not-for-everyone

I read an article in the February 2009 issue of Fast Company written by Nancy Lublin called "No Vacancy". I completely agree that not-for-profit is not a second rate employment opportunity. As the economy worsens on an almost daily basis people are scrounging to locate jobs that they once would have never considered. Just because not-for-profits professionals make less of a salary than most top executive's doesn't mean they are any less skilled. Actually, the majority of the not-for-profit's are most likely better at their jobs because they are doing what they do because they have have a passion for it, not for the top dollars they are earning. So now that they "big dogs" are down and out they are turning to the "bottom of the totem pole" to help them climb back up. I think anyone who would not have considered a not-for-profit position prior to the economic downturn should be ashamed to cry to them for help now. Either way, I am sure there are not many, if any, positions available now.

Whirl of Green

I read an article in Fast Company magazine, February 2009 edition, by Melanie Warner called Gust of Hope. The article informed me of a town, Sweetwater, Texas, that runs power using the wind. I think this is so cool! I have heard of solar energy and going green but I was not aware an entire town could run just because the wind blows. Even better, the farmer that was interviewed, Jon Bergstrom, tells of how much of a tax break the residents within this town get due to the alternate form of electricity. Now that I know this is possible, I definitely feel that the government needs to start looking into implementing some alternate power sources. We are trying to make all these cuts and stimulate the economy but we continue to do what has already been tried and it never has worked and is not going to magically fix things. Alternate power sources would be a permanent fix to the problem. In saying all of this, I understand a plan such as this one would take a long period of time to completely implement but what is the harm in beginning to research how it could work, and how much money could be saved. Not to mention all the environmental problems that could be eliminated with such new developments. All I'm saying is that it's worth a shot.

Prioritize Your Inbox

Reengineer Your Inbox
By: Robert Scoble
Fast Company, February 2009 ed.

I have to say I am very excited to hear about this addition to outlook email. The most annoying thing of my day at work and even with my school email is to have to read all of the emails I get only to find it was all non-essential information. People have gone e-mail crazy within the past few years. Now everything people think is put into and message and sent to everyone on their contact list. It’s ridiculous! Oh, and those chain letters. I do not have enough time in a day to forward all these chain letters to so many people just so I won’t “be unlucky in life”, or whatever else those letters wish on the receiver. The addition of ClearContext, Gist and Xobni will definitely help “weed” out all of the unnecessary email and allow people who have business to attend to get to the important emails, and the idea of being able to pull up important phone numbers and the click of one button is genius. These programs are long overdue but I, for one, am just thankful to hear someone finally thought of this.

BPA

I find it very alarming that the government is more concerned with dollars than with human life. Until now, I have never heard of BPA but now that I have it certainly scares me. There is no telling how much of this I have consumed throughout my lifespan and to find out the substance can be related to cancer and other diseases, wow! I now have to not only worry about birth defects to my children by natural causes but by some chemical the government refuses to regulate. I don't understand why the people who are responsible for the safety of this country continue to ignore problems relating to chemicals. Do they not understand that regulating chemical use in substances that are being produced would save them money? It's obvious to people such as myself that cancers and diseases are up more than ever and I personally blame it on the way our food products and such related items are being produced. In the economy we are living in today, the government is paying for health care for an increased number of people, so it makes sense to me that they would want to keep the population as healthy as possible. To know that I may be hurting my body just by taking a drink from a soda can amazes me. Now I am aware that I do not just have to worry about the foods and drinks I'm consuming, but also about what they come in. As for babies, I cannot believe human kind is so dis-concerned with the way our children are harmed. I mean, drinking from a bottle can cause adverse side effects and nothing is being done to stop it. The scientists that are government employed put their integrity to the side to make extra money and I for one think that is appalling. Reading this article makes me angry and sad. People are willing to risk the lives of other to make a few thousand dollars and its sickening. The scientists that are responsible for the lies aren't the ones who are having to deal with the mess they are causing. They know from their research how harmful BPA is to the human body and therefore are able to avoid it. The public however takes the word of these same scientists and continue to use the products containing these toxins. As for the scientists that are working to prove the "crooked" ones wrong, good for you. I am glad to know there are still some decent people in the world that value human life.