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Author:astraea
GDP is obsolete.
A easy read article from Time magazine describing why the way we measure performance is primitive and unhelpful: Is GDP An Obsolete Measure of Progress? Since last summer the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has gone up — indeed, it grew at a surprising 5.7% rate in the 4th quarter — seeming to confirm what …
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2009 Ends Warmest Decade on Record
Except for a leveling off between the 1940s (WW2) and 1970s (oil embargo), Earth’s surface temperatures have increased since 1880. 1885 is the year the first automobile went into general production. Mmmmmmmm … is there a connection? The last decade has brought temperatures to the highest levels ever recorded, and the last year of the …
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Prisoners have sentences reduced if they practice yoga. Yes!
Prisoners in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh are being freed early if they complete yoga courses. For every three months spent practising posture, balance and breathing the inmates can cut their jail time by 15 days. The authorities say the lessons help to improve the prisoners’ self-control and reduce aggression. Some 4,000 inmates across …
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Obama spreading GMO. What the …?
Yes, it’s true. GMO deception is spreading fast and soon agriculture will be jeopardised by transgenic pollination of GMO alfalfa. If you thought the economic crisis was bad, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. How about famine in America. From OCA’s review of Genetic Contamination: Barack Obama, despite promising us “change we can believe in,” is …
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Radical opening up of the auto industry
From The Ecologist: The open-source hydrogen car set to change the industry by Alex McDonald Cars are evil, right? But what if they ran on hydrogen, did 300 miles per gallon, were leased rather than owned, and were produced under an open source business model… We have often been introduced to the car of tomorrow, …
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Humanity reacts to nature
from Savage Chickens
Biodiversity destruction a problem of too many people.
The viewpoint by Hilary Benn that biodiversity is nearing a point f no return is another harbinger of pain. The solution – reduce the human population – is discussed by those commenting, but remains a taboo subject for politicians. Other parts of the solution to turning back humanity’s footprint, like reducing consumption and pollution, are …
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Richer, but less free.
Freedom House released its 2010 survey. The principal findings are depressing: less democracy. It’s mainly in sub-saharan africa, but that doesn’t make it OK. Maybe the rich world is a main driver. We vote with our wallets every day. While we might enjoy some kind of democracy and freedom at home, we choose cheap food, …
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Soup kitchen – it’s not 1929, it’s now
Increasing numbers of New Yorkers need help getting enough to eat. A fifth of children (397,000) rely on soup kitchens. Food programmes are struggling to meet demand. It’s no 1929. It’s not Africa. It’s the richest country in the world and it’s today. The Big Apple is hungry by The Economist