Aerogel: San José Del Progreso
Week #32: Prerequisites Before Wet-Lab Prototyping
Preface! ✨
Hello everyone!
My intentions for writing these articles are:
- Explain technical information about aerogels in simple terms (to the public)
- Store information and habits for my future self and others (in <7 minutes)
Coolio? Sweet. Enjoy the series :-)
Pivoting The Plan 🗺️
After organizing meetings with investors & mentors, you’ll pivot its original intentions of a wet-lab prototype.
The first step is to return to the contaminated village with heavy metal ions in their water.
The village is called San José Del Progreso, Oaxaca, México.
It is thirty minutes from my hometown, Ejutla De Crespo.
This is the quality of the water in San José as of 2021:
A second mine is currently being opened, called San José II.
Both mines will hold 26 mining concessions (locations) and excavate precious metals on over 80,000 hectares.
This includes Ejutla De Crespo & their land.
San José Updates (2018 - Present)
In October 2018, residents of the town of Magdalena Ocotlán stated that heavy rains resulted in mine waste overflowing into the Coyote River.
It left behind contaminated mud in the vicinity of the community’s drinking wells.
Last month, concerns were raised for a second time that the mine had polluted local water sources, this time a rainwater catchment well in Magdalena Ocotlán.
The protests brought humanitarian consequences when the mine opened in 2009.
“In March 2009, a group of residents protested this violation of [their right to free, prior and informed consent by] setting up an encampment at the entrance to the mine.
In May, 1,000 state and federal police — acting at the request of the mining company and its local political allies — evicted protesters using helicopters, tear gas, and dogs.”
And El Universal has reported that there have been four deaths and eight people shot in direct relation to the mine between 2010 and 2012.
NACLA reports, Oaxaca
Final Thoughts 💭
What will you do in San José Del Progreso?
- Find out if people give a shit about their water
- What truly is their roadblock? Dirty water, heavy rain, etc.?
- Would they pay someone to solve their roadblock?
- Would they stay with us decades after the bridge of trust is built?
P.S. - The Mom Test is a must-read for these missions.
Once you know people want this & will be loyal customers, proceed to the lab.
You’ll know that the people, not the researchers, say it’s something they want AND they’ll walk the decade walk with us.
San José Del Progreso is an unpredictable town. Know that entering the village is putting your life at stake.
The solution is to contact a local from the village who:
- Has trust from the local villagers to prevent us from being stopped
- Knows where to not visit in the village
- Knows the families with the water issues
You may receive the contact via mutual friendship or pay.
Once you establish contact, can enter the village.
The cost to fulfill the mission is ~$1500 USD.
Only The Brave Are Free. Keep The Faith. ✔️
© 2023 by Carlos Manuel Jarquín Sánchez. All Rights Reserved.
