GwinnettForum | Number 21. 42 | June 4, 2021
A GWINNETT NATIVE rang the bell at the NASDAQ stock exchange in New York on Earth Day to list his high-tech company, Zymergen, on that exchange. From left are the three founders, Zach Serber; Josh Hoffman of Norcross; and Jed Dean. See more details of the listing in Elliott Brack’s perspective below.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Propaganda is all around us, and shapes our emotions
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Norcross graduate heads biology firm listed on NASDAQ
ANOTHER VIEW: As you head to the beach, be mindful of keeping such areas clean
SPOTLIGHT: Aurora Theatre
FEEDBACK: Send us your thoughts
UPCOMING: County seeking applicants for new Entrepreneur Center
NOTABLE: PCOM graduates 246, making them Georgia’s newest doctors
RECOMMENDED: Movie: Nomandland
GEORGIA TIDBIT: There are 513 caves in Georgia, mostly in its northwest
MYSTERY PHOTO: It’s a military fort, but what kind and where is it located?
CALENDAR: Imagine Rowen plans program June 9 at Dacula Park Activity Building
Propaganda is all around us, and shapes our emotions
By Ashley Herndon
OCEANSIDE, Calif. | Propaganda shapes emotion. Many in today’s media are really propagandists rather than journalists. They present not raw facts, but editorials. This is designed to create feelings in a specific direction. Its power is the lack of evidence, as these often-unsubstantiated pieces ooze into people’s minds. Propaganda tells a story that may or may not be true. It often has some kernel of fact somewhere in it.
Herndon
At my college journalism class 101, we were taught that journalism reports facts (what is-what was). The reader then digests this internally or accepts the facts from other reliable sources. Editorializing of facts is in relationship to the culture around us.
Propaganda has a pointed goal. It is electioneering; not reporting. Too much of today’s media have no standards. They knowingly just advance what they think is the story, posing as a normative. They know it is hyperbole. They also know it often works. It often only amounts to a dog and pony show, often with video or photographs. And it usually works.
Problem: There are elected persons in our government that do not believe in straight-forward democracy and willing to do anything to tear it down to reach their own goals.
From time memorial, we have had all sorts of media, with the various systems changing over the years, and getting much more savvy, complicated and sophisticated. This is getting to the point where the average person may not even realize that the media is influencing them. How many of us of the older generation remember the lyrics of tunes we were hearing when teenagers. They still stick in our minds. That’s not propaganda, but it’s been back there in your mind for all these years.
Technology has changed both perception and reception: over the years. There have been many versions: sight, verbal, tablet scrawls, papyrus et al, movable type, the telegraph, telephone, radio, and then television, mobile devices, computers , internet and no telling what’s next. All these methods have become part of mankind’s inner thinking, whether we realize it or not.
These advancements have changed democracy and allow propaganda to spread at light speed while journalism is gathering facts. By the time the facts are released, there is new propaganda.
People today do not know whether to accept or believe what they hear and read, mainly because no one is checking facts and editing for content that goes out on social media. Personal research is diminishing. “I heard”, “I am told”, “it was said” are the new and often unverified sources, and therefore are not necessarily credible.
Media formerly did not share info until it was confirmed. How long did the reporters work on Watergate?
Still, people do not like to be lied to. But often they do not recognize what they are getting. However, once an opinion is formed in the memory bank, it is hard to alter.
We each need to examine the evidence and punish the liars by discrediting them in our mind. Information is information, but not necessarily fact.
We are more and more unaware of where our info comes from, and whether it is true
Alas.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Norcross graduate heads biology firm listed on NASDAQ
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
JUNE 4, 2021 | A 1988 Norcross High graduate rang the bell on Earth Day, April 22, at the NASDAQ stock exchange in New York, signaling the public listing of his company’s stock, Zymergen. He is Josh Hoffman, 50, of San Francisco. He is the son of Eve Hoffman of Peachtree Corners and the late Howard Hoffman. He is the CEO of Zymergen, which was offered for sale on NASDAQ at a price of $31 per share that opening day. As of Wednesday, the stock was trading at $35. Its trading symbol is ZY.
The company, based in Emeryville, Calif., just north of Oakland and the Bay Bridge, creates new materials by programming microbes into novel chemicals. Hoffman says: “We take single cell microbes and create a new chemical plant, making new material useful to man.”
Hoffman continues: “For 100 years, most of the stuff we touch and deal with came from petrochemicals. Barrels of oil are cracked into component parts, and recombine with the many materials we routinely touch. Now our company makes new products in a sustainable way that helps mankind.”
