USAToday reports that men are losing jobs at a higher rate than women during the current recession.
Since December 2007, the jobless rate for men rose from 4.4 percent to 7.2 percent while the jobless rate for women rose from 4.3 percent to 5.9 percent during the same time period.
Why?
Because "the types of jobs women hold generally offer more stability, albeit at less pay."
The story says that 75 percent of the workers in health care and education are women, while men dominate the fields of construction and manufacturing.
Women are also more likely to work part-time, making them less vulnerable to cut-backs.
I'm not sure anyone can consider this good news, given the overall increase in joblessness, but the story does point out that the trend is helpful to dual-income households. (And are there many at this point that aren't?)
The story quoted Donna Ginther, director of the Center for Economic and Business Analysis at the University of Kansas:
"It's a kind of built-in insurance. If you lose one of two incomes and you are losing the highest income, it hurts, but it's not as catastrophic as say, losing the only income in a household."
Showing posts with label trend stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trend stories. Show all posts
Monday, January 12, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Windy City
New York is beginning to look a little like my parents' hometown of Sweetwater, Texas.
(If such a thing is possible.)
In Sweetwater, wind turbines are some of the tallest structures around. In New York, wind turbines are on top of some of the tallest structures around.
From the NYTimes:
"A handful of buildings are already drawing electricity from wind turbines, which typically resemble table fans, or mounted airplane propellers. ...
Unfortunately, the city's many buildings make it difficult to capture enough strong, steady gusts, but, in one project, the turbines are expected to cut utility costs in half.
(If such a thing is possible.)
In Sweetwater, wind turbines are some of the tallest structures around. In New York, wind turbines are on top of some of the tallest structures around.
From the NYTimes:
"A handful of buildings are already drawing electricity from wind turbines, which typically resemble table fans, or mounted airplane propellers. ...
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg stoked excitement among wind-power advocates in August when he announced that he supported putting turbines atop city skyscrapers.
Of the 60 proposals that were later submitted to the city under a request for renewable-energy projects, the majority were wind related, including technologies for apartment-mounted machines, said Jen Becker, a vice president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. 'It’s definitely something we are looking at seriously,' she said."Unfortunately, the city's many buildings make it difficult to capture enough strong, steady gusts, but, in one project, the turbines are expected to cut utility costs in half.
Just Like Jamie Lynn?
USAToday is reporting that teen birth rates are up in 26 states, signifying a reversal of a downward trend that spanned from 1991 to 2005.
Teen birth rates, up 3 percent overall in 2006 (the most recent data available), were up among teens 15 to 17 and 17 to 19, teens white, black and Hispanic.
The states with the highest teen birth rates are in the South, with Mississippi leading the pack.
So what's driving the increase?
Sarah Brown, CEO of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, points to high-profile unmarried births.
From the story:
"'In the last couple of years, we had Jamie Lynn Spears. We had Juno and we had Bristol Palin. Those three were in 2007 and 2008 and not in 2005 to 2006, but they point to that phenomenon,' she says."
Teen birth rates, up 3 percent overall in 2006 (the most recent data available), were up among teens 15 to 17 and 17 to 19, teens white, black and Hispanic.
The states with the highest teen birth rates are in the South, with Mississippi leading the pack.
So what's driving the increase?
Sarah Brown, CEO of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, points to high-profile unmarried births.
From the story:
"'In the last couple of years, we had Jamie Lynn Spears. We had Juno and we had Bristol Palin. Those three were in 2007 and 2008 and not in 2005 to 2006, but they point to that phenomenon,' she says."
Monday, December 22, 2008
Retail, Robotic Pets, Revamping the Work Week
Sorry, internets, I know I've neglected you today. Over here at the Flyer, we've been working like little elves to get our various year ends/year begins issues out and ready to go before the office closes for the holidays.
It is exhausting.
At any rate, here are some interesting stories that you've probably already read, but if you didn't, here you go:
— The NYT had a story about Emeryville, California, yesterday, a town across the bay from San Fran that built its economy on being a retail mecca:
"It is also one of many American cities that hitched its wagon over the last several decades to what seemed like the limitless ability of American shoppers to spend money. Now that faith in the retail engine is being sorely tested. Consumer spending dropped 7.8 percent in November, according to the federal government, and many economists think it will fall further as consumers are buffeted by losses in the stock market, declines in home values and the unsettling fear that they may lose their jobs."
