A virtuous cycle of worker power and technology?
What if higher wages drive faster productivity growth?
"Dumbwaiter Overhead" by James Loesch, CC BY 2.0
The other day I ordered at a restaurant on my smartphone. No waiter came by to ask me if I was ready to order. I scanned a QR code on a piece of paper taped to a wooden post; this brought up the menu on my phone, and I simply indicated what I wanted. As if by magic, a server appeared a few minutes later with the food. During my meal, no one wandered by to ask me if I "was still working on that"; when I wanted more food, I just used my phone again. I'm sure I'm one of many millions of Americans who's learning to order food this way, as a result of the understaffing and social distancing rules imposed by the Covid pandemic.
While I was ordering this way, I kept thinking over and over that this shift is a real game-changer in terms of productivity. Let people order food on their phones, and the number of wait staff you need to deliver the same service goes way down. It's barely more onerous for the customer if at all, and it eliminates the need to have human beings constantly sashaying around the establishment, eyeing how much diners have eaten.
So I guess I wasn't too surprised when I saw, via Erik Brynjolfsson and Georgios Petropoulos, that labor productivity is growing at rates not seen since the previous century:
What IS surprising is that this growth has accelerated in the first quarter of 2021, as Americans have started coming back to work en masse. If productivity gains had been purely a function of service establishments being forced to do stretch and do more with fewer workers because of Covid, we might have expected to see a reversal as workers came back to work en masse; instead, productivity is growing even faster.
Now, it's important not to put too much weight on one quarter's worth of data. This is a noisy time series with plenty of mismeasurement, and there are bound to be revisions (in fact, looking at the non-seasonally-adjusted numbers shows a slightly more modest increase in Q1). But coupled with my observations on the ground, the change seems real; we can see the actual labor-saving technologies being implemented right in front of our eyes. Nor am I the only one who sees this. Writing in the WSJ, Greg Ip reports:
Industries accounting for a third of the job loss since the start of the pandemic have increased output, including retailing, information, finance, construction, and professional and business services, said Jason Thomas, head of global research at private-equity manager Carlyle Group.
"This recession took on a life of its own by leading to greater remote work, greater reliance on technology," Mr. Thomas said. Executives began to ask "hard questions: Why do we have so much floor space? Are we sure our cost base makes so much sense? Why were we taking so many intra-office trips? This experience has just revealed how ignorant you were about the frontiers of technology that you could exploit."
So if employers really are investing in labor-saving technology, the question is: Why? Part of it is surely that the pandemic simply nudged managers to reconsider how they do things; inertia in the business world is strong. But another possible explanation is that workers are becoming more powerful and demanding higher wages. In the NYT, Neil Irwin notes some evidence that workers are gaining the upper hand in the labor market:
The "reservation wage," as economists call the minimum compensation workers would require, was 19% higher for those without a college degree in March than in November 2019, a jump of nearly $10,000 a year, according to a survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York…
A survey of human resources executives from large companies conducted in April by The Conference Board, a research group, found that 49% of organizations with a mostly blue-collar workforce found it hard to retain workers, up from 30% before the pandemic.
With workers demanding higher wages, there could be an incentive for companies to invest in technologies that will economize on labor — like QR code ordering at restaurants.
One problem for this narrative is that although wages are rising in dollar terms, prices are also accelerating, meaning that real wages actually fell in May. But if employers expect inflation to be temporary and employees' wage demands to be long-lasting, they will probably feel the pressure to invest in automation.
To many, businesses replacing human workers with robots in order to avoid paying higher wages will sound like a very negative thing. But in fact, there's a theory that this is how economies grow — that high wages spur technological progress that pushes up productivity, which then justifies even higher wages, creating a virtuous cycle. In fact, some people think this is how developed nations got rich in the first place.
The Allen-Romer theory of technology improvement
Why did the Industrial Revolution begin in Britain instead of in China, which had a similar level of technological sophistication? Or Germany, for that matter? Economic historian Robert Allen had a theory. Wages in Britain, he wrote, were significantly higher than wages elsewhere, due to the country's extensive foreign trade (which, yes, was partly due to colonialism). Higher wages meant that businesses — mines, ironworks, and so on — needed to find a way to bring costs down. So they invested in labor-saving technologies, like James Watt's famous steam engine, that took advantage of cheap and plentiful local coal deposits. Those investments ignited a technological revolution that eventually created the modern industrialized world.