The company’s website puts it in a more scientific light: “We do biofacturing as an ideal for making naturally-derived, bioactive ingredients for sustainable consumer care products. What better way to fight off pesky bugs than nature itself? Where we once had only hypotheses, today our company has proof points and a pipeline of products.”
Hoffman
Among those new products are those where microbes eat plastic, and turn them into useful products, such as indigo for blue jeans, or making improved screens for cell phones, tablets and computers.
The company started eight years ago to make better products through biology. It now has a work force of 800 employees, with additional offices in Boston, Seattle and New York, and sales teams in Taiwan and Japan.
“We’ve built a great team,” Hoffman says, “And have been lucky in finding great people in the Bay Area from three local universities, Stanford, UCal at Berkeley and the University of San Francisco. That gives us a head start.”
After high school, Hoffman graduated from Berkeley as a social science major. His first job after college was as an economist for the Ugandan Ministry of Finance in Uganda. After that, he returned to graduate school at Yale, obtaining a master’s in international relations and another master’s in public and private management.
For six years, he was with the consulting firm of McKenzie, working with clients in chemical technology and other areas, developing “a mix of strategies for clients all over the world, including Australia and England.” Then came a six year stint with a firm in England.
Today Hoffman lives in the city of San Francisco with his wife, writer and editor Katie Morris, and their two children, Issac, 14 and Alice, 11. Among the family pastimes: camping and mountain climbing.
Hoffman is one of three founders of Zymergen, along with Zach Serber, a metabolic engineer, the chief science officer; and Jed Dean, a microbial engineer and vice president of operations for the firm.
Its web site states: “Back in those early days, we raised the prospect of becoming a public benefit corporation. At the time, we frankly felt it might spook investors into thinking we weren’t committed to increasing shareholder value. But investors and other companies are catching on. More and more companies will follow our lead in saying we stand for a lot more than just profits.”
Overall, their goal is to “create a vibrant, sustainable future through biology.” That’s Zymergen, headed by a Gwinnettian.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
As you head to beach, be mindful of keeping areas clean
By Schelly Marlatt
Director, Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful
JUNE 4, 2021 | With the school year coming to a close and summer just around the corner…many families throughout Gwinnett County are busy making vacation plans. If your plans include a trip to the beach, Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful would like to give you a few tips for saving the planet while you enjoy a little fun in the sun with your toes firmly stuck in the sand.
Marlatt
But – before we do – it’s important to examine WHY it’s so vital that we all become more vigilant about how we show our love for our beaches and oceans, particularly where the subject of plastic is concerned.
Did you know?
- More than eight million TONS of plastic are dumped in our oceans every year?
- One in three species of marine mammals have been found entangled in litter?
- Over 90 percent of all seabirds have plastic in their stomachs?
- There are five huge concentrations of plastic debris that cover large areas of the ocean’s surface around the world, including one between California and Hawaii? It’s the size of the state of Texas.
Every minute, one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into our oceans?- By 2050, it is estimated that there will be more plastic in the oceans than there are fish (by weight)?
- Many marine organisms can’t distinguish common plastic items from food. Animals who eat plastic often starve because they can’t digest the plastic and it fills their stomachs, preventing them from eating real food? This is particularly true among sea turtle populations.
While a great deal of damage has clearly already been done, that doesn’t mean mankind can’t all work together and each do their part to keep beaches and oceans free from plastics and other trash.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Aurora Theatre
The public spiritedness of our underwriters allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s sponsor is Aurora Theatre, home of the best live entertainment in northeast Georgia. Aurora Theatre presents Broadway’s best alongside exciting works of contemporary theatre. Additionally, Aurora produces concerts, comedy club events, children’s programs, and metro Atlanta’s top haunted attraction, Lawrenceville Ghost Tours. Aurora Theatre is a world-class theatrical facility with two performance venues. Aurora has had to make adjustments because of COVID-19 for the safety of artists, patrons and staff. With that in mind, enjoy a wide array of in-person/socially distant events this summer. This weekend Aurora Comedy Nights boasts headliner Lace Larrabee on the mainstage. Upcoming cabaret events include tributes to Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and the Men of Motown. You can support Gwinnett’s non-profit arts gem by making a tax-deductible donation and learn more about programs that are happening here: http://www.auroratheatre.com .
- For more information or to purchase tickets: http://www.auroratheatre.com or call 678-226-6222.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
Send us your thoughts
We encourage you to send us your letters and thoughts on issues raised in GwinnettForum. Please limit comments to 300 words, and include your hometown. The views of letters are the opinion of the contributor. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Send feedback and letters to: elliott@brack.net.
