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New and noteworthy links from around the web:
- What exactly is IP Strategy, anyway? – Duncan defines IP strategy. Between the various definitions, I see a theme emerging…
- Musicians object to political song use – The use of songs or images by the BNP, moral rights, and copyright.
- Time to Cash Out: Why Paper Money Hurts the Economy – Money is a bit like IP – an intangible concept with tangible components…
- Government urged to release £300m of agency ideas | News | New Media Age – If only it were so simple as abolishing Crown Copyright then it would be a much easier (legally, though not politically) task. PSI, trading funds, DP, and other complications abound.
- IAM Blog | SAS does not file for patents in Europe because of the cost, says EU affairs manager – Seems like some "ostrich thinking" to write off filing in "Europe" because of cost, given that you can file in just a few European jurisdictions in order to get coverage of the key markets here.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Where to File Your Patent Case
Publication Date:October 27, 2010
Format:Journal Article
Patent lawyers spend a great deal of time figuring out the best districts in which to file patent cases. Based on a comprehensive study of all patent lawsuits over the past ten years, I identify the best – and worst – districts for patent owners along a variety of metrics. The answers will surprise you.


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There's a lot to learn about the prettiest purple plant.
7 Herbs with Gorgeous Blooms
This Missouri outfit stocks seeds for more than 1,400 heirloom plants.
(From $2.00 per packet; rareseeds.com)
One of America's oldest seed suppliers, this Pennsylvania giant also boasts a boutique heirloom line.
(From $2.95 per packet; burpee.com)
11 Pretty Plant Combinations


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Meibes Control
The LOGOaktiv application is designed for owners of LOGOaktiv residential units, which provide heating and decentralized hot water for apartments. This application is part of the eControl system from the MEIBES company. It provides users with an on-line overview of heating and hot water, as well...
GreenSCADA is designed especially for small installation in renewable energy sector. It enables cost-effective monitoring of inverters in one or more locations. The zero initial cost allows you to start monitoring inverters now. - Basic invertor operation monitoring - Graphical representation of...


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Below is the poem entitled Longing for Summer which was written by poet
Johnson. Please feel free to comment on this poem. However, please remember, PoetrySoup is a place of encouragement and growth.
Read Poems by
Joyce Johnson
With spring still in the offing
My mind sometimes jumps ahead
To the joys of the summer
With its beauties all wide spread.
When strong winds have left my valley
As warm breezes take their place,
And the rains have turned to showers
That refresh my eager face
And flower gardens are competing with
A riotous bright bloom
As the yard of every home serves as
An outdoor living room
From the dew drops of the morning
To the fair skies of the day
I wish the delights of summer
Would not ever go away.
Whether playing golf or fishing
Or lying on a sun drenched beach
Summer is as tantalizing
As taste of a fresh picked peach.
But since I can't coax summer
To stay for more than ninety days,
I will have a fling with springtime
And her bold coquettish ways.


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Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Real Housewives Kandi Burruss and Gretchen Rossi Help Taylor Armstrong Move on After Husband Russell's Suicide
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Taylor Armstrong — who tragically lost her husband to suicide back in August — is picking up the pieces of her life. Along with Atlanta housewife Kandi Burruss and Orange County's Gretchen Rossi, Taylor is slated to host New Year's Eve parties in five big cities across the U.S. this December. It seems keeping busy is helping Taylor move on: A set insider told People she looked "very happy" while filming commercials for the Ciroc Vodka-sponsored soirees last week.
Taylor also bonded with the other housewives, whom she has more in common with than one might think. Both Kandi and Gretchen lost their fiancés since appearing on their respective shows: Kandi's fiancé was killed during a fight in 2009, and Gretchen's fiancé lost his life to cancer in 2008.
But the new friendships weren't formed on tragedy alone. Onlookers said the ladies "laughed and exchanged Housewives stories during hair and make-up." Gretchen and Taylor were acting "like besties, teasing each other about their cast mates," the source said.
Between forming new friendships and landing a coveted NYE gig, we are glad things are looking up for Taylor.
Source: People
Can't get enough RHoBH? "Like" us on our Facebook page at facebook.com/RealHousewivesofBeverlyHillsFansite, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/RHOBHWetpaint!


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Kat Von D Tattoo Liner
325 reviews
80% would repurchase
Package Quality: 4.3
Price: $$$
Package Quality: 4.3
Price: $$$
INGREDIENTSWater, Ammonium Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene, Glycol, Alcohol, Beheneth-30, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer, Methylparaben, Polygylceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone, Propylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Carbon Black.
on 3/27/2013 8:28:00 AM
Age: 25-29
Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm
Hair: Black, Other, Other
Eyes: Brown
This is a stellar product! I've tried the Lancome Artliner and many other ones but still come back to this one.
It's much cheaper than the Lancome and I love the matte finish (as opposed to glossy). The handle is easy to grip rubber and the silver design does not fade off!
I've gone through 3 of these already.. that's a lot of eyeliner for someone who does not put on makeup everyday!!
I totally recommend this eyeliner :)
on 3/26/2013 8:15:00 PM
Age: 19-24
Skin: Combination, Fair, Not Sure
Hair: Brown, Other, Other
Eyes: Hazel
This is hands down one of the best eyeliners I've ever bought. My problem is that I've gone through many liquid liners and they usually start breaking with a bit of eye watering. This one was great! I love the ease with how it goes on. I like that it is a pen and very easy to draw the line I want. This eyeliner stays on a very long time and stays perfect. I fell asleep with my make up on during a drunken night and when I woke up, the only thing that looked perfect about my face was my liquid liner. The liner was still on just the way I had applied it, literally no breakage and no mess around my eyes. I absolutely love it, I will continue buying this eyeliner!
on 3/4/2013 4:23:00 PM
Age: 36-43
Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Warm
Hair: Red, Curly, Fine
Eyes: Blue
Let me start with saying I despise using "celebrity" branded products, but I received this in a sample size in a liner kit from Sephora, and fell in love. I have used a number of different pen liners, and this one is phenomenal. I am using the black (trooper), and while it is not quite as dark as I would like, it is still my go to daily liner. The pen is precise, and delivery is smooth. It stays on all day without smudging, but still washes off at night cleanly. I also have extremely sensitive skin/eyes, and have no issues with this product. While I still prefer my Urban Decay 24/7 waterproof liquid liner in perversion for nights out, this KVD liner is amazing for daily use.
on 3/3/2013 5:24:00 PM
Age: 18 & Under
Skin: Normal, Fair, Not Sure
Hair: Blond, Other, Other
Eyes: Green
-Does not smudge
-Lasts all day
-Lasts a few months
- No bad smell
-Can dry out unexpectedly and often
-The applicator isn't smooth and it's tough to tell how much product is actually there
-Hard to fix mistakes
on 2/26/2013 10:27:00 AM
Age: 25-29
Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral
Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium
Eyes: Hazel
HG liquid liner. Love the applicator, love the application process, and love the staying power and pigmented color. I got "Skater" (dark blue) on sale at Sephora and I'm more than ready to get other colors.
Finally - a liquid liner that comes in pen form, and the foam tip has the right balance of squishiness and firmness. This allows for very thin lines and detailed work, as well as drawing a thicker line. Even lasts on my waterline as long as I can keep it dry for long enough (a few seconds) to get it to set.
The only thing I don't know about is whether it will dry out. I hope not! So far I haven't had to shake it or anything to keep the tip wet with liner, which is amazing.
Staying power - I have slept in this (oops) and it looked decent the next day. Didn't flake off, didn't smudge. Also doesn't irritate my eyes. Other liquids I've used, if they drop a little in my eye, have caused a burning sensation or an intense watery eye reaction, not this one!
Run, don't walk, to buy this liquid liner.
on 2/12/2013 5:03:00 PM
Age: 18 & Under
Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Not Sure
Hair: Brunette, Other, Other
Eyes: Brown
I found my HG liner! I have gotten two of the 3-packs of liners. It comes with three black liners with three different tips. My favorite is Saint and that's the one with the thinnest tip. I'm not that fond of the chisel tip but it works. It is so black and stays put so nicely! I'm not sure if it is "waterproof" but it is not tearproof. When my eyes get watery, this does tend to run but that goes for most eye liners. The packaging is so cute! I love the design. I love pen liners now because they are so convenient. These do need to be stored tip down. i've gone through 4 of these already! I believe they are 3 for $39 which isn't insanely expensive but even if it is to you, it's so worth it! Give it a try and you won't regret it!
on 2/3/2013 12:05:00 PM
Age: 25-29
Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool
Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine
Eyes: Other
I'm new to make-up and picked up this product based on a sephora associate's recommendation. It definitely takes some practice to use, but is by far the easiest liquid liner that I have so far encountered. I was just learning to do a wing that didn't look like a drunk person did it, when I bent the brush (not a reflection on the product, totally my fault). I will definitely re-purchase unless I find a cheaper substitute that actually works.
on 2/2/2013 2:37:00 PM
Age: 25-29
Skin: Very Oily, Fair, Neutral
Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium
Eyes: Green
This is my HG eyeliner. I have used both DS and HE eyeliners in the past, and this is the clear winner. It is very black, goes on smooth and without any patching, doesn't smear and will last a 16 hour day. The price is reasonable and after using this daily for 4 months it hasn't even begun to dry out. I will continue to purchase this as long as it's made.
on 1/31/2013 8:38:00 PM
Age: 19-24
Skin: Combination, Fair, Not Sure
Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium
Eyes: Hazel
I LOVE this product! It goes on so nicely and easily! No smudging and the colour is intense. By far my favourite eyeliner. I bought it at Sephora so it was a little bit pricey, but honestly I'd prefer to buy this over some of the cheaper brands that dry out quickly!
on 1/24/2013 10:22:00 PM
Age: 18 & Under
Skin: Normal, Other, Cool
Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium
Eyes: Brown
I bought this eyeliner in black to replace my Stila waterproof felt-tipped liner which had dried out. I must say, this liner is a LOT better. It stays on longer, the felt tip feels a lot sturdier and easier to control, and it's also a bit cheaper than Stila's liner. I'm so glad I found this because I have oily asian lids, which means almost NO eyeliner stays on, unless its liquid and waterproof, and this is both! And it works so well! I'm so happy I purchased this, I will definitely going back for more when this one dries out.
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(Source: FameFlynet Pictures)
May 2004 - Present
Kate and Len wed after dating for less than a year. They married in LA and honeymooned in Mexico. The couple is still...
June 2003 - May 2004
Kate met director Len Wiseman while filming 'Underworld.' It was rumored that she cheated on former partner Michael...
May 1993 - January 2003
Kate and Michael met while performing in a touring play and began a nine-year relationship. Their only daughter was...
Actress Kate Beckinsale arrives at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kate Beckinsale (Getty Images)more pics »
Kate Beckinsale Appears to Be Raising a Clone
Poll of the Day: Who Would You Most Like to See in the Female Version of 'The Expendables'?
What's New in Theaters This Weekend: August 3, 2012
Why 'Total Recall' Never Should've Been Remade
Zimbio Review - Another 'Total Recall,' Bigger, Louder, but Not Better
Kate Beckinsale Wall
Kate Beckinsale (born July 26, 1973) is an English actress who has appeared in a number of films including "Click" and "Underworld." Kate Beckinsale has been married to "Underworld" director Len Wiseman since 2004. See more Kate Beckinsale pictures, videos and news below.
Show Kate Beckinsale with:


