Issue 387 Solution to super-bugs July 25, 2014

We talked already about bacteria immune to antibiotics, but there is a possible solution.  This solution is microscopic robots called nano-machines.

How they work:  Nano-machines are microscopic robots built in factories or born from various biological methods (as in the case of DNA robots).  These robots can be programmed to hunt down and kill the bacteria.  All it needs is the right programming.  Basically, you build it, give it a task, and then inject it so it carries out that task.

Benefits:  Super-bugs as far as we know cannot fight them.  Robots are not something bacteria can get immune too (we think).  So the robots can doggedly carry out their task to rid the body of all enemy bacteria.

To make it work:  The only issue is to program the machines to go after bacteria that causes the human body harm, not the beneficial bacteria.  Also, if one of the good bacteria overwhelms the body and becomes detrimental, what instructions are we to give to these robots.  So we will have to figure this out and categorize each bacteria into categories and have a way to monitor their populations in the body.

Conclusion:  Nano-machines are a step in the right direction, but in no way mean that we cannot be vigilant.  Truth is, we have never actually pitted a machine against bacteria (to my knowledge), so more research needs to be done.  Also, we still do not know the potential side effects of these microscopic machines will have on our bodies.  We have much to learn, but little time to do it.

Issue 386 The antibiotic problem July 24, 2014

Antibiotics are a tool to fight off bacterial infections.  However, through our own negligence, and insecurities have caused mutated bacteria to thrive and be almost entirely resistant to modern medicines such as antibiotics.  Let's discuss.

We caused the problem:  The problem is caused by overuse of antibiotics.  There are cases when doctors prescribe antibiotics to a patient despite the patient not having a bacterial infection in the first place.  Also, doctors will give antibiotics to patients that are disproportionately stronger than needed to fight the infection.  The result is that bacteria immune to that antibiotic surviving and without competition living on to become a problem for the human host.  But this is only a small portion of this problem.  

The biggest problem:  What is hurting us the most in the battle against bacterial diseases is not doctors, but farmers.  Farmers use about 80% of all antibiotics on the market on their livestock to keep them from getting sick.  However, this has the same issue as it does on people, leaving behind immune bacterial stains.  On top of this, those antibiotics end up in our food, which in turn we take in and compound the problem further.  

Solution:  Less antibiotics is the only real way to solve this problem.  Doctors have to prescribe only the weakest antibiotics that are equal to the job, leaving the more powerful ones for later if and only if needed.  They also cannot just prescribe drugs to patients when it has no bearing on their condition.  

We also have to get farmers to stop using all these antibiotics on their livestock, the food we eat.  It is becoming detrimental to the health of all of us if we create a bacteria that cannot be cured.  Simply by not giving these animals antibiotics unless they are sick is the only real method to stopping the super bug problem.

Conclusion:  Antibiotics already do harm to the body in the form of killing good bacteria and ruining the small intestines.  But to top it off we can be creating the next black plague.  So can we be responsible and fix this problem before it is too late.

Issue 385 Driver-less cars July 23, 2014

It has been announced by some experts that highways will be allowed to have driver-less vehicles within the next two to three years.  And you know what, I have one of my usual predictions.

Prediction:  I believe that this will spark a new industry.  While it will not happen right away, I think that highways will eventually be restricted to driver-less vehicles.  However, between that time and when we get driver-less cars an industry similar to the railroad will develop.  This industry will be comprised of rent-able driver-less cars that will take you to your destination.

How it works:  Basically, you will drive or walk to a driver-less car station.  From there you get into your driver-less car and type in your destination.  At this point the driver-less car takes you to the next closest driver-less car station.  At this point you can walk, bike or rent a regular car to finish your trip.  Basically, it is like a train on wheels that is restricted to highways.  

Evolution:  This industry will however be affected by changes in law and technology.  As such once the driver-less cars become legal to ride on the back streets, the industry will be able to deliver people door to door.  So you will be able to call a driver-less car to be at your home by a specified time and even give it the option to carpool which could give you a discount on you payment price.  While some people would still prefer to own their own driver-less cars (hence the auto industry not disappearing any time in the future) people will not need cars in general.  From there a new status quo will develop as taxi services are replaced entirely by these driver-less pickup vehicles and personally owned driver-less cars.

Conclusion:  Can you imagine a world where your car gasses up its own fuel tank when it knows its running low.  Or how cars can drive you from place to place via the highway in the same manner as a train would, which eventually would evolve to get you to your destination like a cab.  Of course the only annoyance will be paying by the meter for the amount of fuel to get to your destination.  We have an interesting future ahead.

Issue 384 Underground Diners July 22, 2014

Our final alternative is about underground diners and dining.  This elite group of chiefs escape the usual rules, regulations and taxes in their own way.  Here is how they work.

The underground diner:  The concept is simple.  The chief accomplishes their task in one of two ways.  They either go to the home of the individual who has hired them, or they have the clients come to the comfort of their own home.  In some cases, the chiefs will procure their own ingredients, and in others the clients will have to get the ingredients for the meal.  The amount of ingredients is of course based on the number of guests that will be attending what looks on the outside to be a basic dinner party.  From here, the chiefs cook their clients the meal.  Of course the chiefs are paid off the books so as to avoid the taxation by Federal, State and local officials.  In addition, the chief need not worry about typical health code violations due to all the cooking being done in the comfort of home.  Thus, he/she escapes the typical burdens of over regulation.  The government tries to crack down on this citing possible health issues, but in reality, they just want to tax the chief and his/her underground business.  

