我们一般理解的效率时，考虑不同的方案，同样的问题，例如，如何从点A到点B，运行，驾驶或飞行。 一种方法将使用比别人更多的能源，因此效率较低。 一个冰箱，冷藏食品作为另一个相同数量和[...]
我们一般理解的效率时，考虑不同的方案，同样的问题，例如，如何从点A到点B，运行，驾驶或飞行。 一种方法将使用比别人更多的能源，因此效率较低。 一个冰箱冷藏另一个同样数量的食物和少用能源，并会因此更有效。
我们也隐含理解的时间和精力（更少的时间做相同的任务，通常需要更多的能量）之间的权衡。 但是，当我们开始比较不同的活动，说有牛排晚餐与购买一台DVD播放机，或采取为期3天的假期，与购买一台新的自行车，我们往往缺乏比较两个不同的选项，在整体效率的信息能源或材料，或真的有可能的标准，我们可能会感兴趣。 阅读其余本条目»
在对气候变化的缓解办法是所谓的地球工程项目，其中之一是在偏转，阻止或弥漫了撞击地球的太阳辐射量小的设备空间位置。 这是一个最简单的所有气候控制技术，如果地球被捕获太多[...]
各种形式的货币政策通常是相对技术已经侵入甚至后期的主流新闻媒体的优点的讨论和辩论。 常常提倡的一个想法是，以“金标准”的回报，在地方形式的货币政策一段时间后，纸币的发明（虽然不连续），直到1930年的视[...]
各种形式的货币政策通常是相对技术已经侵入甚至后期的主流新闻媒体的优点的讨论和辩论。 常常提倡的一个想法是，以“金标准”的回报，在地方形式的货币政策一段时间后，纸币的发明（虽然不连续），直到1930年发生在哪个国家，你住在根据时间。
而赞成或反对金本位制的宣传往往是激烈（尤其是在美国和英国的某些圈子）具体实施这样一个系统的机制和政策的影响往往缺乏。 阅读其余本条目»
还有约7亿人今天在这个星球上，刚刚超过9亿美元，预计到2050年通过的。 鉴于许多最贫穷的1-2亿人在地球上可能甚至没有足够的吃今天，我们真的可以期待充分养活超过90亿人在不到40 [...]
还有约7亿人今天在这个星球上， 刚刚超过9亿美元，预计到2050年通过的 。 鉴于许多最贫穷的1-2亿人在地球上可能甚至没有足够的吃今天，我们真的可以期待充分饲料在不到40年的时间超过9亿人吗？ 嗯，事实上，我们在西方世界的标准生产的食品，衣物和住所的农业生产能力可容纳近12亿人。 阅读其余本条目»
最近，一个由英国学术托比的文章条例主张西方世界的中产阶级个人大每年支付的方式来实现类似的慈善事业，富裕人士。 对于大多数，这是很容易，如果没有，甚至在美国的所有专业的家庭缺乏条例先生在英国的社会保障方案。
在2009年夏天，美国政府经营的经济刺激计划称为旧车换现金（C4C）。 这个方案的目的是提供一个直接的经济刺激美国经济，这是在目前经济衰退，并鼓励低效的车辆更换为高效的在美国的私人运输车队，[...]
在任何人类探索的真正动力之一，一直是强烈的需求。 在最初的人类迁徙世界各地，人们探索出对食品的需求，需要安全乐队是从其他潜在的敌对是有安全距离。 在欧洲殖民时期的民族和王国[...]
在任何人类探索的真正动力之一，一直是强烈的需求 。 在最初的人类迁徙世界各地，人们探索出对食品的需求，需要安全乐队是从其他潜在的敌对是有安全距离。 在欧洲殖民时期，欧洲国家和王国感到硬通货（金）和其他物质财富（香料，宝石等），以支持他们重商主义的经济制度的强烈需求。 在今天的世界，为人类探索太空的一个高尚的冒险，使我们的银河系中的标志，但许多人希望将真正把我们这个星球将是我们的需求。 阅读其余本条目»
最近一直有很多谈话是否市场经济也受到了牵连，由于过度监管或监管不足。 虽然大多数拿起自己特定的政治偏见的说法，这是一个棘手的问题回答这不仅是因为许多国家的政府实际上是在两个方向上同时采取行动。 但是，我们[...]
浪费是一件可怕的事情。 充其量，它意味着，任何人没有好东西。 在最坏的情况下，这是恶心，我们不惜一切代价避免的东西。 但是，尽管如此，我们的生活充满了浪费。 这是罕见的人或情况下，允许一个通过一天没有创造任何[...]
浪费是一件可怕的事情。 充其量，它意味着，任何人没有好东西。 在最坏的情况下，这是恶心，我们不惜一切代价避免的东西。 但是，尽管如此，我们的生活充满了浪费。 这是罕见的人或情况下，允许一个没有创造任何不必要的浪费，甚至限制，少量的废物通过每天去。 我们是如此使用某种形式的废物，我们几乎认不出它。
但是，垃圾应该被看作是我们做事的系统故障。 我们的许多活动都可能很少或根本没有废物，只是朝它的自满。 作为本系列的第一部分，我们将看看热量 ，如何以及为什么它被浪费，我们应该做些什么。 阅读其余本条目»
引入风险分析和控制，是工程设计过程中最重要的方面之一。 这些风险包括健康和安全，设计，耐用性和可靠性，维修性，适销性，成本，进度，和性能。 然而，许多这些风险管理仅由项目经理或管理团队的直觉。 虽然很多都是熟练的[...]
