Concerns about deflation are becoming widespread. Deflation is unwelcome because it makes loans more difficult to pay off and dampens economic vitality by encouraging hoarding of cash (some banks offer negative interest for deposits). There were concerns about the spectre of inflation back in 2008/9 but they were held at bay until the recent drop …
Continue reading Deflation is everywhere. So what? It’s another crack in the wall.
Category:Living
Drinking cow poo! Or not? Cleaning Up after Big Ag
Here’s the essay of the week from OCA. It’s short and sweet and to the point. The point is not so sweet – big food producers are breaking laws, poisoning consumers and getting away with it because of corrupted legislation and process … Cleaning Up after Big Ag A “Cow Palace” in Washington State that …
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Blooming flowers – a harbinger of doom.
According to textbooks there should be between 20 and 30 species in flower on new years day. This year there were 368 in bloom raising further questions about the effects of climate change during the UK’s warmest year on record. Many of the flowers, like daisy and dandelion shouldn’t bloom for at least a couple …
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Yes Pope Frank, we can mock faiths
This is straight from David Webb. No need for editing. I think Pope Frank is awesome and has ignited a sense of hope for the church, but, sadly, on this point he must reevaluate his position. There might be an appropriate and an inappropriate channel or audience, but without other cause, mockery is no reason …
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“The Facts” about sustainability, the environment and your future.
Below are the facts stated in the film Cowspiracy and their references. Which ever side you’re on it’s good to know them. For example, one takeaway from the ideas presented is that we can resolve environmental problems, reform economic systems and still keep our cars, if we change our diet. If you take that with …
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COP out? Yes! Sadly as expected, but what else could happen …
The 20th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change treaty ran over by a couple of days as delegates from over 190 countries “negotiated” the language of resolutions to control carbon emissions. Rich countries don’t want to pay for past emissions; emerging economies don’t want their opportunity for …
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What we need to do if we’re to have a future.
Future Earth, a global initiative bringing together scientists across different disciplines, has launched its strategy to identify key priorities for sustainability. The eight objectives are: Deliver water, energy and food for all Decarbonise socio-economic systems Safeguard the terrestrial, freshwater and marine natural assets Building healthy, resilient and productive cities Promote sustainable rural futures Improve human …
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How to speak money.
From The School of Life blog by the author of How To Speak Money, here are a couple of useful definitions: interest rates and real and nominal amounts (also related to interest rates). Helpful and funny too … interest rates If I had to pick one term which summed up my reason for wanting to …
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5 feet of snow and zero degrees in every US state. “I’m not a scientist”, but that’s not normal.
Freezing temperatures were recorded across all 50 US states, including Florida and Hawaii, and a massive snowstorm dumped 5 feet of snow in the Buffalo area (North East US). It’s pretty. But deadly. So far 7 people are dead. Three had heart attacks while shovelling snow – which is a sad commentary on health, diets …
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We’re ALL living next to slaves. 36 million of them.
Walk Free published the 2014 Global Slavery Index which makes for sad reading. 167 countries have them, including some which really shouldn’t: Japan 240 thousand South Africa 110 thousand Singapore 5 thousand USA 60 thousand Italy 11 thousand Germany 11 thousand France 9 thousand UK 8 thousand Ireland 300 The report defines slaves as people …
Continue reading We’re ALL living next to slaves. 36 million of them.