Here is some indisputable mathematical logic:
What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?
Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:
If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.
Then:
H-A -R -D-W-O -R -K
8+1+18+4+23+ 15+18+11 = 98%
and
K -N -O -W-L -E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+ 12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%
But,
A-T -T -I -T -U -D-E
1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100%
And,
B -U -L -L -S -H-I -T
2+21+12+12+19+ 8+9+20 = 103%
BUT, look how far ass-kissing will take you.
A-S -S -K -I -S-S -I -N-G
1+19+19+11+9+ 19+19+9+14+ 7 = 118%
So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty, that while hard work and knowledge will get you close, and attitude will get you there, its the bullshit and ass kissing that will put you over the top.
7.30.2010
7.28.2010
Wealth and Inequality
15 Facts about wealth and inequality in America:
http://www.businessinsider.com/us-wealth-inequality-2010-7#the-gap-between-the-top-001-and-everyone-else-hasnt-been-this-bad-since-the-roaring-twenties-1
http://www.businessinsider.com/us-wealth-inequality-2010-7#the-gap-between-the-top-001-and-everyone-else-hasnt-been-this-bad-since-the-roaring-twenties-1
7.26.2010
The Future of the World Economy
From Fortune Magazine:
Think of the $58 trillion global economy, very roughly, as 32 Californias. (California today is about $1.8 trillion strong.) The U.S. accounts for eight of them; the European Union plus Switzerland and Norway, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand make up another 10½. Prosperous Asia -- that's Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore -- gives you another 3½ Golden States.
That already gets us to 22, meaning the rest of the world -- the BRICs, the whole Islamic world, including its oil-rich states, most of Southeast Asia, all of Latin America, and Africa -- is the equivalent of 10 Californias, with China accounting for about a third of that output.
Now let's divide the world another way: The population in the first group of wealthy countries is about 1.1 billion, or 16% of the world's total. The rest of the world is home to 84% of the planet.
This enormous disparity between the distribution of the world's population and its economic wealth has led to two distinct arguments.
First there is the case that global inequality is both wrong and dangerous. It's wrong because we diminish our humanity if we in the rich world allow billions to live stunted and miserable lives when they don't need to; it's dangerous because poverty and disease don't stay confined. When the movement of people, pathogens, and weapons is easier than it has ever been, the resentments, diseases, and grievances of the poor risk making everyone's life miserable.
The second argument is concerned less with morals and security and more with markets. The pragmatist looks at the world and sees 4 billion producers and consumers whose appetites and ingenuity have not been fully tapped -- sees, in other words, huge opportunities for economic growth and corporate earnings.
From: http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/21/news/international/global_forum_opportunity.fortune/index.htm
Think of the $58 trillion global economy, very roughly, as 32 Californias. (California today is about $1.8 trillion strong.) The U.S. accounts for eight of them; the European Union plus Switzerland and Norway, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand make up another 10½. Prosperous Asia -- that's Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore -- gives you another 3½ Golden States.
That already gets us to 22, meaning the rest of the world -- the BRICs, the whole Islamic world, including its oil-rich states, most of Southeast Asia, all of Latin America, and Africa -- is the equivalent of 10 Californias, with China accounting for about a third of that output.
Now let's divide the world another way: The population in the first group of wealthy countries is about 1.1 billion, or 16% of the world's total. The rest of the world is home to 84% of the planet.
This enormous disparity between the distribution of the world's population and its economic wealth has led to two distinct arguments.
First there is the case that global inequality is both wrong and dangerous. It's wrong because we diminish our humanity if we in the rich world allow billions to live stunted and miserable lives when they don't need to; it's dangerous because poverty and disease don't stay confined. When the movement of people, pathogens, and weapons is easier than it has ever been, the resentments, diseases, and grievances of the poor risk making everyone's life miserable.
The second argument is concerned less with morals and security and more with markets. The pragmatist looks at the world and sees 4 billion producers and consumers whose appetites and ingenuity have not been fully tapped -- sees, in other words, huge opportunities for economic growth and corporate earnings.
From: http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/21/news/international/global_forum_opportunity.fortune/index.htm
7.23.2010
Don Draper
Season 4 of Mad Men kicks off this Sunday. If you are not on the Mad Men bandwagon, get the Season 1 DVD's and enjoy. In order to get you ready for the new season, here are some of the best quotes from the first 3 seasons:
"Kids today, they have no one to look up to... 'cause they're looking up to us."
"I don't want to have a fight."
"Then stop talking."
"I hate to break it to you, but there is no big lie, there is no system, the universe is indifferent."
