Category: business ethics

The view from Fukushima (via Bolsoversion)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

The view from on the ground in Fukushima.

I will admit I don’t care much for the “fear mongering label.” Japan is likely hour to hour to experience a nuclear crisis more severe than what they have now. This is fact. An unfortunate fact but still a fact.

James Pilant

Following the terrible tragedy in Japan and having a big soft spot for the country and its people, I thought I’d re-post something my good friend Becky Dokmanovic recently wrote. She’s been living in Japan for the last four years and has fallen head-over-heels in love with the place. Naturally the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami has touched her in ways those of us looking in from the outside will never know. Her words really move … Read More

via Bolsoversion

Responsible leadership: “move beyond the smell, sleep and newspaper test.” (via Thefutureleadershipinitiative)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

There are hundreds, thousands of posts on business ethics. Only a few are thoughtful and only a very few directly deal with the philosophy of business. This is one of those.

I was very impressed. If you have any interest in business ethics philosophically, this is the best writing on the subject I have seen in many weeks.

James Pilant

“Aligning self-interest to social responsibility is the most powerful way to sustaining a company’s success,” says Starbucks’ CEO Orin Smith. A larger notion of responsibility is moving to the centre of business leadership in the 21st Century. We’re moving away from the Milton Friedman adagio “live up to the law and maximize shareholder wealth”.  Why is that? When is leadership truly responsible? And how to lead responsibly? Thomas Maak and Nicol … Read More

via Thefutureleadershipinitiative

The invisible threat (via Thematic Maps Blog)

On By southwerkIn business ethics1 Comment

I love maps. I wanted to do this on my web site, and while I have shown several maps of the fallout from Chernobyl, they weren’t as fancy as this.

I would like to say that this web site has many wonderful maps on it and if you enjoy maps as much as I do, please go and enjoy yourself.

James Pilant

The invisible threat The latest catastrophic news from Japan leave the impression that the disaster in Fukushima is more and more developing into Chernobyl-Dimensions. The course of events however is different in Fukushima compared to Chernobyl. Since the impact of the 1986 nuclear meltdown seem to be more and more forgotten but come back to peoples minds these days I browsed the web for some maps that show the distribution of the radioactive fallout after Chernobyl. … Read More

via Thematic Maps Blog

Things that Matter: Drug Residue in Chinese Pork (via The Food Ethics Blog)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

I have not spoken of Chris MacDonald the last few weeks having been tied up with a number of things, such as the possible melt down in Japan. He is the most important web writer on business ethics. He’s been out there publishing regularly for more than four years.

I subscribe by e-mail. If there is any web site I can recommend, this is number one.

Courtesy of Victoria Packing

This blog post is fascinating and on a subject I was unaware of. You should read it, favorite the site, subscribe and then sit comfortable pleased with your decision making.

James Pilant

You could tell a lot about your average foodie or food-safety advocate by asking them to list food-related issues by level of importance. Some people tend to focus on the latest feel-good trend (e.g., at least some versions of localism) and unsupported conjecture (e.g., many versions of the anti-GMO stance). Others focus on, you know, things that really can hurt us and that really require someone identifiable to take action. Here’s one that reall … Read More

via The Food Ethics Blog

The Challenger Disaster (via Shouts from the Abyss)

On By southwerkIn business ethics1 Comment

This may well be the greatest business ethics lesson ever conceived in the modern world. This a story is which people died and only the innocent were punished.

It makes me angry every single time I read it. It is a precursor to modern corporate morality. Every element of PR, blame passing and simple greed are all on display in their disgusting finery. Once you understand Challenger, you understand how things work , you get the Wall Street Meltdown and the lack of responsibility. You get why so many people suffer and those who cause it not only feel no pain but blame the victims. This is the modern American story. Well placed greed outdistancing courage, loyalty and honor.

You can’t find a better story of corporate immorality and government connivance.

I used it in my business ethics class.

James Pilant

The Challenger Disaster I’m not always that bright. We were playing Trivial Pursuit and someone (not me) got the quest … Read More

via Shouts from the Abyss

Japan Nuke Plant Spins Out of Control (via flying cuttlefish picayune)

On By southwerkIn business ethics2 Comments

Well, no more than usual. There’s a crisis every day. However, this might me one of the twice weekly large ones. Don’t get me wrong. I expect every four hours or so, something to go badly wrong. I hope against but expect a meltdown at some point.

