More Of The "Now How Green Is This?" Puzzle

As I've noted here before, like many people, I do my bit for the environment, but like many people, I often wonder: What's "right"? You know: The plastic v. paper puzzle.

Anyway, on that subject, two puzzlers for you to ponder.

First from The Green Lantern at Big Money on the rent-film-by-mail v. drive-to-video-store.

Second, cogent reflections from the always-cogent Patrick Emerson at the Oregon Economics Blog, in which he ponders a worthy question: whose cleaning products should he buy? Ones from the politically correct company, or from the non-PC company with bigger clout? (Patrick, by the way, violates my no-black-background rule, but I love what he does, so -- he gets a pass.)

Oldsters (Yes, I'm One) And Alcohol

Hmmmmmm........ alcohol and "old" people. Good? Bad? You (apparently) be the judge. Worth reading.(*1)

While you're there, take a look at the rather horrifying story about why colonoscopies aren't what they're cracked up to be. (Odd coincidence that story: my husband just had one two weeks ago and I just scheduled my next one. Ugh.)

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*1: I love how the researchers and reporter define "older people" as over fifty. Hasn't anyone told them that fifty is the new thirty? I mean, do I look like an "old" person???? Don't answer that. (I'm fifty-five.)

No Green In Going Green

Yikes! So much for all that recycling we're being urged to do. Now I don't feel quite so dumb-out-of-it-whatever about my household's decision to dispose of much of our waste by putting out for the garbage guys:

The town where I live has a coal-fired power plant, but about 15% of the coal is replaced by burning residents' wastes. The newspapers I toss end up as electricity for my house. Yes, I know there are objections to coal-fired power plants, but the one in our city has a remarkably low pollution rate. Indeed, if you didn't know what the plant was burning, you'd never guess it was coal.

Anyway -- going green ain't gonna be easy. But then: we knew that, right?

Must-Reads, November 21, 2008

Catching up here on some good reading: Mitt Romney's op-ed piece about the auto industry in the New York Times. Unexpectedly thoughtful. Definitely worth reading.

In the Boston Globe, a truly fascinating rumination on what a 21st century economic depression might look like. Hint: it won't be '30s-era souplines.

Excellent analysis of the real problem facing newspapers from Paul Farhi in American Journalism Review. Newspapers and journalism have been much on my mind lately. It's clear that in another year, maybe less, much of the excellent, in-depth analysis that only newspapers (whether digitally or in print) can provide probably won't be around. And yes, one reason is the fact that people like me can read all these great pieces for free. Something's wrong with this picture

. For another view: Rupert Murdoch contemplates the future of newspapers and journalism.

Finally, lotsa good stuff over at The Big Money blog, including a piece by Dan Mitchell about Snow, the new king -- or not -- of beers.