You have probably noticed that I have been away for the last two months.
I needed to take a step back, and take a look at where the blog was going.
I needed to understand what was my purpose for writing my articles, and attempting to engage in an interactive discussion with others about new technologies in smart homes, alternative energy and sustainable living?
With the Internet filled with just about every bit of information, article, post, and opinion on any subject that one may think of, so what more could I offer?
I noticed that my articles became less about new or green technology, but focused more on establishing a sustainable living practices.
Perhaps it was due in part to "a sign of the times", with so many people out of work, encouraging home (victory) gardens, and basic food pantry storage methods might not have been a bad thing.
Even though my blog reached The Executive Office Of President Of The United States, I wondered if I was giving my readers anything of value?
I realized I did offer my readers something of value. Sustainable living for the individual, the family, local communities, states and nation(s) is vital in today's world of technology and economy.
In this new world of economics, employment, and technology, sustainability is what it is all about.
So, I have sustained!
Brett Talks Tech is back and will be here daily with thoughts, information, articles of interest.
I welcome all readers to suggest a subject or technology to discuss and away we will go.
Brett
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Recent Comments - Food For Thought And Debate
Recent comments from "Rwordplay" are thought provoking, insightful, and offer opportunities for debate and discussion.
I am asking all readers that visit Brett Talks Tech to read them.
Also, take a look at the Member Profiles for his bio and more information about "Rwordplay", other sites that he may follow, you may find common interests.
I must admit, I am finding that my posts are becoming more commentary then technical lately.
Originally, I had hoped that this blog would be an interaction of discussion on sustainable living practices, self-reliance and alternative energy technologies.
Although willing to discuss and offer any information that someone may ask on a particular technology, I have found myself leaning on the concept of the non-technologies of sustainability, such as, home gardens, canning and preserving, water conservation, recovery, storage, etc.
Warning about the infrastructure of our nation, and how that can (and probably will) effort each of us on a personal level in coming years is not a bad thing. From bridges to roads, dams, levees , waste water treatment to clean water, American infrastructure is one grade above "F" for failure.
Thank you to all that continue to read Brett Talks Tech, and please offer any comment or insight that you may want.
I want to again thank the Brett Talks Tech member "Rwordplay" for offering his comments for all of us to contemplate.
Brett
I am asking all readers that visit Brett Talks Tech to read them.
Also, take a look at the Member Profiles for his bio and more information about "Rwordplay", other sites that he may follow, you may find common interests.
I must admit, I am finding that my posts are becoming more commentary then technical lately.
Originally, I had hoped that this blog would be an interaction of discussion on sustainable living practices, self-reliance and alternative energy technologies.
Although willing to discuss and offer any information that someone may ask on a particular technology, I have found myself leaning on the concept of the non-technologies of sustainability, such as, home gardens, canning and preserving, water conservation, recovery, storage, etc.
Warning about the infrastructure of our nation, and how that can (and probably will) effort each of us on a personal level in coming years is not a bad thing. From bridges to roads, dams, levees , waste water treatment to clean water, American infrastructure is one grade above "F" for failure.
Thank you to all that continue to read Brett Talks Tech, and please offer any comment or insight that you may want.
I want to again thank the Brett Talks Tech member "Rwordplay" for offering his comments for all of us to contemplate.
Brett
Friday, September 25, 2009
Quality Of Life or Quantiy Of Materials - A Personal Choice
I have decided that I am not going to play anymore - consumer that is.
But what does that mean?
No, I am not going to live in a cave, and contemplate my navel.
I am going to keep a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and the necessary tools of day to day living such as health care and long term financial planning.
But what do I mean when I say, not playing consumer anymore?
The honest answer is that I don't know.
Maybe it's the simple, little things. Like the other day, I was going to buy my favorite BBQ sauce, at $6.95 for a 12 ounce jar. But something made me stop, and read the label, again. The ingredients were pretty simple, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, honey, molasses, mustard, and spices. All ingredients that I have at home. I put the jar back on the shelf, finished shopping, went home and mixed the tomato paste and other ingredients together and had about a quart of delicious BBQ sauce for about 3 dollars.
I am not sure how this equates to "not playing consumer". Does saving a few dollars shopping make me less of a consumer? I still had to buy the ingredients didn't I?
Or this past weekend, when I decided to cook a large pot of tomato sauce instead of buying the usual jar or two. Organic crushed tomatoes, Organic whole tomatoes, three cans of tomato paste (organic), spices, and now sits in several containers, a gallon of homemade sauce in the freezer for less then ten dollars.
