by Thane Ritchie | Jul 13, 2016 | Green Tech Career, Innovation
In the United States, many issues divide along party lines. Few issues unite the two political parties. Historically, the process of replacing non-renewable energy with renewable energy sources has been added to the long list of divisive party issues. But as business models for renewable energy become more innovative and cost effective, the issue of clean energy could become with the potential of unifying political parties. Right now Republican states Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and North Dakota are among the top 11 states with the most installed wind capacity.1http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/07/are-the-winds-changing-for-renewable-energy/490250/ Both Republican and Democratic States are looking for ways to replace carbon based harmful energy sources for renewable energy sources. In the past, blue states have been more involved in the quest for clean energy. Ideology seems to be what pushes red states away from the issue. Republican states tend to appose Federal mandates for renewable energy, but they are not necessarily against the growth of sustainable energy sources in their state. “As the economics get better, as the business models prove themselves, as renewable energy industries become stronger and stronger in every state, I just think the politics have to follow that.”2http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/07/are-the-winds-changing-for-renewable-energy/490250/ Aliya Haq, Special Projects Director of the Climate and Clean Air Program of NRDC, discusses how innovative business strategies that enhance the cost effective nature of renewable energy forces could be the solution to uniting red and blue states, getting both parties to pursue profitable solar energy business models. In the past, 528 million federal dollars were given to a solar panel company, Solyndra. Since then the company has gone bankrupt.3https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/renewable-energy-industry-and-politics/gIQAxv3OhL_topic.html It is apparent that “kinks” are still being...
by Thane Ritchie | Jul 11, 2016 | Innovation, Investment, Technology
On June 21st Elon Musk’s renowned electric car company, Tesla, made known that it intended to acquire SolarCity in an all-stock transaction. Taking on the burden of another company presents itself as an obscure deal, especially when Tesla seemingly has their own operational issues. Musk and Tesla have described this proposal as a logical combination of two companies with similar customers, cultures, and goals.1http://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Tesla-s-SolarCity-deal-Is-Musk-taking-on-too-8349040.php The vision is innovative: but from an economic and investing standpoint, this deal may seem more like a simple bailout of SolarCity (that will hurt Tesla stockholders) rather than a merge of two companies to meet the world’s future energy needs.2http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2016/06/22/elon-musks-solarcity-bailout-is-painful-for-tesla-shareholders/#780744cc3aa0 Pros of following through with the deal: Tesla states that “We would be the world’s only vertically integrated energy company offering end-to-end clean energy products to our customers.”3https://www.teslamotors.com/blog/tesla-makes-offer-to-acquire-solarcity In theory, the deal is very innovative and boasts plenty of dynamic potential. Integrating these companies may contain worries and uncertainty for the financial and business side of Tesla, but the deal holds a lot of potential as a model for the future of innovative companies and renewable energy. A good amount of electric car owners, that may be concerned over global warming or interested in breaking the grip of fossil fuels, have or want to invest in solar energy products. Musk highlighted this in pitching the Solar City Deal. Merging the companies makes the products that Tesla and SolarCity have to offer more available and relevant to each other. Cons of following through with this deal: Critics and skeptics alike are noting that the business of producing and selling cars is very different from the business...
by Thane Ritchie | Jun 30, 2016 | Misc, Technology
Britain recently held a referendum leading them to the notable decision to leave the European Union. This ‘Brexit’ leaves many questions unanswered, including questions on how disbandment from the EU might affect the technology hub that is the city of London. Recent statistics provide us with a picture of what the answers to these questions may look like. #1 ranking. The European Digital City Index ranked London as number 1 in all of Europe.1European Digital Forum, and Nesta. “{{ Metatags.fb_title }}.” European Digital City Index 2015. European Commission, 2015. Web. 01 July 2016. This ranking is based on how well a city supports digital entrepreneurship. Under research put out by Bloomberg Philanthropies London is considered the FinTech capital of the world.2Mandel, Michael, Dr., and Jonathan Liebenau, Dr. “London: Digital City on the Rise.” Mikebloomberg.com. Bloomberg Philanthropies, June 2014. Web. 1 July 2016. London’s position as a technology hub cannot be overrated. More people are employed in London’s tech sector than in any other city’s tech sector in the world.3European Digital Forum, and Nesta. “{{ Metatags.fb_title }}.” European Digital City Index 2015. European Commission, 2015. Web. 01 July 2016. London’s booming tech sector causes the city to quite possibly be Europe’s most influential city in the realm of technology. 1.46 Million People were employed by digital companies according to a 2015 study.4Tech City. “Welcome to Tech Nation 2016: Transforming UK Industries.” Tech City UK. Nesta, 2016. Web. 1 July 2016. This growing industry boasts the city of London to be the headquarters for 20% of the United Kingdom’s tech companies.5Tech City. “For Investors – Tech City UK.” Tech City UK. Nesta, 2016. Web. 01 July 2016. The technology sector in...
by Thane Ritchie | Jun 24, 2016 | Sports
The world recently lost one of its great icons. On June 3rd, Muhammad Ali (formerly known as “Cassius Clay”), passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Ali has developed legendary status from generation to generation due to his accomplishments in the realm of boxing and his unique charisma. Ali was not only self-proclaimed to be the “Greatest of All-Time,” but he was and still is, in most eyes, the greatest boxer to ever enter the ring. Based on his dominance and captivation of the specific sport that he competed in, it could even be argued that he is the greatest athlete of all time. Ali was not your typical champion: he was a black superstar athlete in the Civil-Rights era, he was a pacifist in a time of war. If one were to examine Ali before his rise as an influential icon in society, he would not be declared as a typical trend setter. In fact, in his first heavyweight championship fight, 43 ESPN analysts predicted he would lose, with only three viewing him as the potential victor. In the words of Ali, “I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.” He made true on his promise. What made this seemingly insignificant young boxer rise to the top? What was in Muhammad that the 43 analysts couldn’t see? His greatness could be found in more than just his boxing talent; but in a relentless attitude, an iconically unshakeable personality, and an embracement of his profoundly paradoxical persona. Ali approached the sport of boxing with a relentless attitude. This was seen in his...
by Thane Ritchie | Jun 23, 2016 | Misc, Uncategorized
Andre Iguodala, last year’s NBA Finals MVP, throws on a pair of Nike HyperChases, dribbles down a 50 foot court, jumps nearly 35 inches in the air, releasing a basketball at his highest point. A faint swish sound can be heard- Iguodala, the Golden State Warriors guard, has just drained another three point shot. Arianna Huffington, editor in chief of The Huffington Post, and 70th most powerful woman according to Forbes1Forbes Media LLC. “#70 Arianna Huffington.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 2016. Web. 20 June 2016., spins around in her swivel chair, takes a break from writing her next bestseller, crumples up a piece of writing paper that never made the final cut, tosses it into the air, burying another shot deep into the recycling bin. She makes plays all day long at the office. What this NBA star and this 65-year old editor in chief have in common is more than just success in their respective fields: they both received a quality eight hours of rest last night. Arianna Huffington’s widely popular book, The Sleep Revolution, came out this April. Already a New York Times best-seller, Huffington’s book argues for the importance of sleep, relaying staggering statistics on how lack of sleep decreases every aspect of our lives; getting poor rest can even result in the tired individual functioning at the cognitive level of legal drunkenness. One among many intriguing studies from the informative book is an analysis of a boarding school. She cites how a boarding school made the decision to start 35 minutes later in the morning and as a result, the students GPA increased and the number of...
