Oddly Relevant Nov-12-2012

Sinofsky out at Microsoft: President of Windows and one who spear-headed Windows 7 to save the Vista blunder, Sinofsky is set to leave Microsoft on mutual consent. A polarizing figure much like Forstall, Sinofsky was also seen as one of the most competent managers within Microsoft. His name was often floated by people speculating about a possible successor to Mr. Ballmer, who has announced no plans to retire from the company. [Note: Watch out, here comes Sinofsky and Forstall’s Blackberry]…Source: It’s all over the news.

Japan nears 5^th recession in 15 years: 3.5% annualized decline in July-Sep. Japan is once again dragged down by ebbing demand in China and sluggish Europe. Again the monetary-easing program was employed in October and more is expected; yet opposition parties are likely to stall more aggressive measures. [Note: demographics + currency – innovation + politics = Japan Inc today. Doesn’t mean people aren’t happy though]…Source: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/99932460-2c5c-11e2-a91d-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2C4091eK0

What is bringing Wallonia back to life? After 30 years of ups and downs, Wallonia, the poorest French-speaking, southern region in Belgium shows signs of revival since its 4.5bn Euro government injection in 2006. A few things brought it back on track: (1) Tax exemptions for companies in innovative sectors that attracted Google and Johnson & Johnson, (2) European subsidies in infrastructure, (3) tax system that brings companies’ tax exposure to virtually zero. [Note: Friedrich Hayek would be proud]…Source: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/4db1a4ce-1c47-11e2-a63b-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2C4091eK0

Asia’s great moderation: Once better known for their speed of growth, south-eastern Asian countries like Laos, Indonesia, and Bangladesh today is enjoying some remarkable (6.2%+) but stabile growth. Though such moderation fueled by demand management and stocking of hard currency remains potent, the rapid credit expansion and low rates have economists worried: if stable growth allows lenders or borrowers to become overstretched, it can “sow the seeds of its own destruction”. [Note: Tag along with China]…Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203937004578079391643223634.html?mod=WSJ_hps_LEFTTopStories

The future of space exploration: With ever-improving computing power and communication protocols, astronauts could float in a space station in orbit around the moon or Mars, donning exoskeleton controllers to teleoperate robots in real time. These probes would drive, fly, drill, dig, scoop, and gather material faster and with more precision than current probes controlled from Earth. The best part of humans, our powerful brains that can identify the perfect geologic rock sample and make decisions on the fly, would be combined with all the advantages of robots — their advanced cameras, suites of instruments, and bodies that aren’t prone to degenerative problems like blindness and bone loss after months of space travel. [Note: Until something extraordinary is found, then we MUST physically be there]…source: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/11/telerobotic-exploration/