So…would Skype suck in 12 months after a probable Facebook makeover?  Well, Facebook has also helped millions of people connect in new and sometimes unusual ways.  Facebook knows more about you than Skype.  A Facebook partnership/acquisition of Skype may make FB more competitive.  I have reservations about the impact on Skype, but that’s for another post.

Facebook and Skype have different monetization strategies.  Hard to say if mixing the two will yield market rewards.  A more bold move would combine FaceBook and Google.   Why not just get over it and merge?  I’ll light a few candles for this corporate romance right here.  Such a merger gives Google the ultimate social graph and gives FaceBook Google Voice as well as your stinky, dirty laundry.  GoogleBook could do some really cool stuff with a YouTube integration minus limitations and that’s just the tip of the old iceberg.  -J

Argentinians do steak well  

Columbians do coffee well

The Chinese populate well

New Yorkers do bagels well

Italians do pizza well

Apple does hardware well

Greeks do souvlaki well

Koreans do Kimchi well

Google does search well

Babies do cute well

Wells provide water intermittently well

]]> http://jasonpetralia.wordpress.com/2010/08/12/10-things-done-well/feed/ 0 jasonpetralia Screen shot 2010-08-11 at 10.38.31 PM http://jasonpetralia.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/the-national-guessing-game/ http://jasonpetralia.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/the-national-guessing-game/#comments Fri, 14 May 2010 02:23:14 +0000 jasonpetralia http://jasonpetralia.wordpress.com/?p=259 ]]> The Gulf de Mexico is oozing liquid currency and it is abundantly clear that the scale of the disaster is relatively unknown.  A recent Times article indicates that the volume of the leak is unknown for reasons within human control.

We know how many gallons of water plunge Niagara Falls per second, but evaluating a leaking high pressure pipe is beyond BP’s knowledge?

Admittedly this whole affair bothers me.  Instead of looking at this with a microscope, perhaps we should take a step back and start thinking about how we can empower our best and brightest to take control amidst crisis, especially when our livelihood is at risk.

The scientific community is willing to help, let’s let them do what scientists do and clean up this mess.

Gulf of Mexico, May 13, 2010

]]> http://jasonpetralia.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/the-national-guessing-game/feed/ 0 jasonpetralia IMG_1722 http://jasonpetralia.wordpress.com/2010/05/04/deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-and-other-happenings/ http://jasonpetralia.wordpress.com/2010/05/04/deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-and-other-happenings/#comments Tue, 04 May 2010 15:41:14 +0000 jasonpetralia http://jasonpetralia.wordpress.com/?p=249 ]]>

This distinctive Louisiana way of life is now under threat of destruction for reasons beyond it’s control.

Nasa Image of the Deepwater Horizon spill as seen on May 1st, 2010

Uneven Burden, Uneven Benefit

Exploitation of natural resources is nothing new in this region and the revenue from such offshore oil operations are not shared with the local populations such as in Alaska despite the essential risk and stress such activity places on local economies and well being in general by coastal populations.  About 25% of US oil production comes from this region.  One could argue that such activity creates jobs and other forms of wealth and that the benefit outweighs the costs to the region, however this argument would mean little to the fishing and tourism industries that are already suffering as a result of the recent spill.

Private industry must be free to create opportunity through the extraction of natural resources, however since they  indirectly share the risk from such action, they must share a portion of the proceeds with at risk communities. My understanding is that BP’s liability for damages to individuals and communities is capped at 75 million whereas the taxpayer has a fund of approximately 1 billion awaiting distribution to affected communities.  Gulf coast communities and individuals passively face the destruction of their livelihood yet they have not received a share of the proceeds.

Keep It Simple, Understanding the Burden

What would you say if a company moved in and started testing explosives next door per a federal permit.  Just as in the case of BP, they would only be liable for a fraction of the cost of replacing your home should it be destroyed and federal money would pay a portion of the remainder of your costs)  Is this capitalism or just a bad form of exploitation of both the taxpayer and the individual?

Now imagine if the same company came in and was responsible for damages/relocation and was also required to pay a nominal % of the proceeds to a public fund.  It wouldn’t be perfect, but it would be much better if your new neighbor’s testing was critical to national interests.

