LJWorld.com

Imagine you're the person tasked with approving a new energy source. This source would be similar to oil in price, but is abundant enough to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

The one problem with this source is that it is not only flammable, but highly explosive and industry wants to run it right into each and every house like electricity. Without a doubt there will be occasional failures, explosions, and deaths.

Would you approve it?

I look at things from the perspective of an engineer. I.e. the way Dilbert would look at things.

Because, of course, I am an engineer. Well, I'm a software engineer and the hardware engineers might not want to be categorized in the same group as me.

Anyway, engineers like simple facts. Opinions count for naught.

When we design something, we think:

*Will this work? Either it will, or it won't. Sometimes we don't know enough to tell in advance, sometimes we do.

*Is this the right way to do something, or is that the right way? Sometimes we have enough data (facts) to say. Sometimes not.

*If we design gizmo X, will people buy it? That's something for the marketeers (e.g. marketers...very similar to mouseketeers) to tell us.

I included the above just to tell you how engineers think, in case you don't already know how we think. We pretty much think we know most things that need knowing. Just ask my wife.

Now the actual reason for this post is my interest in facts, in particular a couple of books written by John Stossel and the facts therein. The conclusions you draw, or rather that he (and I) draw from those facts run counter to many accepted assumptions.

Now facts are facts. Conclusions are not facts, and need not always be based on facts. But sometimes facts make things so clear that the conclusions are hard to dispute.

Take, for example, how different behaviors affect your life expectancy. These are from Stossel's book Give Me a Break and he got them with help from a physics professor and the Harvard School of Risk Analysis. I don't know about you, but I find them credible.

On average, car accidents reduce the average life expectancy by 182 days.

For comparison, smoking reduces life expectancy by about 5 years (10 times as much), being poor reduces life expectancy by 9 years (18 times as much). Toxic wastes and plane crashes reduce it by 4 days and 1 day respectively.

Typos in blog posts, hopefully, have no impact on life expectancy. If so, I'm in deep trouble.

There are no figures for how eating non-organic food reduces your life expectancy and I think finding data on that (or even measuring it) would be very difficult. Maybe I should have picked something that is measurable, but I'm writing this so I can chose what I think appropriate.

Now don't get me wrong, I think that raising food with a minimum of chemicals and pesticides is a good idea. Not because I have facts to prove it...just because I think it is a good idea. It seems reasonable to me. I'm not sure how much extra I'm willing to pay to eat organically raised food. I spend a enough time in a car to be more concerned about that.

However I do conclude that driving (or riding in) cars is 1/10th as bad as smoking. That is based on fact.

One is completely avoidable. Realistically, the other (i.e. driving cars) can only be minimized.

If you are an engineer, or just like to make decisions based on facts, I highly recommend Stossel's books. The two I've read, Give Me a Break and Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity present a great number of interesting facts and rational conclusions based on them.

If you like doing things just because you like doing them a certain way, neither is a book you'll likely enjoy.

And about the poverty's impact on life expectancy....boy, that's tough to ignore, isn't it?

I was struck by the comments accompanying the news story about the young man who suffered brain damage during dental work.

The majority of comments I read support the idea that he should be compensated handsomely for the injury he has received.

The idea here seems to be that the dentist, contractor who did the work, city.... should pay, and perhaps dearly for their incompetence.

Few would argue that this young man deserves recompense for this. It seems to me that no amount of money will compensate for the injury he has suffered.

Regardless, society has a responsibility to provide support, care, and compensation to him. Although we may look at it as though individuals, companies, or the government will "pay" in this case, nothing could be further from the truth.

Society will pay. That means you and I. Higher taxes, higher medical bills so the dentists and doctors can pay their malpractice insurance, or higher expenses when we have work done.

Society (meaning us) will provide for this young man. However with our current system a lawyer will get a fair share of compensation to make sure that he is "fairly compensated", and insurance companies will get their cut too, one way or another.

Is there a better system? I'm afraid not. And by saying that, I literally mean that I'm afraid that there is not a way to handle situations like this in a way that provides more for those who deserve it and less for those who profit from it.

But don't kid yourself. The "them" who you think is really paying for this is really "us".

Previous:IPS 1/13/2010
Next:IPS 1/27/2010

dancemomx2 returns to the winners circle this week. See the end of the post for the answer.

Sometimes you just like the colors and texture of the photos you take--and so it is this week.

Image #1:

DSC_5821a.JPG

Image #2:

DSC_5821b.JPG

3rd image:

sDSC_5821c.JPG

The image(s) above is(are) a part of a photo I took somewhere in the area. I'll add additional parts of the picture over the next few days. You are invited to try to guess the subject and location of the photo. I'll notify the first person who correctly identifies the subject or location of the entire photo. That subject or location won't be revealed until later, after the answer is obvious. I suggest that people indicate that their guess is "Final" as opposed to just speculation and limit themselves to one final answer per person.

You can check my twitter account to see when new images are posted, or just check back here. I normally post a new picture each Wednesday evening.

Suggestions for interesting, out of the way (or not so out of the way) subjects are welcome. Hey, this is harder than it looks....well, sometimes at least.

