Thursday, December 22, 2016

Tech, Cyber, Pot

Tech -- Green Energy -- Solar:

The green energy revolution is quietly proceeding and the rate of improvements is pretty exciting. This article from Vox explains solar power in particular, comparing it to wind and others.

2 remarkable facts that illustrate solar power's declining cost - Vox


Cyber:

Cyber is just a short word for computer, internet, and cloud things. Our systems aren't secure enough and it's causing us a lot of problems. I think government has a more clear idea now of the range of ways this makes us vulnerable and they're beginning to investigate the topic more thoroughly. The following article discusses a few of these and the discussion following the article is interesting too.

First steps Trump should take on cybersecurity | TheHill


Pot:

I have never smoked pot or cigarettes and have not desire to do that, but I think it could be very good for our economy and especially our recent-found desire to not lock up everybody in the world. I'm hoping it can be decriminalized -- placed in the same category as alcohol or cigarettes.The last time I looked at statistics on this about one-third of all prison inmates were there because of pot possession or trafficking. Imagine reducing our prison population by about 30%. The cost of prisons and the judicial system and the war on drugs would decrease dramatically. That's "smaller government" and lower taxes. It's win-win. Anyone arguing that 'reefer madness' is bad for America has to explain why problems haven't arisen in the states where it has been (state-wide) legalized.

This Harper's Magazine article does a good job of describing the states where it has been decriminalized and their experiences, but it goes further and discusses legalization of all drugs (something I don't support) in other countries. It's interesting reading.

[Report] | Legalize It All, by Dan Baum | Harper's Magazine

I actually disagree with the idea that Pres. Obama should reschedule pot at this time. I think it is too important to change one day and watch the next president change it right back. It needs fuller support from Congress and the public.

Obama Should Reschedule Marijuana Now | The Huffington Post

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.