We all live in a natural world even if we spend too much of our lives indoors. The products of the world come from nature, we depend on nature for both physical and spiritual health.
Just Another Fire - May 12, 2008
The recent brush fires across our state remind us of the danger of fire.
This State Land is Closed - July 11, 2007
Misuse of land is leading to more restrictons.
Vandalizing Public Property - June 30, 2006
People destroying our commons never has made much sense.
Haul Out Your Unburnable Litter - June 15, 2006
Why people should take their unburnables out with them and not leave trash on state land.
Littering - April 23, 2004
Where litter comes from, how to deal with it, and moral implications of littering.
Get Tough on Litter - June 30, 2002
Littering is not just annoying, it's toxic.
Orange Rocks at Partridge Run - June 30, 2002
Most people respect the environment, but others do not.
Brutalism - May 18, 2008
Some thoughts on my favorite type of architecture.
Bikable Buses - May 9, 2008
It's great to be able to take you bike on the bus.
Albany, 2058 - May 5, 2008
What the future of the Capital City may be like after peak oil.
Demolish the Howe Library, Save Troy City Hall ! - April 30, 2008
We should be fair in evaluating old buildings.
A Red Light Runner is Killed - April 9, 2008
Blaming any one besides those who violate the law is unjust.
Psychology of Previous Investment - March 31, 2008
Why Kunstler’s notion is a misnomer in our modern society.
More Then $4.2k for Each Albany Resident - February 22, 2008
That's how much debt the city now has out.
Speeding - February 1, 2008
It's dangerous, unneccessary, wastes fuel, and kills.
The Roundabout Review - November 19, 2007
A look at the new Sligerlands Bypass and it's roundabouts.
The State Butterfly - November 16, 2007
Politics, Elementary Schools Students, and making the Karner Blue a state symbol.
Albany's Violence Problem - November 9, 2007
Marginialized and forgotten communities create destructive people.
Fires in California - October 24, 2007
We need wild fires, but when we get too close to nature we may get burned.
Economic Development - July 16, 2007
The fabled search for new employers can be troublesome.
Regionalization - June 18, 2007
There are two sides to getting governments to work together.
Albany's Trailer Park - May 2, 2007
Fox Run is the forgotten victim of our consumerism.
Two Sides of the Big Cities - July 17, 2006
Some more reflections on the big city lifestyle.
Eminent Domain Can Be Good for All - July 4, 2005
Government needs the power to be able to build great things private or public.
Suburban Life: Not As Evil As Seems - September 11, 2003
Andrew ponders over a couple of aspects over suburbs and wonders if they are the great evil we sometimes make them out to be.
Cities, A Modern Future - February 28, 2002
Poverty and a lack of incentives destroy our cities...
Carbon Sequestration - August 27, 2007
Why carbon sequestration is a dangerous and bad technology.
A Global Climate Hoax? - August 1, 2007
Inhofe's criticism shows global warming must be viewed in context.
Global Climate Change - July 19, 2007
What we must do address the threat of climate change.
New York's Greenhouse Gas Regulations, - December 15, 2005
How the GHG limiting law passed by the legislature will effect pickup trucks and pickup drivers.
Does Walmart Destroy Communities? - April 18, 2008
Not more then other big chain stores destroy communities.
Save the Planet: Buy Less - March 21, 2008
The simplest way to reduce your impact is consume less.
Why Care About the Economy? - March 14, 2008
We should be working for opporunity and not worshiping economic gods.
Coal Heat - February 11, 2008
Looking at that heating element on the stove.
Credit Cards - January 23, 2008
Often abused and misaligned with consumerism, we all still need credit.
Thrift Shops - November 23, 2007
Not only will you get a good deal, your also saving resources.
Giving Thanks - November 22, 2006
Some thoughts on what I'm thankful for this Thanksigiving.
Obesity - September 15, 2006
Obesity seems to be a real problem in a society of plenty.
Still Like Walmart - July 10, 2006
Despite our offical disdain, we still spend our bucks at Walmart and the alike.
Got Bottled Water? - September 2, 2005
Bottled water is both silly and bad for the environment.
Walmart in Perspective - May 22, 2005
A look at the big box in small town America.
Crossgates Mall Experience - June 2, 2004
A perspective on Crossgates Mall and what it means to me.
The Throw-Away Society - April 16, 2004
Commentary on landfills, our notion of waste, and modern American Society.
Christmas List 2003 - December 21, 2003
What I really want for Christmas this year.
Consumerism Defining Freedom - December 6, 2003
How our consumer culture defines freedom in urban society.
What is Pollution? - March 28, 2007
Considering several definations of pollutin.
What Does It Mean To Be An Environmentalist? - February 12, 2007
Some ideas on the meaning of environmentalism.
The Land Ethic Today - February 7, 2007
A look at Leopold's Land Ethic today.
The Environmental Ideal - January 12, 2007
Some basic principles of environmentalism.
Earth as a Pickup Truck - June 26, 2006
Mother earth is tough, but needs some care.
Biggest Environmental Problems - June 21, 2005
From protecting open space to making it a nice place to live.
Status-Quo Environmentalism - November 30, 2002
How environmentalists keep the status quo and rarely seek a cleaner environment.
Why I Don't Care About Gas Prices - May 26, 2008
Not driving much the high cost of fuel doesn't effect me.
Energy Conservation - May 21, 2008
Or why you should not buy a more efficient car.
What If Gas Gets Cheap? - April 28, 2008
Lower cost fuel will be a big distinctive to conserve.
Such an Icy Winter - January 18, 2008
We are now seeing the effect of climate change.
A Planetary Emergency? - November 12, 2007
Democracy need a crisis to act on global warming, but that may lead to bad solutions.
Overemphasis on MPG - September 10, 2007
While we should care about MPG, our livestyle choices are more important.
Aren't You Glad? - July 23, 2007
That this is not a nuclear emergency.
Household Florescent Lighting - December 29, 2006
Why isn't everybody using compact florescents?
Mass Transit and Emerging Crisis - July 31, 2006
Taking the bus is a way to save both the environment and your truck's life.
Can China and the US Can Work Together
to Reduce Their Crude Oil Consumption? - December 10, 2005
World oil consumption is a concern for all Americans. Can the two big oil users work together to conserve oil?
Landmass and Carbon Dioxide Emissions - December 5, 2003
A study of the emissions of carbon dioxide versus the size of landmass.
Affirmative Energy Action - January 14, 2003
A proposal to encourage the purchasing of fuel efficent cars and trucks.
On the Issue of Fuel Economy - November 30, 2002
Andrew dares to step into the debate about fuel economy.
Clearwater 2007 - June 20, 2007
A great festival not just for the music but the info.
Earthday 37 Years Later - April 20, 2007
Environmental policies are still difficult to develop.
Psychology of Pollution - February 21, 2007
Pollution both has an environmental and a psychological impact.
Environmentalism & Ideology - March 5, 2004
A look at the different forms of environmentalism.
Sierra Magazine - November 5, 2003
Many environmentalists frown on radical change to our environment, preferring overpriced kitty litter and SUVs to action that would clean the air, land, and water.
Incineration: Energy & Money Intensive - March 7, 2007
More problems with muncipal trash incineration.
Incineration: Not a Good As You Might Think - September 29, 2006
Incineration in plagued by pollution, cost, and low energy production.
Mount Pisgah Experience - May 7, 2004
Visting a hill overlooking Renselearville can be a mind expanding experience.
Getting Away to the Hilltowns - May 27, 2003
A nice long drive can clear the mind, and inspire.
Memorial Day 2002 - May 1, 2002
A poem about Memorial Day Weekend.
The Grey Trail - March 31, 2002
A short essay written for Composition Writing about Literature.
Bigger Bottle Bill - January 30, 2008
Why our state needs to pass an updated bottle bill this year.
