Life, Matter, The Universe, and Egos

Sat, 19 May 2012 08:47:44 +0000

Matter as we know it consists of atoms – arranged in certain ways so that they make up forms – rocks, rivers, stars, puppies, humans, and everything in between. I don’t really see life as having a beginning and end, I only see the rearranging of matter. Example: Your pet hamster dies, you bury it in the back yard, and sometime over the next few years, the atoms that formed that little piece of life will be used for something else – a flower to bloom, a worm to have lunch, or a raindrop to form. For me, “Life” is just a label that we put on our time in the current state of existence. I guess all animate life has an ego, it wants to perpetuate its genes, reproduce, and some go so far as to desire eternal life in its immediate form. I don’t know that a pebble wants to live forever, being that I cannot communicate with it, or see its body language or mannerisms, but my guess is that on some level, as with all matter, it wants to continue in its current state, it wants to continue being a pebble. Other life forms are more obvious – a tree puts out spores or seeds, a dinosaur finds a mate and hatches little dinosaurs (well, they did until their life form ceased to exist for whatever reason) and humans and cockroaches make babies faster than we can count. I believe that all life forms – both animate and inanimate – meaning everything that is made up of atoms – has the desire to live – or continue in its current state of being. The human, having the spec of intelligence and ability to reason that it does, has an overinflated ego as one of its peripheral properties – causing it to want to live on forever, to produce as many offspring as possible, and to continue to dominate and pathologically control the world it lives in. Some of us are constantly looking for other worlds, other planets that might be able to sustain human life, or possibly be manipulated into doing so. Some of the places are geographically light years away. I believe that the rearranging of atoms is a natural cycle that will happen, no matter what any life form wishes – no matter how much we fight it, try to prevent it, or try to deny it. There will come a time when there will no longer be a human race, cockroaches, Earth, sun, or even our mighty galaxy. I believe that this cycle is somehow built in at the atomic, or even the sub atomic level – as is gravity, magnetism, and other phenomenon that we may or may not understand.

Ok, now here’s something I’ve not heard in any documentaries, or printed media, that I need to talk about. If nothing external comes along and makes the earth uninhabitable by humans, then our gene pool will eventually deteriorate, and we will be gone. The “Gene pool will deteriorate?”, you ask. Well, yes, this is common knowledge and is proven by every instance of incest that occurs in the world as we know it. There are certain areas of our planet that were and/or have been isolated for so many years that the local population either disappeared or was severely damaged. At some point we will all be marrying our cousins, brothers, and sisters, it’s inevitable. It is, of course, possible that before that time comes, the planet will be rendered uninhabitable by life as we know it – by some external force – a giant asteroid, a freak explosion on the sun, or even the human race having polluted the planet to the point where life can no longer exist, or, the earth raging against and destroying the virus known as the human race.

It’s also possible that a new, more intelligent life form may appear. If so, being that it is not possible for a human to mate with an ape and reproduce, it stands to reason that if there are any humans still in existence if or when a new life form appears, that it will not be possible for us to mate with that life form either – in fact, we probably won’t even be able to communicate with it – that’s again of course, if any humans even still exist.

What is this stuff about the universe constantly expanding? There’s also the theory that the galaxies are closing in on each other? So, which is it, and how can anyone know these things? I guess they don’t, they are nothing more than unproven theories. I don’t know that there is an end to the universe – either timewise or spacewise. We’re too puny to know such a thing, or to even venture a guess. This brings me back to the human ego, which again, causes many of us want to live forever, some to pass on their genes in hopes that their family line can be perpetuated till infinity, and to have the need to control anybody and anything in its line of sight. Many of us think that we should defy nature, alter our genes, invade other worlds, carry on in our current state till the end of time (that’s of course, a figure of speech). Lucky for the universe that it has the built in atomic map, where the elements feel the need to spread out and do other things – build other worlds, become other forms of life. Maybe they do the same as we do – they simply get bored after a few million years or so, and need to move on. Whatever the case, nothing stays as it is indefinitely, there will come a time when human, earth, and sun will disintegrate, and its building blocks will be blasted into deep space. It will land somewhere, congregate somewhere, and new worlds and life forms will be created.

