Issue 581 Less than lethal April 30, 2015

The effort to reduce the chances of killing people by both police and the military is growing.  Here I will discuss some of the ways they are trying to keep people alive in an arrest situation, or in a riot.

Less than lethal technology:

1) Those that sting:  Weapons such as bean bag rounds and rubber bullets have been around for a while.  But they can be potentially deadly if shot from too close a range, or a ricochet as the case with the rubber balls.  As such, new rounds have been developed that disperse the energy over a larger surface area of the body to reduce the chances of an accidental death.  One such round is a piece of plastic that is just a large plastic ring that is an about 1 inch in diameter.  On impact this plastic ring hits a large surface area and gives a nice oomph to knock a target off their feet, but does not concentrate the blow so as to avoid internal injury.  Alternatively, other less than lethal guns like the bean bag round are getting upgrades that release the gas pressure that launches the bag so as to reduce the force of the bag as the intended target comes closer.  As such, the gun automatically adjusts the power of the blow based on the range to the target so as to avoid accidental death as well.

2) Paint ball guns:  These guns have pepper spray inside the ammunition, but alternatively there is stink balls that literally smell like rotten fish and other very smelly things that make people heave at the mere smell of it.  All this is to disable an opponent and make them run away or surrender so as to get the smell (or pepper spray) washed off.

3) Electrified water:  Past water cannons are so powerful that they can rip skin off a person’s body.  But instead water sprayers with reduced power are being developed that introduces an electrical charge to get a similar result to a Taser.  This reduces damage to the human body while increasing range and ammunition capacity so as to take on larger groups.

4)  Directed energy weapons:  Microwave technology has been advanced where they can heat the upper layer of your skin so that it feels like you just opened a really hot oven.  Thus driving you away from a specific location.  They have a similar weapon that can destroy a car, and others if the car is suitably equipped to simply shut down the car temporarily.  And of course there is directed sound waves that also can annoy a target and deafen the target if they do not heed warnings, so as to drive the intended target away or force them to submit.

5)  Frictionless and sticky:  Two chemicals have been developed that do two very opposite effects.  One is a frictionless coating that can cause any surface to become so slippery that it is like walking on a sheet of ice.  The other is a chemical that causes shoes to stick to any surface as well, and even people to stick to the ground.  Both are designed to reduce mobility and can be either sprayed by a water cannon, used as a paintball round, or used in a grenade.

Conclusion:  The market to reduce death is very wide.   Many of these weapons are already in the field, being used by both the military and/or police.  Truth is, there are many situations where being forced to kill someone is less than optimal, as such, less than lethal weaponry exists.  I look forward to what the future holds for these interesting little devices.

Issue 580 Vampire Weapon April 29, 2015

A concept from science fiction, the weapon itself is designed to steal the energy of an opponent’s vehicle and add it to its own, while disabling the target vehicle at the same time.  How does it work?

The Vampire Weapon: So the weapon itself is a wire guided device that is guided towards its intended target in the same way as a traditional wire guided anti-tank missile.  On contact the device would create an electrical field that attracted electrical energy from the vehicles battery right through the hull of say a tank, or even a car and then store it for the users use.  This device would need to create a strong enough electrical field that overrides insulators, and also electricity’s natural inclination to move the shortest distance possible with respect to electrical flow.  If those obstacles can be overcome, draining the battery while stealing the electricity for the vehicle equipped for that weapon becomes very feasible.  This is of course assuming that such a technology can be created, or a more reliable method cannot be developed.

Conclusion:  Obviously, this is a weapon of science fiction.  I know of no group or government that is currently developing this technology.  Instead they focus on devices that disable vehicles with electromagnetic pulses, which unfortunately require the electronics of a vehicle to be fixed/replaced rather than a simple battery change as with the case of this weapon.  But if it was developed, the ability to simply change the battery and use the enemy vehicle for yourself or allied forces could become very valuable.  This is especially the case with the upcoming weapons and vehicles that use energy based weapons and electric drives/power sources as opposed to fossil fuels so as to save costs and reduce risk of enemy attacks on supply trains.  As such, this weapon can be used to top off one of our friendly vehicles that is running low on electrical energy for its laser or rail guns as well. Like I said though, it is science fiction, but can be a potentially useful tool in the less than lethal arsenal that governments are developing.