Albany's Lying About Recycling - October 29, 2007
The way Albany creates recycling numbers is a fraud.
Remanufacturing - April 4, 2007
High value remanufacturing is superior to normal recycling.
Why Do I Recycle? - November 15, 2006
Some thoughts on recycling.
Regional Recycling in Cities - September 8, 2006
Maybe the transfer station model for disposing of trash is a good alternative to curbside pickup.
Recycling at Peace Picnic - August 21, 2006
How it's possible to recycle even when outing.
Debbie Jackson: The Recycling Guru - July 19, 2006
Jackson's speech to Pine Bush misses the importance of finding bold solutions to the solid waste problems.
Wasting and Recycling - July 13, 2006
Recycling is good but not a real solution to our solid waste problem.
Bigger Bottle Bill - August 4, 2005
We need to expand the bill and find better ways to recycle.
A Pay to Throw System in Albany? - April 25, 2008
This might be one way to balance the city's budget.
You Recycle: So? - November 30, 2007
Recycling makes us feel virtuous, but our solid waste problem is much bigger.
Toilet Paper - October 5, 2007
We all use it. But it is really good for us or the environment?
MSW Composting - September 26, 2007
While it sounds like an ideal solution, it's full of problems.
Learning to Love A Dump - August 6, 2007
Landfills are dirty and polluting, but there is a case of local ownership.
Where Does That Trash Come From? - July 2, 2007
The undisclosed location of Rapp Road's trash.
Why Landfills Should Be Privately Owned - June 25, 2007
Public landfill ownership is contrary to the public interest.
Testimony on Expansion of Rapp Road - February 23, 2007
The testimony from the public hearing on the expansion of the landfill.
The Future of Solid Waste - December 11, 2006
Small dumps become larger dumps in an unending growth.
Comment to City Council - September 27, 2006
A speech I put together to deliver to the city on expanding to the Pine Bush.
More Toxic Trash - September 13, 2006
Electronics and plastics make trash impossible to dispose of properly.
Westerlo's Waste - August 30, 2006
How one small town disposes of waste.
McEneny and the Dump - August 2, 2006
Jack McEneny Spoke to Save the Pine Bush on the Status of the City Dump Expansion.
Free Market Garbage - June 21, 2006
Markets controlling disposal of trash encourages poor disposal methods.
Albany's So-Called Landfill Crisis - May 16, 2006
Albany's plans for expanding in the Pine Bush and dumping trash in Coeymans are wrongheaded.
Two Bags of Trash - April 1, 2006
How I sort and remove litter from the woods.
Plastics: Problem and Non-Problem - January 2, 2005
Plastics are an incredibly controversal part of modern life.
What is Trash? - October 27, 2004
A little deeper exploration of it's meaning.
Story of Two Methanes - September 25, 2004
Exploring the meaning of two rather stinky phenomena: the large scale dairy operation and the landfill.
Rapp Road Landfill, Recycling and Society's Wastefulness - September 7, 2003
Some reflections on society's wastefulness, lack of corporate recycling, and why direct action probably won't work.
Garbage Trucks and Traffic - October 31, 2001
The yuppie traffic hazard. can be a real pain for drivers.
State Parks - August 23, 2006
State parks are crowded and expensive.
Why Save the Pine Bush? - July 24, 2006
The Pine Bush is the first battle against urbanization of a unique countryside.
DEC's Gated Communities - May 7, 2006
The DEC often gets carried away in places where it puts gates.
Logging on State Land - September 30, 2002
State lands demostrate how well managed working forests can co-exist with recreation and wildlife.
DTV: Time To Get Rid of Your TV? - April 4, 2008
They won't work next year, so recycle 'em, and look to other sources of news.
Wireless Internet - July 13, 2007
Free hotspots make it possible for us to access high speed internet without cost.
Mistakes in the Exburant 1960s - December 1, 2006
Maybe we went too far in that decade, but we had hope.
