['Too many vectors, not enough memory' comes from an error message on a printout from an early large format paper plotter]
A solution is not only an answer to a problem, but also a fluid into which something has been mixed and has dissolved.
This is the start of the second annual series of Id of the Ingenu. The first half was innocent, random, isolated; the second half is progressive, pensive, necessary.
[After The Tall Dwarfs]
[After The Tall Dwarfs]
The previous series has been an observational analysis; the following series are proposals designed to promote dialogue on issues that face us as citizens of a troubled planet. Any ‘solutions’ however, should not be isolated and over-layered interference actually adding to problems, however well intentioned, but practical ideas deriving from a series of investigations into learning what we have forgotten about who we are, where we live.
It begins from the standpoint that the situation we have is what it is. What is required, therefore, is an objective view, that does not look for fault or blame, (that should only ever emerge out of finding solutions by seeking causes; blame should not be a primary objective in itself).
It is misleading to try to compare to an ideal. Thinking in isolation, while potentially useful initially, then needs to be evolved and tied to practical and useful application to issues that are a priority for the majority.
The ‘murder’ of an initial idea is a necessary consequence of the process of it’s becoming; to guard an idea too closely to ourselves will forever keep it perfect in its potential, but ultimately it will wither from lack of light.
CHANGE AND BALANCE
The reaction to intransigence can, ironically, be equally unbalanced. For example, the more senior of our citizens have a reputation of being somewhat fixed in their ways and opinions, perhaps out of familiarity, perhaps not.
There is a risk that frustration at a lack of willingness to change, or even engage in dialogue, evokes a response that is too opposed, and thus equally out of kilter, the same as atheists actually being as centred on religion as much as devout believers, because their view point is diametrically opposite, and so positioned in relation to it.
If we can get past this impasse, we are then able to distinguish the best and worst, the relevant and the useful, regardless of where or when a particular thing or notion came from. This will perhaps address some issues of prejudice as a side, but no less worthy, benefit.
We all believe we are right. There will be no absolute solutions. Any progress will be complex, difficult, messy, and be achieved through humility, understanding and consensus, but will nevertheless involve tough decisions that can no longer be shied away from.
- Ingenu
Un globo, dos globos, tres globos,
One balloon, two balloons, three balloons,
La Luna es un globo que se me escapó,
The Moon is a balloon that has got away from me,
Un globo, dos globos, tres globos
One balloon, two balloons, three balloons,
La tierra es un globo donde vivo yo.
The Earth is a balloon where I live.
- Theme tune from 1970’s Spanish children’s television programme
- Theme tune from 1970’s Spanish children’s television programme
Disaster rescue
We have recently been witnessing the terrible aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. This is only one instance of a whole range of events that lead to rapid breakdown of habitual rhythms of society. What seems to dictate how bad a natural disaster is, is not only the magnitude of the event itself, but what occurs afterwards in terms of how well aid is managed and how quickly normalcy can be re-established.
Such events makes it difficult to bring clean water, food, medical attention, stabilise the situation, and establish some degree of order to stop looting and people’s desperation leading to focus straying from the main priorities. These are all practical essentials, but there is also the emotional aspect: people have gone through a traumatic experience; they often do not know if their families are alive or dead.
In many areas where natural disasters occur, people’s livelihood is tied to the very place where they live. So for that to be gone is of much more gravity than in other places with more established societal infrastructure where homes will be replaced, people will return to jobs, children will go back to school and power and drainage will function again because they were the norms. But if you have built your own house on land that provides food then it is of another factor level of significance for this to have gone. Your world has literally disappeared.
The first few hours are therefore critical, but also usually the hardest to react in, as it has just happened so there has been little notice, and it is difficult to access because the land is unstable, or underwater depending on the nature of the disaster.
CENTRI-POD
The Centri-Pod is designed to be dropped into a disaster zone immediately after it has happened. It is carried from three Chinook (twin rotor) helicopters. [A Chinook can carry ten tonnes, so engineers need to calculate and balance how many helicopters can safely carry one object and therefore what the Centri-Pod can weigh, allowing for payload]
It can be stable in almost any terrain: its single foot means it is upright on any angle of ground, and is kept stable by the centrifugal force of the counterweight that spins around the main body. Additionally, there are tensile cable guy ropes that can be fired into the surrounding ground to further stabilise it if there are, for example, after tremors.
It can be filled with food, water, shelter, medical and emergency supplies as required. In case of a flood, equipment to process dirty water could produce clean water so not necessitate bringing (heavy) water supplies. Even removable floors that supported equipment can be removed to form temporary bridges nearby if required. This would also allow for more head-room to be created inside so it can then function as a temporary hospital or communications/ base of operations.
By having a presence on the ground quickly, reports of the actual situation can be regularly relayed to further refine subsequent aid requirements.
They need to be based at various points around the globe to be able to react quickly and be in place as soon as the initial natural phenomenon has passed/ subsided and no longer poses a danger to the Centri-Pod itself.
The above configuration is phase one. Three phases in total are envisaged. Phase two would have thrust capability, perhaps adapted from vertical take off military jets, and so be able to take off and land unassisted.
Phase three would put a Pod in orbit around the globe to monitor the environment and take regular readings, as well as observe and report on activities contravening environmental laws and regulations.
The advantage of the Centri-Pod (phase one) is that it could be built tomorrow – there is no undiscovered technology. (By keeping it simple it will be able to be easily repaired on site if damaged.) Whether it comes about or not is more a matter of political will.
The need for Centri-Pod operations to be independently funded and managed cannot be overstated. There is always the danger, and often the case, that well intentioned technological advances are adopted and skewed for less than equitable purposes.
Centri-Pod © 2010 Marc Furnival
