User:Robert W King: Difference between revisions

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__NOTOC__
{{AccountNotLive}}
<!--
 
Lists of photos I'd like to be able to use one day:
 
Clocks:
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/junaidrashid/142932567/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hobow149/415068879/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blusky/94244310/in/set-72057594064741767/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blusky/93282216/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roach/1259996878/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmichellephotos/1369996696/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tmh9/104306036/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/17945646/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blusky/94244314/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/philtographer/380984544/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/csaba_bajko/382562730/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/69124510@N00/1456569720/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/69124510@N00/1455703045/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/youraddresshere/102506980/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/youraddresshere/102507063/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8163995@N07/2143232013/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mingthein/2096965004/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mingthein/2094469516/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/racklever/2093315762/
 
-->
=Status=
 
<!--
* Work is 60% complete on the Milling Machine(see [[flickr]] set [http://www.flickr.com/photos/12949217@N05/sets/72157602422129711/ here]).  The Z-Axis needs to be constructed.
* [[User:ContribBot|ContribBot]] is delayed, possibly indefinately.  If you have any questions feel free to leave me a message at my [[User_Talk:Robert_W_King|talk page]].
* I am currently a Cruft-Fighting Extraordinaire.
-->
 
* Currently idle.
({{Usertime-text|Robert}}{{Template:Utc|-4}})
 
<!-- I am out for the [[weekend]]; hopefully I will (mostly) complete my 3-axis [[CNC Milling Machine]] and participate in some stress relief.  Please feel free to leave a message on my '''[[User_talk:Robert_W_King|talk page]]'''; --[[User:Robert W King|Robert W King]] 22:58, 12 October 2007 (CDT) -->
 
==About me==
[[Image:Quack.jpg|right|thumb|Quack!]]
 
'''Robert''' - Introduced to England by the Normans, Robert is derived from the Old High German Hruodperht, a compound name composed of the elements ''hruod'' (fame) and ''perht'' (bright).  The name was borne by Robert I (d. 1035), Duke of Normandy and father of William the Conqueror, and by three kings of Scotland. 
 
'''William''' - From the Old Norman French Willaume which is from the Old High German Willehelm (Resolute protector). The name is composed of the elements ''willeo'' (will, determination) and ''helm'' (helmet, protection).
 
I am a young man working in the field of Information Assurance, and living somewhere in [[Northern Virginia]]. I hold an Associate's in Information Technology from NVCC and am working (infrequently) on my B.S. in Information Technology from George Mason University.  My interests include data organization, networks, philosophy, critical thinking, and observation.
 
Lately I have taken a strong interest in global politics and monetary policy.  I have a great desire to acheive something great for mankind. 
 
In the past I have contributed to U.S. Government articles within Wikipedia, and reported on the Wired-sponsored Assignment Zero.
*([http://zero.newassignment.net/user/rwilliamking#profile-1 Profile here]
*[http://zero.newassignment.net/user/rwilliamking#profile-4 contributions here])
 
I have written three blog posts on [http://NewAssignment.Net NewAssignment.Net]
* [http://www.newassignment.net/blog/robert_w_king Link to my blog posts]
 
Books I have read or am currently reading:
*The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand (cmplt.)
*Status Anxiety - Alain De Botton (cmplt.)
*Stiff - Mary Roach (cmplt.)
*Talk to the Hand - Lynne Truss (cmplt.)
*The Use and Abuse of Art - Jacques Barzun (un-r)
*The World is Flat 3.0 -  (un-r)
*The Tipping Point - Malcolm Gladwell (mostly-r)
*Supercapitalism - Robert B. Reich (mostly-r)
<!-- 09:39, 14 April 2007  -->
 
===Quick Links===
*http://yarchive.net/home.html
*http://meyerweb.com/eric/tools/color-blend/
*http://www.mandarindesign.com/opacity.html
 
==Work on CZ==
 
{|class="wikitable"
|colspan=3 align=center style="color:#FFFFF0; background:darkgreen; wrap:yes"|<big>'''Tabella Nemorosus'''</big>
|-
|
{{Col-begin}}
__NOTOC__
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== Developing Articles ==
 