When it’s my time to contribute my little atomic legos to the universe, so that they may become something else, I will welcome it; I mean hell, I’m 56, and I’m bored now, I can’t imagine what I’ll be like when I’m 70 or beyond.

So, folks, if I have any advice to offer, it’s to get over yourselves. We are just passing through, we are nothing more than atoms arranged in a particular way to make us what we are, and at some point in time, the giant atomic transporter will break us down and rearrange our particles somewhere else. That’s not to say we shouldn’t value our lives, and make the best of the time that we are here, I’m only saying we need to be reasonable, and not be so damn selfish.

See y’all on the next plane (of existence).

Can Vinyl Siding Really Help You Reduce Your Energy Costs?

Sat, 19 May 2012 05:23:48 +0000

Everyone is looking for ways to save money and vinyl siding can help you reduce your energy bill. It is the choice of many home owners because of its durability and price.

It is reasonably priced to put on the exterior of your home and it is eco friendly. There are several reasons to install vinyl siding on your home and one of these is the energy bills.

Why Vinyl Siding?

· It has the energy star rating and can save you up to twenty five percent on your energy bill. This is a huge savings and over a year it can really add up to a ton of money in your pocket.

· You can also get rid of unwanted outside noise with this. You can relax in your home without a ton of noise. Noise is very disturbing and you can eliminate it with this simple change.

· Vinyl siding can also withstand storm damage really well. If you live in an area that has violent siding this may be a great choice for you. Storm damage can cost you a lot of money and having vinyl siding can give you peace of mind during a storm.

· Vinyl siding is energy efficient and can reduce your energy bill because it can keep your home at a very comfortable temperature year round. It can keep you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. This is a plus because we all want to have the perfect temperature in our home. You can have this at a great price.

· It is also much more cost effective than timber or aluminum. It is also more durable than these choices. Why would you choose to pay more for a material that can cost you more?

· It is eco friendly and this alone saves you money and makes you feel good about your choice. You are not only saving money but also helping the planet. This should make you feel great about your decision to have vinyl siding on the exterior of your home.

· It is also almost maintenance free. You do not have to do a lot to it to keep it looking great and appealing.

· It looks good on your home and can make the value go up.

· It provides insulation for your home and this can save money on your energy bill.

You can save money on your energy bill by installing and this can also provide a wealth of other benefits to your home. You can have a home that looks good and saves you money. It is the choice of many and there is a reason for this choice.

It is all that you want in siding and it can make a difference on the exterior and interior of your home. It is really can help you reduce your energy bill. All you have to do is choose a color and have it installed!

Use Learning Management Software for Instructor-Led Training

Sat, 19 May 2012 03:07:05 +0000

According to training experts, the best method of delivering knowledge to students are via Instructor-led training or ILT. The instructors can help learners to understand the minute details of any subject and provide assistance in comprehending difficult topics without hassles. However, conducting an instructor-led training session often becomes difficult due to geographical boundaries. In such circumstances, a Learning Management System can provide a reasonable solution.

A lot of corporate organizations are resorting to Learning Management Systems with ILT (instructor-led training) capabilities to conduct enterprise-oriented training sessions. With such a system, knowledge is delivered through study materials moderated by a teacher. Moreover, the teacher or the instructor can control the distribution of the study content to a number of remotely located learners simultaneously.

Such educational software with ILT capabilities empowers users to create instructor presentations and guidelines for students at the same time. The built-in features of the software help in conducting online tests to evaluate proficiency in skills of the learners. Besides, it also acts as an interactive learning tool, where students can learn new things through built-in games in the course module. Thus, increased interactivity makes learning an interesting experience.

The technology-aided system of learning with ILT capabilities is no different from a lecture or an interactive workshop. The only difference is that education through a Learning Management System is conducted via a virtual platform. Through video conferencing, students can listen to various demonstrative presentations, thus gaining first-hand experience about any subject. It facilitates the process of imparting training in the best possible manner.

An effective software system enables to maintain a constant and smooth communication between teachers and students. It encourages you to conduct an instructor-led training session, which is functional as well as productive. The interactive features of the software allows participants (both teachers and students) to provide feedback, take part in impromptu polls and conduct a Question & Answer (Q&A) session.

