Hi Tech Japanese gadgets

Check out these cool gadgets that will change our world. I particularly like the hybrid motorbike.

Offshore wind farms, sweet!

Building Big Sister

This article outlines the development of surveillance systems to IP based systems. It seems that these surveillance systems are being used by Government as a security measure more and more, and the camera proliferation shows no sign of stopping.

The strange thing about this is that a camera obviously want stop a suicide bomber, but we will get to see it. Some may debate the deterrence of other anti social behavior, like fighting, and it may be justified. However, there seems to be a problem when after the Brazilian man was shot following the 7/7 tragedy, police were able to initially report all of the pertinent video footage malfunctioned that day. So, the question remains, Who watches those that watch us?

We the answer is we do. At the moment we are severly limited to doing this as we really only have mobile phone cameras at our disposal to give some sort of safety that authority will not abuse our basic rights. however, would it not make more sense, especially with IP technology, that all public funded surveillance cameras be availble for viewing from the web? What I like to call, Big Sister.

A manned moon base within 20 years

It seems we are looking to expand our horizons yet again with an new outpost in the galaxy further away than the ISS. NASA has set its sights on a manned moon base within 20 years.

Sounds like a good idea to be more of a space faring civilization, but it is sad to think we could be a lot further down the track if we stopped our power struggles down here. Wishful thinking I know, but we are slowly coming up with solutions to these problems down here, and programs to unite us, rather than having the Governments and religions of the day dividing us. This, climate change and global virus defense are global issues that need global governance, and these are only a few of the issues. However, where will a freely elected, somewhat efficient global governance come from? Should we be waiting for the UN, G20, G8, Federal Reserve, WTO, IMF or a dominant super power to impose this? Should we be waiting for it all to just come together, for nation states to eventually decide what is better for humanity and that a UN with an 8 state veto power to get things done?

I don't think so, it seems to me that the suggestion by George Monbiot in his book "Age of Consent" it would be more productive for humanity, those of us thinking, reading, and taking part in the global discussion to take steps forward to establish a global democracy to deal with these global issues. His ideas are radical, but well thought through, and he suggests that this global democracy should indeed have no army, but a moral authority derived from those who support it, and vote for, those that fund it (which he suggests to do through several clever financial tricks, or a global lottery with a ridiculously enormous prize pool). I think to do this all that is needed is will power, and some technological nous - which you can come by with money, or if those YouTube guys ever get bored.

The Internet tubes remain free- well equal!

I've had some interesting debates about net neutrality. I fall squarely on the side of "all tubes are created equal" - that should be a slogan, feel free to quote me on that. While some see merit in turning information dissemination into a capitalist free market, that the user is somewhat oblivious too, rather than the somewhat communist model of network sharing and routing. When it comes to info wars, I think communist frameworks are a triumph for democracy, and a necessary safe guard. Please comment on this, I feel like quite a rambler/ preacher, and I'm not, I'm just a guy that thinks too much.

40.7% Solar Cell Efficiency

Slowly working towards heaven on earth, we have just made a great leap in solar cell efficiency. I think our ultimate goal is 100% renewable energy (although I'm not sure how our planes will work, maybe blimps? but they are sooo slow!) This is a great step though.

The 40.7 percent cell was developed using a unique structure called a multi-junction solar cell. This type of cell achieves a higher efficiency by capturing more of the solar spectrum. In a multi-junction cell, individual cells are made of layers, where each layer captures part of the sunlight passing through the cell. This allows the cell to get more energy from the sun’s light.

A win for stem cells

Daniel Kerner has recently undergone some experimental stem cell surgery which has proven successful and saved his life. Despite the current restrictions in this area, progress still seems to be being made, quite amazingly? I wonder if the same can be said about LSD research, because I'm sure there are some wonderful applications for that in the current climate of stale ideologies.

This will be a first in a long line of successes to come. The tide is slowly turning here, it would just be helpful if it turned a little quicker.

Worlds fastest wireless link

CSIRO, the guys who came up with OFDM to double the speed of wireless have reached somme ridiculous speeds wirelessly. Looks like cable will be a thing of the past.

Simple supply and demand economics of heroin

Not exactly tech, but worthy of a read and more applicable in this realm. It seems that basic economics is being ignored by US foreign policy.