Last September, we had the privilege to help out Charity Water as part of the 30 Days. 30 Bloggers. challenge. And this year, we're looking to help out in a big way again.
In 5 years, Charity Water has brought clean water to 2,000,000 people in 19 countries.
And as proud as they are of that fact, they're not happy with the pace. In fact, they're looking to change the game completely - rather than just continuing to fund project construction, they're looking to purchase the actual drilling equipment themselves!
Specifically, an FS250 Drilling Rig that can dig 80 wells in a year and bring clean water to 40,000 new people, each year. Which would mean that in 10 years, 100% of the Northern region of Ethiopia could have access to clean drinking water.
Plus, if we can help buy the one rig, a matching donor has agreed to buy a second!
Buying popcorn to support the Boy Scouts is a good thing. Buying wrapping paper to support youth football is a good thing.
This is a great thing.
100% of your donation goes to providing clean water, with 100% transparency of where your money goes.
Go visit Charity Water's September Campaign site right now.
Watch the video. Cry like I did. And then join them in changing the world.
September 29, 2011
Baby-Free Dining
It looks like we're slowly on our way toward my life goal of an airline providing baby-free flights.
Because in Pennsylvania, McDain's Restaurant has banned children under 6 years of age from their upscale casual eatery.
It has made a lot of people angry. It makes me, who, this past year, had to endure a fussy infant at the nicest steakhouse in the area - on Valentine's Day - very happy.
Many of you claimed my opinions on infant prejudice would change after having a kid. They have not. I love the idea more than ever. And apparently, so do a lot of people.
His business has grown by 20% since making the switch.
(Note: I apologize for the programming problems when leaving a comment - I am trying to implement Facebook blogging/commenting integration and will let you know when everything is sorted out)
0 comments
Because in Pennsylvania, McDain's Restaurant has banned children under 6 years of age from their upscale casual eatery.
It has made a lot of people angry. It makes me, who, this past year, had to endure a fussy infant at the nicest steakhouse in the area - on Valentine's Day - very happy.
Many of you claimed my opinions on infant prejudice would change after having a kid. They have not. I love the idea more than ever. And apparently, so do a lot of people.
His business has grown by 20% since making the switch.
(Note: I apologize for the programming problems when leaving a comment - I am trying to implement Facebook blogging/commenting integration and will let you know when everything is sorted out)
September 28, 2011
Moneyball Explains MyGofer’s Failure
I read Moneyball 3 years ago, and it completely transformed my decision-making process - toward what I hope to be ever-increasing objectivity.
And yes, sadly for you Randians, Moneyball opened my eyes in a way the Fountainhead never could. So, I couldn't be more excited to see the movie adaptation of this book - which is getting widely praised.
But I think I just realized why MyGofer, the personal shopping service I use whose unpopularity I have posted my incredulity over several times here - isn't a success.
They get something wrong in my order every week.
Now... I save two hours a week. Despite my frustration, Moneyball logic tells me its worth it. So, I sing its praises. But most people can't see past the fact that if they shopped themselves, they'd get everything right. And so they give up on MyGofer.
When a company is relying on a completely objective populace for their success - they need a movie like Moneyball to change the way people see the world.
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And yes, sadly for you Randians, Moneyball opened my eyes in a way the Fountainhead never could. So, I couldn't be more excited to see the movie adaptation of this book - which is getting widely praised.
But I think I just realized why MyGofer, the personal shopping service I use whose unpopularity I have posted my incredulity over several times here - isn't a success.
They get something wrong in my order every week.
Now... I save two hours a week. Despite my frustration, Moneyball logic tells me its worth it. So, I sing its praises. But most people can't see past the fact that if they shopped themselves, they'd get everything right. And so they give up on MyGofer.
When a company is relying on a completely objective populace for their success - they need a movie like Moneyball to change the way people see the world.
September 27, 2011
Creating a Civilian War Memorial
Author Sebastian Junger postulated an interesting idea recently in the New York Times.
Create a Civilian War Memorial, dedicated to the more than 100,000 civilians and counting who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq so far.