Meanwhile, Allen asserts, wages in China were much lower — China had machinery that was advanced for its time, but businesses found it more profitable to simply hire low-paid workers instead. Here, via Brad DeLong, is a chart showing how Britain's economy was biased toward coal and China's was biased toward cheap labor:
Given those prices, investing in technology would have been a no-brainer for the people in North England.
Now, this theory is far from settled science. There are plenty of smart people who critique Allen's theory, including his wage data (do we really know what people were paid back in the 1700s?). But it's certainly an important theory that can't be dismissed. And the idea that expensive labor spurs innovation has been the basis for various other theories of growth over the years, including a 1987 theory by Paul Romer:
I also assumed that an increase in the total supply of labor causes negative spillover effects because it reduces the incentives for firms to discover and implement labor-saving innovations that also have positive spillover effects on production throughout the economy.
Note the term "spillover effects". This idea is really the key. Basically, suppose you're a business, and labor suddenly becomes really expensive, so you decide to install an automated ordering system for the customers. Then you think "Hmm, wait a second, could I also use an automated system for the wait staff, hosts, and chefs to communicate instead of having to walk over and talk to each other?" So they go around looking for more communication tools to buy. Software companies realize this is a big market, and start making more and better restaurant productivity tools. Along the way they develop cool new methods of remote communication that other software companies adapt for completely different markets, like factories or big-box retailers. Innovation leads to more innovation. That generates productivity gains, which in turn helps to boost wages in the long run.
High wages lead to even higher wages — a virtuous cycle indeed.
But if theories like Allen's and Romer's are right, that virtuous cycle needed something other than innovation in order to force up wages in the first place. That something else is worker power.
What increases worker power?
There are several things that can increase workers' ability to bargain for higher wages. Robert Allen thought that Britain's success at international trade had raised wages in North England. But there are many other possible things to provide that initial wage boost. For example:
1) Full employment. When aggregate demand is high, labor markets get tight, and wages go up. If this causes a burst of innovation, it would validate the idea that high levels of aggregate demand lead to faster productivity growth, rather than the other way around — an idea sometimes known as "Verdoorn's Law". So fiscal and monetary policies to keep the economy humming along at full employment could ultimately accelerate the economy's long-term growth trend.
2) Unions. Unions don't always push wages up — Germany's industrial unions often do the opposite, in fact, holding down wages to help German companies maintain their international competitiveness. But throughout America's history, unions have primarily acted to lower economic inequality by bargaining for higher wages. If Allen's theory is right, this might have helped spur productivity gains in the long term — especially the IT revolution that got started in the late 70s and 80s.
3) Minimum wage laws. The late 2010s were a very good time for low-wage workers in America, who saw considerable raises. Part of that was doubtless due to the sheer length of the expansion that dug us out of the hole of the Great Recession; at the end of long expansions, wages always tend to rise. But part was due to a wave of minimum wage increases across the country, many of them motivated by the "Fight for $15" campaign. Minimum wage opponents often warn that setting higher minimum wages will cause companies to replace humans with technology, but if the spillover effects theorized by Allen, Romer, etc. are true, then this "threat" is actually something we want to happen!
4) Outside options. Special pandemic unemployment benefits — currently $300/week until the beginning of September in states that are still participating — provide a powerful outside option for workers. The pandemic isn't quite over, so why risk going back to work quite yet, especially when the government will support you to some degree? To business-minded conservatives, the idea that the government is paying people not to work evokes horror. But if this is driving up (nominal) wages and causing businesses to invest in labor-saving technology, is three more months of a good outside option such a bad thing?
So there are lots of things that increase worker power relative to employers. If we believe that high wages spur investment in technology that eventually leads to productivity growth and even higher wages, then we shouldn't worry as much about things like fiscal and monetary stimulus, unions, minimum wage laws, and special pandemic relief programs.
What about jobs?
But now we come to the question that's on lots of people's minds: Isn't automation bad for workers? For years now, we've been bombarded with the narrative that humankind is on the verge of being rendered obsolete by robots, A.I., and other forms of automation. Basic income proponents sometimes tell this story as a way to motivate us to spread the wealth. Minimum wage opponents try to scare us with this story, convincing us that only by lowering their pay and living standards can workers at the bottom of the pyramid hope to stay ahead of the looming robot takeover for a few more years. Always, the refrain is the same: Labor-saving technology is a threat to labor.
So far, no robot apocalypse has materialized; most people still have jobs. Among prime-age people, the employment rate on the eve of Covid was as high as in the mid-2000s boom, and close to the record set in the late 1990s:
Nevertheless, stories of investments in labor-saving technology are going to make many people very worried. What will the servers do when diners can just push a button? And so on.
