I just can’t keep up with all this new technology! I just bought the Adobe Creative Suite 3 back in April and now Creative Suites 4 just came out.
It sounds like it offers many of the same programs as before but now offers some new features. According to a product review by CNN, “streamlined interfaces and integration for designing and editing images, Web pages, mobile sites, desktop apps, animation, film, and print layouts, and support the latest digital formats.”
I try to keep learning the new programs so that I can be one step ahead of the game… so I can have a little more of an edge out in the work force. I am so frustrated because I can’t afford to keep up with the new technology.
Link: Product review
http://cnn-cnet.com.com/software/adobe-creative-suite-4/4505-3513_7-33255199.html?subj=Adobe+Creative+Suite+4+Master+Collection&tag=feed&part=cnn-cnet
-Monica Sullivan
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Personal security or national security?
Bare all security x-ray machines… Germany is conducting several researches to make a full body scan for airports that would not reveal all.
In an article found on MSNBC’s Web site, Interior Ministry spokesman said tests would attempt to show whether images of concealed explosives or ceramic knives could be generated without also showing passengers naked.
Technology has been known to do many things… but this is the first time I have heard of modesty technology.
I guess it all comes down to personal privacy and national security!
Links:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27969302/#storyContinued
-Monica Sullivan
In an article found on MSNBC’s Web site, Interior Ministry spokesman said tests would attempt to show whether images of concealed explosives or ceramic knives could be generated without also showing passengers naked.
Technology has been known to do many things… but this is the first time I have heard of modesty technology.
I guess it all comes down to personal privacy and national security!
Links:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27969302/#storyContinued
-Monica Sullivan
Acting Robots
Two Wakamaru robots have been cast in pivotal roles in a new pay called "hataraku Watashi (I, Worker)," which premiered Tuesday at Osaka University. This play is set in the near future, as of now it is only 20 minutes in length, with plans to reach full length soon.
The play focuses on a couple who own two housekeeping robots, one of which loses its motivation to work and engages its owners in a discussion of its boring and demeaning existence.
The robots were built by Mitsubishi and are only three-feet tall, they are usually found as greeters and companions, but custom software developed at the university allows them to move around the stage with their human co-stars and deliver lines.
After reading this article I kept trying to imagine robots acting, and I couldn't. Lets hope that these robots don't take over for Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts in the future.
-Carly Youngren
Do We Overrate Basic Research?
New York Times Article by Steve Lohr talkes about Obama emphasizing a need to maintain a technology leadership in the world and use government funds to get going.
Acccording to Amar Bhide, a professor at the Columbia Business School. In a new book, “The Venturesome Economy,” “hidé makes a detailed argument that contradicts the prevailing view of expert panels and authors who contend that the nation’s prosperity is threatened by the technological rise of China and India, and that America’s capacity for innovation is eroding.” He does not believe government spending on research, are sorely needed.
“America’s competitive advantage, Mr. Bhidé explains, resides mainly in its creative use of information technology, especially in the large and growing services sector, led by companies like Wal-Mart.”
As long as technology is global we all benefit Bhide said. Technology is not to the key to economic growth. So instead of tilting policy toward the apex of the education system, Mr. Bhidé suggests, it may make more sense to invest scarce government resources further down — say, in upgrading community college programs. “The modern information technology economy is going to need a lot of foot soldiers,” he said.
I think it comes back to the idea that all of us need to be involved in something innovative in our lives and the little things will add up.
-Adam Meyn
Acccording to Amar Bhide, a professor at the Columbia Business School. In a new book, “The Venturesome Economy,” “hidé makes a detailed argument that contradicts the prevailing view of expert panels and authors who contend that the nation’s prosperity is threatened by the technological rise of China and India, and that America’s capacity for innovation is eroding.” He does not believe government spending on research, are sorely needed.
“America’s competitive advantage, Mr. Bhidé explains, resides mainly in its creative use of information technology, especially in the large and growing services sector, led by companies like Wal-Mart.”
As long as technology is global we all benefit Bhide said. Technology is not to the key to economic growth. So instead of tilting policy toward the apex of the education system, Mr. Bhidé suggests, it may make more sense to invest scarce government resources further down — say, in upgrading community college programs. “The modern information technology economy is going to need a lot of foot soldiers,” he said.
I think it comes back to the idea that all of us need to be involved in something innovative in our lives and the little things will add up.
-Adam Meyn
Saturday, November 29, 2008
It’s a BlackBerry?
Most people can recognize a BlackBerry from across the room. The full keyboard and square body is the signature elements to a BlackBerry phone.
But what if we took away the traditional look and modernized it… would it still be a BlackBerry?
Verizon will be offering a rebate on the new BlackBerry Storm which will completely change the traditional look of a BlackBerry. The new phone is now a rectangle shape and no longer has a traditional full keyboard. It has become completely touch screen.
This new transformation has been causing a lot of drama around the water cooler. According to David Pogue blog on the New York Times Web site he thinks it will be a BlackBerry Dud. He very passionate about the negative effects this phone will play on the BlackBerry persona.
“I haven’t found a soul who tried this machine who wasn’t appalled, baffled or both,” said Pogue
I personally think that the BlackBerry Company made this phone for competeing with the rising sales with the iPhone. I guess in the long run we will have to wait and see how well the new phone will do.
Link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/27/technology/personaltech/27pogue.html?_r=1
-Monica Sullivan
But what if we took away the traditional look and modernized it… would it still be a BlackBerry?
Verizon will be offering a rebate on the new BlackBerry Storm which will completely change the traditional look of a BlackBerry. The new phone is now a rectangle shape and no longer has a traditional full keyboard. It has become completely touch screen.
This new transformation has been causing a lot of drama around the water cooler. According to David Pogue blog on the New York Times Web site he thinks it will be a BlackBerry Dud. He very passionate about the negative effects this phone will play on the BlackBerry persona.
“I haven’t found a soul who tried this machine who wasn’t appalled, baffled or both,” said Pogue
I personally think that the BlackBerry Company made this phone for competeing with the rising sales with the iPhone. I guess in the long run we will have to wait and see how well the new phone will do.
Link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/27/technology/personaltech/27pogue.html?_r=1
-Monica Sullivan
Black Friday goes online
The day after thanksgiving, Black Friday, has always been known for in-store discounts and savings, however with the changing times Black Friday has also changed.
People would wake up at the crack of dawn to go stand in line for a killer deal on top selling products, which still holds true today… But there is a change in the wind.
Customers can still choose to get up early, with bloody knuckles to duke it out with each other over the new TV on sale or now they can shop in the comfort of their home.
This past Black Friday I woke up and purchased a new ipod from the comforts of my home. The in-store deals were also offered online and with one little click of a button I was the new owner of an ipod.
Although this little change in the wind has not caught on with all the aggressive customers that can be found in the store on Black Friday, it defiantly has sparked my interest and will become my new form of shopping for future Black Fridays.
-Monica Sullivan
People would wake up at the crack of dawn to go stand in line for a killer deal on top selling products, which still holds true today… But there is a change in the wind.
Customers can still choose to get up early, with bloody knuckles to duke it out with each other over the new TV on sale or now they can shop in the comfort of their home.
This past Black Friday I woke up and purchased a new ipod from the comforts of my home. The in-store deals were also offered online and with one little click of a button I was the new owner of an ipod.
Although this little change in the wind has not caught on with all the aggressive customers that can be found in the store on Black Friday, it defiantly has sparked my interest and will become my new form of shopping for future Black Fridays.
-Monica Sullivan
Parental controls on Driving?
There has been lots of talk about the new babysitter in town… No not the parental controls on the TV or the computer, but in your Ford vehicle!
Ford Motor Company will be offering a new feature on some of there 2009 vehicles. The “Big Brother” feature is programmed in the key which will limit the car's top speed, radio volume and general fun level, at the whim of the car's owner.
The new feature is mostly aimed at teens and "is to look at safety technology from a family perspective," said Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood.
This uptight feature will allow parents to automatically turn on traction and stability control, limit speed to 80 miles per hour and control the radio volume.
Since this is a blog I feel able to share my words of wisdom to the parents that are controlling enough to purchase this… Just don’t let you teens drive… If you don’t trust them enough on their own to drive… they most likely shouldn’t be!
Links:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/uptospeed/2008/10/ford-watching-u.html
-Monica Sullivan
Ford Motor Company will be offering a new feature on some of there 2009 vehicles. The “Big Brother” feature is programmed in the key which will limit the car's top speed, radio volume and general fun level, at the whim of the car's owner.
The new feature is mostly aimed at teens and "is to look at safety technology from a family perspective," said Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood.
This uptight feature will allow parents to automatically turn on traction and stability control, limit speed to 80 miles per hour and control the radio volume.
Since this is a blog I feel able to share my words of wisdom to the parents that are controlling enough to purchase this… Just don’t let you teens drive… If you don’t trust them enough on their own to drive… they most likely shouldn’t be!
Links:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/uptospeed/2008/10/ford-watching-u.html
-Monica Sullivan
A GPS for x-mas could mean a driving violation
As the saying goes, technology can bite the hand that made it. Or something like that.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Global positioning systems and factory-installed "black box" event data recorders have been helping to create cases against those who choose to break the law.
The “unwitting self-surveillance” has been used to build a case against an arsonist, Scott Peterson and stalkers. At the same time, a man wrongly accused of speeding used his GPS to prove otherwise.
Many are upset that this technology is an invasion of privacy and that you can’t disassemble the recorders. Insurance companies are even using this technology to dispute claims.
"That's my problem with this, from the privacy perspective," John Soma, a Denver University law professor and executive director of its Privacy Foundation, said of event data recorders and of authorities reviewing the stored information. "The car comes equipped with it. They can't disable it. There hasn't been any meaningful legislative discussion of this or any meaningful notice that this is now in your car."
But courts found that defendants cannot plead invasion of privacy when travelling on publicly funded roads.
I find it rather ironic. If a GPS could get us out of a ticket, I doubt we would be concerned with “our right to privacy.” But when the tables turn, we cant help but be upset.
I don’t advocate the use of a car’s black box or GPS device over human eyes. In fact, relying on such could almost promote laziness. We shouldn’t rely on Big Brother to do the job of our publicly paid police force.
But we cant be upset when technology bites us.
-Erin
The Los Angeles Times reports that Global positioning systems and factory-installed "black box" event data recorders have been helping to create cases against those who choose to break the law.
The “unwitting self-surveillance” has been used to build a case against an arsonist, Scott Peterson and stalkers. At the same time, a man wrongly accused of speeding used his GPS to prove otherwise.
Many are upset that this technology is an invasion of privacy and that you can’t disassemble the recorders. Insurance companies are even using this technology to dispute claims.