Issue 579 The Effort to Reduce Paper April 28, 2015

Paper alternatives have been on the upswing.  Mainly because trees have gained valuable importance due to the belief in global warming.  So what has been done to reduce paper usage and thus, protect us from too much CO2?

Paper alternatives:

1) Use of electronics:  As you have seen, people have been using electronic media more and more.  I could even say it is in the transitional phase where traditional paper books are becoming less and less popular as you can store an entire library on a single computer, for much cheaper cost.  Offices have also gone paper free in an effort to reduce costs, such as using email over memos, and similar practices where paper is only used when deemed absolutely necessary.  

2) The toilet:  France, has a toilet that actually sprays water on your butt.  Yes, you get squirted.  This is set up to spray off the dingle berries on your rear without using paper products (it even has a dryer).  

3) Plastic/rubber alternatives:  There is also a myriad of products that once used wood based products, but are now using plastic or rubber.  Actually, they have made thin sheets of paper made out of plastic material.  

Conclusion:  This is a small sampling of what is being done, with the youth of each country pushing the technology further with their ever stronger beliefs in conservation and environmentalism.  But we also must remember that if we replace paper, we use something else instead, i.e. plastic made from oil, or plants, or water as in the case of that sprayer toilet.  Also, there is other byproducts such as toxic chemicals used to make those computers, which is potentially just as damaging if not more so to the environment than wood based ones.  So there is a balance and lifestyle choices to be made and kept in mind.

Issue 578 Why real story Books Work April 27, 2014

There has been an upsurge in historical books that read as story books.  These books are Bill O'reilly's Killing series and Glenn Becks books like Miracles and Massacres.  But why are these books so successful?  Let us discuss.

Why they succeed:  Basically these books harken back to a time when history was learned through storytelling and not a textbook.  Very similar to oral traditions, or even the Bible.  Thus, by taking on this format you do not even know your reading a history book unless someone told you.  O'reilly's books focus on a single event, and adds historical content as the story progresses that helps us understand why an event is occurring the way it is, or how it influences the person being focused on (such as Abe Lincoln, Jesus, etc.).  Glenn Beck does similar, but he writes in a short story format, and purposely integrates historical quotes from the people involved in the actual writing, even going as far as rewriting entire chapters to fit the historical dialogue.  Basically, it is writing history in the same way as Harry Potter, or other fantasy series, but it actually being historical fact.  And that is what makes it fun to read and not drudgery like when reading a text book.  Hence the success of these two authors.  The people they focused on, the way they presented their information, all demonstrate that history can be fun for people outside of being a historian.  Basically it is actually fun to read and you learn at the same time.

Conclusion:  These books, with the way they present information are a game changer in my opinion for the future of textbooks.  Why write about the Delaware River crossing by George Washington and his men, when you can put yourself in the event by reading it as a story.  Story books are flexible and can grab the interest of those who get intimidated by a massive textbook.  So, in my opinion, this is the bar that sets the standard for the future of learning history.

Issue 577 Cellphone wallet April 24, 2015

The wallet of the future is our cellphones.  In fact the technology is here already, it is just taking time to become the new world standard when it comes to money and the buying and selling of goods.  So for those who do not know, I will tell you what this cellphone wallet do.

The cell phone wallet:  Well for one, it will act as a basic cell phone.  It will be a total smartphone with the best camera, access the internet, and communicate in every way shape and form.  It may even become transparent and have roll out screens so as to become even more compact.  And let us not forget add on’s that can enhance performance or cater a phone to be a tool for medicine, fighting crime or for playing games like an old fashioned handheld Gameboy.  However, the wallet function is yet another unique innovation that makes the cell phone the epitome in gadgetry.  Basically, you have an app for your visa card, MasterCard, and even select ones with different numbers to pay for good with.  And then you place the phone on the radio identification scanner as the phone sends out the go signal and then you official pay for what you are buying.  That’s it.  You select the credit card on your phone (credit app in this case) of your debit card app, and then you hold it over the touch and go component of the credit card machine to pay.  No longer will you have to pay with hard currency.  

