Nine Shift

Driverless Car Insane

Only the Americans could be so stupid as to propose driverless cars. All part of Google’s ongoing attempt to destroy its own motto, “Don’t be evil.”

The driverless-car more evidence of the desperation that accompanies the collapse of an era. Here’s my top 5 reasons why the driverless-car is insanity:

1.Destruction of the planet. Even if they run on electricity (i.e. coal), we’ve still got pollution from roads, asphalt, chemicals, gas – gas prices – gas supply, wildlife, water pollution, heat. Gen Y will save the planet. Gen Y will not drive.

2.Gen Y doesn’t want stuff. Cars are not used 90% of the time. Why pay for them. Why take care of them. Why pay $30 a day for it to sit in your garage. Gen Y is about reducing material goods, not increasing them.

3.Go 200 mph, really? Trains already go 200 mph. Do you really want to go 200 mph in a driverless-car?

4.No deaths, really? Zero, zip, nada? That’s quite a promise Google. Trains have incredibly low death rates. No one died in the U.S. last year while on a train.

5.Who pays the insurance? When a driverless-car cracks up, does Google have enough insurance to pay the enormous billion dollar claims coming its way?

Plus, No congestion? How do they figure that? Less congestion, maybe. No congestion?

Are you really going to put your 6 year old daughter in a driverless-car and send her off? I’m not.

Just How Far America is Behind

Big "bad news" from the UK just shows how far behind the U.S. is in the 21st century:

"England (the UK is behind in high speed Internet) The government wants 100% access to fast broadband services and 90% access to superfast services by 2015. The report says the government should do more to ensure that underinvestment does not harm the UK economy," says the BBC story.   Really? The UK is behind, really?

Photo: Spring (up north) in a national forest

 

 

Working Smarter blog Covers Our Latest Prediction

The Working Smarter blog covered our latest prediction that small cities on passenger train lines would double to triple in population in the next 20 years. Thanks blog friends at Working Smarter.

Wisconsin Recall Analysis

Too early for a rationale analysis of the Wisconsin recall, but here's initial thoughts.

-Wisconsin the big loser, as the state continues its downward economic path.
The brain drain will continue to cost the state its best young talent.

-No clear impact on other elections.

-Tea Party still strong.

-Unclear whether the loss is a victory or long term loss for the Tea Party.

-Unclear about the future fight left, and next strategy, for the advocates of the 21st Century.

 

Stop Overlooking Father's Day

Gen X, the generation that reinvented family, has also done the most to bring fathers more into the family picture.  It's reason to celebrate Father's Day this year.

Maybe we should honor this generation's contribution by starting to recognize Father's Day more.
Fathers today are spending about four times the time with family chores they did in the 1960s.

A friend even said her husband was denied a promotion after he took paternity leave.

On my last two walks through town, I saw fathers everywhere with their children.  My favorite was on a hiking trail with the fathere coming down the trail with one child in his arms, another in a stroller, and the dog on his third arm. Photo: A father with his child in River Falls.

Wisconsin Recall: Last Day Campaign Update

Our area a decisive one. Tom Barrett here today.
And several of the Green Bay Packers have joined in and are tweeting their support and encouragement to get out the vote.

GOTV is the big effort, which stands for Get Out The Vote.  In tiny River Falls, Julie and others have recruited more than enough volunteers.  Again, email anyone you know in Wisconsin and remind them to vote on Tuesday.

 

Adolph destroyed the unions too

She had never mentioned his name in the 14 years I've known her, until now.

His name gets bandied about, with people comparing people they don't like with him.
She never has, because she grew up in the 1930s and 1940s in Germany and she experienced his rule first hand.  For her, he is no media joke but reality.

And so I was startled last week when she all of a sudden said, "You know, Adolph destroyed the unions too. They don't mention that."     You can tell this is real, because she uses his first name. Americans never do.  In the last 50 years, she has never had a political poster in her yard, today she does.  For her, it's that serious.

Wisconsin Recall: Last Frenzied Weekend

Volunteers streaming into our little local headquarters to get out the vote.

Gov. Walker speaking nearby this weekend, so we are thinking this area in western Wisconsin key.

Big money and robo phone calls coming in from NRA in DC.  Tons of yard signs. Energy high. Wish us luck.  Call or email anyone you know in Wisconsin and remind them to vote on Tuesday (June 5).

Will this building ever be sold?

Building way outside of town.  With people moving into denser neighborhoods, business will too. Photo by NineShift chief photographer Doyle Darvis.