Economics – Lifeboat News: The Blog

May 14
2014

White Swan Update by Andres Agostini, Countermeassuring Every Unthinkable Black Swan, at http://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/white-swan

White Swan Update by Andres Agostini, Countermeassuring Every Unthinkable Black Swan, at https://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/white-swan

Transistors that wrap around tissues and morph with them http://www.kurzweilai.net/transistors-that-wrap-around-tissu…-with-them

Scientists discover protein that can slow brain tumor growth in mice http://www.kurzweilai.net/scientists-discover-protein-that-c…th-in-mice

The Military’s Spending Millions to Build Robots with Morals http://gizmodo.com/the-militarys-spending-millions-to-build-…1576221351

Alibaba’s IPO Is a Sign of China’s Rising Economic Might http://etfpm.com/chinas-rising-internet-giants-514/

Internet of Things and Wearables Will Dominate by 2025 http://mashable.com/2014/05/14/pew-iot-study/?utm_cid=mash-com-li-main-link

Teams from U.S. service academies demonstrate potentially transformative technologies http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/dr20140514-teams-fro…chnologies

Strongly Interacting Electrons in Wacky Oxide Synchronize to Compute Like the Brain http://www.newswise.com/articles/strongly-interacting-electr…-the-brain

Forget an Apple iWatch, the U.S. military is the one really taking wearable technology to new levels. http://www.cnbc.com/id/101664183

Colorado Group To Provide Free Medical Marijuana To Veterans http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/07/free-marijuana-for-…83034.html

Russia planes fly to California coast in show of force over Ukraine, U.S. Pacific Commander Says http://www.redflagnews.com/headlines/breaking-russia-jets-fl…er-ukraine

White Swan Update by Andres Agostini, Countermeassuring Every Unthinkable Black Swan, at https://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/white-swan

May 12
2014

White Swan Update by Andres Agostini, Countermeassuring Every Unthinkable Black Swan, at http://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/white-swan

White Swan Update by Andres Agostini, Countermeassuring Every Unthinkable Black Swan, at https://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/white-swan

Anti-aging gene also enhances cognition http://www.kurzweilai.net/anti-aging-gene-also-enhances-cognition

Astronomers find Sun’s sibling star http://www.kurzweilai.net/astronomers-find-suns-sibling-star

Regenerating plastic material grows back after damage http://www.kurzweilai.net/regenerating-plastic-material-grows-back-after-damage

Can robots be trusted to know right from wrong? http://www.kurzweilai.net/can-robots-be-trusted-to-know-right-from-wrong

What are the Benefits of 3D Printing to you? http://digitalprinting.blogs.xerox.com/2014/04/22/what-are-t…sf25816450

Materials repair themselves automatically and repeatedly, similar to the way cuts heal http://singularityhub.com/2014/05/12/materials-repair-themse…cuts-heal/

FDA approves ‘Star Wars’ bionic arm http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/12/tech/innovation/deka-bioni…?hpt=hp_t2

Why global recovery could depend on China’s taste for luxury http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/may/11/why-global-r…s-consumer

Google Glass Meets Cyberpunk Light Therapy http://www.fastcodesign.com/3030381/google-glass-meets-cyberpunk-light-therapy

Your dreams can be controlled by electrically stimulating your brain – body hackers and chronic nightmare sufferers rejoice! http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/182209-lucid-dreaming-can…rs-rejoice

Motorola Uses iBeacons in Retail Locations to Attract Customers http://www.21stcentech.com/motorola-beacons-retail-locations-attract-customers/

This remote-controlled robot can run faster than you (video) http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/11/outrunner-kickstarter-rc-…ign=buffer

May 11
2014

White Swan Update by Andres Agostini, Countermeassuring Every Unthinkable Black Swan, at http://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/white-swan

White Swan Update by Andres Agostini, Countermeassuring Every Unthinkable Black Swan, at https://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/white-swan

Why Algorithms Are The Next Star Designers http://www.fastcodesign.com/3029756/why-algorithms-are-the-next-star-designers

Michio Kaku on Alien Brains http://www.sciencegymnasium.com/2014/04/michio-kaku-on-alien-brains.html

Can Compounds in Young Blood Fix Aging? http://www.technologyreview.com/news/527146/can-compounds-in…fix-aging/

