The future of paper currency.

What's the future of money? Paperless and coinless, say leading finance experts

Electronic currency could improve the economy, according to experts at a conference organised by the Business School last month.

The conference was organised by the Brevan Howard Centre for Financial Analysis at Imperial College Business School, together with the Centre for Economic Policy Research and the Swiss National Bank. Leading figures from the world of finance gathered in central London to discuss the challenges posed by negative interest rates, which have been introduced by some central banks following the global financial crisis.

We asked Franklin Allen, Executive Director of the Brevan Howard Centre, for his reflections on some of the key points raised during the event. 

What were you hoping to achieve with this conference?

We wanted to provide a forum to debate the issues surrounding negative interest rates and the impact on consumers and the economy. 
Some banks, such as the Swiss National Bank and Denmark’s central bank, have purposely set negative interest rates to prevent their exchange rate rising too much.  Other organisations such as the Swedish Riksbank, are trying to prevent deflation. 

However, as long as paper money exists there is a limit as to how negative rates can become.  As cash holds its value, consumers could respond by withdrawing and storing large amounts of cash (perhaps stuffing it under their mattresses) – making them feel better off than if they had left the money in the bank. If this was taken to the extreme then banks would stop being able to raise funds and would go out of business. 

Full story > http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_8-6-2015-13-17-5

Robot Prostitution

It’s 2020, and Roger, a recent divorcé from New York, decides to pay for some female company. So he turns on his computer, connects a robotic vagina to it and starts having sex with Cinnamon, a college student in Sydney with a computer and a remotely controlled robotic penis.

Creeped out yet? Welcome to the future of prostitution.

The digital revolution is transforming all industries, and even the world’s oldest profession isn’t immune. Teledildonics and haptic technology — aka remote-controlled vibrators and tactile feedback — were designed for couples to physically stimulate each other in real time, over the Internet. Now, webcam models are joining in on the fun by adding “interactivity” to their shows and creating what might be a new type of prostitution. Sites like Vcams already offer clients the ability to use a — gasp — robo-penis to have “sex” with the women, while products like RealTouch allow the women to reciprocate the movement.

“The same way manufacturing has been turned upside down by automation, sex work will be turned upside down by automation,” says Seth, who goes by his first name only and is the founder of FriXion, a cutting-edge teledildonics company that’s planning to partner with adult webcam providers. Indeed, sex work is an economic activity. So maybe this is just the next logical step in the mechanization process, which already transformed the way car manufacturers, farmers and even surgeons work.

 Moderator note: They have lost their minds.

Future law enforcement will depend on whether robotically enhanced virtual sex is seen as simply another avenue for sex work or as a way to discourage physical prostitution — or even make it safer. Paid online sex does present many advantages. Convenience aside — think no more cold, dark alleys or expensive hotel rooms — haptic technology offers both parties a safe space to meet with no risk of physical abuse or STDs. It could also help webcam “models” increase their rates and become more self-sufficient.

Full article > http://www.ozy.com/fast-forward/robot-hookers-turn-up-the-heat/39750

A Look Inside the 770HP LSX454R Engine - Most. Powerful. Ever.

Chevrolet Performance LSX454R is more than the brand’s most powerful crate engine. It’s also designed for dependability on the track.

Chevrolet Performance engineers didn’t set out to create the most powerful crate engine in the company’s history. It was the fortunate consequence of their development process for the LSX454R drag racing crate engine. They were after durability first and foremost.

“We wanted big power, of course, but more than that, we wanted to give racers a reliable, low-maintenance engine that would go round after round and race after race throughout the season and require little more than oil changes and the occasional valve lash check,” says Rocko Parker, lead engineer. “In fact, this engine should go several seasons without the need for any major refreshing. That was more important to us than the final dyno number.”

