Nasa Seeks to Change Asteroid Direction to Practice Planet Defense

We are not in Sci Fi as the space race continues. New radical technologies are being tested to ensure we have the tools ready in case Earth is threatened by asteroids. Very cool stuff!

Einstein's Theory of Relativity Goes Up for Auction

Einstein was one of the worlds leading scientists and as we move into space exploration more we find many of his theories to still be correct. Manuscripts are often preliminary work and ideas that lead to a bigger breakthrough. Some write them on pieces of paper (back when that is all they had), some put them into scientific pieces, journals, blogs, etc... to ensure there is a record of how these ideas were created and developed. An excellent article in the Guardian.... Einstein’s notes on theory of relativity fetch record €11.6m at auction.

Job Numbers are Much Much Higher Than Expected! What Does That Mean for Michigan?

Manufacturing, Tourism and Start-Ups
as a Michigan growth Strategy

New numbers came out from the Fed and job growth is more robust than originally expected. That is great news and in turn that is also an opportunity to ensure that growth will also raise opportunities for African American and Hispanic populations. Developing the broadest possible growth for society is important for developing fair economic development. There are different opinions on what those numbers mean and what we can expect so it is important to read diversely on the topic.

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has a few comments on the disconnect between job growth and job announcements HERE. Different metrics reveal different insights and we can learn from them. Having a battery of metrics in the Digital Era will likely lead to greater understanding of how our economic engines work and thus lead to better decisions.

U-M forecasts furthermore indicates that Michigan should have a full recovery by the end 2021 with as much as a 2% growth in manufacturing jobs.. You can read about that HERE. 

The type of jobs Michigan attracts will be dependent on the industries we draw to our state. Adding manufacturing and tourism type jobs would seemingly have an impact opportunities for minorities; and others. Manufacturing brings back middle class jobs in a way that have real impact on families of nearly all backgrounds. 

I think the one thing that we all can agree upon is that making Michigan a place to invest, invent and build will increase positive opportunities. I might add that encouraging strong tourism (in addition to manufacturing and start ups) influences the creation of a more diverse economy and one in which attracts and retains top talent of different backgrounds. See Pure Michigan, SME, Start-Ups as a few ideas (I'm not saying they are the best ideas....I'm just saying they are ideas 😶.)

The articles and projects are considered market research and market forecast. You can read how each piece of the puzzle can be found by looking at both sides of an argument (Don't ever get stuck into a single way of looking at everything. That is called blindness.). Each piece of information fills in a gap of knowledge. HERE.  If you are an executive you will need to weigh these arguments to look at the provided evidence of different authors, scientists and intellectuals to make better strategic decisions. You can read about executive evidence based management HERE.

Strategy is built from assessing the environment, understanding the data, looking at our SWOT, and in turn making a strategic decision that appears to match certain economic, scientific and technology trends.

Waukesha Suspect Had a History of Crimes: Is this a time when jails would be helpful?

It appears that this person has hurt a lot of people over their lives and there is a balance between not prosecuting mistakes and ensuring we prosecute violent criminals. From what we have seen here this was not someone who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and a mistake happened. From what has been released this was a person with a history of callous behaviors and wanton disrespect for life. Their behavior appeared to be intentionally destructive and goal oriented (UN Investigation of Homicide).

I have met people who are unable and unwilling to own their behavior, and all too willing to take the next step in harming others. Some people don't need to be in jail but people who have a history of violence and violating the rights of others should not be walking around in the general public. If we use jails wisely and when its helpful/necessary it works out best for everyone....but knowing when and when not to lock someone away can be difficult for judges to determine. 

The wisdom judges must bring to the bench is to know when they can help a someone who made a "mistake" and when to lock the steel bars! In this case...I would guess the sound of the door closing will echo down the prison hallways; yet we have to wait and see. I would still think authorities should explore the motives and what set them off for grater clarity. A trial will determine the details....and we must wait to understand the full scope of contributing factors before making concise judgements....but I have to admit....it looks bad!

We pray for those victims. 😰 

What is a Backsliding Democracy and Why was the U.S. Added?

Democracies go through phases just like everything else. We get comfortable with being the world's leaders and then something happens that jolts that false sense of security and things go haywire for a little. The U.S. was added to a democracy backsliding list for the first time by the International IDEA. We are a resilient people and will correct our path going forward by helping out leadership get a bigger picture of how the way "politics is played" is starting to impact the foundations of our democracy. 😟

International IDEA is a think tank and describes itself as an, "International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide.". You can read more about those countries backsliding on their site HERE. You can also get the full report HERE. 

