In life, it is worthwhile to look back history to gain useful insight *.
Edited and updated on March 14, 2010.
Over the past two year, we see a lot comparison between the current subprime mortgage crisis [1] and the Great Depression. There is more focus on the finance and social issue cause by the current financial crisis. The same phenomenon happen during the 1997 Asia Financial Crisis [2] and dot-com bubble burst [3]. Less emphasis on how individuals and businesses survive the current financial crisis.
The frequent recession solution is retrenchment, pay cut, businesses and plant closure, and relocation to cheaper business operation cost. Most understand that such action is inevitable. This option is to save businesses from going bust. Thus, this will prevent more jobs lost.
“There is such thing called interlearning or interacting learning.” – James Ang, The omniGens Blog - Make Life Simple
List of some useful helpline and resources *.
There are times when we are not able to find listening ear for our frustration, emotional angst and sorrow. Sometimes you cannot call someone for the following reasons:
1. Your trusted friends are in another time zone.
2. Friends and loved one working in shift work.
3. People need to rest due to shift work pattern.
4. People not available for various reasons.
5. Simply no one to turn to.
6. Seeking second or third opinions.
7. Seeking alternative view.
8. Seeking specific professional medical advice.
9. Others.
A public awareness video on teenagers’ depression and suicide link.
“Let’s make a positive difference to someone’s lives.” – James Ang, The omniGens Blog – Make Life Simple. Continue reading »
The importance of positive peer support network*.
Most of us know that one person’s effort can only make a little progress. By working collectively, we can achieve much more. Just think of successful non-profit social enterprises. In any successful businesses and non-profit social enterprise start-up, there is a diverse group of individuals working towards same goals.
Let’s focus on micro level which is people on the main street. Life is full of ups and downs. Just recall the time when we need people’s assistance. Think of being the giver and taker of help.
“Life is full of ups and downs.” – James Ang, The omniGens Blog – Make Life Simple.
ABC News – The collective effort of one family during financial hardship.
Some of the areas that we may need some peer and social support [1] are:
Sharing 4 critical recession survival lesson learnt *.
Edited and updated on March 06, 2010.
Since the start of 2008, many suffer from depression and anxiety by all the depressing news. There is endless daily news on retrenchment, economic stimulus package, bailout, restructuring, business and plant closure, pay cut, wipe out of retirement fund [1] and others. It looks like an economic doomsday in classic Hollywood movies.
Before the sub-prime financial crises, the main concerns are high oil price, inflation and speculative property market. Now the layman’s economic buzzword or lingo is deflation, economic recovery rate, employment figure, stagflation, bailout, Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) [2], foreclosure, Ponzi scam [3] and others.
I experienced working in the recession period of the dot-com bubble burst and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) [4]. I knew how the 1997 Asia Financial Crises [5] affected many Asian families. The current global recession is of much greater scale and impact than any post war recession.
“Discover your interest, passion and strength.” – James Ang, The omniGens Blog – Make Life Simple.
Continue reading »
Consider Urban Farming and Green Alternative Energy Implementation *.
Edited and updated on March 03, 2010.
From my previous article, The omniGens Blog – Global Warming and Rising Sea Level Possible Solution [1] [2] [3] [4] , we see how some countries such as Japan, Netherlands and United States of America (U.S.A) and their engineering solution to rising sea level issue. This includes their design proposal on both floating and offshore airport mega-structure. It features the advantages, disadvantages and limitation of floating airport. We have learnt of some possible civil engineering and architectural design[5] case study solution to combat global warming and climate change.
Have we known of any missing links in floating airport feasibility study? Well, it just came to my mind that maybe we can include urban farming [6], urban vertical farming [7] and next generation alternative renewable energy [8] power plants. It is just some green ideas suggested.
Some Architectural Structures Use to Cater Climate Change *.
Edited and Updated on March 1, 2010.
One effect of global warming and climate change is the rising sea level. In fact, many media reports how the rising sea level impact on different countries. Some cause displacement of businesses, families and their home [1] .
In Global Warming and Rising Sea Level Possible Solution series, we cover construction methods use by two countries [2] [3]. These two engineering flood control solutions are:
1. Have Floating Platform Construction Structures.
Alternative Architectural Structures Use to Cater Climate Change *.
Edited and Updated on February 26, 2010.
In the Global Warming and Rising Sea Level Possible Solution (Part 1 of 2) article, we learnt how the floating and offshore airports ease land squeeze, air traffic congestion and noise pollution. This includes both advantages and disadvantages of floating and offshore airports.
Songdo IBD, South Korea, An example of Eco-city in Asia. Continue reading »
Architectural Structures Use to Cater Climate Change *.
Edited and Updated on February 24, 2010.