"That's life... one minute you're on top of the world, the next minute some secretary is running you over with a lawnmower."
"There are snakes that go months without eating. And then they finally catch something, but they're so hungry that they suffocate while they're eating. One opportunity at a time."
"It's my purpose in life to bring America to the world. Whether they like it or not."
"Very rousing, sir."
"Churchill rousing, or Hitler rousing?"
"I'm living like there's no tomorrow, because there isn't one."
"If you don't like what's being said, change the conversation."
"I can't decide if you have everything . . . or nothing."
"Kids today, they have no one to look up to... 'cause they're looking up to us."
"I don't want to have a fight."
"Then stop talking."
"I hate to break it to you, but there is no big lie, there is no system, the universe is indifferent."
"That's life... one minute you're on top of the world, the next minute some secretary is running you over with a lawnmower."
"There are snakes that go months without eating. And then they finally catch something, but they're so hungry that they suffocate while they're eating. One opportunity at a time."
"It's my purpose in life to bring America to the world. Whether they like it or not."
"Very rousing, sir."
"Churchill rousing, or Hitler rousing?"
"I'm living like there's no tomorrow, because there isn't one."
"If you don't like what's being said, change the conversation."
"I can't decide if you have everything . . . or nothing."
7.21.2010
Chicken Before Egg
British scientists claim to have solved one of the great mysteries of life, the universe and everything in it: The chicken came before the egg, they say, and they're not mincing words. "It had long been suspected that the egg came first, but now we have the scientific proof that shows that in fact the chicken came first," Sheffield University's Dr Colin Freeman, according to a report in the Metro.
Researchers from Scotland and England used a supercomputer called HECToR to look in such detail at a chicken eggshell that they were able to determine the vital role of a protein used to kick-start the egg's formation.
That protein is only found, wait for it... inside a chicken.
Freeman, who worked on HECToR with counterparts at Edinburgh's Warwick University, said the protein had been identified earlier by scientists and was known to be linked to egg formation, "but by examining it closely we have been able to see how it controls the process," he added, describing it as a catalyst. Professor John Harding, who also took part in the research, told Metro the discovery could have other applications. "Understanding how chickens make shells is fascinating in itself, but can also give clues towards designing new materials." he said.
Which is good, because in spite of HECToR's hard work and the "scientific proof" it yielded, the study offered no explanation as to how the chicken got there in the first place. If not from an egg, perhaps it just came from across the road.
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/07/14/tech/main6676542.shtml
Researchers from Scotland and England used a supercomputer called HECToR to look in such detail at a chicken eggshell that they were able to determine the vital role of a protein used to kick-start the egg's formation.
That protein is only found, wait for it... inside a chicken.
Freeman, who worked on HECToR with counterparts at Edinburgh's Warwick University, said the protein had been identified earlier by scientists and was known to be linked to egg formation, "but by examining it closely we have been able to see how it controls the process," he added, describing it as a catalyst. Professor John Harding, who also took part in the research, told Metro the discovery could have other applications. "Understanding how chickens make shells is fascinating in itself, but can also give clues towards designing new materials." he said.
Which is good, because in spite of HECToR's hard work and the "scientific proof" it yielded, the study offered no explanation as to how the chicken got there in the first place. If not from an egg, perhaps it just came from across the road.
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/07/14/tech/main6676542.shtml
7.19.2010
Goldman Sachs Code of Ethics
Every wondered what was contained in Goldman Sachs code of ethics. A very interesting report on the document that guides the most powerful investment bankers in the world:
http://www.publicradio.org/columns/marketplace/business-news-briefs/2010/06/wheres_the_ethics_in_goldman_s.html
http://www.publicradio.org/columns/marketplace/business-news-briefs/2010/06/wheres_the_ethics_in_goldman_s.html
7.16.2010
Somewhat Revolting, Very Thought-Provoking
I don't agree with the following opinion, and I don't know how many people would, but it is thought-provoking to say the least:
http://20smoney.com/2010/06/29/an-angle-on-charity/
http://20smoney.com/2010/06/29/an-angle-on-charity/
7.14.2010
Fall From Grace
From Rick Reilly at ESPN:
Nine months ago, the three most popular athletes in this country were Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning and LeBron James. Since that time, Woods has become the Sultan of Sleaze, Manning is suddenly the guy who can't get it done in the big moment, and James is disloyal, narcissistic and cruel, apparently. It's like one of those ancient cultures that would anoint a man king just long enough to kill him, ensuring a bountiful harvest. Sports fame is like riding a tiger. It's fun for awhile, but how do you get off without being eaten?
