Posted by J.J. Buckfart | Posted in Science | Posted on 04-02-2010
In the spring of 2009, Lakehead acquired a PanAlytical MPD X-ray diffractometer (XRD for short). This unit is used for materials identification and phase characterization. It has applications in most fields, including chemical engineering, chemistry, geochemistry, geology, mineralogy and environmental sciences. They don’t let me touch the machine, but they do let me talk to Shannon. She’s really smart and has a doctorate in geology and runs the XRD. CLICK HERE to see the news piece on the LUCAS website.
In CSI: Miami an XRD was used to determine the materials in a hubcab found at a crime scene.
I am not a physics major, but last time I checked, X-rays are invisble to the human eye. Hmmmmm.
Posted by J.J. Buckfart | Posted in Communications | Posted on 03-02-2010
Maybe you are a bit clueless on how to properly use Twitter to connect with people and market your product or service. It’s taken me a few months to start to “get” it.
Facebook is much more straightfoward. If you are planning an event, you can set up a facebook event. If you are providing a service line, or promoting your brand you can create a page where people can become your fan. But how can Twitter be used effectively? It’s just a mini-blog right?
I found this pretty straightforward presentation on slideshare.net that gives some pointers on using Twitter… actually 140 pointers to be exact.
I really like some of the Brita ads. They tap into the environmental sensibilities many people have. The first time I saw this spot, I thought they were selling a health product. The reveal at 15 seconds give the missing piece of information and the expected ahh-haa moment.
Check this following ad out. It points out a flaw in Brita’s reasoning. I think you will like it.
Posted by J.J. Buckfart | Posted in Communications | Posted on 27-01-2010
Have you every had a slice of Dominos Pizza where the crust tasted like cardboard? In this cleaver marketing campaign, the Pizza franchise takes its critics head on.
Does marketing like this ultimately help or harm the brand?
You can check out the full campaign by CLICKING HERE.
Posted by J.J. Buckfart | Posted in uhhhh | Posted on 24-01-2010
Over the Christmas holidays my friend Ken asked me what books I read a second or third time and why. A very good question. Why do we go back to certain books and leave others half read?
Books I’ve read more than once include…
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God by Dallas Willard
Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality by Henry Cloud
The One-Life Solution: Reclaim Your Personal Life While Achieving Greater Professional Success by Henry Cloud
Resilience Thinking: Sustaining Ecosystems and People in a Changing World by Brian Walker, David Salt, and Walter Reid
Tomorrow is Earth Day, and in Ontario the law banning the cosmetic use of pesticides comes into effect.
As a licensed commercial pesticide applicator in Ontario, I thought it might be a good idea to I read over a few fact sheets outlining the new Ontario pesticide law. Also, there is some good information on the Ministry of Environment’s website. I am pleased for the most part with the law. In a nutshell the new law denies the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes. So that means herbicides can not be used on your lawns for dandelions.
This law will give regulators some more “teeth” when dealing with pesticide application abuses. I know in parts of the province, pesticides are overused and many pesticide applications are really not necessary. I think a few dandelions are cute… but only a few.
While I was working for Cornell University Cooperative Extension a few years back, I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Frank Rossi aka the Turf Guy at Cornell. He developed a great resource that outlines how to care for your lawn without the use of pesticides. You could also download the PDF and wall paper your garden shed with these great lawn care tips.
I got my first curry … or I should say masala submission. Gordon sent me a pdf entitled “A Graduate Student’s Guide to Indian Recipes.” I chose one of my favourites for the first submission to the curry page. If you are interested in receiving the full pdf recipe book, send the request to my email address.
Mattar Paneer (Peas & Cheese)
2 Onions
2 Tomatoes
4 cloves Garlic
1/2 packet frozen Peas
1″ cube Ginger
1/4 t Turmeric
to taste Salt
to taste Pepper
1/2 t Garam Masala
2c Water
Method
1. Cut paneer in 1″ cubes and deep fry.
2. Make Masala with onion, garlic, ginger, and tomatoes.
3. Season and add turmeric.
4. Add peas and paneer.
According to a Gallup report released last week, there is an increase in people who believe global warming is exagerated. I wonder what has caused this trend. Any ideas?
God communicates an important principle to the nation of Israel. While the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, God miraculously provides provisions for them. As God provides, he places an important limitation. The Israelites must not take more than they need for that day. It’s like God is saying, “You need to rely on me. You mustn’t forget who is providing for you.” The Israelites follow their emerging pattern of disobedience found throughout the Torah. They disobey God’s edict not to be pack-rats and find out the hard way the results of their disobedience.
I think this principle – taking only what you need, taking only what God permits – is a good principle. From this story, I get the sense that God doesn’t want people to be greedy. A principle that naturally can lead to more sustainable consumption; taking only what we need.
Jesus’ teachings echo this principle as well. Jesus tells the story of a rich man who was enamored with collecting more and more stuff. Little does the rich man know that his accumulations are in vane, as his life will be taken from him.
In financial terms, capital can be described as any source of profit while interest can be described as a sum paid or charged for the use or borrowing of money (or perhaps capital – I know I am stretching this a bit).
Why is it so hard for us to not live only on the interest of nature’s bounty. In the 1990s we saw Canadian Atlantic fish stocks crash. We were dipping into nature’s capital, not nature’s interest. As we gobbled up the capital of the cod fish stocks, our actions caused what some call a negative a cascading effect.
