Escanaba City Council Meeting (Dec. 1st. 2022). Zoning and Keeping the Engines of Progress Primed!

Progress comes from making many small decisions that add up to bigger outcomes. While progress may mean different things to different people, it can mean to a small town the rejuvenation of opportunities, maximizing future generational opportunities, and the bucking of a trend experienced by many towns left desolate when the Industrial Era ended (One might say when the Industrial Era was sent overseas for a few cents on a share! There are opportunities to bring that back home during the new Digital Era where small towns just like Escanaba can find a new place, perhaps an important place, in the global supply chain.)

(Its all about opportunity and choices to put an organization in the most advantageous spot to take advantage of emerging digital and end user trends not specifically bound by locality. This means places like Escanaba that have basic digital-industrial infrastructure, lifestyle advantages, and policies that encourage local growth may have more appeal to a creative class when compared to many traditional big city locations. 

(Matching this creative class with investors/capital/banks, entrepreneurs, purpose and digitally friendly smart cities can makes a difference. See Delta Multi, tourist micro, Downtown Rejuvenation, DC start up, NeuroEco.)

(If there is anyone you want relocating into your area it should be the entrepreneurial and creative class. They open businesses, they are involved in the community, they are educated, have access to resources, and motivated to building opportunity. We will just need to align the elements needed to successfully attract this group and create an environment that can start to rejuvenate to the needs of the global market.)

Escanaba City Council Agenda Dec. 1st, 2022

There is a discussion on zoning within the video and that is important so pay attention to how the city deals with zoning issues. Zoning helps to ensure an orderly town. For example, we don't want heavy manufacturing mixing with residential housing for safety reasons or perhaps ensuring livestock doesn't graze in the park creating a nuisance. There is a balance between the different stakeholders.

Zoning sometimes needs to be updated to ensure that it is organizing the town to the best position to grow by allocating space for development (Some places call these developmental zones.). If there is a need for more types of business but they don't have adequate facilities, they may consider changing zoning to attract business to certain areas (i.e. downtown). 

In this case, I honestly did not review it much so I will say in general that if it opens up more opportunities and possibilities for additional business downtown then it would be a positive move. To me downtowns should be fun and lively social places that often come to represent the brand image of a town (A new main street, bike-golf cart lane, sidewalk sitting, events, marina, parks, etc...) If you look at very vibrant communities that retail market value you will notice boutique small business districts where people walk, shop, eat, party, etc. 

(People want to come visit these areas, buy summer homes, start businesses, enjoy the outdoors, and much more. Covid has taught them the value of online work life with local life balance. )

Let me add, in Escanaba we have room for and need for exportable products that draw wealth into the area beyond retail (i.e. why I advocate for retail and exportable micro to medium manufacturers). Small custom manufacturing (i.e. golf clubs, fishing poles, fudge, polo mallets, etc. ) that can have at least a small store front and export their products to world markets would be very beneficial for community short and long term benefits (Are there people who can help them get their products out?).

As theoretical model clustering tourism attractions (unique retail store fronts), with small manufacturing (export oriented) among new housing (apart/condo above downtown buildings for short and long stay with new hotel development), among local events and nightlife options (food and dinner) in a way that they encourage each other. 

Synergy occurs when different elements within a cluster build from and off each other so that there is net gain among the many stakeholders. For example, outdoor tourism leads to tourism industry interest, which leads to more tourism investment, which leads to new businesses, which leads to, etc... on and on and on. The end result is a net positive for the industries connected to the cluster in some areas that lead to new paths of developments and when the combination is right whole new industries (You can create the determinants of maximize innovation within certain industry(s) while putting together the variability that allows for whole new industries. Its just about connect the right resources, knowledge, and investments in the right place at the right time to create a growth spark (i.e. new significant patent or finding). 

One could determine the elements that lead to new industries and innovation and create growth clusters. Your mapping your cluster and finding a way to manage it through other resource adjustments that improve the reach of discoveries. In theory anyway. 🤣 Its true and we know its likely true but how precisely that happens is harder to explain. 

Clusters are micro economic environments that are easier to see and manage. If you set one up well you could put the right metrics in place to keep track of change i.e. investments, amount of business started, grant amounts, level of engagement, marketing dollars, internet content analysis, FDI interest, etc., etc.,etc. The measurements would be determined by the purpose of a cluster. It might also show what type of measurements are needed going forward to understand local economics based on newer economic models that are more reflective of the needs of the digital era.). 

