Managing Automation - November 2007 - (Page 8)

11-07 MAILBOX Managing Automation Contact Info Managing Automation 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001 Fax: 212-629-1559 e-mail: dbrousell@ thomaspublishing.com HOMEGROWN SOLUTIONS To the editor, FREE FLOW OF IDEAS Robert Malone’s August column suggesting a redistribution of the global water supply drew plenty of reader reaction as did his earlier column taking the nation to task for its upside-down priorities reflected in the education system. The August column appeared online-only so that MA could devote the entire print issue to its annual Tech Planner. Managing Automation is interested in hearing your views on manufacturing and the articles and columns in the magazine. Send e-mail to Dbrousell@thomaspublishing .com or mail to 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10010. MA reserves the right to edit letters for clarify and length. Regarding Robert Malone’s column “This Thirsty World” [Next, August 2007, www .managingautomation.com/ next40], I agree with the use of technology for improving desalination, bottling, distribution, and recycling. However, I think using empty shipping containers to deliver water would not be a very wise use of limited natural resources. The water cycle regenerates much more quickly than the petro-carbon cycle. Each country needs to manage its resources effectively, and those countries that have a stressed-out water supply chain need to evaluate their national priorities with regard to this precious commodity. Toh Chun-Kit having more than two kids per family (about 38 generations at an average of 19 kids per 20 adults). We should do our part to ease suffering all over the world, but this is only a stopgap measure. Job number one should be to address population growth. The sooner we start, the less irreversible damage we’ll do to the planet. Barry Schader Phoenix, AZ some variation, of course. No matter how much water we use or waste, it still keeps falling from the sky, and the warmer it gets, the more water will evaporate and fall. The Mormon Church is digging wells in Africa, and I am sure others are doing the same elsewhere. So please take your tired tirade out of the magazine and do some real work yourself that will make a difference. Doran Rice Claremore, OK CAN YOU DIG IT? To the editor, SUPPLY MANAGEMENT? To the editor, maonline managingautomation.com To read Robert Malone’s Next columns, visit: ❑ “This Thirsty World” www.managingautomation.com /next40 ❑ “National Priorities” www.managingautomation.com /next39 No amount of “optimizing”’ our use of natural resources can stay ahead of a growing human population forever [“This Thirsty World,” Next, August 2007, www.managingautoma tion.com/next40]. The root problem is human population. And once you realize that population growth will eventually end — through famine, disease, environmental destruction, a decreased birth rate, or some combination of those — you can think about what level of human population makes sense for the planet. I submit that 1 billion makes more sense than 20 billion. And you can get to 1 billion over many generations by disincentives to Once again, a liberal spouts off about a problem that he doesn’t know much about and wants someone else to fix. Every answer you suggested was like giving someone a fish but not teaching them how to fish [“This Thirsty World,” Next, August 2007, www.managingautomation .com/next40]. Somehow much of the world developed a concern for others. People dug wells, sand-filtered water, built dams, and managed their waste and pollution. But if people’s corruptness prevents them from seeing past the hand in front of their faces, then all of the distribution from the clean-water-rich areas will only produce more irresponsible people. Until governments perform their responsibilities and the people elect good people, nothing we can do will change it. And why are you tricked into believing man caused global warming. Read the data — you will find there is no global warming. Why didn’t you mention the water cycle? The whole world has a constant supply of water with WRONG ANSWER To the editor, Bravo for Robert Malone’s stance on the state of our educational system [“National Priorities,” Next, July 2007, p. 46]. I agree that children need more math, science, and statistics. But as a fifty-something manager of technologists, I submit that a large percentage of them are more than slightly challenged by the English language. I’ve come to believe that broad education is good education. Just as it’s important to understand how to implement a technology, it’s also important to question the technology: Is this an appropriate use of the technology? What are the downstream social ramifications? I share a sense of frustration with many of my peers, but attacking low math scores with a blind, “more math, more statistics” approach runs the same risk as fighting an oil fire with a water hose; if you’re not careful, you just make things worse. Thomas M. Crutcher CTG Logistics Solutions 8 November 2007 http://managingautomation.com/next40 http://managingautomation.com/next40 http://www.managingautomation.com/next40 http://www.managingautomation.com/next40 http://www.managingautomation.com/next40 http://www.managingautomation.com/next40 http://www.managingautomation.com http://www.managingautomation.com/next40 http://www.managingautomation.com/next39

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Managing Automation - November 2007

Managing Automation - November 2007 Contents Take 1 Mailbox SAP's Business ByDesign to Validate On-Demand Model for Enterprise SW Portfolio Management Specialist Losing Ground to Rivals At Incor, It's Time for Some Deep Breathing Can HART, ISA Get Together on a Wireless Spec? Mesa Tries to Help Improve Plant Metrics Notes Cover Story: The Digital Factory Special Report: Breaking Down Walls Integration: Dreaming of One ERP Industries: Locking onto Cyber-Security Transformation: Not Your Father's Time & Attendance Program Product Scan Advertiser Index Next

Managing Automation - November 2007

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