Why Some Doctors Like Google Glass So Much http://www.technologyreview.com/news/526836/why-some-doctors…s-so-much/

Genome Editing. The ability to create primates with intentional mutations could provide powerful new ways to study complex and genetically baffling brain disorders. http://www.technologyreview.com/featuredstory/526511/genome-editing/

Increasingly, Robots of All Sizes Are Human Workmates (Until Humans become Bot’s Slaves) http://www.technologyreview.com/news/526691/increasingly-rob…workmates/

Now Your Phone’s Tilt Sensor Can Identify You http://www.technologyreview.com/news/527031/now-your-phones-…ntify-you/

Musk Reveals What Tesla’s Solar Backup Battery May Look Like http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-08/musk-reveal…-like.html

NASA’s TRMM Satellite See Spring Storms Hit the U.S. Great Plains http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/nasas-trmm-satellite-see…3AIplcbErg

Bioprinting a 3D Liver-Like Device to Detoxify the Blood http://www.mdtmag.com/news/2014/05/bioprinting-3d-liver-devi…ign=buffer

How Inkjet Printers Are Changing the Art of Counterfeit Money http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/05/how-in…ey/361946/

A video explanation of the DWS 3D Printing Platform http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/05/10/video-explanation-d…%2Btwitter

Millionaires bullish on tech stocks http://www.cnbc.com/id/101645709

Tencent to Invest in Map Company NavInfo http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB1000142405270230341710…31498.html

Bitcoin Breakthroughs Studied by Banks the Currency Is Out to Replace http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-07/bitcoin-bre…place.html

White Swan Update by Andres Agostini, Countermeassuring Every Unthinkable Black Swan, at https://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/white-swan

May 9
2014

White Swan Update by Andres Agostini at http://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/white-swan

White Swan Update by Andres Agostini at https://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/white-swan

This House’s “Bioconcrete” Turns Every Drop Of Rain Into Drinking Water http://www.fastcoexist.com/3030070/this-house-uses-bioconcre…king-water

Google Skunk Works May Tackle Energy and Agriculture http://www.21stcentech.com/google-skunk-works-tackle-agriculture/

Semi-synthetic bug extends ‘life’s alphabet’ http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-27329583

But What Would the End of Humanity Mean for Me? http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/05/but-what-d…me/361931/

Molecular high-speed origami: Researchers elucidate important mechanism of protein folding http://phys.org/news/2014-05-molecular-high-speed-origam…rtant.html

Only 2% Of People Can Actually Multitask — This Test Will Tell You If You Are One Of Them http://www.businessinsider.com/multitasker-test-tells-you-if…z31I9DitM6

As AI Advances into ‘Deep Learning,’ are Robot Butlers on the Horizon? http://www.livescience.com/45482-robot-butlers-deep-learning.html

Scientists create new lifeform with added DNA base pair http://www.kurzweilai.net/scientists-create-new-lifeform-wit…-base-pair

GaitTrack app makes cellphone a medical monitor for heart and lung patients http://www.kurzweilai.net/gaittrack-app-makes-cellphone-a-me…g-patients

The White Swan Treatise at https://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/white-swan

May 9
2014

The Realistic Cost Of The Next Space Race

Based on the Bloomberg TV program “The Next Space Race” and other reliable sources, I determine the realistic payload costs goals for the next generation of private space companies.

I review NASA’s Space Shuttle Program costs and compare these with SpaceX costs, and then extrapolate to Planetary Resources, Inc.‘s cost structure.

Three important conclusions are derived. And for those viewing this video at my blog postings, the link to the Excel Spreadsheet is here (.xlsx file).

