Just For the Fun of It…But Always Worth a Look!

Earlier it was Dubai and its debt that we worried about. Today it’s Greece. And yet, countries with large debt loads, uncontrollable budgets and/or burdened in an impoverished state of being is not new news. There’s always so much information and data—and no end to things to worry about or to make one wonder about the future.

Let’s take a break! Here are three things—ideas—to make you think, “Wow; there are some really neat things happening that could somehow really change the world.” I hope you find these ideas as interesting and amazing as I do, if for no other reason than they will give you a look at the positives that are abounding, and not just the negatives we are constantly bombarded with. Enjoy!

Controlling Your iPod with the Wink of an Eye:
The next time someone sticks their tongue out at you, they may not be doing it out of spite or to get your attention. In fact, they may be doing it to turn-off their iPod, if you can believe that. This is an interesting new approach to technology that may have fascinating implications in all sorts of arenas. Obviously, there are many opportunities within the medical field that come to mind. But then…what about pilots flying in combat missions—remember Clint Eastwood in Firefox flying the Russian MiG with the thought-provoking helmet?

Forget Touch, Poke Out Your Tongue to Control Your iPod

Innovation Will Get You From Here to There:
You can’t keep smart people down who have a dream… and access to the Internet. We are hearing more and more often how innovation is feeding the abilities of everyday people who are taking steps to move their lives forward…or upward, as the case may be. Here are two people in faraway places and occupying worlds that wouldn’t seem to normally lend itself to such impressive innovation. Think about what you would do if your son or daughter even suggested that they wanted to try this in their shop classes at school. (Oh, that’s right; what’s shop class anymore?)

Chinese Farmer Builds His Own Flying Machine
Nigerian Man Builds Working Helicopters from Junk

Out of This World—the Civilian Space Program:
And as a follow-up to our young flyers, maybe there’s a brighter future for those that dream beyond just the skies. As a recent Popular Science article discusses, “In 2010, The Civilian Space Industry Finally Takes Off.” We mentioned the potential for this fledgling industry originally some five years ago and like to revisit its progress from time to time. But this is something that is finally now getting some traction and substance built into its foundation. And while many will say that it’s just too expensive and will be hard to make money, one must remember that the low cost of SpaceShip One, with its development cost completely covered by Paul Allen at roughly $25 million, was a tremendously inexpensive price when compared to expensive NASA projects.

Given enough projects and friendly competition, one can see all sorts of things happening in this new industry. With an amazing line-up of more than 15 companies that have projects already in development, this early-stage industry is past the point of being merely a start-up; its beginning to provide a rising number of jobs for a whole new and interesting occupation. And with the Space Shuttle program being put out to pasture—what a great opportunity to see what develops from private enterprise with the cost burden—and the rewards—being taken over by courageous entrepreneurs. Deep space, any one?

In 2010, The Civilian Space Industry Finally Takes Off

Dreams will become realities. What may seem like science fiction or science projects will lead to individual innovations and accomplishments. And this will leave the world full of new directions and investment opportunities. Nano-Nano and cars that will get 50 MPG—Right!

-M. Gaskill

Disclaimer

The Yo-Yo Economy—The World Begins to Focus On Better Times

February already—isn’t that a hoot. 10 more months shoot by and we will be right back into the thick of the 2010 Holiday Season. Think this sounds crazy? All right, where’d January go—can you answer me that?

And what do we have to show for it all—nothing but pretty nice reporting in many camps; weak earnings for a few companies, but great earnings—and economic reports—on many fronts.

Out With 2009 and In With 2010

Courtesy of Econoday

2009 ended with continued strength in economic activity.  The NAPM-Chicago purchasing managers’ index (PMI)—which is always the last report of the month—continued to show amazing strength in that area of the country.  This gave an indication of what to expect from the ISM Manufacturing Index covering national activity at year end—and therefore for the beginning of 2010.