"That's my problem with this, from the privacy perspective," John Soma, a Denver University law professor and executive director of its Privacy Foundation, said of event data recorders and of authorities reviewing the stored information. "The car comes equipped with it. They can't disable it. There hasn't been any meaningful legislative discussion of this or any meaningful notice that this is now in your car."
But courts found that defendants cannot plead invasion of privacy when travelling on publicly funded roads.
I find it rather ironic. If a GPS could get us out of a ticket, I doubt we would be concerned with “our right to privacy.” But when the tables turn, we cant help but be upset.
I don’t advocate the use of a car’s black box or GPS device over human eyes. In fact, relying on such could almost promote laziness. We shouldn’t rely on Big Brother to do the job of our publicly paid police force.
But we cant be upset when technology bites us.
-Erin
Friday, November 28, 2008
Watching HD on Medical Monitor
Olympus' "videoscope" is making its way into the medical field for the doctors. The videoscope is now being used by doctors during surgery as surgeons are inserting these cameras into patients' bodies. The videoscope replaces old cameras that have been in use at hospitals for years without upgrading. Now, with the videoscope, surgeons are able to clearly distinct and search for specifics in high definition.
These cameras are currently on the market for about $20,000. However, some say that the camera is worth the price since it has more abilities than other traditional cameras on the market. Currently, Olympus doesn't have much competition in HD cameras, however, traditional cameras without the HD cost about 10% less than Olympus' newest invention.
Ching
These cameras are currently on the market for about $20,000. However, some say that the camera is worth the price since it has more abilities than other traditional cameras on the market. Currently, Olympus doesn't have much competition in HD cameras, however, traditional cameras without the HD cost about 10% less than Olympus' newest invention.
Ching
Wind Farms Controlling Weather?
In the United States, wind power only accounts for one percent of all electricity generation. The industry as a whole, however, is growing rapidly and plans are in the work for the country to generate 30 percent of all it's electricity by wind by 2030. Large wind turbines like these may soon become a common, everyday sight.
But what kind of effect will these large devices have on climate patterns? In a recent computer model demonstration, wind turbines were places from Texas to Canada, from the Great Lakes to the Rocky Mountains. The results, were alarming:
"On average, the mammoth installation lowered wind speeds by 5.5-6.7 miles per hour immediately downwind," said an MSNBC.com article. "The turbines also disrupted air currents on a large scale that rippled out like waves across the northern hemisphere. As they spread out, the waves sometimes ran into storm systems a few days later, knocking them several hundred miles off course."
Scientists have looked to using these turbines to control storm paths.
"Let's say a big snow story is headed for New York City and if you leave the wind farms on, it has an 80 percent chance of hitting, but if you turn them off, there's only a 40 percent chance," said Daniel Kirk-Davidoff of the University of Maryland. "That's about the best we could probably ever do, because weather forecasting is full of uncertainty."
Looks like weather forecasters may soon have a new variable to throw into the mix when creating weather outlooks!
-Michael Strachan
Prosthetics or Aesthetics?
Okay, this one is kind of cool. Although, I'm beginning to worry about just how advanced video games have become...
The latest generation of prosthetics being developed in the US are incredibly advanced, funded by a $73-million grant from defence research agency. But the latest piece of research kit is a cheap piece of videogame hardware: the controller to axe-man simulator Guitar Hero.
The controller was hacked by researchers at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab to respond to the electrical output of the twitching chest muscles tasked with controlling the lab's latest prototype prosthetic arms.
That provides a new, hopefully less tedious, way for amputees to train themselves to gain fine control over the arms. The lab hopes to make control of individual fingers on the robotic hand possible, not just opening and closing all five at the same time. Apparently they plan to modify more games for muscle twitch control.
It is developments like this one that truly lead me to believe that the future, and for that matter the not-so-distant future, will rely so heavily on technology that we might begin to lose sight of what makes us who we are. Things like art and culture, that may not hold the key to solving problems with disease or end climate change may not seem to share the same validity as new advents in prosthetics, but they show us who we are and where we came from. We cannot lose sight of any of these things. Otherwise, we ourselves become less human, and more machine. So, instead of a picture of the prosthesis on this blog, let's enjoy something a little more aesthetically pleasing.
And hey, I don't have anything against giving people the ability to use all of their limbs. I just think we need to take a step back some times and take in our surroundings. We as people often get so caught up in our daily lives, we forget to actually live them. I think former President Abraham Lincoln said it best when he noted, "With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh, I should die."
--Roger
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Supersize It, Please.
Yesterday, Wired.com reported on the genetic changes in the food we will be eating tomorrow, on Thanksgiving Day.
What is going on with the turkey and the corn? Does it seem like each year, our food is getting bigger? While some consumers may find it exciting that they are paying the same price for a larger turkey this year as last year, many people may be unaware of the unnatural mutation our turkey goes through each year.
Compared to 1966, the average weight of a turkey has gone up 13lbs. In 1966, a turkey averaged 21lbs while in 2003, the average turkey weighed 39lbs. That's 13lbs more bird and twice more amount of meat to indulge.
The birds aren't growing larger naturally, though. Take into consideration that a bird is fed chemical enhancing food that allows them to grow up to 50lbs in five months. A turkey may get so big that they are unable to mate naturally. That's where the turkeys get artifical inseminations so farmers can make sure that next year, there will be enough turkey for all. Bigger turkeys for all.
Ching
What is going on with the turkey and the corn? Does it seem like each year, our food is getting bigger? While some consumers may find it exciting that they are paying the same price for a larger turkey this year as last year, many people may be unaware of the unnatural mutation our turkey goes through each year.
Compared to 1966, the average weight of a turkey has gone up 13lbs. In 1966, a turkey averaged 21lbs while in 2003, the average turkey weighed 39lbs. That's 13lbs more bird and twice more amount of meat to indulge.
The birds aren't growing larger naturally, though. Take into consideration that a bird is fed chemical enhancing food that allows them to grow up to 50lbs in five months. A turkey may get so big that they are unable to mate naturally. That's where the turkeys get artifical inseminations so farmers can make sure that next year, there will be enough turkey for all. Bigger turkeys for all.
Ching
STMicroelectronics' STM32 Microcontroller Wins EDN China 2008 'Best Product' Innovation Award
The EDN Innovation Awards started in Silicon Valley in 1990. China is a leader in innovative products. In 2008, 160 products from 74 companies were nominated to compete for the awards. Fifty one of these products, were selected as finalists by the judging panel.
World leader in microcontrollers and recognized innovator among semiconductor manufacturers, was presented with EDN China's 2008 Best Product Award. The STM32 was singled out among scores of competing products in a broad range of categories. EDNC's Innovation Award honors outstanding electronic products and professionals, as selected by an expert jury and voted on by engineers in China.
"We are very proud that STM32 won the Best Product Award of this year's EDNC Innovation Award. Although STM32 was designed in Europe, it is widely accepted by Chinese engineers since it is voted by EDNC netizens and engineers," said Arnaud Julienne, Director, Microcontrollers, Memories & Smartcards Group. "We are pleased that the STM32 has gained significant design-wins in the mass market of China. The applications into which China's engineers are designing the STM32 demonstrate their world-class marketing and design skills."
http://www.st.com
-ADAM MEYN
World leader in microcontrollers and recognized innovator among semiconductor manufacturers, was presented with EDN China's 2008 Best Product Award. The STM32 was singled out among scores of competing products in a broad range of categories. EDNC's Innovation Award honors outstanding electronic products and professionals, as selected by an expert jury and voted on by engineers in China.
"We are very proud that STM32 won the Best Product Award of this year's EDNC Innovation Award. Although STM32 was designed in Europe, it is widely accepted by Chinese engineers since it is voted by EDNC netizens and engineers," said Arnaud Julienne, Director, Microcontrollers, Memories & Smartcards Group. "We are pleased that the STM32 has gained significant design-wins in the mass market of China. The applications into which China's engineers are designing the STM32 demonstrate their world-class marketing and design skills."
http://www.st.com
-ADAM MEYN
Eco-Friendly 360 Paper Bottles
Well, here's a solution. A concept for paper bottles made from 100% recycled food-safe materials.
The bottles can be stacked and are resealable.
Brand Image has developed this design "that questions the very existence of a plastic water bottle."
I really hope this gets put into production, it could greatly reduce the amount of plastic used for water bottles and perhaps other bottled-products.
-Matt M.
Woolly mammoths, coming to a petting zoo near you!
Do we really need to cross-species clone a woolly mammoth?
That is precisely what some scientists intend to do in a $10 million project.
The New York Times reports that a science team from Pennsylvania State University points to enough mammoth genome to regenerate or clone these animals that fell extinct over 10,000 years ago.
One of the largest problems with "regenerating" the mammoth is the degraded state the DNA is found in, and thus makes cloning extinct animals an even more daunting task. This also adds to the high probability of failure.
I'm always fascinated by the bio-ethical questions journalism poses, but never answers. We are constantly bombarded with the positive aspects of how much "progress" we have made in science.
At the same time, the progress we have made in stabilizing the economy or bettering our education system stands still.
Most articles do touch on the negative side, but it is either trivialized or never taken seriously (I think this may be partly because we think of these projects as controlled science and assign a notion of sterility).
I came across an oped piece, “Resurrection Science” that posed the many questions I have about these experiments.
Olivia Judson asks why should we be spending time and energy on recreating extinct animals when we clearly have problems keeping many of the endangered list.
“And yet. No matter how much I enjoy thinking about the science of resurrection — and I do — I have to admit that the absence of mammoths isn’t exactly a pressing problem. What is pressing is the number of species we are currently in danger of losing … Let’s get our act together. Let’s prevent that first.”
I think it is harder for journalists to answer these questions. The whole idea of remaining objective and allowing the public to come to their own opinion may not be the best when it comes to cloning and other bio-ethical issues.
Erin
That is precisely what some scientists intend to do in a $10 million project.
The New York Times reports that a science team from Pennsylvania State University points to enough mammoth genome to regenerate or clone these animals that fell extinct over 10,000 years ago.
One of the largest problems with "regenerating" the mammoth is the degraded state the DNA is found in, and thus makes cloning extinct animals an even more daunting task. This also adds to the high probability of failure.
I'm always fascinated by the bio-ethical questions journalism poses, but never answers. We are constantly bombarded with the positive aspects of how much "progress" we have made in science.
At the same time, the progress we have made in stabilizing the economy or bettering our education system stands still.
Most articles do touch on the negative side, but it is either trivialized or never taken seriously (I think this may be partly because we think of these projects as controlled science and assign a notion of sterility).
I came across an oped piece, “Resurrection Science” that posed the many questions I have about these experiments.
Olivia Judson asks why should we be spending time and energy on recreating extinct animals when we clearly have problems keeping many of the endangered list.