For the record, this 13.1:1, naturally aspirated, and single Dominator-fed big-inch LS engine is officially rated at 770 horsepower at a 7,000 rpm and 612 lb-ft of torque at 5,600 rpm. And those figures might be a little conservative. Notably, that’s a 50hp increase over Chevrolet Performance’s own ZZ572/720R drag race crate engine—an old-school big-block that, while it cranks out 70 lb-ft more than the LSX454R, comes up short on horsepower despite being 26 percent larger in displacement. That’s huge.

Meet the DR525 – The Pioneer Drag Racing Spec Engine

Chevrolet Performance’s new DR525 is more than just a crate engine intended for the strip. The 6.2L, naturally aspirated engine (rated at 525 horsepower) was developed expressly for the LS Stock class in the NMCA LSX Showdown Challenge. In fact, it features several tamper-proof bolts to ensure class compliance.

Think about that for a moment: It’s a sealed spec engine for drag racing. That’s a common practice in circle track racing, not drag racing, but Chevrolet Performance’s Jim Campbell says the idea behind the DR525 is similar: maintain costs for racers with a level powertrain playing field in the heads-up class. It’s a bold idea and we’ll know right away in the 2015 season if it was the correct one.

Importantly, the DR525 is also legal in other classes. It is offered in two part numbers: 19329009 (includes Chevrolet Performance’s muscle car oil pan) or 19329008 (includes fourth-generation F-body oil pan). Additional highlights include:

525 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 489 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm.
Production-based, aluminum cylinder block.
High-flow, LS3-type rectangular-port cylinder heads with 2.165/1.590 valves and beehive valvesprings.
10.7:1 compression ratio.
Hydraulic roller camshaft with 0.525/0.525-inch lift and 226/236-degree duration.
Production-style composite intake manifold with a 90mm throttle body.
Two tamper-proof bolts incorporated on the intake manifold, as well as a tamper-proof bolt on the front cover and the oil pan.
The assembly includes production-type cast-iron exhaust manifolds, fuel rails, injectors, coil packs, wires, spark plugs, LS3 water pump, and damper.
A tamper-proof E67-type engine control system from Chevy must be used with the engine in the LS Stock class.

And the price? Chevy says the DR525 carries a suggested retail price of $9,750 and the control system’s list price is $1,312.50. They also have a front accessory drive system that lists for $812.50. That’s roughly $11,000 for the whole shebang. Not bad for a 525hp racing engine.

Sources

Chevrolet Performance

800-450-4150
http://www.chevroletperformance.com

Announcing the 2015-2016 Black Achievement Innovators!

No clue as to why they said, "Male"?

CBMA is excited to announce our 2015 – 2016 BMA Innovators!

As part of the Campaign for Black Male Achievement's official re-launch activities focused on building a beloved community for Black men and boys, CBMA's Social Innovation Accelerator launched its 2015-2016 application process for the next cohort of Black Male Achievement (BMA) Innovators earlier this year.

"BMA Innovators are experienced leaders whose organizations demonstrate powerful results in improving the life outcomes of Black men and boys, and who pursue high performance, are positioned to spread their results, and have the passion to increase their local and national leadership and catalyze systemic change."

Chosen from 116 applicants from all over the country, there was a rigorous three-phase application process to select the 2015-2016 BMA Innovators. Selections were informed by an external selection committee, made up of 71 issue experts and BMA leaders from philanthropy, nonprofits, academia, and faith-based organizations, business, grassroots/community-based organizations, media, and fraternities/sororities.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE BMA INNOVATORS: NATIONAL

The National BMA Innovators are leaders whose program models demonstrate improved outcomes for Black men and boys and have started to spread their work at the national level.

Ron Walker, Executive Director, Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color

"The mission of the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (COSEBOC) is to connect, inspire, support and strengthen school leaders dedicated to the social, emotional and academic development of boys and young men of color."

About the Coalition of School Educating Boys of Color: COSEBOC is the only national education organization of practitioners solely focused on promoting the educational success of boys and young men of color. COSEBOC works with all schools – pre-K to 12th grade; public, charter and private; coed and single gender. COSEBOC connects research, policy and practice and is a learning community for school leaders. COSEBOC's growing menu of programs and services are rooted in CBMA’s Standards and Promising Practices for Educating Boys and Young Men of Color, a framework for what a school should offer and do if it intends for its male students of color to succeed.