The user-friendly interface of the system assists teachers to work on content and modify the content delivery channels. It helps them to conveniently switch between them as and when required. Besides, instructors can also utilize videos, audio and other multimedia content during course delivery.

Organizations that require high-precision training solutions hire subject matter experts in order to prepare and modify study materials delivered online. Nowadays, instructor-led Training sessions through virtual platform is gaining momentum. Thus, Learning Management System with ILT capabilities is highly effective in delivering streamlined educational content to help students learn better.

Diesel Generators for Power Production

Fri, 18 May 2012 23:25:06 +0000

A diesel generator produces power by using a diesel engine to derive an alternator, or electric generator. The engine’s power as reflected in RPMs is transformed by the alternator to a usable electric current which is then distributed to households, commercial building, or construction sites that are connected to a network. Diesel Generators, also known as Gen-Sets can make nonstop electric power at constant voltage, or current flow with no spikes and sags. Continuous power supply is very crucial to businesses and large scale industries. That is why they are reliable power source. This is one of the least expensive machines available to provide power often at the best price compared to other portable sources, including gasoline and propane generator, or fuel cells.

Diesel generators are used in remote locations, and when homes, transport ships, buildings and construction sites don’t have direct access to a utility power. They can also be used to provide an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS). When the power grid suffers an outage; they can be a back up and provide redundancy. With it, businesses, and hospitals especially, can maintain their operations and retain instruments used, and airports preserve their system integrity. These generators are used for continuous power supply and with a few machine components, it require less maintenance and repairs.

Advantages of using diesel generators.

• Compared to other types of generators, they have fewer moving components making them easy to maintain and repair.
• Power supply is adequate. Compared to the regular supply of utility power where it occasionally experience spikes and sags, they can continuously produce voltage flow without the spikes and sags.
• Diesel generators help in the regulating power fluctuations. Electrical current spikes can cause severe damage to electrical appliances and devices.
• Diesel engines are more durable compared to gasoline engines and other mobile electricity resources.
• Diesel engines’ can work for long hours and can cool down faster.
• Diesel fuel is cheaper than other hydro carbonic fluids. Using diesel in power generators can save 28% to 30% of operating costs.
• Depending on the power needs, diesel generators are easily accessed in most structural types. You can acquire moveable or portable generators, home diesel generators and other types of diesel generator.
• Maintenance. They are less expensive compared to gasoline generators. It has no ignition system and it is easily maintained via routine check such as oil change.

- The most common cause of damage to diesel generators is when they are under loaded. They can perform most effectively when they operate at high capacity approximately 70% of the maximum load. When used at low capacity tasks like only 10% of the voltage load, they start to build up carbon and internal glazing which in the long run will create soot and residue from unused fuel. These can accumulate and will clog the generator’s piston rings.

Disadvantages of using diesel generators.

• Compared to other fuel generators, diesel generators especially those being used for manufacturing applications emit risky sooty exhaust.
• Loud and noisy compared to gasoline and natural gas generators.
• Diesel engines don’t start easily and immediately, particularly during winter. As a solution, diesel engines apply glow plugs and elements for heating for the engine to start.

These generators are costly, yet their value as dependable source of power makes that investment worthwhile. Diesel generators are very useful in the homes, construction sites and places where there is short power supply, Knowing both the advantages and the disadvantages gives you the idea on which generator fits your budget and what you need most when power shortages occur.

SEPTA Train D9303 with Silverliner V’s

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:29:25 +0000

Duration: 00:00:30
Views: 0

Passing through West Trenton Station at 6:40 pm heading to Wayne Electric in Philadelphia with brand new Rotem Silverliner V #816 leading & 725 bringing up the rear. This is my 1st time catching S (more)

Crawlspace Encapsulation Is a Planet Friendly Solution, Did You Know It?

Fri, 18 May 2012 03:22:06 +0000

If you want to help the planet, the world and our environment by finding green ways to change and improve efficiency around your home, you are to be commended. There are still people who, when asked about saving the environment, picture the air, the trees, the oceans and wildlife in their heads and think some magic environmental expert somewhere is taking care of business. We all need to do our part.

