Not Green, just Optimizing

Much of engineering is optimization: getting the most out of any expenditure of resources. Optimization is something I'm good at.

I don't buy sandwich bags to take my lunch to work. When you buy a loaf of bread, they give you a plastic bag that works great. Money aside, why would I transport baggies into my house only to turn around and have to transport them back out with the garbage? At work, they think I'm being "green" by re-using the bread wrappers.

They don't know I also throw away the twist ties after opening the wrapper because the twist ties take more effort than simply twisting the wrapper itself.

When faced with an unfamiliar microwave I look clumsy. What I'm doing is figuring out the fewest key-presses required. Usually there is a "cook for 60 seconds" button, or "add 30 seconds and start if not already running" button. Also, why press 60 if you can press 55 or 66? It's all about efficiency, simplicity and utility.

I also ride a bicycle, the ultimate machine for efficiency, simplicity and utility.

Being "green" is an idea I'm not always in agreement with because it has become a marketing term. I don't re-use wrappers or ride my bike to be "green". I do these things because they are less wasteful.

So, my office is 2.5 miles away and my usual bike routes are about 9 miles. "Where is the optimization?" the reader might ask.

I'm not optimizing my commute. I'm optimizing something else.

You see, I'm out for a bike ride and if I happen to arrive at the office in the morning, that's great. It's a matter of convenience that my morning bike ride ends up at the office.

I'm optimizing my investment of time by accomplishing multiple goals in one activity: exercise, traffic reduction, air quality, socializing. And -- at least in my imagination -- I'm setting an example of what is possible: a community less dependent on the automobile.

And a community less dependent on the car may be green, but to me, it is the best way to optimize your community's resources.

For further perspective on how to optimize your community's resources, see Noah's article on "Commute by Bike" about Getting to know your Local Village.