Why Cockpit Video Recorders Are Not Used

The recent air crash of Germanwings Flight 4U5925 raises several questions. One that particularly irks me is why we still spend millions of dollars trying to decipher audio on damaged cockpit voice recorders (CVRs)? A CVR can be invaluable but there is no doubt a cockpit video recorder would have been faster and easier to interpret. In some cases, the audio signal is not clear enough to even use. So why are we in a sense still flying blind? Could it be economics? I rather doubt this. Compared to the total expense of a new airliner, the additional cost would be nominal. Could it be that airlines don't want us to know all the questionable behavior that goes on inside the cockpit? Gee, I wonder if that is it?

Inspectors Missing Mold Problems

We all have seen bathrooms like this. That disgusting shower that no one bothers to clean. Provided the room is well ventilated, bleach or a commercial cleaning product would easily remedy the problem. Despite this, store refrigerator units often show similar mold growth on the seals of glass doors that are supposed to be clean yet food is showcased at alarming proximity to the contaminant. How could inspectors not see what repulses consumers everyday? Being understaffed is no excuse for turning a blind eye. If I can see it, why can't they? Do they really care or are they taking payoffs? The bottom line is there really is no excuse for not inspecting these seals and those that claim it is "not their job" are doing a serious disservice to the public. At minimum, the manager should always be informed and would probably appreciate the warning before more serious action needs to be taken.

Online Review Scams Becoming More Frequent

A new and quite despicable practice is emerging involving fake product and restaurant reviews. In Millbrae, California, a Yelper was caught posting a negative review that directly contradicts two security cameras. In their unscrupulous attempts to establish a name for themselves, some online "critics" have resorted to faking reviews. Similar scams occur regularly for products and services to the point where it is hard to know what to trust. They flood the Internet with positive reviews so much that negative reviews tend to fade in the background. Then they contact and harass sites posting negative reviews, request link removals and threaten litigation.

In some cases, a more subtle approach is taken where a marginal product is made to appear significantly better than it is. Many of these products are too mundane to even mention in a review and yet suspiciously, certain brands always seem to sparkle with flying colors. The day a ballpoint pen review starts to sound like the greatest achievement since man walked on the moon, you know something is up. Not all online retailers use product reviews and even crazier, today these reviews are sold just like mailing lists. This is not to say there is no such thing as an honest review but buyer beware, things are not always what they seem.

Golden Years Tarnished

Although gold is not supposed to tarnish, apparently it does when you find the median savings in a 401K is only around 18K and 40% of 401Ks have less than $10,000. Why are so many people having trouble saving for retirement? Most would blame the economy but the answer lies deeper. In the past, a retirement plan did not include having to budget for smart phones, cable television, fast Internet and an abundance of techno-gadgets to support our addictions. Sure the phone company would always get you but rabbit ears were cheap and the luxury of a car phone was an expense most did not have to contend to.

To make matters worse, traditional pensions are becoming rare and those that thought they could count on them are finding now they cannot. With child care for working parents and other costs still rising, will the dream of retiring disappear completely? Today, even a million dollars is no guarantee one can safely retire. Fortunately, we're living longer so we get to enjoy those golden years more as we hyperventilate through our breathing tubes and curse out those not responding to our computer-assisted voice boxes!

How to Choose a Conference Table

There is nothing more annoying than sitting around a table where you cannot move. Choosing the right table for your office environment can have a significant impact on your success. You certainly do not want people to feel crowded and yet too large of a table in an already small room can make it feel even smaller. People should be able to move around chairs easily and not feel crowded. That grand table that looks so impressive in the store may create quite the opposite effect in your conference room.

The best way to choose a conference table is to look at the space first. Sometimes a round table will optimize the space better in a small area but an oval shaped or boat shaped table will work provided it is not too tight of a squeeze. Always be sure to measure before buying and also make sure the style fits with the other decor in the room. You may feel that a cherry finish looks impressive but if it does not match the other furniture or makes the space seem too dark; do you really want it to stick out?