County seeking applicants for new Entrepreneur Center
Gwinnett County will start accepting applications this summer for membership in the Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center, an incubator for startups and small businesses looking to grow.
The program, which provides facilities and coaching for beginner business owners, will accept between 30 and 40 Gwinnett-based members. The center is encouraging applications from minority business owners and those from financially challenged households.
The 6,000-square-foot center in downtown Lawrenceville includes coworking spaces, a training room equipped with technology, conference rooms, a breakroom/dining area, outdoor workspace, and offices. The center will provide instruction such as workshops, coaching, peer learning, connections to customers and capital, and market research. For more information and to sign up to receive updates from the center, visit GwinnettEntrepreneurCenter.com.
PCOM graduates 246, making them state’s newest doctors
PCOM President Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81, presents a diploma to Nicole Pritchett, DO ’21.
On May 27, 2021, 246 PCOM Georgia-educated physicians, pharmacists and physical therapists graduated at the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, with their loved ones cheering them on.
The Class of 2021 includes 130 Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine graduates, 83 Doctor of Pharmacy graduates, and 33 Doctor of Physical Therapy graduates. The physical therapy students make up the first class to graduate from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s physical therapy program that began in 2018.
From the stage in the outdoor amphitheater, PCOM President Jay S. Feldstein, DO, addressed the graduates who were wearing academic hoods in varying shades of green to distinguish their programs. He said, “You were—and will continue to be—on the front lines: treating and caring for patients in the holistic manner that is part of your osteopathic heritage. You will call out social injustice when you see it—because you witnessed it, because you lived it—and you will advocate for your patients because they will need you like never before.”
Three speakers, who were awarded honorary doctoral degrees, addressed the socially distanced graduates and their family members. They included Richard H. Jadick, DO, who is considered the most decorated physician to serve in the Iraq War; Christy M. Norman, PharmD, the president-elect of the Georgia Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and Phillip B. Palmer, PT, PhD, the founding PCOM Georgia Department of Physical Therapy professor and chair.
Mary P. Owen, JD, PhD, was the first retired PCOM Georgia professor to be recognized as a Professor Emerita, which marks her distinguished service to the College.
The day before the commencement ceremony, a gathering took place to recognize Class of 2021 members of Sigma Sigma Phi, the honorary osteopathic medicine service fraternity. A separate military pinning ceremony occurred in a tent at the Suwanee campus where four military graduates received their pins and took their oaths. Ensign Morgan Fuller, DO, and Ensign Robert Snyder, DO, will serve in the United States Navy, while Captain Monika Kc, DO, and Captain Timothy Yang, DO will serve in the United States Air Force.
Snellville closes on land for The Grove at Towne Center
The City of Snellville has completed closing on the purchase of 10 acres on May 28 for The Grove at Towne Center. The city purchased the property from a joint venture between the firms of CASTO and MIDCITY.
Construction on the project’s $85 million first phase commenced in March. General contractors Hodges and Hicks, Fortune-Johnson, and Winter Construction, TSW Architects and Place Makers Design, along with architects Dynamik and Smallwood, are leading the construction and design of the town center. The project is expected to deliver late 2022/early 2023.
Mayor Barbara Bender says: “Every item we check off the list brings us one day closer to seeing The Grove at Towne Center open to our community. It’s especially exciting to see physical evidence of this long-awaited project now that construction has begun!”
In addition to closing on the land, the CASTO/MIDCITY venture also closed on its loan with US Bank, leaving only the continuation of construction and securing the ideal mix of tenants to fill the new retail, restaurant, and office space – a process that is already well underway.
In addition to 50,000 square feet of shopping, dining, recreation, and business space, The Grove at Towne Center will also offer residential opportunities, a new Gwinnett County Library replacing the current one, a special use Mercantile Building and significant common areas including The Grove town green. Apartments in The Grove will feature a living experience that will appeal to a wide range of ages and life stages that wish to enjoy the convenience and luxury of an urban lifestyle. Offering walking access to retail, dining, the greenway system, and more, these apartments will combine the best of modern convenience with a quiet, peaceful setting.
Movie: Nomandland
From Karen J. Harris, Stone Mountain: Nomadland features Fern, a 60+ year old woman who is widowed and has lost her job since the company closed down. Fern takes off in a van she has furnished as a home to be a migrant worker. Along the way she becomes part of a community of others who have chosen this way of life, which she finds freeing and restorative. She builds bonds with people who move in and out of the landscape. Fern briefly spends time at her sister’s home. Though she is invited to stay, she finds this life confining. This film portrays a segment of American culture that is nearly invisible to most people but is alive and vibrant. This film is a must-see for all because it shows how people create homes for themselves after being downsized or simply because they want a different way of life. It is an awe-inspiring viewing experience.
