The Growing Government

Think about how much the Federal Government has grown in the last decade. From the rise of the Department of Homeland Security (think about all those new philadelphia airport jobs) and the two wars going on around the world, the U.S. Federal Government has grown by leaps and bounds. The 2010 decade is comping and I see the government growing even more. From financial regulation and oversight to medical care and insurance, the Fed is going bigger and bigger.

The Singularity

The new edition of GQ magazine has an interesting article about "The Singularity". What exactly is this singularity and what does it mean? Well it is defined as the point in time where machine (e.g. computer) intelligence equals (and then quickly exceeds) human intelligence. What will this point mean for us and what will the future after it be like? Well some in the article claim that we will ultimately becomes slaves to our new machine masters, while others say we will be able to use computers to evolve and even reach immortality! Grab the magazine and read it (article not available online)!

The War (on Drugs) Continues

With all the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan taking up our blood and treasure, there has been a war which is often overlooked in America -- the war on drugs. The fight continues with the Obama Administration but it seems there is a shift towards more drug treatment and drug rehab instead of just arresting dealers and users. A quick look over at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) website and you'll find that Treatment is a central theme of the policy.

Don’t Be Afraid of Artificial Intelligence

I just read a great article titled Chess Bump — The triumphant teamwork of humans and computers. It was written by William Saletan and is available at Slate.com and in the Washington Post. The main point of the article, written in the light of the recent overtaking of computers over humans in chess playing ability, can be summed up with the quote:

Don’t be afraid. We, too, are getting smarter, and computers are a big reason why. They’re not our enemies. They’re our offspring—our creations, helpers, and challengers.

You see, it’s not computers which are actually beating humans at chess, but the humans who write computer programs that beat humans at chess. Computers (and all great achievements in technology) are not better than us, but instead the tools which are making us, as the human race, better. Saletan sees human evolution as a three part play:

In the opening, humans evolved through engagement with nature. In the middle game, we projected our intelligence onto computers and co-evolved through engagement with them. In the endgame, we merged computers with our minds and bodies, bringing that projected intelligence back into ourselves. The distinction between human and artificial intelligence turns out to have been artificial.

Take a look at my interpretation of how computers will help humans reach unimaginable levels of knowledge, understanding and intelligence:

Use Less Energy at Home!

Looking to buy a new home? Well you'll see a trend out there in new home construction -- builders are building new homes using energy efficient windows, furnaces, a/c units and even light fixtures! All the major brands like Luminox and Hubberton Forge are thinking about the future of lighting. Its all about energy efficiency! The future is filled with energy conscious consumers and it is in the best financial interest of companies to provide products which use less energy while keeping to a high level of quality.

Internet Marketing — Why?

So what can an internet marketing company do for your business? Well they not only help you advertise online but more importantly they can help you analyze every last dollar and click of your marketing campaign to see what works and what doesn’t. This is the true value of Internet marketing — you get real time results and tons of data on how your campaigns are working (or not). Forget spending dollars on TV ads and magazine spreads — you really need an SEO company which can show you your real return on online advertising. Whether you are targeting a specific area like Charlotte or a certain demographic (teens and 20-somethings), you can maximize your advertising dollar when you do it online.

Wall Mount or Table Top

So you went out and bought a big flat panel TV the day after Thanksgiving. Its cool right? But now you have a major decision to make -- shall I mount the TV to my wall or just stick it on a stand? It is tempting to buy a flat panel mount for your wall but is it always the best deal? Well it all depends on how much space you have in your room. If you've got tons of space and an existing table top or entertainment center that would fit your TV, then why not just use the stand that comes with it? It'll save you $50-$150!

An Alternative to Bankruptcy

Are you are the brink of bankruptcy? Are you about to lose it all due to credit card debt? Well there might be an alternative to bankruptcy and its called Debt Settlement. In debt settlement, you negotiate with your creditors and try to reach a reduced settlement value for your debts. But be warned, this is not easy to do — its complex and requires knowledge of the process. Accordingly you should use a professional debt negotiation and debt settlement company to work for you. They are the experts in this subject and can help you reduce the amount you owe from 40% to 60%. Why does this work? Well instead face the risk of future default, your creditors (like credit card companies) will likely settle for a “sure thing” payment today instead of waiting for years and years to recoup the principle. They can help you get debt free in as little as 18 months. Results will vary, but most people get it done within 12 to 36 months (with 18 months as an average). Another benefit is that you will now only face a single monthly debt payment — one focused amount to get you free of that debt in a matter of years, not decades. Check out their site and learn more about their services.

Future Cars Tomorrow

Like the new cars of 2010? Well I certainly do but I will like them as much (or even more) in 2012 when I can buy them as a used car for about 30% less cash! Think about that one for a while. This applies to when you buy a used motorcycle, a used rv for sale, or a used truck. If you like them now you will like then even more for less money in the future.

Wireless iTunes

First music, then audio books, then radio shows — Where will the world of pod-casting go next? I love listening to podcasts on my home computer and my iPod. So what’s next? Well maybe you will be able to subscribe to podcasts over Satellite Radio like XM/Sirius. You could download them on the fly and listen to them in your car or maybe even on airplanes. This sort of on-demand listening is the future of portable music. Why settle for having to synch for MP3 player just to get new tunes? Imagine an iPod which could wirelessly synch up with iTunes in order to always have the latest music and podcasts!

2009 Checkup Time

2009 is coming to an end. As your vacation nears and you start thinking about 2010, you first need to think abut what happened in 2009. Reflection is an important task. After that you need to start 2010 off right by doing some important steps.

First, make some solid short term goals for yourself. Second, give yourself a financial checkup including revisiting your budget, getting fresh a insurance quote, and evaluating your savings levels. Lastly, try to start getting more physically fit today. Don't wait until January to start a new fitness lifestyle.

Gut Feelings

Ever had a “gut feeling”? Did you wonder where it came from or whether it was based on real science? I listened to a recent episode of Radio Lab all about decisions and choices. One segment on it was about the “gut feeling” and where it comes from. Although it seems to be emotional and illogical, the science behind a gut feeling could actually be described as the totality of all your experience and wisdom you’ve gained in similar experiences in the past. This instantaneous feeling, based on all your previous knowledge and experience, is you gut feeling and it actually quite useful! Give it a listen. What are your thoughts on this interesting subject?

TECH Improving the WORLD

Here's a trend I'd like to see continue in the 21st century -- technology improving peoples lives around the planet. I'm not talking about just smaller iPods and nicer TVs. No, I'm talking about creating high tech water filters to clean drinking water and creating new life saving medicines. This will help save millions and millions of lives around the world.

The iPod is getting Larger?!?

What's this? Apple has actually made an iPod bigger? Yes, its true. The fourth generation iPod Nano is actually larger than the previous generation! Why? Well the choice seems to be due to the lagging sales or media response from the smaller square shaped iPod Nano 3G. Now it has reverted to a tall form and all-aluminum enclosure. The 4th Generation also includes 9 color choices, an added accelerometer for shake and horizontal viewing.

The Great Recession Coming to an End?

Is the "Great Recession" coming to an end? I mean, there is no other way to refer to what we just went through the last couple year but to call it the Great Recession. Cities across America like Detroit, Miami, Reno, and Dallas have suffered through an unemployment rate of 10% or more and a loss in housing values across the board. But now, with he stock market about 10,000 again and the U.S. economy actually growing again, are we at the end of the Great Recession?