“And yet. No matter how much I enjoy thinking about the science of resurrection — and I do — I have to admit that the absence of mammoths isn’t exactly a pressing problem. What is pressing is the number of species we are currently in danger of losing … Let’s get our act together. Let’s prevent that first.”
I think it is harder for journalists to answer these questions. The whole idea of remaining objective and allowing the public to come to their own opinion may not be the best when it comes to cloning and other bio-ethical issues.
Erin
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Apple Touts 'Greenest Family Of Notebooks Ever'
Apple is at it again, this time proclaiming its "Greenest Family of Notebooks Ever" with the introduction of new MacBooks.
Though it might be a very clever marketing scheme by Apple, the benefits that the new laptops have for the environment cannot be overlooked. If anything, as this Channel Web article says, the strategy may be able to give consumers a reason to buy higher-priced Macs over PCs.
Apple offers an Environmental Update page on its website, found at http://www.apple.com/environment/update,
"For the past several years, Apple has made a concerted effort to be more transparent about the steps we are taking to protect the environment and make our business more sustainable. In this environmental update, I’d like to inform you of our recent progress and introduce you to a groundbreaking system of reporting that we believe is unmatched in our industry."
Are all you PCs out there ready to become a Mac?
-Matt M.
Children Suffering from the Economic Crisis?
As the holiday season grows closer each day, a recent survey made by global consultancy, Deloitte, showed that shoppers have no stopped in spending money on Christmas gifts for the children.
Due to recent economic difficulties, adults have been spending less on themselves to save up for the winter seasons, to see that smile on their children's faces Christmas morning. Some retailers, such as clothing stores, have seen a drop on their sales, but it isn't because parents have stopped spending completely.
Instead, adults are spending their money on electronics for their children as Christmas gifts. More importantly, adults have not stopped buying innovative interactive learning toys for the kids. If anything, the money saved up from this year are being invested in their children's education.
Everyone is taking one for the team this season. In October, Disney said that they are going to keep prices down this winter season to make their toys more affortable in order to see a smile on a child's face. So children, no need to worry, daddy may be tight on money, but Santa will still be delievering presents this winter.
http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/nov2008/id20081119_173987.htm?chan=innovation_innovation+%2B+design_top+stories
Ching
Due to recent economic difficulties, adults have been spending less on themselves to save up for the winter seasons, to see that smile on their children's faces Christmas morning. Some retailers, such as clothing stores, have seen a drop on their sales, but it isn't because parents have stopped spending completely.
Instead, adults are spending their money on electronics for their children as Christmas gifts. More importantly, adults have not stopped buying innovative interactive learning toys for the kids. If anything, the money saved up from this year are being invested in their children's education.
Everyone is taking one for the team this season. In October, Disney said that they are going to keep prices down this winter season to make their toys more affortable in order to see a smile on a child's face. So children, no need to worry, daddy may be tight on money, but Santa will still be delievering presents this winter.
http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/nov2008/id20081119_173987.htm?chan=innovation_innovation+%2B+design_top+stories
Ching
There's hope for journalists...
Six Apart, is a media source that is introducing its own bailout plan, according to an article on NYTimes.com. The TypePad Journalist Bailout Program offers a free pro account on the company's blogging platform for recently terminated bloggers and journalists. It pretty much offers them a way to keep working and writing.
I thought this part was interesting because it is something that we can relate to -- Brooke-Sidney Gavins is a broadcast journalism student at University of Southern California. "I understand that there may not be a 'guaranteed' job with a major media organization after I graduate," Gavins said in the article. "A lot of new journalists are going to have to build their careers more guerilla-style by selling their stories and promoting their work all the time."
And that is someone coming from USC! She thinks she's worried about getting jobs? What about us CSULB students...? Check the program out... you may be accepted and not have to worry about future graduation plans!
Lauren D.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Agriculture goes urban and high-tech
A new twist to a traditional concept of agriculture has been implemented in Pomona, California. A recent article published by CNN.com talks about using hydroponics in farming which will bring farming into cities.
Hydroponics farming is a method of cultivating plants in nutrient-rich water instead of soil. With the concern of fewer natural resources in the world, hydroponics would be ideal because it requires less water than traditional farming. It also provides an opportunity for plants to be grown year around in greenhouses. California State Polytechnic University is currently running a program implementing hydroponics with a goal to bring farming to consumers which are in cities.
Supporters point out the environmental benefits this could lead to. Lower costs, more wildernesses, less bacteria and insecure food chains which are reasons they mention for urban hydroponic farms.
Of course nothing is for free, this high-tech farm will require a lot of money, not to mention the price of land, the heat and light needed to sustain the plaints year- round.
“Hydroponics are generally used for fast-growing, high-value crops such as lettuces and tomatoes that can be produced year-round in heated, well-lit greenhouses. So far, production is not large enough for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to track,” according to the article.
Link:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/11/21/urban.agriculture.ap/index.html
-Monica Sullivan
Hydroponics farming is a method of cultivating plants in nutrient-rich water instead of soil. With the concern of fewer natural resources in the world, hydroponics would be ideal because it requires less water than traditional farming. It also provides an opportunity for plants to be grown year around in greenhouses. California State Polytechnic University is currently running a program implementing hydroponics with a goal to bring farming to consumers which are in cities.
Supporters point out the environmental benefits this could lead to. Lower costs, more wildernesses, less bacteria and insecure food chains which are reasons they mention for urban hydroponic farms.
Of course nothing is for free, this high-tech farm will require a lot of money, not to mention the price of land, the heat and light needed to sustain the plaints year- round.
“Hydroponics are generally used for fast-growing, high-value crops such as lettuces and tomatoes that can be produced year-round in heated, well-lit greenhouses. So far, production is not large enough for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to track,” according to the article.
Link:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/11/21/urban.agriculture.ap/index.html
-Monica Sullivan
Sunday, November 23, 2008
How To Not Act Your Age at Work
Posted on CNNMoney.com by the editors of Money Magazine, there is an article with interesting tips as to not appear old at the workplace. The new techniques they name are texting, Wikis, blogging, and twittering.
I'm sure everyone has already sent a text message in this day and age (if not, you are definitely not living in the 21st century). But business texts are becoming more popular for quick, immediate updates. Instead of leaving a long voicemail that no one even has the time to listen to, send a quick text to inform your co-worker or boss of information or details they need to know right away. By this time, blogging is already pretty popular as well. People are writing on the web about every little thing that interests them or just putting out information about themselves whether people want to read it or not, but blogs are still popular in helping people in the business world. If you put on enough pictures, links, videos and useful content, people have been known to get noticed and then are offered business deals because of it. If writing a blog though isn't your thing, they also suggest just being a regular blogosphere reader to make sure that you are in-the-know about current happenings and help you expand your online searching knowledge.
The two new ones though - Wikis and twittering - are really what people are into these days. A wiki is a webpage where all employees and team members can update to and post information on. The biggest plus is that office wikis can be set to only be accessed by people you trust so you won't have to worry about all your information about your big project being available for viewing by anyone on the Web. Lastly, twittering is when people write short, frequent entries about what they are doing or thinking. Much like a Facebook status, Twitter updates can be followed by anyone and they can learn about many resources they wouldn't normally know by following someone's updates.
So based on these 4 things, how old are you in your workplace?
- Jessica I.
I'm sure everyone has already sent a text message in this day and age (if not, you are definitely not living in the 21st century). But business texts are becoming more popular for quick, immediate updates. Instead of leaving a long voicemail that no one even has the time to listen to, send a quick text to inform your co-worker or boss of information or details they need to know right away. By this time, blogging is already pretty popular as well. People are writing on the web about every little thing that interests them or just putting out information about themselves whether people want to read it or not, but blogs are still popular in helping people in the business world. If you put on enough pictures, links, videos and useful content, people have been known to get noticed and then are offered business deals because of it. If writing a blog though isn't your thing, they also suggest just being a regular blogosphere reader to make sure that you are in-the-know about current happenings and help you expand your online searching knowledge.
The two new ones though - Wikis and twittering - are really what people are into these days. A wiki is a webpage where all employees and team members can update to and post information on. The biggest plus is that office wikis can be set to only be accessed by people you trust so you won't have to worry about all your information about your big project being available for viewing by anyone on the Web. Lastly, twittering is when people write short, frequent entries about what they are doing or thinking. Much like a Facebook status, Twitter updates can be followed by anyone and they can learn about many resources they wouldn't normally know by following someone's updates.
So based on these 4 things, how old are you in your workplace?
- Jessica I.
Fired Over Obama
On Friday, a Verizon Wireless source told CNN that the Verizon employees connected to a breach of records from a cell phone used by President-elect Barack Obama have been fired. They will not say how many employees were fired because of the matter but they are saying that is considered to be "closed." Verizon first reported the breach on Thursday, but Obama's team was notified on Wednesday and the President-elect has reportedly not used that phone for months.
CNN explains: "The source also said the employees in question could not have read text messages, if Obama sent or received them, and would not have been able to access the content of any voice mail messages, although they would have been able to see whether any had been left... Ari Schwartz of the Center for Democracy and Technology said the employees probably had access to the dates and times of calls, the length of calls and the telephone numbers of those Obama spoke with."
Verizon says that they think this breach was just due to employees' curiosity, and it was only a simple voice flip-phone that was compromised so none of Obama's emails could have been accessed.
Verizon is also launching an investigation to see if the information was only shared between employees or to sources outside of the country. Do you think the White House is now going to switch to AT&T?
- Jessica I.
CNN explains: "The source also said the employees in question could not have read text messages, if Obama sent or received them, and would not have been able to access the content of any voice mail messages, although they would have been able to see whether any had been left... Ari Schwartz of the Center for Democracy and Technology said the employees probably had access to the dates and times of calls, the length of calls and the telephone numbers of those Obama spoke with."
Verizon says that they think this breach was just due to employees' curiosity, and it was only a simple voice flip-phone that was compromised so none of Obama's emails could have been accessed.
Verizon is also launching an investigation to see if the information was only shared between employees or to sources outside of the country. Do you think the White House is now going to switch to AT&T?
- Jessica I.
Wi-Fi in the Sky
Virgin America is set to launch in-flight Wi-Fi service this week and had a demonstration flight this Saturday out of San Francisco International Airport. They also partnered with YouTube for their demonstration flight.
Finally, an airline is offering what I feel should have been available years ago! For a society of people who are permanently connected to our Blackberries, cell phones and PDAs, a 5-hour cross country flight without being able to check our e-mails is a long time. Finally, Virgin America is giving all travelers what they need, and people will be able to access Internet on flights from 25,000 feet above.