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tariff: 1/15 of 15
How solar power came to a Brixton council estate
Mark Briggs
25th April, 2012Following a successful share issue, the UK's first 100 per cent community owned inner-city social housing solar power project went live last month. Mark Briggs visited to find out more more...
TAKE ACTION to save the UK's solar industry
Matilda Lee
8th June, 2011Solar could provide one third of the UK's electricity demand. So why has the government recently slashed the feed in tariff? more...
Solar power: a niche or serious energy source for the UK?
Mark Jansen
27th April, 2011Much more than just a tool to engage communities in climate change issues, the solar industry argues it could meet between 6-8 per cent of the UK's electricity needs by 2020 more...
After the spending cuts: our step-by-step guide to greening your local council
Phil England
19th October, 2010If you already have a low-impact lifestyle and want to step it up a level, turn your attention to your local council. Here's how to get the authorities in your area to act more...
Renewables offer cash boost for local communities - think tank
Emily Shelton
16th September 2010If climate change isn't enough motivation, the increasing financial benefits from renewable energy could pave the way for lower carbon lifestyles, a leading think tank has claimed more...
How to make money from fighting climate change
Reg Platt
16th September 2010Renewable energy presents a unique opportunity for getting communities engaged in reducing their emissions - and benefiting financially - says Reg Platt of IPPR more...
Five steps to developing a community-based energy project
Mary Walsh
17th August, 2010A practical guide to help would-be community developers turn renewable energy projects into climate change-busting reality more...
Turning our Victorian terrace into an ecohome: part two - insulation
Sue Wheat
3rd June, 2010Sue has a brief love affair with solar panels, but realises that if she shies away from the thorny issue of solid wall insulation, she's throwing good money after bad more...
Turning our Victorian terrace into an ecohome: part one
Sue Wheat
29th April, 2010One family's journey to turn a draughty, turn-of-the-century terrace into a snug paragon of eco efficiency more...
Spanish nighttime solar energy fraud 'unlikely in UK'
16th April, 2010In the month that renewable energy incentives are introduced in the UK, Spanish authorities are investigating companies who claim to have produced solar energy at night more...
AUDIO: What does the new Feed-in Tariff mean for households?
Louise Parry
22nd March, 2010It may have a dull-sounding name, but the Government's new Feed-In Tariff could revolutionise home energy generation. So how does it work, and what's the catch? more...
Having both emissions trading and feed-in tariffs is a waste of time
Dan Box
12th March, 2010The new feed-in tariffs are nothing if not controversial, but they also run the risk of conflicting with other, international, climate change policies more...
tariff: 1/15 of 15
How efficient are your home appliances?
Kate Herbert
17th September, 2009Energy Tariff Ltd launches an energy calculator website for domestic appliances, allowing you to choose the most efficient products and tariffs. more...
Campaigning for cheaper solar power
Stephanie Wallis
29th July, 2009Feed-in Tariffs for renewables are what the UK needs to make home-grown energy more attractive. We look at what the 'We Support Solar' coalition is doing to bring about a change, and take a look at the group's new photography competition...
10p to create a solar power sector in UK
29th September, 2009A higher tariff for green electricity generation would help the UK catch up with the rest of Europe more...
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Illawarra Legal Centre
The Illawarra Legal Centre is a member of the National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC) and is based in Warrawong, a southern suburb of Wollongong, NSW.
General Law Areas
Areas we DO advise in
* Most areas of law
* Child support - for carer parents only
* Employment Law
* Discrimination
* Fines
* Victim's support
* Credit and debt matters
* Domestic violence (AVO) – complainants only
* Care and protection (child protection)
Areas we do NOT advise in
X Non-carer parents in child support/family matter
X Family Law
X Landlords
X Defendants in apprehended domestic violence matters (unless the defence is to a cross-application) and defendants in victim's support matters
X Commercial Creditors
X Respondents in discrimination and employment matters
How we can help you with your legal matter
1. Phone Advice
Please scroll down to our 'Phone Advice' times located at the bottom right of this page.
2. Face-to-Face advice
You must meet certain criteria:
Where an interpreter is required, we will endeavour to arrange for an interpreter on your behalf. Appointments are conducted by volunteer solicitors from the private profession. These appointments must be made through our centre and are conducted at the centre in Greene Street Warrawong.
These appointments are available on:
Thursday evenings from 6pm or
Alternate Friday afternoons from 2pm.
3. Legal Representation
We provide representation in the following general law areas:
4. Referral
Private Solicitor
Please note that, except for the areas in which we provide legal representation we may refer clients to a private solicitor if the issue requires longer, detailed consideration.
Outreach Service for Women:
We run an advice service at the Illawarra Women's Health Centre in Warilla on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month between 10am - 12 noon.
The Illawarra Women's Health Centre is a women-only space at 4 Belfast Avenue, Warilla.
Appointments are necessary and can be made by contacting the Women's Health Centre on 4255 6800.
Migration Advice:
A volunteer Registered Migration Agent provides free advice at the centre on the second Tuesday of each month. Phone 4276 1939 to make an appointment.
Advice is given regarding any type of visa, with a focus on family visas, as well as general immigration and citizenship. Advice is given on a "one-off" basis. Unfortunately we cannot take any migration matters as casework.
Outreach Service for Young People:
Port Kembla Children's Court every Monday 9am to 12 noon for Children's Court attendees only.
Unfortunately we cannot give advice by email. We cannot protect any confidential information you send to us by email if we have not asked for that information.


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Newsmakers 2013: Durant leads TPS through levy, into futureWritten by Casey Harper | | firstname.lastname@example.com
Toledo Public School (TPS) Superintendent Romules Durant believes in being out in the field. He walks around his schools so much that he wears out three pairs of shoes a month. He orders new shoes 10 at a time.
"In order for me to serve students best, I have to be grounded in their presence," Durant said. "I want to change the paradigm of superintendency, being in the buildings, being involved. I tell people Dr. Durant is above no one, and no one is above Dr. Durant, and I make that a reality."
TPS selected Durant as interim superintendent in April. He told Toledo Free Press this summer he did not have an "interim mentality."
"If you try to rush a vision within a short period of time all you're going to have is dysfunction as well as an overburdened staff. My actions are based on full force hitting the ground running," Durant said.
The high mark of Durant's time at TPS so far was the November passage of the 6.5-mill renewal levy. Without passage of the levy, the district would have had to make cuts, Durant said. His presence and high level of involvement in the community helped earn local support for the levy.
On Dec. 17, the district chose Durant as superintendent. He said his biggest goal is to continue implementing the transformation plan he helped design three years ago. He plans to emphasize dual credit and certification programs to provide a streamlined career track for students and continued community outreach.
"My goal is not necessarily impacting TPS, but impacting the city of Toledo," Durant said. "If the city is strong, the school is strong."
Durant has worked hard to reach out to the community. For several months he was speaking at a different Toledo church every Sunday. Now he has cut back to every other Sunday.
"I have to go to my church too, you know," he said, laughing.
One of the biggest problems facing the district, Durant said, is students starting their first year of school already developmentally behind. That is one reason he stresses getting the entire community involved in education.
Durant grew up on the East Side. He graduated from Waite High School in 1994 and attended the University of Toledo on a football scholarship. He received a doctorate in education and administration from UT in 2007.
Durant has worked for the district in various positions since 2004. He said his experiences in the schools have helped him understand how to be a better superintendent.
Durant also knows a student's education is affected by what happens outside the classroom. He wants to integrate programs like the United Way and YMCA into the school communities. He even plans to give outside programs space in the schools to operate.
"Education can't be the solution to the problem alone," he said.
Durant believes students excel in positive leadership roles.
"Providing kids leadership opportunities within the schools, I can't stress that enough," he said. "[I tell principals] they become the drivers of the culture of your building and when you provide them positive leadership opportunities that have expectations to them alongside of having a peer-to-peer support group that is being influenced by a mentor, I said, 'You have an impactful program because now you have kids who are holding other students accountable to their actions as opposed to the presence of an adult.'"
Durant said he believes in building relationships and has worked to do so his entire career. He still keeps a towel given to him by the custodial staff at one school as a symbol of their gratitude for his kindness and showing genuine interest in them.
"If I treat people with respect they will always remember and they will come together to remember that, but those bridges you build on the way up are your support base when you're there."
Ultimately, Durant said he is TPS proud.
"Those aren't just words, they're a way of life," he said.


