- Written by Robert McCaffrey Editorial director, Global Gypsum Magazine
I recently enjoyed the film Bladerunner 2049, where in an early scene, one replicant (synthetic human), smashes another through a wall apparently made of wallboard. A bit later on, the surviving replicant takes off in a flying car. While some things change, some things stay the same.
- Written by Robert McCaffrey Editorial director, Global Gypsum Magazine
First of all, I think it’s useful to decide whether there is such a thing as ‘Human Nature.’ By Human Nature, I’m thinking about the innate essence of what it is to be human - something that cannot be changed, or at least cannot easily be changed. I have the feeling that the way that you are as an adult human has essentially been hard-wired into you by your genetics and by your life experiences up to that point. What you are now is the combination of all of your ancestors back through time, and all that you have ever experienced yourself - your childhood, schooling and all of the learning and culture you have ingested and retained, including all of your rules of thumb, mental models and prejudices that help you get through the day. Inasmuch as there is such a thing as Human Nature, it is the sum of everything that has gone into making each of us who we are.
- Written by Robert McCaffrey Editorial director, Global Gypsum Magazine
Gypsum is wonderful stuff. It occurs in nature widely, but can also be synthesised. It is endlessly recyclable. It is fire-resistant and fairly durable. It can be moulded into intricate forms that will then endure for centuries (plaster has been used in buildings for practical and artistic purposes in civilisations from the ancient Egyptians onwards). Although gypsum has an ‘Achilles heel’ - it does not perform very well in the presence of water or moisture - this weakness can be modified with the addition of waxes, silicones or other water-proofing chemicals. Gypsum can be processed at relatively low temperatures (particularly when compared to high-temperature processes like cement clinkerisation at 1450°C). Due to its recyclability, low embodied energy, low embodied CO2 and its relatively low cost, gypsum is very widely used in a variety of industries for its chemical, mineralogical and physical-mechanical properties. In many applications, it has no economic or practical substitute.
- Written by Robert McCaffrey Editorial director, Global Gypsum Magazine
Our recent Global CemPocess Conference on process optimisation in the cement industry was a bit of an eye-opener. The event started with a presentation by Jose Favilla of the IBM Industry Academy, ostensibly about ‘Industry 4.0’ in manufacturing. This concept has been heralded as the next industrial revolution, although it could also be called ‘the last industrial revolution,’ since after this one, there will be nothing left to improve.
- Written by Robert McCaffrey Editorial director, Global Gypsum Magazine
I've recently read a book called 'Postcapitalism,' by Paul Mason, which was subtitled 'A guide to our future.' The blurb on the front, written by Irvine Welsh, stated that it was 'The most important book about our economy and society to be published in my lifetime.' Having completed the book, I'm disinclined to believe the veracity of Mr Welsh's statement. However, the book did have some interesting points to make, which might impact on everyone involved in the global gypsum industry.
