TED (it stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design) shows off some of the most amazing and entertaining scientific advances around, and one of the newest is simply astounding.
What it is: Pattie Maes of MIT shows off a wearable device with a projector that paves the way for profound interaction with our environment.
What’s your opinion: The coolest thing you’ve ever seen or something to scary to ponder?
A national study by HCD Research of more than 900 physicians showed that 30 percent of them would choose a new profession if starting over today. Those between 35 and 64 were most likely to say they’d choose differently.
The doctors said negotiated rates and malpractice suits were their top two reasons for doing something different.
The docs didn’t say what they’d rather do – but that might something to spark a conversation next time you’re visiting yours.
Ordinarily, I’d consider it bad form to chuckle publicly at one of the raft of e-mailed news releases we get down here at the Eagleland Businessplex.
But this one bears sharing. Here’s a snippet:
“FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SHORT-SIGHTED AUSTERITY MEASURES REGARDING PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES COULD SPAWN CORPORATE “INTELLECTUAL DEPRESSION”
Washington, D.C. (13 April 2009) – New austerity measures taken by U.S.-based corporations could plunge the country into an “intellectual depression,” according to Doug Weeks, president of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), by removing hundreds of thousands of industry experts from the nation’s conference attendance. Weeks claims that a decision by a growing number of U.S. corporations to restrict employees from attending professional conferences will halt the flow of new ideas, more effective strategies, perfected procedures, and the presentation of new products that are utterly essential to economic recovery.”
Now, pardon my skepticism, but I have to wonder if an “intellectual depression” worries Mr. Weeks as much as a possible decrease in travel agent business.
Beginning Wednesday, Lawrence Memorial Hospital will sell water in paper cartons rather than bottles to be more environmentally conscious. It says it will be the first hospital in the country to make the switch.
The Lawrence Journal World quotes hospital officials about all the reasons for the switch, including the ease of storing square cartons.
The only downside I can think of: They’ll never fit in car or gym cup holders.
It’s too soon to make that call, but there is some good news out there in the Wichita housing market.
It appears March was an improvement, sales-wise, on the moribund months of January and February, locally and nationally.
Why? Eight thousand free dollars, for one.
Read more about the unexpected uptick in the market in Friday’s Eagle.
I hope you got a chance to see the features the business staff produced today on the seven finalists for the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards.
The articles were a great look into some of the shining examples of the businesses that make our community so great.
The chamber has a couple of events coming up where you can hear first-hand the stories of these businesses. All seven finalists will be featured at Wednesday’s Sunrise Scrambler (7:30 a.m. at the Petroleum Club) and at the Awards Lunch on May 6.
As an added bonus, Wichita State men’s basketball coach Gregg Marshall will be the keynote speaker at the lunch. If you would like to attend either event, give the chamber’s Angie Elliott a shout at 316-268-1129.
Observed over lunch at Larkspur today:
Herb Krumsick lunching with Eric Sexton, Wichita State’s athletic director.
Were they plotting the retirement of the “three-time All-American” Krumsick’s number at Koch Arena?
Probably not.
Instead, Krumsick roamed the restaurant doing handwriting analysis.
Here’s the rub: The pen Krumsick was using was loaded. Anyone who tried to sign up with his test got a shock. Literally, when the pen emitted an electronic jolt.
Fed intervention and the weakening economy could bring 30-year mortgage rates from about 5 percent now down to 4.2 percent, according to some Bank of America economists.
Remember John Elkington, the Beale Street developer in Memphis who helped WaterWalk officials land a handful of commercial leases for the development early last year – leases that haven’t broken any ground?
It appears that Elkington’s signature project, Beale Street, has become a legal hot potato in Memphis, with the city suing Elkington’s Perfoma group and Elkington replying in kind.
Meanwhile, WaterWalk remains a stretch of barren ground, surrounding the lofts and office project, the Wichita Area Association of Realtors and Gander Mountain.
It’ll be interesting to see what direction new Wichita City Manager Bob Layton can help provide.
Add some of America’s favorite life insurance companies to the list of financial services firms under water, according to this report from the Associated Press.
Let’s see: That makes automakers, banks, investment bankers, investment houses, insurers …
And the beat goes on.
Some day, I need to find the name of the agency that devises QuikTrip’s advertising campaigns. Always catchy, always on point.
Although, I think I’m offended by the latest sign I saw at the store at Douglas and Washington:
“Paninis are for weenies.”
Heh.
Banks that are looking for additional money from the federal government may have to sacrifice their chiefs in order to get it.
That was the message Sunday from Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner.
“If, in the future, banks need exceptional assistance in order to get through this, then we’ll make sure that assistance comes with conditions, not just to protect the taxpayer but to make sure this is the kind of restructuring necessary for them to emerge stronger,” he said on “Face the Nation” on CBS. “And where that requires a change of management of the board, we’ll do that.”