"Let's Get Technical." (Pt. 1)

Technology, like money, is not inherently bad in and of itself.
It can also be used to do good, make our lives easier, or more convenient.

After doing the required research, one way I noticed that society could be improved is through the wireless transmission of energy and information. Telephone poles, wires, and "conventional" methods have been holding us back for quite some time. Just like most other people, I get tired of power and information outages that occur during/after inclement weather strikes my area.

Inventor Nikola Tesla began transmitting electricity wirelessly over 100 years ago. Although this is not a new concept, he died broke and penniless at the age of 86 in 1943.

Concerning the nature of this wireless transmission of RF energy, a few general facts should be made plain:

1) It is of high-voltage, but also high-frequency.
In other words, it is totally harmless concerning human exposure.

"In the early 1970's, (William) Hooper had been showing that not all electrical fields are the same. What he called a "motional electric field" was different from the well-known electrostatic fields; the motional electric field results in a force that passes through lead. In other words, the field is unshieldable."- "Angels Don't Play This HAARP" (1997)

2) It can be transmitted over 20 miles in this fashion.

In order to make technological and service advancements like this happen, things would have to be shaken up in the corporate world: mergers and cooperation amongst both information and energy interests.

What are some potential fixes/outcomes of these changes?

- "Flex Fuel" capability to power the turbines that create energy (coal could be phased out for natural gas over time in accordance with free-market principles). Natural gas is cheap, (33% more) efficient (than gasoline), and will become ubiquitous in nature over the coming years.

- Receivers of wireless energy can be placed indoors, avoiding vandalism and vulnerability.

- Reduced staffing at energy and information conglomerates.
This means lower rates.
(Think in the 50% range.)

This also opens up the possibility for localized/personalized, right-sized solutions for high-speed bandwidth access, bringing the internet into reach for more of those who may just have to currently go without, due either to prohibitive cost or geographical reasons.

One potential issue that will arise for some people is loss of use of their kitchen ranges when and if their services were to be shut off.

- Potentially eating corn instead of burning it in our fuel tanks.
Any time you can lower rates or costs, improve services, and increase the expendable income of the average person, this is a plus.

(To be continued.)

11/08/13.

"Turn it up."

A Better Mousetrap?

It's no secret: the roll-out of the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare") has been an unmitigated disaster.

Glitchy and buggy website aside, there have been quite a few problems with the program.
One of the first that comes to mind is the fact that regardless of what the President said regarding people's ability to keep their health care plans, many people received letters from their carriers stating that they actually would not be able to.

This begs a question.
"How could you put together a better, more efficient health care program?"

Here are few ideas on how it could be possible.

1) Allow people to keep their current plans and doctors if they wish, as promised.

2) Create a larger, international policy exchange that would stretch across international borders.
When insurance carriers compete, you win.

3) Modify the Medicare program so that:

- Those without insurance (no matter what age) could enroll in the program.

- Periodic (just prior to payday, for example), computerized reporting of hours (and wages) would be automatically tracked and sent out to federal authorities. This type of system would help to accurately determine one's eligibility for subsidies, as well as eliminate the need for federal income tax filings. You would just be required to notify your employer(s) of any change in your tax status. You could even reduce the numbers of I.R.S. agents on the rolls. Efficiency is the key, and who likes being harassed?

- Over time, the program would shift from a single-payer model to a subsidized, free-market-based, voucher-run exchange program. One cannot take funds designated for health care funding to buy an iPhone, for example. This would also minimize disruption for those currently in retirement, and approaching retirement.

4) Set up an e-mail based prayer request website.
It would contain drop-down menus and the ability to group similar issues together in a neat, tidy filing and sorting system. You would receive an e-mail notification telling you when your request has been noted and acted upon. You could proceed from there. A small one-time fee (I am a union member) would be required to help subsidize the overhaul and ensure a smooth transition for all of those involved. People waste money on all sorts of ridiculous things on a continuous basis. What value do you place upon your health?

5) With less need for both complex and simple procedures and practices (Oncology, Orthopedic surgery, Cardiology, etc.), the cream would be required to rise to the top. Only the best doctors and prospects would be retained, and their skills could be sharpened and retained using animals for practice. Minimum standards of care would be required, such as making sure someone is available to take care of you at a hospital, and the assurance that you wouldn't be required to travel an inordinate amount of distance to receive the care that you need. Doctors who would be let go could receive vocational training and schooling to place them in a new profession or field of study to keep them gainfully employed. It is obviously not practical to have such an overhaul occur overnight. This would take a few years to take place.

These ideas would help to curb and reduce soaring health care costs.
There's more than one way to skin a cat.

Think about it.