After passing 10,000 feet in the air, CNET blogger who was on the demonstration flight said he was able to find a sky-high Wi-Fi signal and create an account. The service is, of course, not free and will cost you $9.95 for flight 3 hours or less and $12.95 for flights over 3 hours. Kent German explains how it works: "The service is available through Aircell, which powers the in-flight Wi-Fi technology. Radio towers through the continental United States transmit EV-DO Rev A signals to the planes. Three antennas on the outside of the aircraft pick up the signal, which is then transmitted throughout the cabin."
Also, cell phone usage in the air is still a no-go, but if you have a Wi-Fi enabled cell phone you will be able to text. Lastly, a very important aspect of the in-air Wi-Fi is that Virgin America will not be sensoring Web sites. Just be aware of your cabin neighbors and try to keep your browsing PG!
- Jessica I.
Finally, an airline is offering what I feel should have been available years ago! For a society of people who are permanently connected to our Blackberries, cell phones and PDAs, a 5-hour cross country flight without being able to check our e-mails is a long time. Finally, Virgin America is giving all travelers what they need, and people will be able to access Internet on flights from 25,000 feet above.
After passing 10,000 feet in the air, CNET blogger who was on the demonstration flight said he was able to find a sky-high Wi-Fi signal and create an account. The service is, of course, not free and will cost you $9.95 for flight 3 hours or less and $12.95 for flights over 3 hours. Kent German explains how it works: "The service is available through Aircell, which powers the in-flight Wi-Fi technology. Radio towers through the continental United States transmit EV-DO Rev A signals to the planes. Three antennas on the outside of the aircraft pick up the signal, which is then transmitted throughout the cabin."
Also, cell phone usage in the air is still a no-go, but if you have a Wi-Fi enabled cell phone you will be able to text. Lastly, a very important aspect of the in-air Wi-Fi is that Virgin America will not be sensoring Web sites. Just be aware of your cabin neighbors and try to keep your browsing PG!
- Jessica I.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Puppies and Webcams
I'm sure we have all used Webcams at some point to communicate with loved ones away. Ustream, a site used for conferences and chatting, has exploded after a live video feed of 6 Shiba Inu puppies went viral.
And trust me, they are cute.
"The flurry of attention began last month when a Bay Area couple’s pet Shiba Inu, a kind of Japanese hunting dog, gave birth, and its owners decided to train a Webcam on the newborn pups so they could keep an eye on them from work," reports the New York Times.
The site was created as a way for soldiers to stay in touch with their family, reports the same article.
And the puppies have drawn the attention of people across the globe.
Even CNN reported on the live stream.
But there is one comment on the NYT site that caught my eye. One smart reader could be on to something.
"I suspect this puppy site is part of a Ustream viral marketing campaign to drive eyeballs-for-ad-dollars and grow the base of Ustream users. There’s nothing wrong with viral marketing … just wish people better understood how it works. It seems more likely that the sudden dramatic website traffic didn’t result simply from a Ustream employee seeing the site and sending the link to friends and family … after all, the originators of the site (puppy owners) no doubt sent the link to their friends and family and it didn’t suddenly go 'viral.'"- Laurie
In the aforementioned articles, they do say that the couple wishes to remain anonymous. It makes you wonder whether the owners of the puppies are really people working at Ustream. In fact often times, readers have to wonder why there are news stories about something in the first place.
As the same commenter pointed out, both the NYT and CNN have used the viral video to address the First Family's desire to get a puppy. This has generated so much buzz alone, and doing this story could be a way of keeping a non-newsworthy story in the news.
Either way, we see you cant go wrong when combining cute puppies and Webcams.
Erin
And trust me, they are cute.
"The flurry of attention began last month when a Bay Area couple’s pet Shiba Inu, a kind of Japanese hunting dog, gave birth, and its owners decided to train a Webcam on the newborn pups so they could keep an eye on them from work," reports the New York Times.
The site was created as a way for soldiers to stay in touch with their family, reports the same article.
And the puppies have drawn the attention of people across the globe.
Even CNN reported on the live stream.
But there is one comment on the NYT site that caught my eye. One smart reader could be on to something.
"I suspect this puppy site is part of a Ustream viral marketing campaign to drive eyeballs-for-ad-dollars and grow the base of Ustream users. There’s nothing wrong with viral marketing … just wish people better understood how it works. It seems more likely that the sudden dramatic website traffic didn’t result simply from a Ustream employee seeing the site and sending the link to friends and family … after all, the originators of the site (puppy owners) no doubt sent the link to their friends and family and it didn’t suddenly go 'viral.'"- Laurie
In the aforementioned articles, they do say that the couple wishes to remain anonymous. It makes you wonder whether the owners of the puppies are really people working at Ustream. In fact often times, readers have to wonder why there are news stories about something in the first place.
As the same commenter pointed out, both the NYT and CNN have used the viral video to address the First Family's desire to get a puppy. This has generated so much buzz alone, and doing this story could be a way of keeping a non-newsworthy story in the news.
Either way, we see you cant go wrong when combining cute puppies and Webcams.
Erin
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Interesting WIFi Article - Take a Read...
From Newscientist.com:
"The contest to exploit the airwaves freed up when the US switches over to digital TV next year has now got some rules.
These so-called white space frequencies are valuable because they travel further through the atmosphere and so could hugely extend the range of Wi-Fi services such as mobile broadband and gaming networks. The downside is that signals from distant devices operating at the same frequency within this band are more likely to interfere than existing Wi-Fi networks do. That could mean trouble for digital TV.
The solution, says the Federal Communications Commission, is to let the souped-up Wi-Fi devices detect which frequencies are free. In addition, the DCC says the new devices must have GPS receivers so they can avoid the frequencies licensed by TV broadcasts in their area."
Sounds like this situation has a really strong positive, but a strong downside as well. Interference with others on the same network? How would this effect your internet browsing? Could it make it easier for others on the same frequency to hack into your network or computer? Who knows - looks like we'll find out.
-Michael Strachan
Checking up with the doctor online
When I came across this headline on NYTimes.com, "The Doctor Will See You Now - Online", I was intrigued to read it because in my medical sociology class we have been talking a lot about doctor/patient interaction.
Basically, American Well has gotten innovative and is creating ways so patients don't have to wait months to see their doctor...not evening have to start their car and drive to the office. You can log onto your computer and be face-to-face with your physician over the Web.
Dr. Roy Schoenberg founded the company with his brother, Ido.
"We need to take a fresh look at what's available in 2008. Online care means that without reworking the budget, without going through Congress, we can bring affordable health care to people who cannot access it," he said in the article.
There are some costs and a transaction fee - but the doctor's definitely aren't in it for the money considering that they get paid less. But the advantage for them is they don't have to deal with scheduling, overhead and paperwork. They basically log on and wait for patients to come to them and then the money gets deposited into the doctor's bank account.
The practice will benefit doctors who are retired or need business on a Saturday or Sunday where their offices may be closed. It will benefit patients who have a very close relationship with their doctor who knows them well and it's easier to log on and talk to them rather than wait months for an appointment.
If you have a heart attack obviously this system is not going to work well for you but it will work for primary care like diagnosing colds, back aches, etc.
I think for me personally it sounds really convenient if you have a simple question but if you don't really know what's wrong with you and you need a doctor to look at your throat, etc. then I would just rather go to the office.
Lauren D.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Supercomputers Break Petaflop Barrier, Transforming Science
New supercomputers brakes through petaflop speed barrier. The new computers will provide science new opportuties that weren’t possible before, with its number crunching skills, said an article on Wired.com.
According to the article, breaking the petaflop barrier won’t just allow faster computations. The computers will move scientific simulations farther than just the two main branches of science, theory and experimentation, and into the foreground.
The article continues by stating: “Instead of just hypotheses being tested with experiments and observations, large-scale extrapolation and prediction of things we can't observe or that would be impractical for an experiment, will become central to many scientific endeavors.”
Past supercomputers have enabled scientists to test theories, design experiments and predict outcomes as never before. However, the new petaflop-scale machine is poised to bring about major qualitative changes in the way science is done.
Link:
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/11/supercomputers.html
Monica Sullivan
According to the article, breaking the petaflop barrier won’t just allow faster computations. The computers will move scientific simulations farther than just the two main branches of science, theory and experimentation, and into the foreground.
The article continues by stating: “Instead of just hypotheses being tested with experiments and observations, large-scale extrapolation and prediction of things we can't observe or that would be impractical for an experiment, will become central to many scientific endeavors.”
Past supercomputers have enabled scientists to test theories, design experiments and predict outcomes as never before. However, the new petaflop-scale machine is poised to bring about major qualitative changes in the way science is done.
Link:
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/11/supercomputers.html
Monica Sullivan
And The iPhone Keeps Getting Better
Because of the iPhone's amazing capabilities, this phone is already clearly one of the most chased after phones. However, it seems that it is only getting better and better.
The iPhone, because of its glassy exterior and touch screen capabilities has been said that it is like a "entertainment system" at the tip of your fingers. It also seems that it is like a gold mine for entrepreneurs.
Steve Demeter, a former ATM software designer for a large bank, created the game "Trism" and pitched it to Apple in spring of 2007. Apple then made the game available for download starting in July of 2007. The game was available for $5 and in the first two months alone, Demeter made $250,00 in profit.
"Its done phenomenal business," said Demeter, 29, who lives in San Francisco Bay area. "I'm very honored that so many people would enjoy my game. "
It seems that Apple has provided many opportunities for entrepreneurs to have an open playing field and offer their games up for sale to this company. It also seems like the customers of people are enjoying whatever games they are getting. It will be interesting to see where this leads the future of the iPhone.
Albina A
Monday, November 17, 2008
Dominos and TiVo...perfect combination
Though I am more of a Papa John's pizza kind of girl, though I don't eat it that often, this combination of Dominos Pizza and TiVo is pretty cool.
In an article on NYTimes.com, TiVo announced on Monday that you can now use your DVR to order pizza.
The press release reads, "TiVo is serving up a piping hot new service that's truly made to order and gives a whole new meaning to the term 'TV dinner.'"
Oh, technology at its finest!
Lauren D.
QUICK ENERY FACTS
AND COMPANIES MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Energy Consumption
· Total U.S. residential energy consumption is projected to increase 17 percent from 1995 - 2015. (U.S. Energy Information Administration)
· Though accounting for only 5 percent of the world's population, Americans consume 26 percent of the world's energy. (American Almanac)
· The United States spends about $440 billion annually for energy. Energy costs U.S. consumers $200 billion and U.S. manufacturers $100 billion annually.
