Activity

I do not know how to even begin, to be a voice of reason on this one.

I find it interesting that the issue of human population growth is barely referred to as an issue at all. It seems to be assumed that “planning” can do anything. Oh please!
With our population increased by as much as 50% in a few decades — tripling in one century! — never mind carrying capacity of the planet, can our systems cope with such a…[Read more]

Thanks, Tanya.
“…magical thinking is when we take our projections so far that our worst nightmares or best dreams are the only forseeable end game.”
I like your second definition of Magical Thinking, the first reminds me of Mystical Thinking, which many people incorporate into spiritual beliefs and that’s fine. However, neither of them should b…[Read more]

Ha! I guess I would fall into the plateau group if any. I don’t think oil will disappear in the next 4 years – I think we’ll keep wringing every last drop of petroleum /coal out of the earth no matter how deep and dirty, all the while defending ‘our way of life’.
I hate to use the term ‘magical thinking’ because I think it describes the wonder of…[Read more]

Hey Michele,
Thanks for the advice. I currently work for a company called ArborPro which is very similar to ArcGIS. It’s a software that helps you manage the urban forest. GIS is what made me want to pursue a masters in Urban planning. Having had my BSLA in Landscape Architecture and have had completed a masters in Urban Planning would only f…[Read more]

No arguement from me Matt. You are working with your strengths and graphic communication, especially instant (ie, hand) communication, is a skill that any employer wants to have in his employee. People without that skill (such as myself) are not very marketable as employees in this profession.
 
It is a handicap that should be avoided, but as w…[Read more]

Friends I know in academia and a planning dept. who were employed at the start of the recession have remained employed but my own former position (frozen after I retired, then later eliminated) still doesn’t exist. Another person I keep up with who had a planning background (but who had moved into private consulting mixed with being a real estate…[Read more]

The end of the oil age is here – as Bill McKibben’s campaign against the tar sands pipeline points out, it doesn’t matter if that oil is burned on site or piped to China, it’s use does nothing but increase global warming, past the 350 ppm tipping point.
so for islands in the pacific, victims of Manila’s typhoons, Bangladesh floods, for the  many…[Read more]

When the end comes, I want to be partying with Tanya like its 1999. 
Granted, even considering these dim views of the future, one needs to compartmentalize it so you can go merely on with your life like nothing really bad could ever happen to the US. No, wait, that’s actually what we’ve done quit a lot of regarding terrorism, communism and The…[Read more]

I’ll start with Mark’s “obvious question” since I won’t be here to discuss it with you on Friday…..
Personally, I work hard to keep my distance from apocalyptic predictions even though there is something about them that tugs on that old inner paranoia and superstition. I have a good enough imagination as it is and I’m still creeped out from wa…[Read more]

Bert,
Here’s my plan. What’s yours? 
 

Alternative Energy
Local:
Once localized energy programs, such as hydropower, will have to be used again. Other areas will need to investigate the best types of alternative power, i.e., wind, wave and thermal. All local waste needs to be used as a fuel.
State:
All states need to start algae harvesting p…[Read more]

Lots of chatter but “no real plan about moving forward” sounds like a page from the GOP economic booklet.

This trend needs to start up again. I wasn’t a member the first time it came around. The last post was dated October, 2010. How does the profession look a year later? Any good news from the mainland? Is the recession over for LAs? If it is over are you preparing yourself for the next recession in 8 to 10 years? This profession is nothing but a…[Read more]

Well, there are several question that come to mind:
1. Will we be able to get our heads out of the sand before its to late?
2. To what extent will the Great Disruption/Long Emergency occur? 
3. How will mankind dig their way out, i.e., what new systems will emerge?
Or we could just start with obvious question:
4. Will the Great D…[Read more]

specify please Mr. Tosh..What do the deer like? Catbrier? Just curious..

Like William James said on his deathbed, “Gertrude, Gertrude (Stein) What is the answer. What is the answer?”
To which Gertrude Stein replied, “I don’t know what is the question?”
(Old Shelly Berman routine..)…
so I reiterate, Mr. Warriner, What is the question?

I’m finding out here in New England, it’s the deer that are “selecting” what plants to let grow (too many deer for the natives to have an outside shot at surviving), we do control the population of deer (first by eliminating predators, and second by protecting them), so are we managing the plant diversity (negatively)? The speed of change is…[Read more]

Friedman was talking about this in the New York Times today