This past week, I found myself discussing the value of the "green" movement. A few years ago, slapping the word "green" onto your materials gave the then-unknowing masses the impression that your company had the golden key to success. But as time progressed and people became more knowledgable, "greenwashing" (yes, it has a name) became out of style and distasteful, and those who did it were somewhat ostracized. So now, there's not as much of a "green" push. But has the lack of promotion hurt the cause?
I say yes and no: Yes, from the standpoint that the more light you shine on a subject, the better coverage it gets. No, because more and more people are grasping the idea that energy efficiency means taking action--doing your part, your green duty as it is. At the end of the day, doing the deed is better than just talking about it. The bottom line is that we, as an industry, still have to keep pushing the pedal to the floor to create and advance our technology as it relates to "green." energy, "sustainability" or any other heading you want to throw it under.
Elsewhere...
- Want to know something that is probably not green these days? The color of the grass in parts of the drought-riddled South and Southwest. I swear, I was looking at the national map one day last week and it looked like there was a dome covering the state of Texas that wasn't allowing a rain system in. Mother Nature continues to be cruel, and this historic drought continues.
- With all of the talk in DC about the debt limits and budgets, how come no one gets upset that the bogus chase and trial of Lance Armstrong, professional bike rider, will cost our government more than $100 million? How is that sane?
- An interesting Top 10 this week from CNBC: the Top 10 Cities least affected by the housing crisis. The survey notes that declining home values have touched every city, but these 10 have weathered the storm best. If your city is on here, congratulations, as I bet when the list of most affected cities comes out, mine will be on it. Here goes:
10. Greenville, SC (Awesome place by the way)
9. Knoxville, TN
8. Durham, NC
7. Rochester, NY (shocking to me, actually)
6. Pittsburgh, PA
5. Yakima, WA
4. Little Rock, AR
3. Tulsa, OK
2. Oklahoma City, OK
1. Fayetteville, NC - I mentioned books last week while propping Bill Evans' wonderful recent post, and here's one if you are looking for a quick, breezy read on the greatness of a company and marketing plan: "First in Thirst: How Gatorade Turned the Science of Sweat Into a Cultural Phenomenon." It is the story of Gatorade and how it was developed, but more interesting is how its marketing evolved. At only 280 pages, you can finish it quickly, or in Scott Surma time, one treadmill session.
- Last up this week: a great site to get around the whole automated operator systems that many mega-sized companies have in place. Click here, and the site will give you tips to follow so that you can talk to a real live human being! Imagine that. And no worries, I have no plans of adding an automated phone system here at From the Fabricator Blogging Inc. or at my next venture... coming soon....
Read on for links and clip of the week...
Write Max at maxbcat@aol.com.
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Glass Association, Glass Magazine editors, or other glassblog contributors.
Well, that slow cycle of news in our industry didn't last very long did it? Last week, two big stories hit. First was the 
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