Global Warming
· On average, 16 million tons of carbon dioxide are emitted into the atmosphere every 24 hours by human use worldwide. (U.S. Department of Energy)
· Carbon emissions in North America reached 1,760 million metric tons in 1998, a 38 percent increase since 1970. They are expected to grow another 31 percent, to 2,314 million metric tons, by the year 2020. (U.S. Department of Energy)
· The United States is the world's largest single emitter of carbon dioxide, accounting for 23 percent of energy-related carbon emissions worldwide. (U.S. Department of Energy)
Energy Efficiency
· By taking appropriate energy-saving measures, by 2010 the United States can have an energy system that reduces costs by $530 per household per year and reduces global warming pollutant emissions to 10 percent below 1990 levels. (Energy Innovations report)
· A decrease of only 1% in industrial energy use would save the equivalent of about 55 million barrels of oil per year, worth about $1 billion.
Innovative Company: EnerNOC
· In October 2006, EnerNOC became a carbon neutral company—the first in the energy management industry.
· EnerNOC offsets 100% of our carbon footprint with Green-e® certified wind, solar, and other renewable energy credits.
· As a carbon neutral company, we effectively power our business operations and our customers’ backup generators with green, renewable energy.
· EnerNOC also offers our employees hybrid car subsidies and energy efficiency incentives to promote intelligent energy use. Employees who purchase hybrid cars receive monthly subsidies.
· EnerNOC’s Green Green! Program encourages employees to install compact fluorescent light bulbs, commute environmentally (walk, bike, take public transportation, car pool, or drive a hybrid), replace old appliances with energy efficient equivalents, and conduct home energy audits, and influence family and friends to follow EnerNOC’s environmental stewardship.
· EnerNOC outlines how customers can utilize demand response to get more from energy
CarbonTrak™
· Enables us to monitor each customer’s emissions by mapping their energy consumption with the generation fuel mix in their region.
· Provides our customers strategy development and support for greenhouse gas or renewable energy credit trading activities.
Energy Consumption
· Total U.S. residential energy consumption is projected to increase 17 percent from 1995 - 2015. (U.S. Energy Information Administration)
· Though accounting for only 5 percent of the world's population, Americans consume 26 percent of the world's energy. (American Almanac)
· The United States spends about $440 billion annually for energy. Energy costs U.S. consumers $200 billion and U.S. manufacturers $100 billion annually.
Global Warming
· On average, 16 million tons of carbon dioxide are emitted into the atmosphere every 24 hours by human use worldwide. (U.S. Department of Energy)
· Carbon emissions in North America reached 1,760 million metric tons in 1998, a 38 percent increase since 1970. They are expected to grow another 31 percent, to 2,314 million metric tons, by the year 2020. (U.S. Department of Energy)
· The United States is the world's largest single emitter of carbon dioxide, accounting for 23 percent of energy-related carbon emissions worldwide. (U.S. Department of Energy)
Energy Efficiency
· By taking appropriate energy-saving measures, by 2010 the United States can have an energy system that reduces costs by $530 per household per year and reduces global warming pollutant emissions to 10 percent below 1990 levels. (Energy Innovations report)
· A decrease of only 1% in industrial energy use would save the equivalent of about 55 million barrels of oil per year, worth about $1 billion.
Innovative Company: EnerNOC
· In October 2006, EnerNOC became a carbon neutral company—the first in the energy management industry.
· EnerNOC offsets 100% of our carbon footprint with Green-e® certified wind, solar, and other renewable energy credits.
· As a carbon neutral company, we effectively power our business operations and our customers’ backup generators with green, renewable energy.
· EnerNOC also offers our employees hybrid car subsidies and energy efficiency incentives to promote intelligent energy use. Employees who purchase hybrid cars receive monthly subsidies.
· EnerNOC’s Green Green! Program encourages employees to install compact fluorescent light bulbs, commute environmentally (walk, bike, take public transportation, car pool, or drive a hybrid), replace old appliances with energy efficient equivalents, and conduct home energy audits, and influence family and friends to follow EnerNOC’s environmental stewardship.
· EnerNOC outlines how customers can utilize demand response to get more from energy
CarbonTrak™
· Enables us to monitor each customer’s emissions by mapping their energy consumption with the generation fuel mix in their region.
· Provides our customers strategy development and support for greenhouse gas or renewable energy credit trading activities.
Can concept of clean coal be salvaged?
Study looks at method that drastically improves efficiency, cuts emissions
By Bryn Nelson
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27685081/
Researchers believe technology can salvage the idea of “clean coal” -- or at least try to get to a point if cleaner coal. Researchers at the University of Padova in Italy have started working on a new process for transforming coal into gas with more improved efficiency.
The new process will be better then conventional coal-to-gas, or gasification, techniques by 28 percent and release 22 percent less carbon dioxide. “Coupling the scheme to a coal-to-liquid process, the authors conclude, could yield 40 percent more synthetic fuel, release 32 percent less carbon dioxide and contribute to a 70 percent rise in overall energy efficiency,” article said.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Cleaner-Coal-Technology-Key-Worlds/story.aspx?guid=%7BE56664EB-C30B-49C6-9392-4A9924297980%7D
Nov 13, 2008, GE Energy and the University of Wyoming announced an agreement to further cleaner coal technology.
Under the agreement, “GE and the university will develop the High Plains Gasification Advanced Technology Center to accelerate the commercial use of cleaner coal technology,” Business Wire Press Release said.
In the United States, coal supplies more than 50 percent of the country's current electricity needs. Coal is an abundant, low-cost, domestic, natural resource that continues to be a significant part of America's energy mix. Wyoming has become a leader in coal resources and can support a large portion of the nations energy needs and produces about 40% of all coal used in the United States to generate electricity.
Coal has been a part of America for better our worse since the being of the industrial revolution. So if the wells not broken, why fix it? On the other hand, should we just improve the well to make it give more water to more people? Why am I using water as an analogy for coal? I guess I am starting to accept the fact that large companies that support millions of coal workers should be a part of energy change to. Do you agree that we should be putting money into new coal technology or should the nation work in other cleaner areas and force everyone to change? I personally think any small improvements count for the time being. If Wyoming supplies 40% of coal for electricity we should be making sure, they are using the cleanest coal technologies available. I also feel its time for the big dogs in the industry to step down and let other energy effect company take over.
By Bryn Nelson
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27685081/
Researchers believe technology can salvage the idea of “clean coal” -- or at least try to get to a point if cleaner coal. Researchers at the University of Padova in Italy have started working on a new process for transforming coal into gas with more improved efficiency.
The new process will be better then conventional coal-to-gas, or gasification, techniques by 28 percent and release 22 percent less carbon dioxide. “Coupling the scheme to a coal-to-liquid process, the authors conclude, could yield 40 percent more synthetic fuel, release 32 percent less carbon dioxide and contribute to a 70 percent rise in overall energy efficiency,” article said.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Cleaner-Coal-Technology-Key-Worlds/story.aspx?guid=%7BE56664EB-C30B-49C6-9392-4A9924297980%7D
Nov 13, 2008, GE Energy and the University of Wyoming announced an agreement to further cleaner coal technology.
Under the agreement, “GE and the university will develop the High Plains Gasification Advanced Technology Center to accelerate the commercial use of cleaner coal technology,” Business Wire Press Release said.
In the United States, coal supplies more than 50 percent of the country's current electricity needs. Coal is an abundant, low-cost, domestic, natural resource that continues to be a significant part of America's energy mix. Wyoming has become a leader in coal resources and can support a large portion of the nations energy needs and produces about 40% of all coal used in the United States to generate electricity.
Coal has been a part of America for better our worse since the being of the industrial revolution. So if the wells not broken, why fix it? On the other hand, should we just improve the well to make it give more water to more people? Why am I using water as an analogy for coal? I guess I am starting to accept the fact that large companies that support millions of coal workers should be a part of energy change to. Do you agree that we should be putting money into new coal technology or should the nation work in other cleaner areas and force everyone to change? I personally think any small improvements count for the time being. If Wyoming supplies 40% of coal for electricity we should be making sure, they are using the cleanest coal technologies available. I also feel its time for the big dogs in the industry to step down and let other energy effect company take over.
No BlackBerry for Obama
Like many of us, President-Elect Barack Obama is addicted to his BlackBerry but before he arrives at the White House he will probably be forced to sign off. In addition to concerns about keeping his e-mails secure, he faces the Presidential Records act. In the act his correspondence are the official record and ultimately up for public review, and the threat of subpoenas.
For all the privileges and power afforded to the president, the chief executive of the United States is essentially deprived by law and culture of some the tools that the other chief executives depend on to thrive and survive.
Obama is hoping to bring the White House into the 21st century by having a laptop computer in the Oval Office at his desk, he would be the first president to do so. On Saturday as he broadcast the weekly Democratic radio address he was videotaped and put on YouTube for all to see. Obama is using technologies that were innovative a few years back and by doing so taking another step forward in history.
A final decision has not been made of whether he could go against precedent to become the first e-mailing president, but many believe that hope is doubtful.
We will have to wait on see on January 20th if he still has his Blackberry at his side, I am sure many college students wouldn't know what to do if there were faced with giving theirs up.
-Carly Youngren
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Internet helps get messages out
This isn't a new concept. But it does make it apparent that when a message needs to reach numerous people, the Internet is there to help. In an article on NYTimes.com, it reiterated the fact how the Internet played an unprecedented role in the election.
In aspects of the gay-rights movement, there was a website made called Join the Impact that rallied thousands of people to gather in eight countries, 50 states and 300 cities to fight against the Prop 8 decision.
The article talked about an organizer of the movement, Amy Balliett. She contrasted this movement with the Stonewall Riot of 1969. "Had they had social media, had they had the Internet, we would have been able to accomplish a lot more already, because they would have been able to keep the message alive and keep the community going," Balliett said in the article.
Join The Impact was getting 50,000 hits an hour once it went up. The internet has an obvious affect to "drive the masses" because it can be reached at anytime of the day and it is so easy with all these social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to send a message out about something and create events to get your community together to stand for something.
Lauren D.
Dear President Obama
In just a little over 60 days, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president. But despite the time, "Dear Mr. President" letters are already piling up.
Two of my largest concerns is how exactly will he undo the mess that is our economy and our environmental issues.
There are many ideas being thrown around to get America back on track. Obama supports cap-and-trade policy that would lower emissions and hold larger agencies accountable. Also many recommend that the U.S. resign the Kyoto protocol when it comes up again in 12 months.
Bush, had no love for regulations and insisted a federal system would only harm states if it implemented a one-size-fits-all policy. States were left to figure out what policy would benefit them best.
Jonathan Lash, president of the World Resources Institute told Newscientist.com that a federal policy could be adopted before the end of 2009.
In the same article, Sen. Jeff Bingaman predicted there would be legislation to develop alternative energy sources before any cap-and-trade policy.
I know the economy is tanking, but why do we have to give up fixing the environment. I think that resolving our climate issues could be the solution to a weakened economy by creating new jobs. This could also be a good way to boost our reputation back to being known as innovators.
