Model Airplanes

“Biology, physics, computer science are replaced with synthetic biology,
nanotechnology, artificial intelligence.”

The university gets its name from the theory of “singularity”
written about by its co-founder Ray Kurzweil, a computer scientist – the
inevitable moment when machines will surpass human intelligence.

^{Ray Kurzweil}

Rather than feeling threatened by ever-advancing technology, however, students
are taught to harness it to help solve some of the planet’s greatest
humanitarian problems, such as famine and climate change.

At the start of the university’s 10-week summer course they are set the “grand
challenge” of coming up with ways to help no fewer than one billion
people within a decade. By its end, they are expected to have workable ideas
to pitch to potential investors.

More than 4,000 people from as many as 120 countries apply each year for the
$25,000 (£15,000) course – the longest of a range of different programmes
offered throughout the year. With only 80 places each summer, the acceptance
rate stands at just two per cent.

^{Singularity University in Silicon Valley (Steve Rhodes)}

To keep up with what the university calls the “exponential growth of
technology”, the syllabus has to be re-written fives times a year,
while the roster of guest speakers changes almost as frequently.

Over the last few years they have been addressed by figures ranging from
Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin to Craig Venter –

Article source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11052768/Welcome-to-the-university-of-the-future.html

LYNCHBURG — Most skies above units of the National Park Service, including the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and Shenandoah National Park, will remain drone-free for at least 18 months because of a recent policy banning unmanned aircraft.

The National Park Service’s interim policy went into effect Wednesday while the agency reviews the use of unmanned aircrafts and creates an official rule on the use of the devices and determines which parks, if any, would allow them.

The interim policy, which prohibits the launching, landing and operation of unmanned aircraft, is expected to be in place for 18 months while it is studied, public comment is gathered and a policy is drafted, said Jeffrey Olson, a National Park Service spokesman.

“What we’re doing is calling a timeout,” said Olson, adding there were concerns for the natural resources, as well as the public and park employees’ safety.

The term “unmanned aircraft” applies to any device that does not require direct human interaction. Examples are cameras, sensors, communication links, model airplanes and drones.

A park superintendent with a pre-existing agreement with a model airplane group will be allowed to decide if the agreement still stands and the model airplanes can be

Article source: http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/state-regional/drone-ban-affects-va-national-parks/article_bea1d765-3144-5ba6-8d6f-fb5cc970c45f.html

With stock markets around the world near record highs, trustees are pondering whether and how to de-risk portfolios. This situation poses a quandary, as traditionally safer asset classes, such as high quality bonds, offer little prospective return. Yet, some traditional options at the higher end of the risk spectrum—high yield bonds or dividend stocks—are unusually expensive at current levels. Because it can be difficult to predict the direction of markets and make judgments about the macroeconomic environment, one approach is to invest in companies that can march along, regardless of the economy or whether the market is up or down.

More than a century ago, K.C. Gillette came up with a plan: Have customers buy one razor, but sell them an ongoing supply of blades for life. Of course, Gillette didn’t exactly give away his safety razors. They retailed for the relatively substantial sum of $5 in 1903, the equivalent of about $140 in 2014. Still, the real money was in the blade—that thin, inexpensive, disposable piece of stamped steel that men around the world have bought in various forms ever since. 

This built-in demand creates an ongoing stream of what’s called “recurring revenue,” and it’s become the Holy Grail for many companies operating in industries ranging from technology to consumer products. The “razor blade” model Gillette perfected applies in some unexpected ways, and it’s something to pay close attention to when evaluating potential investments. 

Companies that adhere to a recurring revenue model can remain relatively stable in challenging economic environments, riding out

Article source: http://wealthmanagement.com/asset-management/reduce-risk-recurring-revenues

Posted: Friday, August 22, 2014 7:27 pm

National Parks Service issues temporary ban on unmanned aircrafts

Katrina Koerting

newsadvance.com

Most skies above units of the National Park Service, including the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, will remain drone-free for at least 18 months because of a recent policy banning unmanned aircraft.

The National Park Services’ interim policy went into effect Wednesday while the agency reviews the use of unmanned aircrafts and creates an official rule on the use of the devices and determines which parks, if any, would allow them.

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Most skies above units of the National Park Service, including the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, will remain drone-free for at least 18 months because of a recent policy banning unmanned aircraft.

The National Park Services’ interim policy went into effect Wednesday while the agency reviews the use of unmanned aircrafts and creates an official rule on the use of the devices and determines which parks, if any, would allow them.

The interim policy — which prohibits the launching, landing and operation of unmanned aircraft — is expected to be in place for 18 months while it is studied, public comment is gathered and a policy is drafted, said Jeffrey Olson, a National Park Service spokesman.

“What we’re doing is calling a timeout,” Olson said, adding there were concerns for the natural resources, as well as the public and park employees’ safety.

The term “unmanned aircraft” applies to any device that doesn’t require direct human interaction. Examples are cameras, sensors, communication links, model airplanes and drones.

A park superintendent with a pre-existing agreement with a model airplane group will be allowed to decide if the agreement still stands and the model airplanes can be flown, Olson said.

All other unmanned aircraft

Article source: http://www.roanoke.com/news/local/national-park-service-issues-temporary-ban-on-unmanned-aircraft/article_7731e706-9a30-5969-8cc2-ba68b460c207.html

By Andy Metzger
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE


Posted Aug. 21, 2014 @ 1:59 pm
Updated Aug 21, 2014 at 2:04 PM

Article source: http://easton.wickedlocal.com/article/20140821/NEWS/140829008