'''Initial Author'''
:Status 4:
* {{pl|bowling}}
* {{pl|wristwatch}}
:Status 3:
* {{pl|Assignment Zero}}
* {{pl|censorship}}
* {{pl|Color}}
* {{pl|Coffee}}
* {{pl|Crime}}
* {{pl|Cyberpunk}}
* {{pl|Diamond}}
* {{pl|Executive Schedule (U.S. government)|Executive Schedule}}
* {{pl|Fire}}
* {{pl|Garbage}}
* {{pl|Light}}
* {{pl|Light bulb}} ''in progress''
* {{pl|Mona Lisa}}
* {{pl|murder}}
* {{pl|Optical Disc}}
* {{pl|Socks (clothing)}}
* {{pl|stone}}
* {{pl|swimming}}
* {{pl|Team Fortress}}
* {{pl|Tide}}
* {{pl|tools}}
* {{pl|The Twilight Zone}} ''in progress''
* {{pl|water}}
 
:'''Author / Contributor'''
* {{pl|Chernobyl Disaster}}
:'''Contributor'''
* {{pl|Champagne}}
* {{pl|Citizendium}}
* {{pl|Food photography}}
* {{pl|French fries}}
* {{pl|History of computing}}
* {{pl|Software bug}}
{{Col-break|width=33%}}
 
== Stubs ==
:'''Initial Author'''
* {{pl|belt_(clothing)}}
* {{pl|collage}}
* {{pl|Crystal}}
* {{pl|Diamond}}
* {{pl|Drawing}}
* {{pl|Drinking_game}}
* {{pl|Frustrated_total_internal_reflection|FTIR}}
* {{pl|Fun}}
* {{pl|Glass}}
* {{pl|Halloween}}
* {{pl|Hat}}
* {{pl|Induction heating}}
* {{pl|Island}}
* {{pl|K2}}
* {{pl|M._C._Escher}}
* {{pl|Marble (stone)}}
* {{pl|metaphor}}
* {{pl|Mohs' scale}}
* {{pl|necktie}}
* {{pl|painting}}
* {{pl|Romeo_and_Juliet}}
* {{pl|Saturday_Night_Live}}
* {{pl|sculpture}}
* {{pl|ship}}
* {{pl|shirt_(clothing)}}
* {{pl|Simile}}
* {{pl|Sword}}
* {{pl|symbolism}}
* {{pl|Taco}}
* {{pl|Toy}}
* {{pl|Triangle}}
* {{pl|Wind}}
* {{pl|Writing}}
* <s>[[Neutrality|Neutrality]]</s> (''Currently in a void state'')
 
:'''Author / Contributor'''
* {{pl|Larry_Sanger}}
* {{pl|Thanksgiving}}
 
:'''Contributor'''
* {{pl|Apple}}
* {{pl|Frustration}}
* {{pl|Plural}}
* {{pl|vodka}}
{{Col-break|width=33%}}
 
== Templates ==
:'''Initial Author'''
* [[Template:NFPA|Template for the NFPA Safety Panel]] (Version 2.1, still not functional in Safari)''')
* [[Template:Elem_Infobox|An infobox template for the chemistry workgroup for elements.]] (Currently Less WIP and looking more polished.)
* [[Template:Citizen-header|Template]] for building the header of "[[CZ:CZ|The Citizen]]".
* [[Template:newtemplate|A template for new templates.]]  See [[CZ:Templates/Guidelines]].
* [[Template:TOC-left|A left-hand side inline TOC, copied and modified from TOC-right.]] See [[Template:TOC-left]] and [[Template:TOC-right]]
* [[Template:Timeline]] and [[Template:TLevent]] for creating graphical timelines.
* [[Template:Nutrition]], ya know, just in case..
* [[Template:Recipe|A template for recipe creation]].
* [[Template:Chem_infobox|An infobox template for the chemistry workgroup for chemicals]]
* [[Template:U|An easy superscript template]] and [[Template:D|an easy subscript template]].
:'''Proposal System'''
* [[Template:Proposal|A template for making proposals.]]  See [[CZ:Proposals/Guidelines]].
* [[Template:Response|A template for responding to proposals.]]  See [[CZ:Proposals/Guidelines]].
* [[Template:claimproposal|A template for assuming repsonsibility for proposals.]] See [[CZ:Proposals/Guidelines]]
* [[Template:reformatproposal|A template for indicating necessary proposal reformatting.]]  See [[CZ:Proposals/Guidelines]]
 
:'''Author / Contributor'''
* ''To be completed...''
 