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What Does Slower Economic Growth Really Mean?
Respondents to this month's column by HBS professor Jim Heskett came close to general agreement on the proposition that economic growth is not measured properly by GDP, calling for new indicators. Jim sums up. (Online forum now closed. Next forum begins July 6.)
Summing Up
If not useful growth, what are we measuring? And why? This column does not thrive on general agreement. And this past month discussants came close to general agreement on the proposition that economic growth is not measured properly by GDP, gross domestic product. Further, in an age of concern about the environment, questions are raised about whether certain forms of growth—let alone incorrect measures—serve a very good purpose.
Paul Jackson caught the tone of many responses when he said, "Of course GDP is flawed, duh!" Jim Ruen added, "Is all growth equal? Of course it isn't. That is like saying that all apples are just that, apples."
A rich discussion centered around a proposition raised by Colin Moore that more "stable" or "sustainable" forms of growth, for example food production, should carry "higher multiples … versus opportunistic…." forms of growth (such as "financial securitization"). Milton Puryear added "truck-type SUV sales" to the list of activities deserving low multiples, commenting that, "How is it growth if it is only sustainable under conditions that are mostly in the past?" Other activities included in GDP, such as health care costs, do not reflect the fact that spending more on health care is, in John Caddell's opinion, "in general not good for the country."
How should growth be measured? Deepak Alse commented, "Slower growth is not necessarily good or bad…. Quantitative metrics serve as best indicators when they are based on qualitative platforms." Along this line, Ken Ackerman reminded us that "Growth is a product of confidence … we spend too little time measuring the mood of the public." Kenan Jarboe said, "GDP has always been an imperfect proxy for growth…. Rather than focus on GDP per se, we should look at … standard of living, productivity, innovation." Noting that "GDP is a point-in-time measure," Gerald Nanninga asked. "How much of the economic activity today… will improve tomorrow's (or) … is really borrowing or taking away from the future?"
Questions were raised about the necessity of growth itself. Tom Dolembo commented that "This is a revolution, not a business cycle." Even though it may be "irrational" to think it, "What if … we don't grow out of choice? …. What if we demand less, use less, and want less forever?" Jim Geisman continued this line of thought in saying, "Overall, I think growth is overrated … unsustainable." Andrew Lianwarne suggested that "we need to reshape the way our economic system operates if we are to establish a stable economy without continued expansion." P. Maxson, assuming also that growth has limits, asked, "will we manage this change, or will we let ourselves be mauled by it?"
A more basic question may be whether a stable economy and high standard of living is even possible without growth? What do you think?
Original Article
During the past several weeks, economists have begun to predict substantially slower growth rates for the world's economy into the foreseeable future. Characteristic of this is the reduction of roughly 100 basis points annually in the expected growth rate of the United States from 2 to 3 percent per year to 1 to 2 percent. Those responsible for the projections tell us that as a result, we can expect substantial reductions in sustainable employment, incomes, and profits, not to mention the standard of living to which people can aspire. You may or may not agree with these projections. But they suggest that it's time that we ask whether we have been using the right measures for growth.
First, when we speak of growth, it usually refers to growth in gross domestic product, the value of all goods and services produced during a period of time. It makes no assumptions about the usefulness of various types of production. The presumption is that macroeconomic growth translates into greater top line opportunities for individual organizations. With no improvement in productivity, that means a similar increase in jobs and income. (More realistically, it means modest increases in both productivity and jobs.) It also means, even without a change in tax rates, a larger tax base. This is important to the extent that it is a major component of a government's plan to manage its capital accounts, which in turn has important implications for international credit markets and in the case of the U.S., the dollar, and the Treasury's ability to borrow at reasonable rates of interest.
But is all growth similarly useful? For example, is growth in the production of food, steel, or for that matter information the equivalent of growth in the production of financial services? The latter grew so rapidly in the U.S. in recent years (with every mortgage backed security and credit default swap transaction counted, resulting in substantial contributions to growth rates) that, at its peak, it may well have accounted for a substantial portion of the 100 basis point differential between past and projected growth rates. One can argue that each transaction may have produced top line growth for individual companies and tax revenues for the government, but did it create as much value for the individual citizen and the economy as a whole as the production of an equivalent amount of food, steel, or information? If much recent growth has resulted from real estate and financial bubbles, will slower growth really have as profound an impact on our way of life and the corporate business model as some are predicting?
Are our measures of growth flawed? If so, what does slower economic growth mean? As one example, might it actually produce more equitable compensation and penalize the wealthiest more than others in the United States, thus reducing what some have concluded is an unsustainable gap between rich and poor? What do you think?
- John Caddell
- Principal, Caddell Insight Group
Jim, you bring up some very important points. First, not all GDP growth is good growth. There was a fantastic essay in Harper's ("Our Phony Economy," June 2008) which traced the history of the GDP statistic and discussed its distortions when it's used as a general barometer of economic health.
One type of distortion in particular is in health care costs. We are coming to grips with the fact that spending more (i.e., increasing GDP) on health care is in general not good for the country--we are already overspending and under-healthy compared to other developed countries. (See Awul Gatande's excellent article in the New Yorker last week for a great illustration of this.)
For such a complex topic as our economic health, I would love to see different ways of assessing our situation, rather than continuing to worship at the altar of the GDP.
Regards, John
- CJ Cullinane
I do agree with the projections and believe the economy will be hit by the results, less money, less jobs, and higher inflation. Much of the 'growth' we saw in the last few years was financed by debt clear and simple. Is this real growth? What we are seeing now and will continue to see is the aftermath of this enormous debt at all levels of the economy, individuals, companies and the government.
Most of the financial services growth has little effect on the individual and their standard of living, if anything it has a negative effect because the individual is paying for the services and not getting much of a 'real' return. As for manufactured goods you just have to look at our auto industry, we are non-competitors!
The government is in debt at every level, local, state, and federal. This means more taxes to support this enormous government overhead. More taxes means less spending by the individual taxpayer and more by government. This will hit the average person right in the 'standard of living'.
Our measures of growth, and inflation, are flawed. Most of the financial problems we have now (I think) were created by manipulating the interest rate over many years. These measures were the excuses for doing this. Products help the economy much more than financial services.
The rich will be taxed more but it will not help the poor, if anything I believe it will make them a bit poorer. Government will grow but this also will not help the lower class or middle class. Money and labor migrate to fertile ground, that ground will not be in the United States. If you do not believe this think back to the seventies and eighties, there are similarities.
- Kumar Kunal Kamal
- Doctoral Student, IIM Indore
"Are our measures of growth flawed?"
They definitely are. And that is the reason why we are hearing calls from Economists like Stiglitz and Sen for their reformulation. It is good that their voices are increasingly being heard, and there is an increased call for reformulating the economic indicators.
Similar is the case with measures like "Inflation Rate": India is seeing a very low Inflation in the last few months only to the dismay of the average consumer. Everyday the average consumer hears about the much publicized "lower inflation rates" which only adds to their pain. The Indian Media ties the word "Inflation Rate" to the WPI which is not right; the common man is interested in CPI, and CPI is either not calculated or calculated on the basis of spurious data.
So, there are three things that need to be taken care of: First, we need to find out if our economic indicators need a reformulation; Second, we need to calculate our economic indicators by using correct data; and Third, we should project the right indicators to the right people in the right way at the right time.
- Alton Brantley
Regarding John Caddell's health care cost comment, Gatande's article shows that a population's medical services are governed by supply, demand, and payment structure. That some populations have unhealthy lifestyles is true, and has been forever true. That the physicians are providing valid services is also true. The patients qualify for the the procedures by health status and available medical technology. The federal government has created a payment methodology that provides access to interventions for a population that otherwise couldn't afford it.
There are only two ways to control healthcare costs - economic structure and regulation. If there were no medicare-medicaid payments, there would be less demand and therefore less expenditure on intervention. If the government wants to provide everyone with health services that are "equal," then rationing by regulation is the alternative. This will, of course, reduce services to the lower and middle economic classes and increase medical tourism for the affluent.
At some point, there needs to be an understanding that health care is like every other aspect of our culture -- not everyone can have everything and that economic disparity is a part of any system of society. Not everyone can (or should) own a luxury car. Not everyone can (or should) have a liver transplant.
One approach to improving health status would be to provide high impact-lower cost services at a basic insurance premium, and allowing economics to regulate who gets the higher cost (and optional) extensive services. This approach is similar to providing public transportation for those who cannot afford personal vehicles. Such rationing by programmatic structure can improve the health of our society without bankrupting our economy.
- Karthikeyan
- Senior Consultant, GENPACT
Yes, it may be the case that for the forthcoming few years there may be lower GDP growth. As we all know that, it is the result of the financial system collapse. The financial services industry was growing at a very high growth in the past. It may not grow at the same level for the near future or anymore. It is because people have lost the trust with the credit card companies. The promise they made to make our life better is been proved to be flawed. But people and governments now started realizing that the traditional savings economy is better than the credit economy. The result is that we will have a transition stage during which there will be slower GDP growth but definitely it's not going to stop there. We will be going to see the good growth rate. It all depends on the time to transition. It even could be the case our efforts and beliefs will turn to another sector, possibly agriculture. It will take time to restore growth.
To comment on the measures of growth, I would like to disagree with the point that they are flawed. Did we not experience layoffs even before the GDP growth rate slowdown was announced? Didn't we reduce our spending irrespective of the recession announcement came from the federal or not? Didn't we see the product's price growing rapidly even before the inflation figures are published in the news paper?.
We need to understand that the GDP, inflation figures are just postmortem statements. The growth rate is projected based on the postmortem statement. We know them only after the event. It is difficult to project accurately.
- k b ackerman
- sr. janitor, ackerman co.
Hi Jim- growth is product of confidence. I cannot comment on traditional growth measurements, but it seems that we spend too little time measuring the mood of the public. Vistage International, a leading executive group, polls its membership each quarter to develop a confidence index. This is a small sample, but perhaps a similar poll could be undertaken by Gallup or another polling organization. When people are frightened, they stop buying. Until they gain the confidence to return to normal buying patterns, our economy will stay in trouble. Ken Ackerman
- Sunil Varughese
- Director, Brand Indigo LLC, Dubai
The worst global economic recession that is underway has seen many "holy cows" of unregulated capitalism being questioned.
It is now quite clear that to have a sustained and equitable growth for all segments of the society we have to adopt an 'inclusive growth' route for mature, emerging and survival economies.
It is also quite evident that the extant model of "Laissez Faire Capitalism" and all the "operative tools" that bolster this model have to be necessarily "re-tooled" while the global economy moves forward.
Thus, the debate on economic growth has to graduate to a "Sustainable Development Platform" where we look at developing a 'Sustainable Capitalism' model and all related tools that would foster a "Sustainable Future" for all sections of humanity.
- Colin Moore
- Chief Investment Officer, Columbia Management
I do not believe the value of all growth is equal in either social or financial terms. If we think of the financial issue in terms of a relatively simple corporate present value model, the short term growth rate is only one factor. More importantly is the sustainability of the growth rate and the effect on the risk premium. Food production may produce lower rates of growth, short term, than financial securitization but it may be more sustainable and (perhaps consequently) carry a lower risk premium. Therefore higher multiples are applied to "staple" or sustainable growth versus opportunistic/acquired growth.
If we systematically differentiate between different types of growth at the individual corporate level when valuing securities - then why not apply the same criteria at the national level. The multitude of factors makes the analysis of sovereign debt more complicated but in essence it is the same growth numerator and risk premium denominator. The relative risk premium on US debt may currently be held in check through the actions of the Federal Reserve and the concerns over other countries but it will inevitably rise if we cannot demonstrate a path to sustainable growth.
The issue is complicated by our behavioral traits. We consistently demonstrate an inability to differentiate between the different forms of growth while we are experiencing them. There is just too much fun either receiving large bonuses or buying a house that you could not really afford. June 2008 witnessed the first economic/market "fire" alarms ringing but the fire had been raging for several years. We tend to rationalize each phase as "it's different this time" and spend little time debating the sustainability or social equity of the new "new thing". The chasm which opened between the corporate shares of national income versus that of individuals has suggested that the growth of recent decades was unsustainable. We simply adjusted by increasing lending to sustain the "growth" rather than re-evaluate the sources of the "growth."
- Stan Heard
- President, Success Architecture, LLC
I agree that real growth in an economy is something quite different from whatever the GDP is supposed to measure. Not only does GDP include things that probably shouldn't be included but it also is just a moving estimate of a statistical value. It is a substitute for real information about the economy. It is tinkered with by every administration of government to make it look the way it suits them.
I disagree that the current economic crisis is proof of a need to "re-tool" the laissez faire model of capitalism. First, that model is and has been non-existent for more than 100 years in America and never existed at all in the rest of the world simply because governments will not tolerate an unregulated economy. What is needed is a re-tooling of the size and scope of government and government regulations.
- Jim Ruen
- Owner, Edge Communications Inc.
Is all growth equal? Of course it isn't. That is like saying that all apples are just that, apples. Apple varieties grow at different rates, mature at different times, have different tastes, uses and intrinsic values. The same is true of our economy. I work largely in agriculture and am constantly reminded that our so-called economic issues and theories of growth are mere parodies of what can be seen in any field, forest or meadow. Whether health care or financial service, heavy industry or education the parallels are there.
A study of the soil and how nature slowly builds an underlying web of biological organisms that feed the plants offers the perfect study of long term investment strategies.
Create a monoculture and then leave it to itself without regulation or cultivation and you create room for opportunistic and fast growing organisms that take over and destroy the productive potential of the crop.
Look at hills and valleys and you can truly understand the impact of efforts to "raise" the floor for those at the bottom. Valleys only fill by erosion of soil and materials from the sides of the hills. That can be done with excess organic matter from verdant growth on the hill sides, by erosive action of wind and water on denuded slopes. In any case, the reality being that once the valley is filled, no hills are left standing. The difference being the productivity of the process.
In each of these cases, you can artificially speed the process for short term effect. For example, you can introduce fertilizers from outside sources and super inflate the biological life forms for short term growth spurts that out yield the natural process. However, that is like creating an addict that requires continually higher bursts of narcotics or a stock market requiring every higher paper profits, to maintain an artificial high.
We need to start to look at the big picture and identify those areas where we need to make long term investments, carefully cultivate the desired outcomes and accept slow, but steady improvements in living standards. Only then will we have a healthy and stable economy.
- Anonymous
Jim, slowdown in the economy of a country depends upon following these factors- 1. its GDP 2. per capita income 3. Inflation 4. Production/Services
- Paul T. Jackson
- owner/consultant, Trescott Research
Robert Theobald, economist and futurist, addressed this situation years ago and shortly before his death had produced the book, Healing Century. It covers most all of the above comments. He and others saw this coming and what we were doing to ourselves and others was unsustainable.
Of course GDP is flawed, duh!; especially when services include our Waste and Waste Management and recycle services. Growth in those things are hardly of value. When just about all we need can be found at the thrift store or garage sale; discards because there is something new, different, or chick, not because something is broken, is unsustainable...and we are living with the consequences of spending and buying because we could, not because we needed.
We need less government and the wealthy 1% to share that wealth more in philanthropy. In seeking grants, I found one philanthropic group indicate an organization had to have a paid executive and revenue of $150,000 to be eligible. If small volunteer non-profits that add value to quality of daily life had that kind of money, they wouldn't be needing the grants in the first place.
We've made our choices as a flawed global community and now we have to live with the consequences. Get over it...but CHANGE NOW, DON'T WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE.
- Mok Tuck Sung
- Owner, Profit Tools
The United States' slower economic growth really means a lot to us in Asia, as the United States is one of the top importers of Asian goods and services.
The Asian export model does not work any more. We will need domestic demand to replace that lost export demand. However, we have a great cultural challenge because as Asians we tend to be savers rather than spenders. Especially in these challenging times, Asians tend to save more, causing a drag in domestic demand that could lead to faster growth.
The near future growth will be domestic and regional. This will require a set of growth indicators that have a more accurate representation of growth within Asia and the world.
- Kenan Jarboe
- President, Athena Alliance
GDP has always been an imperfect proxy for growth. It is subject to statistically interpretation -- for example treating R&D as an expense produces a different outcome than treating it as an investment. It is also a very aggregate measure. Rather than focus on GDP per se, we should look at the more relevant direct measure -- standard of living, productivity, innovation.
- Ashiq Khader
- Consultant
Jim, This growth stuff, started sometime in '60's that hit the ceiling, is now splashing down to the floor. Calculated as 1-2% growth, it may prove to be the right projections, based on past 'assumptions'. I think the basis of calculation of this growth has not kept in pace with time, as the absolute numbers and means to achieve it were the focus. I reread "Small Is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered" by British economist E. F. Schumacher and feel that it is now more relevant to bridge the economics of small world and the 'economies of scale' principles. I wonder if pure science can provide some fresh thought to Economic gurus of our time. Believe it, managing 'nano' is the beautiful way nature works in providing sustenance and growth to more complex organisms!
- Anonymous
All excellent comments, but at a "high level" of abstraction. What does slower growth mean for an entrepreneur, an innovator, or a marketer of a particular product? Just as all growth is not the same, all consumption cutbacks will not be the same; and the structure of our economy will evolve with new proportions. In 2001, a book, The Next Economy, began examining these issues.
- Milton Puryear
Hello Jim,
All growth clearly is not good or even truly growth, especially when it subtracts itself from our accounts in ensuing years as much of the financial services growth has done. Or truck-type SUV sales. How is it growth if it is only sustainable under conditions that are mostly in the past.
Clearly it is time to reevaluate how we define and measure growth. Agreeing on what is REALLY real growth and what is fluff will be the challenge. But getting better at it will smooth GNP, avoid a significant amount of pain and waste of resources.
Some observers are better at it than others. They are mostly those who are willing and able to study the ways that the basic system does not perform optimally. Everything that turns a profit is not good. That is the point of the Health Care article in the New Yorker last week. The difference between high cost helathcare cities (100%) and low cost cities (33-50%) is not access to healthcare as Alton Brantley would seem to suggest. The author's conclusion is that the real difference is in treating healthcare as a business in which maximizing profits is of greater, or even equal, importance to providing the best care.
All that spending and no gain in outcomes. Perhaps that is where regulation is needed. Perhaps it should be based on aligning incentives to the real value of outcomes.
- Shashi Sharma
- CEO, SSBC India
The global economy has dug itself into a hole and whatever measure is used for benchmarking growth in the coming years, it will be a slow recovery.
The bubbles - asset prices as also debt paper were both created by banks - central, investment and commercial. The financial system (thanks to the way central banks operate) led the consumers to believe that the multipliers (represented by the velocity of money circulation and not new asset creation) will keep growing for ever...so the lending banks threw caution to the winds and kept leveraging their capital multiple times, to create fee spreads.. they forgot that lenders needed to have direct sight to their borrowers/assets they finance. That is what resulted in the very same asset being sold over and over again by the then holder to the next, at a profit. It was a result of money being created faster than assets.
More than retooling economic growth/well-being measuring tools, it is aspirational impulses all around that will need temping down..........conspicuous consumption does generate unreal aspirations to own and consume. However, it cant be anyone's case that services do not contribute to either real GDP or well being of real people. Services of all kinds do help pull the growth engine through specialisation in tasking.
In the last decade GNP figures kept growing without real savings, through a growing mountain of debt paper, mostly generated not for productive but for consumption purposes (excessively leveraged and without adequate addition to tangible assets created). That led to all enterprises and individuals seeing their incomes growing, governments claiming economies were growing at a higher rate by the day. All consumers got taken for a ride by the propaganda and lost their sense of balance - 'need to live within their current means'.
Having got burnt thus, they are now rethinking their priorities, saving rates are tending to rise and growth will return but it will cook really slow.
- John R. Reven
- President/CEO, City Financial Corporation
Hello Jim,
I enjoyed your article. I would be interested to know to what extent sector growth such as Senior care and related services influenced your assessment of future economic growth. Will the percentage of GDP dedicated to such expenditures whether privately or governmentally funded constitute artifical growth as the healthcare sector heads towards more governmental influence? In what way will increased governmental influence in the private sector (General Motors, AIG, etc.) effect the overall economic landscape from a growth standpoint?
- Samriddha Sarkar
- Consultant, PwC
As we know, growth in GDP does not mean an increase in welfare of a nation. So using GDP to measure the economic growth is not fully accurate.
Economic growth would mean more job generation and higher taxable income generated in the economy. This in turn would mean more disposable income in the hands of the government, which when spent for productive purposes would foster economic growth. An optimal mix of free market in the commodity space and regulations in the financial space is required. In developing economies, more tax should be made available for government spending by curbing the illegal economy.