All Hand Coded - October 18, 2006
I enjoy coding things myself despite all the extra work it creates.
Affordable Rural Broadband - August 14, 2006
Some high speed access is out in the country, but it's expensive.
Bureaucracies Have Political Cultures - March 15, 2006
Despite the image of apolitical life in bureaucracy, the people who make government work are often very political.
Highly Urbanized Computing - October 10, 2005
How Windows XP is not unlike our big cities.
Hudson Valley Not Tech Valley - August 10, 2005
Our future is in diversity, not technology.
Nation of Managers - July 18, 2005
Management is not a solution to our problems.
Bureaucracy: It's Problems - May 4, 2005
The reality of bureaucratic thought in our society.
Malta's Reality - March 15, 2005
Far from being a great tech center, it shows the freedom of rural life.
Post-Modernity - January 20, 2005
Five areas of study that allow us to see beyond the limits of science and technology.
Webpages: Keep 'em Simple - December 17, 2003
We need to have simple webpages that load quickly.
Criticizing Technological Rationality - October 4, 2003
A careful analyisis of role of technology and bureaucratic rationality on the world around us.
The Endless Freedom Assault of our Technocratic Society - September 14, 2003
How somehow our fixes to our problems may actually make things worst.
The Story of the Non-Programmer - April 23, 2003
Sometimes thinking about who you have been, can take the stress off a rough day, and the bad memories that a class may bring back.
Running out of Freedom - April 9, 2003
It sometimes seems like that I've seen everything locally (eventhough I haven't), and that finding cgreener pastures is getting harder.
1968: The Start of the Technological Revolution - February 18, 2003
When did the tech revolution really start?
Am I Old Fashioned? Thoughts on Change - February 12, 2003
Andrew writes about his thoughts on a changing world.
In a Computerized World: Are We Humans Anymore? - February 12, 2003
Andrew asks if in a computer dominated world, if being a person means anything anymore.
Tired of Computers? I Don't Think I'm Alone. - November 30, 2002
After a long semister of dealing with them, and doing lots of school work, he's just plain tired...
Email and Spam - September 30, 2002
Many of us just get too much useless information but at least we don't have to dispose of it.
Simplicity: For the Web, For the World - August 31, 2002
Simple webpages present information quickly. A simple world makes sure we get that infomation.
As A Computer Programmer - April 30, 2002
One of a series of essays on different carrer options and what they entail.
The Parthenon: Technology and Politics - March 31, 2002
Reviewing the relationship between technology, politics, and a greater society.
Tech Valley Realities - January 31, 2002
High Tech in Albany won't just give us jobs, it will also change cultures and increase sprawl.
Still No Dredging - February 5, 2007
Despite 5 years passing since the consent agreement, the dredging hasn't started.
Mercury Makes People Dumb - February 16, 2006
Mercury makes people dumb by exposure, but the same is true with media fears over the neurotoxin.
Ban Vinyl - September 24, 2005
It's simply too dangerous to be using this plastic.
Lafarge and Burning Tires - September 11, 2005
Finding good ways to dispose of tires without polluting our environment.
Morton Avenue Rotary - May 16, 2007
Roundabouts are safer not just for cars, but also bicycles and pedistrians.
Parody: How to Fix the Northway Cellphone Problem - March 9, 2007
A little parody of how things really work in Albany.
Adirondack Northway - October 2, 2006
The Northway is convient but also noisey and ugly.
Bad Traffic Design in Albany - June 28, 2003
Looking at the problems with negelect and poor design in the City of Albany.
Cities and the Auto - June 30, 2002
Cities streets do not allow cars to get to where they going fast.
Technology May Give You A Green Light, But It Cannot End Congestion. - November 30, 2001
A short paper written for English Compsition I on Traffic and it's costs to society.
Copyright ©1999-2008 Andy Arthur.
All mistakes are intentional or otherwise.
Mind where you step in a cow pasture or legal mindfield.