next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects
Hi John & All, June 21, 2014
Amen to that (Kentville just destroyed a perfectly good school complex
on a excellent school site as a consequence of collective stupidity) but in
general it seems to me that pivotal decisions, at all levels of government
and corporate management, are consistently wrong in this age of foolishness.
We have machines now that take corrective action in microseconds and
corporate structures in which it takes 10 years for a faulty and potentially
fatal switch problem, reported by a safety engineer, to be noticed by
management.
The problem of reaching sound decisions was solved long ago. To paraphrase a
passage from the bible-- Go to the ant thou dummy. Consider her ways and be
wise. As described in National Geograophic (year ?) ants and other social
insects have evolved mechanisms that lead to sound decisions. They have no
leaders. To get that "I yam da 'those O-rings will do just fine' boss" out
of the picture makes all the difference. The ants gather information and by
a process of gradual consensus reach decisions that are of benefit to the
colony as a whole. Ants, by being very successful, demonstrate the power of
true democracy and the power of good decisions.
For example, a Maine to Yarmouth ferry is a good idea but ants would
never decide to go from zero passengers to 1200 passengers in one step. They
would not even steal plans for a schooner, falsify the name and then proceed
to introduce expensive design changes that render it unseaworthy and perhaps
even unharbourworthy.
Yt, Dave Webster, Kentville.
----- Original Message -----
From: "John and Nhung" <nhungjohn@eastlink.ca>
To: <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2014 2:52 PM
Subject: RE: [NatureNS] SMU plans threaten precious Oak Woodland in Halifax
>I think we have to give greater priority to re-using buildings, rather than
>tearing them down and building something new. We grossly under-value
>stuff.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca]
> On Behalf Of plchalmers@ns.sympatico.ca
> Sent: June-21-14 2:23 PM
> To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
> Subject: Re: [NatureNS] SMU plans threaten precious Oak Woodland in
> Halifax
>
> This would be a shame. I always found it an interesting oasis of plant
> and bird life, in all seasons. When Dr. Liette Vasseur taught biology at
> SMU ten or more years ago (she is now at Brock), she used to use that area
> for teaching and field studies. I remember how upset she was when a
> portion of the woods were lost to the new Sobey's business school
> building.
>
> SMU has already faced one fight over its plans to tear down the former
> Women's and Infants Home http://www.htns.ca/Infants-Home.html They are
> apt to alienate another portion of the local population if they do this.
>
> Patricia L. Chalmers
> Halifax
>
>
> ---- Brian Bartlett <bbartlett@eastlink.ca> wrote:
>> David, That’s disturbing news – and ironic in light of Saint Mary’s
>> recent creation of a School of the Environment, and a new degree program
>> in B.E.S. (Bachelor of Environmental Studies, with a mix of science &
>> humanities/arts courses). Maybe the School should start its questioning.
>> Brian
>> Department of English
>> Saint Mary’s U
>>
>> From: David Patriquin
>> Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2014 10:21 AM
>> To: NatureNS@chebucto.ns.ca
>> Subject: [NatureNS] SMU plans threaten precious Oak Woodland in Halifax
>>
>> According to the SMU Master Plan, St. Mary's University plans to
>> construct a large building (the "Oaks Complex") in the red oak woodland
>> by The Oaks in south-end Halifax.
>> http://nswildflora.ca/posts/2014/oakwoodland/index.html
>>
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2014.0.4592 / Virus Database: 3972/7708 - Release Date: 06/19/14
>
next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects