If one watches the mainstream media, it seems that everyone is clamoring for their share of the government's largess. Banks, car companies, insurance companies, mortgage companies, individuals--seemingly everyone wants some piece of the bailout.
But yet I know that's not true. I personally know dozens of strong, proud owners of small and medium sized businesses who don't need a bailout, and wouldn't take one if it were offered to them. And I know hundreds of individual, hard-working taxpayers and mortgage payers who feel the exactly the same way. In fact, I'm convinced that these people represent the silent super-majority.
That's why I've decided, for the first time in my life, to try to start a movement--a movement designed to give this silent super-majority a voice and a sense of solidarity. I've decided to call this movement the Coalition for Capitalism and Individualism in America, or CCIA. Membership in the CCIA is open to individuals and businesses who pledge to forgo government handouts, who expect to EARN whatever money they make, and who want to support other businesses and individuals that pledge to do the same.
Specifically, members of the CCIA will be entitled to use certain key phrases, logos and perhaps other indicia of membership on their letterhead, business cards, websites, radio/TV ads, etc., all of which will signify their commitment to operate without government subsidy, and their support of other businesses who do the same. Words and phrases such as "A Bailout-Free Company", "A Bailout-Free Dude/Chick", or simply "Member, CCIA" will evidence this commitment. No business or individual who accepts government grants, subsidies, or below market loans from federal, state, or local government entities or agencies may rightfully use such terms.
A complete list of the copyrighted phrases currently available to CCIA members can be found here.
As any good capitalist would, I hope to make a profit via this endeavor, but I don't expect I will make much: Membership in the CCIA is only $2 per month and may be canceled at anytime.
One joins the CCIA by reading and agreeing to this licensing agreement, clicking the "Submit" button at the bottom of the agreement, and completing the Electronic Enrollment Process. Once you get your electronic confirmation of payment, you are deemed a member and you may immediately begin using the appropriate phrases and logos of your choice.
If you value capitalism and individual responsibility, I hope you'll take the time to join the CCIA, place the appropriate phrases/logos on your websites, email correspondence, advertisements, etc., and encourage others to do the same. Most importantly, I hope you'll make a special effort to support CCIA members by giving them your business and attention.
Keep striving. Stay independent.
All the best,
Sean
Sunday, February 22, 2009
CCIA Authored Works:
The following phrases constitute the CCIA Authored Works as of February 22, 2009:
* A Bailout-Free Company
* A Bailout-Free Blog
* A TARP-Free Company
* A TARP-Free Blog
* [Insert Company Name] is a Bailout-free Company
* [Insert Company Name] is a TARP-Free Company
* [Insert Blog Name] is a Bailout-Free Blog
* [Insert Blog Name] is a TARP-Free Blog
* A Bailout-Free Dude
* A Bailout-Free Chick
* Support Bailout-free Companies!
* Visit Bailout-free Blogs!
* A Bailout-Free Radio Show
* A Bailout-Free Talk Show
* A Bailout-Free Radio Station
* Member CCIA
* Member, Coalition for Capitalism and Individualism In America
* A Bailout-Free Company
* A Bailout-Free Blog
* A TARP-Free Company
* A TARP-Free Blog
* [Insert Company Name] is a Bailout-free Company
* [Insert Company Name] is a TARP-Free Company
* [Insert Blog Name] is a Bailout-Free Blog
* [Insert Blog Name] is a TARP-Free Blog
* A Bailout-Free Dude
* A Bailout-Free Chick
* Support Bailout-free Companies!
* Visit Bailout-free Blogs!
* A Bailout-Free Radio Show
* A Bailout-Free Talk Show
* A Bailout-Free Radio Station
* Member CCIA
* Member, Coalition for Capitalism and Individualism In America
Coaltition for Capitalism and Individualism in America Membership and Licensing Agreement
COPYRIGHT LICENSE AND ROYALTY AGREEMENT
This Copyright License (the “License”) is made and effective as of the date defined in Section 1 below by and between SEAN GREGORY KING DOING BUSINESS AS “THE COALITION FOR CAPITALISM AND INDIVIDUALISM IN AMERICA” (the “Licensor” or “CCIA”) and YOU (the “Licensee”). The Licensor and the Licensee may be referred to individually as a “Party” or collectively as the “Parties.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Licensor has created those works more particularly described at http://wefivekingsblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/ccia-authored-works.html (collectively, the “CCIA Authored Works”); and
WHEREAS, it is the Licensor’s intention to license and transfer to the Licensee some of Licensor’s right, title, and interest in and to the CCIA Authored Works; and
WHEREAS, the Licensee desires to license certain of the Licensor’s right, title, and interest in and to the CCIA Authored Works; and
WHEREAS, each Party is duly authorized and capable of entering into this License.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises, the covenants and premises set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
1. LICENSE OF CCIA AUTHORED WORKS.
The Effective Date of this License is the date that Assignee completes the Electronic Registration Process defined below. This License shall continue until terminated as described in Section 5 below. The Electronic Registration Process consists of clicking on the “Subscribe” button at the end of this License, providing the requested information (which shall include the Licensee’s legal name), submitting electronic payment for the initial royalty fee, and receiving confirmation of payment.
Upon completion of the Electronic Registration Process, the Licensor grants to the Licensee a non-exclusive license to use the CCIA Authored Works during the term of this License in accordance with the following terms and limitations:
(a) Licensee may display or publicize the CCIA Authored Works (digitally or otherwise) on Licensee’s letterhead, business cards, email correspondence, website, or web log (“Blog”).
(b) Licensee may display, transmit or publicize the CCIA Authored Works in advertisements for Licensee’s business, website, or Blog which are broadcast on television or radio or displayed on billboards or the Internet.
(c) Licensor retains all other rights in the CCIA Authored Works including but not limited to the right to create derivative works thereof; the right to grant additional non-exclusive licenses; the right to sell, transfer, convey or License the CCIA Authored Works; all goodwill and moral rights in and to the CCIA Authored Works; all income, royalties, and damages hereafter due or payable with respect to the CCIA Authored Works, including but not limited to the right to sue for past or future infringements and misappropriations of the CCIA Authored Works; and the rights to any registrations or applications for registrations of each CCIA Authored Work, including any renewals or extensions thereof.
(d) Licensee agrees not to challenge the Licensor’s use or ownership, or the validity, of the CCIA Authored Works.
2. CONSIDERATION.
As consideration for the Licensing of the rights in the CCIA Authored Works described above and the Licensor’s representations and warranties, and upon completion of the Electronic Enrollment Process, the Licensee promises to pay the Licensor a Royalty in the amount of two United States dollar ($2.00) per month (the “Consideration”) until such time as this Agreement is terminated as provided in Section 5 below. Payment for the Consideration shall be made by recurring credit card charges as determined during the Electronic Registration Process. Licensor shall have no right to increase the amount of this Royalty during the term of this agreement.
3. LICENSOR’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
The Licensor hereby represents and warrants to the Licensee that:
(a) The Licensor is the owner of the rights in the CCIA Authored Works Licensed herein;
(b) The CCIA Authored Works are original, are not in the public domain, are not plagiarized, and do not contain anything that is libelous or obscene;
(c) The Licensor has full power and authority to enter into this License and to make the License as provided in Section 1;
(d) The Licensor is not aware of any third-party consents, assignments, or licenses that are necessary to perform under this License; and
(e) The Licensor was not acting within the scope of employment of any third party when conceiving, creating, or otherwise performing any activity with respect to the CCIA Authored Works.
4. LICENSEE’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
The Licensee hereby represents and warrants to the Licensor that:
(a) Licensee has full power and authority to enter into this License;
(b) Licensee sufficient resources to complete the transaction contemplated by this License and the authority to commit such resources for the purposes of such transaction; and
(c) Licensee shall not use or employ the rights in the CCIA Authored Works granted via this License in a manner inconsistent with applicable state, federal or local laws or regulations, including but not limited to those prohibiting false or misleading advertising and unfair trade practices.
(d) If Licensee is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, or other such legal entity, that the person completing the Electronic Registration Process on its behalf is its officer, agent or employee who is duly authorized and empowered to enter into this License.
5. TERMINATION
This License shall lapse and terminate immediately upon the happening of any of the following:
(a) Written notice of termination of this License by the Licensor.
(b) Failure for any reason of the Licensee to pay the monthly royalty as provided in Section 2 above. Licensee may stop Royalty payments at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" button at the end of this License and providing the requested information.
(c) Licensee’s acceptance of grants, subsidies, or below market loans from federal, state, or local government entities or agencies, or upon any such governmental entity or agency taking any ownership interest in Licensee.