To learn more: http://www.coseboc.org/

Christopher Chatmon, Executive Director, OUSD Office of African American Male Achievement

"The Office of African American Male Achievement stops the epidemic failure of African American male students".

About the Office of African American Male Achievement, OUSD: The Office ofAfrican American Male Achievement (AAMA) is an ambitious project designed to dramatically improve academic and ultimately life outcomes for Black male students in Oakland, while spreading its impact beyond OUSD. AAMA is leading the school district by analyzing the patterns and processes that are producing systemic inequities. OUSD’s theory of action, Targeted Universalism, ascertains that by transforming the system to support successful outcomes for OUSD’s lowest performing subgroup, OUSD will create a district that improves academic and social-emotional outcomes for all of its students.

To learn more: http://www.ousd.org/domain/78 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE BMA INNOVATORS: DETROIT

The Detroit BMA Innovators are leaders whose program models demonstrated improved outcomes for Black men and boys locally in the areas of education, health, family, and work.

Donele Wilkins, CEO, The Green Door Initiative

"The Green Door Initiative (GDI) works to ensure that every person is environmentally literate, and capable of practicing and promoting sustainability as a lifestyle."

About The Green Door Initiative: GDI works to ensure that every person is environmentally literate and capable of practicing and promoting a sustainable lifestyle. They use workforce development to operate a comprehensive jobs training program designed to prepare residents for the green economy. GDI strives to improve environmental health through engaging in effective Community-Based Participatory Research practices that apply proven intervention strategies to reach optimum health goals in vulnerable communities. They provide environmental awareness and education projects through workshops, seminars, and educational forums. Further, GDI assists in building capacity of citizens to engage fully in land use development activities, as well as actively work towards transforming neighborhoods utilizing smart growth strategies and reforming public policy. They work to develop leadership in young people to ensure a healthy transition for the next generation of environmental stewardship, and provide training programs for citizens to ensure their full participation in all decisions impacting a healthy and environmentally sustainable lifestyle.

To learn more: http://greendoorinitiative.org/

Sharlonda M. Buckman, CEO, Detroit Parent Network

"Detroit Parent Network is a premier parent organization that transforms parents to make Detroit a better place to raise and educate children."

About Detroit Parent Network: Detroit Parent Network works to improve parent involvement in education by offering workshops, practical tools, written materials and leadership development, all designed to build a constituency of powerful parents for change. Detroit Parent Network works with any parent or primary caregiver of a school-age child (ages 4-17) who lives in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park. Parents who are committed to our organization and who want to promote effective parenting become members of our organization. By being a membership organization, Detroit Parent Network is responsive to parents' interests and needs. We invite parents to be a part of the organization.

To learn more: http://www.detroitparentnetwork.org/

Malik Yakini, Executive Director, Detroit Black Community Food Security Network

"DBCFSN works to build self-reliance, food security and justice in Detroit's Black community by influencing public policy, engaging in urban agriculture, promoting healthy eating, encouraging cooperative buying and directing youth towards careers in food-related fields."

About The Detroit Black Community Food Security Network: DBCFSN was formed in February 2006 to address food insecurity in Detroit’s Black community, and to organize members of that community to play a more active leadership role in the local food security movement.  DBCFSN observed that many of the key players in the local urban agriculture movement were young whites who, while well-intentioned, never-the-less exerted a degree of control inordinate to their numbers in Detroit’s population.  Many of those individuals moved to Detroit from other places specifically to engage in agricultural or other food security work.  It is their view that the most effective movements grow organically from the people whom they are designed to serve.  Representatives of Detroit’s majority African-American population must be in the leadership of efforts to foster food justice and food security in Detroit.  While DBCFSN’s specific focus is on Detroit’s African-American community, they realize that improved policy and an improved localized food system is a benefit to all Detroit residents.

