Week of 25 December 2017: The never-ending misperceptions
Jim Thompson
Email Jim at jthompson@taii.com Headline in the Baltimore Sun, 7 Dec 2017: "Power Struggle: A Maryland paper mill burns a polluting sludge called black liquor. The state calls it green energy." The article is a bit kinder than the headline, correctly labeling the plumes emitted from the mill as "steam" (actually, it is just water vapor, but "steam" works for me). It gets whiny when it talks about the Maryland legislature lumping black liquor in with "solar panels and other clean technologies to compete with fossil fuels..." **** Save the date! The Pulp and Paper Industry Reliability and Maintenance conference, sponsored by IDCON and Andritz, will be held March 19-22, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. **** In the popular press, it sells stories to depict industry as mean, uncaring, lawbreakers and so forth. And for many of the average persons on the street, these stories fit the narrative they have been believing all their lives. These stories are bolstered by people credentialed as chemists and scientists who may or may not have their own axes to grind. **** EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: We are a large automation company that has a line of consistency transmitters, sample valves and sheet break detectors that are marketed through a rep. network. We are seeking someone with a strong background in consistency control to facilitate start-ups, provide troubleshooting and technical advice. The individual should have experience in all major types of consistency measurement technologies (blade, rotary, microwave and optical). Knowledge of sheet break detection technology is desirable as well. Willingness to travel to paper production facilities across the US is a must. **** The world of journalism is deteriorating. Not only are supposedly straight reporting stories filled with bias these days, there is a move afoot to dumb down journalism education. This fall, at least two journalism schools of which I am aware have dropped the requirement for basic algebra--journalism students are no longer required to take any math at all. I don't expect popular press journalists to be steeped in math and science, but I expect them to know enough to smell a rat. Apparently, this does not serve the profession's interest any longer. So, we have to be more diligent ourselves. **** Jim Thompson is back again...with a new book on a taboo subject: the personalities in the pulp & paper industry. Jim has written in the past on many subjects based on his four plus decades in the worldwide pulp and paper industry. This new book is packed full of information valuable to the senior member of the industry as well as the recent entrant. A must for every pulp and paper library. **** Nip Impressions has been honored for Editorial Excellence by winning a Tabbie Award! ________ Other interesting stories:
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