Science & Technology
Good Living, Science & Technology
Facebook Provides an Enormous Value
Ari Armstrong February 14, 2012
“Facebook Inc. filed for an initial public offering [IPO] that could value the company at between $75 billion to $100 billion,” reports the Wall Street Journal. The scope of the company is extraordinary: It “had 483 million daily active users on average in December 2011.” People use Facebook because it…
Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
Oil Shale Politics Points to Problems of Federal Land Ownership
Ari Armstrong February 13, 2012
Why is energy production in the United States subject to so much political oversight? Public News Service reports the latest news about oil shale: “Two competing plans for the development of oil shale in the West are making their way through Washington, D.C.” Both plans involve government-owned lands, and both…
History, Science & Technology
As Kodak Exits Camera Business, Remember the Genius of George Eastman
Ari Armstrong February 12, 2012
Kodak “will stop making digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames,” the AP reports. “The death of Kodak's camera division is the end of an era for photography,” notes Digital Trends. But, whatever Kodak’s current struggles, those will never overshadow the productive genius of George Eastman, founder of…
Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
In Birth-Control Insurance Fight, Planned Parenthood is Anti-Choice
Ari Armstrong February 11, 2012
Planned Parenthood claims to uphold freedom of choice for women in planning their families and their broader lives. Yet the organization seeks to force people to buy birth-control insurance coverage against their will (whether they use birth control or not). Thus, Planned Parenthood is anti-choice when it comes to people’s…
Philosophy, Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
Not Only Catholics Should be Angered by Birth Control Mandates
Ari Armstrong February 8, 2012
Conservatives and Catholics have lambasted President Obama over his plan to force insurance providers, including Catholic ones, to cover birth control. Wayne Laugesen explains for the Colorado Springs Gazette: President Barack Obama’s administration finalized orders last week that will force all Americans, with few exceptions, to buy health insurance plans…
Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
Liability Reform Shouldn’t Be Limited to Space Industry
Ari Armstrong February 8, 2012
Colorado legislators are considering a bill to limit the liability of spaceflight companies. The bill’s sponsor says the measure would recognize “the inherent risks of spaceflight activity,” reports the Denver Post. New Mexico’s legislature also took up legislation to limit the liability of space companies. No doubt abusive litigation in America has…
Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
End Tax Favoritism for Wind Energy
Ari Armstrong February 8, 2012
Yesterday seven members of Colorado’s Congressional delegation urged continuation of the wind energy production tax credit, calling on a conference committee to tack the credit onto a bill to temporarily reduce the payroll tax. (An eighth member later added his name.) Twenty-three governors also recently advocated extension of the wind…
Science & Technology
Obama Should Help End All Energy Subsidies, Not Play Favorites
Ari Armstrong January 28, 2012
President Obama is schizophrenic in his energy proposals. In a Thursday address at Buckley Air Force Base, Obama said he wants “the same set of rules for everyone.” Yet, on one hand, he said he wants to end subsidies and “taxpayer giveaways” to oil companies, while on the other hand…
Science & Technology
Orville and Wilbur: Men of the Mind
Daniel Wahl December 17, 2011
For centuries, men had said that human flight was impossible. But on December 17, 1903 Orville and Wilbur Wright proved otherwise.
Reviews, Science & Technology
Review: Toyota Under Fire
Daniel Wahl November 20, 2011
Daniel Wahl reviews Toyota Under Fire: Lessons for Turning Crisis into Opportunity, by Jeffrey K. Liker and Timothy N. Ogden.