Alberta election video makes a good point

As you may know, my province (Alberta) is in the midst of an election campaign right now. I think this TV ad for Elections Alberta (produced by DDB Canada) cleverly makes the point as to why it's important to get out and vote. So vote, for goodness sake!

Radio in a mason jar

For those of you who appreciate clever design (and only like one radio station), this product could be for you.

National payroll week yet another creative ripoff?

It's already getting a little tired. Keep calm and (fill in the blank here). Will this slogan become as overused as (fill in the blank) Busters and Got (fill in the blank)? Probably.

But at least this ad takes a bizarre, obscure, boring-but-self-proclaimed-important topic and makes it fun / noticeable.

Aerial advertising in NYC

When you're doing business in a city with one of the densest populations in the world, it's good to keep in mind that potential customers are everywhere. Even above you.

Abortion by mail

I suspect nobody missed this recent New York Times Magazine cover. It's brilliant and provocative!

Two books that caught my attention: Ethical Oil and Groundswell

This post is going to be longer than normal, so please stay with me.

Most of you know that I believe alternate energy has an important future globally. Sources like wind, solar and biofuels will likely make an important contribution to our energy mix once the challenges get sorted out.

Challenges? Well, storage for one thing. When the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine, these sources can't generate electricity. So someone needs to invent a viable way of storing a huge number of electrons to supply power to the grid while the wind and solar generators are idle.

Then there's the issue of birds. I suspect wind turbines have killed and maimed more birds than the Exxon Valdez. Almost certainly more than oil sands tailings ponds ever will. But that does't make any of this okay. Whatever the method we use to generate energy, we need to protect wildlife.

Will these problems ever be solved? Probably. You know what I think about humanity's capacity to solve problems.

No one knows how long this will take or if alternate energy will ever replace fossil fuels entirely. So Levant's books ask the question: If we're going to use fossil fuels for the foreseeable future, where do you want to get them from?

Although Levant makes some good points, these books are not for the easily offended. They would be considered provocative, blunt and even insulting to many people. Levant takes shots at everyone from Vladimir Putin to Gazprom, the Saudi Royal Family, Iran, Nigeria, Green Peace, the documentary "Gasland" ... you name it. Politics. Religion. Hidden agendas of environmentalists. All kinds of taboo topics are in Levant's crosshairs and he doesn't hold back.

Of special note: According to Levant, the United States has already reduced its greenhouse gas emissions below that required by the Kyoto protocol thanks to natural gas fracking (with no environmental consequences). Much of Europe could do the same if they embraced fracking, plus have the energy independence and political freedom that come with it. Really? I didn't know that.

Levant cites some credible sources and appears to trust the scientists who say fracking is okay, but appears to disbelieve the scientists that say climate change is being caused by humans. Environmentalists seem to believe the opposite science. All of this reminds me of the lyrics from the Dire Straits song, Industrial Disease: "Two men say their Jesus. One of them must be wrong."

Facts are facts. But how they can be interpreted and spun is crucial. With issues such as this, it might be most appropriate to challenge those who make claims to cite their scientific sources. We might be best served if we then take the time to read the primary research ourselves before drawing conclusions.

You are what you eat. And you are what you eat, ate.

Another clever sign. This one at Morningside Bakery on Salt Spring Island.

Want more support? Don't forget to explain "why".

One more in my series of posts about signage. For many people, it's more effective to remind them WHY you want them to do something, rather than to just tell them to do it. Community support can make a big difference too. Nearly every resident along this narrow stretch of road on Salt Spring Island has posted this sign. It makes an overwhelming statement about how drivers should act in a neighbourly way.

More creative signage

While we're on the topic of creative signage, here's another one that puts a fun spin on a tired message.

Who reads signs?

Let's face it. Signs that tell you to "do this" and "don't do that" are not very memorable. But inject a little creativity and people will understand and remember the message – like this example at the Salt Spring Island goat cheese farm.

Got creativity?

People who rip off a great creative advertising slogan don't normally get my respect. But I'll make an exception with this.

More "natural" goodness

If you liked my last post about misuse of the word "natural", you're going to love this.

Not all things "natural" are good for you (or your best friend)

This clever viral video makes a good point about how the word "natural" is misused in advertising and labelling.