The Thought Kitchen is our effort at collective inquiry and its power to affect change. Have you ever noticed how the party is always in the kitchen? There are more walls to lean on and people are energized by the proximity to food and drink. Well, welcome to our kitchen, where we hope to tap into everything we love about that feeling—community, vivacious exchange, food for thought.
Every year the World Economic Forum invites many of the world’s top leaders from politics, business, NGO’s and the arts to gather in Davos, Switzerland to talk about how to make the world a better place. This year they’re reaching out to the broader community by asking others to join them — and help out — by answering the “Davos Question” which is:
What one thing do you think that countries, companies and individuals must do to make the world a better place in 2008?
The exchange is being facilitated by YouTube. The idea is to have people submit their response by video. Submissions will be ranked and the highest rated videos will be screened at Davos and responded to by the assembled participants. Is it possible that this emerging form of digital dialogue will kick-start action that will truly make a difference?
OK, we’re a few days late to it, but here’s a selection of well-intended resolutions from the Nau gang. Hopefully they’ll inspire, or at least inspire a chuckle.
What’s on your plan for the New Year?
Eat Tastier Food, Dude
I’m of the school of thought that New Year’s resolutions shouldn’t be painful. As a matter of fact, they should be as decadent as possible, to counteract the post-holiday blues, crappy winter surf and the end of fantasy football season. This year my goal is to eat more delicious meals, meaning I’ll have to shop regularly at the farmer’s market and frequent local restaurants that abide by the slow food ethos like Portland’s Nostrana. Everybody knows that organically grown food tastes tons better and supporting our area’s mom ‘n pop farms and eateries is good for the environment and the health of our community. Next year’s resolution? Drink lovelier wines. –Rick
More Work, Less Office.
I have resolved to put in less time at the office, so as to cut down on the amount of fossil fuel I consume on my daily commute from the houseboat. I will endeavor to drop down to three days in the office, and two days telecommuting from home. If that doesn’t work, I’m just going to shack up with our office manager and walk into work from her house. –Hal
Car Smart
My resolution starts with a dilemma: I have a ten-year-old truck, and I want to keep it rolling. But, 2008 will likely be the year for a trade-in, so I’m looking to move to a biodiesel or a hybrid vehicle. –Ian
Home Is Where the Napkins Are
My resolution is to permanently turn my paper towel holder into an abode for the cloth napkins Santa brought me. –Josie
Deep Thoughts
My resolution for 2008: At the juncture where heart and mind collide, I will choose to follow the heart. –Mark
More or Less?
And mine? I resolve to make 2008 the year of more and less. I will write more of my own work. I will cook more of my own food (good start on that one so far). I will visit my family more. I will ski more (and hopefully better). I will ride my bike more…which means I will drive to work less. I will spend less money, and more carefully. I will spend less time on things that leave me unsatisfied. I will do more, with less, whenever possible. That’s a lot of line items, but after a year filled with richness and exhaustion of the best kind (marriage, buying our first home, meaningful work) I am seeking to reinvest in my own routines and rituals in a way that can hopefully transcend the calendar year.
And yours? What ever they are, the Nau collective wishes you success in realizing them.
Also, if you need some more inspiration for a greener 2008, check this post out.
I just got an email from David Hirsh, a lawyer, environmental professional, and longtime surfer who is currently fighting a proposal to place 350 wave energy conversion buoys in and around the surf at Westhaven State Park in Washington. Not only would these buoys potentially destroy the waves at Westport’s most popular break, but according to Hirsh’s research, these harvesters would have a negative impact on the local ecosystem. Hirsh’s attempt to raise public awareness of the project and to convince local city and county leaders to adjust the proposed location of the buoy array makes me wonder:
When does carbon-free energy trump outdoor recreation? Shouldn’t we all take the time to research the holistic impact of “green” projects, even if the intent is good on a macro level? Am I just being a selfish outdoor enthusiast who doesn’t want to sacrifice a limited commodity—a surf spot—to increase a necessary commodity—carbon neutral energy?
