AI in fleet operations: Unlocking efficiency and lower costs
Discover how AI in fleet operations improves routing, safety and performance, while also helping your business stay efficient and future-ready.
Taylor Connelly
A portfolio of published work.
My Latest Work
Teaching kids the value of recycling
The Million Cans Recycling Contest, run by The Recycling Society, encourages students to recycle aluminum cans.
What's the Point of Keeping a Dream Journal?
In my dreams I am always on the run. I’m escaping from a sinking ship in the middle of the ocean. I speed down a dark highway as a fire rages behind me. I’m breaking out of a collapsing warehouse as debris falls from the sky...
Read These 5 Non-Fiction Books to Dive Deep Into AI
It seems like every company nowadays is trying to find some way to incorporate AI into their business. Students use it to cheat on assignments, healthcare providers use it in medical diagnoses, and marketing professionals use it to target audiences. For many people, their understanding of artificial intelligence is limited to the basics of ChatGPT. These books will help you understand the reach and limits of AI, how machine learning works, and what the future may hold for artificial intelligence...
Coffee Pod Recycling Co. tackles K-cup waste
Three high school students have designed a product to easily make coffee pods recyclable.
7 Nonfiction Books About Women to Remind You History Doesn’t Belong Only to Men
History is often told from the perspective of the men, focused on the experiences of men and actions of men. With this tainted perspective, it can be easy to assume that women simply did not engage much in history. This is incredibly false. Women have always existed and contributed to history, but their stories have often been forgotten, erased, or neglected.When we forget history we are doomed to repeat it. Misogyny and discrimination is still present in the modern world. The first step to comb...
Why Do All Book Covers Look the Same?
You don’t have deja vu, modern book covers all look way too similar.If you’ve seen one modern romance book, chances are you’ve seen them all. The book has a 2D, minimalist drawing of a girl and a boy, the title curled around them in a cursive font, all set on top of a colorful background. It seems like there are hundreds of books that fit this description, and they just keep coming.Book covers have heavily evolved throughout history. Images did not even appear on the front of books until near th...
Five Banned Books to Add to Your Reading List
According to PEN American, from 2023 to 2024 book bans nationwide rose a dramatic 200%.People ban books for a variety of reasons. It can range from sexual content, offensive language, violence, racism, LGBTQ+ content, political views, religious views, and general inappropriateness. Indeed, these topics can be uncomfortable to some, but having diverse perspectives and ideas is important. They promote critical thinking, empathy, and understanding between people from different backgrounds. One of t...
Hell-bent on the Hell Betties – Athens County Independent
DOANVILLE, Ohio — Crash!
As another skater’s butt slams against the hardwood floor of the rink, yells of “Good fall!” echo throughout the arena. I refocus my efforts to make sure that I’m not the next one to fall victim to the skates.
For 10 weeks I practiced with the Appalachian Hell Betties to learn more about the sport of roller derby and the people it attracts. I wanted to discover what kind of person decides to strap on a pair of wheely death traps and play a full contact sport....
As another skater’s butt slams against the hardwood floor of the rink, yells of “Good fall!” echo throughout the arena. I refocus my efforts to make sure that I’m not the next one to fall victim to the skates.
For 10 weeks I practiced with the Appalachian Hell Betties to learn more about the sport of roller derby and the people it attracts. I wanted to discover what kind of person decides to strap on a pair of wheely death traps and play a full contact sport....
Changing the Field
The old aphorism that “the only constant is change” is just as true today as it was in ancient Greece, when the philosopher Heraclitus first made the observation, and perhaps nowhere more so than in the realm of digital content creation. From the constant cycle of viral trends to the ever-evolving algorithm that dictates our feeds, social media and the industries with which it’s intwined—which is to say, all of them—are anything but static.The advent of social media has changed the sports indust...
Last Word with Julie Cromer
That experience was really instrumental in helping me understand the critical challenges that are facing the college sports industry today. In many ways, it was a review of a lot of the regulatory changes that are happening in our industry right now. It gave me a head start to be able to think about and imagine the strategies going forward that will help us preserve the best parts of the collegiate athletics experience for our student-athletes and our communities, while also addressing the chall...
From the Bricks to the Big Screen
Meghan Malone, BSJ ’14, considers herself a storyteller, so getting the chance to tell a story about her favorite orange cat felt like a dream come true.Malone originally joined the crew of “The Garfield Movie” as a general production assistant, tasking with running errands and supporting the needs of the story and art departments. In the last five years, she rose to become the film’s production supervisor, then production coordinator, and finally production manager, where she worked directly wi...