These worries are very hard for supporters of technological innovation and progress to answer, because we don't always know exactly what people will end up doing. We have a few ideas — the care economy, warehouses, going back to school and getting higher-skilled, jobs, etc. But lots of people who stop being waiters in restaurants will end up doing things that it's hard for us to predict.
The thing is, humankind has had many waves of technological innovation before, and somehow there is still plenty of work for everyone to do. Some craftspeople did suffer economically from the introduction of industrial technology in Britain, but living standards rose at an accelerating pace; pretty much no British person today would go back to the world of 1700 just so they could get a job as a weaver.
I think Americans' terror of automation is another example of the scarcity mindset into which we've fallen in recent decades. Like timid mice guarding our last crumb of cheese, we look to any change as a source of dread rather than a source of opportunity.
But we don't have to be like that. Believing in technological progress is about believing in the potential of humankind. Do we really think that QR code ordering in restaurants will be the innovation that finally renders humans obsolete? Do we really think that wandering around a restaurant saying "Are you still working on that?" was the last thing that the average human being was good for, and after this we'll never be able to find something new for people to do?
I don't believe that. I believe we're only at the beginning of our quest to unlock average people's true economic potential.
Writes Boise, Better! ·Jun 13, 2021Liked by Noah Smith
Morning Noah,
Observations and comments
I am getting more recruiters than ever trying to poach me than ever. (Skilled blue collar... college not required). Just had one hit me up with $45 per hour with guaranteed OT and generous Per Diem as an opening bid.
My company in general is always looking for skilled technicians. Pays well, still always looking.
My daughter is going to school for mechatronics. She will be right hand of our robot overlords.
Brother in law owns fast food restaurant. Business booming. Struggling to find workers. Average wage has gone up $3 in last 6 months. He is investing in tech to reduce labor as well. Digital terminals, headsets, etc... quite high capital costs, but allows him to reduce worker per shift.
Jun 13, 2021Liked by Noah Smith
My ex is Chinese. In 2005 we spent a month there and I noticed that they used an amazing amount of labor. At restaurants there would be three hosts to greet you and at least two waiters at the table. At department stores there was one person to take your money and another to hand write a receipt. Workers on retail floors had a lot of latitude to negotiate price.
I got a haircut at an upscale salon in a fashionable area and *five* people worked on my (very short and simple) hair. There was one person to do a dry wash, another to do a wet wash, another to dry my hair, another to do the actual cutting, and a final one for me to pay.
Total cost? $6
I remember asking someone about why there wasn't more technology at the point of sale and he said it was bad side they had so many people it was cheaper just to hire another body.
Of course, that was almost 16 years ago and I imagine there's a lot more technology in use these days, but maybe not?


Love's has self storage in El Paso, Sweetwater (TX) and Bridgeton (MO)
From time to time we get emails to our social@loves.com address from blog readers, such as NASCAR fans asking for Chris Buescher hero cards or professional drivers asking about Love's drink refills and shower credits available through My Love Rewards.
However, a question we received the other day especially piqued our interest.
Raymond writes us:
"I'm a truck driver and I run up and down Texas highways, and I only fuel at Love's! Love you guys! I've noticed what look like storage buildings at your stores in El Paso and Sweetwater. Are they storage units? Are they available to everybody?"
First, thank you for the question. Your question prompted many more questions from your humble Loves.com bloggers, so we went on a quest for answers. However, the first answer needed no searching; we knew it.
Yes, Love's Storage Solutions provide rental units for anybody who needs short- or long-term storage. We have El Paso Self Storageand Sweetwater Self Storage available, and as of a few weeks ago, we also have self storage in Bridgeton, Missouri. Most folks know where El Paso is, in far west Texas. However, if you're not familiar with the Lone Star State, the city of Sweetwater is in west-central Texas just west of Abilene off Interstate 20. Bridgeton is northwest of St. Louis, Missouri.
Love's Storage Solutions are perfect for professional drivers who are on jobs that keep them away from home for a long period of time. Our rental units are perfect for college students or those serving in the military as well. And as of a few weeks ago, we're giving you your first month for FREE.
Here are some answers to more questions we get from time to time about Love's Storage Solutions -- and if you have one to add to the list, ask us at social@loves.com.
Q: Does the Customer have 24-hour access to their storage?
A: Yes. We have gate access 24 hours a day. Our office is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week
Q: Is there a contract to rent storage?
A: Our contracts run month to month
Q: Do we have climate-controlled units?