The town was once steel mills and factories and reinvented itself with retail after those industries left for other countries. The town banded together with a redevelopment agency, tax incentives, and a plan that basically gave land to developers. It was successful until this latest downturn, which has seen area businesses post declines and the city thinking of raising taxes.
— Slate has a story about the best robotic pet for Christmas. Now, to be honest, I don't really see the point in having a virtual pet when you could have a real pet, but between mountains of dog hair, crazyloud barking at anything more than dust, and, oh, crazyloud barking, I am beginning to come around to the idea of taking the batteries out of your pet when you're tired.
Writer Daniel Engber got the chance to petsit and realizes his membership "in a sad demographic that includes shiftless magazine editors, small children and senior citizens. We're the sorry lot that adores animals but is too lazy, uncoordinated, or inform to take care of them."
Engber surveyed a wide spectrum of robot/pets and had this to say:
"As much as I enjoyed the exercise, it soon became clear that at every price point, a robot pet can be described by its signature combination of essential robot qualities: It's annoying, disturbing, offensive, pathetic, or scary — or some mixture thereof. In the end, though, one fake animal whirred and purred his way into my heart."
It was the Pleo, which is an 8-inch-high, automated Camarasaurus. (Just to cut to the chase.)
(If you're looking for more of a robot doll — the kind for kids! — than a robot pet, click here.)
— More employers are looking to the four-day work week to cut costs. From BusinessWeek:
"Like many companies, Pella is looking to cut expenses because of the economic downturn. But instead of laying off more workers, the Iowa manufacturer of windows and doors is instituting a four-day workweek for about a third of its 3,900 employees. Chris Simpson, a senior vice-president at the company, acknowledges it's an unconventional move. But Pella believes the economy could turn around faster than most people expect, and it doesn't want to be caught short of experienced workers. "Our contention is, consumer confidence will rebound," says Simpson. "If there's a [government] stimulus package of some kind, we think people are going to respond."
It is exhausting.
At any rate, here are some interesting stories that you've probably already read, but if you didn't, here you go:
— The NYT had a story about Emeryville, California, yesterday, a town across the bay from San Fran that built its economy on being a retail mecca:
"It is also one of many American cities that hitched its wagon over the last several decades to what seemed like the limitless ability of American shoppers to spend money. Now that faith in the retail engine is being sorely tested. Consumer spending dropped 7.8 percent in November, according to the federal government, and many economists think it will fall further as consumers are buffeted by losses in the stock market, declines in home values and the unsettling fear that they may lose their jobs."
The town was once steel mills and factories and reinvented itself with retail after those industries left for other countries. The town banded together with a redevelopment agency, tax incentives, and a plan that basically gave land to developers. It was successful until this latest downturn, which has seen area businesses post declines and the city thinking of raising taxes.
— Slate has a story about the best robotic pet for Christmas. Now, to be honest, I don't really see the point in having a virtual pet when you could have a real pet, but between mountains of dog hair, crazyloud barking at anything more than dust, and, oh, crazyloud barking, I am beginning to come around to the idea of taking the batteries out of your pet when you're tired.
Writer Daniel Engber got the chance to petsit and realizes his membership "in a sad demographic that includes shiftless magazine editors, small children and senior citizens. We're the sorry lot that adores animals but is too lazy, uncoordinated, or inform to take care of them."
Engber surveyed a wide spectrum of robot/pets and had this to say:
"As much as I enjoyed the exercise, it soon became clear that at every price point, a robot pet can be described by its signature combination of essential robot qualities: It's annoying, disturbing, offensive, pathetic, or scary — or some mixture thereof. In the end, though, one fake animal whirred and purred his way into my heart."
It was the Pleo, which is an 8-inch-high, automated Camarasaurus. (Just to cut to the chase.)
(If you're looking for more of a robot doll — the kind for kids! — than a robot pet, click here.)
— More employers are looking to the four-day work week to cut costs. From BusinessWeek:
"Like many companies, Pella is looking to cut expenses because of the economic downturn. But instead of laying off more workers, the Iowa manufacturer of windows and doors is instituting a four-day workweek for about a third of its 3,900 employees. Chris Simpson, a senior vice-president at the company, acknowledges it's an unconventional move. But Pella believes the economy could turn around faster than most people expect, and it doesn't want to be caught short of experienced workers. "Our contention is, consumer confidence will rebound," says Simpson. "If there's a [government] stimulus package of some kind, we think people are going to respond."
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Gut Check
This will interest all my old pals — Viper, I'm talking to you — the NYT has a story today about the man — yes, the man — behind the modern revival of roller derby.