介绍
分析和风险控制，是工程设计过程中最重要的方面之一。 这些风险包括健康和安全，设计，耐用性和可靠性，维修性，适销性，成本，进度，和性能。
然而，许多这些风险管理仅由项目经理或管理团队的直觉。 虽然很多都不够熟练，调查和控制这些风险，失败的项目，以满足功能需求，成本的限制，计划期限，可靠性的期望，或其他东西，作为证明的事实，对风险管理的复杂性现代项目是超出我们的现行制度做事的能力。 阅读其余本条目»
以下职位从服务描述与美国和平队在几内亚，西非洲作为一个数学和物理教师1998-2000年期间，我的一些经验。 本摘要文章更新增加相关内容。 第1部分：决定加入第2部分：训练在塞内加尔的第3部分：开始我的服务[...]
以下职位从服务描述与美国和平队在几内亚，西非洲作为一个数学和物理教师1998-2000年期间，我的一些经验。 本摘要文章更新增加相关内容。
有什么区别，什么关系呢？ 是否实施一项新技术或试图解决一个问题，我们目前面临的世界，甚至只是让我们的日常活动mundate决定，我们不断作出判断，我们所面临的风险。 与我们liminted的资源，时间和技能，我们选择限制[...]
有什么区别，什么关系呢？
是否实施一项新技术或试图解决一个问题，我们目前面临的世界，甚至只是让我们的日常活动mundate决定，我们不断作出判断，我们所面临的风险。 与我们liminted的资源，时间和技能，我们选择，我们面临的风险和接受别人的一些限制。 但是，在作出这些决定时，我们打开自己的心理偏见有关风险，并经常作出决定，使我们在一个贫穷的位置，否则我们将一直。 阅读其余本条目»
越来越多的绿色广告已成为更重要的制造商和零售业务。 它似乎很多消费者宁愿给了许多选项，选择一个产品，减少对环境的压力比其他同样功能的产品。 虽然程度是影响每个人今天有很大差异，这是明确的，[...]
越来越多的绿色广告已成为更重要的制造商和零售业务。 它似乎很多消费者宁愿给了许多选项，选择一个产品，减少对环境的压力比其他同样功能的产品。 虽然程度是影响每个人今天差别很大，很显然，这些公司都响应一个真正的压力，他们在市场的感觉。 目前的结果已经几乎是强制性的系列广告及有关产品的绿色性的公共索赔。 然而，这些索赔的一些可能是矛盾的，如何才能知道如何做出最好的选择吗？ 在这篇文章中，我们将研究一个案例。 阅读其余本条目»
在和平队服务的好处之一是，你发现在你的服务，在自己的世界，你可能不会有机会和一些时间来考虑这些冒险的优势，各地访问，否则地区。
在和平队服务的好处之一是你发现自己在世界的一个地区，你可能不会参观了与各地采取的冒险优势的机会和一些时间，否则在你的服务。 阅读其余本条目»
三个主要任务的和平队，其中两项涉及到文化的交流：在显示可能不会另有接触与美国真正的脸，他们可以涉及到的人之一，和其他被带来的一部分外国文化带回美国人可能[...]
It is a common conversation piece among those trying to understand how the world works: how did it come to be that Sub-Saharan Africa is far less developed than the rest of the contemporary world? While there is no one simple answer, there is an answer. One that involves several intertwining threads with some causes [...]
It is a common conversation piece among those trying to understand how the world works: how did it come to be that Sub-Saharan Africa is far less developed than the rest of the contemporary world? While there is no one simple answer, there is an answer. One that involves several intertwining threads with some causes in the past and some existing today. This article points to 8 books that hold many of the keys to reaching an answer to this question, identifying the causes of the situation we see today, and hopefully sow the seeds of change for the future. Read the rest of this entry »
For background, I am describing some of my experiences from the US Peace Corps in Guinea, West Africa. 这一系列的更多信息是在引进。 Many often wonder what it is really like to live as a Peace Corps Volunteer. The fact is it can be a very different experience depending on [...]
For background, I am describing some of my experiences from the US Peace Corps in Guinea, West Africa. 这一系列的更多信息是可用的介绍 。
许多人常常不知道什么是真的很喜欢生活作为和平队志愿者。 事实是，它可以是一个非常不同的经验，根据哪个国家的什么位置张贴。 它也显着改变，目前从20世纪60年代初的天，部分原因是全球发展，部分原因是由于在和平队的方法和目标的变化。 因此，尽管每一次经历都将是从我所描述的不同，本文将提供一个角度看，我在几内亚的国家服务，在同一个地方，从1998年至2000年是什么样子。 阅读其余本条目»
最近有消息指出，在加利福尼亚州的第一个商业化氢燃料站的开幕式。 租赁氢燃料电池车（最常见的用户）或一些一种氢发火引擎的人，他们现在有一个在加利福尼亚州的公共场所，在那里他们可以加油，他们的车辆。 其他一些已经[...]
最近有消息指出开放的第一个商业化氢燃料在加州站 。 租赁氢燃料电池车（最常见的用户）或一些一种氢发火引擎的人，他们现在有一个在加利福尼亚州的公共场所，在那里他们可以加油，他们的车辆。 其他一些已经存在，在新英格兰和华盛顿特区，这是开始一个新时代中的燃料消耗的技术和对化石燃料的结束的开始？ 并在此氢来自反正？ 让我们在这篇文章中这些问题的探讨。 阅读其余本条目»
For background, I am describing some of my experiences from the US Peace Corps in Guinea, West Africa. 这一系列的更多信息是在引进。 虽然，我是一个只有两个美国人在一个小的农村学校，每一个年级的教学在外语类，我的经验[...]
Good Science? Bad Science? 这些什么意思呢？ How do we know the difference? We throw these terms around especially in political and policy arguments as if we all understand what they mean. Exceptions. 不确定性。 Facts. Theory. Bias. These ideas seem to determine whether or not we think any particular scientific idea is good or [...]
