Where the gap between rich and poor is the greatest (Hint: It's not Nicaragua)

Income distribution
Spreading the wealth
Oct 21st 2008
From Economist.com

"ANY mention of redistribution of wealth in America would normally scupper a politician's ambitions, but Barack Obama has managed to preserve his lead in the polls while also saying that he wants to “spread the wealth around”. And there is a lot of spreading potential: income distribution in America is the widest of the 30 countries of the OECD. The top 10% (or decile) of earners have an average $87,257 of disposable income, while those in the bottom decile have $5,819, among the very lowest of any country. Britain, Canada and Luxembourg also see big differences between the richest and poorest."

The Crisis We Face

From The New York Times...Not pretty folks...
Specter of Deflation Lurks as Global Demand Drops

“We’re entering a really fierce global recession,” Mr. Rogoff said. “A significant financial crisis has been allowed to morph into a full-fledged global panic. It’s a very dangerous situation. The danger is that instead of having a few bad years, we’ll have another lost decade.”

Dear Mr. President

More reasons why we need a forward thinking President. A man of this generation, not the last one. Who do you really think has the vision to lead us into the future? From the MIT Technology Review -
Three experts suggest technology policies for the new president....
Energy
Managing Power
We need a portfolio of proven low-carbon energy technologies, says Ernest Moniz.

Medicine
Digitizing Health Care
We need new incentives For electronic record keeping, says John Halamka.

Research
Reasserting Competitiveness
Invest in education, research, and innovation, says Charles Vest.

Fantastic Voyage

From The MIT Technology Journal..
Voyage of the Bacteria Bots
Self-propelled microbots navigate through blood vessels.

The Bush Administration's Last Assault On The American People

The Washington Post reports:

"The White House is working to enact a wide array of federal regulations, many of which would weaken government rules aimed at protecting consumers and the environment, before President Bush leaves office in January.

The new rules would be among the most controversial deregulatory steps of the Bush era and could be difficult for his successor to undo. Some would ease or lift constraints on private industry, including power plants, mines and farms."

What Are Infinite Games and Why Does It Matter?

James Carse, in his wonderful book, Finite and Infinite Games, suggests:

There are at least two kinds of games.
One could be called finite, the other infinite.

The finite game is played for the purpose of winning,
an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play,
...and bringing as many persons as possible into the play.

Finite players play within boundaries;
infinite players play with boundaries.

Golly Gee Wiz - If It's A Good Enough Source For Sarah, It's A Good Enough Source For Me - Starbuck's Cup Quote of the Day

"The world bursts at the seams with people ready to tell you you're not good enough. On occasion, some may be correct. But do not do their work for them. Seek any job; ask anyone out; pursue any goal. Don't take it personally when they say "no" - they may not be smart enough to say "yes." --- Keith Olbermann Broadcast journalist and host of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann