Re: Experienced Humor/Green Writer

Ever since the invention of the light bulb, mankind has struggled to remember to turn it off when not in use. It's been an uphill battle, to be sure, but a few advances here and there have gone a long way towards helping the average illuminated-room enthusiast save energy without having to, you know, walk all the way over to the light switch and turn it to the off position.

Motion detectors, for instance, have long been a staple of not-leaving-the-damned-lights-on-when-you-don't-need-them-to-be-on technology, most notably in office building bathrooms and the like. But the Adjustable Universal Vacancy Sensor Light Switch takes such methodology to the next level with a gaggle of settings, options, and sensors that allow one to optimize budgets and energy efficiency alike without skimping out on sweet, sweet visibility. More importantly, they're designed with home use in mind, allowing individuals to incorporate energy efficiency into their domestic routines without having to incorporate hassle as well, or even the non-hassle of having to turn off a light switch.

Though other specialized switches also boast time delays, this one ups the ante with more customization. Likewise, it improves on the now-standard motion detector integration with some newish infrared technology by which to help differentiate between someone walking through a room and existing background space, thus helping to ensure that the light doesn't go off (or remain on) at inappropriate times. And yet another sensor detects whether or not there is already adequate light in a given room before automatically activating. Unsurprisingly, this ultra-intricate doodad is fully compliant with California's stringent home energy codes.

Similar in intent, function, and unwieldy name is the 8 Outlet Isole IDP-3050 Occupancy Controlled Power Strip, which brings a similar degree of energy thriftiness to the realm of desktop computers and associated peripherals. Like the aforementioned light switch, the IDP-3050 uses passive infrared technology to determine whether or not there's anyone sitting in that computer chair or pacing around the room, and then powers down anything plugged into any of six outlets accordingly. An additional two outlets function in the normal way, allowing for such eternally-necessary appliances as fax machines to remain powered throughout the working day. The outlet's ability to do for homeowners what they could have easily done for themselves makes it the perfect home appliance for the forgetful and the lazy alike.

Many of us have been meaning to finally take the plunge into that longtime staple of Things You Can Do To Save The Earth top ten lists, carpooling, for quite a while. But if you're like most Americans and perhaps you're not then you haven't engaged in a friendly bout of car share since around about kindergarten. There are, after all, plenty of excuses to put off carpooling until some unspecified point in the future, the most common refrain being that it's downright difficult to find interested parties with which to depart point A for point B.

Enter Zimride, a new tool that makes car sharing a possibility even for those who are too introverted to run around the office asking everyone where they live. This exceedingly nifty net application connects groups and individuals with common origin points and destinations, thus vastly increasing one's potential pool of viable car sharing buddies and making carpooling a viable option where it might not have been before. Zimride is most commonly used for getting to work and back in a cheaper and more environmentally-friendly manner. It's also a good way to share the costs of longer expeditions and roadtrips.

The process by which Zimride operates is fairly straightforward: head over to zimride.com, punch in your starting address and your intended destination, take a glance at the resulting list of those who follow a similar route, and pick out a group or individual with whom you'd like to hook up for some friendly carpooling. You can also set up your own route and wait to hear from others who'd like to join.

Because Zimride has been around since 2007, it's managed to rack up quite a few users, so you're likely to find others with routes similar to your own. Better yet, the company has now released a Facebook application that's helped to popularize the service even further while also making it that much easier to recruit acquaintances. Looks like we're all out of excuses.

On Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 7:58 AM, Josh Dorfman <jdorfman@vivavi.com> wrote:

Feedback:

1.     Include Wattstopper in the title too as in: Wattstopper: Save Energy Sans the Hassle

Two Major Points of Feedback Here:

2.     As a general rule, were writing about products/services for individuals, not businesses. So I like these motion sensors because people can put them in their homes. This is the key here. I want people to act on these technologies in their individual lives and integrate them into their lifestyles. I would like this emphasized. Something to the effect that while were used to these in the workplace, theyre also excellent for people who are rushing out the door to the workplace and could use some extra help.

3.     And this is why I particularly like the power strip too. Many people are too lazy to turn off the computer or tv peripherals. And way too lazy to bend over and unplug anything to kill the energy vampire effect. It does not get any lazier than a motion sensor attached to a power strip that turns things off for you. Thats really the point I want to emphasize. Not just tech specs. Its as much about being lazy as it is about energy thriftiness.

Can you revise a bit?

Then lets move forward. See my notes from the other entry as well.

And let me know if you have any questions.

Josh

--------------------------------------

Josh Dorfman

Author & Television Host - The Lazy Environmentalist

Founder & CEO - Vivavi

Spokesperson - Brita's FilterForGood Campaign - reduce your plastic bottled water waste

Spokesperson - Green Works natural cleaning products

From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 6:09 PM

To: Josh Dorfman
Subject: Re: Experienced Humor/Green Writer

Josh-

Here's the first sample; I'll send along the other one in the morning.

Thanks,

Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302

Save Energy Sans the Hassle

Ever since the invention of the light bulb, mankind has struggled to remember to turn it off when not in use. It's been an uphill battle, to be sure, but a few advances here and there have gone a long way towards helping the average illuminated-room enthusiast save energy without having to, you know, walk all the way over to the light switch and turn it to the off position.