Building a stronger economy and solving our environmental issues should not be mutually exclusive. But every media article focuses on how Americans have chosen economy over environment, and even foreign policy. Again, the major issues we face today are complex and require innovative ways of addressing our nation's dilemmas. The media should be focused and diligent when it comes to marketing this idea (environment/economy/foreign policy). I mean come on, after this election cycle they kind of owe us right?
And now the kicker! Our outgoing president will be the one attending a U.N. climate summit in December. Supposedly Obama will be sending representation, but this is just a a reminder that we still have 60 more days.
Unlike the last president, I hope Obama will not see environmental protection laws as unproductive to our economy, but rather essential.
-Erin
Two of my largest concerns is how exactly will he undo the mess that is our economy and our environmental issues.
There are many ideas being thrown around to get America back on track. Obama supports cap-and-trade policy that would lower emissions and hold larger agencies accountable. Also many recommend that the U.S. resign the Kyoto protocol when it comes up again in 12 months.
Bush, had no love for regulations and insisted a federal system would only harm states if it implemented a one-size-fits-all policy. States were left to figure out what policy would benefit them best.
Jonathan Lash, president of the World Resources Institute told Newscientist.com that a federal policy could be adopted before the end of 2009.
In the same article, Sen. Jeff Bingaman predicted there would be legislation to develop alternative energy sources before any cap-and-trade policy.
I know the economy is tanking, but why do we have to give up fixing the environment. I think that resolving our climate issues could be the solution to a weakened economy by creating new jobs. This could also be a good way to boost our reputation back to being known as innovators.
Building a stronger economy and solving our environmental issues should not be mutually exclusive. But every media article focuses on how Americans have chosen economy over environment, and even foreign policy. Again, the major issues we face today are complex and require innovative ways of addressing our nation's dilemmas. The media should be focused and diligent when it comes to marketing this idea (environment/economy/foreign policy). I mean come on, after this election cycle they kind of owe us right?
And now the kicker! Our outgoing president will be the one attending a U.N. climate summit in December. Supposedly Obama will be sending representation, but this is just a a reminder that we still have 60 more days.
Unlike the last president, I hope Obama will not see environmental protection laws as unproductive to our economy, but rather essential.
-Erin
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Clean Coal!!!!
Coal is what keeps the lights on at night. It is also the most carbon-intensive fuel we use. The clean coal concept is the latest pursuit in the industry to cut down chemical emmisions.
Coal and Electric power industries are using exisiting technoloigies to take the sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide out of the emissions at electrical coal powered electrical plants.
The new technology is called CCS, or carbon capture and storage. In theory, it is said to reduce CO2 emmisions by as much as 90%. The process involves capturing a plant's carbon emissions before they escape into the atmosphere and storing them where they can do no harm.
From here, scientists claim to inject large quantities of CO2 underground into depleted oil fields and sandstone beneath the North Sea. Others think that gas could injected into volcanic basalt abundantly located in the Western states causing the interaction to produce a harmless mineral. Although skeptics believe the land would be far to pourous and the gasses would leak out of the land.
On top of that, there is no infrastrucute for a program like this and the process would cost billions of dollars to simply develop storage facilities and transport the CO2 . Something tells me this is not the governments first concern right now!!!
Alex Sanjuan
Coal and Electric power industries are using exisiting technoloigies to take the sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide out of the emissions at electrical coal powered electrical plants.
The new technology is called CCS, or carbon capture and storage. In theory, it is said to reduce CO2 emmisions by as much as 90%. The process involves capturing a plant's carbon emissions before they escape into the atmosphere and storing them where they can do no harm.
From here, scientists claim to inject large quantities of CO2 underground into depleted oil fields and sandstone beneath the North Sea. Others think that gas could injected into volcanic basalt abundantly located in the Western states causing the interaction to produce a harmless mineral. Although skeptics believe the land would be far to pourous and the gasses would leak out of the land.
On top of that, there is no infrastrucute for a program like this and the process would cost billions of dollars to simply develop storage facilities and transport the CO2 . Something tells me this is not the governments first concern right now!!!
Alex Sanjuan
Brain Computer Interface Research, Alex Sanjuan
Erick Ramsey was injured in a car accident in 1999, resulting in a blood clot in his brain's stem cell that caused a stroke where his body and his mind met. The diagnosis is a rare condition known as Locked-in syndrome, which means he has no control over any of his muscles. He will never move or speak but has been spared his conscious and unconscious processing systems, such as his memory, his reason and his emotions. He can feel, see and hear but will not have any way of communicating.
Dr. Phillip Kennedy of Neural Signals Inc. , a pioneer of brain computer interface research works with Erick to introduce medical innovation and the human mind to produce communication, not verbally but audibly.
In his office he hooks Eric up with wires connected to the back of his head and asks Eric to mentally think about making the sound of a word that is spelled with various variations containing a vowel that are projected on a wall before him. As Erick does, a booming vibration pours out of a speaker, the sound is coming from Erick's brain. Erick is the first human to have his thoughts translated directly into speech.
Dr. Kennendy performed an MRI on Erick showing him visuals of animals and monitoring what areas of the brain were stimulated when he tried to sound out the name of the animals. The premotor cortex that controls movement of the mouth was the central focus of his effort prompting Kennedys neral teal to thread three hair thin teflon coated gold wires into that exact part of his brain.
What happened next was a progression of sound units which enabled Kennedy and Frank Guenther, a neuroscientist, to develop a prosethetic voice decoder that allows Erick's thoughts to be audible.
Dr. Phillip Kennedy of Neural Signals Inc. , a pioneer of brain computer interface research works with Erick to introduce medical innovation and the human mind to produce communication, not verbally but audibly.
In his office he hooks Eric up with wires connected to the back of his head and asks Eric to mentally think about making the sound of a word that is spelled with various variations containing a vowel that are projected on a wall before him. As Erick does, a booming vibration pours out of a speaker, the sound is coming from Erick's brain. Erick is the first human to have his thoughts translated directly into speech.
Dr. Kennendy performed an MRI on Erick showing him visuals of animals and monitoring what areas of the brain were stimulated when he tried to sound out the name of the animals. The premotor cortex that controls movement of the mouth was the central focus of his effort prompting Kennedys neral teal to thread three hair thin teflon coated gold wires into that exact part of his brain.
What happened next was a progression of sound units which enabled Kennedy and Frank Guenther, a neuroscientist, to develop a prosethetic voice decoder that allows Erick's thoughts to be audible.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Big Three Automaker Bailout or INNOVATION
Democrats in Congress are pushing for a bailout plan for the Big Three American Automakers. The bailout would send $25 billion to automakers as an emergency loan and would give partial Federal Government ownership in each of the three companies.
Opponents of the proposed bailout point to innovation as a better option. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky points to an earlier proposal that would send the same amount of money to the car makers to develop more fuel-efficient cars.
"Democratic leaders will need to win over some skeptical lawmakers who question whether a bailout would cause changes in the auto industry or simply lead to more handout requests from other industries."
--Democrats urge federal stake in big auto companies
-Matt M.
Opponents of the proposed bailout point to innovation as a better option. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky points to an earlier proposal that would send the same amount of money to the car makers to develop more fuel-efficient cars.
"Democratic leaders will need to win over some skeptical lawmakers who question whether a bailout would cause changes in the auto industry or simply lead to more handout requests from other industries."
--Democrats urge federal stake in big auto companies
-Matt M.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Chicago Innovation Awards
"Six years ago, Thomas Kuczmarski, founder and chief executive of consultants Kuczmarski & Associates, teamed up with veteran Chicago business journalist Dan Miller to celebrate innovative entrepreneurs and companies by crowning 10 of them annually with a Chicago Innovation Award. Since then, the contest's judges have occasionally become worried that interest would slack off. Far from it. In 2008, organizers received a record 307 nominations. That's up from 254 last year and 90 in 2002.
This year's winners are as impressive as ever, ranging from Abbott Laboratories (ABT)—metro Chicago's biggest company measured by stock value—to PrepMe, a 2005 startup with only 10 full-time employees. The winners' creations include Internet services, of course. Just as impressive, they've also discovered ways to improve gear or processes that go back centuries.
The cream of the 2008 crop will be honored on Oct. 28 in Chicago's Goodman Theatre, at a ceremony underwritten by major sponsors IBM (IBM), McGuireWoods, and Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. (WWY) Many of the other candidates won something this year as well: 75 got a chance to take part—for free—in an executive seminar on innovation at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, a full-day tutorial that otherwise would have cost $2,200 a person.
Organizers will start accepting nominations for the eighth annual Chicago Innovation Awards late next spring."
Source: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_43/b4105999575668.htm?chan=magazine+channel_special+report
-Nina Pak
The Great ShakeOut, you'll laugh, you'll cry
Come 10 am Thursday morning, all Southern California counties will be shaking, or so they say.
In an attempt to rally education and understanding about So-Cal's frightening, but true, earthquake reality, the Great Southern California Shakeout is promising to raise awareness to a less than knowledgeable population. The drill is set to imprint the necessary, earthquake survival motto, "Drop, Cover, Hold on!," on So-Cal's residents.
Creating public awareness is both easy and hard nowadays. Its easy because there is greater technology and a better system for warning. However creating enough buzz about a particular threat may go unheard. It can seem like just another day for us. We cant always decipher what threats are probable and that's where the media should help out.
The Great ShakeOut takes an innovative way of creating public awareness and making earthquake preparedness sexy again. Yes, again.
Scientists wager the "big one," the drill simulates a 7.8, is due to hit us within the next 30 years. Not only will the state's infrastructure fall apart but a Diet Coke could cost $10 in the aftermath, reports the Wall Street Journal.
So far, it would be hard to miss the many fliers scattered around campus, but I really wonder whether CSULB students or staff will be participating. There have been other media outlets covering the drill as well.
Los Angeles Times
"One hurdle remains Southern California's polyglot population, where messages must penetrate 81 recognized languages. To counter that and public apathy, efforts are focused on combining repeated messages encouraging homeowners to educate themselves with quasi-peer pressure. The goal is to instill a group "norm to prepare," whereby one set of residents sees another set act and emulates them."
These articles are examples of advocacy journalism, but with a twist. The LA Times article reads like a press release. The article reports numbers showing the small percentage of families actually prepared. The story simply is set to bring publicity to the drill and some vendors that actually specialize in items that will get you through the devastation (SOS Survival Products, catchy huh?).
The WSJ article pretty much mocks the idea by saying that educating the public has helped little, so lets throw a party! The article basically plays on ingenious marketing strategies behind the drill.
I see there may soon be a trend for "creating awareness." Its not that I'm opposed to block-parties celebrating our deeper understanding of what it is to "Drop, Cover, and Hold on," I would however like to understand what it will be accomplishing.
