Journal

Patrin at the Habor Court Hotel

Ian (Keay) and I at the Birch-hosted party According to a sample of Oli Barrett’s photos, a good time was had by all Patrin and I – and a book for the flight

Just back from US: my flight from SFO was significantly delayed by a crashing downpour as we were about to take off, then we took a while to get into JFK, probably because snow was slowing things down, so until the last moment I was convinced I would miss my connection – but didn’t. Read two books on the way across: David Siegel’s Pull and Chip and Dan Heath’s Switch, plus the latest editions of Fast Company and Wired. All feeding the ferment in my mind.

Oli Barrett sent two photos as I travelled: one of Ian (Keay, our best man way back in 1973) and I at the Birch/Bebo party, and a collage of the Clean & Cool Mission participants. The images capture the good humour of the enterprise which, in turn, reflected its energy, interconnectivity and productivity. Will be writing up my thoughts on it all in my six monthly columns tomorrow – and, hopefully, the first of a series of blogs for Fast Company.

Truly invigorating week – and nice to tie it off with breakfast on Friday morning with Jennifer (Biringer) and Patrin (Watanatada) of SustainAbility San Francisco. A whole bunch of new ideas now fizzing around our collective brainpan.

Patrin

Skateboarders, last night Nick Parker in full flow Propellor outside 100 Spear, 1 Propellor, 2 Illumination, British Consulate UK Trade & Investment Minis Jennifer (Biringer) Patrin (Watanatada) and I Wattson – offered by DIY Kyoto, one of the Mission’s 19 UK cleantech firms James (Lawn), Jaclyn (Mason), Oli (Barrett) and Bronwyn (Kunhardt)

First full day of the Cleantech Forum, which provided a huge amount nof grist for the six columns I have to write on Sunday – on which more anon. In the evening, we made our way across to the British Consulate for a wonderful reception to mark the ending of the Clean & Cool Mission, with participants radiantly happy about the collective adventure we have been on this past week.

My congratulations to Brownyn and James of Polecat, Oli who compered, Richard Miller of the UK Technology Strategy Board, whose support was crucial, and Jaclyn Mason of UK Technology & Investment, based in San Francisco.

Am more than ever determined to see how SustainAbility (already based in San Francisco, in the form of Jennifer Biringer and Patrin Watanatada) and Volans can do to help drive and shape the sustainability movement in this part of the world.

Edie Lush with aircraft engine Ferry Building through an Autodesk concoction Form Sculpture – designed on Autodesk, carved by hand Surfboard design Climbing axes Tail light Concept car Part of a motorbike 3-D print-out views another print-out, quizzically Rapid prototyping via 3-D printing of solid objects Seeing is believing – almost Puddle outside Historic slot machine, showing something a bit like the Donner Party Jolly Jack Tar, reminding me slightly of Ronald Reagan WWII sub

The day started at Autodesk, where we were completely seduced by the Gallery of objects that have been made using their software and programs. Like HP Labs and Serious Materials on the first day, Arup last night or the City Hall and Better Place teams we met today, it seems that these people use sustainability in almost every paragraph they speak. The City Hall people, thanks to the overarching vision of Mayor Gavin Newsom, who Elaine and I met some years back while tramping around a snowy Davos. 

The Better Place visit out in Palo Alto sparked a pretty fiery exchange between some of our party and the Better Place folk, but as their Aliza Peleg put it afterwards, Better Place is full of Israelis – and they are more than used to vigorous exchanges. Then on to the opening reception for the Cleantech Forum, though I headed back to the hotel earlier than most, nursing a headache. A case of future overload? Where is the Dr (Alvin Toffler) when we need him?

Sculpture in front of building where we brunched on the 39th floor Coit Tower and Bank of America building, head in cloud Bay Bridge, in rain Bay Bridge 2 Picture in my room – and Bay Bridge reflected Self-portrait, in Harbor Court Hotel room Bay Bridge from my window Lemons at Will Rosenzweig’s house Morning sun Reflection and artwork at Orrick Serious Materials machinery on a roll Serious Materials helmets Waiting for the bus Getting that last, perfect shot Bird cage, Outer Broadway/Gold Coast Artwork, Outer Broadway/Gold Coast Vantage point, Outer Broadway/Gold Coast Golden Gate from Outer Broadway/Gold Coast verandah In Arup’s SoundLab