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You might want to read my post on the why and how.

We are in school and the teacher, Edna, has a question for little Johnny. So she goes … “Johnny, you see 4 birds on a wire. Someone shoots 2 birds. Now, how many birds are left?” Johnny replies “None, because the other 2 birds are sure to fly away.” Edna replies “It is not the answer I was looking for but I like your way of thinking.” Now Johnny goes “I have a question for you … There are three women eating ice cream. The first one is licking her ice cream cone, the second one is sort of sucking on it and the third one is putting her teeth into it, biting big chucks at a time. Now … how do you know which one is married?” Edna is not sure but replies “The one sucking her ice cream?” Johnny replies “No, the one with the wedding band but … I like your way of thinking!” … What is happening to this world? …

What comes to mind when you think of Holland? In the answer there is probably something with wooden shoes, tulips, windmills, drugs and the red light district. Pick one … OK, the last one it is. (more…)

It is at the end of the year. The leaves are starting to fall and the weather is turning nasty. There is this frog … he is somewhat unhappy and for a good reason, he is cold and does not know what to do about it. He is in need of a solution so he turns to his friend Bear. “Bear I am so cold! Do you know what I can do to get warm?” Bear really wants to help Frog but he can’t, he has no clue, nothing comes to mind. Wait … he did think of something: “You should go ask Owl, he is wise and probably knows what to do.” So Frog goes to visit Owl and sure enough, Owl wants to help. “Let me think about this. Come back in a week and I will have an answer for you.” That’s promising! Frog is happy with a solution almost in reach. After a week he is back and yes, Owl has the solution. “What you should do is get yourself some feathers. That’ all, problem solved.” Frog is ecstatic. Yes, Owl is the wise one and knows about this stuff. After about a week Frog is once again back to visit Owl. “What’s the problem now Frog?” Frog replies: “You told me about the feathers and at first I was quite happy with your advice but there is a small problem … I don’t know how to grow feathers? Owl: “Now listen Frog, I am here for the greater scheme of things, the big picture, so don’t bother me with the details.” (more…)

In the newspaper last week, the Chinese oil company Petrochina valued at more than US $ 1,000 billion (one trillion) is, in terms of market capitalization, the biggest company of the world. It’s bigger than Exxon and General Electric together.

In the last 20 years combustion engines have not changed all that much. Back in the 1980’s the figures for fuel efficiency were roughly 28% for petrol and some 32% for diesel. This means that out of every drop of fuel only around 30% is actually used to move the vehicle, the rest is literally turned into hot air. The technology to squeeze more out of an engine has been around for a long time, we are talking 1940’s and 1950’s. Back in those days turbo charged engines were already used to beef up performance. Aircraft technology with even more gadgetry led the way. It was in 1981 that I learned that we had the technology to up efficiency by some 250%. This was possible with ceramic component that allow engines to run at very high temperatures. At the time I wondered why car makers didn’t jump on this and the government didn’t stimulate this technology. Sure, it was more expensive and yes this was cutting edge and needed to mature but still … why wasn’t it used ? With an oil crisis in 1973 and a growing concern for the environment, why was there no real push to improve fuel efficiency when the technology had already arrived? (more…)

Questions about the why and how are obvious because there is already so much out there. You can e-mail, use your phone, get on Skype, use instant messaging and there is much much more. New developments are making their way to “market” at an incredible rate … it’s hard to keep up much less absorb all that’s new.

Many new applications are based on new insights, new ideas, improved or sometimes new technology that opens up possibilities. For all those new possibilities one simple law applies: it has to meet a demand.

I can still recall when mobile phones were first introduced. You had to have big hands and some serious muscles to handle the first models. It took some getting used to plus at first it was for the happy few. It was in this very same period that cars were somewhat less reliable, at least my car was. I remember an incident where my car gave up on me. I was programmed to start walking and get some help. So off I went. It took me a while before it dawned on me that I could actually use my new gadget, my “mobile” phone, to get help. We are now a couple of years further down the road and it is almost unthinkable that we leave home without our cell phone. Everyone has one. A somewhat similar story applies to the i-pod. At first the idea was thought of as ludicrous. “Who is going to buy and use an i-pod?” Look at us now. The i-pod is a must have gadget. You need one, it’s trendy, it’s great. It is, it really is! The stores can’t keep up with demand. What have the cell phone and the i-pod in common? For new products you have to look at demand with different eyes, it probably starts with a big “What if.” (more…)

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This poem is about your attitude towards life. Every child has an eagerness to learn, is inquisitive, wants to know about the why and how, what’s next, grow, have adventures, get excited about what you will find on your path … experience the joys of life. If you are able to live your life that way, you will remain positive, no matter what your age.

I feel that this is the way it should be. (more…)