For example, many Southern Californians may be in their cars when the big one hits. What about the infrastructure of our freeways and overpasses. I appreciate that the news outlets are attempting to promote awareness, but what about reporting on the probable infrastructure damage rather than complaining about how little the public knows.
Erin
In an attempt to rally education and understanding about So-Cal's frightening, but true, earthquake reality, the Great Southern California Shakeout is promising to raise awareness to a less than knowledgeable population. The drill is set to imprint the necessary, earthquake survival motto, "Drop, Cover, Hold on!," on So-Cal's residents.
Creating public awareness is both easy and hard nowadays. Its easy because there is greater technology and a better system for warning. However creating enough buzz about a particular threat may go unheard. It can seem like just another day for us. We cant always decipher what threats are probable and that's where the media should help out.
The Great ShakeOut takes an innovative way of creating public awareness and making earthquake preparedness sexy again. Yes, again.
Scientists wager the "big one," the drill simulates a 7.8, is due to hit us within the next 30 years. Not only will the state's infrastructure fall apart but a Diet Coke could cost $10 in the aftermath, reports the Wall Street Journal.
So far, it would be hard to miss the many fliers scattered around campus, but I really wonder whether CSULB students or staff will be participating. There have been other media outlets covering the drill as well.
Los Angeles Times
"One hurdle remains Southern California's polyglot population, where messages must penetrate 81 recognized languages. To counter that and public apathy, efforts are focused on combining repeated messages encouraging homeowners to educate themselves with quasi-peer pressure. The goal is to instill a group "norm to prepare," whereby one set of residents sees another set act and emulates them."
These articles are examples of advocacy journalism, but with a twist. The LA Times article reads like a press release. The article reports numbers showing the small percentage of families actually prepared. The story simply is set to bring publicity to the drill and some vendors that actually specialize in items that will get you through the devastation (SOS Survival Products, catchy huh?).
The WSJ article pretty much mocks the idea by saying that educating the public has helped little, so lets throw a party! The article basically plays on ingenious marketing strategies behind the drill.
I see there may soon be a trend for "creating awareness." Its not that I'm opposed to block-parties celebrating our deeper understanding of what it is to "Drop, Cover, and Hold on," I would however like to understand what it will be accomplishing.
For example, many Southern Californians may be in their cars when the big one hits. What about the infrastructure of our freeways and overpasses. I appreciate that the news outlets are attempting to promote awareness, but what about reporting on the probable infrastructure damage rather than complaining about how little the public knows.
Erin
Technology in hotels
How often do you use the computers in hotels? An article in the NY Times looked at the many hotels who have been using technology to keep up with their guests.
Sheraton teamed up with Microsoft creating new Link@Sheraton lounges where spaces in lobbies would be kept for guests to use public computers to check e-mail, print boarding passes, etc. Westin worked with Nintendo to put Wii consoles, like Wii Fit, in its fitness centers. The Gansevoort Hotel Group is working with Sony to relocate traditional business center to more social setting near the lobby.
Another aspect of technology that hotels are working with is Control4, which is known for the automation systems.
"Another company working with Control4 is the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, which plans to use the system to create a welcome experience at its Las Vegas property, scheduled to open in late 2009," the article reads. "Guests arriving in their room after checking in will be greeted by the drapes opening, the lights automatically turning on and the television displaying a customized message with the guest's name."
Goodbye work, hello laziness. I guess this aspect is kind of cool, but hopefully they will warn them that this will happen. I think I would be scared to see all these things moving at once, opening and closing, and computers/TVs being turned on the second I open the door. Another thing to look at that is interesting is that aren't vacations supposed to be relaxing, not having to worry about your cellphone/computer and other things that are distracting in your normal life? I can understand how these technologies would be useful to those who are on business, but for the normal family on their Hawaiian vacation...I think it would be distracting because everyone is separated trying to find time to get on the computer to play with these gadgets instead of doing what they were going to do when they planned the vacation...relax.
Lauren D.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Heavy lifting? Get Honda!
Lifting heavy boxes gets really annoying, doesn't it? It's also a strain on your back, can lead to health problems down the line and could also cause other joint and muscle injuries.
Problem solved, according to Honda. The company unveiled it's experimental device this past week that helps support body weight, reduce stress on the knees and help people get up steps and stay in crouching positions.
It is described as a, "bicycle seat connected by mechanical frames to a pair of shoes." The company envisions this product being used by auto workers or factory employees, such as in the Honda workforce. The product also features an onboard computer, motor, gears and sensors that monitory your movements to provide the correct amount of assist. In a test by a reporter, it does take some getting used to.
The price is still undecided, however. So if you're moving this weekend and thought this would be a great help to carrying those boxes, I'm sorry to get your hopes up.
-Michael Strachan
Google's YouTube to make even more $$$
YouTube may have struck a deal with FremantleMedia to produce TV shows which will be shown exclusively on the Website, reports Reuters. The same website that allows its audience to post parodies of parodies and "odes to (insert political candidate of choice)," now plans to legitimize itself by making a profit.
We all knew this day was coming, right? We will now be subjected to boring commercials in between what seems to be YouTube's exclusive reality shows. Currently, the new programs are based off shows outside of the states, but if these shows actually draw the large audiences they promise we can bet the American market will be tapped into soon.
On the same day, YouTube also announced it would be partnering with MGM to allow the site to show full length movies, reported CNN.
So far MGM is unwilling to hand over some the more profitable films--James Bond and Rocky--but rather the obscure, straight-to-video titles. This marketing strategy may generate good revenue or may backfire.
Already our Internet use is bogged down by pop-ups and ad graffiti on our screen, but I'm sure YouTube and MGM will be able to invent other forms of advertising that are equally obnoxious.
When they do figure out how to make a profit they should definitely let the rest of the online media know. I heard some were hurting pretty bad.
Erin
We all knew this day was coming, right? We will now be subjected to boring commercials in between what seems to be YouTube's exclusive reality shows. Currently, the new programs are based off shows outside of the states, but if these shows actually draw the large audiences they promise we can bet the American market will be tapped into soon.
On the same day, YouTube also announced it would be partnering with MGM to allow the site to show full length movies, reported CNN.
So far MGM is unwilling to hand over some the more profitable films--James Bond and Rocky--but rather the obscure, straight-to-video titles. This marketing strategy may generate good revenue or may backfire.
Already our Internet use is bogged down by pop-ups and ad graffiti on our screen, but I'm sure YouTube and MGM will be able to invent other forms of advertising that are equally obnoxious.
When they do figure out how to make a profit they should definitely let the rest of the online media know. I heard some were hurting pretty bad.
Erin
Time for a change...
Today Circuit City, the nation's second-biggest electronics retailer, filed for bankruptcy protection but plans to stay open for business as the busy holiday season approaches. It said it decided to file for bankruptcy protection because it was facing pressure from vendors who threatened to withhold products during the holiday shopping period. The company also sit it cut 700 jobs at its headquarters, after announcing a week ago that it would close 20 percent of its stores and lay off thousands of workers.
The Richmond, Va.-based company, which has has only one profitable quarter in the past year, has faced significant declines in traffic and heightened competition from rival Best Buy, and others.
I feel that every morning when I wake up there is another store that is going out of business or another company laying off thousands. I am so thankful that I have not had to deal with this personally, but I am deeply saddened for all of the people that have. Lets hope that with the new President starting in January that we won't have to wake up every morning to such sad news.
-Carly Youngren
Rich Dad,,, Poor Dad...
Maybe you can ban steroids in sports because they're medically dangerous. And maybe you can ban carbon fiber prosthetic legs because they're newfangled. But what about swimsuits? What do you do when a technology that's been around for ages—sleeker, tighter suits—becomes decisive? What can you say when the only objection to such technology is that most people can't afford it?
That's the situation today in collegiate and high-school swimming, according to Amy Shipley's enlightening report in Sunday's Washington Post. Swimmers wearing Speedo's LZR suits set 71 of the 77 new aquatic racing world records at, or just before, this year's Olympics. Now collegiate swimming programs are buying LZRs, and their competitors feel obliged to, um, follow suit. The trend extends to the high-school level, where the suits are showing up at state championship meets. Problem: LZRs cost around $500 retail. At best, with discounts, they go for about half that. And because of the fancy fabric, they wear out after just a few meets. Bottom line: Swimmers who can afford these suits will beat equally talented swimmers who can't.
Athletic federations are divided over what to do. Two months ago, USA Swimming prohibited kids under 13 from competing in the suits. The NCAA imposed a moratorium on the suits but then withdrew it.
In general, I don't like sports equipment bans based on sheer cost. Composite tennis racquets were pricey when they first came out. Should they have been prohibited? What about golf clubs or bike frames? Innovative materials are usually expensive at the outset. The way they become cheaper is by gaining notice, spreading to a broader market, and being produced more efficiently in subsequent iterations. If you ban them, you block this process.
In the swimsuit case, it looks to me as though a logical compromise is already unfolding. What makes the suit prohibitively expensive isn't just the outlay, but the fact that it wears out so fast. The crucial number is the per-meet cost. And that number can be sharply reduced by using the suits only at championship events late in the season. This is exactly what some college programs are already doing. You don't need a Ferrari to pick up your groceries. Swim your regular meets in cheaper suits, and save your LZRs for the big events.
Although, this whole situation lends itself to the elitist perspective that as long as you have money, you truly are better than everyone else in every way. It is difficult to watch people who are just as talented and who have the physical prowess to compete at the same level at these top class athletes have their dreams and hard work crushed just because they can't afford the fancy equipment.This is really a double edged sword. On the one hand I really want to support the underdog here, but on the other hand, I can't say that there is anything wrong with this type of innovation. Oh wait, that isn't true at all. It is capitalism at its best. If you can afford the best thing... you get to make all of the decisions. I guess that's just the way the cookie crumbles... or in this case, the way the rich people always get what they want... see, money really does buy happiness..
Oh crap, now I want a cookie.
--Roger
Thursday, November 6, 2008
A World Full of Womyn
In her novel “The Cleft,” Doris Lessing invites us into a fairy-tale society, free from sexual conspiracy, jealousy, and petty rivalries: a society free from men. She recounts the history of the Clefts, an ancient community of womyn living in a coastal wilderness where childbirth is controlled, and their children are always female. Lessing’s is a story of our earliest ancestors, a race that emerged before humanity, as we know it came into existence, before men existed. While some may argue against such a testosterone-free world, and praise the patriarchal society it has given way to, according to Discover Magazine on June 15, 2007, Dr. Karim Nayernia has found a way to bring us back to the time before men walked the earth, by harvesting bone marrow in order to create sperm cells. This revolutionary process breaks from the traditional reproductive constraints, removing the physical need for both a male and female, and in the end, gives couples made of two womyn the ability to biologically produce a child.
But don’t worry guys, there not going to get rid of all of us....yet.
