Monthly Archives: August 2003

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM: BREEDING A NATION OF DRONES

Posted on August 31, 2003 by Dave Pollard

In my recent post on rebuilding the American civic state I argued that one of the five key requirements to do so is re-educating the public — about the issues facing the world, about history, geography, civics, economics, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in How the World Really Works | 12 Comments

WANTED: INNOVATION IN THE BOOK PUBLISHING INDUSTRY

Posted on August 30, 2003 by Dave Pollard

If anyone can publish their own blog, their own CD,their own art portfolio, and their own film, why can’t everyone publish their own book? Yes, I know there are so-called ‘vanity’ publishers who will print small runs of your book … Continue reading →

Posted in Working Smarter | 9 Comments

FRIDAY ROUND-UP

Posted on August 29, 2003 by Dave Pollard

Bush the Environmentalist? – In his blog debitage, Stentor Danielson attempts to explain how Bush can reconcile his contempt for environmental regulation with the eco-friendliness of his ranch. Read it — it makes sense, and it’s important to understand the … Continue reading →

Posted in Using Weblogs and Technology | 2 Comments

CAUTION: CONTROVERSIAL IDEAS AHEAD

Posted on August 28, 2003 by Dave Pollard

Regular readers of How to Save the World have noticed — and expressed some dismay — that I’ve proffered some fairly controversial opinions here in recent weeks, and also that I’ve blogged more about environmental philosophy and less about business … Continue reading →

Posted in Our Culture / Ourselves, Using Weblogs and Technology | 30 Comments

HOW TO CHANGE ANYTHING

Posted on August 27, 2003 by Dave Pollard

Systems thinking is an interesting and disciplined way to look at how things work, and how to bring about change. Peter Senge may be the guru of systems thinking, but Dana Meadows was its master. The late Ms. Meadows, author … Continue reading →

Posted in Collapse Watch, Working Smarter | 7 Comments

CONTEMPT FOR THE WORD

Posted on August 26, 2003 by Dave Pollard

Please read the following disquieting passage, see if you can guess its source, and then go to languagehat‘s perpetually enlightening site, where he’ll tell you more about it: “An extraordinary contempt for the word, or what might even be called … Continue reading →

Posted in How the World Really Works | 3 Comments

STILL NO SAFE PLACE FOR CANADA’S ANIMALS

Posted on August 25, 2003 by Dave Pollard

I think this letter speaks for itself. I wrote earlier about the issues underlying the act to amend the Criminal Code of Canada to protect animals from cruelty — the first such act in over a century. Our worst fears … Continue reading →

Posted in Collapse Watch | 1 Comment

COMMUNITY

Posted on August 24, 2003 by Dave Pollard

Yesterday we hosted our annual neighbourhood adults-only barbecue, a delightful but boisterous group of 80 people. We welcomed our two new neighbourhood couples. One of the neighbours catered the event for cost. Another neighbour laid out a 9-hole Goofy Golf … Continue reading →

Posted in Collapse Watch | 14 Comments

QUICK PICKS

Posted on August 22, 2003 by Dave Pollard

Five things worth a read: Health Care Bloat: A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine shows the administrative overhead costs of the US health system are twice what they would be under a Canadian-style public health system. … Continue reading →

Posted in Our Culture / Ourselves | 4 Comments

SATIRISTS WANTED

Posted on August 22, 2003 by Dave Pollard

Virtual Occoquan is looking for you. All you have to do is take any piece of spam you’ve received, poke it, tart it up a bit until it’s funny, or ironic, and submit it to Mark Hoback within the next … Continue reading →

Posted in Using Weblogs and Technology | 1 Comment