The story seems like it almost strives to be an investigative gotcha piece, like, 'you thought this was about female empowerment? Well, surprise, it was started by a man.'
But if you've ever seen the roller derby documentary Hell on Wheels, you will know that his vision of roller derby is not exactly the one that took off. His vision involved bears on unicycles. And frankly, the version most known in the mainstream — banked track, popularized most recently by A&E's Rollergirls, and used back in derby's former incarnation — is not the version most modern derby skaters play. The most widely played version now is flat-track (see photo above).
But if derby progenitor Dan Policarpo wanted "women with tattoos, Bettie Page haircuts and guts," well, that he definitely got.
(Hat tip to PD!)
But if you've ever seen the roller derby documentary Hell on Wheels, you will know that his vision of roller derby is not exactly the one that took off. His vision involved bears on unicycles. And frankly, the version most known in the mainstream — banked track, popularized most recently by A&E's Rollergirls, and used back in derby's former incarnation — is not the version most modern derby skaters play. The most widely played version now is flat-track (see photo above).
But if derby progenitor Dan Policarpo wanted "women with tattoos, Bettie Page haircuts and guts," well, that he definitely got.
(Hat tip to PD!)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Troubled News
There's been a lot of talk about the troubles at large newspapers and magazines, but the NYTimes has a story today about the impending death of a little newspaper in Bristol, Connecticut.
The newspaper, which has been publishing since 1871, will either be sold by mid-January or will close:
"Yes, this is another story about a newspaper in jeopardy, one that may well prompt dismissive responses about Paleolithic business models and pointless mourning over throwaway sheets of paper and ink. In other words: Get over it, hack, your day is done."
It is, at least, a poetic pre-obituary, asking the reader to pause and "appreciate what a small, imperfect daily newspaper means to this small, imperfect city":
"Let us watch, too, as Greg Fradette ... feeds two quarters into a machine and returns with a copy of The Press. In this city where, he says, 'springs are big,' the newspaper matters because it contains the intense coverage of sports at the high school and City Hall level; the listings of births, deaths and potluck suppers. 'The information you take for granted,' Mr. Fradette says."
Obviously, stories like this interest me on a personal level. Here I am, working for a weekly newspaper, writing on the internet for that same organization. (Btw, Chris Davis recently wrote about John Malmo's take on the future of newspapers for memphisflyer.com.)
But I also once interned at a teeny-tiny afternoon daily (in a teeny-tiny town, appropriately) and it really was an integral part of the town. Sure, everyone got the larger daily from the neighboring "metropolis" for regional news, but you had to get the Reporter — good-naturedly called the Repeater — for the police blotter, the news from city hall, and just generally to know what your neighbors were up to.
(And who in a small town doesn't want to know what their neighbors are up to?)
At The Bristol Press, they wonder about the stories that will go untold should they close.
"For now, a heavy-hearted editor will continue to be who he is, and do what he does. And a small band of reporters, working for a small, imperfect newspaper, will record for posterity the challenges facing a wounded soldier; the fire that roared through an animal shelter and the number of cats (30) and dogs (9) saved; the death of an 88-year-old woman named Henrietta; and the birth of a girl named Ava Marie."
The newspaper, which has been publishing since 1871, will either be sold by mid-January or will close:
"Yes, this is another story about a newspaper in jeopardy, one that may well prompt dismissive responses about Paleolithic business models and pointless mourning over throwaway sheets of paper and ink. In other words: Get over it, hack, your day is done."
It is, at least, a poetic pre-obituary, asking the reader to pause and "appreciate what a small, imperfect daily newspaper means to this small, imperfect city":
"Let us watch, too, as Greg Fradette ... feeds two quarters into a machine and returns with a copy of The Press. In this city where, he says, 'springs are big,' the newspaper matters because it contains the intense coverage of sports at the high school and City Hall level; the listings of births, deaths and potluck suppers. 'The information you take for granted,' Mr. Fradette says."
Obviously, stories like this interest me on a personal level. Here I am, working for a weekly newspaper, writing on the internet for that same organization. (Btw, Chris Davis recently wrote about John Malmo's take on the future of newspapers for memphisflyer.com.)
But I also once interned at a teeny-tiny afternoon daily (in a teeny-tiny town, appropriately) and it really was an integral part of the town. Sure, everyone got the larger daily from the neighboring "metropolis" for regional news, but you had to get the Reporter — good-naturedly called the Repeater — for the police blotter, the news from city hall, and just generally to know what your neighbors were up to.
(And who in a small town doesn't want to know what their neighbors are up to?)