:'''Contributor'''
* [[Template:Tennis_player2|Table]] for catalog of [[Famous_tennis_players|Famous Tennis Players]]
* [[Template:Subpages7|Subpage Index Template]] for the Subpage Project
* [[CZ:Upload-Wizard|Upload Wizard for upload of media]], mostly re-vamping [[User:Stephen Ewen|Stephen]]'s work.
 
{{Col-break|width=33%}}
{{Col-end}}
|-
|
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break|width=33%}}
 
== Projects on CZ ==
*[[CZ:CZ|The Citizen]]!
 
*My Sandbox: [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/User:Robert_W_King/Sandbox Testing grounds].
 
*[[CZ:Proposals]], a community portal created in order to enable citizens to make suggestions that impact the wiki
 
*CZ's Core Article Initiative: [[CZ:CORE]]
 
*CZ's recruiting initiative: [[CZ:Recruitment]].  I created a one-sheet black and white recruitment flyer to be distributed (primarly) on college campuses, community bulletin boards, and other open public posting areas.  [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Image:CZ_1sheet_BlackWhite_revised.jpg It can be found here.]  Instructions are enclosed.
 
*[[Hat]] article image request initiative:  If you have one of many different types of hats, and have a picture of you wearing it, please submit it to the articlespace!  This article would do greatly with a large number of hat images. --[[User:Robert W King|Robert W King]] 20:49, 18 October 2007 (CDT)
 
*[http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=CZRWK A youtube channel for videos posted on or about Citizendium]
 
*[http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=Special:Newpages&limit=2000&offset=0&namespace=0 Newpage counter for, er, new pages.] (Max is 2,000 it seems)
 
{{Col-break|width=33%}}
 
== To Do ==
*<s>Finish [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=Special:Whatlinkshere/Template:Subpages9&limit=100&from=0 converting these to <nowiki>{{subpages}}</nowiki> as opposed to subpages9]</s> Practically finished minus a few issues that need to be cleaned up on some "list" pages, but other than that subpages9 should no longer be on any subpage (unless its in conversation). --[[User:Robert W King|Robert W King]] 13:31, 17 November 2007 (CST)
*<s>Fix [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Special:DoubleRedirects double redirects]</s> There are none!
*<s>Review [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Special:Lonelypages Orphaned Pages] for speedydelete.</s> '''(May that never have to be done again!  Next time a bot better do it...)'''
*[http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Special:Uncategorizedimages Image Category Party!]
*[http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Special:Uncategorizedpages Review uncategorized pages]
*Play [[Team Fortress|TF2]] when burnt out on wikiediting.
*<s>Convert [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=Special:Whatlinkshere/Template:Checklist&limit=500&from=0 existing checklists into subpage pages.] (g'ah, didn't we do this already???)</s> Largely done by other processes. --[[User:Robert W King|Robert W King]] 13:08, 1 April 2008 (CDT)
*<s>Move to Europe in 10 Months.</s>  !!!What's happening in Europe?!!! -Go to Europe for two months starting in September. --[[User:Robert W King|Robert W King]] 13:06, 1 April 2008 (CDT)
*<s>Fix the dashboard.</s> '''Close enough for government work!''' --[[User:Robert W King|Robert W King]] 20:47, 13 January 2008 (CST)
*<s>Finish organizing templates used in CZ at [[CZ:Templates]]</s> Part One complete; now need to organize base on use and category.  --[[User:Robert W King|Robert W King]] 11:40, 22 December 2007 (CST)
*[http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/magazine/16-01/ff_100mpg_sb Win a Million Dollars.]
*<s>Create/Finish creating [[CZ:Technical_Team_Workgroup]].</s> A workgroup template will be better.
{{Col-break|width=33%}}
 