Normally “the talk” begins with the birds and bees, but soon it will be the birds and the birds…or is it the bees and the bees? Either way, the process itself has significantly changed, and we must understand the actual experiment that has taken leaps towards such a development. According to the April 2007 academic journal, Reproduction: Gamete Biology, in July of 2006 Dr. Nayernia extracted undeveloped cells from the bone marrow of mice and, by using proteins that promote cell growth along with Vitamin A, coaxed them into spermatoagonial stem cells , which would then form into mature sperm. These were then transplanted into the mice’s testes where they were monitored as they underwent meiosis and developed into mature sperm cells. Dr. Nayernia announced in the January 31, 2008 Environmental Graffiti that the bone marrow sperm was successfully transplanted into female mice eggs resulting in seven live births, although, one died and the other six had minor health problems. However, these results were strong enough that researchers believe humyn testing can soon begin. The April 13, 2007 London Independent maintains that with the success of the procedure in mice, this new technique for producing sperm can easily be applied to humyns, and describes the process. After bone marrow tissue is extracted from the person, scientists will isolate the stem cells to be used. Through a culture medium, the stem cells are then coaxed to develop into early sperm cells. Once they have stabilized in their development, these cells can either be implanted into a man’s testes or, if the person is female, the cells can reach maturity in a test tube. At this point, there would be no difference between this bone marrow sperm and sperm produced the old fashioned way, and are completely ready to fertilize a womyn’s egg. Given the fact that these sperm cells are created from any individual’s bone marrow, male or female, this process easily lends itself to the breakdown of the need for both a man and womyn to biologically interact in order to make a baby.
Reproduction has been valued as a gift, something that must be cherished and never taken for granted. However, in our society, there are couples that have not only had this gift taken from them, but those who have never been given it to begin with, and with a development such as this, we can aid them all. Obviously, infertility is the first condition bone marrow sperm can cure. Whether it’s a natural disorder that some men may be victim to, or as the April 13, 2007 Press Associate claims, one more sacrifice that men with cancer must make due to the side effects of chemotherapy, male infertility is a devastating reality to those who cannot parent their own biological children. However, the Guardian notes on April 27, 2007 that since bone marrow can now be developed into mature, healthy sperm cells, infertile men can now be given the gift of fathering their previously denied biological child. Not only does this procedure benefit infertile men, but according to the April 16, 2007 Pretoria News, this technique could be adapted to help female infertility by growing eggs through the same process. However, the London Telegraph claims on January 31, 2008 that in Brazil, Dr. Irina Kerkis has started to make eggs from bone marrow stem cells, but they have all been completely sterile. Therefore, with current research, only same-sex female couples could biologically parent a child without the use of donors. However, there is one little quirk. The previously cited Discover Magazine reminds us that while a male’s sperm carries both an X and Y chromosome, bone marrow sperm made from a female would only have two X’s, and therefore, the resulting child would always be guaranteed to be female. Regardless, by removing the need for both a man and womyn to go through the lengthy, messy, and sometimes uncomfortable process of making a baby, this groundbreaking technology is finally challenging the social and biological limitations put upon humyn reproduction.
So now that whole birds and the birds thing doesn’t seem so far off, huh? Just imagine it, a world where womyn wouldn’t need men…for anything, able to procreate completely on their own. Unfortunately, we need to realize that it’s not as simple as that. According to the April 16, 2007 News in Science, Professor Harry Moore, of the Center for Stem Cell Biology at the University of Sheffield, notes that while stem cell manipulations in mice are successful, humyns are much more complex, and that these sperm cells could have permanent genetic changes that would make them unsafe to use, especially in the complicated reproductive process. Due to this argument, the British government has taken a stand against stem cell sperm. Big surprise! The April 13, 2007 France Agency Press, explains that the British government has recently proposed bans on using artificially created sperms or eggs in assisted human reproduction. The ban explains that there are profound ethical implications, but in the April 19, 2007 Pulse, Dr. Allan Pacey, secretary of the British Fertility Society, speaks of the importance of continuing research on this breakthrough, since through the testing and research of bone marrow sperm cells, we can unlock the mysteries of humyn reproduction and infertility. Should the world progress beyond the close-minded understanding of making babies, we may find even larger implications. The social impact of such a revolution is by far the most significant to consider. The desire of many sterile heterosexual couples to biologically parent a child, is now probable. Beyond that, much of the debate over same-sex marriage is based on the argument that two individuals of the same sex cannot produce a child. However, with this breakthrough, this aspect of the debate is now a moot point, at least for female couples. But even though there has been experimentation to allow male couples to synthesize eggs from their own bone marrow, the London Telegraph of February 12, 2008 maintains that until an egg can successfully be produced, dreams of parenthood will have to wait. Therefore, only lesbian couples can biologically parent a child. Though, some have spoken out against this idea. On April 14, 2007, Father Joe Parkinson, director of the L.J. Goody Bioethics Centre told The West Australian that two females achieving pregnancy is not assisting nature, it’s over-ruling nature. Perhaps he just fears that, as a man, he’s becoming obsolete; because just think long term…really long term. The April 14, 2007 Courier Mail claims if we abuse this technology, then the number of men on this planet could dwindle down to nothing. While this seems like a bit of a stretch, in today’s world, womyn already outnumber men, and they're not even doing anything special. Plus, according to the July 24, 2007 Associated Content, the Y chromosome is becoming extinct, with the life expectancy of males quickly dropping and females living longer than ever. Factor in a process that guarantees a female birth, and the male species may find itself struggling for dominance…for a change.
A planet full of womyn: is that a hetero man’s dream or his worst nightmare? Hopefully we’ve realized, that this development won’t make everyone come out of the closet, but rather, has evolved our society past the traditional notions of reproduction. Doris Lessing wrote in her novel of a time when men began to be born into a world of womyn, and their society had to adapt in order to flourish.
--Roger
Two Days Later!
Its been two days since Senator Barack Obama won the presidential election, making history by becoming the first ever African American President. I still feel like I'm dreaming. Never in my wildest dreams did I think my parents and I would live to such an accomplishment.
As a young African American man, this is so inspiring! I now know the feeling of being high off of life. I now truly know that I can accomplish any and ever dream that I have, with hard work persistence and faith.
I'm proud to know that I was a part of and witnessed HISTORY!
Don't follow your dreams, Chase them!
Rashad L.
As a young African American man, this is so inspiring! I now know the feeling of being high off of life. I now truly know that I can accomplish any and ever dream that I have, with hard work persistence and faith.
I'm proud to know that I was a part of and witnessed HISTORY!
Don't follow your dreams, Chase them!
Rashad L.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Smartphone = save money
What if you could take a picture of an item from your phone and within seconds find the lowest price? Well, ShopSavvy made an application that would allow people with smartphones to use the phone’s camera as a bar code scanner. A user of this application would simply have to point the camera at an item and ShopSavvy connects to the Web to search for the lowest price, online and local stores, and product review. ShopSavvy also has the feature for retailers to add their emails and their projected price, the company sends out an alert to the retailers when the product hits that price.
There have been reports of ShopSavvy not having the information on all the products out on the market.
A down side to this new application is that it only works best for the G1 which is the Google phone. Other cell phones have fixed focal points which restrict the camera from working properly.
Another product-and-price database is called, Slifter, Virgin Mobile began offering users last month. This program works differently than the other application. It is featured on the phone’s “deck,” a directory of Web sites chosen by the carrier. It should work on more phones because the carrier put them there.
New York Times
“Hesitating Over a Smartphone’s Price? It Could Save You Money”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/technology/personaltech/06smart.html?_r=1&8dpc&oref=slogin
-Monica Sullivan
There have been reports of ShopSavvy not having the information on all the products out on the market.
A down side to this new application is that it only works best for the G1 which is the Google phone. Other cell phones have fixed focal points which restrict the camera from working properly.
Another product-and-price database is called, Slifter, Virgin Mobile began offering users last month. This program works differently than the other application. It is featured on the phone’s “deck,” a directory of Web sites chosen by the carrier. It should work on more phones because the carrier put them there.
New York Times
“Hesitating Over a Smartphone’s Price? It Could Save You Money”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/technology/personaltech/06smart.html?_r=1&8dpc&oref=slogin
-Monica Sullivan
Phones and more phones
After only being out in the Asia market for about two months, a second version of the Samsung T*Omnia was introduced on Monday in Korea. The upgrades on this phone includes a wider screen with high resolution for multimedia functions.
T*Omnia is going up against Apple's I-Phone 3G but Microsoft Steve Ballmer points out how the T*Omnia offers more extensive features than the 3G. T*Omnia comes with a five-megapixel camera with WI-FI, GPS, bluetooth and the microsoft office program, which allows PC users to transfer compatible files with ease.
Ballmer said, “I like the T*Omnia phone because it brings together communications, productivity, multimedia, and entertainment in a way that meets the needs of both consumers and mobile professionals.”
Samsung is currently negociating a deal with America for the T*Omnia to be distributed within the states. If the deal comes through, the U.S. will be seeing this phone on shelves at the end of this month.
-Ching
T*Omnia is going up against Apple's I-Phone 3G but Microsoft Steve Ballmer points out how the T*Omnia offers more extensive features than the 3G. T*Omnia comes with a five-megapixel camera with WI-FI, GPS, bluetooth and the microsoft office program, which allows PC users to transfer compatible files with ease.
Ballmer said, “I like the T*Omnia phone because it brings together communications, productivity, multimedia, and entertainment in a way that meets the needs of both consumers and mobile professionals.”
Samsung is currently negociating a deal with America for the T*Omnia to be distributed within the states. If the deal comes through, the U.S. will be seeing this phone on shelves at the end of this month.
-Ching
Monday, November 3, 2008
Profiting from pirated content
For many years now, entertainment companies like TV networks, film and music studios, have been fighting against having their copyrighted material available on the Internet for free. But now according to a post on Wired.com, "MySpace is launching an ad platform called Auditude that automatically identifies content from MTV Networks (content like "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "Punk’d") and will display an overlay that shows where the clip originally came from, its original air-date, and links to online stores where users can purchase the entire episode."
Auditude uses "fingerprints" in the original content to identify the audio/video data so it will be able to find the source no matter who uploads the video (i.e. copyrighted videos and clips posted to sites like YouTube).
Do you think this program is a step towards eliminating so many cases of people violating copyright law due to illegal downloading? Wired.com is saying that this is "a big step forward for monetizing online video."
- Jessica I.
Auditude uses "fingerprints" in the original content to identify the audio/video data so it will be able to find the source no matter who uploads the video (i.e. copyrighted videos and clips posted to sites like YouTube).
Do you think this program is a step towards eliminating so many cases of people violating copyright law due to illegal downloading? Wired.com is saying that this is "a big step forward for monetizing online video."
- Jessica I.
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