First Blog

Are you relevant? JC Pennys, as a long time retailer has dropped precipitously on the New York Stock Exchange. They may go bankrupt.  As observer put it, "I don't see a need for Pennys," at this point.   I shopped at Penny's often over the years.  Another dinosaur is Sears.  Ditto for Sears.  (Ask me about parking at Sears in the 50's.) Both have adopted the model of cash stations, where you take your item to a station to pay.  There is no longer any expertise associated with or available for what you want to buy.  So, why would I go there?  No reason I can think of - except to see the goods and then buy elsewhere. Keep this in mind.  "You have value as long as you have actual monetary value."  We see this with: a. Uber - why need those taxis? b. Teachers - why not learn online? c. Elevator operators - you have probably never seen one (once ubiquitous) d. Banking - no need for money transactions anymore, now only loans. e. Cars and g

We hear so often about innovation at whatever you do.  It seems to be the current brass ring to the next and greatest APP ever.  Websites are devoted to it. Papers are issued on what it is.  Lectures are given on how to do it.    There are even degree programs on achieving this illusive ability. One of the keys to invention is the so-called “thinking outside the box.” However, for innovation from outside the box, the first need is understand what’s inside the box. Namely, is your idea actually outside the box? In this connection, it is important to know your great new idea is not simply one that fails.  The alternative is to expend resources to determinine it doesn’t.  Wasted time! All new innovations I’ve ever heard of come from experts on the “inside, looking outside.”  You need some examples. a.     Pasteur and the application of germ theory to serious disease such as anthrax or rabies. b.     Object oriented programming as a method of accessing and using inform

Electric cars.  I like the idea, want to have one, and eventually will have one.  Yet, there are questions any reasonable person will need answered. What will happen when millions of electric cars are on the road?  We will enjoy what is called the statistics of testing at scale .   A few examples: a.      Exploding and failing batteries – at minimum causing traffic problems ·        At homes ·        On the freeway. ·        In public garages. ·        Fire issues b.      Demands on the electrical grid and charging availability – charging these machines will enhance demand on possibly fragile electrical delivery systems.  If you’re out of juice, you can’t just walk a few blocks to get a refill.  As well extant gas station will need to install expensive high amperage wiring together with charging stations.  Note the simplistic examples with the Samsung cell phone.  c.      Demand for engine and system repair.  Trained technicians will be needed en mass .  This is esp