mcronheim’s Recent Comments

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  what about corporate?

  I'm inclined to assert that the massive scale-back in bottled water purchasing by huge companies to stock their break-rooms has a monumental effect here. I do some consulting for a huge IT company in the process of discontinuing bottled water. A few of these huge buyers could have a considerable impact in this market.

  Matthew Cronheim

  On BrandWeek: 'Sales drought' for big water bottlers posted 1 year, 2 months ago 6 Responses

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  Organic farm laborers

  I'm a bit confused. In the beginning you discuss organics' failure to address working conditions and the rights of laborers. But it isn't clear to me weather or not the following discussion refers to organic farms exclusively, conventional farms exclusively, or a combination of the two?

  It would appear that the discussion refers to either of the latter two - only conventional or a combination of organic and conventional.

  I'm particularly interested in figures pertaining specifically to organic farms. Organic farmers of all sizes are similarly subjected to market forces on both sides. While it is difficult to aggregate organic farmers given the great variation in size and scope, I find it critical to address the conditions therein, as sweeping assumptions seem to mask reality.
  It seems generally accepted that organic farmers necessarily treat their workers well, or at least "better". Particularly with the rise of industrial organic, are many of these organic operations proceeding under the radar via the clock of organic?

  Thanks Tom

  Matthew Cronheim

  On Schlosser: Food industry abuses workers as matter of course posted 1 year, 2 months ago 2 Responses

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  ebb and flow

  Sure, any small scale farm -- anything at all, really -- will necessarily be built upon a foundation of industrialized monoliths. I hardly find this reason to discount his philosophy. We are always learning from the past. Those of us who happen to exist in an atmosphere of affluence and security are uniquely able to ponder and explore what may be "next".

  Agriculture, as with the economics of all resources, is an ever equilibrating force (real estate market, energy, etc.). Industrial agriculture is rapidly approaching the point at which it can no longer sustain itself. Thus the return to small(er) scale farming, the industrialization of organics, local food, the mainstreaming of local foods, etc. These trajectory's, while often predictable, are not unidirectional vehicles on a crash course. Rather, security often finds people looking back, seeing what they had foolishly forgotten, and recalling those practices...

  The argument suggesting that all must go through a period of "dirty farming" is a familiar, Marxist ideology in which a prescribed time line is adhered to by all. While it is instructive as a starting point, history just ain't a science.

  So who really cares what the socioeconomic circumstances of these people are/were? This reminds me of the presidential campaigns, in which the amount of homes owned by a candidate is favored over the details of his policies.

  Matthew Cronheim

  On Long live 'do-nothing farming' posted 1 year, 2 months ago 21 Responses

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  Beyond supply / demand

  Sam, your points are right on. The implications of the reality - "Big Oil" ain't so big anymore -- are manifold. Firstly, as you say, the Western oil giants are so quick to jump on ridiculous ventures like offshore drilling because their options are running out. Second, policymakers in the US are under-informed or in-the-pocket of these oil giants, as they continue to endorse such ridiculous ventures.

  While this is definitely a cause for increased R&D of renewables, regardless of your party / ideological affiliations, it is foremost a call to look within. For worthology mentioned this, though I'm not sure how realistic his noted goals were. The essence of his comment, that we need to focus on our own behavior, is vitally important. As Sam said, power over oil is in the hands of other countries; countries like Iran, Venezuela, and others who are...not too happy.... with the US. This is out of the hands of either presidential candidate, congress, and to a large extent - Big oil. The only person who has the power to reduce your energy bill right now, and forever, is you...

  http://autodidacticdropout.wordpress.com/

  Matthew Cronheim

  On Short-term dip in oil prices will not offset long-term increases posted 1 year, 2 months ago 17 Responses

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  blog

  New blog on the topic http://autodidacticdropout.wordpress.com/On T. Boone Pickens gets face time with both prez candidates posted 1 year, 2 months ago 1 Response