Besides recycling, switching light bulbs or using energy efficient appliances, we can decrease our carbon footprint by sealing a crawlspace in our home. Did you know that almost 70% of the houses in North and South Carolina have crawl space foundations? Is your house one of them? Did you notice any allergy problems within your family? Are your energy bills high? Smelling any foul odors recently? Your crawlspace and its condition are probably in direct relation to some or all of these results.

The crawlspace of our home is often a neglected area of concern, yet moisture buildup, mold and bacteria growth and mustiness are all very real problems affecting the health and energy efficiency of the house. If you see any drywall cracks or unevenness to the floor of your crawlspace (or any basement with dirt floor) or smell any musty or foul odors you may need some repair work. If you have heightened allergy or asthma symptoms during the warm weather season, you could probably benefit from sealed crawlspace solution.

Crawlspace encapsulation is a green, environmentally sensible solution, helping you and the planet at the same time. It’s a process of preventing moisture from entering the crawl space either from the dirt below or from the outside and then closing vents and completely sealing it for a sterile environment. A 7 layer barrier, installed over walls and floor, prevents mold and bacteria growth. The white covering makes the area brighter, cleaner, and healthier.

Besides significant energy savings of up to 20% of your air/conditioning and heating costs, encapsulated crawlspace means no moisture, mold or musky odors in your house. Additional storage space, created by crawlspace sealing, increases a resale property value of your home. Indoor air quality is improved and levels of radon, mold, and other allergens in your home are decreased.

This is just one more way that you can help save the environment by applying a green solution to your home. A sealed crawlspace equals to a healthy and efficient home.

Water Pollution: The Buck Stops With You

Fri, 18 May 2012 03:06:50 +0000

Maybe you’ve heard the popular adage which says if you’re not part of the solution you’re part of the problem. No where is that pearl of wisdom truer than when we talk about the pollution of the world’s water resources. We have used and abused the water we have for so many decades now that the problem is finally catching up with us, clean, fresh water is disappearing, and we’ve no one to blame but ourselves. Ecologists have been telling us of the impending water shortage crisis, but we haven’t been listening. We made the mess, so it seems only fair that we clean it up.

It may be that you’ve gotten so used to doing things a certain way that you don’t even realize that you are contributing to the contamination in our water systems. Tips for doing your part to clean up the water include:

* Make it a habit to use less water. Take showers instead of tub baths, wear clothing more than once before tossing it into the laundry, or forget about watering your lawn. Make sure that there are no dripping faucets or toilets running in your home to cut down on water waste. The less water you use, the smaller the quantity that you are sending into our reclamation systems.

* We all need to be very careful with our use of chemicals. Everything from the cleaners you use in your home to the fertilizer you put on your lawn can infiltrate the water systems. Any time you pour a bucket of caustic materials down the storm sewer near your home, you’re just as guilty of pollution as big industry. Such things as soaps and shampoos that contain phosphates are also big culprits when it comes to water contamination. Read the ingredients a product contains before you buy.

* There are simple tasks we can all do that will help clean up the environment and, thereby, keep harmful materials out of our water. Cleaning up waste after your pet can keep it from washing into the waterways as can properly depositing your cigarette butts instead of throwing them on the ground. Many people think it’s okay to flush almost anything down their toilets, and so they dump in chemicals, unwanted drugs, and dirty water they’d rather not put down their sinks. Next time you start thinking about doing this, think about where that stuff is going to end up.

* You may have heard that recently 240,000 fish were discovered along a Tennessee riverbank in Alabama. The cause of their demise? Nothing but water pollution. Freshwater fish are those most often affected by our contamination of their habitat.

Our water is a precious commodity which all living things need to sustain life. It isn’t the plentiful and sustainable resource that many people seem to think it is, and people who aren’t working to save it are adding to the problem. It’s easy to make a difference, so you should think about how you can make yours.

Get Real-Time Information – The Newest Trend in the Learning and Development Industry

Fri, 18 May 2012 01:46:19 +0000

The Learning and Development industry has evolved through dynamic changes in recent years. The increasing dependence on mobile devices has enabled learners to access information in real time. As a result, they can apply their new knowledge in practical fields immediately, rather than later. Thus, they can access relevant information as and when required which helps in making informed decisions.

