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Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Atlas Shrugged: America’s Second Declaration of Independence
Atlas Shrugged: America’s Second Declaration of Independence:
A video presentation by Onkar Ghate
In 1776 Thomas Jefferson announced to the world America’s plans for independence. For the first time in history, there was to be a nation and a government dedicated to the individual’s rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.....
On this, the book’s 50th anniversary, we will examine the moral revolution launched by Ayn Rand, without which the political revolution of the Founding Fathers had to remain incomplete. We will see what this moral revolution has meant for America so far, and what it promises for the future. We will see why Atlas Shrugged should be considered America’s second Declaration of Independence—a declaration not of political but of moral independence.
A video presentation by Onkar Ghate
In 1776 Thomas Jefferson announced to the world America’s plans for independence. For the first time in history, there was to be a nation and a government dedicated to the individual’s rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.....
On this, the book’s 50th anniversary, we will examine the moral revolution launched by Ayn Rand, without which the political revolution of the Founding Fathers had to remain incomplete. We will see what this moral revolution has meant for America so far, and what it promises for the future. We will see why Atlas Shrugged should be considered America’s second Declaration of Independence—a declaration not of political but of moral independence.
Monday, April 6, 2009
10 Gory Surgical Triumphs
From open-heart surgery to amputations, sex-change operations to autopsies, the operating rooms of the world have gone online.
From open-heart surgery to amputations, sex-change operations to autopsies, the operating rooms of the world have gone online.
Growth of corruption equals decline in freedom
Forbes in its article "The Most Corrupt Countries" says
Corruption is on the march. In 2008, the number of countries sinking deeper into the clutches of influence peddling, bribery and scandalous business dealings outpaced improvements by a 2 to 1 margin. Countries falling by more than 10 spots outnumbered risers 8.5 to 1....
Nations with the highest risk of corruption are often the desperately poor, where foreign aid and assistance can easily be transferred through back channels of oppressive regimes. As a result, the impact of corruption can extend well beyond any economic detraction to affect the quality of life for millions of citizens.
It is clear from the article that the growth of corruption is directly related to decline in freedom. One can clearly see that the discretionary powers given to government officials which violate the basic tenets of Capitalism have increasingly resulted in the chaotic economic mess the world finds itself in.The blaming of the mess on the free markets is laughable since even in America in the last hundred years the markets have been heavily regulated and burdened with unsound polices.
The obvious solution for this problem of corruption as George Reisman in his epic work "Capitalism- A Treatise on Economics" said:
"The solution is, of course, the restoration of the businessman's freedom and his security from the destructive actions of the government officials. When the businessman can once again act for his profit by right rather than permission, when the government has lost the power both to harm him and to harm others for his benefit, the problem of such bribery and corruption will shrivel to insignificance."
The Banker Who Said No
Forbes.com
While the nation's lenders ran amok during the boom, Andy Beal hoarded his money. Now he's cleaning up--with scant help from Uncle Sam."
Forbes.com
While the nation's lenders ran amok during the boom, Andy Beal hoarded his money. Now he's cleaning up--with scant help from Uncle Sam."
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Why "green jobs" programs may not save the economy or the environment. - Slate Magazine:
The fundamental problem is that there's no solid evidence that green policies—even those aimed explicitly at creating jobs—will actually lower the long-term unemployment rate.
The fundamental problem is that there's no solid evidence that green policies—even those aimed explicitly at creating jobs—will actually lower the long-term unemployment rate.
Google Street View Captures Dudes Peeing Together in the Middle of a Busy Highway
Lets hope there is no street view in India before there are public toilets.
Lets hope there is no street view in India before there are public toilets.
Carbon footprint-bigger the better
President Obama in his recent Town hall meet in Germany said India's carbon footprint is much smaller then America's. He also mentioned that the America is rich and India poor. Now the key question is that can he see the obvious that "bigger carbon footprint = rich" and "small carbon footprint = poor"? Does he is realise that what he is saying is that he wants to reduce the greatest, most prosperous country in the world to the level of a country barely coming out of abject poverty.