Worldwide Fitness Trends 2022: How Does that Help Fitness Oriented Businesses?

Fitness is big business and like many of you I also engage in some fitness so I keep up with what is going on in the industry. People who go to the gym have their own fads and trends and they are serious about their lifestyle. Whether your a small fitness business owner, a fitness trainer, or a fitness retailer its a good idea to understand these trends in order to make strategic decisions. 

From a business standpoint it is also beneficial to have knowledge of what are the major trends for the industry so you know what services you should offer, products you should put on your shelves, or advertisements to post. Should you be offering trainers, selling wearable technology within your store, or providing more yoga classes at your studio?

There is no crystal ball but there is strategic market analysis (You will want to check out the link because the site has some good models to look over). 

 (I know some yoga studio owners. I thought about that once as well. Mostly to help vets. I might still do it here and there but never really got into it on that level. Some of these people are like Gumby and its very commercialized now! The style I learned is an ancient Indian style based on a particular family system. Its the root movements prior to the popularity of tree pose. 🙏 Got a certification in it. Its great for rehabilitation, sports, and general fitness as you improve your range of motion, lung capacity, and endurance. Its not so great for showing off in Ocean Beach, CA🏄) 

You may want to read Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2022

What are the current fitness trends in 2022? See the interesting list below.

1 Wearable technology
2 Home exercise gyms
3 Outdoor activities
4 Strength training with free weights
5 Exercise for weight loss
6 Personal training
7 High Intensity Interval Training
8 Body weight training
9 Online live and on-demand exercise classes
10 Health/wellness coaching
11 Fitness programs for older adults
12 Exercise is Medicine
13 Employing certified fitness professionals
14 Functional fitness training
15 Yoga
16 Mobile exercise apps
17 Online personal training
18 Licensure for fitness professionals
19 Lifestyle medicine
20 Group exercise training

Zero Carbon Limitless Fusion Energy: Oil Out in Digital Era?

The Information Age brings forward a digital era that comes with it increased exploration and science much like you would find during the Renaissance (We are making an assumption that we are moving into a new era much like we move into the Industrial Era. Except, this is more virtual and using different infrastructure than was used in the hard density manufacturing of the past.). The possibility of unlimited energy, modern infrastructure, global communications and distribution, as well as whole new ways of learning and developing. I would think of this like the Roaring 20's where new innovations bring new opportunities and solutions. If true, an energy source that creates more than it costs without much carbon pollution would be a game changer (It sort of mutes a few arguments because it would be an important developmental path for commercialization.).

What U.S. administrators should think about how to capitalize on the rapid future changes to the market by placing itself at the center of the supply chain? With new energy and technology can come very interesting new ways (doors) to explore  the technology of tomorrow, the infrastructure that will allow for high information environments, and foster the human capital to master future challenges (While we may have developed complexity in society we are still bound to innovation as a creation of a "tool" of one type of another. Using sticks to get ants out of a log or someday drilling holes on Mars for new minerals they are all tools.)

Is oil out? Not yet...its still can fit within a plug and play energy grid (Something the U.S. should think about as innovation improves and changes our environment we need a system that structurally is sound and well designed for local and regional development, two way energy to input and draw, multiple energy inputs to increase market cost calibration, and greater resilience not only from natural elements but also from human caused ones. )

US scientists make major breakthrough in ‘limitless, zero-carbon’ fusion energy: report

“When you are finished changing, you are finished”. - Benjamin Franklin

Fire Department Christmas Party: The Gifts of Community Support

Attended the the Escanaba Twp. Christmas Party. Loads of fun and lots of good things going on as people enjoyed their time. These men and women risk their lives to help the community. They respond from everything ranging from car accidents to house fires. They are walking in the snow searching for lost ones or breaking down doors to help those in desperate need. 

Presently the department is in need of a grass truck so if there are any companies that have a few corporate dollars you may want throw them this way. A new truck will cost around $100K from what I heard.  Esc. Township Page and Escanaba Twp. Fire Department Facebook. If you can't donate but want to be involved, go through training, and become part of a dedicated team of firefighters give the department a call. 

A few things I won on raffle. 

The Firefighters Prayer (History)

When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage; Give me the strength to save some life, whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a little child before it's too late

Or save an older person from the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout,

And quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling to give the best in me,

To guard my every neighbor and protect their property.

