May | 2013 | For Now

Elon Musk

May 9, 2013 at 5:31 pm | Posted in Design, Economoney, Hardware, Media, Science, Space, Technology, Transportation | 4 Comments

Ever heard of Elon Musk? TED branded him a serial entrepreneur, but that’s an understatement. He is a practical visionary:

1 – the co-founder of Paypal

2 – the CEO and product architect of Tesla Motors. Their new all-electric model S has just been named by Consumer Reports as the highest rated car ever! It’s still a luxury car but it’s phase 2. Phase 3 is a mass production model. And the company has posted it’s first profit. That will keep it going.

The CBC talks about it here.
I wrote about the Phase 1 car here

3 – he’s involved with solar power company SolarCity

4 – and he’s the chief designer at SpaceX, a reusable rocket company. They’re already doing work for NASA and the space shuttle.

His TED talk from February this year:

The Monarchs of Money

May 6, 2013 at 2:06 pm | Posted in Economoney, Media | 1 Comment

CBC’s The National does a special on the current economy and how it’s being managed. It’s not what you may think. Low interest rates and a massive increase in the money supply have notable issues. Is it working? It is creating a massive increase in personal debt while hammering savers in multiple ways. Interest rates have to go up some time, which will also hammer those in debt. One adviser indicates everything is in a bubble now due to the artificial manipulation. What the piece fails to note is the profound inflationary pressure there is with a massively increased money supply. That devalues current incomes and investments and increases prices. One interviewee jokes about money under the mattress but its valuation still depends on the money supply.

20:47

Test your Current Knowledge

May 5, 2013 at 9:40 am | Posted in Media, Online services, Psychology, Science | 2 Comments

Recently, I was sent links to a couple of short on-line general science and religion knowledge quizzes by Pew Research. What is particularly interesting is the detailed stats from the original study showing how well people did on specific questions, overall and so forth. You’ll see that with your results.

The Science Quiz (13 questions)

The World’s Religions Quiz (15 questions)

This article at Slate talks about it. For example, that 42% don’t know the most basic fact about global warming….
David

Kiva – Start Free

May 2, 2013 at 11:10 am | Posted in Books, Economoney, Online services | Leave a comment

If you’ve ever looked at Kiva (microloans) but were uncertain about investing, here is a chance to try it out for free. You can make a free $25 loan contribution and see the process in action.

http://www.kiva.org/bankofbob

Bob is the author of a book about Kiva. During a journalists tour of outrageously expensive hotels around the world, he saw the poverty of the people nearby, some of whom helped build the palaces. He took his pay and invested it in Kiva. Then he went on another world tour to see the loans in action. The resulting book, The International Bank of Bob, is a funny and moving story of the ensuing adventure. And a profound look at real life in some of the more challenging spots on earth.
David