Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not supporting the method, only the direction.

My childhood created an air of exasperation when I observed companies, including the auto companies, producing inferior products for which there were technical or scientific solutions.  Why build inferior products when a superior product would provide greater benefits over the long-term, promoting greater customer satisfaction and loyalty.

This was always explained to me as a product lifecycle and short-term economic thinking.  Which, in hindsight, is what got the car companies into the mess they’re in now.

Along comes this article that expresses the same thinking that was in vogue 50 years ago and, judging by the fact that this article was even written, will still be around for many decades to come. 

Innovation goes much deeper than it’s textbook definition would describe.  Once someone has introduced a new concept to an established business model there will always be those that only see “the good ol’ days” and look no further than the next days profits.  I applaud GM for being loyal to the idea of innovation now that they have finally come around to enlightenment. 

Would you like to read the article that set me off?  If you do the link is below.

GM clings to hydrogen, 2015 set for launch – SmartPlanet

Patrick

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IRS Withholding Calculator

by Patrick on July 1, 2009

If you’re like many Americans and have had job changes, collected unemployment, or have had myriad of other “taxing” situations happen to you in the past year, you may not know if your income tax withholdings are accurate.  Don’t get caught not paying enough.  That could mean that you’ll owe a huge penalty plus interest to the IRS.  And if you having too much withheld you are just giving the government an interest-free loan for most of the year. 

If you are in doubt or what to more accurately nail your withholdings you might try this withholdings calculator directly from the IRS.

IRS Withholding Calculator

IRS Withholding Calculator

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Don’t Do This!

by Patrick on June 30, 2009

I have  pretty good record when it comes to what future trends might influence a stocks price so when I’m asked what my “best” stock pick is at the moment I hesitate.  And here is why?  

Recently I was asked that question and gave the questioner my answer.  I even cautioned him to make sure he was investing in the spirit the stock pick was chosen.  That has been about 2 weeks. 

Last week I called to say Hi.  I asked if he’d done anything with that stock pick.  The response I got was what I’d expected. 

Click to continue reading “Don’t Do This!”

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Since sustainable, green energy is one of my core curiosities, I thought I’d bring my readers this little article about what science may have in store for us in the near future. It’s also the category which I filed the story in.  Hey! Why not?  Since I seem to be wild-ing today due to a slow market I thought some new brain food might provide a little more…

Laser Inertial Fusion Energy (LIFE)

S&TR | April/May 2009: Safe and Sustainable Energy with LIFE

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Not to let a subject drop after one post I feel like this might be a good follow-up.  After all, isn’t the stock market one of the largest MMOG (Massive Multi-player On-line Game).  And isn’t life the absolute largest one?  And isn’t the internet just an extension of our collective consciousness?  

Which Brain Games Will Help Your Brain the Most? | Learning | DISCOVER Magazine

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Tapping the Brain’s Defenses to Fight Alzheimer’s | Alzheimer’s | DISCOVER Magazine

June 30, 2009

A natural brain protein and insulin, of all things, may lead to effective treatments.

As children we have a very limited concept of our lifespan.  As teenagers and for those that never matured past that point we think that life goes on until it just stops. The older and more mature we get the more we start thinking about what will become of our minds in later life.  And some even think that physical health would be related to the mental health.  After all, doesn’t exercise make our minds sharper?   And when we exercise our minds shouldn’t that increase mental health and decrease mental decline? 

Well, if you can’t make a connection between exercise and mental health after you read this article I found then perhaps you need an adrenaline rush to get you out or your mental slump.  Why?  Read about it below.

Tapping the Brain’s Defenses to Fight Alzheimer’s | Alzheimer’s | DISCOVER Magazine

Read the full article →

What Format Should I Use to publish the Financial Widgets Trading Record?

June 25, 2009

It’s been about a week and a half since Financial Widgets crashed.  Now everyone knows that I’m not a web master of any kind.  Thanks though that I never claimed to be.  FW’s trading record is now over $50,000.  Not bad for starting with $2K only 10 months ago. 

Click to continue reading “What Format Should I Use to publish the Financial Widgets Trading Record?”

Read the full article →

11 Steps Toward Developing a Superior Mind : Productivity501

June 23, 2009

“True courage is not the absence of fear—but the willingness to proceed in spite of it.” — Unknown

Click to continue reading “11 Steps Toward Developing a Superior Mind : Productivity501″

Read the full article →

How to Doggedly Pursue Your Dreams in the Face of Naysayers | Zen Habits

June 22, 2009

You can take most things from a man (or woman) and they wouldn’t put up a fight like they do when you try to steal their dreams.  No one is truly alive with out them.  And yet, like the dementors in the popular “Harry Potter” stories we suck the dreams, and in the process the hopes and happiness, from those we love.  Leo Babauta posted this November of 2007 but I just found it while while reading a recent RSS feed from him.  I have no doubt that he has one of the the top 100 blogs on the internet as he claims.  He speaks to all us in his posts with a voice that is at the same time wisdom for today as it is timeless.

How to Doggedly Pursue Your Dreams in the Face of Naysayers | Zen Habits 

And since Financial Widgets is all about achieving financial success, lest we lose sight of other more important aspects of life, Leo provided this;

The Golden Money List: Hundreds of Tips for Turning Your Financial Life Around | Zen Habits

Dream happy.

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Personal Finances and Natural Selection

June 22, 2009

Broken Tree_320x239What can we learn about personal finances by observation of natural selection?  Why should we even care?

Nature doesn’t care if a system is natural or man-made.  It just goes about it’s business.  This was bought home to me in a very “natural” way recently when a tree in the backyard where I stay was hit by a very strong wind.

Click to continue reading “Personal Finances and Natural Selection”

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