Pre-Bunking Climate Misinformation
Dear EarthTalk: What is “pre-bunking” when it comes to climate change?
The act of pre-bunking has grown in popularity, especially since the 2020 election. It is a way to combat misinformation by warning people about it before they encounter it online or in real life. It attempts to anticipate false claims and provide accurate information to counter them. The strategy comes from a branch of social psychology research called inoculation theory. The theory is similar to that of countering vaccinat
The act of pre-bunking has grown in popularity, especially since the 2020 election. It is a way to combat misinformation by warning people about it before they encounter it online or in real life. It attempts to anticipate false claims and provide accurate information to counter them. The strategy comes from a branch of social psychology research called inoculation theory. The theory is similar to that of countering vaccinat
Bill Gates & Jeff Bezos Excited About Promise Of Nuclear Fusion
Dear EarthTalk: Why are Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, among others, so bullish on developing nuclear fusion as a power source?
While nuclear fission is commonly used in nuclear power plants across the globe, nuclear fusion is a lesser-known process. Whereas fission is the process of releasing energy by splitting atoms apart, fusion is the opposite. During nuclear fusion light nuclei collide with each other to form heavier nuclei, a process that releases large amounts of energy. To produce fusion,
While nuclear fission is commonly used in nuclear power plants across the globe, nuclear fusion is a lesser-known process. Whereas fission is the process of releasing energy by splitting atoms apart, fusion is the opposite. During nuclear fusion light nuclei collide with each other to form heavier nuclei, a process that releases large amounts of energy. To produce fusion,
Embodied Carbon = 10% Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions!
Dear EarthTalk: What is so-called “embodied carbon” and what percent of our greenhouse gas emissions does it make up? And more important, how can we reduce it?
As the process of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions continues to grow in importance, the building operations industry has been working hard on limiting theirs. The problem is that this industry typically targets operational carbon rather than embodied carbon. Operational carbon is the sum of the carbon produced over the lifetime of
As the process of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions continues to grow in importance, the building operations industry has been working hard on limiting theirs. The problem is that this industry typically targets operational carbon rather than embodied carbon. Operational carbon is the sum of the carbon produced over the lifetime of
Throwing Soup At Mona Lisa For The Climate Cause?
Dear EarthTalk: What was the point of eco-activists throwing soup at the Mona Lisa? Is defacing art and other great works of culture now some kind of tactic?
On Sunday, January 28, 2024 two women walked into the Louvre, went up to what may be the most famous painting in the world, and hurled pumpkin soup at the enticing smile of the Mona Lisa. On the women’s t-shirts the words “FOOD RIPOSTE” could be read written in thick black marker. Da Vinci’s iconic painting was protected behind safety glas
On Sunday, January 28, 2024 two women walked into the Louvre, went up to what may be the most famous painting in the world, and hurled pumpkin soup at the enticing smile of the Mona Lisa. On the women’s t-shirts the words “FOOD RIPOSTE” could be read written in thick black marker. Da Vinci’s iconic painting was protected behind safety glas
Toilet Paper Choices: Which Is The Greenest?
Dear EarthTalk: Which are the greenest toilet paper varieties?
When thinking of ways to live a greener lifestyle, toilet paper isn’t usually the first thing people think of, but the average American uses more than 50 pounds of tissue paper per year. Like other paper products, toilet paper is typically made from trees. As consumer demand grows, trees continue to be cut down at alarming rates. Between 1996 and 2015, loggers cut down around 28 million acres of woodland, an area roughly the size of
When thinking of ways to live a greener lifestyle, toilet paper isn’t usually the first thing people think of, but the average American uses more than 50 pounds of tissue paper per year. Like other paper products, toilet paper is typically made from trees. As consumer demand grows, trees continue to be cut down at alarming rates. Between 1996 and 2015, loggers cut down around 28 million acres of woodland, an area roughly the size of
Trump V2: An Environmental Nightmare?
Dear EarthTalk: What would a second Trump term in the White House mean for efforts to stave off cataclysmic climate change?
For years former President Trump has repeatedly made false claims that climate change is a hoax. His efforts to negate progressive climate change policies were evident in his first term, when he pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement, rolled back environmental regulation, and relaxed regulations on oil and gas drilling. According to Trump’s allies and advisors,
For years former President Trump has repeatedly made false claims that climate change is a hoax. His efforts to negate progressive climate change policies were evident in his first term, when he pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement, rolled back environmental regulation, and relaxed regulations on oil and gas drilling. According to Trump’s allies and advisors,
Wild Turkeys On The Ropes?
