Concerning So what does "sustainability" mean?

Hello Mr. Thompson Yes, you are correct that nobody defined what sustainability means. But, hey, what are consultants going to do without a good undefined buzz word? In my work in the paper mill I adopted the practical aspects of the Swedish TNS group regarding Sustainability. Basically they connect the future business well being (=Sustainability) with environment and human well being. The idea behind it is that there is a certain narrowing of opportunities for a business (especially paper production) because of ever increasing of environmental pressures and regulations and because of pressure on reduction in resources. TNS's idea to cope with this is to look at the end of the road regardless what are today's or tomorrows available resources or regulations. They set simple 4 rules to identify the root to deal with the future uncertainties and to be able to get to this end of the road. I practiced this on our mill's plans for wastewater treatment development with great success. I hope to be able to implement this process in other areas through the paper mill. Avi Tenenbaum Israel *** Jim, Your column today on, " what does sustainability really mean?" was excellent -- one of the very best you have written! Best regards, Jerry Ballengee USA *** Jim: A friend of mind comes up with / discovers new words from time to time. His latest, a sort of Dilbert thing when related to business, is... UNNECESSARINESS. It needs no explanation. It started me thinking about the many things that I don't miss: weekly travel look ahead weekly reports by me [withheld]'s weekly report [withheld]'s quarterly review meetings annual reviews RREs driving to the airport airport security time sheets expense reports FAXing expense reports explaining twice on expanse reports each cash purchase of food being invited to things in [withheld] when I am not there being invited to things in [withheld]... post Rapid Transformation [withheld] [withheld] Net What's New diversity and womens' issues emails smog alerts, car pooling, MARTA, and other things for those who don't travel child care, pet care, and flu shot announcements NASCAR, Chili cook-off, circus, and aquarium announcements [withheld] Athletic Club solicitations product surveys annual shutdown to inspect aluminum wiring Chinese spam Nigerian spam vendor spam [withheld] spam spam addressed to xyzzzzzz@[withheld].com AND FOR STRONGER STOMACHS having to watch what you say in meetings having to watch what you say in emails having to watch what you say on airplanes remembering to not to reply-all even though everyone else does... avoiding humor in emails avoiding TLAs in emails avoiding meaningful attachments in emails remembering to don't be technical in emails being told that "no reply" means "OK", then having to ask for forgiveness even though you already asked for permission character assassins and assassinations supervisors who believe operators and not operator action logs... not being allowed to confront your accusers having to live with the fact that people with complaints about you are always correct... A common practice is [withheld]: -you get called into the boss's office -you are told that you have said [or done] something to p--- someone off [chances are they are several pay grades lower, are technically inferior, but otherwise have a very brown nose] -you ask "who did I p--- off?" -can't tell you -"what did I say [or do]"? -can't tell you, then you would know who complained... -"so how do I apologize, or make ammends [or for God's sake defend yourself]?" -you can't -"so how can I avoid this in the future?" -be careful... People who don't like you for whatever reason, and can't besmirch your technical ability, instead go after your character [and they are promissed confidentiality]. Recent P & P Retiree USA *** Thank you. Interesting article. Mindy Lewis Creve Coeur, Missouri, USA *** This week's riddle: Five pennies Six nickels Nine dimes 35 quarters Cheers, Peter Angevine Charlotte, North Carolina, USA *** Jim, If you go to the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction, your financial stability may not remain sustainable. Then again you'll be the envy of every car nut on the planet who isn't there, so it may be worth it. And you could get on TV with Laura on your arm cheering you on while bidding $375,000 for a Cuda .... As for the second riddle, I have no clue what carbon footprint means. But I think I want one. Gene Canavan Prattville, Alabama, USA --- Well, Gene, the Barrett Jackson trip is off for this year. See the travel update below. Jim *** Jim, How could you forget "synergy"? Remember counting how many times [withheld] could cram "synergy" into a sentence? I think that's when I learned to play "Bullxxxx Bingo." Deborah Butler Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, USA *** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_footprint a "measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of green house gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide" John Yolton Eureka, California, USA *** Good day, Jim. I am sensing a little frustration in your "sustainability" article. Remember : If it weren't for the new buzzwords, we would think we needed fewer marketing types. In answer to your riddle, the 55 coins adding up to $10.00 include 5 pennies, 6 nickels, 9 dimes, and 35 quarters. Thanks for all of your thought-provoking articles and links. Dale St. Peter Port Huron, Michigan, USA *** Hey Jim, The answer is 5 pennies, 6 nickels, 9 dimes, 35 Quarters. Besides the $10 total and 55 coin count, you could also assume at least 5 pennies as a minimum, and therefore at least 6 nickels. You also have to maximize the number of quarters to achieve the dollar volume. From there it was trial and error (for me that is. Someone smarter than I could probably solve a more eloquent set of equations.) Steve Sena Ohio, USA ***

Concerning books

I have finished the Osage Mill, actually within a couple of days of starting it. What an ending! Really hits home here in the Methland of NE Alabama. Next I will read the lazy engineer book. I am intrigued. Lynn Marlow Stevenson, Alabama, USA --- Thanks. "The Lazy Project Engineer's Path to Excellence" is now available (for free, of course) in PDF form in the Library at the Cellulose Community (www.cellulosecommunity.org). Jim ### Have a comment? Send your email to jthompson@cellulosecommunity.net. Unless you tell us otherwise, we will assume we can use your name if we publish your letter.