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March 2008

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03.30.08

City of the Future - A name is needed… City of the Future | (6)
The City of the Future project needs a name and a domain name. Development of the technology is now underway, and has been for some time. The name, however, remains illusive. The goal of the project is to have everyone on the planet who is able to contribute at least one meaningful idea on how we may build a better future. A name that transcends language with a call to action would be perfect, though this is almost an oxymoron. Currently, there are two domains that are not perfect: utopiant.com and youreco.com. Ideas, anyone? ;-)
03.30.08

Humor… or not. Opinion | (2)
I apologize for two posts relating to recent actions by the Fed being too Onion-esque for this blog. The posts in question refer to 1. the Fed buying eTrade and 2. a poker group buying Bear Stearns. Ultimately, the humor in these posts (or lack thereof) was inspired by frustration. We are witnessing painful failures of a financial system that is affecting millions of people worldwide. These failures were the result of short-sighted engineering to stave off collapse by previous people in power, effectively deferring the problem to the future. The Fed is now pumping dollars into the ...
03.18.08

Breaking News: Fed buys eTrade for new ATM Loan Network Opinion | (1)
MARCH 18, 2008 - NEW YORK, NEW YORK: In an unprecedented move, Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, has commandeered the assets of eTrade for $0.25 per share, converting 12,567 eTrade ATM machines across the US into instant loan machines. Initially designed as a move to help thousands of out of work bankers quickly borrow cash against their declining asset values to pay interest on home equity and car loans, the Fed decided early today to use the ATM network to loan anyone money. The plan works as follows. Go to an authorized ATM, enter a six digit code number ...
03.17.08

Black Monday, March 17 The Environment | (0)
Sunday, March 16th, was remarkable: a top five Wall Street financial institution with an 85 year history was purchased for 1/80th its 52 week high and 1/5th the value of its New York real estate. Bear Stearns was literally worthless. Furthermore, the purchase for the meager token amount cancels the need for Bear Stearns to report earnings today. This might have been the first opportunity for the public to see into the exact depths of the credit crisis. So scared were the parties involved at the Fed and at Bear Stearns, that they choose either bankruptcy or a horrendous fire ...
03.16.08

Poker Club Buys Bear Stearns in Surprising End to 85 Year History Opinion | (0)
I wrote a well-regarded poker group of the following message. Call it humor in the face of danger... Sunday, March 16, 2008 – NEW YORK – In an unexpected move, a rouge group of poker playing wannabes, has-beens, and rich kids from New York has purchased the fifth largest brokerage, Bear Stearns. The $2 per share deal was formulated, offered, accepted, and approved by the Fed in a record period of time, just fifteen minutes between 8:04 PM and 8:19 PM Eastern Standard Time. XXX“no show” XXX and XXX “the slick” XXX vied ...
03.15.08

Future Economy The Environment | (2)
Kevin brought up a great point in in a recent comment: What is the economy in the City of the Future (CotF)? There are a few concepts that seem intriguing. First, the concept that each citizen is a shareholder in the city itself with different amount ownership earned through contribution. Second, a concept of a public/governmental banking system that loans money without interest for pre-approved projects that increase greater good of the city. Third, a restriction, such as a heavy tax, on all other forms of consumer credit with ...
03.14.08

Going to the EURO - FXE Opinion | (2)
Rumors were circulating in the Valley on Wednesday, March 12th, 2008, that Bear Stearns was facing near insolvency, and those rumors proved to be true today. In addition, the Fed pumping $200 billion of liquidity into the market was supposed to help Bear Stearns gain necessary liquidity to avoid disaster, but, apparently, that strategy did not work. It's a "tear the Band-Aid off" versus "death by a thousand cuts" period in history. The pain is coming to the dollar, and it is going to be TOUGH. It can come now or it can come slightly later, but the ...
03.09.08

Taxonomy of a City City of the Future | (5)
The goal of the "City of the Future project" (COTF) is to have thousands of people contribute ideas that lead to the construction of one or more new cities. Good progress has been made on the planning. The initial system needs to start with a taxonomy for ideas to be contributed, and here is what is being considered: Urban Planning, Housing, Transportation Food, Nutrition, Health Education, Learning, Growth Economics, Business, Operations Recreation, Entertainment Law, Order, Enforcement The proposed taxonomy ...
03.08.08

The Modern City My Life | (0)
It is as much a monument to our achievements as a relic of our greatness.
03.08.08

Record Oil Prices - $105.00 per Barrel The Environment | (2)
In celebration, here is a great overview of the situation by Jon Stewart. Enjoy!

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