One cannot design an ecosystem, one can only design for an ecosystem. In this new setting, design also finds itself in a new space. One where relations between various participants are as important as the features of products and services.
But one area that could be poised to withstand the oil price carnage and might even toss out some gains for investors is the sector that produces an important, yet controversial element of gasoline: ethanol. As the prices of oil and gasoline have plummeted, so has ethanol, taking ethanol equities down with it. While that may seem like a good time to hit the sell button, don't. Ethanol stocks are likely to stage a comeback-here's why.
Outside of the technical issues, there is a concern about turning foodâcorn in the U.S.âinto fuel. Partially driven by an 8-percent rise in corn orders from ethanol plants, corn prices doubled in the last six months of 2010 and are expected to continue rising. There are benefits to ethanol, of course. It has a higher octane rating, so it supports a higher compression ratio and more aggressive ignition timing. Like its cousin methanol, with its high octane and clean burn, ethanol makes a good racing fuel. NASCAR, a politically astute organization, is running E85 this season.