Quantum Sagas

TerraPass Initiative... Reduce CO2 Emissions!

In the future of economic and social development, TerraPass will go down as one of the most intuitive and genuine ideas history has ever seen. Literally, while reading about it, I said aloud, "This is big!" I read an article in Wired Mag about this system, by which the participant pays to display a sticker whose proceeds go to offset the cost of carbon emissions produced by your vehicle. Essentially, you pay anywhere from $30-80 for a year "subscription" to TerraPass, and the money you have paid will go to exchange credits on the Chicago Climate Exchange or to renewable energy resources.

TerraPass IS for-profit, with a 10% profit goal, but this money is being used to support the people that make this possible, and for marketing the idea to the world. Not all corporations have to be evil, some of them actually do beneficial things. This is one of them.

Genius folks... Sheer genius.

The lagging U.S. technology sector

Someone is finally calling us out on our lack of technological developments. According the the article, Japan's broadband Internet access, "...on average is about half the price and 16 times the speed of ours." 16 times the speed is only slightly advantageous, but the cost reduction is more important. Another example of the fact that the U.S. government cares less about its constituents than it does about industry, and it's taking away from the American spirit. It is the people who make the industries happen, and while the ones already in place are large and powerful, these sorts of inactions are preventing newer and potentially larger developments. What will be the future of U.S. industry if its development is stifled?

America Fallen...

An excellent article from The Raw Story about the decline of the American Empire, and a comparison to Rome.

"The American Empire is falling before it has even truly risen."

Star Trek Communicators & More Intelligence Memos (and Ford)

Siemens has demonstrated a badge, known as a "wearable hub," that allows the wearer to operate equipment in the home, etc., by way of voice commands. Not very stylish looking, but it reminds me of a prototype for the communicator badges worn on Star Trek. I wonder if it makes the noise when you press it?

Also, more evidence that the Bush Administration lied about pre-war intelligence:
[Washington Post] Memo: U.S. Lacked Full Postwar Iraq Plan

Think Progress' Take:
FULL TEXT OF BRITISH BRIEFING PAPERS REVEALED: More Evidence Intel Was Fixed

One more thing. Not surprisingly, bad engineering from Ford. At least GM is trying to keep up.

Amnesty International's Honesty

It's about time someone that the world will listen to calls the US government out on its blatant disregard for human rights. And, of course, the US government is on the defensive, suggesting that this issue could possibly make a difference. But Amnesty is already saying that.

Oh, and christians are ruining our future. There's a surprise.