Talking about the economy March 2008

[EverettsVLOG]

im part of a reserach team in tennessee that will be working on the improvement of the cellulose method via analysis the catalysis, so obviously i agree across the board here. the interesting thing will be the likely delocalized structure of a biofuel industry, as large scale transportation of grasses would be unacceptable. this could make small businesses able to compete in the energy economy for once

[skyzalimt]

I attended the groundbreaking for the cellulosic ethanol pilot plant in Vonore, TN in October. Great insight about the decentralization of the energy biz... I wondered what DuPont's long term play is here... are they planning to patent a process?... proprietize switchgrass DNA?... maybe they're in it for a tax write-off. Seems to me once the cat is out of the bag with respect to cellulosic ethanol production it will be difficult for large companies to maintain anything approaching a monopoly.

[PragueVlogg]

Living in Europe, I see the price of the dollar drop every month over the past few years; you don't see it so much when you're in the states. 10 years ago Americans came to Prague and spent lots of money because everything was so cheap for them. Now? Now its the opposite and most American tourists come here on a budget. Really, I've changed most of my savings over to Czech Krowns and Euros so I don't watch it continue to dwindle away.

[ockteby]

When the government announced a 150 billion dollar rebate that told me the forecasters are worried. Gasoline is 3.25 gal, and it looks like oil will continue to be the culprit in international upheavals. The next 25 years will be a traumatic time for the world. Cellulosic Ethanol will help us lose some dependency on oil, but I think politics will play more of a role than most admit. Then kind of tong in cheek -- A large solar storm would make it all null and void. :)

Frank

[PragueVlogg]

Oh goodness, and I just woke up and read the headlines for today. More evidence of financial ruin in US. Banks bailing out other banks, the Feds bailing out the banks on money that they don't have in the first place. The economy is one big reason why I am considering not moving back to the states any time soon. But I can't say that to my parents.

[ockteby]

Bad news from the U.S market could eventually spell worse news in Europe. I think oil is the gorilla in the room, and I predict some leverage will be exerted to pull the price of oil down. Personally I think the only safe investment is GOLD. If Pharaoh was alive he could walk out of his tomb a rich man. More tongue in cheek :) :)

Frank

[PragueVlogg]

I think you're right about the oil. We all know it's going to be bad for a while, but the question is: How bad will it get? Cutting out vacation and dipping into our savings are one thing, but the middle class going hungry for a decade is another thing. I grew up in the 80's USA, so I was quite optimistic that I would get all I ever wanted if I work hard enough. My husband grew up in Ukraine at a time where one's money often became worthless the day after payday.

[ockteby]

Part of what you said is why Eastern Europeans are making good capitalist.

Caroline... I wish you would turn your camera on and just start talking. I know you have tons of things you want to say, and just think "you don't have to edit.

Frank

[PragueVlogg]

Perhaps only you would want to listen to me ramble on about the silly things in my head. :)

I've made at least 4 vlogs in the past 2 weeks that I may never post. I think UC Berkeley, while it being a place that encourages and inspires free speech, also gave me the idea that one should not make a claim unless there is reliable research to back it up. Sometimes this idea keeps me quiet.

With all that said, perhaps I will post one of the saved vlogs soon.

[PragueVlogg]

Oh, and another thing. I did try to post an unedited vlog on politics last week and the video got rejected because there is some silly new rule that we can't post videos longer than 10 minutes anymore...even director accounts!!! The YT rules state that people who had directors accounts when the previous rule applied can still post videos > 10 mins. This is the case for me, but the 13 minute video was still rejected, twice. That made me mad.

[ockteby]

If your video length was grandfathered into your YT account as ours was I have a work around. The same thing happened to me, and I will send you a message telling you how I did it.

As for UC Berkeley; they lied to you, and to prove my point just listen to all the wacky things coming out of academia. Doing research is pseudoscience when you are talking about viral videos. Or is it the other way around? (Information on YouTube is pseudoscience) :)

Turn the camera on and let it rip.

Frank

[PragueVlogg]

ok, ok, I posted one for you today. :)

[sakathom]

Thanks to your friend for sharing his opinion, I thought Tennessee was part of the Sun Belt based economy, but I guess your friend compared the grim situation of TN to the Rust Belt States. My idea to improve the agricultural-based economy along with cellulose ethanol is the legalization of Hemp (unfortunately being compared to Marijuana, which I don't like). That raw material would boost our economy and lower our dependence on valuable timber resources. Thank you Sir!

[ockteby]

Ron predicted the housing slump several months before it started making news, and made a successful exit from California.

Concerning you reply; All kinds of solutions are available, but unfortunately some of them need a political solution.

Frank

[enyawix]

Good info thank you for making this

[MrRay47]

That was a good idea for your video. "Slice of life" conversations are usually quite interesting. aloha :) ray

[kalacaw]

Frank, please convey my condolences to Ron for the loss of his Mother. He's fortunate to have a good friend by his side at this time.

I'm so unfamiliar with the subject of cellulosic ethanol that I'm afraid to comment. :)

[ockteby]

Thank you, Betty. Ron will see your reply.

I dont know that much about cellulosic ethanol, and Ron has been talking about it for a long time.

Frank

[MissTruly]

Very interesting post. Thanks for sharing your views!