This is the tip of the iceberg.   Can you imagine magazines with QR codes that are scannable?  Your phone can scan the items you want out of the magazine so it acts like a virtual shopping cart, and then you can purchase them via your cell phone by picking which app to pay with.  At stores you can scan all your items and then purchase them as you walk out in the same way.  You will never have to wait in line for a cashier ever again.  Of course, this would mean Wi-Fi would be in every store, but that is a small expenditure when you consider the cost savings potential.  Heck, you can buy the style you want via the cell phone, pick your size and then pick it up at the store itself after trying it on.  Our cell phones are not only wallets, but are expandable tablet PCs and laptops.  Buy anything while on the go. Do anything on the go.

Conclusion:  Already, driver’s registration cards are stored on phones too.  This also means you can store any business card, or ID card on your phone.  We store photos on our phones, so this is not a big stretch.  Basically anything in your wallet is able to be placed electronically in your phone. This technology is evolving.  And you know what, smartphones are going to be a big part of it due to how many functions we can cram into them.  So be ready for the next big wave in innovation as your phone will literally contain your whole life in it.

Issue 576 Content and Communication April 23, 2015

Content and Communication are the two essential components for anyone trying to make a content based service.  Basically, this blog is one such type of service.  So here I will break these two components down for you so you too can start your own web based content service.

Content:  Content is what you put into the blog, video or whatever material or medium you are using.  So it is what you write about, talk about, or depict visually for your audience.  The content must be authentic and thus, will attract an audience so that your message or story spreads and thus people will be attracted to your blog or similar content service. 

Communication:  This is the hard part.  You can be well researched with your content, and have the most powerful and most interesting content, but if you cannot communicate, then you will fail.  Communication allows for people to question you, and get to know you.  It adds that human element behind you, the mysterious writer/host/filmmaker.  You do not have to pressure yourself answering everyone's comments, or force yourself to read every posting about what you have provided to your readers/listeners/viewers.  The point is to be able to talk with them and interact, but not be overwhelmed by them.  So you can talk to a few people at a time.  Skim through what people have said and answer questions either in a posting, or in a reply depending on how many people have asked the question or how deeply you deem the answer must be.  By showing you are talking to them, you show that you care about your readers who already care for you and what you have to say.  And it creates a relationship which becomes perpetual so long as you maintain their trust.

Conclusion:  These two things are key to having a successful blog or similar content service.  And they are very easily accomplished if you know what you are doing.  So good luck to you my fellow writers.  And I look forward to reading your work.  

Issue 575 Health Insurance Myth April 22, 2015

Are you paying blindly for health insurance?  You may be in fact just paying a health insurance company for no reason whatsoever.  Allow me to explain.

Why it is messed up:  Do you have a three, five or ten thousand dollar deductible?  If you do and you are not paying it up in less than the first half of the year, then what was the point of having the health insurance in the first place?  So your insurance never kicks in and thus you are just throwing away money.  As such, you may have health insurance, but you are paying doctors and other healthcare professionals like you don't have any insurance in the first place.

What to do:  We have a semi free health care system.  Sure we cannot buy across State lines or national borders.  There is semi monopolies in each State for buying health insurance.  And we have expensive health care.  But this is in part due to our focus on health insurance, rather than cheaper, but equally effective health maintenance and care.  We have made the mistake of thinking that health insurance is important as we pay high premiums for low copays.  Fact is, that we can simply pay the $100 bill the one time we go to the doctor that year and not have to spend a single penny for health care beyond that.  As such, you must look for cheaper alternatives for both doctors and for drugs which are out there.  You simply have to be willing to look and of course ask.

Conclusion:  Part of the reason health insurance is expensive, as you know, is because it is not a truly free market.   But we are being fooled into thinking that it is necessary to health care.  I have seen interviews where doctors find cheap medication that is less than $10 for their patients and thus the patients never have to use insurance.  Other doctors have the equivalent of a subscription based service and thus patients never have to pay a dime to an insurance company.  Options are out there.  Just have to know where to look.