Upon termination of this License, no further royalties shall be paid by Licensee and Licensee shall immediately cease and desist from making any use of the CCIA Authored Works or any derivatives thereof.
6. HOLD HARMLESS, LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND ARBITRATION
At all times during the term of this License and following its termination, Licensee shall indemnify, defend and hold Licensor harmless for any and all liabilities, damages, costs, penalties, attorneys’ fees, or other expenses that Licensor may incur by virtue of Licensee’s rightful or wrongful exercise of the rights granted by this License.
Licensee also agrees not to sue Licensor or its successors, heirs or assigns in any court anywhere under any circumstances whatsoever whether in law or equity. Should this agreement not to sue be held unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then Licensee agrees to submit any remaining dispute between the Parties to binding arbitration. All such arbitration expenses shall be borne by Licensee. The arbitration panel shall be composed of three attorneys selected by Licensor, all of whom must be licensed to practice law in Tennessee. Any award resulting from such arbitration shall be limited to liquidated damages in the amount of the total of all Royalties paid by the Licensee under this agreement.
Should this arbitration provision be held unenforceable, Licensee agrees to accept as liquidated damages in any lawsuit against Licensor or his successors, heirs or assigns an amount equal to the total royalties paid by Licensee under this agreement, and Licensee hereby forfeits any and all other remedies or damages to which Licensee may otherwise be entitled in law or equity. Any lawsuit concerning this License or this Section 6 must take place in the courts of Knox County, Tennessee, under the laws of Tennessee and the United States of America without regard to either’s choice of law provisions.
7. SUCCESSORS AND LICENSES.
All references in this License to the Parties shall be deemed to include, as applicable, a reference to their respective successors, heirs assigns and Licensees. The provisions of this License shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the successors, heirs, assigns and Licensees of the Parties.
8. NO IMPLIED WAIVER.
The failure of either Party to insist on strict performance of any covenant or obligation under this License, regardless of the length of time for which such failure continues, shall not be deemed a waiver of such Party’s right to demand strict compliance in the future. No consent or waiver, express or implied, to or of any breach or default in the performance of any obligation under this License shall constitute a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance of the same or any other obligation.
9. GOVERNING LAW.
This License shall be governed by the laws of the state of Tennessee and the United States of America without regard to either’s choice of law principles.
10. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES.
Both parties shall be deemed to have executed this License, and shall be bound by its terms, upon the Licensee’s completion of the Electronic Registration Process described above.
11. SEVERABILITY.
Whenever possible, each provision of this License, will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this License is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this License will be reformed, construed, and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had never been contained herein.
12. ENTIRE LICENSEMENT.
This License, together with the list of CCIA Authored Works at http://wefivekingsblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/ccia-authored-works.html , constitutes the final, complete, and exclusive statement of the agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all other prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Parties.
13. HEADINGS.
Headings used in this License are provided for convenience only and shall not be used to construe meaning or intent.
14. AMENDMENT
Licensor may unilaterally amend this License from time to time by adding to, but not by subtracting from, the list of CCIA Authored Works at:
http://wefivekingsblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/ccia-authored-works.html
Continued payment of the Royalty after such an amendment shall constitute its acceptance by Licensee.
[END OF AGREEMENT. TO ACCEPT ITS TERMS, ENTER LICENSEE'S LEGAL NAME IN THE SPACE BELOW AND THEN CLICK "SUBSCRIBE". LICENSING FEE IS $2.00 PER MONTH CHARGED TO YOUR CREDIT CARD UNTIL YOU DECIDE TO CANCEL. YOU MAY CANCEL AT ANYTIME BY CLICKING "UNSUBSCRIBE" BELOW.]
This Copyright License (the “License”) is made and effective as of the date defined in Section 1 below by and between SEAN GREGORY KING DOING BUSINESS AS “THE COALITION FOR CAPITALISM AND INDIVIDUALISM IN AMERICA” (the “Licensor” or “CCIA”) and YOU (the “Licensee”). The Licensor and the Licensee may be referred to individually as a “Party” or collectively as the “Parties.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Licensor has created those works more particularly described at http://wefivekingsblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/ccia-authored-works.html (collectively, the “CCIA Authored Works”); and
WHEREAS, it is the Licensor’s intention to license and transfer to the Licensee some of Licensor’s right, title, and interest in and to the CCIA Authored Works; and
WHEREAS, the Licensee desires to license certain of the Licensor’s right, title, and interest in and to the CCIA Authored Works; and
WHEREAS, each Party is duly authorized and capable of entering into this License.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises, the covenants and premises set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
1. LICENSE OF CCIA AUTHORED WORKS.
The Effective Date of this License is the date that Assignee completes the Electronic Registration Process defined below. This License shall continue until terminated as described in Section 5 below. The Electronic Registration Process consists of clicking on the “Subscribe” button at the end of this License, providing the requested information (which shall include the Licensee’s legal name), submitting electronic payment for the initial royalty fee, and receiving confirmation of payment.