Freeman Dyson said at Tragedy Is Not Freeman Dyson’s Business
“The greatest evils are poverty, underdevelopment, unemployment, disease and hunger, all the conditions that deprive people of opportunities and limit their freedoms.”
With the reverse of socialism in India we have seen unprecedented prosperity and rise of people above the poverty line. It is only due to the opening up of the markets and giving people freedom to choose their destiny that this has been possible. Now the dubious science of global warming threatens to undo all that. When people in first world sit and sermonise and talk about curbing progress in name of dubious computer generated models, it amazes me.
What Ayn Rand said so many years ago still holds true:
Ecology as a social principle . . . condemns cities, culture, industry, technology, the intellect, and advocates men’s return to “nature,” to the state of grunting subanimals digging the soil with their bare hands.
“The Lessons of Vietnam,” The Ayn Rand Letter, III, 25
There are so many ifs and buts in these theories but there are no doubts about the rise in living standards and the unleashing of the entrepreneurial energy in countries like India and China. Hopefully people can escape the devil with twin horns of socialism and environmentalism long enough to achieve decent standards of living.
Lets hope that the view “Humans, have a duty to restructure nature for their survival” prevails for the sake of billions who are finally getting to see glimpses of life as it should be - a celebration of human achievement and not a struggle for survival.
Freeman Dyson said at Tragedy Is Not Freeman Dyson’s Business
“The greatest evils are poverty, underdevelopment, unemployment, disease and hunger, all the conditions that deprive people of opportunities and limit their freedoms.”
With the reverse of socialism in India we have seen unprecedented prosperity and rise of people above the poverty line. It is only due to the opening up of the markets and giving people freedom to choose their destiny that this has been possible. Now the dubious science of global warming threatens to undo all that. When people in first world sit and sermonise and talk about curbing progress in name of dubious computer generated models, it amazes me.
What Ayn Rand said so many years ago still holds true:
Ecology as a social principle . . . condemns cities, culture, industry, technology, the intellect, and advocates men’s return to “nature,” to the state of grunting subanimals digging the soil with their bare hands.
“The Lessons of Vietnam,” The Ayn Rand Letter, III, 25
There are so many ifs and buts in these theories but there are no doubts about the rise in living standards and the unleashing of the entrepreneurial energy in countries like India and China. Hopefully people can escape the devil with twin horns of socialism and environmentalism long enough to achieve decent standards of living.
Lets hope that the view “Humans, have a duty to restructure nature for their survival” prevails for the sake of billions who are finally getting to see glimpses of life as it should be - a celebration of human achievement and not a struggle for survival.
“Change” Under Obama:
A recent article in The New York Times quotes President Obama as saying, “I don’t buy the argument that providing workers with collective-bargaining rights somehow weakens the economy or worsens the business environment. If you’ve got workers who have decent pay and benefits, they’re also customers for business.” (March 2, 2009, p. B3.)The President’s statement reveals a great deal about his understanding or, more correctly, lack of understanding of economics...
It is shocking, indeed, frightening, that the President of the United States, whose main concern at the moment is supposedly with overcoming mass unemployment and preventing its getting worse, does not understand that any policy that drives up wage rates drives up unemployment.
A recent article in The New York Times quotes President Obama as saying, “I don’t buy the argument that providing workers with collective-bargaining rights somehow weakens the economy or worsens the business environment. If you’ve got workers who have decent pay and benefits, they’re also customers for business.” (March 2, 2009, p. B3.)The President’s statement reveals a great deal about his understanding or, more correctly, lack of understanding of economics...
It is shocking, indeed, frightening, that the President of the United States, whose main concern at the moment is supposedly with overcoming mass unemployment and preventing its getting worse, does not understand that any policy that drives up wage rates drives up unemployment.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Raising the Roof
Forbes.com
Government taxing and spending is about to explode globally as countries confront the meltdown. Will declining tax misery now be replaced with a worn-out Keynesian fiscal policy of more government tax-and-spend and stagflation? President Barack Obama's Panglossian budget plans call for increasing tax revenue annually by over 40% of current levels by 2013 and eliminating President Bush's tax reforms in 2011.
