Nine Shift

New Prediction: ‘Remainia’ becomes ‘New Leavia’

New Prediction: ‘Remainia’ becomes ‘New Leavia’

New Nine Shift Prediction: enough young college educated people will leave London for the continent to cause media attention in two years, and calls for them to stay in England.

Several British observers have quite insightfully and rightfully labeled England as two countries- - Remainia and Leavia.     London was part of Remainia.  But now those young people may very well turn London from being part of Remainia (in the EU) to New Leavia (go live in the EU). 

Old People Have No Plan

Old People Have No Plan

The Brexit vote last week illustrated, once again, that old people wishing it were the last century, have no plan to bring back the 20^th century.

As in this country, the BBC aired the complaints of old people in England - -  “this isn’t the country in which I grew up,”  along with new things they don’t like, and a declining standard of living for those with less education.

Now that the old people won Brexit and want to “Leave” the European Union, their leader Boris Johnson is now saying there’s no rush.  No rush, because there’s no plan. 

Another 48 Hours of History

Last week another 48 hour period of history making, almost the identical two days as in 2015. This time two steps back, two steps forward. 

21^st Century Wins
-Affirmative action in college admissions affirmed by the Supreme Court.
-Democrats protest gun violence on the floor of the House.

Setbacks
-Immigration reform blocked by the Supreme Court.
-Brits vote to exit the European Union.

Just to be clear: the 21^st Century and the needs of Gen Y and future generations are winning. But there are setbacks along the way.

 

Forget About Trump U. - - This is Worse

Our next president will further enable for-profits to undermine public education. 
If you work for a nonprofit education institution, or even like them - - this is terrifying.

Raw reports, "In her first year as Secretary of State HIllary Clinton insisted that Laureate Education, a for profit higher education conglomerate, be included in the guest list for an education policy dinner hosted at the U.S. Department of State.

“It’s a for-profit model that should be represented,” she wrote in the August 2009 email, and as a result, a senior vice president at Laureate was added to the guest list. Several months later, former President Bill Clinton became an honorary chancellor of Laureate International Universities, which turned out to be incredibly lucrative. He was paid a cool $16.5 million between 2010 and 2014 for his role with the for-profit college."   See the full story here.

Why is this such a big deal?  Because the only reason a for-profit would someone $16 million is if they got back hundreds of millions. And the only place a for-profit can get that from a State  Department dinner is from the U.S. taxpayers,  taking those hundreds of millions from nonprofit institutions that serve everyone and giving it to the for-profiteers. 

Trump U., whatever cheating and else is proven, did not take a cent from the taxpayers, according to all the stories.  But for-profits like Laureate Education, the corporate owner of Walden college and other for-profits, is all about taking taxpayer money away from nonprofits.

 

Gen Y Really Mad About Gun Violence

Gen Y is out to change society, again.  They are really mad about gun violence.
Especially since the Orlando incident attacked people - - LGBTQ - - that Gen Y has fought for and protected.

It is not just Congresspeople who are upset with gun violence.  The BBC interviewed a college student who woke up at midnight to go down to the US Capitol and stand outside all night, "because there are so many (victims) who can't be here."  Here's the boldest statement I've seen, from The Onion, which caters to Gen Y.  The whole front page was covered with gun violence sarcastic headlines.

The Knowledge Economy is a Myth, really?

The Guardian is the latest of our so-called respected media to join in the liberal crazy talk that kids don't need college.
Thanks to another NineShifter, Daniel Thorpe of Vancouver, BC, Canada, for tipping me off about it.

The New York Times proved conclusively that a four year college degree is essential back in 2014.
And our current rock-bottom desperation 2.4% unemployment for four year college graduates is further proof. 

And yet hypocritical journalists and educators, whose children and grandchildren all graduate from college, continue to want YOUR children to go work at McDonald's.

Here's the latest, and hopefully, last article on it.  Mr. Thorpe and I both concluded all of Andre Spicer's children have a college degree. PHOTO: Daniel Thorpe. Thanks to all the NineShifters contributing articles and thoughts this month !!

 

Ready for the 6 Hour Workday?

An experiment in Sweden says the 6 hour work day is more productive than eight. What do you think?

Here's the story.  

As we move further into the 21st century, work becomes ever more brain powered. So does our understanding of what is, and is not, productive for the new economy.  And thus our measurement of productivity also changes.  

Or is this just Gen X and Gen Y setting new rules now that the workaholic Baby Boomers are retiring?  Your thoughts welcome.

Not that you care, but photo is of clock on the mantel over the fireplace at our cabin up north.

 

It's the 100th Anniversary of Zoning Codes

New York City adopted the first zoning codes in the country in 1916.

NineShift has reported on the 21st century trend towards mixed housing zoning codes,
with retail stores, offices and apartments-condominiums all in one building. 

And we have predicted a huge building boom in the next decade, with mixed housing built around train and light rail stations.

One hundred years ago, zoning codes had a different - - 20th century industrial age - - purpose and outcome.

Here's a fascinating story in The New York Times about its 1916 zoning codes.

Clock in St. Paul train depot. Photo by train supporter Erin Tomlinson of River Falls, Wisconsin. 

Will Trump Win? NineShifter asks

New NineShifter Nona Hill of Madison, Wisconsin, asks,

"What do you make of this election cycle?  Do you think the Dems will still win?

I've thought of your speech at our rail summit often and just wondered if you think the Trump campaign has changed anything."

Our reply:

Thanks for the question Nona.

First, the Democrats will win in November, as NineShift predicted years ago.

Now, the Republicans will win in 2020, and we are already see the trouble signs for the Democrats for 2020.

 First, the Republicans know they cannot win the White House without Gen Y. John Boehner just said so over the weekend, with his you can't win with old white men, which is really old high school educated white men.  And Trump's nod to the LGBT community on restrooms is another sign the Republicans might be moving to Gen Y for 2020.

 Second, since Gen Y is overwhelmingly pro Bernie Sanders, not the person but his/their agenda, the Democrats will have an interesting challenge trying to keep Gen Y, which put Pres Obama over the top both in 2008 and 2012.

  Gen Y will not vote Republican in November 2016, but they might just not vote in as high a numbers as they would have for Obama or Sanders, but the bigger issue for Democrats is trying to hold on in 2020. 

  Finally, my blog headline from last week, "The Bernie Sanders Revolution is Over. And He Won."   Regardless of who wins what, the Gen Y agenda has won the day, and the only way the GOP will win in 2020 is by embracing the basics of the Gen Y agenda.  So while socialist Eugene Debs lost in 1916, the socialist policies he advocated - - sewer systems, public parks, 8 hour day, 40 hour work week, no child labor - - of course all won.  We repeat history once again Nona!  Thanks for asking. =Bill

Nona, who like me likes trains, told me about this cartoon. It shows Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who turned down federal money to build a high speed train, with the caption "Scot Walker, Public Transit Visionary" 

DOT To Shut Down Nation's Roads

NineShifter Scott Rogers of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, sends the link to this story.

Scott said, "Saw this and thought of you...." 

Here's the story, USDOT To Shut Down Nation's Roads, Citing Safety Concerns.

Thanks Scott !   Photo: Scott Rogers

In the wake of an unfortunate accident on Washington DC's metro line, the story cites statistics that show driving is far more dangerous than riding the DC metro.