To learn more: http://detroitblackfoodsecurity.org/

Frank McGhee, Program Director, Neighborhood Service Organization

"The Neighborhood Service Organization is changing lives through innovative human services that harness the power of choice."

About the Neighborhood Service Organization: NSO is a 501(c)3 nonprofit human services agency serving their most vulnerable neighbors. NSO has been supporting the community for 60 years with innovative services. Some of their services are location-based, serving neighbors who ask for help.  Other services focus on outreach, traveling out into the community, reaching people wherever they are.  Still other services are offered statewide through help lines and a network of professionals.

To learn more: http://www.nso-mi.org/index.php

Jason Wilson, Founder/CEO, The Yunion

"The Yunion’s mission is to counter negative cultural influences that misdirect the lives of youth by raising awareness and strengthening families through innovative prevention programming, education, parental engagement, mentoring and counseling."

About the Yunion, Inc.: In 2002, Jason Wilson started the Yunion as a record label to produce music and cultivate a culture that countered the potentially deadly influence of Hip-Hop culture.  However the Yunion’s mission soon changed when Wilson realized that after the music stopped, the negative pressures continued for the population of youth the Yunion desired to reach.  In 2005, Wilson pursued establishing the Yunion as a 501c3 non-profit organization in order to gain access to funding needed to expand its services.  In 2007, they were awarded their first Federal grant for mentoring through the U.S. Department of Education.  To date, the Yunion has reached over 8,500 Metro Detroit youth through relevant and innovative prevention programming, engaging workshops, assemblies and conferences.  They have collaborated with over three dozen schools, community organizations and churches in empowering Detroit’s youth and families.

To learn more: http://theyunion.org/

Religious Tolerance

Two great must-see videos:

A very powerful one minute video by the Anti-Defamation League of what might have happened if there had been less hatred and more tolerance. This video has received about 1.2 million views by 2013-JUL. Only about 7 billion to go:

Webmaster's comment: I have watched this video dozens of times and still cannot avoid tearing up.

A You Tube PSA video about religious tolerance by SoapBoxQueen:

Quotes promoting religious tolerance and intolerance:

	Zainab Al-Suwaij, co-founder of the American Islamic Congress: "We have to respect others and we have to understand and not discriminate on the basis of faith. ... When people do not talk and communicate, everything around them becomes dehumanized. ... When you mix politics and religion, you get the worst of everything."
	Anon: "Religious tolerance is not religious indifference. It consists of valuing the right of another person to hold beliefs that you know absolutely, and without a doubt, to be wrong."
	Anon: "Religious tolerance means to refrain from discriminating against others who follow a different religious path. Tolerance is more difficult to maintain when you know that your religion is true and their religion is wrong."
	Bumper sticker: "Truth, not tolerance." Published by Harbor House Gifts of Fullerton CA. The bumper sticker also shows a clenched fist on the left side and a cross on the right. An interesting combination. It seems to represent religious hatred, conflict, and perhaps even warfare.
	Paul Copan: "Contrary to popular definitions, true tolerance means ‘putting up with error’ - not ‘being accepting of all views’... It is because real differences exist between people that tolerance becomes necessary and virtuous." "True for You, But not for Me"
	Robert Fleishmann: "When it comes to fundamentally wrong behavior (called "sin" by the Word of God), there is no tolerance. Wrong is wrong!"
	The Dalai Lama: I appreciate any organization or individual people who sincerely make an effort to promote harmony among humanity, and particularly harmony among the various religions. I consider it very sacred work and very important work.
	Snoopy: "Have you ever thought that you might be wrong?" Proposed title for a book being written by Charlie Brown's dog in the Peanuts comic strip.
	Many more quotes are available about religious tolerance and about religious intolerance.

Please consider clicking on the link to our facebook page at the upper left of this essay.

