In this opinion piece titled “the self-destruction of the 1 percent” which appeared in the NYTimes, Chrystia Freeland draws parallels between the merchants of Venice in the early 14th century & modern day crony capitalism that the US gifted to the world
The Kids Should See This [site]
There’s so much of good stuff out there – & the kids should see this is another awesome site for kids & the kids-at-heart. Science & fun rolled into one!
A water droplet in slow motion [video]
Awesome. and so are this eagleowl and a teaser of pollination and a cymbal.
Banking & Corruption
Another splendid blog I’ve just come across today. This post explores the question “Is Banking Unusually Corrupt, & If So, Why? Expect more links as I devour what these giants (Gary Becker & Richard Posner) have to offer.
Sudoku
I’ve spent many a journey back home from work, struggling to fill in the blanks on the “easy” 9 X 9 square called Sudoku, feeling quite hollow & useless. These boys from the Notre Dame University have developed an algorithm that solves Sudoku puzzles very easily, without backtracking! Their publication is here (even reading this was hard for me!)
EFF
No, that was not a swear word. Electronic Frontier Foundation, a non-profit organisation, is fighting the US legal system against the throttling of the Internet by Big Business, & which has implications for the rest of the world’s Internet users. They’ve just helped to win a case in the US which confirms that scanning books, in order to enhance research & to provide access to print-disabled individuals, is lawful. Read more about the EFF here
Wasteland of the Free – Iris Dement
A recording from 16 years ago – & the words still ring true!
VP Debate
In case you missed the only Vice Presidential debate between Joe Biden & Paul Ryan, here’s a link (it goes on for 90 minutes). And a good idea to listen to it, make up your mind about who you think came out tops on this one, & then read this “news” report.
Older-preneurship
The employment scene the world over is changing. Older workers are the first to be laid off, & also find it the most hard to find a new job. The tide is turning towards them starting their own local businesses, as this story from the Sydney Morning Herald explores.
Pushing the Copyright envelope
If you post a video of your child (or grandchild) dancing to a famous song, should you be sued for copyright, because you have included the music without authorization from its creators? Apparently, Universal Music thinks so, in this case that started in 2007, & is being fought tooth & nail by the lady who was sued.