Cheap Crap Part 1: A Mold-y topic

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Sunday May 08, 2011 · 6:24 PM PDT

2011/05/08 · 18:24

It bugs many of us...Seas of plastic, cheap toys, disposable clothes, etc.

It bugs me...And even I'm tempted, with sentiments of good riddance, to focus on stuff that 'matters.'

It's not the cheap crap that matters though, It's the infrastructure behind it. Because behind every cheap consumer existential dalliance into immediate satisfaction lies a complex mass of industry, one that the US has lost its' collective awareness of.

I'm hoping that over the next couple months, I can share a little about the unseen side of US manufacturing, and how our consumer goods come to be. For background: I work, indirectly, in manufacturing.

Follow me after the DDD (DKos Divider Doodle)

Gravedugger for Industry and Infrastructure

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Saturday April 23, 2011 · 6:24 PM PDT

2011/04/23 · 18:24

I started this group (Industry & Infrastructure) to discuss happenings about domestic industry and infrastructure. There are so many misconceptions about industry and manufacturing in particular, that I want to try and boost our collective literacy, including mine.

I want to concentrate on things that the US makes and builds, more from a government and business perspective than a consumer perspective...More about the tools, raw materials, etc. that make an electric car than the electric car itself. Where does it come from? What is needed to make it? If it tastes good, how was it grown? Wind turbines are nice, but what are they made of? By whom?

The next month is going to be crazy for me (if you buy certain consumer electronics this Christmas, I'm building manufacturing tooling for some of it over the next month.), but as time goes on, I'm hoping that I can write some interesting diaries and perhaps get a couple people with a background in manufacturing to contribute as well. I don't know exactly what this experiment will shape-up to be, but I'm hoping it will be interesting.

For background, I've worked an odd set of jobs in my short life (I'm in my mid-20s). I originally thought I might pursue a career in media production, and did for several years, mainly in a technical capacity. Right now, I make and calibrate specialty tools, automation systems and test equipment used in factories all over the world.

Gravedugger

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Monday December 17, 2007 · 4:21 PM PST

2007/12/17 · 16:21

How to Blog with Bill Numbers, and Why YOU Should Care.

As you can see from my diary list, I don't write too often. I don't have the time (time=money for freelancers). This diary exists because we are all lobbyists, we are all constituents, we are all activists, and we all have some sway with our congress critters.

If you are writing about legislation, you NEED to blog with bill numbers.

Why do Bill Numbers Matter?

Bill numbers are progressive. Bill numbers allow for accountability, oversight and openness. Bill numbers can serve two important functions here on the Orange Blog.

1-Track discussion: You can search all diaries about a bill. This will matter years from now when we are renewing old legislation like No Child Left Behind or CAN-SPAM.

2-Coordinate responses: You can call a congressperson and refer to a specific piece of legislation by number. This makes you harder to ignore and makes life on the staffers easier. We can discuss specific bills, and coordinate a community-wide approach to addressing legislative issues.

So, tag your diary and list that H.R., S. etc. for the world to see!

After the flip: What is a Bill Number, How to use them, Where to find them, etc.

Poll

17 votes Show Results

Does a bill number help YOU keep track of legislation?

17 votes Vote Now!

Does a bill number help YOU keep track of legislation?

Yes

12 votes

3 votes

I don't really care

1 vote

You are an obsessive political uber-nerd for writing this diary.

1 vote

Hard, Cold Revenge (against the mouse)

Gravedugger

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Sunday September 10, 2006 · 7:13 PM PDT

2006/09/10 · 19:13

First, I apologize for the dry language. I have been analyzing case studies all weekend. What I have tried to put together is a basic framework for effective protest techniques against ABC/Disney. I hope it will be of some use to the DailyKos community. Second, I apologize for adding to the flood of diaries on this subject. A lot has been written already.

Now that ABC has done their dirty, dirty little deed, it is time for a rational campaign to let them know that they have done wrong. I propose a set of actions based mainly around economic impact, since that seems to be all large corporations care about. The key here isn't angry protest, since our dear mainstream media tends to ignore people chanting with signs, even in very large groups. The key is using economic and regulatory tools to impact ABC/Disney quickly, harshly, and expensively. Read More

My Personal Melting Pot

Gravedugger

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday June 30, 2006 · 11:39 PM PDT

2006/06/30 · 23:39

Let me relate to you a story. I commute via subway several times a week. I see the whole of Washington D.C. on the train...Everybody, from senior congressional staffers to construction workers, to career civil servants, who will forever move the same paperwork they always have, and keep the government running for us.
Read More

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Cheap Crap Part 1: A Mold-y topic

Industry and Infrastructure: A new group

HOWTO: Be cool and blog with bill numbers

Hard, Cold Revenge (against the mouse)

My Personal Melting Pot