Are you actually reading the "fine print" I include with these posts?

Well, if you are, here's another idea. If you have something (an event or subject) that you'd like me to photograph, or write about, that you think would be of interest (or value) to others, contact me and I'll see what I can do.

Previous: IPS 1/6/2010
Next:IPS 1/20/2010

hujiko's domination continues. See the bottom of post for the answer.

Hey, no one pointed out that I was a year off with the date in last week's post. What's up with that?

OK.

Well, last week I resisted the temptation to make the first image of a pile of snow.

After the quick identification of Fraser Hall, this week the urge is somewhat irresistible.

saDSC_5666a.JPG

And, apparently, I couldn't resist.

Image #2:

saDSC_5666b.JPG

The image(s) above is(are) a part of a photo I took somewhere in the area. I'll add additional parts of the picture over the next few days. You are invited to try to guess the subject and location of the photo. I'll notify the first person who correctly identifies the subject or location of the entire photo. That subject or location won't be revealed until later, after the answer is obvious. I suggest that people indicate that their guess is "Final" as opposed to just speculation and limit themselves to one final answer per person.

You can check my twitter account to see when new images are posted, or just check back here. I normally post a new picture each Wednesday evening.

Suggestions for interesting, out of the way (or not so out of the way) subjects are welcome. Hey, this is harder than it looks....well, sometimes at least.

Are you actually reading the "fine print" I include with these posts?

Well, if you are, here's another idea. If you have something (an event or subject) that you'd like me to photograph, or write about, that you think would be of interest (or value) to others, contact me and I'll see what I can do.

http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2010/Jan/15/saDSC_5666.JPG
Yes, I know I've done the Chi Omega fountain before, but the sculpture by Matthew Farley, "Frozen Assets", is a new (and temporary) feature.

Previous: IPS 12/31/2009
Next: IPS 1/13/2010

I wasn't clever enough to fool hujiko this week. See the end of this post for the answer.

Almost didn't get this posted tonight. Haven't been out as much with the recent bad (depending on your perspective, I guess) weather.

This week's first image should be a bit more challenging, even, than usual. Sometimes, the first image has been way too easy, so this week it's time to even things out.

Image #1:

acDSC_5651a.JPG

OK, just kidding, here is something a bit more reasonable:

sacDSC_5651b.JPG

The image(s) above is(are) a part of a photo I took somewhere in the area. I'll add additional parts of the picture over the next few days. You are invited to try to guess the subject and location of the photo. I'll notify the first person who correctly identifies the subject or location of the entire photo. That subject or location won't be revealed until later, after the answer is obvious. I suggest that people indicate that their guess is "Final" as opposed to just speculation and limit themselves to one final answer per person.

You can check my twitter account to see when new images are posted, or just check back here. I normally post a new picture each Wednesday evening.

Suggestions for interesting, out of the way (or not so out of the way) subjects are welcome. Hey, this is harder than it looks....well, sometimes at least.

Are you actually reading the "fine print" I include with these posts?

Well, if you are, here's another idea. If you have something (an event or subject) that you'd like me to photograph, or write about, that you think would be of interest (or value) to others, contact me and I'll see what I can do.

Previous:IPS 12/23/2009
Next: IPS 1/6/2009

Irish finally broke the jinx and identified the location of this week's subject. See the end of this post for the location.

I thought that I didn't have a picture this week, then I remembered that I'd wondered around town on a cold and snowy Christmas Eve. It was colder, snowier, and windier than it looks like in this week's photo.

Image #1:

caDSC_5580a.JPG

2nd image:

caDSC_5580b.JPG

3rd image:

scaDSC_5580c.JPG

The 4th, and probably final, partial image:

scaDSC_5580d.JPG

OK, here is the complete picture:
http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2010/Jan/02/scaDSC_5580.JPG

A second view of this week's subject:
http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2010/Jan/03/saDSC_5579.JPG

The image(s) above is(are) a part of a photo I took somewhere in the area. I'll add additional parts of the picture over the next few days. You are invited to try to guess the subject and location of the photo. I'll notify the first person who correctly identifies the subject or location of the entire photo. That subject or location won't be revealed until later, after the answer is obvious. I suggest that people indicate that their guess is "Final" as opposed to just speculation and limit themselves to one final answer per person.

You can check my twitter account to see when new images are posted, or just check back here. I normally post a new picture each Wednesday evening.

Suggestions for interesting, out of the way (or not so out of the way) subjects are welcome.

Are you actually reading the "fine print" I include with these posts?

Well, if you are, here's another idea. If you have something (an event or subject) that you'd like me to photograph, or write about, that you think would be of interest (or value) to others, contact me and I'll see what I can do.

The subject this week was the sculpture(?) in Buford Watson park. It is located near "Emergence". This page on the City of Lawrence website doesn't identify the sculpture, so I don't know exactly what it is.

Previous: IPS 12/18/2009
Next:IPS 12/31/2009

hujiko has done it again, see below for the full picture. In case you haven't noticed you can click on this (and most of my other photos) for a larger version.

This week, as I start my 3rd year (boy does that sound strange), the questions is not so much the subject of the photo, but where it was taken. Since it's the Christmas season, I'll try and avoid my normal scroogish attitude and give you a hint.

