Introductions: ideas and people [sticky]

This pod grew out of a zMail (is that what it's called?) discussion between ~Matthew and I. Surprisingly there didn't seem to be a pod already running on the topic (though at least one covered part of the concept), so here we are in a minutes-old sprout of a pod!

I'm Rob, aka mrobert here on Zaadz, and wish to facilitate you as you explore the options we collectively share for transporting ourselves and our goods around town, around our nations, and around the world.

Conceptually I think this includes such topics as new car technology, biodiesel, electric cars and conversions, waste vegetable oil as a transportation fuel, DIY kits, homespun technologies, motorcycling and bicycling, compressed air technologies, fuel cells, public transportation, the shipping industry, air travel, seafaring, etc. etc. etc. On each of these topics, I think we have room for discussion ranging from “Why travel at all?” to “How to build a waste vegetable oil-fired jet pack out of commonly discarded household goods.”

Realistically, I think this pod has tremendous potential as a tool to change the world, in a very nuts-and-bolts way (if you'll excuse the pun!) It's not the only thing we can do, not by a long-shot, but I suspect these ideas will be of interest to a large number of Zaadzsters.

So welcome. Please take a moment to introduce yourself in response to this post.

Oh - perhaps I should start! I'm Rob, 28 years a computer programmer, ten years of industrial control design, once upon a time a member of a winning Solar and Electric Vehicle Association race team (we walked all over Saturn's two cars, but it was a pyrrhic victory), current biodiesel and WVO advocate, moderator of a regional biodiesel email list, driver of an '83 Mercedes running BD, designer of a very cool WVO conversion kit that exists only on paper ;-), and wannabe dino-free (and someday, car-free) consumer.

You're next. Join our pod and take ownership - introduce yourself, and make yourself comfortable!

Re: Introductions: ideas and people [sticky]

Dino-Free is the way to be!!!  Getting there is the challenge and a big one indeed.  But it always starts with small steps, so get involved and help build the momentum.  Join the discussion and share your thoughts.  We need you and that's what Zaadz is all about.

I'm a SoCal transplant and lived in the eye of the auto-society beast.  The quality of life sitting in traffic is appalling.  We can be mad at the auto industry and oil companies who killed most public transportation in LA and the West - but just knowing the enemy helps and you don't need to be a hater.

Good news is that necessity is the mother of invention.  It's getting too crowded to commute in many cities.  That costs $ in lost productivity and when it starts hitting companies in the pocketbook they take notice.  Many cities like Santa Barbara, CA are realizing the error of their ways.  Driving through that city in the AM or PM rush is a joke.  Now planners and advocates are drafting initiatives to make sections of the city care-free.  I see other cities doing the same and we need to be sure to help however we can because it's a start in the right direction.

I live in MT and have not seen a single bus or even taxi - imagine that big city folk!  I have a big posse and wish I had more options regarding transportation.  I'm not holding my breath waiting for GM to make a hyrib or electric suburban, so that's why I'm here to listen, learn and participate.  Never thought I'd own a Subaru, but driving demands living in rural area and ridiculous gas prices, prompted me to join the club of subbies.  I guess that makes me offical now in the great NW, but 20 - 26 is still too low - especially compared to friends with a Prius.  Maybe higher gas prices will finally get people off their fat arses and do something about our oil addiction. 

Re: Introductions: ideas and people [sticky]

Howdy:  I'm rich, a friend of Rob's.  I'm into the concept generally speaking but have no where near the actual know how of Rob, or probably most of you for that matter.  I mess with trucks alot and always think about how to get the best milage I can while still being able to use the power I need to do some of the stuff I want (eg., pull a tractor from one place to the next).  I have been driving a diesel (Dodge 2500) for some time and will probably try to continue to utilize diesel power as much as I can in the near future.  I'd very much like to see bio-diesel become more available but we do have to realize that bio-fuels are not the answer to our resource depletion problems.  We can't “grow” our way out of this in any realistic sense. 

By the way – what is dino-free?

Re: Introductions: ideas and people [sticky]

“Dino-diesel” is petroleum-based diesel. “Dino-free” is to get by without fossil fuels at all.

Your comments on “growing” our way our of dependence on fossil fuels are extremely topical - the downside of biofuel optimism! I know that biofuel enthusiasm has already had quite an impact in different parts of the world, and that George Monbiot is a relatively solid source of information on the topic, but I wonder if you Rich (or someone else?) might start up a new discussion thread in this “General” board on the perils of going petroleum-free?

Re: Introductions: ideas and people [sticky]

I produce radio ads.
I want clean air.
I don't accept trading oil for the market's sake. Or for the so-called world economy.
With the technology at our disposal we COULD have had an elegant solution in place.
Is it the hydrogen car?
How can I contribute?

Pierre

Re: Introductions: ideas and people [sticky]

Pierre, I wonder if there is one solution, or if the future necessarily holds a plethora of answers appropriate to the individual and circumstances. Hydrogen worries me, especially if it's touted as “the” answer, and especially if it's produced by the gassification of coal. But as a portion of the solution, I'm sure it has potential. I feel the same way about biofuels.

Re: Introductions: ideas and people [sticky]

I don't have much knowledge of the processes but understand well when explained. I also am hypervigilant to the exploitation of “opportunities”.
But in the interests of the earth I would offer all the expertise I have, aquired over two decades in terms of media production, at cost and some for free (copy, voice artistry, studio)
Anything I can do to promote cleaner air, I will.

Pierre

Re: Introductions: ideas and people [sticky]

Very cool, well said.

Re: Introductions: ideas and people [sticky]

OK, I love the concept of minimal impact transportation. I struggle with the reality. I am 54. I sometimes bike or run to work. I’m seeking a better vehicle for those numerous times when I cannot bike. I have gone so far as to rent a bike while attending out of town conventions. But, that does little to counter the use of fuel on the jet which I used to get to the convention in the first place.

Living in a rural location presents additional challanges. My preferred transportation (below) is in a home-made SOF (skin-on-wooden-frame) kayak or baidarka. Unfortunately, even this requires transportation by vehicle to a body of water.

tom

Re: Introductions: ideas and people [sticky]

Heya!

Thanks Rob for creating this pod and discussion. Personally, I think we need to revolutionize transportation here in America.
I suppose I live a dual life, because I work for the Airlines (flight attendant) to supplement my start-up company “Fresh Communications, yet long for a better way to get from point A to Z.

Soooo…one day, back in Winter '06 I stumbled upon a contest on Gather, and had an idea.
Although I didn't win (the winner did place a comment on my page though if you want to read about his proposal, click on his name “Dave”), I still wish to develop this idea further. Here is a link to my submission on Gather. I'd love some feedback…and please, feel free to dissect the idea as you wish, I'm not opposed to completely re-working this idea. (I mean lets face it, several brains have got to be better than my crazy brain, right?!)

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976962424

Cheers All,
Cecelia