Should We Stop Giving Money To Other Countries? » Propeller
I have been unable to get a straight answer from any of the local politicians that represent my district to a simple question. How much money is spent each year in foreign aid. Foreign aid to make sure other people of other countries get the medical [...]
Entries from February 2009
February 27, 2009
Should We Stop Giving Money To Other Countries?
February 27, 2009
A take on the aid business
Aid is all about helping the people getting the aid – right?
Not quite. Aid is a business, like charity is a business.
A week after the tsunami there was this woman on TV saying – please just send stuff, dont come here. Why? She said all the five star hotels were booked up and all [...]
February 27, 2009
On aid and charity
I was at a presentation of a project in India – funded from Australia and built in a slum in India. Very good yes?
But I listened to speaker explain the project – mainly the technical process – so far so good. Then the talk veered towards the narration of the experience of interacting with the [...]
February 27, 2009
Melting Human Flesh
This one is for Barbara – I was at this public event and someone comes up to you and says, ‘hey that thing, that bunker thing. I am watching that space for ideas’. It felt good. For the faint voice is committed to stay hidden and only talk about the small and the hidden.
If you [...]
February 15, 2009
Shipping Container images
Crikey – Stay or go policy under scrutiny – Stay or go policy under scrutiny
It would be safe to stay and defend if in or next to each house in fire prone areas there is somewhere to shelter from the fire as it passes. This could be in a pool or under ground. Perhaps a [...]
February 15, 2009
Shipping Container forum discussions
Self Service Science – ABC Science Online Forum
Well what materials and designs would be bestfor building a fire storm resistant house?
Would a cellar or underground room need to be part of the plan.
How can people build houses to have the best type of fire plans built in to their situation?
Self Service Science – ABC Science [...]
February 15, 2009
Bunker Stories
I started a conversation with people about designers and architects contributing sketches to a compilation of drawings of bunkers. In Kinglake and other areas people often build their own houses – and so the sketches would form an idea bank that can become the basis of inspiration. Or just offer up an archive of options. [...]
February 12, 2009
Random Thoughts and Louis Schmier
I came back to LS today – because I saw a side of university he has no time for.
PBS Teachers | learning.now . The Return of the Original Edublogger | PBS
When I am asked what I teach, I answer unhesitatingly, “I teach students”. I am now more concerned with the students’ learning than my teaching, [...]
February 10, 2009
Google Calendar
I went to help in google calendar and found this – but there is no plus next to ‘my calendars’. Curious!
Create multiple calendars
You can set up multiple calendars for different areas of your life, like one for your softball team’s practises and games. Click the “plus” symbol next to My Calendars to get started.
February 10, 2009
City of the Future: The History Channel
This is a very cool competition …The History Channel had designers in New York, Chicago and LA propose what our cities will look like in 2106. Through February 3 you can vote to pick the national winner (www.history.com/designchallenge/sweepst akes)
more about "City of the Future: The History Channel", [...]
February 10, 2009
ECONIC DESIGN: a New Paradigm for Architecture
How we will live and move around in our urban environments in 100 years from now — balancing high tech, nature, design, and urban constrains? ” ECONIC DESIGN is a concept engineering and space shaping approach for urban planning and building architecture. It encompasses the latest ecological, iconic, economical and technological aspects, as well as [...]
February 10, 2009
Big Picture TV › Video › Natural Capitalism
Dr. Lovins talks about the reaction around the world to his seminal book ‘Natural Capitalism’, which he co-wrote with L. Hunter Lovins and Paul Hawken. Since it was first published in 2000, he has worked with a number of companies in helping them to develop “natural capitalist” strategies to do business as if nature and [...]
February 10, 2009
Big Picture TV › Video › Ecological Design
Architect Sim Van de Ryn describes what he believes to be the leading edge of contemporary design. He talks about biomimicry, which uses the way nature works as a basis for design. He gives examples of breakthrough that has recently occurred in propeller design. He then discusses the future of the built environment, taking into [...]
February 10, 2009
Hardened Structures
Source – http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/10/01/bunker.jpg
On the radio today I heard a survivor of the bushfire describe an underground shelter (bunker?). And how they were all safe below the ground as the fire raged overhead. This sent me off on a search for such spaces – and I came across this company that has an appropriate name and [...]
February 9, 2009
Australian Bushfires: Death Toll Rising
Sky News Feb 08, 2009
more about "Australian Bushfires: Death Toll Rising", posted with vodpod
February 9, 2009
‘Dig deep’ for bushfire victims
Source: Couple survey bushfire destruction – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
‘Dig deep’ for bushfire victims, Australians urged – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
The Victorian Premier John Brumby has launched a Bushfire Appeal Fund to help the victims of the more than 400 bushfires which have swept across the state.
The Victorian Government and the Federal Government [...]
February 9, 2009
Bushfire Appeal Information
I am putting together some information for everyone who is looking for information on the Melbourne bushfires and the Victorian bushfires. This post is also about ‘donations’.
Re what you can do – best if you give money. Here is a note from the Red Cross site which explains why. “Please do not donate goods: We [...]
February 9, 2009
Bushfire heat melts alloy
Craig Kidd looks at the melted metal of alloy wheels from the vehicles
on his property in Bendigo on February 9, 2009, after bushfires tore
through the area.
Source: Bushfire heat melts alloy – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
February 9, 2009
Support
I live 45 kms to the south of Kinglake and about 30 kms from Whittlesea. So the fire and the tragedy felt really close.
We heard yesterday that Sue, my daughter’s class teacher from a few years ago, was safe. But a friend of theirs had lost everything – so we pitched in with some clothes and stuffed [...]
February 8, 2009
‘Dig deep’ for bushfire victims
‘Dig deep’ for bushfire victims, Australians urged – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
The Victorian Premier John Brumby has launched a Bushfire Appeal Fund to help the victims of the more than 400 bushfires which have swept across the state.
The Victorian Government and the Federal Government will donate $4 million to the appeal, in addition to [...]
