Transparency...?

For years the IMF and World Bank have rightfully been encouraging borrowing countries to increase the transparency of their governments. I think it is a pretty good idea to know where all of those tax dollars (including the invisible inflation tax) are going. Wouldn't you expect the same in America? Aren't we supposed to be leading those poor developing nations by example. Well, unfortunately, nobody really knows right now how nor where $2 trillion worth of tax payer money has gone for emergency lending during this financial crisis. Bloomberg wants to know, and they have filed lawsuit against the Federal Reserve to find out. The Federal Reserve is currently keeping a very tight lip.

Bloomberg files suit against Federal Reserve

Green Hive

I really like the Green Hive effect suggested by this artist's conception. The design has the vertical elements that reduce the human footprint and the lateral connectivity that adds cohesion. I would love to see something like this happen in Korea, although I know the government would probably choose the most pristine natural area available to build it on.

Check out the article.

I HATE TO BOAST, BUT YOU KNOW I LIKE TO

Now I don't actually think Portland deserves as much credit as it receives for its urban growth boundary, but I do think it is a special city. I actually suspect that Vancouver, B.C. has done a better job of limiting urban sprawl than Portland, but that might be due to the encompassing mountains. Once you get out of P-town proper, the landscape becomes quite a bit more generic, suburban Americana. It's actually quite a spread out metropolitan region in my opinion. However, within Portland proper, I doubt you will find another North American city with as many cyclists as Portland. When I worked downtown, a significant number of my co-workers commuted daily (rain, snow, or shine) to work, and they didn't give it a second thought. It was just part of their daily life.

Here's a nice article giving P-town some props.

Portland, Oregon

American Socialism

For those of you who think a Republican administration is more pro-capitalist, let me help clarify your frame-of-reference. The current "capitalist" financial structure in the U.S. is more crony-socialist/crony-capitalist than anything else. Big companies that have AAA-rated bonds are receiving special treatment from the government. A AAA-rating is supposed to signify the lowest likelihood of default for a corporate bond. If these companies have AAA-ratings, why would they need government assistance.

American Socialism

Blazer Believin'

I love this picture of Oden! The ambient background light is actually curteousy of the gods smiling down on the Portland Trailblazers. The Blazers are young but I've got a feeling they'll give someone out West a good run for their money in the first round of the playoffs this year.

Blazer ESPN article

Where are the Dollars Going?

How come there are no dollars to be had here in South Korea while the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury conduct the largest expansion of monetary supply in economic history? The answer may just be found in the following link. Eric Janzen is the author. He made his fortune during the internet craze, and then retained his fortune by selling all-out three months before the crash, which he accurately predicted.

Confusion reigns

Here is fairly short and very concise lecture by David Rothkopf on the concentration of world power. This lecture is a prelude to his book Superclass. This guy is easy to follow and quite witty.

Superclass

A Little Background on the Origins to our Current Crisis

This is a link to a Bloomberg article I read a while back. It's dated May 2007, but I think it will give those of you who read it a detailed description of the subprime-mortgage-backed-security process, as well as, some good anecdotal background.

Subprime Fiasco...

Clairvoyance

Sorry, but I've got to toot my horn on this one. The following link will connect you to the September 23rd, 2007 Econbrowser forum on "Money creation and the Federal Reserve." My post is about one-quarter of the way down on the page. You can find it most easily by doing a word search on the page for "morellid."

I included the link more or less to verify the date I made the observation. So you don't actually have to go there, the following is what I wrote:

"How does the Federal Reserve Bank value the "high-value" securities accepted as collateral. Hypothetically, wouldn't it be unsustainable, if the primary securities dealer, such as Countrywide Financial, uses the increase in reserves to cover a run on assets without using the additional funds to make a productive investment? If the Federal Reserve Bank rolls over the repo to that institution, wouldn't that constitute a feedback loop that ultimately will permanently expand monetary supply and leave the Federal Reserve Bank holding the "high-value" securities (i.e. -- AAA rated CDOs)?"

Econbrowser Link September 23, 2007

Cool Diapers

I'm really in support of these hyper-yuppie diapers. Usually I don't get behind these kinds of products, because they're usually expensive and unnecessary. This one a bit different. These diapers decompose. You can literally flush them down the toilet as you would toilet paper or Notre Dame paraphernalia.

