Good Mooring: Houseboats

Here an interesting article on how the Dutch are working around the land problem in the country.
Its amazing what people can do, another instance of innovation. We are not bound by the traditional factor of production - LAND.
What do you think about living on water? Do you think its a sustainable thing and a good solution to land issues? Any implications for the water body these houses being built on?

Working for Google

This Article from the New York Times talks about Yahoo is trying to get more of its workers to work in the office instead of working from home. Marissa Mayer, Yahoo's chief executive, says she is trying to emulate Google, her previous employer. The article then goes on to describe the Google work environment in lavish detail. I won't put down every detail but the East Coast Google headquarters is about the size of a city block, has secret rooms, an ice cream truck inside one of its many cafeterias, a lego playroom, and many areas designed specifically for relaxation. Workers are also allowed to design their own work areas and bring their pets to work. Google's large profit margins make it able to maintain such an extravagant work environment. Google says it is trying to push the boundaries of the workplace. It appears to be working because almost all of Google's employees work at the office and are extremely efficient. This office setting is also supposed to encourage innovation, a quality that Google survives off of.

Do you really think this work environment is what has made Google so successful? Do you think Yahoo could benefit from creating such a work environment? Would you like to work for Google in an office like this?

Obama thinkin' on innovation

Here is an article about Obama's 2$ billion plan to spend on researching cleaner fuels.
This article also talks about the sequester and how the impact will cause
“the nation  to feel the loss of important new scientific ideas that now will not be explored, and of brilliant young scientists who now will take their talents overseas or perhaps even abandon research entirely.”

Just thought I'd put it in here... interesting article!
article here

New Detroit Manager Is Optimistic on Turnaround

For those who care about Detroit and the Metro-Detroit area, this article talks about the new emergency financial manager of Detroit, Kevyn Orr, who was appointed earlier today by Governor Rick Snyder. Detroit has a lot of debt, is this move a little too late? Thoughts on the article?

Innovation is not always needed....

To add a few giggles as you write your reflections....

French Toilet Paper Ad: 'Emma' By Le Trefle Proves Both French Husbands & Technology Wrong (VIDEO)

More on innovation...

For our discussion today, I found this pdf doc. on a plan to implement innovation in the American economy, "our future economic growth and international competitiveness depends on our capacity to innovate." This paper is pretty long, but the summary is in the first few pages. Basically is the administration, american people, and businesses can work together to work towards  future full of innovative ideas, it can lead to jobs and economic prosperity. I know we have talked a lot about it in class, but I just thought this was an interesting find. What do you all think? Obviously innovation is a great thing, but is our economy ready for it now?


Innovation and stuff...

Lower Unemployment and Higher Markets: A Sign of Things to Come?

This Article from the New York Times talks about how new unemployment benefit filings have been declining these past two weeks. This has been reflected on Wall Street, which has been on a hot streak as of late. In fact, the DOW has risen for nine straight days now, a streak not seen since late 1996.

Do you think the decrease in unemployment claims is somehow causing this hot streak on Wall Street? Is it going to last or are things going to slow down again soon?