Other issues that are similar to this, and that definitely fall into this line of thinking, are the dam being built on the Ashlu River in BC (see our Collective Video on the subject), and the wind farm controversy currently taking place in a number of eastern states. When do you have to give up part of your backyard to ensure there will be any yards at all?
One of the characteristics that distinguishes humans as a species is our capacity to tell stories. In fact, we live by the stories that define our values and frame our understanding of our relationships to one another and the natural world. Authentic cultural stories are those that are told by authentic storytellers and artists who interpret the values and aspirations of our communities. In our modern age the storytelling function has been largely co-opted by entrenched power brokers – witness the “official story” behind the march into Iraq or the “official story” behind many of the post 9/11 directives in the name of national security.
It may seem to be absurdly simple, but a key to provoking positive change and re-directing our future is to change the stories we live by. Think about Al Gore and his story. He uttered an “inconvenient truth.” In fact, he uttered it time and time again to audience after audience and, in the process, opened the door of possibility to a different future. Masterful storytelling, but the job is nowhere near done. Last week’s stalemate at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali is indicative of how far we have to go. But, then Al Gore showed up and told an inspiring story that conveyed an alternative narrative. It’s not yet the official story or the dominant story but it’s a story worth listening to.
A few days ago I received an email that read as follows:
“I try not to send too many mass emails about the subject of my work, but this one can’t be missed. A friend in Berkeley, Annie Leonard, produced this video with Free Range Films. I have been anxiously awaiting it, and boy is it good. It gets a little political perhaps where it shouldn’t, but it is the first time I’ve seen the truth and consequences of our consumerism put into understandable, comprehensive terms. Please watch it online—it’s pretty short (15 mins) and you will not regret spending the time. And please send it to everyone you know. Everyone in the world (literally) needs to see this.”
There’s only one thing I’d add to that urging: Our dominant paradigm for understanding the world is based almost exclusively on a linear cause-and-effect worldview. The difficulty with this paradigm is that it provides a very limited short-term perspective for understanding how things really work. What makes this video, which is called “The Story of Stuff,” so compelling is that it goes beyond the typical linear cause-and-effect paradigm by examining patterns of behavior and the interrelationship between things. It’s a whole systems view that enables a much deeper understanding of the way things operate; an understanding that creates the conditions to make lasting positive change within the system possible.
Our friends at Felt Soul Mediarolled through town recently and left us a copy of the trailer for their next film, “Red Gold.” Anyone who’s even remotely concerned about wild salmon, gold mines, and the tensions in between, should watch this trailer and then wait (expectantly) for the full-length film, due out this spring.
You won’t be disappointed, and you’ll likely be moved to act. Ben Knight and Travis Rummel started Felt Soul as a way to blend their greatest passions: fly fishing, photography, and filmmaking. The two are insanely talented. Over the years their films have evolved from entertaining fish porn to some of the most inspiring short films I’ve seen (see “The Hatch“). Read on »
Calling All Citizens of Oregon and Friends of Oregon
The fate of Oregon’s future is in voters’ hands right now. Voter turnout has been frighteningly low for our current election in Oregon. Increasing turnout is critical to passing Measure 49, the ballot measure to fix Measure 37 and protect Oregon’s farms, forests and watersheds from sprawling subdivisions, big-box stores, strip-malls and gravel pits.
Please email or call all your friends, family and coworkers in Oregon and remind them to vote Yes on 49 and drop off their ballots at a ballot box.You can also tell coworkers and neighbors that you can collect ballot envelopes on Tuesday with the pledge to carry them all to a ballot box before 8 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Ballots must be dropped off at a ballot drop off site by 8 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 6. It is too late to mail in ballots. Ballot drop off site locations are listed HERE.
A YES vote on Measure 49 is the only way to stop the damage unleashed by Measure 37: massive subdivisions, strip malls and big box stores on farm land, threatened water supplies, forests, and special places that we have so carefully protected over the years. The timber industry and developers who stand to make a fortune from an unchanged Measure 37 have already spent $2 million on misleading and confusing ads.
