Yesterday, I visited the NeoCon 2013 trade show in Chicago. It’s an exposition of office furniture manufacturers, and there were a ton of gorgeous fabrics, clever furniture styles, and basic equipment on display. I was looking for story ideas, potential sources, and, well, just to see what I could see. (I love going to trade… [Read More]
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The seven per cent problem
Illinois is mired in pension debts. Most states have them, but we have them worse. Accountants look at three main numbers when they calculate pension obligations: the number of years that people will be receiving a pension; the size of the pension payments; and the investment returns. Part of the problem is that people are… [Read More]
Fracking, cheap clothing, and sustainability
I’ve recently been part of a few discussions about the pros and cons of fracking. It’s a huge issue in my hometown; citizens there recently had a ballot item that would have banned fracking, and they voted it down. Fracking creates jobs. And it pollutes groundwater. It’s not sustainable. But do you know what an… [Read More]
Edward Snowden and whistleblowers in the modern world
Edward Snowden has been revealed as the man who informed the Guardian about the NSA’s telecommunications surveillance program. He’ll end up getting into a heap of trouble, too, but I am glad that he did it. In the olden days, reporters found out information and protected their sources. And if someone was angry about what… [Read More]
Loose Gravel
Some people are at Blues Fest tonight. Some are at the Blackhawks game. I’m watching Illinois’ lieutenant governor play the banjo.
