| Monday, November 18, 2002 |  |
| Monopoly Money |
 The Register writes about a recent SEC filing which shows that Microsoft is losing money in every business area except Windows (86% profit) and Office (79% profit). Also see Financial Times. As Slashdot points out: The full version of Windows XP costs about $300.00. Microsoft could sell it for $45 and still make a profit. The difference between the $45 price and the $300 price is what economists call "monopoly rents". So, let me spell it out one more time: Microsoft has a de facto monopoly in two areas, where they harvest huge profits. They use those profits to try to run competitors out of business in many, many other areas, by deliberately selling products at a loss. [ Information | 2002-11-18 17:17 | 3 comments | PermaLink ] More > |
| Strip for Peace |
 A group of 50 women from the Bay area are serious enough about peace to spell it out with their bodies, wearing nothing but afternoon rain. They're speaking out against war with Iraq, calling attention to the vulnerability of innocent civilians. [ Inspiration | 2002-11-18 17:17 | 5 comments | PermaLink ] More > |
| Living Machines |
 "'Living Machines' are whole systems approaches to treating wastewater. They are solar-powered, accelerated versions of the water treatment facilities found in mature natural systems. Incorporating helpful microbes, plants, snails and fish into diverse, self-organizing and responsive communities, Living Machines are site-specific, biological solutions that re-route waste streams into resources." That is from this introduction. See companies like Ocean Arks or Living Machines that create ecologically sound ways of dealing with waste water, often better than any purely technological solution could accomplish. A lot of good stuff seems to be going on in the State of Vermont, with companies such as Ben & Jerry's leading the way. [ Nature | 2002-11-18 22:24 | 1 comment | PermaLink ] More > |