Written by Justin Hartfield | 18 February 2008

Spectrum Wars
The battle between AT&T, Google & the U.S. Government over wireless networks - and why the only losers are the American people
Justin Hartfield

A letter from Google CEO Eric Schmidt has promised the US government "at least $4.6 billion" as long as the US government agrees to Google's terms. Yes, a private company is dictating its terms to Uncle Sam. Is the FCC a bizarre bunch or what? In yet another uninspired move, AT&T issued apublic statement to address the issue:

"Google has now delivered an all or nothing ultimatum to the U.S. Government, insisting that every single one of their conditions 'must' be met or they will not participate in the spectrum auction. Google is demanding the Government stack the deck in its favor, limit competing bids, and effectively force wireless carriers to alter their business models to Google’s liking."

Written by Barry Fagin | 06 January 2008

Whatever Floats Your Boat

Economics is everywhere - even on the cruise ship

By Barry Fagin

I once had a professor who couldn't stop saying "Economics is everywhere." Twenty-five years later, I thought I'd put her theory to the test.

I'm on vacation, traveling with family and friends. Writing this paragraph from our hotel lobby, I'd say we found a pretty nice place to stay. It has great restaurants, a couple of pools, a multi-story lobby with glass elevators, and about a thousand rooms. It's also got twin diesel engines and a top speed of 25 knots.

Written by Raina Clampitt | 06 January 2008

Freedom From the Man

How libertarian reforms can help women succeed professionally

Written by Justin Hartfield | 06 January 2008

Thoughts on the Information Age

It's not what you know, it's how you use it

By Justin Hartfield

We are currently living in the 'information age'. This much is undisputed. Through the miracle of the internet, we have access to knowledge and information which would have been unfathomable only twenty-five years earlier.

Traditional models of education and even ideas about knowledge itself are now changing mightily. It is now entirely possible for anyone, of any socio-economic status, to study and download University-level (or higher) course material from the comfort of their own room or favorite local internet cafe. So is the information age ushering in a new era of intellectual understanding and prosperity for all? Maybe, but I doubt it. It is difficult to gauge just how forceful the transmutation of the internet will be on human society, as the medium is practically new and there has been no time for historical perspective.