GDIAPERS

Converting Deserts into Farms

Desertification is a serious issue. The following idea for improving the productive nature of the Sahara Desert for humans is technically quite simple. I hope it works. It looks cool.

Sahara Desert Farms

The Future Is Not Inefficient Protein

This is just what you already know.

Vegetarianism Reduces Carbon Footprint

Sustainable Energy Is No Pipe Dream

A man who had a MSc in Computer Engineering once told me that sustainable energy was a pipe dream. He said that even if the earth was completely covered in solar panels we still wouldn't be able to meet our energy needs. I didn't argue with him. He had a MSc and I had yet to graduate from college. I wish I had known then what I know now.

Freiamt residents produce 17 percent more energy than they use.

Solar Possibilities for Black Asphalt

I love any idea for increasing energy production that utilizes existing infrastructure and produces sustainable energy.

Asphalt Power

America's Best Cities for Design

Good design will be an integral part of revising man's imprint upon the land. Here's a list of the cities doing a good job in this area according to RMJM Hillier, a worldwide architecture firm.

America's Best Cities for Design

How to make your fortune without working

Here's a great article by Eric Janszen in the February issue of Harper's Magazine. You should understand what he is talking about, because it's affecting you right now.

The Next Bubble

Adopt A Pet

Every year, nearly 4 million dogs and cats are put to death in animal shelters in the U.S. because there are not enough good homes. When you adopt a homeless animal from a shelter instead of buying from breeders or pet shops, you save a life and avoid contributing to the companion animal overpopulation crisis.

I guess this guy, whoever he is, agrees with this statement.

Adopt

SEAPLANE = Nice models wearing independent fashion

I've always enjoyed looking at beautiful women, and if you enjoy looking at beautiful women also, check out this site. Oh yeah, the models are all wearing one-of-a-kind clothes made from recycled material, although you probably wouldn't have known that if I hadn't told you. Seaplane is a co-op of independent designers (mostly women, I do believe), and the designers are creating quite a name for themselves. You've got to love it when sharp folks make reusing look so good.

SEAPLANE

Laurelwood Ales A Head Above the Competition

Everyone in P-town knows one of the best places to pound a pint is at the Laurelwood Public House. It seems the judges at the North American Beer Awards (NABA) also think that Laurelwood brews are pretty darn good. Laurelwood has been racking up the best beer ribbons for quite a few years now. Cheers to Laurelwood!

http://www.laurelwoodbrewpub.com/awards.php

Spain's Evolution of Consciousness

You may have heard that Spain's legislature has now extended legal rights to apes. This is a major step for animal rights, and future generations will likely reflect upon this achievement as a watershed event. Let's try to keep up this momentum of enlightenment.

Apes get legal rights...

Zero Home Energy Bill

This guy completely powers his 3,500square-foot house with solar panels and hydrogen tanks. It only cost $500,000. You may be thinking that this is quite expensive, but allow me to proffer a quick idea. $500,000 will not be that much in 10 years if our money supply continues to grow at its current pace.

His energy bill is $0.00

Decentralized Intelligence

For those of you less-up-to-date on the idiosyncratic constitution of network theory (i.e. systems theory, complexity theory, emergent theory, etc...), or for those of you who are still sadly inclined towards hierarchal systems, I offer a fairly simple introduction to decentralized intelligence penned by Duncan Watts for Slate magazine.

Decentralized Intelligence

NATALIE PORTMAN SHOES

I'm not suggesting that you go out and buy some more crap that you really don't need, but if you sincerely feel the need to buy some crap, I think this crap is better than much other crap.

Natalie Portman Shoes

ALGAE FOR FUEL

I don't know what the input requirements are for this potential fuel source, but it has to be better than the current, and ridiculously stupid, bio-fuels (you know, the ones that have super-high energy input-to-output ratios).

Algae for Fuel

Northwesterners Using Less Gasoline

It's a step in the right direction. I think this article is indicative of the semi-smart urban planning going on in the Portland area. I can't say I'm as responsible for the reduction as many of the other wonderful non-car commuters I've met in Portland, but I'm at least happy I can call many of them friends.

Northwesterners Using Less Gas