The extensive use of mobile devices for the purpose of learning has maximized the return on investment on enterprise-oriented training. Unlike instructor-led or classroom based training solution, mobile-based learning and absorbing real time information is far more effective. Take a look to explore how the new process of learning is proving to be useful in various sectors.

Sales training

Since sales executives spend most of their time on field, they hardly have any time to take part in classroom based training sessions. However, with a Smartphone they can access courses or information snippets, anytime, anywhere. Following this process, training co-ordinators can facilitate reinforcement training for sales executives. Short snippets of training modules are transferred through mobile devices, which help learners to memorize it effortlessly. Moreover, such short snippets act as a refresher and help the sales executives to deliver their best while meeting up key clients of the organization. Furthermore, you can also assist the sales people by providing continuous updates on changing market trends.

Safety training

In recent years, Smartphone devices are being increasingly used for safety training. Electronics, machinery or chemical industries are essentially required to follow regulatory guidelines for providing a safe workplace. Safety training for employees using Smartphone’s or closed circuit cameras at the workplace helps in reinforcing safety practices. Moreover, it also helps in constantly reminding them of various important things such as how to handle and operate a piece of machinery. With real time information and checklist sent through Smartphones, employees can be updated about safety norms and standards in the workplace. It is likely to reduce the chances of risk in such industrial sectors.

Product training

For product training, Smartphone based training procedure is gaining momentum. With wide accessibility of Smartphones, customers can now receive updates about the usage of any product, installation guide and others, directly sent to their Smartphone.

Additionally, it is also of great help to sales representatives who are trying to convince a prospective customer about a product’s benefits. They can access just-in-time information via Smartphones, tablet PCs or through any means that works best in a given situation.

Thus, gathering real-time information via mobile devices has now become a trend. It helps learners to clarify anything and everything when in doubt and help them in making informed choices.

Eco-Friendly Homes – Is Green Real Estate More Expensive?

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:38:25 +0000

Global warming is one of the biggest universal problems that we are facing today, and a lot of people should think of a way on how they can reverse the effects of global warming. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who are still unaware of the things that they can do in order to help the fight against it, and they are also unaware of the things that they can do in order to minimize its effects.

Eco-friendly houses are said to be one of the best things that a person can do in order to fight global warming, but a lot of people are saying that it would cost a lot of money. This is the reason why there are only a few people who are thinking about building their own eco-friendly houses. This article will help you understand the advantages and disadvantages that you can get from eco-friendly houses and how you can benefit from it.

Green Real Estate is Expensive

If you are planning to build a green real estate, you need to be sure that you are prepared with your finances. You will probably be spending twice the amount that you will be spending for an ordinary house, because there are a lot of things that you need. Keep in mind that these commodities are not cheap, and would require other things that you won’t need on a regular house.

For example, you need to install solar panels to make your house solar-powered. You will be spending thousands of dollars for these panels, which most people don’t have. The only thing that you need to consider is that it can help you save money from your electric consumption. There are already some self-sufficient buildings that are not using electricity, but these establishments would cost millions to build.

You can also use eco-friendly paint that will help you absorb carbon in the air. This may cost more money on your side, but keep in mind that you are also considering the environmental benefits of this paint, which is not cheap. Depending on the type of paint that you are going to use, you’ll probably be spending twice the amount of a normal paint, making eco-friendly houses more expensive.

It is true that you will be spending more money if you are going to build eco-friendly houses, but we can consider it as your contribution to fight global warming. Rich countries are spending billions of dollars to help reduce carbon emission, and spending a bit more than what you are going to spend in ordinary houses is very small. What do you think would be the effects if there are hundreds of green houses in a state?

The only thing that you need to consider is your finances in order to build eco-friendly houses. It would be better if you are going to consult a professional before you start renovating your house, because they can help you make your decisions when choosing the materials that you will be using for your new green real estate property.

2013 Citroen DS5 Hybrid4 Eliseo

Fri, 18 May 2012 04:20:06 +0000

Duration: 00:01:11
Views: 6

Citroen DS5 Citroën has revealed the eagerly anticipated third model in its innovative and distinctive DS line: DS5. Designed to express the full extent of Citroën's 'Créative Technologie', DS5 com (more)

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