- Umesh Gupta
- Addl GM, BHEL
We all understand that growth means going on producing goods and services at a consistent or higher rate. But the question is for how long? Can this world sustain such a situation? Definitely a new model has to emerge. How it will emerge, how it will develop, which economy will collapse and which will flourish--only time will tell. But it is definite that a consumption- and wastage-based model cannot survive.
- Kapil Kumar Sopory
- Company Secretary, SMEC (India) Private Limited
A certain level of economic growth is very necessary to meet the various growing needs of the ultimate users. Growth of needs is due mainly to increase in population. Basic needs of food, clothing and shelter have to be met. Healthcare and education follow. Certain other necessities are mobility in the shape of transportation, means for distant communication, etc. The list would expand in the case of developed and even somewhat better developed economies.
Slower economic growth has its repercussions due to growing poverty-like conditions.
Politically motivated dosages are face saving devices to create confusion - cost of all essentials galloping but the rate of inflation sliding downwards!
Gulf between rich and poor is widening. And what is presented is data and statistics most of which is not understood at all. And this sort of research gives satisfaction for announcement purposes but nothing more than that. And, who verifies all this for " there are three types of lies - lies, damned lies and statistics.' Slower growth is a malady as it hurts one and all, directly or indirectly.
- Tom Dolembo
- consultant
Another great question, Professor Heskett. Good or bad growth? Given the misleading, often fraudulent and self-serving reporting by major investment firms and government flacks on everything from oil demand to projected inflation, good data and trusted sources are hard to find. Resource based heavy growth demanding drilling, clawing of earth, destruction of rain forests, depletion of sea life, war, is as you imply, bad. Growth that supports sound health, the quality of life, longevity, and peace is good.
We are leaving an era of resource depleting growth, perhaps, simply because we're running out. Consciousness of global warming, collateral damage from negligent fiduciaries, and negative global impacts are affecting our thought processes. As a species, we are aging and as a nation we are re-ethnicizing and our new flesh and blood will impact us. Growth demands consumption on a large scale. Capital fuels growth. If we are experiencing a lack of growth, perhaps we should look to the irrational, the sudden impact of fear and mistrust on a global scale, as a failure of a resource, and a also consider this a source of reenergized growth. Capital follows trust. It is hard to unscare.
This is a revolution, not a business cycle. Capital and GDP has evaporated, it did not just decline. Consumption patterns are irreversibly altered. "Return to Growth" is a false mantra. What if, and this is irrational at best, we don't grow out of choice? What if we demand less, use less, want less forever? What if morbid economic obesity is no longer required for stable economies? What if "Super size" is not a business model? What if an individual consumer of anything can ask for, and get, a specific need or want met by not consuming a product or service? Are we, as a global family, assuming a collective consciousness that our lives depend on what we don't buy and use? If we are, then what you describe as growth will be, to our children, nothing resembling the familiar. This is what revolutions look like. Metrics lag events.
- Sandesh N. Shringarpure
Jim, it's really a valid thing to challenge the measures used for evaluation. I think pure quantitative evaluation may lead to better understanding of economic situation. As monetary or real values may reflect a picture based on other influential aspects. Many a time once you convert quantitative aspects into monetary value the true scenarios may get distorted. As many a time perceived values for commodities may be the outcome of other factors which are controlled in a systematic way by the interested parties. For example, if rice is one of the commodities considered for a particular country's evaluation and if price is regulated by authorities, it may not reflect the true value.
If we bank on pure quantitative evaluation, linking to production / output may help. Further, quality of growth can be linked to demand for production / consumption etc. Also, the resources used may make things complicated but may be a good indicator.
The social environment will decide the weight-age for a particular commodity in bouquet of economic indicator. If wheat is high on demand based on consumption patterns, it's in-house production and dependency on imports may lead to better evaluation.
Also, the parameters set at country level will help to understand a country-level need base (qualitative) growth. It will be a real challenge to sum up the global need base (qualitative) growth as rightly mentioned by you the need of growth in particular sector may not be warranted at that particular time horizon for that geographical region. Therefore, global summation will again have a specific weight-age based on human needs all across the globe.
- Anonymous
Hi, I'm really glad that you brought up this subject. Although I'm not an economist, it has been irking me for a while that we use such a simplistic gauge of economic (and societal?) success. For example, if we discovered that the american workforce could produce the same amount of goods and services on a 35-hour work week and with an average of 7 weeks of vacation, for the same pay, would that show up in growth measures?
- Jim Geisman
- President, Software Pricing Partners
In simpler times, GDP may have reflected something truly useful but the shifting definitions of what goes into the GDP calculation results in the GDP giving misleading signals.
GDP (at least in the US) reflects every administration's effort at putting a positive spin on everything or showing things are not as bad as you think.
Overall, I think growth is overrated. As others have noted, growth is unsustainable. Population growth, growth in pollution, growth in demand for scarce resources (financial and natural), growth in complexity leading to unintended consequences will lead us back to to the Neanderthal era. Only this time there won't be animals to hunt or skin, wood to burn or arable land on which to grow food.
Perhaps the only growth that should be measured is growth in quality or non-material satisfaction. Given the current levels of consumption contributing to GDP, is there a way to grow customer loyalty? Or grow product quality? Or grow the level of agricultural sustainability?
Perhaps a GDP that is flat but with growth in the above dimensions would be better than where we are now.
The pursuit of growth unencumbered by a broader view of its impact or even thought, in some cases, has gotten us to where we are. And it is a sorry state to leave for our kids and their kids.
- Gerald Nanninga
- VP, Retail Ventures, Inc.
GDP is a point-in-time measure. As such, it is a reasonable way to explain what just happened. With some of the changes mentioned by otheres for R&D, etc., it could be an even more reasonable way to explain what happened.
The problem is when we use this static measure of the recent past to predict economic health, strength, and growth for the future. The correlation between today's GDP and tomorow's economic condition is too week to be useful. Don't blame GDP. It is the wrong tool for that task.
What we really need is a different tool, a better future economic health indicator. This would move us from that static snapshot of GDP to more of a motion picture. The key factors would be this:
1) How much of the economic activity today is not reflected in current GDP, but but will improve tomorrow's (like R&D)?
2) How much of the economic activity today is reflected in current GDP but is really borrowing or taking away from the future (like excessive debt)?
3) How sustainable is current economic activity? Are we building lasting jobs or not?
4) How much of the recent growth is in additional economic benefits to society vs. just higher prices which may be false growth (like inflationary moves or perhaps what is happening in health care or what happened in real estate financing)?
In other words, we need a more robust Future Economic Indicator measure.
- Deepak Alse
- Program Manager, Wipro
Slower growth is not necessarily good or bad. Growth that comes from intent and sustainable approaches , could often be slow. Growth pursued purely for purposes of scale or with no particular intent , would, in the medical world, classify as 'Cancerous' growth. And there's no reason why that should not apply to the economy! Quantitative metrics serve as best indicators when they are based on qualitative platforms. Products and dividends of any kind, would typically be useful metrics in a simple world - As we develop a more systemic view of the economy, measurements of 'real' value-addition are required - The underlying factor will be 'sustainability' - How sustainable is growth, How sustainable is the value-addition ?
- Kumara Uluwatta
- Senior Lecture, Wayamba university of Sri Lanka
Hot issue. Question is, can we care about the GDP as a measure of economic growth? In most countries there are debates about the acceptability of figures that are published by government bodies, because some independent organisations are always questioning the correctness of those figures. In addition, can we measure everything quantitatively? Now where we are going? Blind way of growth.
Today the most important resources for the growth are people, money and technology. People matter for everything. To have technological advancement the knowledge-base economy should be established in any country. Inflation rates, GDP and all other measures are all comparative and in most cases unbelievable. Some economists are trying to talk about economic growth with the help of fluctuation of stock trading activities. Is it really connected with the economic growth? Look at Sri Lanka. Share transactions (stock market activities) increased just after the civil war with LTTE. Is this a question of qualitative or quantitative? Behavior of people matters ... with the knowledge-based economy.
- Andrew Llanwarne
- Consultant, IDEAction
This is a fascinating and wide-ranging discussion, and I think the most recent comments point out the real reasons why we need to rethink our belief that continued growth in GDP is the be-all and end-all of human progress. It is not sustainable in terms of resources and it perpetuates inequalities within and between nations. Social and environmental conditions are subordinated to economic priorities and the ruthless power of market forces.
This pre-eminent belief in economic growth has brought us to the position where we face the ominous threat of climate change which will increasingly disrupt our economies, societies and environments at enormous human cost.
A recent report published by the Sustainable Development Commission in the UK looks at the concept of "Prosperity without Growth", recognising that we need to reshape the way our economic system operates if we are to establish a stable economy without continued expansion. It also recognises the need to allow less developed countries to catch up with the developed world. See http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/pages/redefining-prosperity.html
With the forthcoming Climate summit in Copenhagen at the end of this year, this really is the right time to be discussing these issues and looking for better ways to measure and promote human progress and prosperity.
- P. Maxson
- Consultant, independent
I have to say I'm a bit surprised that after "Limits to Growth" was published nearly 40 years ago, after "Natural Capitalism," The Natural Step, the Human Development Index, MIPS, Herman Daly, the Global Footprint Network, "Plan B 2.0" and other books, thinkers and initiatives ad nauseam, so many people still seem unaware of the fundamental changes needed - and in fact already underway, like it or not. The question is, will we manage this change, or will we let ourselves be mauled by it? So far we're being pretty badly mauled.
Our single-minded obsession with growth, along with a few other fundamental flaws, has brought us the downside of globalization, the derivatives orgy, the asset booms, the crushing of unions--largely designed by the rich for the rich.
According to 2006 IRS data reported in the New York Times, "the top 300,000 Americans collectively enjoyed almost as much income as the bottom 150 million Americans. Per person, the top group received 440 times as much as the average person in the bottom half earned, nearly doubling the gap from 1980."
Computations using Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that the true unemployment rate in May was over 18 percent and that 30 million people were either jobless or underemployed.
For more than three decades we've taken the easy road and focused on the 300,000, through 'trickle down' and other increasingly discredited economic practices. What we really need to do is to shift to different incentives and measures of "growth" that reconstruct an economy that puts the 30 million back to work, and that serves the employment and income needs of the 150 million Americans who earn the other half.
As someone else said, this is the best teaching moment in 65 years. Much of the analysis has already been done. It's up to us to provide an alternative agenda. And we can't sit around and expect the Obama Administration to do it for us.
- Shabbir Merchant
- Chief Value Creator, Valulead Consulting, India
We should hope that the slower economic growth, enables the human race to re-emphasise the importance of a measure like "Gross National Happiness"(GNH). GNH may not only be a function of the GDP/GNP of a nation, but also of a philosophy of how we can try and do "More" with "Less" in all that we aspire for.
History has always asked us to choose from 'unsustainable fast growth' v/s 'sustainable slow growth'. For a change lets choose the latter and increase our GNH.
- Thomas Stephens Jr.
I would borrow from applied biology to argue that growth, to be defined, as "advantageous," must exist within the "whole" context of the idea. For example, with regard meristematic tissue, the effect of "dividing in recognition of inherent function" without consideration for the inherent function of the whole (or non-meristematic tissue), a mutation is produced as meristem dominance. Consequently, for advantageous growth and maintenance of living cells requires a balance of both organ initiation and stem cell population regeneration. Therefore, controlled growth, balance, generally describes health and wellbeing of the organism.
As I reflect on the consequences from the resent economic boom in select markets and its resulting bust, I maintain this postulation and conclude that not all growth is "similarly useful."
My conclusion is that, unless the accounting measures of economic growth, or stimulation, or decline, include definitive reference to each faction of the economy the data are incomplete. Further, I would suggest that the data, indicating boom for a select market and not THE market, are a signal to adverse impact on the "whole."
As to economic recovery, the lessons of biology teach that with the removal of the mutation, balance is restored to the whole, resulting in stability, and then controlled growth. How long does the process take? Well, how long will we lament over the mutation thought to be a boom? That is, how long will we maintain life-support (bailouts) to the one (the mutation) at the expense of the whole?
Economics, biology, finance, business, and even life, reiterates the same lesson in defining and describing health and success. In each case, one facet of a connected organism, or economy, or business cannot benefit or suffer without affecting all the related facets. As business and academia continue to define global economics in all its connectivity, I believe that economic meristematic affect theory offers opportunity for critical review of future global economic do's and don'ts.
- Srinivas Radhakrishna
- Senior Advisory Consultant, IBM India
One of the reasons why this recession is going to last long and affect many is that the hectic economic activity preceeding this economic phase is characterised by unprecedented human greed at the cost of ecological balance and observed from this aspect, it is good for Global economy to be in recession for some more time. It is appalling to see, we thes humans are begining to crave for higher growth rates, exploiting scarce natural reserves rather than thinking of conserving them to sustain in the longer run.
An analysis of the last economic boom indicate that higher economic mic growth did not transfer in the creation of hihger and disperesed wealth amongst the milieu and it is ironic that the more progress we achieve, wealth gets concentrated.
What is required to come of this recession is generation of higher economic activity through involvements of smaller communities making them sustainable without exploiting the natural resources. Infact, we need to discover resources to generate economic activity rather than depending on what is scarce. This way, growth rates become sustainable.
- Kim Allen
- Sustainability Consultant
Of course the type of growth matters.
If the police reported that overall "activity" in an area had increased, we would demand to know what type of activity they were talking about before we could form an opinion. Drug activity? Neighborhood volunteering? Burglaries? Block parties?
The word "growth" is a lot like the word "activity." Growth in GDP doesn't mean much in terms of things we actually care about in society, like people being able to support themselves and their families, as well as the protection of the natural environment that supports us all. Tabulating the shopping bill is far removed from values. A metric that is neutral as to whether we are building prisons or schools seems less than useful, doesn't it?
So we need to demand better of those who enthusiastically support "growth." There are many things worth growing -- community harmony, neighborhood gardens, the amount of time we have to simply relax with our families. And there are other things not worth growing, such as industry practices that undermine societal well-being (from pollution of rivers to the insane pace of today's office environment).
Do we have the courage to measure our lives in terms of what we really value? The prison door is unlocked, but we cower in our cell, preferring the familiar pains.
- Jay Somasundaram
- Systems Analyst
It's time for Triple Bottom Line measures to become mainstream. Businesses should be taxed and countries assessed on a combination of all three measures (economic, social and environmental). Slower economic growth should not be seen as something that is bad, rather an opportunity to apply the resources now availabe to correcting our systems.
Implementing Triple Bottom Line reporting is the most important change that needs to happen. What gets measured gets done. Nearly all those who talk about financial reform are missing the point. Carbon trading is a partial solution, but it leaves out (i) other environmental issues and (ii) social issues (externalities in economist-speak).
- Lee Offenhauer
- Commercial Artist, Coast Magazine
I've always thought that the notion that the economy has to continue to grow is one of those unquestioned assumptions that's just wrong; perhaps dangerously wrong. Consider the fact that no growth in a natural system remains unchecked. If it does and it's in your body, for example, it's called cancer and if not removed is invariably fatal. So it seems to me we should be more interested in a kind of dynamic and sustainable equilibrium where the opportunity for success is as widely distributed as possible. Having a relative few people with enormous amounts of money (and consequently the power to make even more) and large numbers of people having an increasingly difficult time making ends meet is a recipe for disaster. But it seems to me that a completely unregulated market seems inevitably tilts towards exactly this situation. Is this analysis incorrect? Have I missed something important here, or is this simply a case of "easier said than done?" I'd love some feedback on this.
- Henry Kwok
- consultant
Economies are changing and evolving so fast and they are also getting more complex and unpredictable. Thus it would be foolhardy to think that traditioanl measures of growth will be a good indicators of the economic health. These measures must also evolve to take into account the constant and complex changes in the economies.
We live in a connecred world thus we need not only measure growth ecoomically but its impact in other facets of live - socially, health, environmentally and so on. Only when we start to link economic conditions to these factors, then we can find true meaning of economic growth!
Businesses are moving from historical indicators to predicative measures - likewise economic measures of growth or decline must also have these predictive elements.
- Sat Goel
If one goes by the reports submitted by GAO on the future of the US financial health, it is obvious that the US is heading towards a financial crisis by 2020. US government income will be only able to pay for social security, medicare and interest on loans. No money for defence, education, infrastructure. No discretionary expenditure.
Are these not signs of a much bigger crisis coming?
There is still time to correct the situation. The US and its citizens must learn to live within its means and not live on borrowed money.
- Anonymous
How and what really a poor and less educated man feels and understands the " economic growth". He will not understand in the way the more affluent and educated men understand. The parlance in which these two categories talk and understand "economy" is different fom each other. Nevertheless, at any stage if we want to get a real measure of "economic growth" or "economic downturn," we must get to know the feeling and understanding of population in poor man's category which must be derived in their own parlance and converted into an index and compare it with the index obtained from the other category. Then we should see how closely or badly they compare.
I am not aware of any such exercise having been done by anybody during recent meltdown. As per my observation I have not seen in the poorest category of the society, the kind of panic and helter skelter behaviour I saw among edu cated and affluent category. In fact, most of the men in the former category were not even aware of recession/meltdown that is happening/has happened. They were continuing to live as usual.
- Anonymous
We keep talking about False Growth and the collapse of the economy, but we don't ever question the People behind it. The Industrialits, Politicians and the much valued stakeholders. I work for a Large MNC, and i fail to understand its moral value to support the economy, as i am seeing it doing like all the major MNC's cost cutting. When cost cutting is being done by Large Corporations then why do we blame the consumers for not spending and creating the so called recession. It is like the saying in the famous animation "Kung Fu Panda" by the Turtle "One often meets its destiny, on the road, it takes to avoid it." For the fear of recession, recession is actually being created.
- Kapil Kumar Sopory
- Company Secretary, SMEC (India) Private Limited
GDP growth is a statistical measure very pertinent for academic purposes. However, it is a misguiding measuring tool inasmuch as the components are not all that really matter. I'm reminded of the recently announced negative inflation in India. Is there any satisfaction when we know of the ground level realities - cost of essentials gallopping and poor becoming poorer.
Despite all this malaise, it may not be surprising to hear Indian Finance Minister declaring positive GDP growth on the 6th proximo during his budget speech! Let's admit... slow growth leads to deterioration of lifestyles and various shocks making living miserable.
- Al K Osterwalder
- Managing Partner, OSCOT Osterwalder Consulting and Trading
I think that growth in industrialized countries has to move from mere quantitative growth to qualitative and sustainable growth. This means that economies have to be redirected and focus must be on quality and sustainability in all aspects of life, starting in education, family values, business and work ethics, political objectives and aspirations, honesty and trustworthiness of the media etc. We must move away from quarterly success measurements and short term political objectives and concentrate on medium to long term goals. Such change in behavior and economical and social outlook will create growth as well, but on a higher and more satisfying level. Economies such as the US economy would become more balanced again, industrial sectors would be maintained on a high level and countries would not become so dependent on others as they do now. Excesses such as the financial crisis could be avoided as they do not fit with high quality and sustainability objectives. We have a chance to rethink our values and redirect our economies - as President Obama says "Yes we can".
- Douglas R. Elliott
- CEO, TEQ Development LLC
When thinking about implications of economic growth rate it may be instructive to also consider the nature of economic change. The 'green revolution' in the US renewable energy marketplace is a case in point. On one hand we are trying to conserve energy consumption which will ultimately limit future economic contributions of the energy sector to GDP in an absolute sense. Today most of the economic value in energy is realized in the sale and conversion of natural resources. A relatively few percentage points of the energy marketplace contributes to manufacturing capital and even fewer percentage points to wages to convert natural resources into economically useful energy.
The 'green revolution' will be substituting the costs of non-renewable resources with manufacturing capital and wages which is the entry cost to harvest free and renewable energy resources of wind, sun and water. The labor intensity of the energy sector will rise around ten fold (or more) as this will be the labor required to build and then maintain the vast increase in capital assets that are required to harness the free but diffuse renewable energy resources.
Our present 'old energy' economy is a poster child of consumption economics. The burning of fossil fuel must dissipate all of its original economic value as a natural resource to the environment to obtain value. The new energy economy will be capital and labor intensive to access 'free' resources of the environment. At today's natural resource pricing we are at near economic parity between 'old energy' and 'new energy'. Yet we are still looking at a 'zero growth' option on absolute economic output and consumption of energy.
If you in manaufacturing or part of the labor force, the development 'new energy' is going to seem a lot like a growth economy. Not so for oil exporters or fossil fuel owners.
In the US and other developed economies it seems we are entering a new economic era where we will displacing disposable (e.g. consumer) economics with renewable and recycle economics. The latter are an outgrowth of knowledge assets (like R&D) and scarce resource pricing. While energy is a conspicuous example, the analogies are there for the economics of food, clothing, healthcare, etc.. And it seems to me, zero growth or otherwise, this may be a good thing.