Whether you ethically believe in our role in these wars or not, it would show the world we recognize the horrific sacrifices made by the Iraqi and Afghani people over the past decade.
It also might force us to realize the very real horrors of war we don't always see.
Great idea, Mr. Junger.
0 comments
Create a Civilian War Memorial, dedicated to the more than 100,000 civilians and counting who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq so far.
Whether you ethically believe in our role in these wars or not, it would show the world we recognize the horrific sacrifices made by the Iraqi and Afghani people over the past decade.
It also might force us to realize the very real horrors of war we don't always see.
Great idea, Mr. Junger.
September 26, 2011
Let’s Redefine Gambling
If you're the best poker player at the table, is it still gambling?
Because the word "gambling" - the negative connotation - presumes an overly risky situation, right?
Whereas, buying a house, investing in mutual funds - these are "investments". These are either popular or historically safe enough financial decisions not to be associated with "gambling".
So, at what level of risk should something be considered "gambling" - in the negative sense the word currently conveys?
0 comments
Because the word "gambling" - the negative connotation - presumes an overly risky situation, right?
Whereas, buying a house, investing in mutual funds - these are "investments". These are either popular or historically safe enough financial decisions not to be associated with "gambling".
So, at what level of risk should something be considered "gambling" - in the negative sense the word currently conveys?
September 23, 2011
You Are Not a Coal Miner
You are not a coal miner. An 8-hour day is no longer, by definition, twice as valuable as a 4-hour day.
You now live in the knowledge economy. You are judged by the value of your creation. Not the mass of it.
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You now live in the knowledge economy. You are judged by the value of your creation. Not the mass of it.
September 22, 2011
How Do You Tell a 6-Year Old Why 9/11 Happened?
How do you tell a 6-year old why 9/11 happened?
Think about it for a second. How you do simplify it for them?
Ok, now be honest with yourself. And ask yourself if that's the same reason you think 9/11 happened?
I addressed this topic yesterday with a guest post at the Humble Libertarian. Go check it out.
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Think about it for a second. How you do simplify it for them?
Ok, now be honest with yourself. And ask yourself if that's the same reason you think 9/11 happened?
I addressed this topic yesterday with a guest post at the Humble Libertarian. Go check it out.
September 20, 2011
It’s Society’s Fault
But, "society" is not an entity. Society is not out to get you. Society is not what's wrong with society.
But, people exist. And cooperation exists. And the combination of those two things is what society really is.
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But, people exist. And cooperation exists. And the combination of those two things is what society really is.
September 19, 2011
It’s People
By sheer probability alone, don't you think that someone, somewhere, probably in China, is working on developing Soylent Green right now?
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September 16, 2011
Comcast Customer Service Surprise…
Two years ago, my interactions with Comcast employees had me loathing the company that consistently tops user polls of the most hated brand in America.
This week, I had an incredibly pleasant and overall positive experience with Comcast.
Here's my theory. Two years ago, Comcast didn't have to provide good service. In thousands of towns across America, they were it. The only game in town. The only player. You didn't have a choice if you wanted cable Internet or cable television.
Today, you're starting to have a choice. Securing an Internet or cable connection through a different wireless company. Opting out of cable all together for Hulu Plus, Netflix and other online streaming services.
Two years ago, Comcast could call your bluff when you threatened to cancel. Today, they can't.
So, they're nice to you now. They have to be.
(...insert trite close about how capitalistic competition makes everything better)
0 comments
This week, I had an incredibly pleasant and overall positive experience with Comcast.
Here's my theory. Two years ago, Comcast didn't have to provide good service. In thousands of towns across America, they were it. The only game in town. The only player. You didn't have a choice if you wanted cable Internet or cable television.
Today, you're starting to have a choice. Securing an Internet or cable connection through a different wireless company. Opting out of cable all together for Hulu Plus, Netflix and other online streaming services.
Two years ago, Comcast could call your bluff when you threatened to cancel. Today, they can't.
So, they're nice to you now. They have to be.
(...insert trite close about how capitalistic competition makes everything better)