At The Bristol Press, they wonder about the stories that will go untold should they close.
"For now, a heavy-hearted editor will continue to be who he is, and do what he does. And a small band of reporters, working for a small, imperfect newspaper, will record for posterity the challenges facing a wounded soldier; the fire that roared through an animal shelter and the number of cats (30) and dogs (9) saved; the death of an 88-year-old woman named Henrietta; and the birth of a girl named Ava Marie."
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Urban Chicken
Last week, after eating at Caritas Village and looking at their community gardens, a friend of mine pointed out a house in VECA with what looked like a number of chicken coops in the backyard.
I know of someone in Uptown that raises chickens, and a few months ago, I posted evidence of free-range chicken in East Memphis, too.
But what about downtown?
The Winston-Salem Journal had a story last week about how, in the age of "eating locally," city officials in downtown Greensboro has loosened regulations on raising chickens.
From that story:
"Earlier this year, [Amy] Williams and her boyfriend, Brian Talbert, found themselves fighting for the right to keep chickens. They also found themselves in the midst of a growing trend across North Carolina -- city dwellers who are taking "eating locally" beyond their vegetable gardens and farmers' markets by building coops and enjoying eggs from their backyard flocks. ...
In August, Talbert and Williams' efforts persuaded Greensboro city officials to loosen the ordinance covering backyard chickens and bees. Property owners with as little as 7,000 square feet of land can have hens -- as long as the coops are 25 feet from the property line and 50 feet from a neighbor's house. Roosters are banned. But chickens will lay eggs without the help of their male counterparts; they just won't be fertilized."
It's really an interesting story, with a lot of arguments for and against home-grown chicks, and it's an issue that may become more common with the economic situation. Of course, I don't know exactly what the laws are here ... I'm assuming it's against code ... but if I find out, I'll let you know.
I know of someone in Uptown that raises chickens, and a few months ago, I posted evidence of free-range chicken in East Memphis, too.
But what about downtown?
The Winston-Salem Journal had a story last week about how, in the age of "eating locally," city officials in downtown Greensboro has loosened regulations on raising chickens.
From that story:
"Earlier this year, [Amy] Williams and her boyfriend, Brian Talbert, found themselves fighting for the right to keep chickens. They also found themselves in the midst of a growing trend across North Carolina -- city dwellers who are taking "eating locally" beyond their vegetable gardens and farmers' markets by building coops and enjoying eggs from their backyard flocks. ...
In August, Talbert and Williams' efforts persuaded Greensboro city officials to loosen the ordinance covering backyard chickens and bees. Property owners with as little as 7,000 square feet of land can have hens -- as long as the coops are 25 feet from the property line and 50 feet from a neighbor's house. Roosters are banned. But chickens will lay eggs without the help of their male counterparts; they just won't be fertilized."
It's really an interesting story, with a lot of arguments for and against home-grown chicks, and it's an issue that may become more common with the economic situation. Of course, I don't know exactly what the laws are here ... I'm assuming it's against code ... but if I find out, I'll let you know.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Grocery Shrink Ray
The Consumerist routinely reports on what it calls the "grocery shrink ray," a trend of manufacturers reducing the size of grocery products while charging the same price.
But now it looks like even the grocery stores themselves are being hit by the shrink ray.
After years of SuperTargets, MammothWal-Marts, HumongoKrogers, grocery stores are beginning to slim down. (Maybe with all those smaller products, they don't need as much room?)
From a NYT story:
"Here in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh, the grocery chain Giant Eagle opened a Giant Eagle Express last year that is about one-sixth the size of its regular stores. It has gas pumps, wireless Internet and flat-screen televisions in a small cafe, a drive-through pharmacy and an expansive delicatessen that offers sushi, rotisserie chickens and ready-to-heat dinners.
'It’s perfect,' said Dusty McDonald, a 29-year-old bank teller who was buying breakfast sandwiches recently for her co-workers at the Giant Eagle Express. 'It’s on my way to work. It only takes me 10 minutes to get in and out.'
But now it looks like even the grocery stores themselves are being hit by the shrink ray.
After years of SuperTargets, MammothWal-Marts, HumongoKrogers, grocery stores are beginning to slim down. (Maybe with all those smaller products, they don't need as much room?)
From a NYT story:
"Here in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh, the grocery chain Giant Eagle opened a Giant Eagle Express last year that is about one-sixth the size of its regular stores. It has gas pumps, wireless Internet and flat-screen televisions in a small cafe, a drive-through pharmacy and an expansive delicatessen that offers sushi, rotisserie chickens and ready-to-heat dinners.