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MNHS Band Leadership Team 2014-15Submitted by steve sherwin on Wed, 2014-05-28 09:17.
MNHS Band 2014 Audition ResultsSubmitted by steve sherwin on Thu, 2014-05-15 10:38.
2014 MNHS Band BanquetSubmitted by steve sherwin on Tue, 2014-03-25 08:15.
MNHS Winterguard WinsSubmitted by steve sherwin on Mon, 2014-03-17 09:19.
Congratulations to our MNHS Winterguards for their Division 1 ratings at the Arlington Bowie HS contest this past Saturday. The JV received 2nd place in the Novice division, and Varsity placed 2nd in Scholastic A.
Catch the MNHS Winterguards in their final performances of the year Saturday, March 22nd, at Burleson Centennial HS (JV Championships) and Saturday, March 29th, at S.Grand Prairie HS (Varsity Championships).
MNHS Winterguard and Percussion WinSubmitted by steve sherwin on Wed, 2014-03-05 09:21.
Congratulations to our MNHS Winterguards for their placement at the Lewisville HS contest this past Saturday. The JV received 1st place in the Novice division, and Varsity placed 4th in Scholastic A earning 15 more points than their previous contest with a score of 65.
Catch the Winterguard in their next performance this Saturday, March 8th, at Arlington Bowie HS.
Congrats to Michael Reed and our Percussion Ensembles for their placement at the North Texas Percussion Festival at Forney HS this past Saturday. Our groups place 7th and 11th in the Large Ensemble division out of 20 performing groups. This is McKinney North's first appearance at this festival.
Catch the MNHS Percussion Ensemble in Concert on Thursday, May 22nd in combination with Johnson & Cockrell percussion students.
Pasta Dinner - UPDATESubmitted by steve sherwin on Thu, 2014-02-06 13:24.
Band Parents, Students, and Community Members
We are really looking forward to performing for you at the annual MNHS Band Pasta Dinner/Silent Auction and Concert with our 8th graders!!
There is a slight possibility that the event could be postponed due to weather conditions. As of right now, we are still on. If anything changes, it will be posted to the website as soon as possible. I made a couple of slight alterations to the performance schedule below. Students should wear jeans and this year's band shirt to perform. All students are expected to help with set up and clean up at the end so that it takes very little time.Fri. Feb. 7 BAND PASTA DINNER/Silent Auction/8th Grade Concert--MNHS Cafeteria
2:30-4:00Parent/Student set-up
4:15-5:45 Rehearsals w/8th Graders (HB-cafeteria; SB-Band Room; CB-Orch. Room
6:15 Performance: MNHS Concert Band
6:45 Performance: MNHS Jazz Band 1
7:30 Performance: MNHS Symphonic
8:00 Performance: MNHS Honors Band
8:45 Performance: MNHS Winterguard in the Gym.
9:00 All students return set to Band Hall.
Thanks in advance for your support!!
A. Harkey
All State Band Students Set RecordSubmitted by steve sherwin on Thu, 2014-01-30 10:53.
McKinney North band 9th Annual Pasta DinnerSubmitted by steve sherwin on Tue, 2014-01-21 17:57.
2014 TMEA All-State Band and Area ResultsSubmitted by steve sherwin on Tue, 2014-01-14 15:57.
End of Marching Season Band Party 2013Submitted by steve sherwin on Tue, 2013-12-03 13:16.


