New Post (217): Debunking - “The demise of the USA.”
Here’s a sampling of the opinions of some of the “idle” myth perpetuators:
---“The USA faces imminent demise due to three considerations. One and two are: its internal economic policies and the external certainties of Islamic terrorism.
---“Academic who has long predicted that an economic and moral collapse will trigger a civil war and the eventual breakup of the U.S.
---"There's less than 50% chance that the United States will exist by the ... of Warning U.S. Economic Collapse ...
---Four scenarios that could spell the end of the United States as we know it -- in the very near future.
………………………………………………………
The question I ask is:
“Why then are the brightest and the best educated youth from all countries continuing to migrate unabated to the USA in the droves”?
Reason: The USA is the most powerful brain magnet that there is.
The predictors of the demise of the USA are woefully wrong. These doomsday predictors have no idea whatsoever of – “what made the USA a super power”… (and) I am not going to give them a free education on this.
The return of the USA to the global centre stage and in a position of uncontested supremacy – will not surprise me --- at all.
Charlie Brown
Friday, February 10, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Germany - Europe’s beast of burden.
New Post (216) : Germany - Europe’s beast of burden.
What Europe needs is greater integration …but - one of a different kind.
The mantra should be to facilitate and achieve:
“Technology parity among member states so each one becomes more capable of exporting to the world at large”.
The Tech leaders like a Germany (and a France and a few others) must share their proprietary technologies with their lesser cousins, such as the PIGS {Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain…and the rest}. Set up ancillaries outside of their home country and help raise their tech capability. Then use that supply chain to bid for export orders “collectively”.
Made in Germany must give way to Made in Europe.
National ambitions must be surrendered.
The EADS a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services is a good example to follow. Just scale up that model. To include “all” European countries.
Follow this principle in “all” sectors of industry.
A Europe that is cross wired in a “technology interdependence matrix” will stand together.
Think of Europe as a USE in the making. [Unites States of Europe]
Caution: The monetary union –and- the proposed fiscal discipline+union will go so far and no further. The required bail outs will only get bigger n bigger.
The problem of Europe is not one of economy and finance. Though that it what it has turned into.
The problem is – “technology disparity among the members”.
And so Germany - a tech giant with a global canvas of its own exports - will continue to be - the beast of burden of Europe.
Germany must lead by adopting this change in perspective.
Charlie Brown
What Europe needs is greater integration …but - one of a different kind.
The mantra should be to facilitate and achieve:
“Technology parity among member states so each one becomes more capable of exporting to the world at large”.
The Tech leaders like a Germany (and a France and a few others) must share their proprietary technologies with their lesser cousins, such as the PIGS {Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain…and the rest}. Set up ancillaries outside of their home country and help raise their tech capability. Then use that supply chain to bid for export orders “collectively”.
Made in Germany must give way to Made in Europe.
National ambitions must be surrendered.
The EADS a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services is a good example to follow. Just scale up that model. To include “all” European countries.
Follow this principle in “all” sectors of industry.
A Europe that is cross wired in a “technology interdependence matrix” will stand together.
Think of Europe as a USE in the making. [Unites States of Europe]
Caution: The monetary union –and- the proposed fiscal discipline+union will go so far and no further. The required bail outs will only get bigger n bigger.
The problem of Europe is not one of economy and finance. Though that it what it has turned into.
The problem is – “technology disparity among the members”.
And so Germany - a tech giant with a global canvas of its own exports - will continue to be - the beast of burden of Europe.
Germany must lead by adopting this change in perspective.
Charlie Brown
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Stay ahead in the patents race.
New post (215) : Stay ahead in the patents race.
I find myself struggling to understand what all of this means as a learning for similarly placed pioneers on the verge of going bust.
Quote(open)
Eastman Kodak Co, which invented the hand-held camera and helped bring the world the first pictures from the moon, has filed for bankruptcy protection, capping a prolonged plunge for one of America's best-known companies.
The more than 130-year-old photographic film pioneer, which had tried to restructure to become a seller of consumer products like cameras, said it had also obtained a $950 million, 18-month credit facility from Citigroup to keep it going.
The loan and bankruptcy protection from U.S. trade creditors may give Kodak the time it needs to find buyers for some of its 1,100 digital patents, the key to its remaining value, and to reshape its business while continuing to pay its 17,000 workers.
