Do you have trouble with your computer? Does is freeze or shut down at the most inopportune times? Does it go haywire suddenly or arbitrarily erase important data for no reason? Does it vomit forth long dead languages in a deep, growling voice? If so, then you may have a serious problem. According to some… Continue reading

Currently, about 14% of the value of all U.S. purchases is cash. The other 86% is credit cards, checks, and a few other instruments (e.g. gift cards, cryptocurrency). In the current system, the authorization of credit cards and checks is done over the internet. Without the internet, stores will not be able to accept credit cards. They… Continue reading

There are days I feel like I read dystopian statistics for a living. And then there are day when the dystopian statistics take even my jaded breath away. Here’s one: 43% of American households can’t afford a budget that includes housing, food, childcare, healthcare, transportation, and a cellphone. Translation: nearly half of Americans can’t afford the basics… Continue reading

In other words, the virus is calling the shots, which is the singular reason for the protracted probable depth and length of the coming post-virus urban hangover even as increasing numbers of states elect to reopen. And the longer that businesses are in limbo and shoppers in large numbers remain leery of crowds, the worse the… Continue reading

The extrajudicial murders of African/Black people, such as Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd, by agents of the U.S. government and armed civilians have sparked urban rebellions in cities across the United States. Such murderous acts cannot be understood outside of the context of the U.S. state’s ongoing assault on the human rights of… Continue reading

The issue of Police Provocateurs is currently in the news following the police murder in Minneapolis of George Floyd. This video was first produced in 2007 Today are thoughts are with the family and friends of George Floyd.  *** Peaceful protesters stop police provocateurs from starting a riot at the Stop the SPP protests in Montebello Quebec… Continue reading

Why Does the West Fear China? A spectre is haunting the United States—the spectre of a “China-centric world”. By voicing this concern President Trump pledges to “Keep America Great”. Some of the European allies echo this concern. Others remain conspicuously silent. But what exactly is this concern about? The United States has enjoyed the status… Continue reading

There is a serious health crisis which must be duly resolved. And this is a number one priority. But there is another important dimension which has to be addressed.  Millions of people have lost their jobs, and their lifelong savings. In developing countries, poverty and despair prevail.  While the lockdown is presented to public opinion as  the sole means to resolving… Continue reading