The picture was taken at dusk! Am I a nice guy or what?

So here is picture #1. Merry Christmas.

DSC_5361a.JPG

Image #2:

DSC_5361b.JPG

3rd image:

DSC_5361c.JPG

The image(s) above is(are) a part of a photo I took somewhere in the area. I'll add additional parts of the picture over the next few days. You are invited to try to guess the subject and location of the photo. I'll notify the first person who correctly identifies the subject or location of the entire photo. That subject or location won't be revealed until later, after the answer is obvious. I suggest that people indicate that their guess is "Final" as opposed to just speculation and limit themselves to one final answer per person.

You can check my twitter account to see when new images are posted, or just check back here. I normally post a new picture each Wednesday evening.

Suggestions for interesting, out of the way (or not so out of the way) subjects are welcome.

Are you actually reading the "fine print" I include with these posts?

Well, if you are, here's another idea. If you have something (an event or subject) that you'd like me to photograph, or write about, that you think would be of interest (or value) to others, contact me and I'll see what I can do.

http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2009/Dec/26/saDSC_5361.JPG
Fall evening, looking north towards the Lawrence pool from near 7th street

Two years ago today I posted the first in a series of pictures of everyday subjects in Lawrence.

Two years? I've always wanted to keep a journal, but never have. This blog, and in particular the IPS/SMTS posts are the closest I've come. I have mentioned before and still feel proud at least that I've been, for the most part, consistent and reliable in my posting.

More then a hundred posts (and even more subjects that I've photographed) later. I'm reminded of the silly old phrase, "Wherever you go, there you are." I've seen a lot of Lawrence in the last 2 years and you can't help but develop some opinions when you spend as much time doing something as I have. I noted some of them in a post last year.

One things from last year I'd like to repeat are the thanks I have for the consistently postive and friendly tone of the comments. To all of you, I cannot thank you enough for the warm feelings you've passed to me via your comments and emails.

The only new thought I have to add since those last year first occurred to me on one beautiful Sunday evening as I drove around looking for a subject. The weather was perfect, the evening sun painted the trees and streets with warm summer colors. There was, I realized, only one thing missing...

People.

No kids were playing in the parks, no one working in the yard or talking with neighbors. Except for the occasional person walking a dog, I could find no one else enjoying the beautiful evening.

It seemed like a shame then, and it is the thing I continue to notice as I make my weekly excursions around town. I know that except for this blog, I would be like everyone else, inside and missing the simple things around us.

I am not exaggerating when I say that I really appreciate the sights I've seen, the things I've learned, and the occasionnal person I've met. When I post each week I don't know if one person, or a thousand, will see or appreciate what I've done. I hope that there are some that do, but this all became a lot more fun when I stopped caring much about it.

This 2nd anniversary is something I've been looking forward to. It's given me a chance to reflect a little on the experiences I've had this last few years. I thought I'd share with you some of the posts and photos.

This was that first post.

Here are two subjects with a bit of history:
in "old east Lawrence"
and from Baldwin.

Here's a peaceful place I would not have noticed.

I spent a couple of hours taking this photo. Don't know if it was worth the time, but I enjoyed it anyway.

This subject was one of my first memories of Lawrence from my childhood

This one, I think, was one of the most deceptive.

This post had several pictures I remember well and still enjoy.

This subject was not far from downtown, and I learned more about it from the comments that were made.

This historic subject was also from Baldwin.

The most beautiful place I photographed, but not the best picture.

Some of the most beautiful places in town are those are those we are seldom happy when we visit.

Now this is my favorite, and I think most beautiful picture and, I think, my biggest "discovery".

I didn't know how Eudora got it's name.

I think this was one of the most difficult and surprising subjects.

The most unusual?, this one is a close second, though.

Finally, this recent subject has a story I still don't know.

Again, thank you all very much. Don't know if I'll make it another two years.

But I'm going to try.

Previous: IPS 12/9/2009
Next: IPS 12/23/2009

litteone identified this week's picture. Sorry I've been a little slow in acknowledging it. See the photo and answer below.

I've been out of town, so I'm a little bit late.

To be fair, which I am usually loathe to do, I must remind you that the subjects of these photos are in Lawrence and the greater Douglas county area.

I'll probably regret making the first image so large. Ah well...

sacDSC_5505a.JPG

2nd image:

sacDSC_5505b.JPG

The image(s) above is(are) a part of a photo I took somewhere in the area. I'll add additional parts of the picture over the next few days. You are invited to try to guess the subject and location of the photo. I'll notify the first person who correctly identifies the subject or location of the entire photo. That subject or location won't be revealed until later, after the answer is obvious. I suggest that people indicate that their guess is "Final" as opposed to just speculation and limit themselves to one final answer per person.

You can check my twitter account to see when new images are posted, or just check back here. I normally post a new picture each Wednesday evening.

Suggestions for interesting, out of the way (or not so out of the way) subjects are welcome.

http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2009/Dec/20/sacDSC_5505.JPG
The flea market, former motel cottages on (old) US 59 south of the Baldwin Junction.