Here's Your Change

At a press conference today, Ed Henry asked President Obama why it took him a few days to respond to the AIG bonus scandal. Answer: "It took me a couple of days because I like to know what I'm talking about before I say something."

A Portfolio of March Bicycle Rides

Here's a little video I put together to illustrate just how wonderful Colorado weather can be, especially for us bicyclists. (Be patient, it can take a few extra seconds to get started.)



I may or may not do another video for the rest of the month...

How to Destroy the Planet, Part VII: Nanotechnology

Looking for a way to express your own inner evil genius? Try nanotechnology...

Chicago Sheriff Refuses to Foreclose

From Newsweek comes the story of the Cook County Sheriff, Thomas Dart, who has stopped foreclosures...

"Until you're physically out there, you can't really get the magnitude of what you're actually up to. It sounds like it's an antiseptic process, and it's anything but that. In the majority of the homes I was going into, there were always little kids around—I mean, really young kids, and we're taking them and putting them out on the street. A lot of them were seniors, and a lot of them had issues with dementia. Once again—we're taking them out to the street … Most of these neighborhoods are not good neighborhoods. Once [their belongings are] out on the street, we leave. While they're off looking for transportation, the few things they own are being stolen."

Read it here.

No Wonder Cats Are So Fascinated With Them

As your architect, I would normally advise you not to try this at home yourself. However, in this case, I make an exception.



I can think of a few other things they could have tried...

Most Energy-Efficient Transport?

What is the most energy-efficient form of human transportation?

Would you believe me if I said bicycling?

In terms of calories expended over any distance traveled, yes, it turns out that riding a bicycle is as good as it gets.

Of all the common modes of transport, taking a bus is second best. Walking and taking a train, Amtrak, come in third and fourth. Flying and riding a motorcycle come in a distant fifth and sixth.

Riding your bicycle 350 miles at 15 mph -- as has been calculated and tabulated for you by the fine folks at Good Magazine -- requires the equivalent of 16 Whoppers with cheese, or 12,300 calories of energy. Plus, your health will improve dramatically. Never mind that it'll take you 23 hours and 20 minutes to get there. You're not in that big of a hurry, are you?

How about those other modes of travel? Well... walking takes three times as many Whoppers with cheese as bicycling, 36,960 calories, and over four times as much time -- 100 hours!

Please, you say. I'm a civilized human being. Give me motorized transport.

To start, you need to know that one gallon of gasoline contains 31,000 calories. So that bus ride requires about 36,000 calories and 5:50 to get you 350 miles. Not bad at all. Amtrak requires 70,000 calories of energy and 4:22 of time. Still not too bad. Your average sedan? A whopping 403,000 calories and 5:50! Well then, you smile back, what about the new hybrid technology? Nope, 248,000 calories and 5:50.

Finally, trust me when I say: Don't even ask about that SUV in your driveway...

If we EVER hope to cut down on our dependence on fossil fuels, we'll either need to INVENT/DISCOVER another fuel source as packed with caloric goodness as long-chain hydrocarbons... or re-learn to ride our bikes, be a bit more patient, and learn to love Whoppers!