== Images modified ==
 
* Photograph of Mt. Vernon -[http://en.citizendium.org/images/archive/6/64/20070621172604%21Mtvernonli.jpg Original] vs. [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Image:Mtvernonli.jpg current]
* Photograph of Ireland's Four Courts - [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Image:Four_Courts.jpg Original] vs. [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Image:Four_Courts_colorfixed.jpg current]
* Photograph for [[Prohibition]] - [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Image:Prohibition.jpg Original] vs.[http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Image:Prohibition_fixed.jpg current]
* Photograph for [[Abraham Lincoln]] - [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Image:N007087.jpg Original] vs [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Image:Abraham_Lincoln_Adjusted.jpg optional replacement]
* Photograph for [[Shirley Chisholm]] - [http://en.citizendium.org/images/archive/9/93/20070610053018%21Sachisholmmodified.jpg Original] vs [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Image:Sachisholmmodified.jpg current]
* Image of King [[Louis XIV]] - [http://en.citizendium.org/images/archive/a/a2/20071101022826%21Louis_XIV_by_Rigaud%2C_1701%2C_Louvre_%28cropped%29.jpg Original] vs [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Image:Louis_XIV_by_Rigaud%2C_1701%2C_Louvre_%28cropped%29.jpg current]
* Image of [[Eamon de Valera]] - [http://en.citizendium.org/images/9/9f/34894r.jpg Original] vs. [http://en.citizendium.org/images/2/22/Eamon_de_Valera_adjusted.jpg current]
{{Col-break|width=33%}}
{{Col-end}}
|}
 
I performed levels of relentless editing on these articles:
 
* [[TI:Unertan_Syndrome|TI:Unertan_Syndrome After]] vs. [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=TI:Unertan_Syndrome/Revision&diff=prev&oldid=100126047 Before]
 
===I created the following images:===
 
{{Gallery-nomix
|caption=&nbsp;
|width=100
|lines=4
|Cockroach_One.jpg|<small>Cockroach</small>
|Apple_outside.jpg|<small>Picture of an Apple</small>
|Mocha_and_donut.jpg|<small>Mocha and Donut</small>
|Flowers_edited_compressed.jpg |<small>Flowers outside my office</small>
|Apples_photo.jpg|<small>More apples</small>
|Additive_vector.jpg|<small>Additive light model</small>
|Subtractive_vector.jpg|<small>Subtractive light model</small>
|AZ_Desktop.jpg|<small>Screenshot of the AZ desktop</small>
|Be_bold.jpg|<small>Be bold test image</small>
|Flourescent_bright.jpg|<small>Regular exposure of flourescent lighting</small>
|Flourescent_dark.jpg|<small>Low level light exposure of flourescent lighting</small>
|Two_insects_of_unknown_type_staging_reproduction.jpg|<small>Two insects in mating stance (possibly my best capture yet)</small>
|Stone_used_in_handicap_ramp_application.jpg|<small>A stone and concrete walkway</small>
|Stone_used_in_a_retaining_wall.jpg|<small>Stone used in a retaining wall</small>
|Iron_oxide_deposit_from_well_water_irrigation.jpg|<small>Rust deposit on a sidewalk</small>
|Bowling_lane.jpg|<small>A bowling alley</small>
|Bowling_ball_corral.jpg|<small>A bowling ball corral</small>
|Bowling_scoring_terminal.jpg|<small>A very old bowling scoring terminal</small>
|Bowling_league_community.jpg|<small>A group of bowlers on league night</small>
|Bowling_ball_return.jpg|<small>Bowling ball return machine.  Do not stick your hands inside!</small>
|Bowling_shoes.jpg|<small>Many people have worn these.</small>
|Tennis_court_dimensions_image.jpg|<small>Modified image of an empty tennis court to include its dimensions</small>
}}
 
==Work on Wikipedia==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OMB_Circular_A-21 OMB Circular A-21]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OMB_Circular_A-16 OMB Circular A-16]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OMB_Circular_A-130 OMB Circular A-130]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OMB_Circular_A-126 OMB Circular A-126]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OMB_Circular_A-123 OMB Circular A-123]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatch_Act_of_1939 Hatch Act of 1939]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_information_system Geographic Information System]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Services_Administration General Services Administration]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Property_and_Administrative_Services_Act_of_1949 Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Schedule Executive Schedule]
 