Remove the Cap

Capping liability for damages allows for production of oil at a false cost and therefore is not a reflection of capitalism, it is a reflection of years of corruption and mismanagement that are reminiscent of the financial meltdown.

Congress should remove the cap and allow these already stressed communities to have a fair chance at rebounding from this tragic event.

Ok, enough of my ranting!  I’ll be blogging more frequently again and my next post will be a tech post.  Also the Cordillera Blanca series is near completion in case you were wondering.

All the best,

Jason

Pack light, take only what is absolutely necessary when you travel to Peru.  If it hard to find at home and you need it, bring it.  If it is easy to find everywhere, plan on picking it up on the road when you need it.  For example, I’ll only bring a few tee shirts and buy them on the road to bring back home.  Leave with half full luggage, return with oddities, clothes, keepsakes, and Pisco.

Tip #14

Avoid consuming a Pisco Sour if you plan on climbing the next day.  This delicious, tangy drink packs more alcohol than you’d expect.

Tip #15

Remember to bring your crampons.  If renting gear, check it before embarking.  Dull crampons can make for a difficult climb or worse.  If you are thinking about croutons and confused, you can learn more about crampons here .  You will also need the right boots.  Boots classified B3 will work with most crampons.

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Water safety, water safety, water safety.  Cattle are taken to relatively high altitudes to graze.  The glacial run off can look so refreshing….it probably would be minus cattle excrement. The water in Peru makes Montezuma pale in comparison so only drink from reliable sources such as bottled, treated etc.  Boil water if you have no other option.  These rules apply elsewhere in Peru, but in the high Andes, it seems so pure you might break a rule.  Don’t.

Tip #11  For All Those Would Be Heros

Don’t be a hero, if you are exhausted and lightheaded and confused, think about descending to a lower elevation.  Many peaks in the Cordillera Blanca exceed 18000 ft (5500 meters) in elevation.  This type of environment is one of the most dangerous environments on earth. To reinforce this fact, bodies of people who die at extreme altitudes are often left behind because the strain of bringing them back can cause additional fatalities.

Tip #12  Rise n’ Shine

Expect to get up and start climbing before dawn if you are undertaking a serious climb.  Expect the view to be totally worth it when you make it to a summit.  I will post a pic from the summit of Urus, to make the point.  Lastly, if you read fortune cookies for their great commercialized wisdom:  Beware of the false summit.

Beware of Huascaran, the mountain has a temperment.  Part of it broke off and killed thousands of people in the 70′s.  If you want to climb Peru’s highest peak before you climb Everest, do not underestimate your opponent.

Tip # 8

There are many demonstrations throughout cities in Peru.  Lay low and observe and you’ll be fine, just don’t be disrespectful or draw attention to yourself.

Tip # 9

When in Huaraz, you are likely to run into other accomplished climbers from around the globe with a sense of adventure.  Consider adding them to your journey/inviting them.  I met some of the most fun and interesting people I’ve ever met in Huaraz.

The city of Huaraz is nestled between the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra

As you know, I’m writing a 10 part survival series on Huaraz with tips for hardy souls who would attempt such a trek there.

#4.  If you rent gear, (tents,crampons,ice axe,etc check it, and check it again.  You don’t want equipment failure to ruin your day.  Check ropes etc.  It’s probably a good idea to check your own gear as well.

#5.  Coca tea is routinely given out to help travelers with altitude sickness.  There is nothing to fear from it as far as I can tell and I’ve witnessed it being given to children on school trips to help them cope with the altitude.  Pharmacies have some popular medications to help with Altura (altitude sickness) although you might need to get a prescription if you want to purchase them ahead of time.  No need in Peru in case you were wondering.  That said, do you know what to ask for in Spanish?  Be prepared and your trip will not end in sorrow.

#6.  As with most places in Peru, Huaraz has many restaurants with a Menu (set meal) option.  Many of these meals are fantastic and affordable, just ask to see what they are cooking if you are unfamiliar with the cuisine and enjoy.  Order some Lomo Saltado in Huaraz and you will most likely enjoy it..