Motion detectors, for instance, have long been a staple of not-leaving-the-damned-lights-on-when-you-don't-need-them-to-be-on technology, most notably in office building bathrooms and the like. But the Adjustable Universal Vacancy Sensor Light Switch takes such methodology to the next level with a gaggle of settings, options, and sensors that allow one to optimize budgets and energy efficiency alike without skimping out on sweet, sweet visibility.

Though other specialized switches also boast time delays, this one ups the ante with more customization. Likewise, it improves on the now-standard motion detector integration with some newish infrared technology by which to help differentiate between someone walking through a room and existing background space, thus helping to ensure that the light doesn't go off or (remain on) at inappropriate times. And yet another sensor detects whether or not there is already adequate light in a given room before automatically activating. Unsurprisingly, this ultra-intricate doodad is fully compliant with California's stringent home energy codes.

Similar in intent, function, and unwieldy name is the 8 Outlet Isole IDP-3050 Occupancy Controlled Power Strip, which brings a similar degree of energy thriftiness to the realm of desktop computers and associated peripherals. Like the aforementioned light switch, the IDP-3050 uses passive infrared technology to determine whether or not there's anyone sitting in that computer chair or pacing around the room, and then powers down anything plugged into any of six outlets accordingly. An additional two outlets function in the normal way, allowing for such eternally-necessary appliances as fax machines to remain powered throughout the working day.

On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 9:23 PM, Josh Dorfman <josh@vivavi.com> wrote:

I think so. Im testing this out so while those are the guidelines Im also open to what you think makes them complete.

--------------------------------------

Josh Dorfman

Author & Television Host - The Lazy Environmentalist

Founder & CEO - Vivavi

Spokesperson - Brita's FilterForGood Campaign - reduce your plastic waste

From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 8:44 PM

To: Josh Dorfman
Subject: Re: Experienced Humor/Green Writer

Okay, I'll get these back to you tomorrow or the next day. You want them to be 300-400 words each, right?

On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 8:04 PM, Josh Dorfman <josh@vivavi.com> wrote:

Great. Suppose we start with two sample entries to see how it goes. Ill compensate you for them. Lets try it as a test. I have two ideas in mind to see how you might cover them. Note Ive also included a primary key word that goes with the topic which is important to our SEO (Search Engine Optimization) efforts with the site. Id like you to look over the attached doc which explains our writing parameters.

Wattstopper

The Lazy Es solution to turning off the lights or your gadgets (primary keyword: save energy)

www.wattstopper.com

https://www.chooserenewables.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16196&cat=272&page=1

https://www.chooserenewables.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16201&cat=0&page=1

Zimride

using Facebook to get over 175 million people ridesharing/ carpooling (primary keyword: car share)

www.zimride.com

http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=2549790782

Let me know if you have questions.

Josh

--------------------------------------

Josh Dorfman

Author & Television Host - The Lazy Environmentalist

Founder & CEO - Vivavi

Spokesperson - Brita's FilterForGood Campaign - reduce your plastic waste

From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 7:24 PM
To: Josh Dorfman
Subject: Re: Experienced Humor/Green Writer

Hi, Josh-

I'd definitely be interested in doing this, as I could use some more steady work and I've found the subject of green technology and products to be rather interesting when I've covered such things in the past. I also think I could provide the sort of tone that you want for the blog.

Let me know how you'd like to proceed; I can begin whenever you'd like.

Thanks,

Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302

On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 7:03 PM, Josh Dorfman <josh@vivavi.com> wrote:

Hi Barrett,

Thanks for the note. I read your piece on Vanity Fairs about Thomas Friedman. I share your sentiments. Are you really interested in writing about green products/companies? That initially is what our site will be covering. If so, Id love to discuss. Wed be looking for quick hitting product reviews or news bits about how, say, Loomstate organics is going to be available at Target in a few weeks or how Enterprise-Rent-A-Car is expanding its Vanpool service www.vanpool.com to Atlanta. I would love these topics to be spun in ways that are informative yet cleverly sarcastic and pithy. For starters, were looking for 5 posts per week for $100.

Let me know if this resonates with you.

Best,

Josh

--------------------------------------

Josh Dorfman

Author & Television Host - The Lazy Environmentalist

Founder & CEO - Vivavi

Spokesperson - Brita's FilterForGood Campaign - reduce your plastic waste

From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 11:10 AM
To: josh@vivavi.com
Subject: Experienced Humor/Green Writer

Howdy-

I understand that you're looking for freelancers to handle content for The Lazy Environmentalist, and I'd like to be considered for assignments. My work has appeared in Vanity Fair, Skeptic, National Lampoon, McSweeney's, The Onion A.V. Club, and dozens of other publications, and my first book, Flock of Dodos: Behind Modern Creationism, Intelligent Design, and The Easter Bunny was released in 2007. I've also done several pieces on green topics targeted towards both consumers and industry professionals.

I've attached my resume; please take a look and let me know if you'd like to discuss this further.

Thanks,

Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302