Upon completion of the Electronic Registration Process, the Licensor grants to the Licensee a non-exclusive license to use the CCIA Authored Works during the term of this License in accordance with the following terms and limitations:
(a) Licensee may display or publicize the CCIA Authored Works (digitally or otherwise) on Licensee’s letterhead, business cards, email correspondence, website, or web log (“Blog”).
(b) Licensee may display, transmit or publicize the CCIA Authored Works in advertisements for Licensee’s business, website, or Blog which are broadcast on television or radio or displayed on billboards or the Internet.
(c) Licensor retains all other rights in the CCIA Authored Works including but not limited to the right to create derivative works thereof; the right to grant additional non-exclusive licenses; the right to sell, transfer, convey or License the CCIA Authored Works; all goodwill and moral rights in and to the CCIA Authored Works; all income, royalties, and damages hereafter due or payable with respect to the CCIA Authored Works, including but not limited to the right to sue for past or future infringements and misappropriations of the CCIA Authored Works; and the rights to any registrations or applications for registrations of each CCIA Authored Work, including any renewals or extensions thereof.
(d) Licensee agrees not to challenge the Licensor’s use or ownership, or the validity, of the CCIA Authored Works.
2. CONSIDERATION.
As consideration for the Licensing of the rights in the CCIA Authored Works described above and the Licensor’s representations and warranties, and upon completion of the Electronic Enrollment Process, the Licensee promises to pay the Licensor a Royalty in the amount of two United States dollar ($2.00) per month (the “Consideration”) until such time as this Agreement is terminated as provided in Section 5 below. Payment for the Consideration shall be made by recurring credit card charges as determined during the Electronic Registration Process. Licensor shall have no right to increase the amount of this Royalty during the term of this agreement.
3. LICENSOR’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
The Licensor hereby represents and warrants to the Licensee that:
(a) The Licensor is the owner of the rights in the CCIA Authored Works Licensed herein;
(b) The CCIA Authored Works are original, are not in the public domain, are not plagiarized, and do not contain anything that is libelous or obscene;
(c) The Licensor has full power and authority to enter into this License and to make the License as provided in Section 1;
(d) The Licensor is not aware of any third-party consents, assignments, or licenses that are necessary to perform under this License; and
(e) The Licensor was not acting within the scope of employment of any third party when conceiving, creating, or otherwise performing any activity with respect to the CCIA Authored Works.
4. LICENSEE’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
The Licensee hereby represents and warrants to the Licensor that:
(a) Licensee has full power and authority to enter into this License;
(b) Licensee sufficient resources to complete the transaction contemplated by this License and the authority to commit such resources for the purposes of such transaction; and
(c) Licensee shall not use or employ the rights in the CCIA Authored Works granted via this License in a manner inconsistent with applicable state, federal or local laws or regulations, including but not limited to those prohibiting false or misleading advertising and unfair trade practices.
(d) If Licensee is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, or other such legal entity, that the person completing the Electronic Registration Process on its behalf is its officer, agent or employee who is duly authorized and empowered to enter into this License.
5. TERMINATION
This License shall lapse and terminate immediately upon the happening of any of the following:
(a) Written notice of termination of this License by the Licensor.
(b) Failure for any reason of the Licensee to pay the monthly royalty as provided in Section 2 above. Licensee may stop Royalty payments at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" button at the end of this License and providing the requested information.
(c) Licensee’s acceptance of grants, subsidies, or below market loans from federal, state, or local government entities or agencies, or upon any such governmental entity or agency taking any ownership interest in Licensee.
Upon termination of this License, no further royalties shall be paid by Licensee and Licensee shall immediately cease and desist from making any use of the CCIA Authored Works or any derivatives thereof.
