Aaron Swartz’s
illusion over research: His belief of free access to academic research
could bring public benefits, yet who will pay for the armies of editors,
network of peer reviewers, and data managers? The labor-intensive business of
academic editing and reviewing is what makes this field valuable—and via free
access, further saving may result, but so will credibility and efficiency.
[Note: in particular, open access journals will have a similar incentive to
widen access and dilute quality just like the rating agencies had. The true
seekers of knowledge will probably pay more in the end. Not to say the process
cannot be done better though]…Source: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/da5ebf98-5f3a-11e2-be51-00144feab49a.html#axzz2ICSoyq00
Why LEGOS are so
expensive and so popular: Simple reason, it’s in the market early enough
and the product is good enough that it occupies significant “mind shares”. Remember
the first time you played with Lego? You want to pass that experience off to
someone else. No one wants to show up to a kid’s birthday party and announce to
everyone they took the ‘low bid’ on a relatively cheap children’s toy. [Note:
After all, it’s a damn good toy with damn good quality]…Source: http://www.farnamstreetblog.com/2013/01/why-legos-are-so-expensive-and-so-popular/
The best of CES 2013:
(1) Oculus Rift—apparently fantastic VR goggles; (2) Withings Smart Activity
Tracker that tracks your health + phone App; (3) Tactus Technology’s haptic
touchscreen that “rises” to create 3-d keyboards; (4) Tobii Gaze—the eye-tracking
system with polished precision. [Note: Bonus kudos for Rift since it’s a
Kickstarter funded project]…Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2013/01/the-best-of-ces-2013/?pid=4334&viewall=true
India’s microfinance
and its road to redemption: High point was when SKS (India’s then biggest
microfinance company) went public with $350m offering & 13x oversubscribed.
Reckless lending and brutal collection tactics went rampant, suffocating rules
were then passed by government. At end of 2011, however, India’s central bank
stepped in and set up a licensing system. Outstanding loans are now worth $2-3
bn ($5bn during the boom). [Note: The structural and legal framework should
always come first]…Source: http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21569447-industry-starting-revive-road-redemption
Boeing’s 787
problems: A string of safety problems, including 2 fuel leaks and 1
electrical fire aboard, propelled ANA and JAL to ground their 787s ($207m per).
The 787 is Boeing's first new jet in more than a decade. The plane offers
airlines unprecedented fuel economy, but the huge investment to develop it
coupled with years of delay in delivery hasn’t paid the company thus far.
[Note: Risky bet on carbon fiber; but it might be a chance to buy the cyclical
Boeing in case of massive nose-dive]…Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/16/us-boeing-ana-idUSBRE90F01820130116
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