Egypt Erupts: a democracy is on the rise?

The world anxiously and curiously awaits as first Tunisia and then Egypt erupt in a political chaos against the two autocratic rulers, Ben Ali and Mubarrak. The outcome in those countries is too early to predict. As I write this Aljazeera just reported that 19 private jets had landed in Dubai from Egypt. Is this the end of the Mubarrak rule? Egypt particularly is a strategic player in the Middle East peace process. The chaos there puts the process in jeopardy. As the events unfold in Egypt, the world community intriguingly awaits for a true democratic reform in a country where a ruler so far have had a stronghold of the political process without an effective opposition. But this is about to change.


Click on the link below to read more about Egypt.
Article:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12311889

Pictures:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12293706

Courtesy: BBC World News

Goggle Video: a new era in Web 2.0 or just a money-making sceme?

Google decided to create its own video-embedding tool and not use the H.264 that is currently used by Google's Chrome browser.  Google's rationale to go with its own technology is to provide license-free and easy-to-use technology to users.  Currently, videos require Adobe Flash Player plug-ins.  But the technology will simply use a simple HTML <video> tag.  This really brings a new era of interactive HTML. 

Click on the link below to read more on this topic.

http://www.technologyreview.com/web/27107/?mod=chfeatured

Courtesy: Technology Review

A Time to Revisit Our Energy Policy

Tradeable permits have been a staple solution for climate change policy. But the cap-and-trade, a signature tradeable permit tool, technique does not seem to hold water. It has drained a tons of research dollars already, with little sustainable models to save the climate. Instead, the Obama administration has just decided to go around it and become more energy efficient as a tool to engage in a renewed climate-control issue. It may work and it makes sense.

Click on the link below to read the article on this topic.

http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/30529/?mod=chfeatured

Courtesy: Technology Review

WikiLeak: of story and myth

We are all by now are aware of the power or the lack therof of WikiLeak about its ability to disclose information or disinformation about governements.  It is a phenomenon.  It is a new culture of information dissemination.  All in an era of internet revolution and evolution of innovation.  Julian Assange is in the center of WikiLeak.  He is a techno kid, known around the world of hackers and underground web.  But is he just a victim of his own invention or is he a political and social sacrifical lamb for telling or not telling the truth?

Click on the link below to read an article on WikiLeak.

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/pontin/26314/?p1=A3

Courtesy: Technology Review

The Battle Between Renewable Energy and Natural Gas

When it comes to cutting carbon emissions, renewables simply cannot compete with natural gas on three key issues: local opposition, cost and scale. -- Robert Bryce

The power sector is the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for 40% of fossil CO2 emissions. While fuel switching from coal to gas certainly helps reduce emissions in the short term, sooner or later gas becomes part of the problem. -- Steve Sawyer

http://www.economist.com/debate/debates/overview/193&fsrc=nwl

Courtesy: The Economist

Can Alternative Fuel Save America? The Pentagon faces a dilemma

The Pentagon may have a point when it argues against using alternative fuel to fuel the U.S. military power.  The research and development, availability of bio fuel necessary to mobilize the armed forces, and cost are key arguments against alternative fuels.  The Pentagon argues that instead of spending time and money on developing alternative fuels, it would be wise to become more energy efficient.  Not a bad argument.  But the report that supported this argument also deems to be one-sided and flawed, argues various environmental groups.  Even the U.S. Navy concedes that the study, which was conducted by RAND, lacks evidence to justify Pentagon’s claim.

Click on the link below to read more on this story.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/business/energy-environment/25fuel.html

Courtesy: The New York Times