I don't go to the neighborhood restaurant for breakfast anymore, I cook at home. In the past, I probably would eat out, between breakfast, lunch, and dinner about nine times a week. In the past two weeks, maybe three times. I have noticed that I am not filling my gas tank as much and the food I am eating is much healthier now, I know what's in it, and what's not. I also know I am not paying taxes or tipping for service when I choose to cook at home.
I find that I am seeking the simple now, not denying what I am desiring, just going about it differently.
Willing to stop and think, do I really need to purchase this today? Whatever it is. Do I really need it?
I notice every month that my utility bill usage is almost cut in half from the previous year. But what changes have I really put into effect? I don't know, maybe it's just being conscious of how I use electrical power, maybe not, I just know that I am using or consuming less. Perhaps it's because I am willing to take the time to hang dry my laundry outside and not use the dryer. But I don't know for sure.
I think about when and how I want to use my car these days, think about where I am going. Without effort, I have noticed that I am using half the gas that I used a year ago. How can that be? Can it really be from just being conscious of how and when I drive? I don't know, but I am consuming less. Less driving means that I am not changing oil as frequently as before.
For the past year, I have noticed that I really don't need to buy the books that I want to read, that I can go to the library. The same for DVDs. I have not re-subscribed to several magazines that I have enjoyed in the past, they have the same content on the web now.
My bank just sent me a notice, they are not going to be sending out paper statements anymore, I can now read all my banking information online. So be it, if I am interested in my statement, now its always available, perhaps even less visits to the bank in the future.
I no longer have credit cards, cash only now, if I can't afford it, I don't need it. My debit card can be used for making airline, hotel, or car rentals if necessary. Besides, most of the time my credit cards were used for dining out, which I am doing with less and less frequency.
Someone recently scolded me, and I admit it now, I am solely responsible for the downturn in the economy. For I am not participating in the "trickle down" theory of economics. What of the wait persons, the restaurant owners, the gas stations, so on and so on?
I don't know about that, never enjoyed my economics classes, I do know that I am happier, maybe it's the real food that I prepare now, void of preservatives, or MSG. Maybe it's just the thought that I am simplifying my life, ever so slowly, but ever so forward.
I really don't know.
Brett
But what does that mean?
No, I am not going to live in a cave, and contemplate my navel.
I am going to keep a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and the necessary tools of day to day living such as health care and long term financial planning.
But what do I mean when I say, not playing consumer anymore?
The honest answer is that I don't know.
Maybe it's the simple, little things. Like the other day, I was going to buy my favorite BBQ sauce, at $6.95 for a 12 ounce jar. But something made me stop, and read the label, again. The ingredients were pretty simple, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, honey, molasses, mustard, and spices. All ingredients that I have at home. I put the jar back on the shelf, finished shopping, went home and mixed the tomato paste and other ingredients together and had about a quart of delicious BBQ sauce for about 3 dollars.
I am not sure how this equates to "not playing consumer". Does saving a few dollars shopping make me less of a consumer? I still had to buy the ingredients didn't I?
Or this past weekend, when I decided to cook a large pot of tomato sauce instead of buying the usual jar or two. Organic crushed tomatoes, Organic whole tomatoes, three cans of tomato paste (organic), spices, and now sits in several containers, a gallon of homemade sauce in the freezer for less then ten dollars.
I don't go to the neighborhood restaurant for breakfast anymore, I cook at home. In the past, I probably would eat out, between breakfast, lunch, and dinner about nine times a week. In the past two weeks, maybe three times. I have noticed that I am not filling my gas tank as much and the food I am eating is much healthier now, I know what's in it, and what's not. I also know I am not paying taxes or tipping for service when I choose to cook at home.
I find that I am seeking the simple now, not denying what I am desiring, just going about it differently.
Willing to stop and think, do I really need to purchase this today? Whatever it is. Do I really need it?
I notice every month that my utility bill usage is almost cut in half from the previous year. But what changes have I really put into effect? I don't know, maybe it's just being conscious of how I use electrical power, maybe not, I just know that I am using or consuming less. Perhaps it's because I am willing to take the time to hang dry my laundry outside and not use the dryer. But I don't know for sure.
I think about when and how I want to use my car these days, think about where I am going. Without effort, I have noticed that I am using half the gas that I used a year ago. How can that be? Can it really be from just being conscious of how and when I drive? I don't know, but I am consuming less. Less driving means that I am not changing oil as frequently as before.