Good Science? Bad Science? 这些什么意思呢？ How do we know the difference? We throw these terms around especially in political and policy arguments as if we all understand what they mean. Exceptions. 不确定性。 Facts. Theory. Bias. These ideas seem to determine whether or not we think any particular scientific idea is good or bad. Do we have the right idea, or is Science really about something else. Read the rest of this entry »
After completion of our training in Senegal, we traveled to Guinea to see our host country for the first time. As the rains had been late in Senegal, our time there was mostly marked by sand and heat and more of the same. The brilliant green lushness of coastal Guinea having already seen months of [...]
我们在塞内加尔的培训完成后，我们前往几内亚，第一次看到我们的东道国。 由于降雨一直在塞内加尔后期，我们的时间主要是砂和相同的热量和标记。 几内亚沿海绿色lushness的辉煌已经看到几个月的雨水，湿度，但在美丽的景象。 一对夫妇快速星期的训练，我们终于将是我们作为志愿者的岗位上。 健康剂量的神经兴奋贯穿这个时期。 阅读其余本条目»
常作为可靠性工程师，负责研究项目的可靠性，或计算的人，你会发现简单化公布的数据给你的印象，可靠性是一个不变的物理性质，质量或体积一样，内在的东西包括在材料它。 其实，这是常识的方法，我们[...]
常作为可靠性工程师，负责研究项目的可靠性，或计算的人，你会发现简单化公布的数据给你的印象，可靠性是一个不变的物理性质，质量或体积一样，内在的东西包括在材料它。 其实，这是常识的方法，我们知道一个旧的东西是比同样的事情的一个新副本的可靠。 但是，这个常识被认为我们当我们面临的MTBF（平均故障间隔时间）值，9（即0.99999，测量的可靠性），故障率和其他东西的核对表。 让我们回到常识的方法，但与数学。 阅读其余本条目»
On Fridays over the next several weeks, I am describing experiences from my service in the US Peace Corps. An overnight flight from New York's JFK airport on Air Afrique put us in Dakar, Senegal the next day. In June, when the rains had still not come, Senegal was a very dry and very hot [...]
On Fridays over the next several weeks, I am describing experiences from my service in the US Peace Corps.
An overnight flight from New York's JFK airport on Air Afrique put us in Dakar, Senegal the next day. In June, when the rains had still not come, Senegal was a very dry and very hot and very sandy place. Peace Corps staff met us just off the plane and we glided through immigration. In the baggage claim area we awaited our lives packed in the two allowed bags to catch up with us and sweated still in a bit of a daze from the long flight and little sleep. We boarded a bus waiting for us that took us to the training center in Thies, a city about an hour's drive from Dakar. Read the rest of this entry »
Modern Compressible Flow with Historical Perspective by John D. Anderson provides an excellent resource for studies in advanced fluid mechanics. In a field where many texts provide useful content in an entirely unmemorable fashion, this text is an exception. Theory, History, Applications, and other interesting information and stories make this book a beneficial addition to [...]
约翰·D·安德森的历史透视现代可压缩流提供了一个极好的资源，在先进的流体力学研究。 在许多文本提供有用的内容，在完全unmemorable时尚的领域，这个文本是一个例外。 理论，历史，应用，以及其他有趣的信息和故事，使这本书的任何工程师的库中的一个有益补充。 阅读其余本条目»
所以，你就比现有的设计或从你自己的，另一家公司是一家集设计，你想证明更好。 什么是最有效，最快的方式得到一个非常小的样本量问题的答案吗？ whle有可能是你有几种选择，包括加速试验，他们每个人可以有自己的[...]
所以，你就比现有的设计或从你自己的，另一家公司是一家集设计，你想证明更好。 What's the most efficient, fastest way to get to that answer with a very small sample size? Whle there may be several options you have, including accelerated testing, they each can have their benefits and drawbacks. Here, I will advocate for zero-failure testing as a realistic and useful option, especially since it is something we often do anyways, but without the mathematical justification. Read the rest of this entry »
If we consider development to be the general increase in well being of a population, then we have to recognize that there are times when the increase in one type of measure (real income) is countered by the negative action of another type of measure (disease rates). In these cases, government often steps in to [...]
If we consider development to be the general increase in well being of a population, then we have to recognize that there are times when the increase in one type of measure (real income) is countered by the negative action of another type of measure (disease rates). In these cases, government often steps in to regulate the problem. However, there are times when government regulation is necessary and other times when it is ill-advised. How can we tell the difference? Read the rest of this entry »
最近，这CNN.com上的文章，重温了在太空中收集太阳能发电和喜气洋洋下来到地球的想法。 有了这样一个大的世界需求预计在未来20至50年的能源，和进入太空的成本下降，这可能是科幻技术成为[...]
近日， CNN.com上的文章，重温了在太空中收集太阳能发电和喜气洋洋下来到地球的想法。 有了这样一个大的世界需求预计在未来20至50年的能源，和进入太空的成本下降，这是科幻技术变成现实的时间吗？ 作为我们的成本不断增加，资源地理来源不稳定，难吃，或不足，最后可能有这种想法年龄。 阅读其余本条目»
在接下来的几个星期五，我去复述我的一些经验，从我在美国和平队的服务。 这可能不是真正的进步的目的显然是直接关系到，但我觉得它可以有所启发，我相信，和平队有一个具体的和[...]
在接下来的几个星期五，我去复述我的一些经验，从我在美国和平队的服务。 这可能不是真正的进步的目的显然是直接关系到，但我觉得，它可以是有益的，我相信，和平队有一个具体而宝贵的作用，发挥在世界各地的进展。 因此，了解如何工作，可以在今后的工作至少有一个形象是有价值的，无论是在正确地解释我的一些想法和如何使用或不使用这一机构，制订自己的阅读其余本条目»
因此，会发生什么时，非常的行动，我们各自以提高我们的生活中到底我们造成不利后果？ 圣人可能会说，通往地狱的道路是好心铺成的，她可能是正确的。 但是，它已经是这样吗？ 我们是[...]