"The board of directors and the entire senior management team unanimously believe that this is a necessary step and the right thing to do for the future of Kodak,"
"Now we must complete the transformation by further addressing our cost structure and effectively monetizing non-core intellectual-property assets. We look forward to working with our stakeholders to emerge a lean, world-class, digital imaging and materials science company," he added.
At end September, the group had total assets of $5.1 billion and liabilities of $6.75 billion.
Quote(close)
It is in the main – “Patents and people” or/ people generating patents – that seem to be their savior of last resort. {...& not the banks).
The strategic question to ask in not "who" is the enemy. Rather "what" is the enemy.
That realization - to me - is "a Kodak moment"-----------------.
Reference : Theodore Levitt - who is credited with being the first to make us aware of "MARKETING MYOPIA", was an influential scholar and former editor of Harvard Business Review whose writings radically altered the way marketing is practiced and studied. He wrote eight books on marketing, including Innovation in Marketing and The Marketing Imagination.
Charlie Brown
I find myself struggling to understand what all of this means as a learning for similarly placed pioneers on the verge of going bust.
Quote(open)
Eastman Kodak Co, which invented the hand-held camera and helped bring the world the first pictures from the moon, has filed for bankruptcy protection, capping a prolonged plunge for one of America's best-known companies.
The more than 130-year-old photographic film pioneer, which had tried to restructure to become a seller of consumer products like cameras, said it had also obtained a $950 million, 18-month credit facility from Citigroup to keep it going.
The loan and bankruptcy protection from U.S. trade creditors may give Kodak the time it needs to find buyers for some of its 1,100 digital patents, the key to its remaining value, and to reshape its business while continuing to pay its 17,000 workers.
"The board of directors and the entire senior management team unanimously believe that this is a necessary step and the right thing to do for the future of Kodak,"
"Now we must complete the transformation by further addressing our cost structure and effectively monetizing non-core intellectual-property assets. We look forward to working with our stakeholders to emerge a lean, world-class, digital imaging and materials science company," he added.
At end September, the group had total assets of $5.1 billion and liabilities of $6.75 billion.
Quote(close)
It is in the main – “Patents and people” or/ people generating patents – that seem to be their savior of last resort. {...& not the banks).
The strategic question to ask in not "who" is the enemy. Rather "what" is the enemy.
That realization - to me - is "a Kodak moment"-----------------.
Reference : Theodore Levitt - who is credited with being the first to make us aware of "MARKETING MYOPIA", was an influential scholar and former editor of Harvard Business Review whose writings radically altered the way marketing is practiced and studied. He wrote eight books on marketing, including Innovation in Marketing and The Marketing Imagination.
Charlie Brown
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Avatar 2.0
New Post (214 ) : Avatar 2.0
The plot : Avatar 1.0
In 2148, the Earth's natural resources have been severely depleted. In 2154, the RDA Corporation is mining a valuable mineral called unobtanium on Pandora, a densely forested habitable moon orbiting the gas giant Polyphemus in the Alpha Centauri star system.[10] Pandora, whose atmosphere is poisonous to humans, is inhabited by the Na'vi, 10-foot (3.0 m)-tall, blue-skinned, sapient humanoids[32] who live in harmony with nature and worship a mother goddess called Eywa.
To explore Pandora's biosphere, scientists use Na'vi-human hybrids called 'avatars', operated by genetically matched humans; wherefore Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic former marine, replaces his twin brother Tom as an operator thereof. Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver), head of the Avatar Program, considers Sully an inadequate replacement and assigns him as a bodyguard. While protecting the avatars of Grace and scientist Norm Spellman (Joel David Moore) as they collect biological data, Jake's avatar is attacked by a thanator and flees into the forest, where he is rescued by Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), a female Na'vi. Upon sight of an auspicious portent, she takes him to her clan, whereupon Neytiri's mother Mo'at (C. C. H. Pounder), the clan's spiritual leader, orders her daughter to initiate Jake into their society.
Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), head of RDA's private security force, promises Jake that the company will restore his legs if he gathers intelligence about the Na'vi,[33] on grounds that they occupy the richest deposit of unobtanium in the area. When Grace learns of this, she transfers herself, Jake, and Norm to an outpost. Over three months, Jake grows to sympathize with the natives. After Jake is initiated into the tribe, he and Neytiri choose each other as mates; and soon afterward, Jake reveals his change of allegiance when he attempts to disable a bulldozer that threatens to destroy a sacred Na'vi site. When Quaritch shows a videograph of Jake's attack on the bulldozer to Administrator Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi),[34] and another in which Jake admits that the Na'vi will never abandon Hometree, Selfridge orders Hometree destroyed.
Despite Grace's argument that destroying Hometree could damage the Biological neural network native to Pandora, Selfridge orders Jake and Grace to convince the Na'vi to evacuate. When this fails, Quaritch's forces destroy Hometree, killing Neytiri's father and many others. Mo'at frees Jake and Grace; but they are detached from their avatars and imprisoned. Pilot Trudy Chacón (Michelle Rodriguez), disgusted by Quaritch's brutality, carries them to Grace's outpost; but during the escape, Quaritch injures Grace.
To regain the Na'vi's trust, Jake connects his mind to that of Toruk, a dragon-like predator feared and honoured in Na'vi history. Thus connected, Jake finds the refugees at the sacred Tree of Souls and pleads with Mo'at to heal Grace. The clan attempts to transfer Grace from her human body into her avatar with the aid of the Tree; but she succumbs to her injuries before the process can be completed.
Supported by the new chief Tsu'tey (Laz Alonso), who acts as Jake's translator, Jake speaks to unite the clan and tells them to gather other clans for battle against the RDA. On the eve of battle, Jake prays to Eywa, via a neural connection to the Tree of Souls, to intercede on behalf of the Na'vi. Having noticed this convention, Quaritch organizes a pre-emptive strike against the Tree of Souls, believing that its destruction will demoralize the natives.
During the subsequent battle, the Na'vi suffer heavy casualties, including Tsu'tey and Trudy; but are rescued when Pandoran wildlife unexpectedly join the attack and overwhelm the humans, which Neytiri interprets as Eywa's answer to Jake's prayer. Jake destroys a makeshift bomber before it can reach the Tree of Souls; whereupon Quaritch dons an AMP suit and breaches the avatar link unit containing Jake's human body, exposing Jake to Pandora's poisonous atmosphere. In reply, Neytiri kills Quaritch and rescues Jake.
With the exceptions of Jake, Norm, Max and several other scientists, all humans are expelled from Pandora; whereafter Jake is transferred entirely into his avatar with the aid of the Tree.
Interesting !
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The plot : Avatar 2.0
The American war machine in “invasion mode” in – Vietnam/ Iraq/ Afghanistan/ Iran/ N.Korea/ ………..{where else ?)
Do you see the parallels with Avatar 1.0 ? ………I (certainly) do.
This time around the "unobtanium" is OIL.
SAD !
Charlie Brown
The plot : Avatar 1.0
In 2148, the Earth's natural resources have been severely depleted. In 2154, the RDA Corporation is mining a valuable mineral called unobtanium on Pandora, a densely forested habitable moon orbiting the gas giant Polyphemus in the Alpha Centauri star system.[10] Pandora, whose atmosphere is poisonous to humans, is inhabited by the Na'vi, 10-foot (3.0 m)-tall, blue-skinned, sapient humanoids[32] who live in harmony with nature and worship a mother goddess called Eywa.
To explore Pandora's biosphere, scientists use Na'vi-human hybrids called 'avatars', operated by genetically matched humans; wherefore Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic former marine, replaces his twin brother Tom as an operator thereof. Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver), head of the Avatar Program, considers Sully an inadequate replacement and assigns him as a bodyguard. While protecting the avatars of Grace and scientist Norm Spellman (Joel David Moore) as they collect biological data, Jake's avatar is attacked by a thanator and flees into the forest, where he is rescued by Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), a female Na'vi. Upon sight of an auspicious portent, she takes him to her clan, whereupon Neytiri's mother Mo'at (C. C. H. Pounder), the clan's spiritual leader, orders her daughter to initiate Jake into their society.
Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), head of RDA's private security force, promises Jake that the company will restore his legs if he gathers intelligence about the Na'vi,[33] on grounds that they occupy the richest deposit of unobtanium in the area. When Grace learns of this, she transfers herself, Jake, and Norm to an outpost. Over three months, Jake grows to sympathize with the natives. After Jake is initiated into the tribe, he and Neytiri choose each other as mates; and soon afterward, Jake reveals his change of allegiance when he attempts to disable a bulldozer that threatens to destroy a sacred Na'vi site. When Quaritch shows a videograph of Jake's attack on the bulldozer to Administrator Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi),[34] and another in which Jake admits that the Na'vi will never abandon Hometree, Selfridge orders Hometree destroyed.
Despite Grace's argument that destroying Hometree could damage the Biological neural network native to Pandora, Selfridge orders Jake and Grace to convince the Na'vi to evacuate. When this fails, Quaritch's forces destroy Hometree, killing Neytiri's father and many others. Mo'at frees Jake and Grace; but they are detached from their avatars and imprisoned. Pilot Trudy Chacón (Michelle Rodriguez), disgusted by Quaritch's brutality, carries them to Grace's outpost; but during the escape, Quaritch injures Grace.
To regain the Na'vi's trust, Jake connects his mind to that of Toruk, a dragon-like predator feared and honoured in Na'vi history. Thus connected, Jake finds the refugees at the sacred Tree of Souls and pleads with Mo'at to heal Grace. The clan attempts to transfer Grace from her human body into her avatar with the aid of the Tree; but she succumbs to her injuries before the process can be completed.
Supported by the new chief Tsu'tey (Laz Alonso), who acts as Jake's translator, Jake speaks to unite the clan and tells them to gather other clans for battle against the RDA. On the eve of battle, Jake prays to Eywa, via a neural connection to the Tree of Souls, to intercede on behalf of the Na'vi. Having noticed this convention, Quaritch organizes a pre-emptive strike against the Tree of Souls, believing that its destruction will demoralize the natives.
During the subsequent battle, the Na'vi suffer heavy casualties, including Tsu'tey and Trudy; but are rescued when Pandoran wildlife unexpectedly join the attack and overwhelm the humans, which Neytiri interprets as Eywa's answer to Jake's prayer. Jake destroys a makeshift bomber before it can reach the Tree of Souls; whereupon Quaritch dons an AMP suit and breaches the avatar link unit containing Jake's human body, exposing Jake to Pandora's poisonous atmosphere. In reply, Neytiri kills Quaritch and rescues Jake.
With the exceptions of Jake, Norm, Max and several other scientists, all humans are expelled from Pandora; whereafter Jake is transferred entirely into his avatar with the aid of the Tree.
Interesting !
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The plot : Avatar 2.0
The American war machine in “invasion mode” in – Vietnam/ Iraq/ Afghanistan/ Iran/ N.Korea/ ………..{where else ?)
Do you see the parallels with Avatar 1.0 ? ………I (certainly) do.
This time around the "unobtanium" is OIL.
SAD !
Charlie Brown
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Fragile art - mirrors lfe!
New Post (213): Fragile art - mirrors life!
I stumbled upon this artist…….performer.
She took my breath away.
Go to : www.sandart-ѕhοw.de
Take the time. View her “galerie”.
Frauke Menger іѕ a renowned sand animation actor.
Using οnlу hеr fingers, Frauke draws wіth sand οn a schooner table [whісh іѕ illuminated frοm below.]
The quick transformations she brings about in [the back lit] sand are …….mesmerizing.
The beauty of it all is that - she is wedded to her art. To the creative process.
But NOT to her creation.
To her the end product is only of fleeting importance. Transient.
The creative transformative process is all that there is. She revels in it.
Her art parallels life itself.
Besides - She defines new age art that is wholly compatible with the digital era.
A rising star of the animation world.
Charlie Brown
I stumbled upon this artist…….performer.
She took my breath away.
Go to : www.sandart-ѕhοw.de
Take the time. View her “galerie”.
Frauke Menger іѕ a renowned sand animation actor.
Using οnlу hеr fingers, Frauke draws wіth sand οn a schooner table [whісh іѕ illuminated frοm below.]
The quick transformations she brings about in [the back lit] sand are …….mesmerizing.
The beauty of it all is that - she is wedded to her art. To the creative process.
But NOT to her creation.
To her the end product is only of fleeting importance. Transient.
The creative transformative process is all that there is. She revels in it.
