Saving Some Technology for later.

Even in this technology age there are still people that insist on having things stay the same. Recently we've been discussing a transition into a more "computer-run" era and how that effects people. In the end I'm sure that more and more of our daily objects are going to continue to be more and more complicated however, for the time being at least some things are staying the same. Children's books is the topic of this article however, there is much more lying underneath that holds claim to it. the idea that not everyone wants everything so technology oriented that there are still possibilities for the future that don't encourage massive change.


Here's the link to the article. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/21/business/for-their-children-many-e-book-readers-insist-on-paper.html?_r=1&ref=business

Confronting China

This article talks about how President Obama and nearly all the leaders at an Asian summit directly confronted China on Saturday for its expansive claims to the resource-rich South China Sea, putting the Chinese premier on the defensive in the long-festering dispute, according to Obama administration officials. This article also discusses how President Obama moved quickly, and on several fronts, to restore the influence of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region after years of preoccupation in Iraq and Afghanistan. I think that it's a good thing that China was finally confronted. We spent way too much time focusing all of our energy on the middle east when China was put on the back burner.

the governments economic plans

looking again at Barack Obama and Joe Biden's plan to revitalize the economy:

"1. immediate action to create good jobs in america
2. immediate relief for struggling families
3. direct, immediate assistance for homeowners, not a bailout for irresponsible lenders
4. a rapid, aggressive Response to our financial crisis, using all the tool we have"

read more about the specifics at: http://change.gov/agenda/economy_agenda/

lets cross our fingers and hope that these and new approaches will have an impact...

Work with Machines not Against them.

In class we discussed the idea of losing more jobs than creating them. The New York Times came out with an article that incorporates that idea along with discussion of the new book "Race Against the Machine." The article is quite interesting and factual, enjoy!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/24/technology/economists-see-more-jobs-for-machines-not-people.html

Paradigm Shift

The other day in class Prof. Mckinney said the word "Paradigm Shift" pertaining to people and cities. my freshman seminar was all about paradigm shifts and what they are. so this really go me thinking about the paradigm shifts that we need to have in today's society. no longer can we rely on industrialization and things like the auto industry or textile industries to supply us with jobs and money. no longer can we see ourselves as the victims of the worlds problems but as a part of the problem. things need to change fast in order to fix all of the problems that we face today. economies need to shift into a new style to conform with our changing world. the urban agricultural movement is one of the fastest growing movements today and it is a huge movement in Detroit. could we see Detroit become a farming city in the near future? anything could happen but the thing we all need to realize is that a "paradigm shift" is needed and we need to be a part of it.

Another reason not to move back in with Mom and Dad

This article presents the "paradox of thrift" from the standpoint of newly graduated college students moving back in with their parents in order to save money. The article interviews a number of recent grads who, despite having well-paying jobs, have chosen to move back in with their parents and wait to buy their own home until they've saved more money. Seems like a good idea, right? Well, the truth is that an estimated $145,000 of economic output is lost for every new home that isn't built. Construction workers are out of a job and appliances aren't sold, just to name a couple areas where potential economic stimulation goes unrecognized. All in all, this article serves as a reminder that saving in the short-term doesn't always lead to saving in the long-run, especially in this situation that we as college students will all be in very soon.

Article from 2010, but

I found a foundation that aims to revive "challenged cities". People with lots of money and good intentions. Don't we all love them?

http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/turning-around-challenged-cities.html


"In addition to an injection of funds, the Integration Initiative brings with it a philosophy that says the "siloed" approach to service delivery isn't enough. Instead, it embraces an approach that integrates regional factors, such as transportation, housing and economic development as the best way for distressed neighborhoods to build the capacity for self healing."

It's satisfactory to be able to agree to these articles because we've learned about it in class.

One more thing, I've always wondered what could be accomplished if the different level of governments came together to deal with the same issue.