6. HOLD HARMLESS, LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND ARBITRATION
At all times during the term of this License and following its termination, Licensee shall indemnify, defend and hold Licensor harmless for any and all liabilities, damages, costs, penalties, attorneys’ fees, or other expenses that Licensor may incur by virtue of Licensee’s rightful or wrongful exercise of the rights granted by this License.
Licensee also agrees not to sue Licensor or its successors, heirs or assigns in any court anywhere under any circumstances whatsoever whether in law or equity. Should this agreement not to sue be held unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then Licensee agrees to submit any remaining dispute between the Parties to binding arbitration. All such arbitration expenses shall be borne by Licensee. The arbitration panel shall be composed of three attorneys selected by Licensor, all of whom must be licensed to practice law in Tennessee. Any award resulting from such arbitration shall be limited to liquidated damages in the amount of the total of all Royalties paid by the Licensee under this agreement.
Should this arbitration provision be held unenforceable, Licensee agrees to accept as liquidated damages in any lawsuit against Licensor or his successors, heirs or assigns an amount equal to the total royalties paid by Licensee under this agreement, and Licensee hereby forfeits any and all other remedies or damages to which Licensee may otherwise be entitled in law or equity. Any lawsuit concerning this License or this Section 6 must take place in the courts of Knox County, Tennessee, under the laws of Tennessee and the United States of America without regard to either’s choice of law provisions.
7. SUCCESSORS AND LICENSES.
All references in this License to the Parties shall be deemed to include, as applicable, a reference to their respective successors, heirs assigns and Licensees. The provisions of this License shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the successors, heirs, assigns and Licensees of the Parties.
8. NO IMPLIED WAIVER.
The failure of either Party to insist on strict performance of any covenant or obligation under this License, regardless of the length of time for which such failure continues, shall not be deemed a waiver of such Party’s right to demand strict compliance in the future. No consent or waiver, express or implied, to or of any breach or default in the performance of any obligation under this License shall constitute a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance of the same or any other obligation.
9. GOVERNING LAW.
This License shall be governed by the laws of the state of Tennessee and the United States of America without regard to either’s choice of law principles.
10. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES.
Both parties shall be deemed to have executed this License, and shall be bound by its terms, upon the Licensee’s completion of the Electronic Registration Process described above.
11. SEVERABILITY.
Whenever possible, each provision of this License, will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this License is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this License will be reformed, construed, and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had never been contained herein.
12. ENTIRE LICENSEMENT.
This License, together with the list of CCIA Authored Works at http://wefivekingsblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/ccia-authored-works.html , constitutes the final, complete, and exclusive statement of the agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all other prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Parties.
13. HEADINGS.
Headings used in this License are provided for convenience only and shall not be used to construe meaning or intent.
14. AMENDMENT
Licensor may unilaterally amend this License from time to time by adding to, but not by subtracting from, the list of CCIA Authored Works at:
http://wefivekingsblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/ccia-authored-works.html
Continued payment of the Royalty after such an amendment shall constitute its acceptance by Licensee.
[END OF AGREEMENT. TO ACCEPT ITS TERMS, ENTER LICENSEE'S LEGAL NAME IN THE SPACE BELOW AND THEN CLICK "SUBSCRIBE". LICENSING FEE IS $2.00 PER MONTH CHARGED TO YOUR CREDIT CARD UNTIL YOU DECIDE TO CANCEL. YOU MAY CANCEL AT ANYTIME BY CLICKING "UNSUBSCRIBE" BELOW.]
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Triumph of Hope Over Fear?
Just a few weeks ago, Obama suggested in his inaugural address that his election represented the triumph of Democrat "hope" over Republican "fear." My oh my, how things have quickly changed:
"A failure to act, and act now, will turn crisis into a catastrophe."
-- President Obama, Feb. 4.
"I don't think the American public has gripped in its gut what could happen. We're looking at a scenario where there's no more agriculture in California. I don't actually see how they can keep their cities going."
--Secretary of Energy Steven Chu
"This would bring a screeching halt to human civilization and threaten life everywhere on Earth, and this is by the end of this century"
-Al Gore, January 28
"Every month that we do not have an economic recovery package 500 million Americans lose their jobs. I don't think we can go fast enough to stop that."
--Nancy Pelosi
Hope? Really? These guys sound more like the four horsemen of the apocalypse than harbingers of hope!
