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Category: things getting better
world poverty dropping fast
In 1820 the vast majority of people lived in extreme poverty and only a tiny elite enjoyed higher standards of living.
Economic growth over the last 200 years completely transformed our world and poverty fell continuously over the whole 2 last centuries. This is even more remarkable when we consider that the population increased 7-fold over the same time (which in itself is a consequence of increasing living standards and decreasing mortality – especially of infants and children – around the world). …
Even in 1981 more than 50% of the world population lived in absolute poverty – this is now down to about 20%. This is still a large number of people but the change is happening incredibly fast and for our present world the data tells us that poverty is now falling more quickly than ever before in world history. The first of the Millenium Development Goals set by the UN was to halve the population living in absolute poverty between 1990 and 2015. Rapid economic growth meant that this goal – arguably the most important – was achieved (5 years ahead of time) in 2010.
If you like that good news, click over to their home page for even more positive data. The world is improving in many ways.
my future home?
… 150 square feet …
The architect stole design elements from ships to make this home as efficient as possible. The kitchen does double duty as a home- and work-station, and it’s naturally lit with a wall full of windows. …
The cottage, designed for year-round use, is small enough to be powered solely by solar panels. A central cast-iron, wood burning stove heats the home. Plus, building costs were relatively low (about $42,000 including all interior furnishings) thanks to the cabin’s small size and smart design.
In fact, you can buy this cottage—or one like it—for about $18,500 …
Think Steve.
Think Different.
Steve Jobs, more than other one person, disrupted and reinvented the personal computer industry, animated motion pictures, music sales, retail stores, mobile phones and tablet computing.
–1976. STEVE JOBS and STEVE WOZNIAK form Apple Computers and build their first personal computer . . . in Jobs’ parents’ garage.
–1977. Apple releases the Apple Two, which becomes the first widely-used personal computer in the world.
–1984. Apple launches the Macintosh, a desktop computer with the screen built in.
–1986. Jobs buys Pixar Animation Studios for $10 MILLION. In 1995 they release “Toy Story”
–1998. Apple releases the iMac. It becomes the fastest-selling personal computer ever.
–2001. Apple introduces their first retail store and releases the iPod.
–2003. Apple launches the iTunes music store. This began the transition away from illegal digital music downloading and toward people LEGALLY listening to music again.
–2007. Apple introduces the iPhone
–2010. Apple introduces the iPad
–2011. Apple . . . the company Jobs started in his parents’ garage . . . is briefly the world’s most valuable company.
Uber disrupting the taxi industry
I hate taxis. 😦
And would love to support ANY alternative.
Uber sounds great. 🙂
Uber is a venture-funded startup and transportation network company based in San Francisco, California, that makes mobile apps that connects passengers with drivers of vehicles for hire and ridesharing services. …
Uber has been accused in several jurisdictions of illegal taxicab operation. …
On 11 June 2014, in a concerted action, taxis blocked roads in major European cities in protest against what they perceive as a threat to their livelihood by companies such as Uber. The cabbies contended that Uber and similar smartphone app-based services have an unfair advantage because they’re not subjected to the same kinds of fees and regulations placed on taxis. …
Google is one of the biggest investors.
Uber is not always the faster, cheaper option. But it will be, eventually.
Canal Solar Power Project
The Canal Solar Power Project is a project launched in Gujarat, to use 19,000 Kilometre long network of Narmada canals across the state for setting up solar panels to generate electricity. …
The pilot project will generate 1.6 million units of clean energy per annum and also prevent evaporation of 9 million litres of water annually from the canal. The project virtually eliminates the requirement to acquire vast tracts of land and limits evaporation of water from the 750 meter long canal, tackling two challenges simultaneously by providing energy and water security. …
I hope this works.
related –
U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) that seeks to prevent the Department of Defense from using funding to address the national security impacts of climate change.
See who voted YES (not to study climate security risk) and who voted NO (to study the risk).
The GOP must change or die, long term. The voters are moving towards accepting Global Warming as a fact while Republicans cling to denial.
Solar FREAKIN’ Roadways!
I’ve got to live FREAKIN’ long enough to see this technology in the wild.
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NRA does not fight a gun law!
Historically the National Rifle Association prioritized education, training and regulation of firearms. They were the safety advocates.
By sometime in the 1990s their main story changed to fighting any kind of gun legislation, no matter how minor, no matter how sensible.
Rather than discuss pros and cons, NRA talking headz shouted “Second Amendment” — as if it was Holy Scripture.
They became shills for the corporations who sell weapons.
But here’s a bit of good news.
… a new law in Washington State that will require spouses under domestic abuse orders to surrender their guns to authorities. This is no small matter. Intimate partner homicides account for nearly half the women killed each year, and more than half of these women are murdered with guns, according to federal statistics.
The surprising twist in the enactment of the Washington law was that the N.R.A. traditionally has fought hard against such legislation as a violation of Second Amendment freedom — but not this time. The law was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee last month after unanimous approval by the legislature once the gun lobby backed off from its standard tactic of political retaliation. “This is an election year, and no candidate wants to be portrayed as letting domestic abusers keep their guns,” said the Democratic sponsor, Representative Roger Goodman. …
True gundamentalists should cancel their NRA membership. The NRA has sold out to … reason and common sense. 🙂
Here’s a pro-gun site called Enemy of the State™ railing against this legislation.
related – Michael Enright – Annie Get Your Gun: Michael’s Essay:
It is awfully hard to say something positive about the National Rifle Association, every mass murderer’s friend. …
Reducing Firearm-Related Violence
The Institute of Medicine published findings:
In 2010, more than 105,000 people were injured or killed in the United States as the result of a firearm-related incident.
Recent, highly publicized, tragic mass shootings in Newtown, CT; Aurora, CO; Oak Creek, WI; and Tucson, AZ, have sharpened the American public’s interest in protecting our children and communities from the harmful effects of firearm violence. While many Americans legally use firearms for a variety of activities, fatal and nonfatal firearm violence poses a serious threat to public safety and welfare. …
Priorities for Research to Reduce the Threat of Firearm-Related Violence
William Saletan summarizes:
Earlier this year, President Obama ordered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assess the existing research on gun violence and recommend future studies. That report, prepared by the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council, is now complete.
Its findings won’t entirely please the Obama administration or the NRA, but all of us should consider them. Here’s a list of the 10 most salient or surprising takeaways. …
1. The United States has an indisputable gun violence problem.
According to the report, “the U.S. rate of firearm-related homicide is higher than that of any other industrialized country: 19.5 times higher than the rates in other high-income countries.”
2. Most indices of crime and gun violence are getting better, not worse.3. We have 300 million firearms, but only 100 million are handguns.
4. Handguns are the problem.
5. Mass shootings aren’t the problem.
6. Gun suicide is a bigger killer than gun homicide.
7. Guns are used for self-defense often and effectively.
8. Carrying guns for self-defense is an arms race.
9. Denying guns to people under restraining orders saves lives.
10. It isn’t true that most gun acquisitions by criminals can be blamed on a few bad dealers.
Surprising findings from a comprehensive report on gun violence.
Republicans Say No to CDC Gun Violence Research. Most in the GOP don’t want to know the facts. And definitely don’t want their voters to know the facts.
Dr. Garen Wintemute, a professor of emergency medicine who runs the Violence Prevention Research Program at the University of California, Davis, spent $1 million of his own money to continue the research.
As I’ve said before, I don’t think people are very far apart on this issue. Fire arms lobbyists are going to have an increasingly difficult fight buying politicians over the coming years. And they’ll have to outspend their opponents at an even greater rate.
Republicans must change. Or lose. Long term.
Rick McCharles 