These are just some of the tips for buying a table for your conference room. Ample access to electrical receptors, how many there are and where they are placed should also be considered. In today's high-tech environment, WIFI access and ease of recharging are essential for ensuring a productive work and meeting environment. This may require a little more investment and forethought than just picking a table from a catalog but being unprepared at a meeting will always leave you at a significant disadvantage. If all this leaves you befuddled, remember that a good office furniture dealer like Haskell New York Inc. / OfficeSalesUSA.com can help you plan out an ergonomic environment that best suits your needs.

Over 8 Feet of Snow in 18 Hours!

A believed to be new world's record of snow fall occurred on 3/5/15 Capracotta Italy. Somehow 8.48 feet of snow came barreling down on the city. For a single day, this gargantuan rate of snowfall is incomprehensible. Imagine if that happened in your neighborhood! How would you get to work let alone the store? Kids might enjoy it but I guess you couldn't blame snow plows for hitting a few cars!

Why I'm an Independent

The typical treatment of issues being black and white to me just does not work. A perfect example is unions. Before them, monopolies could literally fire everyone overnight if they refused to put up with extremely oppressive conditions. Unions have done a lot over the years but now some believe they are becoming too strong. When rules become so stringent that companies begin to shut down, ultimately the concept of organized labor fails. Likewise, it would be great if we could just raise the minimum wage but the reality is quite a few mom and pop establishments are barely able to pay workers now.

Personally, I find it more disturbing when I can predict exactly how a person will stand on almost any issue by what news channel they listen to. While some media outlets strive to present neutral views, others prefer to shape and reinforce views that already lean in a certain direction. I am my own person and do not need political spin either way. A biased news source loses credibility and journalistic integrity. Unfortunately, the world is not black and white and failure to see the gray in between causes political stagnation as our bridges become perilously compromised and common good becomes sacrificed.

Ocean Confirmed on Ganymede

The Hubble Space Telescope has just confirmed Jupiter’s icy moon Ganymede contains a liquid body of water high in salinity. Although the moon likely contains the same volcanic vents that spawned life here on Earth, getting to that ocean would be quite challenging considering it is covered by an ice sheet 95 miles thick. Nevertheless, the moon is one of several hotspots right here in our own solar system where extraterrestrial life in the form of microbes or multicellular aquatic organisms might exist. "Ganymede joins other neighborhood moons like Europa, the asteroid belt dwarf planet Ceres, and Saturn's Enceladus and Titan that host strange icy or liquid layers, making them prime targets in the search for life beyond Earth." Read more at cnet.com.

Carbon Copying Emails; a Questionable Practice

I just received another email from a government affiliated agency. Although probably still legal, I do have concerns when I see my email address and hundreds of our competitors' emails listed in any correspondence (especially confidential matters). The practice known as carbon copying embeds actual email addresses in the message. Some would argue this is not such a big deal but privacy advocates have a very different view. 

In theory, BCC (blind carbon copy) would avoid this problem but somehow the issue does not seem to concern many senders. A message could also be sent individually to each recipient using an email client custom tailored for this purpose. Both options would appear more secure and it is troubling to think that this practice is allowed. If a malicious third party decided to use this to attack key contacts at major companies, the result could be catastrophic. Moreover, competitors could even siphon off talent by farming lists of contacts with specialized skills. The field of computer electronics is an evolving science. We certainly do not know all the ramifications of bad practices but clearly if it seems questionable, why would anybody do it?

Natural Alzheimer's Treatment Close to Human Trials

A natural remedy derived from a plant compound for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease is nearing clinical trials in humans. Since the plant (Ashwagandha) is considered food safe by the FDA (a.k.a., GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe), the timeline for testing will be significantly reduced.

The early progression of Alzheimer's disease starts when a certain protein breaks apart leading to plaque formation known as BAP. This obstruction ultimately kills brain cells in the frontal lobe thereby erasing memories as it progresses onto other parts of the brain. According to chemist Muraleedharan Nair of Michigan State University, "Our studies have shown that withanamides effectively protect the brain cells by neutralizing the effect of BAP." Nair's compound accomplishes this by blocking the protein's access to neurons where the damage occurs.

How Does Table Shape Affect us Psychologically?

