Articles by Biodiversivist
My real name is Russ Finley. I also have my own blog called Biodiversivist, which contains articles in addition to those submitted to Grist. I live in Seattle, married with children. Suffice it to say that although I am trained and educated as an engineer, my passion is nature. I very much want my grandchildren to live on a planet where lions, tigers, and bears have not joined the long and growing list of creatures that used to be.
All Articles
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Young bucks make cool bikes
I am always biking past interesting characters like David and his dog Odin. Dave had welded up a sidecar so his dog (who extends his paw at the mention of the word cookie) wouldn't feel lonely being dragged around in a trailer. He has carried everything from a cat to a 190-pound guy in it. This is what the entrepreneurial spirit is all about. If you can't buy what you want, build your own and sell it. -
Some are really, really big
This post meshes pretty well with Dave's here. I spotted a yellow Hummer parked next to a yellow Cherokee (the original SUV) the other day. The contrast was startling. Status seeking has a natural tendency to escalate. You know the end of a fad is near when it finally spawns a ridiculous monstrosity like the Hummer. Insects have their own version of this phenomenon. -
Guaranteed true, top to bottom!
In 2007:
- Prius sales will peak and begin a slow decline as consumers anticipate 2008 models from competitors that will have similar or better performance and therefore higher status.
- Electric hybrid bikes will become increasingly popular as a commuting tool thanks to improved battery technology.
- The SUV fad will continue to fade.
- The corn ethanol pyramid scheme will continue to play out based on the canard that the use of environmentally destructive biofuels is a necessary (but in theory, temporary) evil.
- Biofuel crops (primarily those used for biodiesel) will accelerate the loss of rainforests and other carbon sinks (and the biodiversity contained within them).
- More biofuel will be imported than in any previous year.
- More lifeforms will be declared extinct.
- The number of hungry people in the world will increase (as it did this year, by 4 million).
- Mustaches will return as an attractive and stylish fashion statement.
- Grist will kick some serious ass.
Happy New Year.