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US Amateur
IMG Academy Leadbetter golf program alums with a strong showing at U.S. Amateur
Posted: August 25, 2011
Dan Tierney
Gregor MainPeter Uihlein's success is well known, but another IMG Academy Leadbetter golf program alum took home medalist honors after stroke play at the U.S. Amateur.Gregor Main shot 10-under (65-67) for a two-shot lead over the second place finisher. Uihlein, the...
Uihlein looks to defend US Amateur
Posted: August 22, 2011
Dan Tierney
Peter Uihlein with the 2010 US Amateur trophyShort of Q-School, it may be the toughest test in golf. Two days of 18-hole stroke play, which cuts the field to the 64 lowest scores. Six rounds of match play follow, concluding with a 36-hole match play final.Oh, yeah...
Peter Uihlein looks to repeat as US Amateur champion during upcoming tournament at Erin Hills - Post Crescent
Posted: July 27, 2011
Check out this featured article on Post-Crescentabout IMG Academy golf program alum, Peter Uihlein, and his path towards glory at Erin Hills. Article by Mike Woods:Article TOWN OF ERIN â The list being read was long. Mind-wandering, starting-to-daydream long.Then...
IMG Academy Leadbetter golf program alum captures prestigious U.S. Amateur title
Posted: August 30, 2010
Peter Uihlein pumps his fist after chipping in on No. 18 on the final day of the U.S. Amateur Golf Championship on August 29, 2010 at Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington. Getty Images.IMG Academy grad and IMG Academy Leadbetter golf program alum, Peter...