'It’s perfect,' said Dusty McDonald, a 29-year-old bank teller who was buying breakfast sandwiches recently for her co-workers at the Giant Eagle Express. 'It’s on my way to work. It only takes me 10 minutes to get in and out.'
The opening of smaller stores upends a long-running trend in the grocery business: building ever-larger stores in the belief that consumers want choice above all. While the largest traditional grocery stores tend to be about 85,000 square feet, some cavernous warehouse-style stores and supercenters are two or three times that size."
In some respects, it seems boutique-y. In others, it just sounds like they're trying to compete with gas stations.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Future Through Photography
You've heard of trend forecasters? Slate has a piece on the crystal-ball powers of companies that sell stock videos and photography.
Apparently, one such company is betting that advertisers and media companies will be soon be looking for something to illustrate a mood of modern disconnectedness.
From the story:
"I was startled to realize that stock photo and video purveyors actually create material in anticipation of demand. (I'd somehow failed to consider that stock pictures could be made, not just found.) These suppliers of the world's commercial imagery are making bets on what life will look and feel like in the near future. Which made me wonder: What else, besides an ongoing technological dystopia, do they imagine waiting ahead?"
It's an interesting business. As someone who spends a certain amount of time each week browsing for photos for the Flyer — no, we don't have a photographer on staff — I can attest that they have images that relate to pretty much anything. But not only do the companies have to predict what subject matter their clients will be looking for, they also have to guess what abstract concepts they should be illustrating.
"'We had a bad day when Dolly was cloned,' says Denise Waggoner, vice president of creative research at Getty. 'We hadn't been studying biotechnology, and suddenly everyone wanted a shot of 25 sheep on a seamless white background. So now we try to keep our toes dipped in the water in lots of different fields, so we can be ready.'"
One other tidbit? Apparently, images of people are usable for about four years — after that, the clothing and technology in the picture make them, well, obsolete.
Apparently, one such company is betting that advertisers and media companies will be soon be looking for something to illustrate a mood of modern disconnectedness.
From the story:
"I was startled to realize that stock photo and video purveyors actually create material in anticipation of demand. (I'd somehow failed to consider that stock pictures could be made, not just found.) These suppliers of the world's commercial imagery are making bets on what life will look and feel like in the near future. Which made me wonder: What else, besides an ongoing technological dystopia, do they imagine waiting ahead?"
It's an interesting business. As someone who spends a certain amount of time each week browsing for photos for the Flyer — no, we don't have a photographer on staff — I can attest that they have images that relate to pretty much anything. But not only do the companies have to predict what subject matter their clients will be looking for, they also have to guess what abstract concepts they should be illustrating.
"'We had a bad day when Dolly was cloned,' says Denise Waggoner, vice president of creative research at Getty. 'We hadn't been studying biotechnology, and suddenly everyone wanted a shot of 25 sheep on a seamless white background. So now we try to keep our toes dipped in the water in lots of different fields, so we can be ready.'"
One other tidbit? Apparently, images of people are usable for about four years — after that, the clothing and technology in the picture make them, well, obsolete.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Put the Pedal to the Mettle
Like all the other alternatives, bicycling has been in the news recently.
NPR's Ari Shapiro recently rode with Portland congressman Earl Blumenaur on his morning commute to the Capitol.
Blumenaur, the head of the bipartisan Congressional Bike Caucus and the man behind a new global climate change bill, has been riding his bike to work for 12 years. In fact, he says, he didn't even bring a car to Washington at all.
"I've never had to look for a parking space in Washington, D.C. I've never been stuck in traffic ... ever," he tells Shapiro as they ride together.
When asked about the effect of high gas prices, Blumenaur almost audibly shrugs and says that's a choice people are making. Shapiro presses him, saying that there are communities where people can't ride a bike wherever they are going.
But Blumenaur disagrees, pointing out that 20 percent of all trips taken in this country are a mile or less.
And hey, if a politician can do it ... there has to be hope for the rest of us.
And be sure to look for the Flyer this weekend — we'll have a story on alternative forms of transportation, including bicycling, buses, and light rail.
NPR's Ari Shapiro recently rode with Portland congressman Earl Blumenaur on his morning commute to the Capitol.
Blumenaur, the head of the bipartisan Congressional Bike Caucus and the man behind a new global climate change bill, has been riding his bike to work for 12 years. In fact, he says, he didn't even bring a car to Washington at all.
