Every Wednesday, we review a selection of new and upcoming books addressing a specific aspect of environmentalism. Today we're recommending books about food and its relation to the environment . Righteous Porkchop: Finding a Life and Good Food Beyond Factory Farms  (by Nicolett...

Proponents of the smart grid say that our energy infrastructure is costly, outmoded, and inefficient: The Northeast blackout in 2003, for example, cost the region $6 billion (for more figures, read The Smart Grid: An Introduction ). In a system as large and complex as the power grid, eve...

You have spotted an scarcely inhabited business niche. Your business model appears to be a surefire hit. You have gone through your business plan with a fine-toothed comb. However, you still have a problem — where are you going to find startup business funding? That problem has kept umpteen po...

It's hard to throw out old electronics. But it's hard to keep 'em too. Whether you're an eager early adopter, frustrated by obsolete software, or dealing with technical malfunctions, there inevitably comes a time to bid adieu to your cell phone, computer, digital camera, or MP3 playe...

It is common belief that hi-tech progress has inestimable advantages – it makes our lives more comfortable, gives us additional possibilities, and even unveils our potential. With growing power of the progress we’ve got the chance to live easier, healthier, and faster. We believe that this stran...

"Love or Money" courtesy of Flickr user aymanshamma I guess I’m lucky I’ve always been a poor bastard. A quick post over at What’s Up Arlington, brought my attention to the front page story in this past Wednesday’s Washington Post. The headline read, “Market f...

Planet of the Apes: Renowned primatologist Jane Goodall has a few things to say about the recent suburban chimp attack. LA Unleashed Bummer: America's love of ultra-soft toilet paper (which can't be made from recycled fiber) is hard on forests.  New York Times Forces of Nat...

Along with the market hitting a 12 year low today, the credit market has taken more hits.  One story that came out today, I thought to be especially telling.  American Express has started paying people to close their accounts.   American Express has been dealing with their own issues for a while....

Obama announced that between $50 billion and $100 billion will be spent on making mortgage payments affordable, as part of the giant gamble he and Congress are making, under the title of “stimulus.� No help will be provided for those who made rational decisions on purchases, but ample support wi...

There was anger today as BMW confirmed that 850 jobs were being cut by ending weekend working at its Mini car plant near Oxford. The cuts will mostly affect agency workers when they come into force from 2 March when the plant begins operating five days a week, instead of the current seven. Union sou...