Start with Stimulating the Imagination

In the past week, two technologies have opened my mind in some new ways. One, a high-tech transportation solution that says one thing and one thing only when I saw a video of it--Jetsons! And another, a low-tech, life-changing solution that made me say, "My goodness, what else is possible?" What's more, the multiplier effects of innovative solutions cause me to think that perhaps the best way to stimulate the economy is to start with stimulating imagination.

The high-tech one

I attended a presentation yesterday sponsored by the Perimeter Transportation Coalition (and I continue to be impressed with the sharp intellect of that David Southerland, director of the PTC--for instance, when it is question time, the man is almost bursting and always has three questions with two parts each that are consistently spot-on).

Experts from PRT Consulting, a company specializing in personal rapid transit based in Palo Alto, California, did a great overview of personal rapid transit, how it works (little vehicles that hold about 4-6 people, or could be used individually, and run directly to the chosen destination on electric guideways), where it is being considered (it will be open to the public at Heathrow Airport in November, plus it is being considered in other US cities and in a brand new sustainable, zero-carbon, zero-waste city named Masdar in the United Arab Emirates that is estimated to have the same population as Dunwoody!), and how it would be implemented in an area such as Perimeter Center (a current schematic exists that includes four loops with 35 stops from UPS to the hospitals and over to Ashford Dunwoody).

I absolutely adore this system. Private, direct, easy (never any waiting because the stations are offline), safe, energy-efficient and, dare I say, cute (never underestimate the visual appeal of a product when considering marketing and public relations benefits!) The negative? The uphill road it will take to attain the money and support to do something like this.

The low-tech one

I got a solar cooker. Not a fancy $300 one. The exact cardboard and aluminum foil one given to refugees in Chad. I'm trying to learn how things are done elsewhere, and again, what is really possible (here is a more in-depth story about why I did it).

In the last week (during which we have had abundant sunshine!), I have made several rice dishes, a quiche, and a blackberry cobbler. Yesterday I bought beets and turnips at the farmers market, sliced them up and put them in the pot out in my garden, went to my meetings, and came home to delicious roasted veggies.

Things take from one to five hours, but since there is no flame or fire involved, it doesn't really matter as long as I have it out there cooking. I just go about my business. Sort of like a slow cooker or crockpot, I guess, but without the electricity.

My family is truly shocked by this contraption and how well it works. Plus, it keeps the house from heating up and eliminates strong smells from the house such as onions and garlic (both of which are currently being harvested from the garden). And it folds up for easy storage right next to the fridge.

"Why doesn't everyone use one of these?" one of my kids asked me.

Now, I'm not saying everyone should. But for those who don't have another good option, it is a life saver. And for those of us who would like to add an additional tool to our urban homesteading toolkit, this is an easy one. (Here's where to order one for yourself--a portion of your purchase supports the work with the refugees.)

The bigger benefit? Imagination. Mine is going wild.