因此，会发生什么时，非常的行动，我们各自以提高我们的生活中到底我们造成不利后果？ 圣人可能会说，通往地狱的道路是好心铺成的，她可能是正确的。 但是，它已经是这样吗？ 我们注定要向前一步，退一万步？ 我们可以预见的事情，可能会出问题？ ，以及如何重要的是集体好时相比，个人的自由阅读其余本条目»
这项检讨涉及机械工程，涉及非常小的尺度传热利基。 了解这个现象，这是相当典型的传热和热力学在日常世界经历的不同，纳米技术的机器和微电子机械系统（MEMS）的地位是至关重要的。
This review concerns a niche of mechanical engineering that involves heat transfer at very small scales. Understanding this phenomenon, which is considerably different from typical heat transfer and thermodynamics experienced in the everyday world, is critical to the advancement of nanotechnological machines and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Read the rest of this entry »
Energy efficiency is a wonderful investment both for businesses and consumers often paying far better returns than the stock and bond markets. If so, then why don't we take advantage of it? Increases in efficiency can reduce energy consumption for the same or increasing amount of output. All the while, pollution is reduced and money [...]
Energy efficiency is a wonderful investment both for businesses and consumers often paying far better returns than the stock and bond markets. If so, then why don't we take advantage of it? Increases in efficiency can reduce energy consumption for the same or increasing amount of output. All the while, pollution is reduced and money is saved increasing the health and well being of our communities. Is all of this good news falling on deaf ears? Read the rest of this entry »
Why considering a monetary value of life is not only acceptable, but morally necessary Typically, the first time we consider someone placing a monetary value on protecting a life, the risk of death, or other similar circumstances, we cringe. The mere mention of life in the context of money seems cruel and far too calculating. [...]
为什么考虑货币价值的生活不仅是可以接受的，但在道义上必要的
通常情况下，我们认为第一次有人把货币对保护生命的价值，死亡的风险，或其他类似情况，我们畏缩。 生活在钱的情况下色变，似乎残忍和过于计算。 正确的，我们已经了解到，一个绝对的货币价值，不能放在一个人的价值，无论老少，经验或经验不足，不分种族或宗教，他们持有。 这篇文章是不会去挑战任何的道德。 生命是无价的现象，每个人的经验是要在我们的价值体系的顶峰举行。 阅读其余本条目»
随着能源成本的增长速度低于通胀速度要比在美国的收入，许多人有一个愿望，以节省。 但是，如果没有信息，我们的保护可能比它的价值和难以作为有效的，因为它可能已经更加昂贵。 杀一个瓦用电监测提供了一个有用的方式是[...]
随着能源成本的增长速度低于通胀速度要比在美国的收入，许多人有一个愿望，以节省。 但是，如果没有信息，我们的保护可能比它的价值和难以作为有效的，因为它可能已经更加昂贵。 杀一个瓦用电监测提供了一个有用的方法，是关于保护智能。 增加你家的效率。 阅读其余本条目»
In this earlier article on the new CAFE standards, I found that depending on the assumptions made for the number of future miles driven, restricting the speed limit to 55 miles per hour would be a more cost effective and more energy efficient solution than changing the CAFE standard. That analysis only considered the total [...]
在此之前的文章新的CAFE标准，我发现，根据所作出的假设为驱动未来公里的数量，限制限速每小时55公里，将是一个更具成本效益和更节能高效的解决方案，比改变咖啡厅标准。 这一分析只考虑两个选项之间消耗的燃料的总金额。 Now, let's take that analysis a few steps further. Read the rest of this entry »
得到答案之前完成。 为什么人们总是这么不耐烦？ 为什么他们不能只是等待，直到测试完成之前，他们问答案？ 我想这只是人类的天性，正如我刚才听到这个问题，我一直在参与可靠性试验方案的任何时间。 而且，虽然我们都知道多少[...]
Getting answers before you are finished. Why are people always so impatient? Why can't they just wait until testing is complete before they ask for answers? I suppose it is just human nature, as I have heard that question any time I have been involved in reliability testing programs. And, although we would know much more if we waited for more data to roll in, there are times that we can evaluate where our project stands on the basis of partial test results. Read the rest of this entry »
As landfills which hold municipal solid waste are closed the emissions from decay of the material in the landfill becomes a pollutant. That pollutant can either contribute to smog and the increase in greenhouse gases, or it can be used as an energy source. A free, environmentally friendly fuel, potentially harmful if released, is not [...]
As landfills which hold municipal solid waste are closed the emissions from decay of the material in the landfill becomes a pollutant. That pollutant can either contribute to smog and the increase in greenhouse gases, or it can be used as an energy source. A free, environmentally friendly fuel, potentially harmful if released, is not being used everywhere? What are we thinking? Read the rest of this entry »
Increasing the quality and quantity of education in poor countries is critical and absolutely necessary to their development, but let's not lose sight of how disruptive a free and generous education can be. Education changes cultures, economies, and governments, and for nations entering that transition period the way must be prepared.
Increasing the quality and quantity of education in poor countries is critical and absolutely necessary to their development, but let's not lose sight of how disruptive a free and generous education can be. Education changes cultures, economies, and governments, and for nations entering that transition period the way must be prepared. Read the rest of this entry »
Sustainable technology is an idea that may produce a new level of real progress around the world. But often today, the term is more of a marketing badge that may or may not prove to be true when put to the test. I have written before about sustainable technology and some of the problems with [...]
Sustainable technology is an idea that may produce a new level of real progress around the world. But often today, the term is more of a marketing badge that may or may not prove to be true when put to the test. I have written before about sustainable technology and some of the problems with realizing that idea. In this article, let's consider a set of objectives that we can use to actually measure whether something is sustainable. Read the rest of this entry »
As a reliability analyst, sometimes none of your data matches the form you are interested in. It all comes in different collections of units, statistical distribution parameters, failure rates, environments, MTBF, MTTF, and on and on. In this article, let's consider one common conversion for which my research found too little information available on the [...]