Definitions:

• Religious freedom includes being able to freely hold different religious beliefs, assemble with fellow believers, proselytize others, engage in inter-faith and intra-faith cooperation, etc. It is an important attribute of democracies. However, demanding the right to apply one's religious beliefs in order to denigrate, oppress, harm, and discriminate against others is another matter entirely. Sadly, the latter is the new and rapidly growing definition of the term "religious freedom." It is often a direct contradiction of the Ethic of Reciprocity, a.k.a. Golden Rule.
• Religious tolerance: Unfortunately, the term "religious tolerance" has more than one meaning.
  1. On this site we define it as allowing followers of other religions to follow their spiritual beliefs and practices without oppression or discrimination. Religious tolerance is a fundamental right in a democracy. Most people believe that religious tolerance, using this definition, is a noble goal, and is vitally necessary for world peace.
     
     Of course, no right is absolute. Tolerance may not necessarily extend beyond religious beliefs to include some religious actions -- particularly those that harm, harass, or denigrate others.
  2. Others, particularly conservatives in many religions, describe "religious tolerance" differently. Many define the term as accepting all religious faiths as being equally true. This is one meaning of the phrase "religious pluralism." Since religions teach different beliefs, this definition of tolerance implies that absolute truth doesn't exist. Most religious conservatives regard their own faith as the only absolutely true belief system. Thus, many conservatives believe that religious tolerance -- using their definition of the term -- is evil.

We are continually amazed at the differences in definitions of religious terms as used by different faith groups. It makes religious debates and dialogue very difficult. It also makes our work in trying to objectively describe religious beliefs and practices quite challenging. Some examples:

• Favoring allowing women access to abortion is often called being "pro-abortion."
• Working to prevent same-sex couples from marrying is often called being "pro-marriage."
• The term "Witch" within Wicca and other Neo-pagan religions is simply a description for a female or male believer. Religious conservatives often use "Witch" to refer to a Satan worshiper and/or to a person who generates evil spells. In reality, Wiccans and other Neopagans do not include the existence of Satan among their beliefs, and are specifically prohibited from issuing evil spells, manipulative spells, or curses.
• The term "Theory" in popular usage means a simple hunch, that is not supported by hard evidence. "Theory" in science refers to an idea that starts out as a simple hunch, but which is then confirmed by careful research and is accepted as valid by the general scientific community. Many religious conservatives refer to the word "theory" in the Theory of Evolution in its non-scientific as being a simply hunch. They do not acknowledge the consensus of scientists that it is valid.

Full article > http://www.religioustolerance.org/rel_tol.htm

About this site

About us

Our statement of belief

Is this your first visit?

Contact us

External links

Recommended books

Visitors' donated essays

Our forum

New essays

Other site features

Hot, controversial topics

Vital notes

World religions

BUDDHISM

CHRISTIANITY

Definition of Christianity

Shared beliefs

Handling change

Bible topics

Bible inerrancy

Bible harmony

Bible Interpreting

Individuals in the Bible

Beliefs & creeds

Da Vinci code

Revelation & 666

Denominations

HINDUISM

ISLAM

JUDAISM

WICCA & Witchcraft

Other religions

Cults and NRMs

Compare Faiths

Non-theistic beliefs

Atheism

Agnosticism

Humanism

Other

About all religions

Main topics

Basic information

Gods and Goddesses

Handling change

Doubt & security

Quotes

Movies

Confusing terms

Glossary

End of the World?

True religion?

Seasonal events

Science/Religion

More information

Spiritual/ethics

Spirituality

Morality & ethics

Absolute truth

Peace/conflict

Attaining peace

Religious tolerance

Religious freedom

Religious hatred

Religious conflict

Religious violence

"Hot" topics

Very hot topics

10 Commandments

Abortion access

Assisted suicide

Cloning

Death penalty

Environment/Climate change

Gay marriages

Homosexuality

Human rights

Gays in military

Nudism

Origins

Sex & gender

Sin

Spanking kids

Same-Sex marriages

Stem cells

Transexuality

Women's rights

Other topics

Laws and news

Religious laws

Religious news