Ethanol

Sweden is no. 3 in Europe in the use of ethanol as a fuel for vehicles, right after France and Germany. The latter countries being quite large in comparison to Sweden, its quite an achievement. Like in many things, there is much that could be improved.

The silly part is that most of the E85 that the numerous Swedes (and me) driving an ethanol-capable car put to their tanks comes from Brazil and is made from sugar cane (EU has a special agreement on lower tariffs for Brazilian ethanol). This is fuel is a first generation ethanol-product, as in difference to second generation fuel, which is synthetic.

The great controversy usually associated to producing ethanol from plants is the risk of it replacing food crops in developing countries and thus raising food prices. Considering the fact that ethanol is much more environmentally friendly pollution-wise compared to fossils, this disadvantage has been seen as the major stumbling-block for large-scale adoption of ethanol as fuel.

So far the supply of second generation product is very limited. Finnish chain ST1 recently bought all the Shell stations in Sweden, but they have not launched their advanced second generation RE85 fuel in Sweden, which is made of waste. Yes, waste. No need to import anything, the fuel can be produced 'locally', which again reflects into the cost and environmental effect of transport etc.

Excellent.

And did I mention, ethanol has a higher octane rating than gasoline. This paired with an engine that is optimized for ethanol (and lets not forget turbocharging) gives results that are fun-fun. There are some prime examples of good Swedish engineering, say Saab Biopower or Koenigsegg CCXR (1020hp on ethanol!). All of this makes me glad at the fuel pump.

Man has no whale - learning Swedish

My efforts to master the Swedish language continue.

Swedish is actually very close to English, being from the same family of languages. However, translating directly yields often funny results.


Lets say:

"Man har ingen val!"

One has no whale!
One has no choice!

If man has no whale, that must be changed. Said AHAB.

Seduction of certainty

Getting it wrong



is hugely popular. The human being is a group creature, and the opinion leaders are often wrong. In any issue, the future is difficult to foresee. No-one sees the complete picture, but the seduction of certainty holds a man captive.

More advanced thinkers can do meta. Meaning that they can look the way they themselves think. If one feels strongly about some subject, or a concept, it is very rewarding to ask oneself: "Why do I feel this way?". Done properly, this simple method can reveal a lot one does not want to see. It is remarkable what a dose of sanity follows from the uncertainty caused by this.

Some people make lists on all the ways they can be fools. It can be a tough exercise, if done thoroughly. In any case, its good to keep in mind that a human being does not learn that much from failure after all. This has been scientifically proven recently.

Anyway, the good stuff comes from the feeling of success.

Now, something practical:

Watch the news and write down what feelings arise with different stories, terms and concepts presented.

Another very Swedish phenomenon: complaints via WiFi network names

The Local.se has written before about the curious Swedish phenomenon of complaining to neighbours via notes so that one does not have to face the target. This often happens in shared facilities of apartment buildings, such as laundry rooms or hallways.

These notes are usually written in a tone that is passive-aggressive. The topics range from left trash to loud marital activities.

However, Swedes have discovered a new, even more effective method: WiFi network names (TheLocal calls it "Angry note 2.0"). WiFi is used by many many people in Sweden, and if you go into a apartment building, you will usually find a bunch of them. What a way to complain!

Tyler Brûle on my ol' hometown

I just took a look at Tyler Brûle's column (FT) after a long pause in doing so. To my pleasure I noticed that he has has written some about his recent visit in Helsinki.


http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/e0c11a6e-d262-11df-9e88-00144feabdc0.html


Cosy cardamom autumn it is. That made me think those megasize muffins with cinnamon, vanilla and apple that they used to serve in Wayne's Coffee (its from Sweden, by the way). Delicious with a large cup of cappuccino. Not anymore, though. It can be shared, you know. No need to buy two of those small ones they only stock nowadays.

Internet goodies from Sweden

Yepp, its Spotify and Voddler. These are the two things that have affected most the way I enjoy my lazy-entertainment these days. Spotify for music, and Voddler for movies.

For example, I used LastFM for some time, but it looks like Spotify is to stay. It simply is the best thing for music, at least for the time being. Premium version is highly recommended, though - unless one is a masochist who enjoys listening to commercials every now and then. Spotify works beatifully with any party one might be arranging. Planning playlists is a joy, and its easy to compile stuff on the fly.

Almost no download when playing. Wonder if Monocle has written about this. They titulate themselves as the briefing on getting it right. Or something like that. What a great read it is, by the way.

I do remember Monocle founder Tyler Brûle writing in his FT column about the many possibilities in remaking the venerable concept of DVD rental stores, looking at the customer experience side. Lounging through shelves of DVDs, getting snacks and supplies, etc. On a lazy, rainy Sunday night.

Well, no more video rental stores for me. Its Voddler that "gäller". They some a lot of movies for free, and rentals over the internet are super-easy. Just plug your gold-plated HDMI cable to the telly and start.

These two are hardly the only good stuff that is brewing here in Sweden. Gött.

Now, if someone could just make a proper Spotify app for Nokia N900 (Maemo5). So I dont have to get nerdy.

Iain Banks has published some new science fiction: Surface Detail

Yes. This means I will part with some Euros.

Iain Banks (the Scottish writer who writes his non-scifi under "Ian Banks") is back with his scifi.

As a lifelong fan of good science fiction, I am, I must confess, excited about getting the latest one from the best. Yes Iain, that would be you. Now do not get arrogant :)