Cymek » Blog

Do I Need Anticarbon to Offset Carbon?

CraigD — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:46:58 +0000

I know I've linked to Anthony Watts' blog before, but this one just wants me to ask people why are so stupid. Mind you, not Anthony Watts, but the people using carbon offsets. In this post Watts discusses a new kiosk at SFO that will sell travelers carbon offsets for their flights. And, if that isn't stupid enough, the kiosk is charging 60 times the market value for carbon offsets. Here is my question: How the hell do you offset carbon? Can I just give $50 to someone who was going to fly to SFO to not fly to SFO so then I've successfully offset my own carbon? That is insane—the carbon has already been released—unless someone is removing the actual carbon or forcing anticarbon onto it and destroying it. If not, the carbon is still there. If I was correct on just giving someone else $50 to not fly when I fly, then I am now selling carbon offsets to people who may commute to work. And, seeing as how I work from home and do not drive into an office, I can offset their carbon by working from home. So, with that being said, please send me two times fair market value for my carbon offsets.....end rant.

Tourist Travel Photography

CraigD — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:04:55 +0000

I've seen lots of books and blog posts and the what not about how to do travel photography: where to go, when to go, and what equipment to bring. I've also seen all the information on how to make a proud mom/dad a better photographer by capturing family occasions and trips. All this is great information, but what about those of us amateurs who travel not just to photograph and those of us who travel with nonphotographers? Or what about when we are on a business trip and have limited time, equipment, and choices? So, this is a call and an announcement! If you know of the type of information I am looking for, let me know; I'll also try to share my experiences and tips as I get them while I do my style of photography and travel.

I know the first tip that I've read is to give your family cameras. This is a great option if your family is willing to accept it, and then get into photography. But, I think that my business travel photography may pose a bigger challenge than tourist travel photography.

Also, don't get me wrong because I love reading the blogs and books of travel photographers such as David duChemin, Trey Ratcliff, and Matt Brandon to name a few. But these guys are professional photographers and are traveling purely for photography. Just once I would like to see them taking pictures of something like the Lincoln Memorial, and then they explain to their spouses that they want to see something else and they're going to wait here until dusk. I know these guys tell as about all the bad situations, but they also are so much more prepared for these situations. When I go to Paris for work, I don't have room for an additional case for cameras, lenses, and flashes. And, even when I'm traveling as a tourist, Sherri will only carry so much equipment for me.

Photo Credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aschaf/ / CC BY 2.0

A Link? Watt’s Up With That?

CraigD — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:04:46 +0000

I've never created a post about another blog. Okay, I only have about three posts, so that's not a huge statement. But, regardless, I think this is a really great site. It is no big secret to people who know me that I don't agree with the current global warming theories floating around. And it's not that I don't believe the Earth isn't warming—I can't really say, but I disagree with it being all of humanity's fault. But, before I build myself a little soap box, I just want to direct people to Anthony Watt's blog, Watt's Up With That? What I really like about his site is that he has in-depth posts and he uses reputable scientific papers to support his statements; it also has lots of great images/graphs. My blog is still young, but it's nice to see something I can dream it to be.

Also, one last thing on global warming, and this is why I think everyone should keep an eye on Watt's blog: science cannot be decided by majority vote; data must be provided to universally "undispute" the theory. Also, according to the definition of a theory, a theory should make clear predictions that can be tested. I'm sick of crap like, "Oh, it's hot because of global warming," and, "Oh, it's cold because of global warming," or, "Oh, it's windy because of global warming," or, "Oh, more people are born with blue eyes because of global warming." It just feels like everyone is attributing everything and anything to global warming, and, obviously, there is nothing being done to try to falsify these statements—which is something that true scientists do.

So, remember kids, if a theory can't be falsifiable, it isn't science.