May 8
2014

White Swan Graphics, Countermeassuring Every Unthinkable Black Swan, By Mr. Andres Agostini — Question: In Corporate Settings, Is There An Outright Countermeassuring White Swan To The Black Swan? Read at http://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/White-Swan

WHITE SWAN GRAPHICS BY MR. ANDRES AGOSTINI. — QUESTION: IN CORPORATE SETTINGS, IS THERE AN OUTRIGHT COUNTERMEASSURING WHITE SWAN TO THE BLACK SWAN? READ at https://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/White-Swan

WHITE SWAN GRAPHICS BY MR. ANDRES AGOSTINI. — QUESTION: IN CORPORATE SETTINGS, IS THERE AN OUTRIGHT COUNTERMEASSURING WHITE SWAN TO THE BLACK SWAN? READ at https://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/White-Swan

Mr. Andres Agostini

Lifeboat Foundation Worldwide Ambassador: https://lifeboat.com/ex/bios.andres.agostini

The White Swan Treatise at https://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/white-swan

The « … The Human Race to the Future … » Worldwide Ambassador at http://amzn.to/19H3qf0 POINT OF CONTACT AND QUERY: www.linkedin.com/in/andresagostini PROFESSIONAL SERVICE: http://ThisSuccess.wordpress.com

May 8
2014

White Swan Graphic 2 by Mr. Andres Agostini at http://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/White-Swan

White Swan Graphic 2 by Mr. Andres Agostini at https://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/White-Swan

The White Swan Treatise at https://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/white-swan

May 7
2014

White Swan Graphic by Mr. Andres Agostini at http://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/White-Swan

White Swan Graphic by Mr. Andres Agostini at https://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/White-Swan

May 3
2014

White Swan’s Pandora Versus Cassandra Predictions! By Mr. Andres Agostini

White Swan’s Pandora Versus Cassandra Predictions! By Mr. Andres Agostini at https://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/white-swan

Cassandra: What is going to happen in the World as per the Euro-Asian superpower?

Pandora: First, we have Cold War II and a Preconditions of a Global War of Trade and Commerce in place. Second: Let us hope that switches to ascertain M.A.D. are never turned on.

Cassandra: What is going to happen in Southern Europe’s Public Health-care and Retirement Systems?

Pandora: Those safety nets will be somewhere between insolvency and meagerness and totally downed. And citizens either become inventors and find their own solutions or bestow upon them self-inflicted death sentences.

Cassandra: What is going to happen by 2013?

Pandora: Bots will have human-intelligence level of themselves. And they will be competing for jobs and professional contract services against un-enhanced humans.

Cassandra: What are Ministers of Defense and Intelligentsia Agencies are going to do?

Pandora: They will secure to increase budgets for scientists to bring about extreme bots to make the human soldier a thing of the past.

Cassandra: What is going to happen to major democracies soon?

Pandora: Well, most of them are Plutocracies already. But in pursuing a more strict control of the citizenry they will become Stratocracies, also ruled by Aristocracies and Technocracies.

Cassandra: What is going to happen to the Superrich 1%?

Pandora: The 1% is going to get infinitely more in the zillions. And the 99% is going to become more indignant and chaotic.

Cassandra: What is going to be brought about by techno-snoopying?

Pandora: Police states, all over the place.

Cassandra: Who are going to counter measure economic, political and military dominance in the Pacific Ocean?

Pandora: China and Russia.

Cassandra: Where can I get the whole predictions?

Pandora: Go and read the White Swan at https://lifeboat.com/blog/2014/04/white-swan

Mr. Andres Agostini
Chief Polymath Officer (CPO)
The Worldwide Ambassador at the Lifeboat Foundation at https://lifeboat.com/ex/bios.andres.agostini
POINT OF CONTACT AND QUERY: www.linkedin.com/in/andresagostini
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE: http://ThisSuccess.wordpress.com

AS A CONSULTANT, MANAGER, STRATEGIST AND RESEARCHER, ANDRES WORKS AND HAS WORKED WITH INSTITUTIONS — AND THE RESPECTIVE EXECUTIVES OF SAID ORGANIZATIONS — INCLUDING THOSE ONES SUCH AS:

► Toyota,
► Mitsubishi,
► World Bank,
► Shell,
► Statoil,
► Total,
► Exxon,
► Mobil,
► PDVSA, Citgo,
► GE,
► GMAC,
► TNT Express,
► AT&T
► GTE,
► Amoco,
► BP,
► Abbot Laboratories,
► World Health Organization,
► Ernst Young Consulting,
► SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation),
► Pak Mail,
► Wilpro Energy Services,
► Phillips Petroleum Company,
► Dupont,
► Conoco,
► ENI (Italy’s petroleum state-owned firm),
► Chevron,
► LDG Management (HCC Benefits).
► Liberty Mutual (via its own Seguros Caracas)
► MAPFRE (via its own Seguros La Seguridad)
► AES Corporation (via its own Electricidad de Caracas)
► Lafarge
► The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Most Honorable and Respected Professor Dr. Daniel Berleant, PhD.