"A failure to act, and act now, will turn crisis into a catastrophe."
-- President Obama, Feb. 4.
"I don't think the American public has gripped in its gut what could happen. We're looking at a scenario where there's no more agriculture in California. I don't actually see how they can keep their cities going."
--Secretary of Energy Steven Chu
"This would bring a screeching halt to human civilization and threaten life everywhere on Earth, and this is by the end of this century"
-Al Gore, January 28
"Every month that we do not have an economic recovery package 500 million Americans lose their jobs. I don't think we can go fast enough to stop that."
--Nancy Pelosi
Hope? Really? These guys sound more like the four horsemen of the apocalypse than harbingers of hope!
Genetics
washingtopost.com: Federal officials yesterday approved for the first time the sale of a drug made in animals genetically modified to secrete the compound in their milk.
The drug comes from goats whose DNA was altered to produce a drug needed by patients with a rare blood disorder.
The drug comes from goats whose DNA was altered to produce a drug needed by patients with a rare blood disorder.
Chi?
Jessica Berman: According to a new study, the brain performance of people is unconsciously enhanced by different colors depending upon the nature of the task.
e-Book Revolution at Last?
Mike Elgan: On Monday, Amazon.com is expected to unveil a new version of its Kindle reader. It will probably be a lot better and a little cheaper than the first version. But the real news already broke this week: A company spokesman announced that Amazon plans to offer Kindle books on cell phones.
This news countered Google's announcement that the 1.5 million public domain books available on its Google Book Search offering will soon be available (free, of course) via a new cell phone application.
This news countered Google's announcement that the 1.5 million public domain books available on its Google Book Search offering will soon be available (free, of course) via a new cell phone application.
Friday, February 6, 2009
All You Ever Wanted to Know About Google Latitude
ComputerWorld: Yesterday, Google Inc. released the real-time location tool Google Latitude and opened up a new world of location-based services for both PC and mobile phone users.
Latitude enables you to track friends, family, employees and others — and vice versa — in real time. Whether this is a good thing (hey, you'll always know where your buddy is in the stadium parking lot) or a preview of a corporate 1984 world in which your boss can track your every move will be determined by how people use the service. It's no surprise that at least one privacy group has already voiced security concerns over Latitude.
Read the whole thing to learn how it works.
Latitude enables you to track friends, family, employees and others — and vice versa — in real time. Whether this is a good thing (hey, you'll always know where your buddy is in the stadium parking lot) or a preview of a corporate 1984 world in which your boss can track your every move will be determined by how people use the service. It's no surprise that at least one privacy group has already voiced security concerns over Latitude.
Read the whole thing to learn how it works.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
There Will Be Some Tears in My Beer Tonight
'Bikini girl' Katrina Darrell booted from 'American Idol'
Well, this is troubling.
IFEX: A financial blogger who predicted the global economic crisis in his blog has been arrested for spreading rumours, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and news reports.
Despite being unemployed and a self-taught economist, Park Dae-sung, or "Minerva" to his followers, ominously predicted South Korea's market decline in online bulletin boards last fall - far earlier than his government.
Read the whole thing.
I wish I could say with confidence that Americans needn't fear this same heavy-handedness.
Despite being unemployed and a self-taught economist, Park Dae-sung, or "Minerva" to his followers, ominously predicted South Korea's market decline in online bulletin boards last fall - far earlier than his government.
Read the whole thing.
I wish I could say with confidence that Americans needn't fear this same heavy-handedness.
Insert Longevity Gene Here
ScienceDaily: We have now eliminated that uncertainty about the connection between FOXO3A and longevity, both by our results from the German sample study and by the support from our French partners in Paris, whose research on French centenarians showed the same trend.
Google and NASA Sponsor Singularity School
FT.com: Google and Nasa are throwing their weight behind a new school for futurists in Silicon Valley to prepare scientists for an era when machines become cleverer than people.
The new institution, known as “Singularity University”, is to be headed by Ray Kurzweil, whose predictions about the exponential pace of technological change have made him a controversial figure in technology circles.
Google and Nasa’s backing demonstrates the growing mainstream acceptance of Mr Kurzweil’s views, which include a claim that before the middle of this century artificial intelligence will outstrip human beings, ushering in a new era of civilisation.
Some related info can be found here.
