May 2021: Why are you here?
By Jim Thompson
Look at the masthead on this newsletter. It says we have been doing this newsletter for 12 years and 10 months. This is longevity. This is staying power. This is not a flash in the pan.
I have a question for you...do you read this newsletter for entertainment or would you like to help bring pulp and paper industry facility design practices into the 21st Century?
If the former, do nothing. If the latter, get yourself involved in the Light Green Machine Institute.
In its over 12 years of existence, this organization has, at best, attracted only a handful of dedicated participants. We have put on conferences, invested in a state-of-the-art website and produced this newsletter. Talo Analytic International has spent well into five figures to make all this happen.
Over five years ago we separated the Light Green Machine Institute from our other businesses and got it registered as a stand alone 501c3. There has been a lot of effort and endurance put into this.
Why? Because I happen to believe that the industry and its existing associations have firmly planted themselves in the mid-20th century. There is no other forum with seriously advanced thinking or which is seriously challenging the status quo when it comes to pulp and paper facility design. It is hard to tell any current mill's overall design from ones designed in the late 1960's. Yes, there have been tweaks here and there, but nothing radical, nothing serious in advancing facility design.
But it takes more than me and a few loyal followers to get the job done. It takes energy and finances. I've given energy and finances, now the question is what are you going to do? Be a passive person willing to sit back and be entertained for free or are you really dedicated, are you really willing to become invested and involved?
Case in point. Last month we put forth an interesting design question in this column. A few people, a very few people, expressed interest in working on the idea. I asked them to show their interest by joining the Light Green Machine Institute (https://www.lightgreenmachine.institute/membership/) at the $25.00/year membership level. We don't need their money as much as we need their commitment. What was the response? Silence.
Are you kidding me? These people spend more in a week on barista prepared coffee than this.
So, what are you going to do? Be part of the future or stay mired in the past?
Get involved. We need your support and not just with a pittance of funds that membership brings in (we are the lowest overhead non-profit in the industry, bar none). The funds are immaterial save for the fact they show commitment on your part.
We need board members, committee members and others to get involved before I pass from the scene.
Your move.
Thanks!
Jim Thompson
jim.thompson@ipulpmedia.com