Nine Shift

Harvard Makes a "Mistake" And Graduates A Genius

In the never ending war to keep smart boys from becoming college graduates, Harvard made a "mistake" and graduated a genius.

Here's the story. Vladimir Voevodsky was born and grew up in Moscow, Russia. He was kicked out of high school three times, once for disagreeing with his teacher. He was also kicked out of Moscow University, having stopped attending classes he considered a waste of time.

He continued to study mathematics and published several papers so impressive he was invited to enroll at Harvard as a graduate student, even though he did not apply and of course had no undergraduate degree.  

Once at Harvard, he again failed to attend lectures. But his body of research was so astonishing no one cared. He graduated and became "one of the most brilliant and revolutionary mathematicians of his generation," according to his obituary in the New York Times.  He died last month at age 51.

There are of course 14 million other boys here in the U.S. who may not be geniuses, but smart enough to graduate from college, provided colleges and universities made more "mistakes" and graded based on learning and knowledge rather than on male gender behavior traits. 

Irony - - 100th Anniversary of Puerto Ricans Becoming Americans

A little bit of irony as continental Americans discriminate against their fellow Americans living in Puerto Rico in hurricane aid. 
Yes, it is the 100th anniversary of Puerto Ricans becoming American citizens. 

Fishing and tourist village in Puerto Rico. 

More Hypocrisy with Fearless Girl

Americans love symbolism, rather than actually doing something constructive.  Far easier to yell and scream over a symbol than solve the problem.

So, get this, the company that built Fearless Girl, the feminist statue supposedly confronting the Wall Street (masculine) bull - - yeah, they discriminate against their own female employees on pay.  State Street Corporation company just got hit with a $5 million settlement fee to pay their 300 female executives, including 15 black female vice-presidents, back pay to 2012 to compensate for being paid less than their male counterparts FOR THE SAME WORK.  

Nature Deficit

You would think getting out of doors in the city would count.  But apparently, being out and about in the city doesn't come close, according to the research I read, to the mental benefits of being in a forest or mountain or (maybe?) isolated beach. 

Joggers after their run.  They are actually in the middle of town.  

 

100th Anniversary of Being Indoors

Another NineShift exclusive!  This is the 100th anniversary of most people being indoors most of the time.

In 1900, most people had jobs working outside. Even half of all women worked outdoors much of the time on the family farm. 
By 1920, most people had jobs working inside, in the factory or office.  

One hundred years later, we are experiencing a huge nature deficit. 
It's not an idea, it's a real physical, mental and emotional condition that affects you and me.

 

Hacking Driverless Cars - - We Told You So

Elon Musk, the Telsa-Hoopla-SpaceX guy, now has noted a problem with the driverless car that NineShift pointed out years ago.

The driverless car can be hacked.  This month Musk noted that all the driverless cars could be hacked at the same time and made to go to Rhode Island.
It's a fun image.  A hundred years ago one notion was a nonstop air balloon from Boston to Chicago, with people parachuting in baskets to stops like Buffalo along the way.  Buffalo was the sixth biggest city at the time.  So while the transportation fantasies continue, trains just keep getting faster and better.  

Should Bombadier Join Siemens-Alstom?

This post is about you Canadians. The big merged European train company Siemens Alstom is also considering adding Bombadier to its corporation.

We have to assume the Canadian train and plane maker Bombadier is thinking about it as well.

And that brings us to what Canada is thinking about - - and I'm guessing Europe.
Canada will always be a U.S. economic partner, maybe always Canada's largest trading partner. 
But the look to Europe may signal Canada's desire to hitch part of its rising star to another galaxy - - Europe.  
Canada and Europe have much in common.  And both are moving forward in this century.

We will go ahead and predict Canada realigns its economic relationships to increase its partnership with Europe in this century.
Canadians feel free to comment.  

Frog early spring orgy, a two week time of indiscriminate mating for this species of frog. 

 

U.S. Falling Behind, Again

The reason you don't care about the big train merger and success of Europe is because you probably live in the United States. 

The United States is falling behind in this century.  Certainly with respect to trains and light rail travel.  But the U.S. is also on the sidelines generally, watching Europe with its infrastructure built for the 21st century and ready to move ahead.  While in the U.S. "infrastructure" is a distant dream.  And most U.S. leaders mean roads and last century infrastructure, so even when it gets funded, we will be moving backwards. 

Flowers along the river bank. 

 

It's Not Just Trains, But Europe That is Competing

The Siemens Alstom company merger is also the story about Europe competing with China. 

Europe, which has been positioned to be the world's most influential superpower in this century, is now moving ahead to make that claim, and reality.

So it's not just Siemens and Alstom joining, the deal had to be approved and supported by France and Germany.  
Slowly but surely, Europe keeps moving out in front of the United States in positioning itself for success in this century.

Another photo from this summer's season of canoeing.

Another Huge Story You Probably Missed

Here's another huge story you probably missed.  The German train maker Siemens will merge with the French train maker Alstom. 

The reason is to compete better with China's train maker, China Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC).  
With trains being the primary mode of transportation in this century, competition to be the leading train maker is a huge economic incentive for the companies and countries involved. 
Both companies sell their trains globally, including to cities in the United States.