"I've never had to look for a parking space in Washington, D.C. I've never been stuck in traffic ... ever," he tells Shapiro as they ride together.
When asked about the effect of high gas prices, Blumenaur almost audibly shrugs and says that's a choice people are making. Shapiro presses him, saying that there are communities where people can't ride a bike wherever they are going.
But Blumenaur disagrees, pointing out that 20 percent of all trips taken in this country are a mile or less.
And hey, if a politician can do it ... there has to be hope for the rest of us.
And be sure to look for the Flyer this weekend — we'll have a story on alternative forms of transportation, including bicycling, buses, and light rail.
Monday, June 16, 2008
green backlash
Before I read The World Without Us by Alan Weisman (a book that I would highly recommend, btw), I didn't realize just how new plastic was. Or how it doesn't really degrade, just breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces.
So I started asking for paper bags at the grocery store.
Then someone sent me a link to a Los Angeles Times thing, I think, which compared the eco-friendliness of both the paper and plastic grocery bags, (with a cute little chart, even) and found them both to be problematic. Sure, plastic doesn't degrade, but it's smaller than bulky chemical-coated paper bags.
Just this weekend, I found myself in a conversation about disposable plates and silverware versus washing: are you more interested in conserving the energy that goes into making disposable plates or the water that goes into washing non-disposable ones?
I think that last question is a no-brainer, but in general, there seems to be some confusion over what is best for the environment.
The NYT's style section had a story yesterday about "green noise" — overwhelming, and at times contradictory, information about the environment — and how environmentalists are worried it's creating green backlash:
"A study by the Shelton Group, an advertising agency and market research company based in Knoxville, Tenn., that focuses on environmental products, showed that consumers surveyed in 2007 were between 22 and 55 percent less likely to buy a wide range of green products than in 2006. The slipping economy had an effect, but message overload appeared to be a major factor as well, said Suzanne C. Shelton, the company’s president."
Which I guess means that now conservation groups are worried both about global warming and burn out.
So I started asking for paper bags at the grocery store.
Then someone sent me a link to a Los Angeles Times thing, I think, which compared the eco-friendliness of both the paper and plastic grocery bags, (with a cute little chart, even) and found them both to be problematic. Sure, plastic doesn't degrade, but it's smaller than bulky chemical-coated paper bags.
Just this weekend, I found myself in a conversation about disposable plates and silverware versus washing: are you more interested in conserving the energy that goes into making disposable plates or the water that goes into washing non-disposable ones?
I think that last question is a no-brainer, but in general, there seems to be some confusion over what is best for the environment.
The NYT's style section had a story yesterday about "green noise" — overwhelming, and at times contradictory, information about the environment — and how environmentalists are worried it's creating green backlash:
"A study by the Shelton Group, an advertising agency and market research company based in Knoxville, Tenn., that focuses on environmental products, showed that consumers surveyed in 2007 were between 22 and 55 percent less likely to buy a wide range of green products than in 2006. The slipping economy had an effect, but message overload appeared to be a major factor as well, said Suzanne C. Shelton, the company’s president."
Which I guess means that now conservation groups are worried both about global warming and burn out.
Friday, June 13, 2008
In style, second-hand
The NYT really loves resale.
Today, there's another story about resale stores — this time, high-end consignment shops — enjoying a boost:
"In recent months, high-end designer resale shops have been the beneficiaries of a subtle shift in consumer thinking, as fashion lovers, even those who can afford to splurge, reassess their priorities. Unsettled by continuing recession fears and the soaring prices of designer clothes, and assailed by queasy consciences as well, many find these shops a way to update their wardrobes without seriously denting their bank accounts — or their sense of social propriety."
The story leads with National Audubon Society staffer who has a closet full of designer labels and describes herself as a "major environmentalist." Not surprisingly, she feels a little guilty about being such a consumer.
I definitely relate (altho not with the designer part, sadly) but with the inner war between wanting to buy something pretty and wanting to curb my usage. Pretty usually wins most of the time. (It definitely has in recent weeks.)
My favorite consignment store locally, though I haven't been there in quite some time, is Celery on Brookhaven Circle. If you want to find cute clothes and shoes without feeling guilty about your carbon footprint, it's worth checking out.
One of my favorite shirts is from there, and I also got a cute goldeny skirt suit from there. (Of course, that was before I realized I look all sorts of awful in shades of yellow, creams, and gold, and that I mostly hate skirts. Hmm, it's just sitting in my closet — I wonder if I could reconsign it to them.)