Forbes.com
Government taxing and spending is about to explode globally as countries confront the meltdown. Will declining tax misery now be replaced with a worn-out Keynesian fiscal policy of more government tax-and-spend and stagflation? President Barack Obama's Panglossian budget plans call for increasing tax revenue annually by over 40% of current levels by 2013 and eliminating President Bush's tax reforms in 2011.
What is a central purpose in life?
Two posts on Burgess Laughlin's weblog "Making Progress" are a must read:
What is a central purpose in life?
The third greatest sacrifice?
It cost him 15 years before he found his central purpose. It will probably save many years for others who read and understand his wise words.
What is a central purpose in life?
The third greatest sacrifice?
It cost him 15 years before he found his central purpose. It will probably save many years for others who read and understand his wise words.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Is war good for economies?
Over at simply Capitalism, blogger RealistTheorist, explores a stupid theory that war is somehow good for economies. This is my take on this topic-
There is one thick line missing in the graph which measures production. It's the line which measures the horror, the tragedy, the misery and the vacuum left in lives of those whose loved ones never returned. This is not the "broken window" hypothesis, its the "broken human" hypothesis.
Every time I see the old grainy footage of cheerful young soldiers waving to the cameras, I feel very sad and also grateful that today a lot what we have achieved would not have been possible without them. It also makes me mad that people can sit and say that hey, all that wanton destruction of life and property was good for us.
There is no choice but to fight certain wars and they ensure our subsequent survival and economic prosperity. The loss of human lives is the greatest loss of all and anybody who says that we prospered, better not say it in front of me.
There is one thick line missing in the graph which measures production. It's the line which measures the horror, the tragedy, the misery and the vacuum left in lives of those whose loved ones never returned. This is not the "broken window" hypothesis, its the "broken human" hypothesis.
Every time I see the old grainy footage of cheerful young soldiers waving to the cameras, I feel very sad and also grateful that today a lot what we have achieved would not have been possible without them. It also makes me mad that people can sit and say that hey, all that wanton destruction of life and property was good for us.
There is no choice but to fight certain wars and they ensure our subsequent survival and economic prosperity. The loss of human lives is the greatest loss of all and anybody who says that we prospered, better not say it in front of me.
Teens capture images of space with £56 camera and balloon - Telegraph
Teens capture images of space with £56 camera and balloon - Telegraph: "Teens capture images of space with £56 camera and balloon
Teenagers armed with only a £56 camera and latex balloon have managed to take stunning pictures of space from 20-miles above Earth."
Teenagers armed with only a £56 camera and latex balloon have managed to take stunning pictures of space from 20-miles above Earth."
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
10 Web Sites That Will Matter in 2009
10 Web Sites That Will Matter in 2009 - CIO.com - Business Technology Leadership
For sure, 2008 was the year of Twitter, Facebook and Hulu. Here are 10 new or up-and-coming sites that have a good shot at emerging as the fastest growing and most buzz-worthy of 2009."
For sure, 2008 was the year of Twitter, Facebook and Hulu. Here are 10 new or up-and-coming sites that have a good shot at emerging as the fastest growing and most buzz-worthy of 2009."
Pinch and Spread: The Battle Over Multitouch Tech Is On
Pinch and Spread: The Battle Over Multitouch Tech Is On: Wired Magazine
The Pre, Palm's ridiculously slick new mobile phone, stole the show at CES this year. Good looks helped, but mainly it was the Pre's iPhone-like touchscreen technology that wowed the industry crowd.
The Pre, Palm's ridiculously slick new mobile phone, stole the show at CES this year. Good looks helped, but mainly it was the Pre's iPhone-like touchscreen technology that wowed the industry crowd.
Monday, March 30, 2009
The World’s First Flying Hotel!
The World’s First Flying Hotel! oobject - Daily User Ranked Gadget Lists:
"Wow, the flying hotel and largest helicopter in the world, Cool! The Hotelicopter is modeled on the Soviet-made Mil V-12, of which there were only two prototypes ever made."
"Wow, the flying hotel and largest helicopter in the world, Cool! The Hotelicopter is modeled on the Soviet-made Mil V-12, of which there were only two prototypes ever made."