There is much hype about the climate change and global warming. The Copenhagen Conference [1] generates many interests in this global climate change summit. A wide range of discussion from rising sea level to different environmental pollution to advanced clean energy alternative technologies [2] [3]
The focus of this article is on rising sea level related topic [4] . In my previous article, Impact of Global Warming and Climate Change on Global Economy [5], I mention the Himalayan Glacier is projected by some climate change scientists to melt by [6] [7] [8]. Some believe the melting of Arctic sea [9] ice sheet, Antarctica and Greenland glaciers has reached critical level [10].
“Some may ask what are the available solutions to global warming.” - James Ang, The omniGens Blog – Make Life Simple. Continue reading »
Ways in How The Rising Sea Level Affects Our Cost of Living *.
Many are affected by the global subprime mortgage crisis [1] [2] . This global financial crisis aftermath causes wide spread unemployment, retrenchment [3] [4] and industries wide restructuring. For the employed, they are worried about job insecurity, coping with more overtime [5] [6] and others. On the other hand, many are looking for jobs on full time basic.
Most will have no energy to care about global warming and climate change [7]. It’s a fact that many are looking for ways to reduce unnecessary consumption and wastage .
“This global climate change solution needs collective effort from private sectors, public sector and individuals.” - James Ang, The omniGens Blog – Make Life Simple. Continue reading »
A list of 5 simple and practical ways to reduce daily carbon footprint *.
For the past articles, we are focusing mostly on:
1. Urban vertical farming [1] [2].
2. Urban vertical farming start-up alternative [3] and
3. Japan urban farming and social enterprise start-up model [4].
Many of the above articles and its topics are mostly on either hi-tech or advanced farming technologies. For many average households, most are concern on how much money they can save. Basically, it is to reduce daily household expenditure. Many are searching for simple ways on reducing unnecessary consumption and wastage.
This article summarizes 5 simple and practical ways in reducing carbon footprint and environmental pollution. These simple and cost effective energy saving ways are:
1. Simple urban greenery to reduce carbon footprint.
- An example of urban rooftop garden.
Source: Flickr by alykat, Creative Common [5]. Continue reading »
Main Consideration Factors for Urban Vertical Farm Development Projects *.
For the past one week, I have been covering some main concerns for urban vertical farming. In each of these 3 articles, I elaborated three points relating to the urban vertical farm project development and growth.
Some coverage on these urban vertical farming start-up issues like:
1. Type of design configurations.
2. Various simple alternatives examples.
3. Simple window / balcony farming set-up methods.
4. Urban vertical farming references material.
5. A holistic perspective views on these mega-structure projects.
6. Business cost analysis on commercial urban vertical farming.
By making life simple, I have listed all these 9 main points in this article for your convenience.
1. Investment Cost Considerations and Concerns.
Source: Flickr by Curbed SF, Creative Common [1]. Continue reading »
A Gen Y Blogger Recounts Personal Experience Growing Up in An Environment Obsession With Beauty *.
Edited and Updated on February 6, 2010.
Well, we all want to have a good looking body. However, not many are blessed with a great looking body. I am one of those whom some consider not so fortunate. I have been battling extreme underweight and intestinal parasite issues since childhood. Thus, I become a naturally super skinny person as I grew up. This is totally different from anorexia, Manorexia and bulimia sufferers.
In fact, I am much thinner than most super skinny or dangerously skinny male and female model. The main difference is that I eat several meals a day instead of having an extreme weight losing diet regimen. I never worry about gaining weight through eating. For the past two decades, I have been actively seeking ways to gain weight. Currently, both modern western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM approach to gain weight seemed not working well.
“My happiness is dependent on my positive state of mind not those insensitive remark.” – James Ang, The omniGens Blog – Make Life Simple. Continue reading »
Differences between naturally skinny and eating disorders *.
Edited and Updated on February 6, 2010.
Whenever we see a super skinny celebrities and model, we tend to associate them with anorexia [1] , Manorexia [2] - is a male version of anorexia, bulimia [3] and binge [4] eating disorder. However, we need to focus on ordinary people like us.
The truth is that there are naturally thin people around us. This group of naturally skinny people may not have eating disorders. The main issue is how to identify and help people who have eating disorder. Like what are the symptoms of different eating disorders.
We need to differentiate between naturally thin and those on extreme dieting lifestyle. We need to know the myth, fact and fiction between these two groups of people. This is the main topic for this article.
Thus, we can devote appropriate resources to those in need. Hence, we can reduce bias, prejudices [5] and discrimination [6] towards naturally skinny people.
“It’s important to be proactive to move forward with our lives” – James Ang, The omniGens Blog – Make Life Simple.
Some of the common misconceptions regarding naturally super skinny people are: Continue reading »
The Root Cause of Naturally Skinny People Can Be Useful In Fighting Global Obesity Epidemic *.
Edited and Updated on March 12, 2010.
Many will wonder the link between naturally thin people and the rising global obesity problem. Let’s take a few steps back first. Any great innovation breakthrough and products are created through the fusion and synergy of different stuffs.
