The BRICK

[Bob Schecter]

Remember the Brick? It wasn't exactly new technology. Mobile phones had already been around for years, and by today's standards it wasn't exactly pretty or convenient. We toted the unwieldy beasts around and slowly but surely they became not only a major component of our business lives, but an integral part of our everyday lives as well. Yet it never would have happened that way, if we'd shunned it for its size, its weight, its range, or any of its many other foibles. We saw the potential and embraced it. Look at it now!

So, how does that equate to Green Homes?

Green, is certainly not a new concept, it has been around for many decades. Most of the technology of Green isn’t new either, as for the most part they’ve been on the drawing boards or in the testing labs, or anywhere and everywhere, except in and on our homes, for decades as well. So why haven't we seen more of it, or actually barely any of it? Thus far, the costs have far outweighed the benefits, our noble and high-minded ideas and ideals notwithstanding. Much like the mobile phones we were using in the 70's, attached by an umbilical to the car, the cost was high and the need just wasn't compelling enough.

So, have times changes? Are we ready for Green Homes?

Yes, times have changed and we are certainly ready and there seems to be sufficient incentive to compel us to go Green, but wait, there's that sticky little problem .. cost. To continue with our Brick analogy,
it bold manufacturer, a strong economy, and some eager consumers to get the Brick to market. As consumers, we are now keenly aware that Green is "good", and Green will "save" us money, though long term, so we are eager, albeit with some trepidation. And what could be more compelling than to have our legacy be that we helped save our planet? Wow. Manufacturers are tripping over themselves to get to the marketplace and capitalize on the impending movement. Oh, and though we obviously don't have a good economy, the government has positioned itself as the great equalizer.

So, what's missing? Why aren't we seeing more Green?

Again, money. As with any technology or product, someone has to be a pioneer and start things off in a big way. A Green House here and there won't cut it. Someone has to produce sufficient numbers so that (a) the marketplace will hear about it, (b) empirical data can be collected and analyzed, and hopefully prove out and justify the adventure, and (c) the price can come down.

In our group, Fluent In Green, we are fortunate to have as one of our members, a contractor/pioneer who is currently engaged in such an endeavor. Steven Lefler, and his company, Modular Lifestyles, Inc. have a project underway in which they purport to be building "affordable, solar powered, energy efficient, homes". These are modular homes, likely the only type of project and product that one could implement on a large scale in this economy. Steven is leading the way. With the product he puts into service, and hopefully with the subsequent data he will collect, we are certain to see a sharp increase in innovation and Green products coming to market, and that in turn will help serve to lower the costs and raise efficiencies more and more. I believe that we are on the verge of the "perfect storm" for Green technologies and products, and that within a few years, we'll be able to say, "look at it now"!

Are you Fluent In Green?