Conclusion:  This is yet another fun and creative way to bypass the system to embrace your chosen profession.  Yes, there are potential problems, but those same health problems exist in regular restaurants as well.  Also, you know the risks of cooking in your own kitchen, and as far as I know, these underground chiefs take precautions as well for their reputation and business is staked to their cooking.  So I say cook on underground chief, Cook on!!!

Issue 383 House Sharing (alternate to Hotels) July 21, 2014

Continuing with alternatives to over-regulated businesses from last week we have house sharing.  So how does that work?

House Sharing:  The way it works is similar to ride sharing.  The person makes a suggested donation which takes the place of a fee for service.  This is where the similarities end as far as I know. The methods of operation however vary and I see two models based on my knowledge of the subject.  

The first method is the house sitting model.  Basically, you rent your home to a person or persons for a specified period of time.  They live in your home for that period of time fending for themselves in the same manner they would if they were at home.  

The other method is the bed and breakfast model.  In this case, the homeowner is home, but is renting out extra rooms to clients to stay for a limited period of time.  The homeowner takes care of the traditional role of housekeeping and even providing breakfast.  Simple right?

As to the vetting process.  There are those who advertise on social media or other websites like Craigslist.  How they are vetting their potential customers for being respective clients is something that I do not know.  Thus I can only speculate that it works in a similar method to the ride sharing model where they use Facebook to identify their clients and gather information if they are a worthy client that will not be a home wrecker.  

Conclusion:  Again we have a method of bypassing traditional federal or even local regulations that allows businesses to operate untaxed and unhindered.  Sure, these people escape taxes, but I could care less.  The businesses who run their businesses in the normal way simply pass the taxes on to us, their clients anyway.  So why care as these people will be taxed in other ways in the first place.  We are bogged down by so many mandates by government, so I celebrate the entrepreneurs who have found a way to bypass the government’s red tape.

Issue 382 Ride Sharing (escaping the taxi) July 18, 2014

Did you know there is a way to escape the business regulations that govern taxi cab drivers and similar highly regulated industries?  Well there is a way and it is modeled a little on carpooling.  Here is how it works.

How it works:  The concept is simple, you set up your clients with you as their driver and you drive them to their destination.  However, you take a suggested donation.  How these drivers vet their clients varies (some use Facebook or other social networking sites) but the ultimate method of this underground industry is to set up a system that allows their clients to write reviews on them and them on their clients.  The drivers of course can write reviews on their clients so as to warn other drivers of bad tippers, bad attitudes or even black listing them. 

The suggested donation part makes it actually legal to do however.  While by law, it is a donation (terminology is subject to change based on changes in what is taxable by law) it is actually income, with the terminology being the fine line.  However, we do not care about that as if these drivers go through traditional methods including becoming a taxi cab driver, they would be forced to pay thousands of dollars to be licensed to a company and would not be able to keep most of their earnings.  If fact to become an independent operator, a taxi cab driver would have to pay almost one million dollars just to get that "privilege".  But this ride sharing scheme ensures you keep your earnings as a private driver who can pick and choose their clients (untaxed).

Conclusion:  No I am not saying break the law, but this business is a reaction to the over-regulation that squeezes out the little guy.  Those independent drivers now have a place to practice their preferred trade without the extra burden. So pardon me, but I am rooting for this underdog and the success of these men and women who wish to bypass the illogical regulations and embrace the true spirit of capitalism and freedom.

Issue 381 College should be a job finding company July 17, 2014

We know that certain industries need colleges to train their employees.  However, the number of industries that actually need some level of college of education is limited to around 20% of the job market (and that number is being generous). Colleges are losing out to online courses including in areas that requires traditional training that is usually required for one of those jobs that require a college degree.  As such, they are inevitably going to lose money and may even go bankrupt in the long run.  However, colleges need to adapt.  Some and soon all will offer online courses, but even that is not enough.  Hence why they need to become brokers for businesses with respect to finding new hires.

What needs to happen:  Colleges are losing the battle for cheap education.  So they need to offer a service that is not offered by the online institutions.  That is being a job hunting agency.  So the college will market you, groom you and then help place you in a business or corporation.  Some do this to a certain extent based on connections with former Alumni, or small scale partnerships.  But, they need to scale that up and then offer courses that are flexible for the needs of both the students and their business clientele.  

It works as follows.  Essentially, a business would contract with a college and give the college a set of specifications for training they want from a new hire.  The college would then develop the course on demand with the students wanting to work in the particular business or even just that field of study attending.  The business would then have its pick of perspective new hires, and the students have a chance at a good job.  These courses would be more adaptable than the current ones as they would be able to be modified on demand due to the changing nature of the business market.  The results are obvious, businesses, colleges and former college students especially benefit.

Conclusion:  Yes, this is a dream scenario.  However, it is feasible with the right tools and technology.  Of course this would take vast sums of money to even develop such a system in the first place, but it may spell the survival of brick and mortar colleges. So, the question is, is this worth the cost, or will the advancement of technology render colleges completely obsolete.