google views network neutrality

The new Google Public Policy blog posts their view of network neutrality. For me, the main points of whatever network neutrality may mean should include: that the Internet remain open to innovation, that the end-to-end principle should remain a key foundation, and that access to the Internet is fairly available to all.

nature.com climate resource page

nature.com has a resource page for climate change.

I'll add this to my list of resources on climate change that may not be overly contaminated by political fud from either end of the political spectrum.

now taking Smart reservations!

"Coming to the USA in 2008"

Not so sure its just right for where we live, but I'm keeping my eye on the Smart fourtwo.

Climate Savers Computing Initiative

So this is a good idea, and overdue. The fruits of green computing could be considerable, not to mention lowering my utility bill.

longevity risk

So, I was thinking about retirement savings today. An article in the NY Times talked about the (horrifyingly low) median amount of retirement saving the average boomer has socked away.

Found a couple of relevant articles:

1) from FDIC: Outlook Spring 2006

There are many risks to retirement saving, for example, inflation. Another one I found particularly interesting was the concept of "longevity risk". Yep, with increased and increasing progress in health care and health science, our savings are subject to, I guess, bring outlived.

2) From July of 2006, an article from Marketwatch: America's savings hoax exposed

The point of this article seems to be that many of us are willfully blind about our savings posture, and important factors in society encourage us in this blindness, as, from the subtitle:

"Politicians, bankers and CEOs all want you to spend, not save."

What follows are a number of scary quotes and observations about our savings. And the theory that only a catastrophe could bring us to our senses.

Ironically, some of the scientific research I've been following recently demonstrates optimism about the possibility of healthy life extension. I guess we better adjust our financial models and savings plans as well. Or, what the heck, go with the 50" plasma high-def.

xkcd

...Well, blogs I frequent reference something funny in xkcd, more than you might expect. So I should probably track it..

Prospects for extending healthy life

Aubrey de Grey's talk recorded via Google video.

Not sure I can really accept all the arguments, but this is a provocative talk, and worth the hour or so to watch if you have an interest in research about aging.