For example, urban vertical farm’s concept is created by mixing high-rise skyscrapers [1] [2], urban farming [3] and city farming. Another known example is Apple’s iPhone. Apple’s iPhone is known for its fusion of stylish product design, functionality [4] and hip fashion icon [5].
Knowing the underlying cause of naturally thin people, we are able to discover some solution for the rising global obesity epidemic. Then we can discover effective and productive methods to reduce obesity. The same can be applied for resolving naturally super skinny problems. Thus, we can create a win-win situation for all.
Four underlying cause for naturally underweight are: Continue reading »
Implementation of Urban Underground Farms *.
Edited and Updated on February 9, 2010.
In previous articles, Vertical Farm Startup Peer Learning Topic Request (Summary) [1] [2], we focus on the benefits, potential and cost of urban vertical farm concept. This includes some business and consumer consideration related to any successful urban vertical farm concept.
Source: Japundit, Pasona O2 – A hi-tech urban underground farms.
There are some cost reduction suggestions to make urban vertical farming implementation more business viable [3] [4]. Thus, making urban vertical farming a cheaper, more economical and productive compare to traditional factory or commercial rural farming. Continue reading »
How Hi-tech Urban Farming R&D and Social Enterprise Become A Winning Approach *.
Edited and Updated on February 11, 2010.
We tend to think only post-graduate scientists and researchers involve in Research and Development (R&D) work. Rarely do we think of any non-university school leavers’ involvement. Well, the Japan first hi-tech urban underground farming project is an exception example. This is one examples that I know of.
For this article, we focus on the Japan urban underground farming concept example. In this Japanese business cum social enterprise case study, the Pasona Group is a Japanese temporary staffing recruitment agency creates an agricultural sector employment awareness program. Why creates such awareness? Japan is an Asian developed country facing an ageing working population. Japanese agricultural workforce population is mostly making up of an ageing population.
- Vegetable growing in Pasona O2 farm.
Source: Flickr by dimitridf, Creative Common.
Before the current global subprime mortgage crisis, a general belief is many youths avoid working in plantation fields or factories. Thus, we need to create employment for unemployed youth and non-degree school leavers. This Japan hi-tech urban farming project offers career switch and job opportunity for city dwellers. Continue reading »
Breakthrough Ideas and Gadgets Range From Simple Designs to Hi-tech Product Designs *.
Edited and Updated on February 12, 2010.
For the past few months, most of The omniGens Blog’s main topics are
1. Urban vertical farming start-up [1] [2],
2. Urban underground farming business concept [3] [4],
3. Japan social enterprise start-up model [5],
4. A holistic approach to truth happiness [6] and
5. Useful weight management insight [7] [8].
Well, let’s discuss something new. In this article we will focus on winning innovative product design concepts, ideas, solutions from a wide ranging field of innovations and technologies. Sometimes it’s surprising to know that a simple idea and concept can make a lot of difference to our modern day lives [9].
Source: PicApp [10] - An Earth Hour event held in Sydney Harbour, Australia.
Sometimes simple Green ideas and Green inventions are useful [11] in reducing: Continue reading »
How Simple and Effective Ways Can Reduce Carbon Footprint *.
Edited and Updated on February 16, 2010.
For carbon footprint reduction, most of us tend to think of Green hi-tech innovation and products. Some examples of hi-tech Green technologies innovation are:
2. Solar-powered farms [2],
3. Geothermal power station [3],
4. Heliostat (alternately known as solar thermal technology [4])
5. Solar hybrid power plant [5] and
6. Other next generation green alternative energy source [6].
Perhaps, there is many media coverage on such alternative green fuel energy source.
Like most people, we may think that this do not concern us. After all, most alternative green fuel energy sources are still in infancy technologies development stages. Also, these hi-tech clean energy technologies can be quite costly for many average households. Some retail consumers may think of alternative-powered automobile [7] like those autos powered by electric and hybrid technology [8].
“Thus, we create win – win situation in greenhouse gas emission reduction and reduce global warming.” – James Ang, The omniGens Blog – Make Life Simple. Continue reading »
Besides urban farming, we have other simple green living solution *.
Edited and Updated on February 18, 2010.
In my previous article, Simple Everyday Green Ideas to Reduce Carbon Footprint (Part 1 of 2), we mention some economical and social benefits of urban greenery. This includes the practical aspect of simple urban vertical farming and its alternative versions. One example is rooftop urban and window farming.
Lately, we are focusing a lot on global warming, urban vertical farming, urban farming and global food supply chain related stuff. Perhaps we neglect some important aspect of global warming and environmental concerns. For example, one neglected aspect is global environmental pollution matter.
Well, environmental pollution is one major root cause of climate change. How can everyday people contribute to greener planet Earth? How we do it without increase daily living expenditure?
Below are just two green way of living:
1. Reduce, reuse and recycle.