The shape of your table at home or work speaks a great deal about what it conveys. Round tables tend to make people feel more like equals where no one has an advantage. Rectangular and boat shaped tables empower people at opposite ends. It is no coincidence that VIPs usually reserve their seats for this purpose. Interestingly enough, even shy individuals sometimes feel more empowered when they sit in these positions. This dynamic is so powerful that taking someone else's seat can lead to animosity between rivals that carries on long after a conference. Messing with the pecking order is always risky and in this regard, we are no better than a pack of wolves.

Nobody likes to play second fiddle and some salesmen will do anything to gain an edge. It may sound silly and immature but there can only be one alpha wolf in a pack and every position away from the alpha wolf potentially creates greater disconnect. A highly confident person may not feel belittled by seating position but if that position emboldens your competition, it may still reduce your impact during a meeting.

Fear Not "the Machine"

Despite an inability of many to get to work the past couple of days, there is a ray of hope about the economy. The unemployment rate dropped again in February to 5.5 percent. The job scene of course is still evolving as the Internet has largely put an end to certain positions like messengers and even wordprocessors. Today, there is no need to learn how to type the so called "correct way" as muscle memory has proved formal training in this discipline is unnecessary. For most businesses, spelling and grammar checkers are sufficient and the traditional role of a copywriter is diminished. The good news is that for every door that closes, a new one opens if you know where to look. Websites still need to be managed, a social presence on the Internet will have to be maintained and networks will still require routine work. Increased mechanization may eliminate some traditional jobs but fortunately, most companies cannot afford to spend 40 million dollars on a robot even if it reduces staff costs. This will not stop the big car manufacturers from making the investment but rest assured that it is unrealistic people will ever be fully replaced by machines. The initial investment, maintenance costs and reliability issues will always plague the field of robotics. People may not always be reliable either but I'd be willing to bet in 1,000 years, you'll still see far more humans in factories than robots.

Governor Christie Makes Wrong Decision Again

When Governor Christie first took office, he spoke with such conviction that you wanted to believe he was different. However, even during his glory days, there were troubling signs. Converting the Homestead rebate to a tax credit greatly reduced the rebate for many and it may even get phased out completely in the future. Adding fuel to the fire, his trips abroad, TV commercials and special election (all paid for by NJ tax payers) have made it clear he puts his own interest ahead of the state. If this was not bad enough, his blatant disregard for animal rights, despicable attempt to not honor NJ pensions and now ridiculously low settlement with Exxon Mobile really takes the cake. A willingness to accept a tiny fraction of what the state is owed may be politically convenient to him in a presidential bid but how does that help the state fix the ecological damage, pay off its massive debt and undue the 7 credit downgrades that occurred during his tenure? Owe and did I mention Bridgegate?

Governor Christie, if you really wanted to help businesses succeed, why would you allow online gambling when Atlantic City is already struggling? At least before, the trip made it harder to gamble. Now residents can lose a fortune right at home. His failure to make any significant investment to help unemployment has also resulted in NJ having one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Where is the great maverick that was supposed to help NJ? Is it on the trail for bigger and better things or was it never there to begin with?

Ouch, Herbivores More Carnivorous Than we Thought!

In a recent trending video, a hoarse showed its intelligence opening several doors and a food locker all to come across a tasty treat which looked to me like a hot dog. A quick search on the Internet revealed that yes, they can and do eat meat sometimes. Proteins they can't digest pass right through them while others help supplement their more typical vegetarian diet.

In my backyard, I once had the displeasure of witnessing a normally skittish groundhog catching a bird by its wing. With grazing animals like groundhogs, such odd behavior seems extreme but the truth is that few animals are 100% specialized for either meat or non-meat diets. Even swans which spend most of their day feeding on water plants will occasionally dine on crustaceans and insects. It's a little disturbing but it's nature and apparently, nothing is quite as innocent as it seems.

"Keepsake" Ultrasounds, Worth the Risk?

The latest trend of "keepsake" ultrasounds is raising concerns by the FDA. Although ultrasounds are generally considered safe, having the treatment outside medical need is never a smart idea. Still the trend is understandable. Mothers want to see their babies for the first time especially in a clear 3D image but when shopping malls become consumer outlets possibly leading to complications, one might think twice before taking the risk.

