.00 each. Continue reading “Luggage Tags Now”