- An invitation: what books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you enjoyed recently? Send us your recent selection, along with a short paragraph (150 words) as to why you liked this, plus what you plan to visit or read next. Send to: elliott@brack.net
There are 513 caves in Georgia, mostly in its northwest
The study and exploration of caves, known as speleology, has revealed 513 caves in Georgia, and more are being discovered as exploration continues. Documentation by the Georgia Speleological Survey shows that Georgia’s caves have a total combined length of at least 82 miles. However, caves of any significant size are known to exist only in 32 of Georgia’s 159 counties, and most of those caves are in northwest Georgia.
Georgia’s two northwesternmost counties, Dade and Walker, host 164 and 149 caves respectively. Bartow County and the eight counties to the north and west (Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Murray, Walker, and Whitfield) combine to host 448 of Georgia’s 513 known caves.
Most caves in Georgia are on private property, and their accessibility is commonly limited. As of October 2002, at least 23 Georgia caves were officially closed. Extensive vandalism has led to the erection of barriers at the entrances of some caves, such as Kingston Saltpeter Cave, which is the only cave in Georgia managed as a preserve by the National Speleological Society.
Several caves, including Ellison’s Cave, are in the state-owned Crockford–Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area west of LaFayette. In Cloudland Canyon State Park, Sitton’s Cave is open to the public, but no tours are given, and the cave is very wet for much of the year.
Although several caves have been commercialized in the past, Georgia’s only commercial cave in operation in 2003 was Cave Spring Cave in the town of Cave Spring, southwest of Rome and about five miles from the Alabama state line. Cave Spring Cave has a length of 300 feet and a vertical extent of 30 feet.
The principal organization involved in mapping and documenting caves in Georgia is the Georgia Speleological Survey. Grottos, or local chapters, of the National Speleological Society in Georgia include the Athens Speleological Society, the Augusta Cave Masters, the Clayton County Cavers Grotto in Morrow, the Clock Tower Grotto in Rome, the Dogwood City Grotto in Atlanta, the Middle Georgia Grotto, and the Pigeon Mountain Grotto. The Southeastern Cave Conservancy, an organization incorporated in Walker County, seeks to acquire, manage, and conserve caves in the Southeast for scientific, educational, and recreational purposes. By 2003 it owned three preserves in Walker and Dade counties with a total of at least ten caves.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to http://georgiaencyclopedia.org
It’s a military fort, but what kind and where is it located?
Today’s mystery is obviously a military fortification. Tell us what is the generic name of such forts, and where this specific fort is located. Send your answer to elliott@brack.net to include your hometown.
It seems whenever we try to sneak past a Mystery Photo of The Biltmore in Asheville, N.C., several of our readers immediately spot it. That’s what happened in the last edition, as many recognized the atrium at the Biltmore. Those included Bob Foreman, Grayson; Gloria James, Lawrenceville; Jeanine Ritter, Suwanee; Kay Montgomery, Duluth; George Graf, Palmyra, Va.; Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex.; and Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill. The photo came from Mary Beth Overmyer Twining of Buford.
Sara Rawlins of Lawrenceville gave more detail and piqued our thinking about visiting the Biltmore: “It’s the Biltmore Atrium. In the center is a fountain that can barely be seen from all the foliage around it. But, yep, it’s the Atrium that is at the entrance of the grand home of George Vanderbilt in Asheville, N.C. I think after I’m no longer on this Earth, I plan to haunt it and several other grand homes in my afterlife. So if you visit and see a teacup move, that’s me enjoying the benefits of being a spirit who has taken residence in this home and others like it.”
Snellville Farmers’ Market returns each Saturday through September from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on the City Towne Green. The 2021 market will be the biggest ever, with more selection. For more info, go to www.snellvillefarmersmarket.com.
Imagine Rowen: a community conversation, will be Sunday, June 9, at 6:30 p.m.at Dacula Park Activity Building, 2735 Old Auburn Avenue, Dacula. This in-person gathering will give an opportunity to interact with the Rowen team to understand what it is as an organization, to learn details about the project, and how Rowen plans to move forward.
Job Fair: The city of Peachtree Corners is partnering with Explore Gwinnett and the Atlanta Marriott at Peachtree Corners on Tuesday, June 22, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Human resource representatives from most of the area hotels will be accepting applications, with hiring on the same day as the fair. Hourly pay for these positions range from $10-18 per hour.
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