A: Yes. We have climate-controlled storage units in a variety of sizes
Q: Can we make monthly payments over the phone?
A: No. We cannot accept payment over the phone. Payments can be set up as auto pay or done online.
Q: Is our RV parking covered?
A: We have facilities available that have covered parking in a variety of sizes.
Q: Can we earn Love's points for the rentals?
A: No. Currently we don't offer points for My Love Rewards.
Q: Are there electrical outlets available?
A: No. There are not electrical outlets in the storage units.
Q: Are there refunds if I don't stay the entire month?
A: No. Units are rented through the end of a month.
Q: Do we match prices?
A: Yes. We will match any local competitor's pricing
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By NASIBO KABALE
Compared to tissue biopsy, liquid biopsy is minimally invasive and cheaper. It also is possible to monitor the changes that occur in the body during treatment which serves as an early indicator of recurrence or resistance.
Liquid biopsy is a pan cancer (covering all types of cancer) genomic test done on a blood sample to check for the presence of cancer tumour genes and their specific types of mutation.
According to Dr Robin Noreh who is the chief executive at massive genomics, a clinic that specialises in liquid biopsy, the procedure is more precise and highly accurate than other tests.
Turning to liquid biopsy for early cancer detection
Tuesday, May 29, 2018 18:07
Liquid biopsy is a pan cancer (covering all types of cancer) genomic test done on a blood sample to check for the presence of cancer tumour genes and their specific types of mutation. FILE PHOTO | NMG
Early detection usually offers the best chance to beat cancer. Unfortunately, many tumours are not discovered until they have grown relatively large and spread to other parts of the body.
In Kenya there is a growing demand for diagnostic tests, given the growing incidence of lung, breast and other cancers. The introduction of a non-invasive diagnostic procedure and reluctance of the patients to go through painful biopsies as well as increase in the demand for personalised medicine is fuelling the search for a new alternative treatment methods for cancer.
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"When a patient comes in, we take a blood sample. The blood test is a hundred times more sensitive and the results are much more comprehensive than normal tissue samples. This is because tissue biopsies tend to be biased based on whether the body part they were drawn from was cancerous or not," says Dr Noreh.
He says that liquid biopsies are associated with significantly less morbidity and can be scheduled more frequently to provide a personalised snapshot of disease at successive time points.
"We have over 400 "onco genes" or genes that can grow and become cancerous if not checked within the body's genetic structure. Liquid biopsy done here for example covers the entire gene to provide a more comprehensive picture of the cancer hotspots within a gene," says Dr Noreh. He adds that the test is comprehensive, checking for over 100 types of cancer occurring in the brain, lungs, colon, liver and other organs in over 400 different cancer "hotspots" spread across the body's genes.
"Remember, cancer cells do not die, instead they keep on growing and eventually multiply, spreading over the affected area or body organ and to other parts of the body," adds Dr Noreh.
Not only does liquid biopsy tests help patients identify the type of cancer and the type of therapies available but it also establishes whether the current therapy the patient has been prescribed is actually working or not.
"The test can therefore eliminate the need for repetitive, inaccessible, painful and expensive painful biopsies and is a trustworthy method to detect the presence of tumours that imaging scans like PET Scans and MRIs cannot catch," says Dr Noreh. "This is how someone is able to make the decision to have a mastectomy before the cancer even attacks the body," he says.
Dr Naftali Busakhala, who is chair for the Division of Hematology and Oncology, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), agrees with the lab experts saying that the new technology is likely to push diagnosis and treatment of genetic conditions in the country.
"In the past, doctors had to rely on Magnetic Reasoning Imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET scans), computed axial tomography (CT Scans) X-rays and tissue biopsies to see which areas were affected by cancer and other diseases, but now the tests make it easier to detect cancer by examining the circulating genetic components in the blood," he says.
Dr Busakhala says the technology can also be used to detect diseases other than cancer in unborn babies by checking for protein defects in blood samples.