Today, there's another story about resale stores — this time, high-end consignment shops — enjoying a boost:
"In recent months, high-end designer resale shops have been the beneficiaries of a subtle shift in consumer thinking, as fashion lovers, even those who can afford to splurge, reassess their priorities. Unsettled by continuing recession fears and the soaring prices of designer clothes, and assailed by queasy consciences as well, many find these shops a way to update their wardrobes without seriously denting their bank accounts — or their sense of social propriety."
The story leads with National Audubon Society staffer who has a closet full of designer labels and describes herself as a "major environmentalist." Not surprisingly, she feels a little guilty about being such a consumer.
I definitely relate (altho not with the designer part, sadly) but with the inner war between wanting to buy something pretty and wanting to curb my usage. Pretty usually wins most of the time. (It definitely has in recent weeks.)
My favorite consignment store locally, though I haven't been there in quite some time, is Celery on Brookhaven Circle. If you want to find cute clothes and shoes without feeling guilty about your carbon footprint, it's worth checking out.
One of my favorite shirts is from there, and I also got a cute goldeny skirt suit from there. (Of course, that was before I realized I look all sorts of awful in shades of yellow, creams, and gold, and that I mostly hate skirts. Hmm, it's just sitting in my closet — I wonder if I could reconsign it to them.)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
they're not making any more of it
USA Today says that federal, state, and local governments are increasing spending for open spaces and parks.
The story cites $1 billion over 5 years in the farm bill to prevent farms and ranches from being developed, $300 million a year for 10 years for the Florida Forever program, and $100 million from a newly approved 30-year sales tax to buy land in Phoenix. All of which was from the past week.
From the story:
The story cites $1 billion over 5 years in the farm bill to prevent farms and ranches from being developed, $300 million a year for 10 years for the Florida Forever program, and $100 million from a newly approved 30-year sales tax to buy land in Phoenix. All of which was from the past week.
From the story:
"The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department had $15 million in cuts in its operating budget this year but will have more money than ever to acquire land. 'This proves that, even in a down market, people value open space and are willing to pay for it,' says Parks and Recreation Director Sara Hensley.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Ciao!
Here's one thing I've been thinking more and more about these days:
Over the years, I've looked at more than a few of these cute little numbers (and some on ebay that frankly weren't so cute) but now they seem almost practical. And, apparently, I'm not the only one. The Wall Street Journal had a story recently about the growing popularity of motor scooters:
"As the market for trucks, cars and motorcycles sagged, first-quarter scooter sales were up 25% from a year earlier, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council, a trade group. Manufacturers attribute the growth in part to sustained high fuel prices."
The story mentions the trade-off between fuel savings and vulnerability on the road. Bigger isn't always better, but they don't call those things organ donator-mobiles for nothing. I don't see that being the main problem — Memphis isn't as highway-dependent as other cities when it comes to getting around town — though with Memphis drivers you can never be too careful. My concern is that there are places in this city where people would steal your mother if you left her alone too long.
But how can you argue with a chart like this?
There used to be Vespa dealer in town; it doesn't look like there still is. But I've heard that some of the scooter places on Summer are really nice and helpful ... and that someone local is going to start importing refurbished Vespas from ... Japan? ... this summer. Obviously, I don't have all the deets (or any of them), but once I get them, I'll pass them along.
Over the years, I've looked at more than a few of these cute little numbers (and some on ebay that frankly weren't so cute) but now they seem almost practical. And, apparently, I'm not the only one. The Wall Street Journal had a story recently about the growing popularity of motor scooters:
"As the market for trucks, cars and motorcycles sagged, first-quarter scooter sales were up 25% from a year earlier, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council, a trade group. Manufacturers attribute the growth in part to sustained high fuel prices."
The story mentions the trade-off between fuel savings and vulnerability on the road. Bigger isn't always better, but they don't call those things organ donator-mobiles for nothing. I don't see that being the main problem — Memphis isn't as highway-dependent as other cities when it comes to getting around town — though with Memphis drivers you can never be too careful. My concern is that there are places in this city where people would steal your mother if you left her alone too long.
But how can you argue with a chart like this?
There used to be Vespa dealer in town; it doesn't look like there still is. But I've heard that some of the scooter places on Summer are really nice and helpful ... and that someone local is going to start importing refurbished Vespas from ... Japan? ... this summer. Obviously, I don't have all the deets (or any of them), but once I get them, I'll pass them along.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Have your stuff and buy it, too
The NYT had a interesting trend story on biodegradable furniture yesterday.