The state of Connecticut has outright banned these scans for non-medical usage. Tissue heating and cavitation are just some of the concerns medical professionals have. While the long term effects of these ultrasounds are still unknown, a word of caution must be taken. Besides, not all kids want to be remembered in this light. The thought of being inside a mother's womb is enough to creep me out at least.

New Hope for Stroke Victims

Italian researchers recently announced a new breakthrough for stoke survivors. The treatment known as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), provides a way to reduce hemispatial neglect - a condition that leaves part of the body unresponsive. Magnetic coils placed on the scalp gently stimulate nerve cells. In their study, participants receiving the treatment scored 16.3 percent higher on a test than non-participants. The test involves simple skills such as reading a menu, coin sorting and phone dialing.

Although recent stroke victims often recover similar skills after a temporary setback, earlier and more directed therapy may increase the chances of a better outcome. The initiator of the study, Doctor Giacomo Koch of Santa Lucia Foundation in Rome notes  "A stroke on one side of the brain causes the other side to become overactive, and the circuits become overloaded." More research will have to be conducted due to the limited number of participants but the procedure provides hope that hemispatial neglect will be greatly reduced in the future through non-invasive treatment.

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Did the British Invent Their Accent After the American Revolution?

Recently I did a search on Google to determine when America lost its British accent. Much to my surprise, I learned that America didn't lose the accent because neither the U.S. nor the English had an accent at the time!

"Around the turn of the 18th 19th century, not long after the revolution, non-rhotic speech took off in southern England, especially among the upper and upper-middle classes. It was a signifier of class and status. This posh accent was standardized as Received Pronunciation and taught widely by pronunciation tutors to people who wanted to learn to speak fashionably. Because the Received Pronunciation accent was regionally "neutral" and easy to understand, it spread across England and the empire through the armed forces, the civil service and, later, the BBC."

Source: http://mentalfloss.com/article/29761/when-did-americans-lose-their-british-accents

To confirm the theory, I started checking other sites. Although some British naturally disagreed, the proof came when I learned that some rural parts of England still speak in an American-like accent. Since we don't have recordings that old, nothing is conclusive but the diversity of other European lingual influences would still not explain how nearly no trace of the so called "original accent" remains here in the states. Australia it should be noted still retains an accent but the largest influx of English settlers did not arrive there until after the posh accent became predominant.

When is it Safe to Withdrawal from an IRA Account?

With traditional and Roth IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts), you have to be at least 59 1/2 years old to make a withdrawal without a penalty. Although most people cringe at the thought of withdrawing money from an IRA early, there are certain circumstances where it is permissible to avoid the 10% penalty. This certainly won't help with your retirement but when life throws a curve ball, the government does offer some exemptions:

• When the withdrawal is made for the purpose of paying college expenses for you or certain family members.
• When the withdrawal is used for paying medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.
• When you are buying a first-time home an allowance of up to $10,000 from an IRA can be used for this purpose.
• When you find yourself with a sudden major disability.

Note that tax laws change all the time and I am no expert in this field. Always check with a qualified financial assistant or your accountant before touching an IRA.

Stupid Things Tech Companies do Because They Can

Why do high-tech companies keep annoying features that aggravate users despite frequent complaints? Often they feel they know better but sometimes it's because they just don't listen. Microsoft and Samsung both have a history of selective hearing. Even if you do not use Homegroup for example, Microsoft will install the icon right on your desktop. They intentionally make it hard to delete the icon and even moving it can be quite a challenge. After removing it several times, the icon will often still keep coming back.

Likewise, you would think Samsung would finally realize people do not always like to hear music when they turn on/off their televisions. Spouses and other family members and guests often complain it wakes them up in adjacent rooms but Samsung doesn't seem to get the point. Of course this should not come as a surprise from a company that provides an even more irritating "whistle" notification on phones, tablets and other consumer-electronics that sounds like a bird call. Unless your device is close by, you may wonder what that noise is and might even think your neighbor is messing with you. One would presume Samsung would have the sense not to play such a loud notification when the tablet appears to be off (especially at night) but apparently this doesn't seem to concern them.