And if, according to my fate, I am to lose my life;

Please bless with your protecting hand my children and my wife.

Why People Support Hate: Social, Self and "I Think Therefore I Am" Identity Challenges

As a society we struggle with hate to a point we are confused what it looks like. I guess in some ways it is unfair to say as a society "WE struggle" because I believe hate to exist across the globe in different forms for different reasons. It is something that people have struggled with as we move from the archaic nature of the past to something more stable and enlightened. Hate is an anchor for the past burdening our true potential through the suppression and harm of those we deem as "undesirables". 

Hate is based in how we see ourselves and our ability to find an appropriate place the grand order of society. As social creatures hate becomes a way of deflecting our weaknesses to hide them behind easy to exploit targets. Hate has nothing to do with truth, fairness, justice, equality, stability, or equity. Hate is a truly a social affair through how we perceive ourselves in relation to others. 

Most Don't Know Themselves or their Bias as Much as the Believe

Can you hate or do you see the value in each person on a deeper level? (Take note of what you just said because more than not we all want to feel like we take the higher moral road.)What we say about ourselves and what we are may be different things depending on who your asking and how much they know about you. We often find that people have three versions of themselves. They are in part 1. how they perceive themselves (Me), 2.) how society perceives them (WE) and 3.) how they really are (I). 

Aristotle School of Athens

Most people have no clue who they actually are! Not really. Beyond the pop psychology of self-help are the inner core where current "presence", matched with biological inheritance/past, matched with personality of experience come to define our trusted selves. Without challenge most will not grow or change. You will simply exist with the least amount of achievement and effort because that is the most comfortable place to be.

Sometimes self reflection comes through challenges and taking stock of personal resources and perceptions in order to master important challenges. If you never step outside your comfort zone you will not have an opportunity to understand the worm at the core that comes to define your true self. You won't know yourself fully because you don't know your most inner values, thoughts, and reactions to life threatening situations and/or complex unanswered questions of life. Go through a few of those and you start to see truer selves of people which is a good sign you see your self truer. Who are you, what do you believe, what do you stand for, what are your strengths, what are your weaknesses, etc... all become increasingly defined through lifetimes of challenge.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”-Aristotle

We See Ourselves Through Skewed Lens 

We are made up of perception (self, others, society) resting on top of a deeper level (biology and genetics). While the ability to detect differences and categorize "others" may have biological roots the interpretation of that information is socially constructed based on how we see self in relation to others (Perception of self within society and society's perception of that self. One must perceive themselves as part of the whole and the whole must perceive its parts to be two separate identities.)

The overwhelming urge to see ourselves as good and more worthy of reward when compared to others is based in that reference point of self and the need to fulfill those needs. For example, we all need to eat and if you have more money you can secure your survival by buying more land and food. So we will have interest in the benefits of money. Its natural that we would want more of what ensures our comfort and survival.

Some psychological self-orientation is reasonable but a problem arises when distortion creates "better than thou" in-group dynamics that rest in part through a false method of dehumanizing others as "lower than thou". A sense of entitlement takes hold and when distortion is supported by local institutions through shared social networks (i.e. those associated with the core network) that ensure different rules for different kinds of people (Different entities with different purposes, rules, and norms has always been an issue for any government.).

The individuals who engaged in such group enriching acts see themselves as not only more worthy (in needs obtainment) but that such benefits are justification to their inflated sense of self and the distorted reflection of a social group that shares commonality of thought (i.e. blind support for hate and flying monkey's). In other words, at their stage of development the perception of self hasn't fully differentiated from their social self leaving them confused as to what is theirs and what is the group's beliefs (i.e. making such level 1 thinkers easy to influence by political persuasion, hate propaganda, trends, etc... as their validation is external but is perceived internally without that knowledge.) 

Hate as a Group Distortion

Hate becomes a social disease where social group self behavior diminishes the perceived responsibility of the individual self. This lack of clear differentiation between social self and individual self is a sign of a lack of independence in thought and action. While they are individually responsible they acted within a social network that did not frown on such behaviors. In their minds, they were not responsible because they didn't actively seek to cause harm but only support it through social agreement and normalization (i.e. words of encouragement on social level and turning the blind eye on a systems level).

