Happy May Day!

Workers of the World Form Democratic Cooperatives!

Hmmm... Not quite as catchy a phrase as Karl's but more plausible in this era of neo-liberal religion. 

Democratic cooperatives (ala the Arizmendi Bakery) are one way of rebuilding the middle class which, imo, is the glue that holds together democracies that merit that title.  Update on the latest inequality figures for the USA and other countries noted on this "Gini Coeffient" page.  A quote from that page:

"The Gini Coefficient for the United States has risen steadily since 1967. If the current trend continues, the United States will reach a Gini Coefficient of 0.546 in about 37-years, or 2043. This coefficient is equal to the one Mexico had in year 2000. Mexico is not known for having a large prosperous middle class."

Here's another interesting entry on economic trends by economic class, "Ali G Economics and the Gini Coefficient Puzzle."  The charts on spending and income patterns are interesting even if the associated analysis is far from the mark.  These graphs and charts in particular:

Income Disparity Since World War II - the Gini Index (by country)
Change in Consumer Expenditures Shares, 2000-05 (by quintile)
Selected Component Shares of National Income, 1981-2006 (corporate, proprietor and worker)

Last year, Amy Goodman interviewed the author of "Death in the Haymarket: A Story of Chicago, the First Labor Movement and the Bombing That Divided Gilded Age America", James Green, in remembrance of the Chicago anarchist origins of the labor celebration.  Listen or watch the Democracy Now! episode entitled, "The Origins of May Day: A Story of Chicago, the First Labor Movement and the Bombing That Divided Gilded Age America" here.

Happy May Day!

Workers of the World Form Democratic Cooperatives!

Hmmm... Not quite as catchy a phrase as Karl's but more plausible in this era of neo-liberal religion. 

Democratic cooperatives (ala the Arizmendi Bakery) are one way of rebuilding the middle class which, imo, is the glue that holds together democracies that merit that title.  Update on the latest inequality figures for the USA and other countries noted on this "Gini Coeffient" page.  A quote from that page:

"The Gini Coefficient for the United States has risen steadily since 1967. If the current trend continues, the United States will reach a Gini Coefficient of 0.546 in about 37-years, or 2043. This coefficient is equal to the one Mexico had in year 2000. Mexico is not known for having a large prosperous middle class."

Here's another interesting entry on economic trends by economic class, "Ali G Economics and the Gini Coefficient Puzzle."  The charts on spending and income patterns are interesting even if the associated analysis is far from the mark.  These graphs and charts in particular:

Income Disparity Since World War II - the Gini Index (by country)
Change in Consumer Expenditures Shares, 2000-05 (by quintile)
Selected Component Shares of National Income, 1981-2006 (corporate, proprietor and worker)

Last year, Amy Goodman interviewed the author of "Death in the Haymarket: A Story of Chicago, the First Labor Movement and the Bombing That Divided Gilded Age America", James Green, in remembrance of the Chicago anarchist origins of the labor celebration.  Listen or watch the Democracy Now! episode entitled, "The Origins of May Day: A Story of Chicago, the First Labor Movement and the Bombing That Divided Gilded Age America" here.

Enercon 6 Megawatt Wind Turbine

So now the German firm Enercon leapfrogs the 5 megawatt REPower machine for title of the largest rated capacity wind turbine in the world. The Enercon E112 will put out 6 megawatts peak.

The REPower 5 megawatt turbine will still hold the record for the largest diameter turbine in the world. The actual output in kilowatt-hours will depend on the specifics winds of any installation site.

And as most wind folks will tell you, including me, rotor swept area tends to trump peak generator ratings. It's the swept area that ultimately provides the power. You can hang any sized generator on a system and call it macaroni. As such, this is a little less impressive an announcement than it might have otherwise been.

Powering 4000 Homes: One Wind Turbine - Treehugger.com

Enercon 6 Megawatt Wind Turbine

So now the German firm Enercon leapfrogs the 5 megawatt REPower machine for title of the largest rated capacity wind turbine in the world. The Enercon E112 will put out 6 megawatts peak.

The REPower 5 megawatt turbine will still hold the record for the largest diameter turbine in the world. The actual output in kilowatt-hours will depend on the specifics winds of any installation site.

And as most wind folks will tell you, including me, rotor swept area tends to trump peak generator ratings. It's the swept area that ultimately provides the power. You can hang any sized generator on a system and call it macaroni. As such, this is a little less impressive an announcement than it might have otherwise been.

Powering 4000 Homes: One Wind Turbine - Treehugger.com