Open Thread

Correct bfarwell – that’s an LED. I spun it really fast and it burned out.

Now that I know it works I’m going to make one that’s mounted on a piece of plywood and can be turned with a hand crank with a belt so it goes wicked fast and also be easier for the kids to turn. It’ll have bigger magnets and more coils. I don’t have a specific goal in mind but kind of think if I can make enough electricity so it actually hurts to get shocked by it then I’ve accomplished something.

I think would rather live in almost any of the 25 countries with negative population growth over the last 5 years than any of the 25 countries with the highest growth rate.

Scanning the list, it seems like an optimal growth rate is between .25% and 1% a year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population_growth_rate

Pete….read Bill gross’s latest commentary on bonds….

http://investments.pimco.com/insights/External%20Documents/PIMCO_Investment_Outlook_June_2011_Buy_Cheap_Bonds_with_Safe_Spread.pdf

For some interesting reading on the global population growth and a paradigm shift in oil and commodities prices, read jeremy grantham’s writings on the Grantham Mayo website.