As a reliability analyst, sometimes none of your data matches the form you are interested in. It all comes in different collections of units, statistical distribution parameters, failure rates, environments, MTBF, MTTF, and on and on. In this article, let's consider one common conversion for which my research found too little information available on the internet. Read the rest of this entry »
What is the state of the American university system? Does it produce the types of professionals needed to keep the American economy strong and innovative? We often hear a lot about how our contemporary economy requires plenty of professionals skilled in science and technology to maintain a healthy rate of innovation. There are are many [...]
What is the state of the American university system? Does it produce the types of professionals needed to keep the American economy strong and innovative?
We often hear a lot about how our contemporary economy requires plenty of professionals skilled in science and technology to maintain a healthy rate of innovation. There are are many reasons why science and engineering degrees are often used as barometers or leading indicators of the future state of innovation of the American economy. Read the rest of this entry »
True-Progress.com has released its Free Weibull Reliability Calculator version 1.0.2. You can download this tool by following this link. This simple calculator utilizes the Weibull distribution to generate reliability data for your system
True-Progress.com has released its Free Weibull Reliability Calculator version 1.0.2.
You can download this tool by following this link .
This simple calculator utilizes the Weibull distribution to generate reliability data for your system Read the rest of this entry »
Why pilots (and humans in general) get a bad rap during accident investigations. In my earlier article on root cause analysis, I mentioned that every cause present in a given situation can be considered equally responsible for the occurrence of the failure in question. Many times, however, investigations end up ascribing the fault of the [...]
Why pilots (and humans in general) get a bad rap during accident investigations.
In my earlier article on root cause analysis , I mentioned that every cause present in a given situation can be considered equally responsible for the occurrence of the failure in question. Many times, however, investigations end up ascribing the fault of the entire situation to a particular “root cause” that may or may not have happened without the presence of other contributing causes. When we identify the “root cause” as human error and fail to take actions against the system that set up that error, we are perpetuating the problem. Read the rest of this entry »
Progress via a True Global Internet In our contemporary world, one of the most important factors constraining the growth of societies is lack of information. In some places, infrastructure is not sufficiently developed in communications and electricity and the availability of electronics in the market to even allow people to connect to the information available [...]
Progress via a True Global Internet
In our contemporary world, one of the most important factors constraining the growth of societies is lack of information. In some places, infrastructure is not sufficiently developed in communications and electricity and the availability of electronics in the market to even allow people to connect to the information available via the internet. In other places, totalitarian governments partially or entirely limit the access their people have to the information available on the internet. Read the rest of this entry »
How Conservation and Efficiency Can Sometimes Increase Consumption Conservation and efficiency are always good, right? Unfortunately, not always. Many of us, myself included, consider ourselves conservationists. We don't buy or take things that we don't need (for example, lots of extra paper napkins at the restaurant). We consider the energy efficiency of our vehicles, appliances, [...]
How Conservation and Efficiency Can Sometimes Increase Consumption
Conservation and efficiency are always good, right? Unfortunately, not always.
Many of us, myself included, consider ourselves conservationists. We don't buy or take things that we don't need (for example, lots of extra paper napkins at the restaurant). We consider the energy efficiency of our vehicles, appliances, and other things we use in our homes. And, in principle, we are in favor of measures that encourage everyone to conserve more like recycling. But, things don't always turn out as we expect, and we must be diligent that our conservation measures don't end up resulting in more consumption than would otherwise have occured.
There are several causes and conditions for this type of occurence, and most involve market economics. To illustrate my point with an example, let's consider a few potential conservation regulations that could be enacted by a municipal government. Read the rest of this entry »
When Subsidies are Hard to See When we think of our governments subsidizing a particular industry we usually envision a nice big check sent to them every year to the tune of millions of dollars from tax revenues. Sometimes, instead, it is that industry that is free from a particular tax that most others have [...]
When Subsidies are Hard to See
When we think of our governments subsidizing a particular industry we usually envision a nice big check sent to them every year to the tune of millions of dollars from tax revenues. Sometimes, instead, it is that industry that is free from a particular tax that most others have to pay. But, what if instead there are payments in kind that elevate one industry or one form of technology over another. Would we recognize those things as government subsidies? Read the rest of this entry »
Stay Focused on the Big picture This is the fifth article in a five part series. In this series, we have been outlining a evidence-based, constructive method to address the issue of climate change. While using this method doesn't eliminate any disputes, it does change them from one of attacking philosophies, which are not easily [...]
Stay Focused on the Big picture
This is the fifth article in a five part series.
In this series, we have been outlining a evidence-based, constructive method to address the issue of climate change. While using this method doesn't eliminate any disputes, it does change them from one of attacking philosophies, which are not easily changed, to disputes about data analysis. And disputes about data analysis although sometimes nearly as heated can eventually be objectively resolved. The earlier articles focued on defining the real problem , determining causes , developing solutions and evaluating policy . While those articles briefly covered all of the major aspects of the method I am advocating, there are other important ideas that must be agreed upon to some degree by those participating in the process. Read the rest of this entry »
This review refers to version 6.3 of IRCMS by NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command). IRCMS 6.3 provides users with an aid to perform Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) analysis. RCM is a process by which the life cycle costs of performing maintenance on a system are compared to the consequences of not performing maintenance as well [...]
This review refers to version 6.3 of IRCMS by NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command).
IRCMS 6.3 provides users with an aid to perform Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) analysis. RCM is a process by which the life cycle costs of performing maintenance on a system are compared to the consequences of not performing maintenance as well as other options. This is a free tool, available here . As it is free to download and test this tool, I will not go into every feature available, just what I have noticed as its strengths and weaknesses. Read the rest of this entry »
Evaluating Solution Effectiveness and Translating Analysis into Policy This is the fourth article in a five part series. To date in this series, we've looked at objective measures of how to frame a problem, how to determine the causes of that problem, and consider implementing a robust solution to the problem. In the last article, [...]