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Timi Gustafson RD
Helping people to live healthy and fulfilling lives. I write about health, nutrition, travel, education and meaningful, enriching experiences.
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A Slower Pace May Not Only Reduce Stress but Can Enhance Productivity, Studies Find
Americans are well known for their strong belief in hard work. The idea that we can get ahead in life, achieve our goals and fulfill our dreams solely by virtue of our own efforts remains tightly woven into our cultural fabric. At the same time, there is a growing sense that our quality of life […] [Read More]


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Bad Pharma: How Medicine is Broken, and How We Can Fix itPaperback
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- Publisher: FOURTH ESTATE LTD
- Format: Paperback | 448 pages
- Dimensions: 128mm x 198mm x 38mm | 440g
- Publication date: 1 September 2013
- Publication City/Country: London
- Sales rank: 5,763
Product description
Ben Goldacre puts the $600bn global pharmaceutical industry under the microscope. What he reveals is a fascinating, terrifying mess. ***Now updated with the latest government responses to the book*** Doctors and patients need good scientific evidence to make informed decisions. But instead, companies run bad trials on their own drugs, which distort and exaggerate the benefits by design. When these trials produce unflattering results, the data is simply buried. All of this is perfectly legal. In fact, even government regulators withhold vitally important data from the people who need it most. Doctors and patient groups have stood by too, and failed to protect us. Instead, they take money and favours, in a world so fractured that medics and nurses are now educated by the drugs industry. The result: patients are harmed in huge numbers. Ben Goldacre is Britain's finest writer on the science behind medicine, and 'Bad Pharma' is the book that finally prompted Parliament to ask why all trial results aren't made publicly available - this edition has been updated with the latest news from the select committee hearings. Let the witty and indefatigable Goldacre show you how medicine went wrong, and what you can do to mend it.
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Ben Goldacre is a doctor, writer, broadcaster and academic who specialises in unpicking dodgy scientific claims from drug companies, newspapers, government reports, PR people and quacks. His first book, Bad Science, reached Number One in the non-fiction charts, sold over 400,000 copies in the UK alone, and has been translated into 25 languages. He is 38 and lives in London.
Review quote
'This is a book to make you enraged - properly, bone-shakingly furious - because it's about how big business puts profits over patient welfare, allows people to die because they don't want to disclose damning research evidence, and the tricks they play to make sure doctors do not have all the evidence when it comes to appraising whether a drug really works or not. A work of brilliance.' Max Pemberton, Daily Telegraph 'This is a brilliant piece of work' Evening Standard, William Leith 'This is an important book. Ben Goldacre is angry, and by the time you put 'Bad Pharma' down, you should be too.' New Statesman 'Nailing the compromise between too much detail and too little, Goldacre's brilliantly enraging study unpeels how the pharmaceutical giants routinely misrepresent science in their quest for profit.' Sunday Telegraph 'What keeps you turning its pages is the accessibility of Goldacre's writing ... his genuine, indignant passion, his careful gathering of evidence and his use of stories, some of them personal, which bring the book to life.' Luisia Dilner, Guardian 'This is a book that deserves to be widely read, because anyone who does read it cannot help feeling both uncomfortable and angry.' Economist "Bad Pharma' will confirm his status as a thorn in the side of the medical Establishment - Goldacre's detailed research would be hard for any drug-company executive to contradict' Lois Rogers, Sunday Times