==Philosophies==
<!--
===Humor===
 
In contrast to the serious efforts of projects, I find that often ridiculous insignificancies amuse me greatly.  Within the scope of CZ, here are a few that I enjoyed. 
* (diff) (hist) . . m Kilt accessories‎; 11:15 . . James F. Perry (Talk | contribs) (typo corr4ection + rephrase) (''oh, the irony'')
* 12:23, 4 April 2007 Larry Sanger (Talk | contribs) unblocked Stephen Ewen (contribs) (Stephen, please don't block yourself. ROTFL)
* 12:20, 4 April 2007 Larry Sanger (Talk | contribs) unblocked Stephen Ewen (contribs) (It's too embarrassing to explain)
* 12:06, 4 April 2007 Robert Tito (Talk | contribs) blocked "Stephen Ewen (contribs)" * with an expiry time of 2 hours (he was having too much fun)
* 03:17, 4 April 2007 Stephen Ewen (Talk | contribs) blocked "Stephen Ewen (contribs)" with an expiry time of 2 hours
* 15:01, 16 February 2007 blocked "Larry M Sanger (contribs)" with an expiry time of infinite (evident: one LS is enough)
* 10:54, 14 February 2007 blocked "Mozilla Firefox (contribs)" with an expiry time of infinite (I wonder. :) )
* 10:41, 14 February 2007 blocked "Biff Soupbone (contribs)" with an expiry time of infinite (If you have to ask, I'll have to selll you on ebay. )
* 18:22, 10 February 2007 Larry Sanger (Talk | contribs) blocked "Jimbo WaIes (contribs)" with an expiry time of infinite (No doubt the vandal again. If that is you Jimbo then e-mail us at [email protected])
* 17:37, 10 February 2007 blocked "Artemus (contribs)" with an expiry time of infinite (name not according to standards (full name needed), ''and neither two of the 4 musketeers'')
* 08:40, 30 January 2007 blocked "Stanley matthews (contribs)" with an expiry time of infinite (''Name of dead British footballer'')
* 10:52, 26 January 2007 blocked "The Gambler (contribs)" with an expiry time of infinite (''Las Vegas is somewhere else'')
* Yes, we have a [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=User_talk:D._Matt_Innis&diff=100105469&oldid=100105418 Biology of Living Persons Policy.]
* [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=User%3ARobert_W_King&diff=100126344&oldid=100126263 Now that's funny :-)]
* [[Hayford_The_Wikicomber]]
* [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=User:Stephen_Ewen/Scratch_Pad3&diff=100127723&oldid=100127721 Hayfords's Fine French Bar & Grill] - don't miss this.
* [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=Butler&curid=100021653&diff=100148511&oldid=100148510 The term "buttery" came to mean "panty" - Bad butler!]
* [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=Primate&diff=100148859&oldid=100148857 Exploding Primates - what a mess!]
* [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=User_talk:Stephen_Ewen&diff=100162820&oldid=100162819 "I'll alter Larry to the matter".] I think you meant 'sacrifice' :D My question is if we can suggest the necessary alterations:-)
* [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=Republicanism%2C_U.S.&diff=100163483&oldid=100163466 Careful of those corrupt fonts, they're a doozy!]
* [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=User:Stephen_Ewen/Scratch_Pad5&direction=next&oldid=100165753 The new free content Chicken Head Copyright License] - a.k.a. the "I don't care" license.
* [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=User_talk:Luke_Brandt&diff=100166280&oldid=100093835 "We'll figure out a way to sue those people whose image we use under fair use, I just know we will!"].
* [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=User:Robert_W_King&diff=100168249&oldid=100167090 Wow. Rough night, eh?]
* 00:05 (cur; last) . . Larry Sanger (Talk | contribs | block) (deleted "Here": Here today, gone tomorrow)
* [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=Image:Quack.jpg&diff=100169335&oldid=100089208 These MUST be ''some'' ducks!] (scroll down)
*[http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=User_talk:Subpagination_Bot&rcid=325808 Welcome to a new author, er, uh, rather a new bot!]
*[http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=Toy&oldid=100180199 Illicit eliciting] - yep, sounds about right.
*[http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=Template:RWK&diff=100184978&oldid=100184975 This new license may really catch on....]
*[http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=Augustin-Louis_Cauchy&diff=100199992&oldid=100199956 WP:OR and a simple Pole in a complex plane]
* '''Taken out of context''' (see http://blog.citizendium.org/2007/11/07/financial-times-on-citizendium/):  Yes, I wake up every day fired by the thought, “This is how I’m going to get back at Jimbo!” -Larry Sanger
* [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=Talk:Sexual_dimorphism&diff=100194427 Sexual dimorphism] - Yes, this is in the [[:Category:Hobbies Workgroup]]...but just exactly whose hobby ''is'' that?
*[http://en.citizendium.org/wiki?title=Richard_Nixon&diff=100207195 A ''powerfuk'' analyst of world affairs] - boy, ya ''really'' gotta watch ''those'' fellows.
-->
 