The true self within these situations did not ever manifest for most of the group members because the life experience, self development potential and opportunity did not present itself within the homogeneous environment in a way that allowed one to reflect and become aware of their true self. In other words, the lower order thinking has not been required to adapt to higher order thinking through necessity (That self that exists when you have only bad choices and pick the most beneficial of them despite the odds and despite the resistance and risk. I have an opportunity to teach about my experience of hate in writings just like this. )

Failure to develop as a person is not an excuse or invite to engage in behaviors and we must make sure that the system doesn't allow for or encourage such behaviors. What I have proposed about mandatory mental health for the perpetrators, reform of the dept. that engaged inappropriate conduct based in the need to protect others outside the "clan", ensuring the local college HR department doesn't continue to hire based on personal/institutional bias, audit of financial incentives, etc. are all reasonable under the circumstances, as the situation was unfolding and then again afterward. Free passes are splits between what we profess as a society and how we act on a granular level can create irreconcilable "truths" on what we should be (ideal we strive for as a nation and as stated in our historical artifacts) and what we are (where our system currently is as a developmental stage and why we are/will experiencing/experience fundamental changes in that system through multiple forms of pressures. i.e. distrust, poor leadership, protest, poor recruiting, rise in crime, political encampment, lack of solutions, etc. Look at it this way. Every system is on the way to becoming something. We adapt because we have to adapt. Old systems create pressure to change and we are in a place where its obvious we should start changing. We should take what works and build on that to make something better. We are all part of the same boat and have the right to define how this boat will be managed and powered. i.e. loss of human capital.).

Of course just because I think it doesn't mean that it is true as I am limited in knowledge and information. Like all other people I am also limited in capacity to understand and sometimes can misconstrue information (Although I often correct when I find information that is relevant. Generally I have been sort of right about most things but am often wrong enough to know not to suspect there are not alternatives out there.). What I can say for certain is that if I am thinking about it, it is important to me, my thinking is proof I exist, and my existence is proof I "am", and that my right to exist (i.e. without intimidation, threat or loss) supersedes the rights of the 'entitled' to transfer their issues onto others, and that society should support certain values for the best interest of ALL of societal stakeholders to ensure the agreed upon social contract fundamentals are enforced.

What now happens.....I'm not sure.....Its not up to me.....I only say what I think because in the end usually its in the ball park right spot and its a duty to improve society through thinking. We think so we exist as a societal construction. What we are going to think is up to those who can step outside their tightly bound social networks (See No Evil, Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil Monkeys 😏🙈🙉🙊)

cogito ergo sum! -Rene Descartes

 

Great Lakes Savage Shipwrecks From 'Witch of November' 1913: Water Levels Decline Temporarily

History is important because we often live, breath, and exist within the context of our past. The Great Lakes were and are a dangerous place for outdoor enthusiasts and sailors. I thought you might be interested in this Progressive Era discussion of a time when we were growing as a nation. That time may come again and our Great Lakes will become increasingly important (even places like Escanaba.)

Kind of an interesting article on how the Great Lakes lose water annually. Lake Michigan, Lake Huron lose over 3 trillion gallons of water in November

The Global Do It Yourself Market Projected to be $1,278 Billion by 2030: Cracks in my Chimney!

A crack from cold weather.

Working on your home can be a great pleasure and a great headache if your not willing to learn. The trend toward knowing how to fix our own homes is growing. According to Allied Market the global Do-It-Yourself Market comprised $848.20 in 2021and projected to balloon to $1,278 Billion by 2030 with an annual growth rate of $4.37. (Allied Market Research 2021)

Its not just the U.S. but also across the globe! I encourage people to learn as many skills as they can. Working on your home is a great activity and saves you lots of money in the long run. The old farmer classes of the 1930's have all long gone and a new generation of builders must come forward. 

Filled the cracks with chimney
Furnace Cement and Fireplace Mortar

Having construction and improvement skills means you can put to practical use many other skills you have learned from math to finger dexterity. That knowledge bank transfers to other areas and gives one a better understanding of the mechanics of construction.

For example, I have one of those old 100+ year old log cabins that was built along the Escanaba River prior to mass expansion of cars. Back then it was all farms and buggy tracks. 

My house is old. My chimney is in good shape but every other year I go up and check all the cracks. If you don't maintain your property it will have problems. It just a matter of time.

Similarly, If you don't fill these cracks water gets into them and they expand and create bigger cracks. The more they expand, the more old chimneys start to crack crumble. I already put back in place a few stones that the prior owner neglected to repair.