Evaluating Solution Effectiveness and Translating Analysis into Policy
This is the fourth article in a five part series.
To date in this series, we've looked at objective measures of how to frame a problem , how to determine the causes of that problem , and consider implementing a robust solution to the problem. In the last article , we examined what to do about risk in an environment of uncertainty both from the standpoint of the problem and in the effectiveness of our solutions. In this article, I am going to discuss how we could form policy in a non-political fashion when given that kind of situation. Read the rest of this entry »
In honor of Earth Day on 4/22 (a little late, I know), let's consider the relationship between “green” production and conservation. Our question is does conservation or “green” production result a greater positive impact regarding our use of resources. I am going to take the case of paper, as it is relatively simple product to [...]
In honor of Earth Day on 4/22 (a little late, I know), let's consider the relationship between “green” production and conservation.
Our question is does conservation or “green” production result a greater positive impact regarding our use of resources. I am going to take the case of paper, as it is relatively simple product to manufacture, is a major waste product, and can be easily recycled.
As of 2000, paper consumption in the United States was approximately 324 kg per person. Americans recycle approxmately 38% of that total, and of the remainder that is thrown away, it makes up nearly 40% of the municipal waste stream eventually being incenerated or deposited in a landfill. Recycling has been growing slowly, however, only growing from 20% in 1921 to 38% today . Consumption has grown faster increasing more than 1% compounded annually or over 23% since 1990. Read the rest of this entry »
Evaluating Likelihood and Addressing Uncertainty when Applying Solutions This is the third article in a five part series. In the first two articles in this series we looked at identifying a problem and a functional understanding of that problem and then at determining all the causes of that problem. Now, we are going to consider [...]
Evaluating Likelihood and Addressing Uncertainty when Applying Solutions
This is the third article in a five part series.
In the first two articles in this series we looked at identifying a problem and a functional understanding of that problem and then at determining all the causes of that problem . Now, we are going to consider how to take account of uncertain data regarding future events both in the probability that they may occur and in the degree to which they might occur. People are generally bad at statistics , which makes this part of the risk assessment process counterintuitive at times. However, risk is something we do accept on a daily basis, and so I will try and find some analogies. Again, this series is about taking politics and argumentative posturing out of the decision making process regarding climate change. To be sure we adhere to that premise, I will continue to make my examples totally neutral regarding the data and whether we are talking about a warming or cooling climate; I am discussing the decision making process. Read the rest of this entry »
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond is an excellent explanation of why the world is the way it is. Combined with William Easterly's book reviewed earlier on this site, a reader can finally get his or her hands around the broad historical causes that have produced the world that we live in. This is [...]
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond is an excellent explanation of why the world is the way it is. Combined with William Easterly's book reviewed earlier on this site, a reader can finally get his or her hands around the broad historical causes that have produced the world that we live in.
This is a broad brush of history and geography to explain the current state of societies in the world today. This is a partial answer to the question of why do some societies have wealth and power and why are others poor and constantly on the verge of a natural or man-made disaster. Read the rest of this entry »
A Root Cause Analysis on the “Failure Mode” of Changing (Increasing or Decreasing) Temperatures. This is the second article of a five part series. In the last article I outlined our functional model of the Earth. According to that model to explain why the current temperature of earth is the way it is, we have [...]
A Root Cause Analysis on the “Failure Mode” of Changing (Increasing or Decreasing) Temperatures.
This is the second article of a five part series.
In the last article I outlined our functional model of the Earth. According to that model to explain why the current temperature of earth is the way it is, we have a primary energy input from the sun, and secondary energy inputs from other astronomical sources and internal energy from the Earth itself. The properties of the Earth that effect the temperature are the reflectivity, the percentage of energy reaching Earth reflected back out into space, and the emissivity, the ease at which the energy Earth contains can be released into space (cooling at night for example). The goal in this series is to address climate change in a real, technocratic, nonpolitical manner to elimate the arguing and posturing, and outline a process whereby people could identify what problem exists and the best most robust solution. Read the rest of this entry »
Some would say progress is continually achieving a higher and higher level of capability as individuals and collectively as a society. For example, we can buy improved cell phones, computers, and automobiles each year. Others would say that progress involves reaching a state of balance such that we are not destroying any nonrenewable resources and [...]
Some would say progress is continually achieving a higher and higher level of capability as individuals and collectively as a society. For example, we can buy improved cell phones, computers, and automobiles each year. Others would say that progress involves reaching a state of balance such that we are not destroying any nonrenewable resources and not using any more renewable resources than we produce. But, perhaps either of those cannot be achieved consistently without the other.
Recently, an initiative launched in Japan seeks to
increase the average lifespan of homes to 200 years. That would conserve resources as fewer home building materials would be needed over the long term. Homes would serve several generations before replacement and include flexibility in arrangement to meet the needs of a variety of families.
A Risk Assessment Approach to Climate Change Policy This is the first article of a five part series. It is difficult to find a more hotly debated public policy issue today than the one about potential regulatory actions related to global climate change. Much of this debate is emotional focused on various groups' attitudes toward [...]
A Risk Assessment Approach to Climate Change Policy
This is the first article of a five part series.
It is difficult to find a more hotly debated public policy issue today than the one about potential regulatory actions related to global climate change. Much of this debate is emotional focused on various groups' attitudes toward government action and personal responsibility, pessimism or optimism related to human interactions with the environment, and other philosophical differences. That being what it is, I think a different approach could show us the way out of that kind of divisive argument and produce positive action in an amount properly proportional to the nature of the threat. So, in a series of 5 articles, I am going to address this issue, not as a politician or a policy advocate, but as an engineer considering options and trying to reduce the risk associated with a particular problem. To maintain the non-partisan nature of this series, I am going to assume that increases or decreases in global temperatures are equally likely, and since, in theory, they have related solutions, it does not diminish the outcome of the analysis. Read the rest of this entry »
And, I mean way off… Picture yourself in a small tropical village a few hundred miles south of the Sahara Desert. About 800 people live there. You are probably related in one way or another to most of them, but you don't really know how exactly, beyond your own close-knit extended family. There is no [...]
And, I mean way off…
Picture yourself in a small tropical village a few hundred miles south of the Sahara Desert. About 800 people live there. You are probably related in one way or another to most of them, but you don't really know how exactly, beyond your own close-knit extended family. There is no electricity, no running water, no telephone.
During 6 months of the year when thundershowers pass over most afternoons, you work hard in your small fields taking care of cassava, corn, peppers, eggplant, okra, tomatoes, and rice, and look after your 9 goats. During another 2 months in the dry dusty season you have work to do tending your small orchard of mango, papaya, cashew, and orange trees. You are good at what you do, providing almost all the basic food you need, and have a surplus of almost 20% in products you can sell for cash. This covers the costs in supplies and uniforms to send you son and daughter to primary school. Read the rest of this entry »
What is Risk Assessment; how do we already use it; and how do we misuse it? If our goal is to achieve progress, one of the ways we can determine that progress has been made is by a reduction in the quantity and severity of problems we face. Another way, would be to determine the [...]
What is Risk Assessment; how do we already use it; and how do we misuse it?
If our goal is to achieve progress, one of the ways we can determine that progress has been made is by a reduction in the quantity and severity of problems we face. Another way, would be to determine the quantity and magnitude of new capabilities we gain. However, new capabilities often bring new problems of their own, if we are not careful. The discipline of risk assessment and mitigation or control, if we take the time to apply it properly, can address the reduction of our current problems and the mitigation of potential future problems caused by our new capabilities. Read the rest of this entry »
What would more effectively reduce pollution from small vehicles? Recently, there was a significant political argument in the United States about the costs and benefits of increasing the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Increased efficiency, the argument went, would reduce the consumption of fuel, and therefore help restrain fuel prices, also reducing pollution from [...]
What would more effectively reduce pollution from small vehicles?
Recently, there was a significant political argument in the United States about the costs and benefits of increasing the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Increased efficiency, the argument went, would reduce the consumption of fuel, and therefore help restrain fuel prices, also reducing pollution from vehicles causing reductions in greenhouse gasses and even more important things in the immediate term including smog producing substances, which are a major concern in large cities with warm climates like Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas-Ft. Worth, and Atlanta. The counter argument said that the costs would be too high, adding to the prices of vehicles, reducing auto industry revenue, eliminating jobs, and reducing passenger safety. Read the rest of this entry »
The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Out Time by Jeffery Sachs, is an optimistic, forceful argument for the economic potential of developing countries and the necessity of increased in aid from rich countries to realize it. Jeffrey Sachs is an accomplished macro-economist, currently at Columbia University, who has experience helping poor countries get on [...]
The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Out Time by Jeffery Sachs, is an optimistic, forceful argument for the economic potential of developing countries and the necessity of increased in aid from rich countries to realize it.
Jeffrey Sachs is an accomplished macro-economist, currently at Columbia University, who has experience helping poor countries get on track to development. While, often described as left-leaning, he makes strong cases in favor of free-trade, market forces, and the role of the private sector in achieving economic development. He does often tout his own success regarding recommendations for economic reforms that enhanced development in impoverished. However, given the overall pessimistic attitude that many have towards real, subtantial economic development in these difficult places, I am not so sure it was out of place. Read the rest of this entry »
In Search of The Best Answer, Not a Better Answer Whenever there is a major man-made disaster or some kind of accident, responsible officials usually convene a team that conducts an investigation. The results of that investigation will usually identify a “root cause” and several “contributing causes”. If it was a plane crash, the team [...]
In Search of The Best Answer, Not a Better Answer
Whenever there is a major man-made disaster or some kind of accident , responsible officials usually convene a team that conducts an investigation. The results of that investigation will usually identify a “root cause” and several “contributing causes”. If it was a plane crash, the team will probably present the root cause as either pilot error or some kind of maintenance error. But, if you really want to find out what caused the problem and how to fix it, look at the “contributing causes”. Those are the keys to not experiencing that event in the future. Read the rest of this entry »
So, how long will it be before our trash is more valuable than existing iron mines? The municipal waste collection system in the United States is very efficient at removing whatever materials we place in our trash bag. So much so, that we normally find it difficult to imagine the scale of the operation, and [...]
So, how long will it be before our trash is more valuable than existing iron mines?
The municipal waste collection system in the United States is very efficient at removing whatever materials we place in our trash bag. So much so, that we normally find it difficult to imagine the scale of the operation, and especially the scale of the mountain of material that is buried in our landfills each year. I wonder how long it will be before the sources of metals in our landfills is more valuable than our sources of metal ore. Read the rest of this entry »
Back in the good old days… Cultures seem to have their own ideas about what progress truly is and whether it exists at all or is just an illusion. Americans, in general, seem to have faith in progress over time, yet many continue to just as strongly express nostalgia for times past. Others have a [...]
Back in the good old days…
Cultures seem to have their own ideas about what progress truly is and whether it exists at all or is just an illusion. Americans, in general, seem to have faith in progress over time, yet many continue to just as strongly express nostalgia for times past. Others have a more cynical view of progress believing life and history to be more cyclical, while others who have recently experienced opression have no doubt that progress is real and something to strive for. Read the rest of this entry »
Development as Freedom, by Amartya Sen, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, provides a powerful argument that development and progress cannot be measured on the basis of economic output and consumption alone, that personal freedom is a very important and in some areas predominate variable in determining whether progress has been or will be [...]