Just remember, I was a singulatarian when being a singulatarian wasn't cool. :-)
The new institution, known as “Singularity University”, is to be headed by Ray Kurzweil, whose predictions about the exponential pace of technological change have made him a controversial figure in technology circles.
Google and Nasa’s backing demonstrates the growing mainstream acceptance of Mr Kurzweil’s views, which include a claim that before the middle of this century artificial intelligence will outstrip human beings, ushering in a new era of civilisation.
Some related info can be found here.
Just remember, I was a singulatarian when being a singulatarian wasn't cool. :-)
Monday, February 2, 2009
Presidential Life Expectancy
When a new President takes the oath of office, he often exudes a youthful optimism. But Presidents tend to leave Washington visibly wearing the stress of their position. According to a theory advanced by Michael Roizen, chair of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic and co-founder of RealAge.com, presidents age approximately two years for each calendar year in office.
"Evolution by Intelligent Design"
Discover.com: “There are no shortcuts in evolution,” famed Supreme Court justice Louis Brandeis once said. He might have reconsidered those words if he could have foreseen the coming revolution in biotechnology, including the ability to alter genes and manipulate stem cells. These breakthroughs could bring on an age of directed reproduction and evolution in which humans will bypass the incremental process of natural selection and set off on a high-speed genetic course of their own. Here are some of the latest and greatest advances.
Victor Davis Hanson:
Like Chris Dodd and Barney Frank, [Tom Daschle] rails about corporate greed and Wall Street perks while he too is deep at the trough. If an administration is going to make a moral case against the pernicious role of D.C. lobbyists and insiders, for the moral need for taxes on the upper incomes, and for suspicion of perks and freebies—then why pick Daschle, whose free limo and tax evasion make all that look ridiculous? (But then why pick Geithner, or Richardson, or Lynn, or . . . ?)
Plus, there's this little gem.
Plus, there's this little gem.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
I Smell a Rat
Popsci: For years, studies have shown that ethanol is no better—or even worse—for the environment than gasoline. Some studies even claimed that it takes more energy to make a gallon of ethanol than you get from burning it.
But a new federal government-sponsored study released this week says the opposite. The report, entitled Improvements in Life Cycle Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Corn-Ethanol, claims that a gallon of ethanol produces nearly twice as much energy as it consumes, and that switching from gasoline to ethanol cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 54 percent.
Why such different results? Better data, say the study’s authors—researchers from midwestern universities including the University of Nebraska, Iowa State, Michigan State, and the University of Wisconsin.
But a new federal government-sponsored study released this week says the opposite. The report, entitled Improvements in Life Cycle Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Corn-Ethanol, claims that a gallon of ethanol produces nearly twice as much energy as it consumes, and that switching from gasoline to ethanol cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 54 percent.
Why such different results? Better data, say the study’s authors—researchers from midwestern universities including the University of Nebraska, Iowa State, Michigan State, and the University of Wisconsin.
Minds are Tricky Things
Witnesses still hold sway in the courtroom, even as the reliability of human memory is called more and more into question. According to the Innocence Project, a legal group devoted to exonerating the wrongly incarcerated, mistaken eyewitnesses account for three quarters of convictions later overturned by DNA evidence. Now two new reports in the journal Psychological Science suggest that eyewitness reports may be even more prone to inaccuracy than previously thought, even when memories are fresh in one's mind, and especially when someone confesses.
Unfortunately, eye-witness testimony is probably both the least reliable, and most influential, type of evidence.
Unfortunately, eye-witness testimony is probably both the least reliable, and most influential, type of evidence.
An interesting discussion of the current state of genomics...
...can be found here.
The conclusion? Stay healthy for 20 years. If you can stay healthy for 20 years, you'll see 150, maybe 300.
The conclusion? Stay healthy for 20 years. If you can stay healthy for 20 years, you'll see 150, maybe 300.
Another Exlusion in Your Insurance Policy?
P&C insurers may soon exclude damages caused by nanotech.
It seems the future is closer than we thought.
It seems the future is closer than we thought.
Those Amazing Stem Cells (cont.)
This week saw two important stories about stem cells:
Resetting a Damaged Immune System
Regenerating Spinal Cord Injury
Resetting a Damaged Immune System
Regenerating Spinal Cord Injury
What Can't It Do?
Now you can use this century's greatest gadget to do battle with last century's most-beloved geek toy.
A new iPhone app called CubeCheater helps you solve the classic Rubik's Cube puzzle toy using a mix of sophisticated algorithms and simple image-recognition technology. CubeCheater sells for $1 in the App Store (here's a link).