And we're not just talking about housewares made in an environmentally sound way or sheets that decompose; we're talking about entire couches.
"As much as this scenario sounds like it was lifted from a Philip K. Dick novel — vanishing furniture! — Mr. Zyto has attempted to make his imaginings a reality, at least in principle (if you disregard those pesky nails), joining a number of other home goods manufacturers and designers who are marketing their products as biodegradable. Not just “green,” or “sustainable,” but fully compostable, like lawn clippings or kitchen scraps. In theory, their products, under the right conditions, would break down, eventually."
The article talks about a company called Looolo textiles, whose blankets will biodegrade in a year if you compost them, and Umbra, whose plastic breaks down into powder in a landfill. (I assume the plastic breaks down into plastic powder, since plastic doesn't really break down; it only gets smaller.)
I suppose it was inevitable. People want to embrace the whole green movement but don't want to curtail their consumerism. So of course, putting household linens into your compost is the next best thing.
I'm not saying I'm against this. You can't change people's long-term behavior by sacrifice, and this country has a long history of consumerism behind it. I'm just saying that someone is going to need a bigger compost bin.
And we're not just talking about housewares made in an environmentally sound way or sheets that decompose; we're talking about entire couches.
"As much as this scenario sounds like it was lifted from a Philip K. Dick novel — vanishing furniture! — Mr. Zyto has attempted to make his imaginings a reality, at least in principle (if you disregard those pesky nails), joining a number of other home goods manufacturers and designers who are marketing their products as biodegradable. Not just “green,” or “sustainable,” but fully compostable, like lawn clippings or kitchen scraps. In theory, their products, under the right conditions, would break down, eventually."
The article talks about a company called Looolo textiles, whose blankets will biodegrade in a year if you compost them, and Umbra, whose plastic breaks down into powder in a landfill. (I assume the plastic breaks down into plastic powder, since plastic doesn't really break down; it only gets smaller.)
I suppose it was inevitable. People want to embrace the whole green movement but don't want to curtail their consumerism. So of course, putting household linens into your compost is the next best thing.
I'm not saying I'm against this. You can't change people's long-term behavior by sacrifice, and this country has a long history of consumerism behind it. I'm just saying that someone is going to need a bigger compost bin.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Thrifty Business
When I was in high school, I spent whole weekends at thrift stores. Partly because hostessing didn't pay that well, and partly because to find the comfiest, best worn-in mens' cut jeans, you needed ones that had actually been worn in by actual men. (Yes, the more holes the better. Remind me to tell you about the time I got sent to the principal's office because my knees were distracting the other pupils.)
Once I even found the most perfect pair of knee-high western-inspired boots (that I still have, had to get them re-soled and everything).
Anyway, I was interested to see a story in the NYT yesterday about the re-emergence of thrift stores. Apparently the industry is growing at a rate of 5 percent a year.
Of course, the story ties thrifts' popularity to the economy. There's no doubt that thrift stores and consignment shops are a bargain, but I wonder if the green movement plays any part in the industry's growth. People trying to live low-impact or no-impact don't buy anything new.
Coincidentally, yesterday I talked to Nikki Douglas, the owner of Hi-Octane, new vintage store in Cooper-Young. Her store sounds really cool — you can read about it here — and she talked about both the affordability and the environmentally friendly aspect of shopping there, not to mention the cool factor.
"When you buy vintage," she said, "you're buying recycling. You're keeping clothes in the chain and keeping them out of the dumpster."
And there are some things — like knee-high wester-inspired boots or whatever the current equivalent is — that are just too cool to go in the dumpster.
Once I even found the most perfect pair of knee-high western-inspired boots (that I still have, had to get them re-soled and everything).
Anyway, I was interested to see a story in the NYT yesterday about the re-emergence of thrift stores. Apparently the industry is growing at a rate of 5 percent a year.
Of course, the story ties thrifts' popularity to the economy. There's no doubt that thrift stores and consignment shops are a bargain, but I wonder if the green movement plays any part in the industry's growth. People trying to live low-impact or no-impact don't buy anything new.
Coincidentally, yesterday I talked to Nikki Douglas, the owner of Hi-Octane, new vintage store in Cooper-Young. Her store sounds really cool — you can read about it here — and she talked about both the affordability and the environmentally friendly aspect of shopping there, not to mention the cool factor.
"When you buy vintage," she said, "you're buying recycling. You're keeping clothes in the chain and keeping them out of the dumpster."
And there are some things — like knee-high wester-inspired boots or whatever the current equivalent is — that are just too cool to go in the dumpster.
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