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Media distortion damages both science and journalism - opinion - 27 March 2009 - New Scientist
Media distortion damages both science and journalism - opinion - 27 March 2009 - New Scientist:
WHEN media reports state that scientist X of Y university has discovered that A is linked to B, we ought to be able to trust them. Sadly, as many researchers know, we can't.
WHEN media reports state that scientist X of Y university has discovered that A is linked to B, we ought to be able to trust them. Sadly, as many researchers know, we can't.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
MIT student picking up friend at airport nearly shot, charged with "infernal machine" crime
MIT student picking up friend at airport nearly shot, charged with "infernal machine" crime[Politech]
An MIT student named Star Simpson was apparently picking up a friend at
Boston Logan airport and wore a sweatshirt with a breadboard and some
LEDs and a 9V battery. She had created it for a student career day."
An MIT student named Star Simpson was apparently picking up a friend at
Boston Logan airport and wore a sweatshirt with a breadboard and some
LEDs and a 9V battery. She had created it for a student career day."
How you’re being watched on the Internet
How you’re being watched on the Internet – and what to do about it
Is the Internet rapidly becoming less of a safe, free and open place for our ideas, opinions and communication? One could convincingly argue that it is. Here is what the situation looks like today and what you can (and should?) do about it.
Is the Internet rapidly becoming less of a safe, free and open place for our ideas, opinions and communication? One could convincingly argue that it is. Here is what the situation looks like today and what you can (and should?) do about it.
Caffeine as a performance enhancer
It's Time to Make a Coffee Run
By GINA KOLATA
"Caffeine is one of the few performance enhancers that are not banned by the World AntiDoping Agency, and studies have proved that it does work in athletes' favor."
Well so does eating regular food and drinking water. So are they going to ban eating and drinking a few day's before a competition?
By GINA KOLATA
"Caffeine is one of the few performance enhancers that are not banned by the World AntiDoping Agency, and studies have proved that it does work in athletes' favor."
Well so does eating regular food and drinking water. So are they going to ban eating and drinking a few day's before a competition?
Is media finally getting over global warming?
The Civil Heretic - Freeman Dyson - Profile - NYTimes.com:
"Dyson announced that “all the fuss about global warming is grossly exaggerated.” Since then he has only heated up his misgivings, declaring in a 2007 interview with Salon.com that “the fact that the climate is getting warmer doesn’t scare me at all” and writing in an essay for The New York Review of Books, the left-leaning publication that is to gravitas what the Beagle was to Darwin, that climate change has become an “obsession” — the primary article of faith for “a worldwide secular religion” known as environmentalism.
Among those he considers true believers, Dyson has been particularly dismissive of Al Gore, whom Dyson calls climate change’s “chief propagandist,” and James Hansen, the head of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York and an adviser to Gore’s film, “An Inconvenient Truth.” Dyson accuses them of relying too heavily on computer-generated climate models that foresee a Grand Guignol of imminent world devastation as icecaps melt, oceans rise and storms and plagues sweep the earth, and he blames the pair’s “lousy science” for “distracting public attention” from “more serious and more immediate dangers to the planet.”"
"Dyson announced that “all the fuss about global warming is grossly exaggerated.” Since then he has only heated up his misgivings, declaring in a 2007 interview with Salon.com that “the fact that the climate is getting warmer doesn’t scare me at all” and writing in an essay for The New York Review of Books, the left-leaning publication that is to gravitas what the Beagle was to Darwin, that climate change has become an “obsession” — the primary article of faith for “a worldwide secular religion” known as environmentalism.
Among those he considers true believers, Dyson has been particularly dismissive of Al Gore, whom Dyson calls climate change’s “chief propagandist,” and James Hansen, the head of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York and an adviser to Gore’s film, “An Inconvenient Truth.” Dyson accuses them of relying too heavily on computer-generated climate models that foresee a Grand Guignol of imminent world devastation as icecaps melt, oceans rise and storms and plagues sweep the earth, and he blames the pair’s “lousy science” for “distracting public attention” from “more serious and more immediate dangers to the planet.”"
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