 
===Neutrality===
 
There are three properties that I believe should be adhered to in the context of this project when it comes to non-philosophical topics: fact, relevancy, and neutrality. 
*Fact: Everything that pertains to a particular subject should not be made up or speculated on.  There should be no lies and no conjecture.  I believe in trails, audits, and observations.  That which is shown to be absolutely provable.
*Relevancy: There will always be a percentage of information which points to a demonstratable conclusion.  Only the upmost definitive evidence that shows A leads to B should be included.
*Neutrality: Every viewpoint should be shown, and substantiated with credible sources.  Credibile does not mean "existing", "popular", or "notable"; but rather those sources that are known to exhibit only the observable and objective truth and not an agenda or bias.  Documentation is a must.
It is the reponsibility for everyone who wishes to further the knowledge and education of the masses to provide the basis for others to make their own decisions.  One should be "informative" and not "convincing" when it comes to the essential elements of knowledge.
 
<!--
 
Let's pretend.
 
We'll start with an assumption that we're tracking these factors:
 
* The cost of housing
* The cost of consumer goods
* The cost of living
* The amount of jobs that are sent overseas
 
Given what we know:
 
* The latest news over the past year is the subprime lending market crash.  Turns out, as a direct result of the irresponsible lending practices by financial institutions, housing forclosures have risen 149% from 2006. (Source: CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/29/foreclosure.data/index.html?iref=mpstoryview#cnnSTCOther1)  The fallout so far seems unmeasurable.
 
* Corporations like Wal-Mart adjust their policies and force suppliers and manufacturers to reduce their costs, thereby decreasing the cost of consumer goods.  The net effect of this is that many lose their jobs as a result, employee pay and benefits are reduced (or lost), and shareholders get returned value.
 
* The cost of living is forcing many Americans to use credit lines to support themselves as hours are cut, and wages are reduced, in order to increase shareholder stock and CEO value. (Search Any financial section in any newspaper over the last year for terms like "cut jobs" or "Reduced workforce").
 
* Many jobs and processes have been outsourced to China, India, and other nations that can do them under a fraction of the cost of the average employee in the United States.
 
So as an average Joe Citizen, what are you to do?
 
Move to live somewhere else, obviously; get a different (or a second or third) job; get more education; changing careers.  However, consider the following:
 
* Moving will cost you the time it takes to find somewhere else to live, plus any moving expenses you incur along the way (including down-payments, security deposit, vehicle rental + gas). 
 
* Average college tuition rates are rising all the time.  You'll almost certainly have to take out a loan (read: more debt).  And then there's the time it takes to complete a degree which may interfere with your work hours.
 
* Career fields only have a certain number of opportunities.  Also anything that can be outsourced for cheaper, probably will be (at the behest of shareholders).
 
I can't help but wonder if all those books written about futures where a large population of the world lives in slums are inevitably going to come true.  Maybe we should consider cashing out what we've got and moving out west somewhere, and starting a burbclave: building homes from recycled materials and landfill waste.  The days of democratic capitalism are gone: we certainly can't expect the government to pick up the slack and care for those in need in our home country, nor will corporations.
 
 
If we as a people do not change our ways where; where will you live in 2020?
 
 
-->
 
[[Category:CZ Authors|King, Robert W]]
[[Category:CZ Editorial Council Members|King, Robert W]]
[[Category:Author members starting a 2008 term|King, Robert W]]

Latest revision as of 03:38, 22 November 2023


The account of this former contributor was not re-activated after the server upgrade of March 2022.


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