Her art parallels life itself.
Besides - She defines new age art that is wholly compatible with the digital era.
A rising star of the animation world.
Charlie Brown
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Say goodbye to Osteoporosis
New Post (212) : Say goodbye to Osteoporosis
Beer is a rich source of Silicon.
Beer MAY help prevent Osteoporosis. (a disease of the skeletal system characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue.)
A new study SUGGESTS that beer is a significant source of “dietary” silicon, a key ingredient for increasing bone mineral density.
Wheat contains less silicon than barley because it is the husk of the barley that is rich in this element. While most of the silicon remains in the husk during brewing, significant quantities of silicon nonetheless are extracted into wort and much of this survives into beer.
A gem of a marketing idea - I’d say. A most compelling benefit sell.
Super. Just the excuse I needed to tank up. I am off to the pub……… [It certainly beats chewing on silicon chips. ha ha ha]
Charlie Brown
Beer is a rich source of Silicon.
Beer MAY help prevent Osteoporosis. (a disease of the skeletal system characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue.)
A new study SUGGESTS that beer is a significant source of “dietary” silicon, a key ingredient for increasing bone mineral density.
Wheat contains less silicon than barley because it is the husk of the barley that is rich in this element. While most of the silicon remains in the husk during brewing, significant quantities of silicon nonetheless are extracted into wort and much of this survives into beer.
A gem of a marketing idea - I’d say. A most compelling benefit sell.
Super. Just the excuse I needed to tank up. I am off to the pub……… [It certainly beats chewing on silicon chips. ha ha ha]
Charlie Brown
Friday, December 16, 2011
EU - From EUphoria to dysphoria ?
New Post (211): EU - From EUphoria to dysphoria ?
A search for the meaning of the word “euphoria” threw up the following meanings.
eu•pho•ri•a (y -fôr - , -f r -)
n.
A feeling of great happiness or well-being.
________________________________________
[New Latin, from Greek, from euphoros, healthy : eu-, eu- + pherein, to bear; see bher-1 in Indo-European roots.]
________________________________________
eu•phor ic (-fôr k, -f r -) adj.
eu•phor i•cal•ly adv.
euphoria [juːˈfɔːrɪə]
n
a feeling of great elation, esp when exaggerated
[from Greek: good ability to endure, from EU- + pherein to bear]
euphoric [juːˈfɒrɪk] adj
________________________________________
euphoria, euphory
1. a state of happiness and well-being.
2. Psychiatry. an exaggerated state of happiness, with no foundation in truth or reality. — euphoric, adj.
See also: Happiness
________________________________________
a state or mood of well being, whether natural or induced. — euphoric, adj.
See also: Moods
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun 1. euphoria - a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation
euphory
high spirits, lightness, elation - a feeling of joy and pride
dysphoria - abnormal depression and discontent
Interesting !
Is the EU (European Union) heading from EUphoria to dysphoria ? Let that rhetorical question - blow in the wind. [only time will tell]
Charlie Brown
A search for the meaning of the word “euphoria” threw up the following meanings.
eu•pho•ri•a (y -fôr - , -f r -)
n.
A feeling of great happiness or well-being.
________________________________________
[New Latin, from Greek, from euphoros, healthy : eu-, eu- + pherein, to bear; see bher-1 in Indo-European roots.]
________________________________________
eu•phor ic (-fôr k, -f r -) adj.
eu•phor i•cal•ly adv.
euphoria [juːˈfɔːrɪə]
n
a feeling of great elation, esp when exaggerated
[from Greek: good ability to endure, from EU- + pherein to bear]
euphoric [juːˈfɒrɪk] adj
________________________________________
euphoria, euphory
1. a state of happiness and well-being.
2. Psychiatry. an exaggerated state of happiness, with no foundation in truth or reality. — euphoric, adj.
See also: Happiness
________________________________________
a state or mood of well being, whether natural or induced. — euphoric, adj.
See also: Moods
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun 1. euphoria - a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation
euphory
high spirits, lightness, elation - a feeling of joy and pride
dysphoria - abnormal depression and discontent
Interesting !
Is the EU (European Union) heading from EUphoria to dysphoria ? Let that rhetorical question - blow in the wind. [only time will tell]
Charlie Brown
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