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Beneath Ceaseless Skies Issue #11 Tony Pi et al.
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Issue #10 of Beneath Ceaseless Skies online magazine, featuring stories by Erin Cashier and Matthew David Surridge.… More
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This issue features fiction by Ken Scholes ("The Second Gift Given") and Berrien C. Henderson ("The Jisei of Mark VIII"), an interview … More
Shambling Towards Hiroshima James Morrow
It is 1945. Inspired by the U.S. Army's intention to build an atomic bomb, the Navy plans its own dramatic ending to World War II, the Knickerbocker Project. The goal is to produce the ultimate biological weapon:… More


text: No recent wiki edits to this page. OverviewGex is a 2-D mascot platformer developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by BMG Interactive Entertainment for the Panasonic 3D0 in 1995. At one point a pack-in game for the ill-fated system, It was later ported to the PlayStation, Saturn, and PC, and spawned two 3-D based sequels for the Playstation and Nintendo 64.StoryGex (voiced by comedian Dana Gould) is an anthropomorphic teenage gecko living in Hawaii with his mother and siblings. When his father, a NASA employee, is killed in a space shuttle accident, Gex becomes a shut-in, refusing to do nothing except watch television for hours on end in an attempt to refuse coping with his father's sudden and untimely death. After trying everything in her power to get her son out of the house and away from the television, Gex's mother decides to move the whole family to California.A change of scenery does nothing for Gex, however, and, after a few attempts by both his new neighbors and his family to get him away from the television, Gex's mom gets desperate and gives the TV away to gypsies. Gex soon runs away from home in outrage and befriends some local punk kids, one of which allows Gex to sleep in his garage.Months pass and Gex's mental state deteriorates to the point where he considers an imaginary figure called "The Mayor" as his best friend. While skateboarding with "The Mayor" one day, Gex encounters a black limo, which, come to find out, is now owned by his mother. Another death in the family (this time an uncle, who is noted as being the original model for the Izod clothing company logo) has caused Gex's family to obtain a huge inheritance. Gex uses his share of the funds to move back to Maui, where he buys a mansion, a big-screen TV, and an obscene amount of food so he will never have to leave his house.Of course, this being a 2-D platforming game, something bad is bound to happen that will cause the hero to go on some sort of ridiculous journey, and Gex winds up getting sucked into his new TV thanks to the villainous Rez, who plans on using our brave reptilian hero as the mascot for his hellish Media Dimension, an alternate universe where television fantasy becomes an antagonistic reality.GameplayGex is your typical mid-90's mascot platforming title. Players must avoid obstacles, collect television remotes, and fight enemies in order to get to the end of the stage. Levels are connected by hub worlds, each with its own television-related theme, and occasional boss battles liven things up every now and then. Gex's main mode of attack was a tail whip, and he could obtain power-ups that let him, among other things, breathe fire and frost-based attacks.DevelopmentGex was Crystal Dynamic's attempt to cash in on the anthropomorphic mascot craze of the 90s. Development started with a 5 person team in 1993 as a game about a stunt-gecko named "Gecko X". Each level was themed around a different action move genre and began showing stock footage of a film from the genre. "Gecko X" then had to explore the environment completing stunt tricks in order to obtain money.After a test level was completed using this early concept Lead Programmer "G-Man" expressed discontent with the game's direction and suggested a move to the game's final, more fantasy-themed direction. The character of "Gecko X" was redesigned into his current incarnation as "Gex" and a new villain, "Rez", was created as well. The stunt-gecko idea was also dropped.The team began working on art assets for the game but, due to the power of the 32-bit Panasonic 3DO when compared to the 16-bit consoles the devs had been working on up to that point, development moved slowly for the Gex team. Crystal Dynamics's initial reluctance to add more employees to the team did not help the slow dev process, and it looked unlikely that the game would be ready for its original release date of June 1994. The company eventually hired more artists, however, and even contracted out some of the graphical to work to Silicon Knights, who later became famous for Eternal Darkness for the Nintendo GameCube.June 1994 came and the game was only about halfway done. Levels were either completely redone with tile sets they weren't originally intended to use, or, in the case of a science-fiction themed world, scrapped entirely. Crystal Dynamics hired more employees to help finish the game, but Gex still needed a ton of work in order to stand out amongst the many other mascot platformers that had begun to flood the gaming market. Members of the development team worked 12-16 hour days, hoping to finish the game by Summer 1995. To kill off stress the tile set for the sci-fi levels was resurrected for hidden levels and two secret mini-games were added to the game's code. An 18 minute credit sequence was also created for the game, accessible by beating the hidden sci-fi levels.When the game was almost finished, play testers found a hidden level created by lead designer Justin Knorr that contained the message "Didn't you think this level had some cool shit in it? This level was cut because the company didn't put you, the customer, first but just wanted to make money. Call Madeline Canepa at 415-555-1212 and give her a piece of your mind and my mind too". The level was cut and Knorr was fired from the company.The game was originally slated to feature rail-shooter-esque levels in addition to the platforming segments, but these were later scrapped.PortsWith the 3DO performing miserably in the gaming marketplace, Gex wound up being ported to the PlayStation and Sega Saturn shortly after its original release. The port was published by Crystal Dynamics and did not feature all of the secrets found in the 3DO version. In addition, the 3DO's save game feature was eliminated and passwords, considered a relic of the 16-bit era, were the only way players could continue the game at a later point without losing their progress.A PC port was later published by Microsoft Game Studios after the success of the game on consoles.LegacyGex for the 3DO soon became the premier 2-D platformer for the system. Its success spawned two sequels, Enter the Gecko and Deep Cover Gecko, for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64, both later remade for the Game Boy Color. Despite its two sequels and handheld ports, however, Gex's popularity never reached as high as the Crash Bandicoot's and Spyro the Dragon's of the world. The series did not make an appearance on the last generation of consoles, and, with Crystal Dynamics busy with the Tomb Raider series this generation, it is unlikely that we'll see a new title in the series any time soon.Links GMAN-GAMES: GEX - the game's lead programmer talks at length about the game's development


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Brain Freeze Cause
Add a comment April 24th, 2012
Brain Freeze Cause, It's possibly the cruelest joke a brain can play: One minute you're devouring a delicious ice cream sundae in delight, the next you're holding a palm to your forehead in excruciating pain.
For the next 10 seconds, what you refer to as "brain freeze" (when other people get it) is no laughing matter.
Researchers induced such pain in 27 healthy volunteers in a new study presented at the Experimental Biology 2012 conference in San Diego this week.
Lead author Jorge Serrador and his team were trying to identify exactly what causes brain freeze. They hoped that by pinpointing the cause they would influence future research on migraines or post-traumatic headaches.