 The report indicates there were civil liberty issues, checks & balance issues, and election issues that all contributed to the factors. I don't really know the metrics and how they make those decisions (One would have to look at their data sources and descriptive explanations.) Yet...I think there may be some truth to what they are saying.

What I can say is that its important to maintain checks and balances throughout the system. For example, independent law enforcement/judicial system that isn't swayed quickly by national politics, commitment of Republican and Democrat leaders to the essentials of democracy, the promotion of civility and rule by the people for the people, a diverse society where people of all kinds feel comfortable.

According to the report democracies are starting to backslide and different types of more autocratic governments are coming forward. Thus freedom of speech and the rule of law are important to counter autocratic tendencies. More countries began to backslide and democracy is on the decline...unfortunately most of us just sort of don't really care as long as we get their own way.....thereby missing the bigger picture. 

In my humble opinion freedom of speech, rule of just laws, political commitment to the bigger picture, diversity, opportunity and the quality of our leadership all impact our chances. Our hyper politics have come to pervert our futures. Our leadership will have to decide what is important to them (and not what they think is in their advantage.) One must look at "trust" polls to get a glimpse of some of the changes occurring. Walking the talk and doing so with integrity is important....it means something. Maybe not to you but perhaps to your grand kids. What do you believe?

Fred Upton Receives Death Threats: We Should Stand Up to Terrorism and Extremism!

The job of our lawmakers is to make decisions they believe are in the best interest of society.  We  may not always agree but we shouldn't resort to threats of violence just because someone doesn't agree. As soon as people start using violence and threats of violence to force people to vote strictly based on the opinion of others we are not in a healthy place as a nation. The people who support this hate and those who intentionally hype up extremist ARE the problem. Every society and party needs wiggle room to get things done or otherwise we will not be able to make decisions we need to succeed. I suspect those who don't like our nation are clapping with glee as hate rips the rivets out of free choice and governance by the people (Biggest Risks to Society Post Afghanistan)

There is little to no fundamental difference between extremists overseas and the ones making these phone calls (The mechanics are exactly the same and the ideologies very similar. Everything is based on gradation.). I suspect there will be a breaking point where Republicans will stand up and blowback on extremists because they will see it as a real danger to the unity of their their party, its ability to maintain its base, and the future of the nation. Standing on the sidelines prolongs the problem.  

Its helpful to understand that giving into hate and shying away from duties to condemn the threats will embolden the separatists to move onto other targets to control them. Who is next? News reporters, presidents, kids, journalists, teachers, priests (imams, rabbis, etc..), clinics, etc... If you can't see the dysfunction in the voice of this caller then you are blind to the path that will be our undoing. 

Supporting a cause, a viewpoint, or a national vision should never seek to manipulate our political structure through violence....if we accept....we have already lost.

Sadly, it appears that we will have to feel the pain until we have greater insight....how many people will be harmed before those standing on the sidelines step in to do the right thing? There is no room for people promoting hate in our politics. Michigan Track and Code Hate Its a slipper slope.......

The Psychology of Money-What Does it Mean and Why Some People Will Do Anything For It?

Money is a pursuit for people in and of itself even though it is fictitious in nature and based only on our abstract social value as a unit.  Yes we can buy things from it and gain a sense of social emulation. I've kind of always tried to understand the desire to accumulate massive amounts of money and how it impacts a person (The score card.). To some money is an end in and of itself while to others it is a tool to be used for something more.

Don't get me wrong. I want money and I want more of it like everyone else. However, there are limitations to that need after a certain point where security and freedom have been earned. If someone accumulates a significant amount of money in their lifetime there are those who might consider lofty philanthropic pursuits. 

It is those who give back and pick up more noble causes whom I call our high society heroes. They know that money can't buy them happiness and certainly won't make them feel fulfilled. I read an article in Greater Good Magazine that seeks to use science to improve lives and it discusses how wealth can impact our morality, relationships and sense of well being. You can read the article HERE. 

I'm sort of an amateur poet, artist and lot of other things I probably don't have the time for...but maybe you like. :) It is either a tool or a tomb.

Money: The Tummy, Tool and Tomb 

Give me more money to fill my tummy, 

makes my day a little a more sunny. 

Never end it seems to come,

pouring soul into slum.

Pile my vault to the ceiling,

as the heavens keep squealing.

Most stand and drool, 

but this paper is just a tool!

For more green I once fought,

Good character simply can't be bought! 

Without good works during a boom, 

You could be sealing your moral tomb.