Today's post is a little off the topic of the Expedition but I wanted to share a theory I have  been working on concerning computer evolution.   After suffering from repeated infection of my computer by computer virusis I noticed their simularity to real virusis. Having studied Evolution in college it seems obvious to me that these are bound to evolve to a point where we lose control of them. Evolution in nature is essentially a competition of various organic chemical recipes coded in DNA for the resources available to them(ie sun, space,prey,oil) ect. Or more simply put, survival of the fittest. To be sucessful you must repruduce very quickly and/ or be very tough.  For computer virusis it seems as though they are being given these capabilities. The only remaining trait they need is to be able to mutate. With countless billions of computers and users we give them this power. At some point there will be a bug of some sort either accidentally or intentionally that will be unstoppable and suck up vast portions of the internet. If there is enough computing power in the world and the bug is flexable enough at this point the bugs would be compeating against each other as well as us. I think we could defeat it somehow but we would always be succeptable to such an outbreak. As our computing power increases so to will the complexity of these programs and the degree to which emergent properties will evolve amoung these programs.

Are they alive? In nature to be alive an organism must be able to reproduce and adapt. It seems that these new programs are doing that. Its not exactly Hal singing "daisy". Self awareness is a much higher emergent property.  But this is just the beginning of the machines journey down the road of evolution.  Hey, I could be way off  but if I am right you won't be able to read this later so think about it now.    

Well I have had a few more fun near death experiences as a result of the faulty throttle cable.  The best one was when I was in the middle lane in heavy, although fast moving, traffic.  To the right of me was a person who seemed intent on not letting me over, behind me and in the right lane were semi-trailer trucks.  Somehow I managed to dart over with the last of my momentum just in time to avoid being made into roadkill by the swerving trucks. That was fun. I also learned that I am now able to fix the truck in complete darkness as I broke the under-hood light on my last repair attempt. When I got home I got what I thought was good news: Some one from a company called sport compact pro had called about the Expedition! I was ever so excited. Was it a new sponsor or perhaps some media coverage? I couldent remeber what sport compact pro was. So I checked the web and found out that they were a scam. Boo hoo. They claim to have all sorts of sponsorships and oppurtunities for publicity and earning money- and all it costs is ninety bucks.  Its a good thing that I did my reaserch to find out that all you get for your ninety bucks is some stickers. They are going to have to come up with a better line of bs if they want to fool this Intercontintal Expeditioner.If you know about any genuine sponsorships or media outlets feel free to drop me a line at etteotw@hotmail.com .  I can't wait to hear from you!  

I had another adventure in the Jeep the other day. I was driving home in rush hour traffic, on the highway,in the rain, in the left lane.   I pushed down where the gas pedal should have been, only to find my foot stomping on the floor with no impact on my acceleration. At this time I noticed I was in heavy traffic in the left lane on a three lane high way. I scrambled for my blinkers and noticed that there was no shoulder and in fact a guard rail to my left . So I crused along untill the guard rail ended and coasted off into the medien. My first thought was that something had broke in the pedel itself it after thooughly investagating this( and rigging a nifty hand throttle)I  took a second look in the engine. The first time I looked I pulled the throttle and nearly ran myself over as I had somehow forgot to put it in park.  One my second look, with the Jeep now in park, I found where the throttle cable had become disconnected and was able to reattach it. Although I was wet and dirty I was pretty pleased to have gotten out of this scrape without any help. Thats the kind of thing you have to be able to do if you want to become an intercontenental Expeditioner.  

An American is attempting to drive from Massachusetts to Tierra del Fuego. Tierra del Fuego is the most southern tip of South America and for this reason is known as the End of the World.  The real goal of The Expedition to the End of the World is to foster and develop cultural understanding and education and be a virtual bridge for people from remote parts of the world. To accomplish this, the internet will be used so that anyone can follow and participate in the expedition. We also hope to be able to produce a documentary film of this trip to be used for educational purposes.

            Jason Reischutz, the driver, is a certified English and Science teacher as well as an accomplished off-road driver and international traveler. This trip will test all his faculties as he attempts to make his transcontinental trip and accomplish his cultural education goals, solo. Mr. Reischutz is also excited for the opportunity to be a symbol to his students and others that they can accomplish any goal that they put their minds to and to never give up on their dreams.

            This Expedition will cover over 10,000 mi and cross through 15 countries. It will also cross the Panama Canal and the Strait of Magellan. He has chosen to use a Jeep SUV to navigate any potentially hazardous roads that he encounters.