Next week, the Greenbuild Expo will be in Chicago, making the city the site for a multinational event celebrating years of research, development, and innovation in sustainable architecture and construction. It is said to be the biggest Greenbuild yet, with approximately 18,000 attendees—the first conference only five years ago drew 4,200. No less than Former President Bill Clinton will be on hand to kick off the show. Needless to say, this will be an epic reference point for the future of the eco-conscious design and building community… and for those of us who live and work in buildings.
On the evening of Wednesday, November 7th, after a full day of keynotes by internationally-renowned leaders and innovators, over 850 exhibit booths demonstrating the newest products and technologies, and dozens of educational sessions, we will be winding down (or just starting to kick it to the sun) at the PDX Lounge for Film & Fashion Night. Located at the Chicago Illuminating Company, PDX Lounge is a home away from home during Greenbuild for Oregon businesses with an interest in sustainability. Film & Fashion Night will feature continuous screenings of independent environmental short films, sustainable outdoor clothing by Nau and footwear from the fine cobblers at Keen, performances of Pilates, Flatland BMX and Parkour by The Tribe, and beats from a seasoned DJ collective—not to mention cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
Film & Fashion Night will be an event that can only be defined by its audience, so, download a ticket, print it out on sustainable goods, and come enjoy the unique flavor brought to us by a Portland communal in Chicago, the best No Coast City with one of the greenest futures.
The Details:
WHO: Hosted by Nau, Keen, Tonkon Torp, Oregon Economic and Community Development Department and Sustainable Industries Magazine.
WHERE: Chicago Illuminating Company, 19 East 21st St. (Less than 3 blocks from Greenbuild.)
WHEN: Wednesday, November 7th, 9pm-Midnight
No admittance without a ticket, which you can download here.
First drink is free with ticket.
Imagine a building that is built to operate as elegantly and efficiently as a flower. Imagine a building that is informed by the eco-region’s characteristics and that generates all of its own energy with renewable resources; one that captures and treats all of its water on site, using resources efficiently and for maximum beauty.
The Cascadia Region Green Building Council (Cascadia) is issuing a challenge to all building owners, architects, engineers and design professionals to build in a way that will provide us, and our children, with a sustainable future.
I learned about the Living Building Challenge from a Cascadia member at a recent party. During our conversation, she remarked that 50 projects are already competing to become the first “living building.” Through this chance meeting, I discovered an organization truly committed to pushing the envelope of sustainability.
When I was in Nicaragua last summer I was watching MTV Central America and a really amazing program came on called VBS.TV. The episode I saw had a segment called “Toxic Brooklyn” and another called “Toxic Alberta” (above) that described in great detail how polluted and messed up these celebrated places are. It didn’t take me too long to figure out that the show was produced by Vice magazine. Their trademark biting sense of humor was there, but the message—at least the one they syndicated—was deeper than their printed “Dos and Don’ts” style critiques (not that those aren’t a hoot…).
The reporting was thoughtful, sharp, challenging and funny. I made a note to start watching the program on MTV in the States. When I got home, I discovered that VBS.TV isn’t syndicated in on US television. It turns out that although MTV is involved with producing the channel, which exists at www.vbs.tv, they haven’t found the programming suitable for North American audiences. Another head-scratcher: Why aren’t the countries that would actually benefit most from these programs being given the chance to see them on the boob toob? Their tagline pretty much says it all: “Rescuing you from television’s death like grip.”
The icing on the cake came last month when I found out that Tyler from my favorite surfshop, Mollusk, launched a program called Hi-Shredability on VBS.TV. Check out an episode on Dan Malloy here.
Every year the World Economic Forum invites many of the world’s top leaders from politics, business, NGO’s and the arts to gather in Davos, Switzerland to talk about how to make the world a better place. This year they’re reaching out to the broader community by asking others to join them — and help out — by answering the “Davos Question” which is:
Next week, the 
Imagine a building that is built to operate as elegantly and efficiently as a flower. Imagine a building that is informed by the eco-region’s characteristics and that generates all of its own energy with renewable resources; one that captures and treats all of its water on site, using resources efficiently and for maximum beauty.