Bigthink - User Ideas Feed

Albany to Boston by High Speed Train

Bigthink — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:28:35 +0100

: Rather than fiddle with existing train lines to add capacity and help reduce vehicle traffic I think we should build a new high speed train line down the middle of the Mass Turnpike. The two governors would help economic development in western MA and the upper Taconic region. Also it is likely to lead to a great degree of commercial interchange between these two capital cities.

Stimulus Package via College Endowments?

Bigthink — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:11:59 +0100

: One good way to stimulate the economy voluntarily would be to ask the endowments and charitible trusts to step up their percentage spending this coming year. Most spend far less than they make in portfolio growth and can easily help their own cause by spending a bit more. Why/How? Because by stimulating the economy their own investments will do better.

Perverse energy incentives for renters and appartment owners

Bigthink — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:38:51 +0100

There's a lot of energy costs left on the table because the incentives in the rental apartment business are all wrong.

If the tenant pays for heat and cooling, the landlord has no incentive to invest in sensible conservation , insulation, energy star equipment, etc.

If these costs are included in the rent, the tenant has no incentive to conserve and may for instance open windows to air it out and crank up the heat or AC at the same time, leave appliances and lights on, etc.

Couldn't some third party mechanism help lower total costs by somehow mediating this dilemma? Maybe the landlords get tax credits or ?

A political and economic theory of "Localism"

Bigthink — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:13:00 +0100

: Isn't it possible and desirable to help intensify 'localism' even while accepting the benefits of globalism? Like the US federal separation of powers, states rights under federalism, etc., should we be developing an economic and political theory of "localism"?

Is Gardening an art form?

Bigthink — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:52:40 +0100

: Food and/or flowers - roses, backyard veggies, a well planted arbor, herbs in the rock garden?

Can "Victory Gardens" save money and oil?

Bigthink — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:41:15 +0100

: Can Victory Gardens like from WWII provide one part of the global warming solution? Our foods travel so far why not challenge everyone to grow something. A small fruit tree, a grape arbor, some potted tomatoes and herbs...why not plant something?

Can Smart growth and better planning provide for self sufficiency?

Bigthink — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 16:01:16 +0100

: What are the things city planners and architects can do to help more food or more energy be saved or produced? Does zoning allow clothes line dryings, provide for micro scale agriculture, allow solar, wind, etc. easy access via building codes? Do local and state tax codes,health codes, zoning, etc. encourage or inhibit such designs and plans?

Can we 'return to the village' way of life?

Bigthink — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:38:37 +0100

Is there a series of changes that could lead to the development of living patterns which provide the sense of community and sustaniability similar to that of a healthy village...if such a thing ever really existed.

I ask not in an anti urban sense, but in this sense: What percent of all physical needs of the community can be provided 'locally' or 'regionally'...and at what cost? What might be the conditions for a 'village' to provide most of its foods, energy, services, etc. ? Can there be an intensification of localism? What would the costs and benefits be?

Practical test: Would/could this approach revitalize small towns in US mid-west? Or..Berlin, NH, or? Would it lower the world's total energy requirements by eliminating long distance product logistics costs?