Dear EarthTalk: What’s causing the decline in U.S. wild turkey populations?
Americans have always loved wild turkeys, perhaps too much. By 1900, we had nearly driven this close relative to the chicken to extinction as a result of unregulated hunting and habitat destruction. But thanks to conservation and relocation efforts, these big birds started making a comeback in the 1940s. Over the next several decades, thanks to a series of reforms and demographic changes, wild turkey numbers grew and th
Americans have always loved wild turkeys, perhaps too much. By 1900, we had nearly driven this close relative to the chicken to extinction as a result of unregulated hunting and habitat destruction. But thanks to conservation and relocation efforts, these big birds started making a comeback in the 1940s. Over the next several decades, thanks to a series of reforms and demographic changes, wild turkey numbers grew and th
Spent Wind Turbine Waste
Dear EarthTalk: I hear that there are thousands of damaged and spent wind turbine blades piling up in Texas. Is this waste an issue for the wind industry?
In the West Texas town of Sweetwater, about 40 miles west of Abilene on Interstate 20, there is a field filled to the brim with unwanted wind turbine blades. The first of these blades were deposited in 2017 and over the years the blades have accumulated to cover over 30 acres of land. Each of the blades is between 100 and 400 feet in length a
In the West Texas town of Sweetwater, about 40 miles west of Abilene on Interstate 20, there is a field filled to the brim with unwanted wind turbine blades. The first of these blades were deposited in 2017 and over the years the blades have accumulated to cover over 30 acres of land. Each of the blades is between 100 and 400 feet in length a
Using Wildlife To Track Environmental Conditions
Dear EarthTalk: How are researchers using wildlife to track environmental conditions and monitor climate change?
Scientists currently rely mainly on a complex network of satellites, ocean buoys, weather stations and balloons to help predict the weather and the effects of climate change, but it might not be the best solution. What if instead of using satellites and weather stations to study the planet, scientists used animals? Imagine a world where a pigeon could help gather information on air p
Scientists currently rely mainly on a complex network of satellites, ocean buoys, weather stations and balloons to help predict the weather and the effects of climate change, but it might not be the best solution. What if instead of using satellites and weather stations to study the planet, scientists used animals? Imagine a world where a pigeon could help gather information on air p
Why Are Companies Reneging On Emissions Reductions?
Dear EarthTalk: Why are some companies backing off their previously stated commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions? How can we get them to turn it back around?
In February 2024, three major investment companies stepped back from efforts to limit climate-damaging emissions. JPMorgan Chase’s and State Street’s investment arms have both quit a global investor alliance encouraging companies to avoid emissions, and BlackRock has largely limited its involvement. These companies aren’t the only on
In February 2024, three major investment companies stepped back from efforts to limit climate-damaging emissions. JPMorgan Chase’s and State Street’s investment arms have both quit a global investor alliance encouraging companies to avoid emissions, and BlackRock has largely limited its involvement. These companies aren’t the only on
4 Day Workweek = Good 4 Climate
Dear EarthTalk: What are the climate benefits of switching over to a four-day workweek?
Nearly 200 companies across the globe have completed six-month trials of a four-day workweek with promising results. Juliet Schor, an economist and sociologist at Boston College, is leading the trials with the nonprofit group Four Day Week Global. Schor says, “Stress, burnout, mental health, physical health…job satisfaction… all of those are going in the right directions.” While the four-day workweek seems t
Nearly 200 companies across the globe have completed six-month trials of a four-day workweek with promising results. Juliet Schor, an economist and sociologist at Boston College, is leading the trials with the nonprofit group Four Day Week Global. Schor says, “Stress, burnout, mental health, physical health…job satisfaction… all of those are going in the right directions.” While the four-day workweek seems t
Cruise Industry Ripe For Greening
Dear EarthTalk: Has the cruise industry cleaned up its act regarding its environmental footprint in recent years?
Cruise ships are a big part of the marine shipping sector that is responsible for close to three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. No doubt, as much as these big boats might recycle or use less harmful cleaning spray in guest rooms, they are still big polluters. And the consumers that keep filling up more and bigger boats—the cruise industry is the fastest-growing sector i
Cruise ships are a big part of the marine shipping sector that is responsible for close to three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. No doubt, as much as these big boats might recycle or use less harmful cleaning spray in guest rooms, they are still big polluters. And the consumers that keep filling up more and bigger boats—the cruise industry is the fastest-growing sector i
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