The Consumer Electronics Show kicked off today, and geeks are freaking out about what's faster (left), smaller, and more dazzling in the digital world this year. I haven't had much of a chance to check out green tech yet since I'm working like mad, and the "Innovations Plus" area is far from where I've been wandering. "Defining tomorrow's technology" is the slogan of this convention. Yet so far, the most "environmental" talk I hear involves outfitting your home with wall-to-wall TV screens and security systems. Still, there are glimmers of green change, such as this Zap electric car in the central tent area. There's a fuel cell charger for cell phones and a fuel cell laptop battery. The Sony e-book reader might save some trees. And I want to make it over to see ICP Solar booth to check out its thin film solar tech.
You should have seen the army of CES assembly at work yesterday; the exhibit halls during convention setup were a maze of beeping forklifts, chemical odors, electronic cables, sheets of plastic that could cover a two-flat. What will become of all this, of the forgotten shreds of astro turf, or the acres of ultra plush carpeting that pads the sprawling booths of Microsoft Vista, HP, and other A-list vendors? Will it all be left here for future generations to gawk at when they tour the ruins of a dehydrated Las Vegas? While nearby natural springs may have attracted Spanish explorers to Vegas in the 19th century, the lack of a massive water source to quench this boomtown lacks a permanent solution.
Today, the foot traffic at CES is Manhattan-like in density and stride, but lacking in grit, and homogenous in that relentlessly professional way. Garbage is born at every turn, though it's neatly carted away in big unsorted lumps. No recycling in sight. To be fair, this is true of most large-scale American conventions. I asked some maintenance people about that. Lo and behold, they pointed me to the CES main office, nestled away from the hubbub of the hallways and sporting several Office Depot variety office plants.
Hi, I said. I'm interested in this Green Saturday eco-friendly stuff and I wonder, is CES applying any of those ideas to the way the convention is run? For example, is there any recycling of waste or exhibit materials? The cordial receptionist told me that the operations people were away. Instead, I should ask across the hall where the marketing gurus were stationed.
So I strolled over there. Recycling? The desk attendant gave me a blank stare. She disappeared for a moment into a side room, then reappeared to point me to the Green Saturday page in the full-color, hopelessly unrecycled, glossy convention guide tome. Yes thanks, I said, but what about in terms of the way the convention itself is operating? Out came a marketing manager, who was polite but seemed wary of my off-the-radar question. She let me know that there's some e-waste recycling booth somewhere in the exhibition labyrinth, but the government affairs people should know more. Go across the hall,she said. I returned to desk #1 and left my name and contact data for the operations manager in case she wants to get back to me with what I expect to be predictable answers. There's "innovation" screaming from all angles of this corporate madhouse of a conference, but the pollution caused by so much high tech might make you yearn for the troglodyte era. Will I be surprised? Stay tuned.
By the way, I waited 40 minutes in line (left) at the convention Starbucks to get some nap-preventing foo-foo coffee drink. Sticking to the Starbucks Challenge, I asked if they had fair trade coffee. Coffee what? You know, Starbucks has that Estima blend...oh never mind, too many drowsy suits in line behind me. Maybe the greenest thing I witnessed here today was the green tea frapuccino (no whipped cream) ordered by GigaFast girl #2 (see top of post).
P.S. I'm feeling pretty dense--initially called it the *Computer* Electronics Show when I know better and named it properly in the previous post. Forgive the brain blurp.
I love Consumer Electronics Showa in Las Vegas too.The more I learned about electronics, the more I discovered how fascinating it was to me. At the beginning I drew my designs mixing things like protoboards and connection diagrams. I started to apply electronis without knowing exactly how they were used, but I was focused on trying to solve problems.
Posted by: steven davies | 2007.08.19 at 10:14 AM
I have real affection for the Consumer Electronics Show held every January in Las Vegas. I have attended it off and on since 1982 when I first made the trek as an executive at Atari.
Posted by: steven davies | 2007.07.12 at 05:54 AM
Hey Elsa,
If you're planning to show up at CES this year as well, I'd like to extend an invite to the bloggers-only party that the Blog Business Summit team is hosting on January 9th.
You can find more info about the party by going to cesbloggers.com and clicking through the "blogger party" link up top.
If you'd like to attend, just e-mail Teresa (address attached to this comment) and we'll get you set up.
Posted by: Jason Preston | 2006.12.29 at 10:16 AM
Dude-ette:
Missed ya at the Carnival this week! Get this post over to Shae so he can add it. [http://www.sheagunther.org/blog/]
GREAT STUFF!
Cheers,
db
Posted by: Don Bosch (evaneco.com) | 2006.01.09 at 02:24 PM
Herein lies the great paradox of technology. I think it is so funny to see that scenario unfold when you asked the marketing manager those questions. I can almost hear that sterile tone replying to your questions with that aloof to the problem veneer corporate talk crap... I hate that S!@#. It would have made a great little movie scene.
What a turnout of events though. The worlds largest consumer electronics ghetto at work. The minds behind it.. This sounds like an indication to start talking more and more about green technology.. It is these giant to companies that have to be convinced to embrace sustainability. Recycling would be a great step first step in the case of this years CES... at least that... at least.
Its really crazy to me, debacherous to the earth, and particularly poignant to the green movement. Its a slap in the face to the environment and proof of how little we really have achieved as far as corporate green awareness, or should I restate; a reminder of how much work is yet to be done.
I wish that the CES producers would embrace "being green" as a positive marketing message for this years conventions. The concepts are becoming more and more mainstream everyday. This is where it takes everyone.. kudos to companies like NEC who are taking on some of these issues head on by making biodegradeable plastics made from corn. I hope more companies follow suit. It could maybe escalade into a feature at next years CES. True green technology!!! Great Post!!!
Posted by: mig | 2006.01.06 at 03:51 PM