For the past year, I have noticed that I really don't need to buy the books that I want to read, that I can go to the library. The same for DVDs. I have not re-subscribed to several magazines that I have enjoyed in the past, they have the same content on the web now.
My bank just sent me a notice, they are not going to be sending out paper statements anymore, I can now read all my banking information online. So be it, if I am interested in my statement, now its always available, perhaps even less visits to the bank in the future.
I no longer have credit cards, cash only now, if I can't afford it, I don't need it. My debit card can be used for making airline, hotel, or car rentals if necessary. Besides, most of the time my credit cards were used for dining out, which I am doing with less and less frequency.
Someone recently scolded me, and I admit it now, I am solely responsible for the downturn in the economy. For I am not participating in the "trickle down" theory of economics. What of the wait persons, the restaurant owners, the gas stations, so on and so on?
I don't know about that, never enjoyed my economics classes, I do know that I am happier, maybe it's the real food that I prepare now, void of preservatives, or MSG. Maybe it's just the thought that I am simplifying my life, ever so slowly, but ever so forward.
I really don't know.
Brett
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Obama's Speech To UN - Global Economies Vs Global Warming
I just listened to President Obama's speech, which focused on the need for more urgent action concerning the consequences of global warming, delivered to the body of the United Nations. President Obama, while outlining his commitment for clean air, water, and energy, carefully stepped around how to balance those concerns with world-wide economic realities and growth from newly emerging nations.
I have written over many months that sustainable living (for individual, community, and nation), along with (smart) alternative energy practices, is not a global warming, political left or right, democratic or republican, American vs world issue.
It is a quality of life and social economic issue that should be in the consciousness of all people.
One sentence that President Obama stated that particularly stood out to me (I did not write it down at the time nor recorded it so I am not putting quotation marks) was.
What is the use of raising up the poor, if we can not harvest food or have clean drinking water?
Many of my previous articles stress the importance of water recovery, storage, and purification. Additionally, I have also stressed the importance of home gardens, and planting of fruit trees and berries on home properties.
Regardless of one's opinion on global warming, I am not a scientist and do not know enough "facts" to offer any judgement pro or con whatsoever (to quote a character from Mel Brooks, Blazing Saddles, "I am just a pawn in the game of life". ) However, I do believe in self-reliance through sustainable living practices.
Regardless of social, economic, religious, or political affiliation, we need to take a personal interest in some aspect of sustainable practices.
It can be as simple as how we consume as individuals. What we buy. What becomes important to us individually.
Will we buy that new car, or do we buy a water recovery system for our home?
Media center or new insulation?
Do we buy the latest in cell phone technology, or do we change all incandescent light bulbs for more efficient lighting?
Fast food tonight, or dinner at home made with fresh and healthy ingredients?
Our President promises change is on the way. My advice. Simplify your life where you can, get back to basics, and make home and family the focus, what will be, will be.
Brett
I have written over many months that sustainable living (for individual, community, and nation), along with (smart) alternative energy practices, is not a global warming, political left or right, democratic or republican, American vs world issue.
It is a quality of life and social economic issue that should be in the consciousness of all people.
One sentence that President Obama stated that particularly stood out to me (I did not write it down at the time nor recorded it so I am not putting quotation marks) was.
What is the use of raising up the poor, if we can not harvest food or have clean drinking water?
Many of my previous articles stress the importance of water recovery, storage, and purification. Additionally, I have also stressed the importance of home gardens, and planting of fruit trees and berries on home properties.
Regardless of one's opinion on global warming, I am not a scientist and do not know enough "facts" to offer any judgement pro or con whatsoever (to quote a character from Mel Brooks, Blazing Saddles, "I am just a pawn in the game of life". ) However, I do believe in self-reliance through sustainable living practices.
Regardless of social, economic, religious, or political affiliation, we need to take a personal interest in some aspect of sustainable practices.
It can be as simple as how we consume as individuals. What we buy. What becomes important to us individually.
Will we buy that new car, or do we buy a water recovery system for our home?
Media center or new insulation?
Do we buy the latest in cell phone technology, or do we change all incandescent light bulbs for more efficient lighting?
Fast food tonight, or dinner at home made with fresh and healthy ingredients?
Our President promises change is on the way. My advice. Simplify your life where you can, get back to basics, and make home and family the focus, what will be, will be.
Brett
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