Mr. Andres Agostini

Chief Polymath Officer (CPO)
The Worldwide Ambassador at the Lifeboat Foundation at https://lifeboat.com/ex/bios.andres.agostini
POINT OF CONTACT AND QUERY: www.linkedin.com/in/andresagostini
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE: http://ThisSuccess.wordpress.com

AS A CONSULTANT, MANAGER, STRATEGIST AND RESEARCHER, ANDRES WORKS AND HAS WORKED WITH INSTITUTIONS — AND THE RESPECTIVE EXECUTIVES OF SAID ORGANIZATIONS — INCLUDING THOSE ONES SUCH AS:

Apr 26
2014

Scotland to see more scientific progress if independent

From CLUBOF.INFO

#YEStoIndependence? According to much of the negative commentary in the Scottish independence debate, scientific research in Scotland will be negatively affected by independence. However, Scottish contributions to science will in the long term receive more recognition if Scotland is an independent state.

Scotland is on the periphery of the UK. According to supporters of independence, the public spending Scotland is receiving from London is not proportionate to what it contributes to the British economy. The interests of the Scottish people are marginalized by London.

Independence: justified for any group that is neglected and marginalized

Scottish independence is not some narrow-minded celebration of nationalism, but a prudent economic decision. London’s inability to let the Scots pursue their own interests has naturally driven the people towards increasingly wanting to govern themselves as an independent state.

Desperately negative or even outright threatening statements from London aimed at the Scottish people only strengthen their preference not to be governed by London, thus leading to an increase in support for independence. As far as the interests of the Scottish people are concerned, independence may be the best choice when they vote in the referendum in September about whether or not to be governed from London.

Concern about independence harming science in Scotland is short term thinking

In the short term, funding to research in Scotland may indeed be negatively affected by independence, as predicted. However, this would really just be a transitory problem far outweighed by the long-term gains for the Scots.

An independent Scotland can be expected to want to change the direction of its development, including its research priorities, and these will be directed more in the interests of the Scottish people rather than Britain as a whole. In this sense, from London’s point of view, research will have been undermined, but from Edinburgh’s point of view it will only have been reoriented and sent in a different direction.

How Scotland progresses scientifically in the long term is up to the way successive Scottish governments handle research spending after independence, and that can be expected to be in the direction of improving their independent country’s standing globally. For this reason, the Scottish government already pledges that it will increasingly support research and development, working diligently to support Scottish scientists because this will help their independent country to stand out.

Scotland to get more recognition in scientific world, if independent

Independence will fundamentally change the way Scotland is perceived in the world. Rather than being seen as a periphery of Britain and all of its accomplishments being credited to the UK, Scotland will become an increasingly strong brand in itself and attract a lot of investment. Best of all, its people will be more recognized for their contributions to science, rather than all the credit going to London. It will have a unique opportunity to grow its own scientific community, and become a centre in ways that it was not before. After independence, there would likely be a lot of effort to create a ‘Scottish Silicon Valley’.

If people have doubts about this being a realistic outcome, they should consider Scotland’s leading scientific role in the United Kingdom at present. Most notably, Scotland is able to manufacture its own satellites and is becoming the site of the first spaceport in Britain. This is not a gift from the UK government, but a combination of the ideal launch sites being in Scotland and the fact that Scottish companies are in the lead in producing components and systems for the UK’s satellites. Considering these advantages, Scotland is likely to have a stronger presence in space and more leeway to make breakthroughs as an independent country than as part of the United Kingdom.

The UK’s scientific contributions could be reduced in the world’s eyes by the loss of Scotland from the Union, but Scotland’s contributions will be more recognized. As an independent country, it will stand out more and will be more motivated to improve its global standing.

There is good reason to expect that Scottish independence is not going to harm scientific funding or collaboration, and will instead lead to more recognition, more competition and a better use of resources within Scotland itself. In truth, this should be expected to lead to more effective global collaboration and more success.

Image credit: Clydespace

By Harry J. Bentham - More articles by Harry J. Bentham