            Currently the Expedition to the End of the World is seeking corporate partners and private donors to help fund this monumental undertaking. For more information go to www.etteotw.bravehost.com/corporate.html   

 

I sent the above article to Expedition news. If you have a newsletter and would like to publish it you may free of charge as long as you do not edit the content with out notice and you send a copy to etteotw@hotmail.com. You may also direct any questions or comments to that address.

Today I applied to get a grant from National Geographic. I think they will see the importance of our cultural reaserch. It is really important to document these cultures so we can understand their unique qualities.  As our cuture spreads we overrun and destroy others and so these cultures are being irrevokably altered. I also want to see how different people view America and how they feel about Americans. I am working on a article to publish in Expedition magazine. This will be a real big boost to the Expedition because this magazine is distributed to many companies that sponsor expeditions and many other explorers. What would you say in the article?

Today I got the Jeep back from two shops. I had over 1100 dollars worth of work done. It is almost totally mint. The ride is excellent. Also today I had another contact with a major international ad agency.It won't be long now untill the Expedition gets underway.

I have been working very hard on behalf of the expedition. I am feeling very optimistic because I have contacted many potential sponsors. Optima battery and four-wheeler magazine are just a couple.  This really is one of the greatest expeditions ever concieved. The array of cultures and places will be astounding! Fifteen different countries, all overland. If you, or some one you know, could help drop us a line:

etteotw@hotmail.com

 

Great sponsors would include any car companys or automotive related companys or businesses. Also telecommunications, camping,television, and computer companys could be very beneficial to the Expedition and vice versa. Sponshoship may take the form of publicity, product placement,technical assistance and as always money. I also always love feedback so you can support me just by letting me know what you think about The Expedition to the End of the World. 

So I sent an email to Jimena Toledo.  It has been about a week so today I sent her an email requesting confirmation of the first.  I also found out about an expedition simular to the ETTEOTW. However they only drove to Panama, we are going all the way.  The other difference between them and us is that they have sponsors.  So I contacted some of their sponsors.  I contacted Toyota Motersports, Warn Winches, Optima Batteries and a differential manufacturer.  Hopefully those will generate some responses.  Sooner or later I am going to liquidate all my resources and just go. I would like some help but I am itching to get on the road.

It turns out I am not as stupid as I thought.  I forgot that the email went to etteotw@hotmail.com and had checked another address when I caused my panic attack. It was never erased! The Expedtion may be getting underway soon! 

Last night around 7:45pm we recieved an amazing email at Expedition Headquarters. See past posts for the details, but I had sent many letters to JWT(the advertising compay for Ford) in South America. JWT EMAILED ME BACK. I was estatic and immedietly started preparing documents to send them. I was alredy to reply and... I HAD ERASED THE EMAIL!!! IT was lost, I had apparently done it before midnight.  I freaked out all morning and could only remeber two pieces of specific information. The name toledo and that it was the account director who had emailed me. I tried to send it to an email adress that I guessed.  The first one failed. I guessed again.  Pray for me and the whole Expedition that it was the right one.

I have been trying hard to get corperate sponsors.  Today, I added a cool little logo to the coperate page that I am sure will appeal to smart advertisers.  I also signed up for blockbuster at: www.ubthecritic.bravehost.com . It turns out that it is a real good deal.  The best reason it is a good deal is that it is COMPLETLY FREE FOR TWO WEEKS. The next best reason is you get two free in store rentals Besides that you can get almost any movie, including many many that are not availible at your local blcockbuster, IN ONE DAY. Then you can KEEP THEM AS LONG AS YOU WANT WITH NO PENALTYS! I am sorry that I have been typing in those annoying caps but I am pretty excited. You have probably seen this offer all over the internet but if you get it through www.ubthecritic.bravehost.com the money helps the Expedition To  The End of The World. So not only will you be doing the Expedition a big favor you get to see every every movie you ever wanted to see without having to go the store(or go to the store for FREE.) It is a win win situation.  

I've decided to take the Jeep in.  I don't have any money so I will put it on my credit card.  I saw a web site today that said they could get late model cars and trucks for under 1000.  It did give me a list of cars in my area. Are these people lying or what? Anyway, I read the statistics today for this blog and I get a few hundred visitors a day.  My other question for you is: why don't you support the expedition?

Today I reached out to MTV.  I think the Jeep is a perfect candidate for being pimped. It is a good little truck.  I need to fix the cooling system. Currently, I have hardwired the axuliry fan to the switch for the foglights.  This works pretty well here but I fear overheating in the deserts and jungles I will pass through on the expedition.  Also my springs are broken up front and shot in the rear. This makes for an interesting ride. I was driving on the highway in the rain and had a spinout on the on-ramp, it was pretty scary. I thought I would die but I managed to stop before I slid out into the highway.  When I did stop I was backwards on the cobblestones between the on-ramp and highway. The other drivers who saw it looked pretty alarmed. It could be related to a recent problem. When I drive between 55 and 65 mph the whole truck starts to shake.  It could be that the wheels need to be balenced.  That would be good because that would be cheep to fix. I m still broke however.  This makes your contributions even more essential. Please donate so I can fix the truck so I don't die next time it rains.

Well its columbus day, a day when we celebrate the spirit of exploration.  What a good day to help the Expedition to the End of the World.  I have not posted in a while, sorry.  I was working on my new "Recipe for Health" newsletter.  You can sign up here. Or view the past editions here

Remember that I had contacted ford for sponsor ship. They sent me a survey about there customer service.  I said that it was unsatisfactory.

Yesterday I sent emails to the Ellen Show.  She is a damm riot. Hopefully she will help.  In somewhat unrelated news to the expedition I have started to have people sign up for my newsletter at www.ubthecritic.bravehost.com/cookbook.html .  It made me think that I should have a news letter for the Expedition to the End of the World. What do you think? Let me know!  Contact me at http://www.etteotw.bravehost.com/contacts.html. So far we need lots more help.  The easiest and freeist(is that a word?) way is to sign up for free memberships at blockbuster online of netflix. I found out today that if you sign up for a free trial of Blockbuster online they will give me $20 which of course goes toward the expedition.  What does the expedition need money for?  Well I need to fix the Jeep,buy the electronic equipment to properly bring you all along(camera, laptop), and cover food,gas,and lodging along the way.  I may liquidate all my retirement money and sell my other car but even this may not pay for it all. I need your help.

p.s. feedback is help too

Yesterday I sent letters to JWT. I sent a letter to every office that they have in the americas that is on the way. I sent 16 pieces of international mail. I also tried to contact mobil oil. I had another idea. I was watching the Ellen show and thought maybe she would help so I am going to send her a letter.  So far I am dissapointed in the readers of this journal, you read but you don't help. Why not? Tell me what I can do better- leave a note in my guestbook.  I am here working so that you can come with me to the end of the world.

In my last post I said i was rejected by Ford.  This is not quite accurate.  I was turned down for a sponsorship but I was able to wrangle a contact for their advertising.  The place is called JWT.  It turns out that this is a huge multinational ad agency that does advertising for hundreds of huge companies. So what did I do? I got adresses for their offices in every country along the route. Today my task is to mail out my marketing letter to all these offices. Even if I have to blow 20 bucks on postage and they all say no it would be cool to get a letter from a forign country.  I had another idea over the weekend for a good set of potential sponsors.  Fuel companies.  If oil companies have enough money to run the world maybe they can slide a bew bucks my way to make my dream come true.  You can help too, you don't even have to spend any money just click here. The best way two ways to help without any money is to either volunteer to give me a place to stay or to sign up for FREE memberships at Blockbuster Online and/or Netflix.  They are free to try and $9 goes to the Expedition. You will probably eventually try one of these services why not help a great cause at the same time?  Another way to help would be to give me some feedback, people read this journal but I don't hear from them.  I would love to hear from YOU. 

Today I got  a rejection letter from Ford. Apparently they arn't interested. Thats okay though because every other major auto company has rejected me as well.  I would really like a new vehicle for this trip so if you have any inside contacts at an automaker or  dealer could you please let them know about me or let me know how to get in touch with them. Otherwise I will take the jeep.   You can see a picture of the Jeep on my site. The other type of sponsor I am most interested in (I am really most interested in anyone who will give me some money)  is some type of television or film producer.  The expedition will make a cool movie so hopefully I can get some professional help (yea i know I need it  with the production.  I have updated the destination page to list all the contries(15!!) that I will go to. If you are reading this and don't know any carmakers or movie producers you can still help. There are donation buttons all aroung my site if you could toss a few bucks my way.  If you don't have any spare money you can still help.  To save money and meet interesting people I would like for people to let me stay at their house. So if your house is on or near the route put a pin on my guestmap and make a note so I can contact you. Even if you don't make a donation I still like to hear from you so why not sign my guestbook?

Today I did more work on the website.  It is almost completly functional(please let me know if its not) Now you can make donations and get some good deals on movies or food check out the links page or sponsorship page. Also the pictures of the Jeep and of my route are availible.  I also got a counter so we can see what kind of intrest there is in the project.  Today I put out my first press release it is available on the site as well.   

Today I am working on the website.  I have contacted many car companys as sponsors and am almost to the bottom of the list .  Also today i am going to start to ttry to contact differant television producers.