But I thought I’d throw in somebody else’s idea of how this is working out.

James Pilant

My thanks to “flying cuttlefish picayune.”

Japan Nuke Plant Spins Out of Control The staff have been evacuated again because the radiation spiked in the plant. The NY  Post says: “A possible breach in a reactor at Japan’s quake-crippled nuclear plant yesterday triggered an emergency evacuation of the facility, prompting fears of far worse radiation leaks than previously believed and causing a dire setback for workers scrambling to avert a full-scale global catastrophe.” And the US military is getting large amounts of fresh wa … Read More

via flying cuttlefish picayune

Is America in a Recession or a Depression? (via Annabel’s Odyssey)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

I think this is a wonderful question.

What is this? I have heard the term, “The Great Recession.” I prefer what I have called, “The New Great Depression.” But I freely admit it doesn’t have much ring to it.

In any case, this is a good article. I recommend you read it.

James Pilant

Is America in a Recession or a Depression? In the hostel in Madison late one night a few of us were talking about the affairs of the day. I brought my reason for travelling-that is, documenting the depression in America. I was then asked “why do you think this is a depression?” I realized somewhat sheepishly that I have never publicly defended this point of view. So I will now. The availab … Read More

via Annabel’s Odyssey

Radiation Dose Chart (via Co2 Insanity)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

This looks useful! Have a look at it. If anyone has any thoughts, let me know. I can get some more of this kind of thing or less. Let me know.

James Pilant

Radiation Dose Chart The Japanese earthquake, tsunami which have been followed by massive problems have much of the world now concerned about radiation doses. Here is a radiation dose chart courtesy of Canada Free Press who deserve a Hat Tip. Click on it to make it larger. … Read More

via Co2 Insanity

There Are Holes In U.S. Radiation Monitoring Stations

On By southwerkIn business ethics3 Comments

From Associated Press –

Parts of America’s radiation alert network have been out of order during Japan’s nuclear crisis, raising concerns among some lawmakers about whether the system could safeguard the country in a future disaster.

Federal officials say the system of sensors has helped them to validate the impact of nuclear fallout from the overheated Fukushima reactor, and in turn alert local governments and the public. They say no dangerous levels of radiation have reached U.S. shores.

In California, home to two seaside nuclear plants located close to earthquake fault lines, federal authorities said four of the 11 stationary monitors were offline for repairs or maintenance last week. The Environmental Protection Agency said the machines operate outdoors year-round and periodically need maintenance, but did not fix them until a few days after low levels of radiation began drifting toward the mainland U.S.

What do we measure it for anyway? So, the government can explain with a tiny bit more credibility that they have no idea what is happening in Japan but that there is no danger here? The governments both state and local are committed to nuclear power. It doesn’t matter how much radiation is in the air. It’s what is going to be done.

Not to mention the simple fact, that no matter what radiation is out there, we will be assured it is safe and that it couldn’t happen here anyway.

Do you get tired? Does this get old? The Japanese government lies. The Japanese utility company lies. Our government assures us everything is fine. The nuclear industry hires and persuades every half wit hack to write a pro nuclear piece assuring us that everything is just wonderful.

It’s not wonderful. Changes have to be made in the light of what has happened. You cannot dismiss this as an anomaly.

Nuclear power may be a part of America’s energy future, but this is about as far away from an intelligent discussion as can be imagined.

I cannot tell you how many articles I have had to troll through talking the company line.  And to make it more thoroughly, wretchedly disgusting, pretending it is their original thinking and work.

When is there going to be a real national debate not based on corporate PR and a generous helping of campaign money? When is there going to be at least an attempt at deciding with reason and judgment what should be done about nuclear power?

James Pilant

 

Dangers, Properties, possible Uses and Methods of Purification of radioactively contaminated (drinking) Water (e.g. in Japan) (via CrisisMaven’s Blog)

On By southwerkIn business ethics

CrisisMaven assures me that this is useful information for dealing with contaminated drinking water. So, I pass it on.

James Pilant

Most methods and tools being recommended here on the Internet such as purification by filtration will not lead to your desired result of decontaminating “radioactive water”. a) Radioactive contamination of drinking water in Japan at this point in time can come about in only two ways: 1) The source is actual surface water like lakes or rivers, possibly filtrated through river banks and thus came into contact with e.g. radioactive rain and/or dust. … Read More

via CrisisMaven’s Blog