Here's how it works. You take six pictures of your mixed up Rubik's Cube using the iPhone's camera — one photo per side. If you have an iPod Touch, you can also tap in the color combos manually. CubeCheater is able to recognize the placement of each colored square and generate a map of your cube. It then figures out the quickest path to solving the puzzle and gives you a set of easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.
A new iPhone app called CubeCheater helps you solve the classic Rubik's Cube puzzle toy using a mix of sophisticated algorithms and simple image-recognition technology. CubeCheater sells for $1 in the App Store (here's a link).
Here's how it works. You take six pictures of your mixed up Rubik's Cube using the iPhone's camera — one photo per side. If you have an iPod Touch, you can also tap in the color combos manually. CubeCheater is able to recognize the placement of each colored square and generate a map of your cube. It then figures out the quickest path to solving the puzzle and gives you a set of easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.
ComputerWorld Discusses the Current State of AI
After decades of limited application, artificial intelligence is everywhere. And it really works this time.
UK Life Expectancy Increases
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), a man who turned 60 in 2006 is now expected to live for a further 21.1 years, while a woman who also turned 60 in 2006 is expected to live for a further 24.1 years.
This is an increase of 26 per cent for men in the space of 20 years....
This is an increase of 26 per cent for men in the space of 20 years....
Obama's Miffed
FoxNews.com: Former South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle waited nearly a month after being nominated to be secretary of health and human services before informing President Obama that he had not paid years of back taxes, the Washington Post reports.
On Jan. 2, Daschle paid $140,000 in back taxes and interest to the U.S. Treasury and about two days later informed the White House and the Senate Finance Committee, the White House confirmed to the Post.
Obama's transition team discovered in December that $15,000 of the $276,000 in charitable contributions claimed by Daschle lacked proper documentation. But Daschle waited until after amended returns were filed before he mentioned the larger tax liability.
On Jan. 2, Daschle paid $140,000 in back taxes and interest to the U.S. Treasury and about two days later informed the White House and the Senate Finance Committee, the White House confirmed to the Post.
Obama's transition team discovered in December that $15,000 of the $276,000 in charitable contributions claimed by Daschle lacked proper documentation. But Daschle waited until after amended returns were filed before he mentioned the larger tax liability.
Ed Driscoll:
Obama dozed, people froze!
UPDATE:> More on this subject here.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that FEMA should necessarily be involved in Kentucky. I just think the disparity in press coverage between the Kentucky emergency and Katrina one is telling.
UPDATE:> More on this subject here.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that FEMA should necessarily be involved in Kentucky. I just think the disparity in press coverage between the Kentucky emergency and Katrina one is telling.
LMAO!
Scott Ott: In office less than two weeks, President Barack Obama has already increased tax receipts at the U.S. Treasury with an innovative plan to get tax-dodgers to pay up, in full, immediately.
“The president’s plan is simple but ingenious,” said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, “He targets wealthy individuals who filed inaccurate tax forms, cheating the government out of tens of thousands of dollars. Then he just nominates them for cabinet positions. They suddenly see the error of their ways, and they cut checks for the full amount owed, plus interest.”
Brilliant!
(via Instapundit)
“The president’s plan is simple but ingenious,” said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, “He targets wealthy individuals who filed inaccurate tax forms, cheating the government out of tens of thousands of dollars. Then he just nominates them for cabinet positions. They suddenly see the error of their ways, and they cut checks for the full amount owed, plus interest.”
Brilliant!
(via Instapundit)
Glenn Reynolds' TV Update:
THE LATEST CONSUMER REPORTS has a big section on recommended TVs that makes me think two things: (1) I wish everything got better and cheaper as fast as electronics do; and (2) brand-dominance seems to be the thing of the past.
This time around, Samsung leads in most categories. Sorry, Sony and JVC! Plus, things are so much cheaper. The top-rated 58″ plasma TV is cheaper than my 46″ LCD JVC was a couple of years ago. And the 50″ version — also top-rated in its category — is absurdly cheaper.
This time around, Samsung leads in most categories. Sorry, Sony and JVC! Plus, things are so much cheaper. The top-rated 58″ plasma TV is cheaper than my 46″ LCD JVC was a couple of years ago. And the 50″ version — also top-rated in its category — is absurdly cheaper.
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