sustainability – The Blog About Fog

The Emperor’s unused clothes

Created using ChatGPT based on the picture found at https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Louis_XIV_of_France.jpg using the prompt "Please make a parody of this uploaded picture. Everything should stay exactly the same except for the following. First, the final image should be in widescreen format. Second, Louis XIV should be dressed in large paper shopping bags." In the public domain (like the original it is based upon).

I did a bit of clothes shopping the other day and it was only after I got home that I discovered that one store had cynically charged me an extra 15 cents for the paper bag that they had put my clothes in. But wait. Why is the store the cynical one here? Shouldn’t IContinue reading “The Emperor’s unused clothes”

Debugging biodiversity

Generated using the Jetpack AI using the prompt "A gloomy picture of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, with the horsemen being represented by insects and not humans." In the public domain.

Listen. Can we just make up our minds here? I heard on the radio yesterday afternoon that experts are predicting that this summer will see an insect plague in Germany, especially when it comes to ticks and tiger mosquitoes. Now, I can’t find any real support for this statement on the internet apart from allContinue reading “Debugging biodiversity”

The highway to oh-well

I’ve written previously about how the city of Not-Bielefeld is continuously trying to live up to its reputation as a bicycle-friendly city. Noteworthy efforts here, if only because they miss the mark completely, include the city testing out a gangrene wave for bikes and the University of Not-Bielefeld proudly installing the most expensive bike racksContinue reading “The highway to oh-well”

Staying grounded

By drakegoodman (https://www.flickr.com/photos/drakegoodman/48648039172)

In its never-ending quest to be at the bleeding edge of self-promoting lip service, the University of Not-Bielefeld introduced its new environmentally-friendly travel policy at the start of this year. After what must have been countless collective person-hours in at least the high single-digit range, the following was foisted upon University members for all theirContinue reading “Staying grounded”

Eco-friendly bike theft

I have to admit that this little gem passed me by for the longest time, in part because I don’t read those mostly self-serving pieces of propaganda (AKA press releases) put out at far-too-frequent intervals by the University of Not-Bielefeld. All last summer there were some serious excavations going on in front of one ofContinue reading “Eco-friendly bike theft”

Can’t see the wood for the needs

Another week, another example of environmental pseudo-do-goodery on the part of the University of Not-Bielefeld. This time around, the plan is to enlist volunteers from the university community to plant a Tiny Forest (their capitalization, not mine) on the grounds of the university according to the Miyawaki method. Through this action, the hope is toContinue reading “Can’t see the wood for the needs”

Un-vital signs 14.11.2024

Over the past few weeks, any number of the following signs have been sprouting up on the grounds of the University of Not-Bielefeld. The literal, word-for-word translation of the sign is: I am an insect-friendly flower and wild meadow! This all is, of course, complete nonsense in oh-so-many ways. First, it’s a sign and notContinue reading “Un-vital signs 14.11.2024”

The gangrene wave

Late last year, a long stretch of sidewalk along the main campus of the University of Not-Bielefeld was cordoned off and replaced. And, like any other roadworks project in Germany, the entire section to be replaced was shut down from day one to provide all the non-existent construction workers with the maximal amount of safetyContinue reading “The gangrene wave”