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=5373709
Nine months ago, the three most popular athletes in this country were Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning and LeBron James. Since that time, Woods has become the Sultan of Sleaze, Manning is suddenly the guy who can't get it done in the big moment, and James is disloyal, narcissistic and cruel, apparently. It's like one of those ancient cultures that would anoint a man king just long enough to kill him, ensuring a bountiful harvest. Sports fame is like riding a tiger. It's fun for awhile, but how do you get off without being eaten?
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=5373709
7.12.2010
How Apple Could Fail
I am an Apple supporter. I am constantly impressed with their product development, marketing, and execution. Here is a very interesting take on how Apple could fail, and how it has happened before for the mighty Mac empire:
http://www.businessinsider.com/this-chart-should-scare-the-bejesus-out-of-apple-2010-7
http://www.businessinsider.com/this-chart-should-scare-the-bejesus-out-of-apple-2010-7
7.09.2010
Solar Powered Flight
A solar-powered aircraft, which a team hopes will one day circle the globe, completed a 26-hour test flight in Switzerland at 9 a.m. Thursday.
Solar Impulse took off shortly before 7 a.m. Wednesday from an airfield in Payerne, 80 miles northeast of Geneva.
The plane was piloted by Andre Borschberg, who flew to a height of nearly 28,000 feet (8,500 meters).
"I've been a pilot for 40 years now, but this flight has been the most incredible one of my flying career," Borschberg said, according to the New York Times.
"Just sitting there and watching the battery charge level rise and rise thanks to the sun. I have just flown more than 26 hours without using a drop of fuel and without causing any pollution."
During the evening, the plane slowly descended to an altitude of 4,500 feet (1,500 meters), where it remained for the rest of the night using battery power. An hour before dawn, the plane still had six hours of flying time left in its solar-fueled batteries.
Read the entire article here:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/07/08/solar.plane.test.flight/index.html?hpt=T2
It is my sincere hope that America starts having clean energy breakthroughs like this. I truly believe our economic future depends on it. But alas, we will have to settle for LeBron James rumors on Twitter, and articles about Lindsey Lohan going to jail (the two articles that were trending higher on CNN than the solar plane article). I sometimes worry about the fate of our country.
Solar Impulse took off shortly before 7 a.m. Wednesday from an airfield in Payerne, 80 miles northeast of Geneva.
The plane was piloted by Andre Borschberg, who flew to a height of nearly 28,000 feet (8,500 meters).
"I've been a pilot for 40 years now, but this flight has been the most incredible one of my flying career," Borschberg said, according to the New York Times.
"Just sitting there and watching the battery charge level rise and rise thanks to the sun. I have just flown more than 26 hours without using a drop of fuel and without causing any pollution."
During the evening, the plane slowly descended to an altitude of 4,500 feet (1,500 meters), where it remained for the rest of the night using battery power. An hour before dawn, the plane still had six hours of flying time left in its solar-fueled batteries.
Read the entire article here:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/07/08/solar.plane.test.flight/index.html?hpt=T2
It is my sincere hope that America starts having clean energy breakthroughs like this. I truly believe our economic future depends on it. But alas, we will have to settle for LeBron James rumors on Twitter, and articles about Lindsey Lohan going to jail (the two articles that were trending higher on CNN than the solar plane article). I sometimes worry about the fate of our country.
7.07.2010
Consider for a Moment
Could the Republicans be purposefully attempting to weaken the economy in preparation for the mid-term elections?
Greg Valliere, the Chief Political Strategist of the Potomac Research Group, presents his thoughts: http://www.cnbc.com/id/38023788
Greg Valliere, the Chief Political Strategist of the Potomac Research Group, presents his thoughts: http://www.cnbc.com/id/38023788
7.02.2010
World Cup TV Ratings
This past Saturday's World Cup match between the US and Ghana attracted the biggest audience ever in the United States for men's soccer.
ESPN announced that the game Saturday afternoon drew 14.9 million viewers in English -- and Nielsen said another 4 million watched in Spanish.
ESPN said that overall ratings are nearly 50 percent higher for these games than the 2006 World Cup. The United States is currently bidding to become the host for the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022.
http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/blog/2010/06/record-breaking.html
ESPN announced that the game Saturday afternoon drew 14.9 million viewers in English -- and Nielsen said another 4 million watched in Spanish.
ESPN said that overall ratings are nearly 50 percent higher for these games than the 2006 World Cup. The United States is currently bidding to become the host for the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022.
http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/blog/2010/06/record-breaking.html