Development as Freedom , by Amartya Sen, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, provides a powerful argument that development and progress cannot be measured on the basis of economic output and consumption alone, that personal freedom is a very important and in some areas predominate variable in determining whether progress has been or will be made, and in defining what poverty truly is.
Amartya Sen chooses to describe poverty not as a lack of resources, but as a lack of freedoms. Those freedoms include choosing where to live and work, with whom to associate, freedom to choose our leaders and decide the rules we live by, and many others. This key point is useful in that it does not focus solely on maximization of wealth as a way out of poverty. The problem with poverty is not lack of money, but that lack of money means that people are not free to make their own way in life. They may be trapped being at the mercy of nature, an opressive government, or an economy cripled by bad policy. The conclusion therefore, is that money alone cannot fix the real problem. Government reform, economic liberalization, and the general increase of personal freedoms is the true end we are striving for. Increasing incomes is one of several necessary steps to be accomplished and not an end in and of itself. Read the rest of this entry »
Excuse me, are you going to use all that Sun in one place? Given present-day concerns about energy independence, pollution control, and energy price stability, solar energy is often touted as one of the (at least partial) solutions to that problem. Solar energy involves making electricity or other useable energy out of light from the [...]
Excuse me, are you going to use all that Sun in one place?
Given present-day concerns about energy independence, pollution control, and energy price stability, solar energy is often touted as one of the (at least partial) solutions to that problem. Solar energy involves making electricity or other useable energy out of light from the Sun. And while humans have been using solar energy on some level since before history, most applications including solar cells ( photovoltaics ) and other efficient conversion systems have only been in use since the late 1940s. As of 2005, the total share of domestically produced electricity from solar energy was very small at 0.065%, or a total of about 19 billion kilowatt-hours , but growing rapidly. Read the rest of this entry »
One small step forward… While I was serving as a teacher in the small town of Kankalabé (population: ~5000), Guinea in West Africa, the European Union financed a project to install a running water system in that town. The project, of limited benefit, was soon sabotaged and has since been nothing but a monument to [...]
One small step forward…
While I was serving as a teacher in the small town of Kankalabé (population: ~5000), Guinea in West Africa, the European Union financed a project to install a running water system in that town. The project, of limited benefit, was soon sabotaged and has since been nothing but a monument to unrealized progress. The rationale of the planners and managers, I cannot verify, but I will describe observations from the level of the townspeople during my time there. Read the rest of this entry »
Is this for them or for us? A couple years ago, I was advising a group of undergraduate engineering students from Rice University on a project they were pursuing for Engineers Without Borders. They were designing a rainwater catchment and drip irrigation system for a village in Mali, West Africa. Having heard about their project [...]
Is this for them or for us?
A couple years ago, I was advising a group of undergraduate engineering students from Rice University on a project they were pursuing for Engineers Without Borders . They were designing a rainwater catchment and drip irrigation system for a village in Mali, West Africa. Having heard about their project and having experience in that part of the world, I offered to help and provide what guidance I could. Read the rest of this entry »
The Elusive Quest for Growth: Economists' Adventures and Misadventures in the Tropics by William Easterly is an honest answer to part of the question, “why hasn't the world improved like we thought it would?” Easterly conducts a post-mortem conference on western aid programs since the end of World War II, finding that in many cases [...]
The Elusive Quest for Growth: Economists' Adventures and Misadventures in the Tropics by William Easterly is an honest answer to part of the question, “why hasn't the world improved like we thought it would?” Easterly conducts a post-mortem conference on western aid programs since the end of World War II, finding that in many cases we should have known better. The incentives created by some nations' economic environment, or the aid programs themselves led national economies into periods of stagnant or negative growth. Easterly's mantra is “people respond to incentives.” Ignoring this truth, a central tenet of economics, has led to several irrational choices in the area of development aid, and many failures to achieve our objectives. Read the rest of this entry »
Please, That's Not Appropriate Here… Appropriate Technology, a somewhat condescending (from the receivers point of view) title for a movement that arose in the 1970s, focuses on providing an improved intermediate step on the technology staircase between developing and industrialized countries. While some of these ideas have been expressed for many decades (see The Ugly [...]
Please, That's Not Appropriate Here…
Appropriate Technology , a somewhat condescending (from the receivers point of view) title for a movement that arose in the 1970s, focuses on providing an improved intermediate step on the technology staircase between developing and industrialized countries. While some of these ideas have been expressed for many decades (see The Ugly American by William Lederer and Eugene Burdick), the success of the movement has not been universal. Skeptics claim that while the ideas have merit in reducing the destruction of natural resources and improving living conditions with minimal outside investment, the entire idea typically fails to take into account the economic aspects of technology transfer and development. Read the rest of this entry »
Onwards and Upwards Do we know what we are doing? Maybe the right question is do we ever know what we are doing? What are the true consequences of our actions today and tomorrow and hundreds of years from now? Are we responsible for those consequences or should we never be concerned with them? 我[...]
Onwards and Upwards
Do we know what we are doing? Maybe the right question is do we ever know what we are doing? What are the true consequences of our actions today and tomorrow and hundreds of years from now? Are we responsible for those consequences or should we never be concerned with them?
I believe that too often we accept not having the answers that we could have. We have chosen not to know whether our ways of “helping” each other really turn out to be help in the end. We have chosen to push the solutions to problems we have today off into the realm of tomorrow. While some of that may be rational (I am fairly certain that my computer will be faster in 5 years), not all of it is. Read the rest of this entry »
True-Progress.com is looking for writers to contribute to the mission of finding enduring solutions. If you or someone you know would like the opportunity to regularly publish articles on this site, please see the details here.
True-Progress.com is looking for writers to contribute to the mission of finding enduring solutions . If you or someone you know would like the opportunity to regularly publish articles on this site, please see the details here . Read the rest of this entry »
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