Coach Carter

It would make sense to have the innaugural movie review about a big blockbuster, like the new Batman movie (definitely see it if you haven't yet). However, I am going to dig into a movie we rented (Melissa chose and I begrudingly watched) from Netflix that is a mix of Boyz in the Hood with Hoosiers: Coach Carter

The movie stars Samuel L. Jackson, who gives a strong (and standard) Samuel L. performance with typical Samuel L. rage, tone and delivery. I had reservations about the overall quality of the movie prior to watching and the ads I remember when it was in theatres didn't leave much of an impression on me, however I was very happy with the overall moral of the story and the directors ability to reach out to the viewers and connect. Some reviews said Mr. Jackson gave his best performance ever. I'm not convinced it was his best, but it at least deserves to be in the conversation.

This is the type of movie that can inspire kids to go to college, or just as easily get you to go home, type up that resume, and apply for a better job. You don't need to be a fan of the game to appreciate this tale of troubled youths being pushed to succeed and treat themselves with respect; all you have to be is human. A definite must see if you enjoy motivating movies involving life lessons. A very cool movie based on true life.

The movie also offers one of the best and most inspiring quotes I have heard in a long time, which fits in the theme of the movie and answers a deeply profound question Coach Carter offers to one of his trouble youth: "What is your deepest fear?"

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone, and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

College football opening weekend predictions...

It's quickly becoming the best time of the year: College football is starting tonight! Here are some (brave) picks for the weekend:

Thursday:
1) South Carolina over NC State: only game of value on tonight and I like Spurrier winning - even if his kid is calling the plays

Friday:
1) SMU over Rice: Hello June Jones!

Saturday:
1) Missouri over Illinois: look for a close first half, then say goodnight Juice.

2) Clemson over Alabama: 'Bama has 3 true freshmen starting? I don't like Clemson that much, muss less at #9, however they should be able to handle 'Bama.

3) Michigan over Utah: Ugly start to this game, but Michigan pulls through. I think RichRod will surprise many folks in the Big 10 this year. Look for Michigan to finish 3rd in conference.

4)USC easily over Virginia.

5) LSU over App State: this could be a fun game to watch as LSU has a Harvard transfer starting at QB (?)

6) California over Michigan State: I'm not sure how the incumbent, Sr QB can lose his job to a sophomore, which leads me to believe Riley is the real deal. Cal at home, in a close one.

7) Kansas State over the Mean Green of North Texas

Sunday:

1) CU over CSU: All Buffs, all day long!

Monday:

1) Fresno State over Rutgers

2) Tennessee over UCLA (welcome to Westwood Rickie-Poo)

Let's hear some feedback. What do you think? Are there other games of consideration this weekend?

Cleantech

What is cleantech? "Is an extraordinary amount of money being flushed away on a pipedream?" Have you heard of it? Should you know what it means? What does this all mean?

Definition according to Wikipedia:
Cleantech is a term used to describe knowledge-based products or services that improve operational performance, productivity, or efficiency while reducing costs, inputs, energy consumption, waste, or pollution. Its origin is the increased consumer, regulatory and industry interest in clean forms of energy generation—specifically, perhaps, the rise in awareness of global warming and the impact on the natural environment from the burning of fossil fuels.

One way I look at it, in very simple terms is that Cleantech has emerged in widespread use to describe a group of emerging technologies, industries, and financial asset classes based on principles of resource efficiency, science and second-generation production concepts in basic industries.

These emerging technologies are things such as alternative energy, renewable engery, wind warms, hybrid technology and technologies generally considered green and/or clean. Thought of another way, technologies and that help us lessen our carbon footprint.

Venture Capital Investment:
Investments in clean technology have grown considerably since coming into the spotlight around 2000. According to the United Nations Environment Program, wind, solar and biofuel companies received a record $148 billion in new funding in 2007 as rising oil prices and climate change policies encouraged investment in renewable energy. $50 billion of that funding went to wind power.

Overall, investment in clean-energy and energy-efficiency industries rose 60 percent from 2006 to 2007. In the United States, the clean tech industry is largely based in Silicon Valley. [SVB has started a small cleantech practice to compliment our technology and venture capital banking activities.]

The affirmative part is that the investment ramp-up has been too rapid to be responsible, as evidenced by the dozens of firms (not an exaggeration) that have rushed to form cleantech practices and/or funds within the past year. There will be a lot of losses in this space, particularly given the relative lack of potential acquirers (assuming the continued lack of an IPO market).

The negative part, however, is probably more important. The ultimate problem for VC-backed nanotech companies is that most of them were technologies without products. Kind of like if Google had created its breakthrough search algorithms in 1985. Cleantech companies, on the other hand, almost always have a clear vision of their products and market opportunity. Their problem is getting the technology to work. It’s obviously a more fundamental risk, but also should give VCs better guidance when it comes to follow-on financings or cutting bait.

Annual cleantech investments volume analysis
Year Deals Investment ($mil)
2005 100 532.7
2006 180 1,779.6
2007 168 2,604.9

* There has been a large ramp up in spending and given the potential market, investments are expected to continue substantial growth in 2008 and into 2009.

Conclusion:
When applying sustainable development as a solution for environmental issues, the solutions need to be socially equitable, economically viable, and environmentally sound.

Now if a few clean/green solutions come about and help improve the world, this could have a great impact on society (in a variety of ways). "Green" has been all the rage in the past 6-12 months and seems like a marketing campaign that will stick around for a while.

I have added a few blogs (see right hand column) that relate specifically to CleanTech / GreenTech.