1 BTC = $8386.62459
Analyst: Bitcoin Faces Serious Demand Problem Despite BTC Holding Above $3,800 Support Level
February 28, 2019 by Cole Petersen
After trading sideways since experiencing some volatility over this past weekend, Bitcoin (BTC) has now established a fresh trading range between approximately $3,800 and $3,900, finding relative levels of support at the former price and resistance at the latter price.Now, analysts believe that the lack of significant buying pressure at these relatively low prices signals that further downside may be imminent.Bitcoin Stable Above $3,800, But Faces Resistance at $3,900 At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading down marginally at its current price of $3,855. Yesterday, BTC dipped to lows of $3,800 before finding some buying pressure that propelled it back up towards $3,900, where it was rejected and pushed down to its current levels.In the short-term, it is highly likely that this will be a new trading range, and without an increase in trading volume BTC may be stuck between these prices for the foreseeable future.SalsaTekila, a popular cryptocurrency analyst on Twitter, spoke about this newly formed trading range in a recent tweet, noting that it is incredibly difficult to profitably trade within tight ranges like this."The $BTC range I was speaking of worked out splendidly: both extremes hunted… From here I don't care what happens, speculate on up or down all you want I won't counter trade you for the rest of the day… Be back after the daily close," he said.The $BTC range I was speaking of worked out splendidly: both extremes hunted.From here I don't care what happens, speculate on up or down all you want I won't counter trade you for the rest of the day Be back after the daily close. pic.twitter.com/aDkBfJEN3i— SalsaTekila (JUL) (@SalsaTekila) February 28, 2019SalsaTekila further explained that he expects BTC to shortly see further downside."To be fair, that looks like downtrend continuation for now."/2 To be fair, that looks like downtrend continuation for now.$BTC pic.twitter.com/TUSXL3GkES— SalsaTekila (JUL) (@SalsaTekila) February 28, 2019Analyst: Bitcoin's Lack of Buying Pressure at Current Prices Signals Technical Weakness Although Bitcoin has been able to hold strongly above its 2018 lows set in the low-$3,000 region, one analyst believes that Bitcoin's current lack of strong buying pressure could mean that the cryptocurrency has run out of "dip buyers" and that further downside is imminent."Bitcoin failed to hold on to last week's rebound [above $4,000] and slipped back under this psychologically significant level. If dip buyers were waiting to pounce on these discounts, they would have done so by now," Jani Ziedins of the CrackedMarket blog explained while speaking to MarketWatch.Ziedins further noted that the weakness of Bitcoin's last rebound signals a "serious problem" for the cryptocurrency."The latest rebound failing to stick tells us demand is still a serious problem for the cryptocurrency and no one is coming to the rescue anytime soon," he said.Bitcoin will likely continue to follow its recent trend of making large price swings after experiencing extended period of sideways trading. If history continues to repeat itself, BTC will likely see increased levels of volatility during the upcoming weekend or into the early-half of next week.Featured image from Shutterstock.
Signature Bank to Offer Accounts to Bermuda's Crypto Startups
February 28, 2019 by Nikhilesh De
Signature Bank of New York will soon offer full banking services to financial technology firms in Bermuda, including crypto startups that have struggled to secure accounts.
In a press release Thursday night, the government of Bermuda announced that Signature would offer U.S. banking services to licensed fintech firms, including 66 startups already incorporated in the country.
When reached by CoinDesk, a spokesperson for Signature Bank confirmed that it would be providing these services.
Companies can apply for services effective immediately, the Bermudan government said.
Premier David Burt said in a statement that the island's government had been working to "promote Bermuda as the destination of choice for FinTech companies looking for a place to domicile."
Where others fear to tread
Banks have traditionally been "reluctant" to provide banking services for companies dealing with digital assets, he noted, explaining that there are concerns about running afoul of international regulations. He went on to say:
"Signature Bank's willingness to consider Bermuda licensed businesses for banking services is a significant vote of confidence in and endorsement of Bermuda's efforts to create a leading high standard regulatory regime for FinTech business."
Signature Bank vice chairman John Tamberlane said in a statement that the company was "impressed" by Bermuda's regulatory framework, and was looking forward to working "with the Government of Bermuda to help promote growth and expansion of the FinTech and digital asset industry in that country."
Separately, the bank's CEO and president, Joseph DePaolo, highlighted his organization's work with Signet, its internal blockchain payment system.
"Signature Bank is one of the few banks in the U.S. that will provide deposit accounts and corporate debit cards to cryptocurrency startups but we are seeing non-crypto businesses signing up as well," he said.
Bermuda premier David Burt (left) with Binance's Changpeng Zhao image via Bernews
Elon Musk's Mysterious Tweet Results in $35,000 Tesla Model 3
February 28, 2019 by Tedra DeSue
Tesla's big news event for today was dominated by the official unveiling of the long-awaited $35,000 Model 3. Excitement over the new low-cost sedan was sapped, however, after Elon Musk delivered disappointing news about Tesla's profitability prospects.
Tesla Unveils $35,000 Model 3
$35,000 Tesla Model 3 Available Nowhttps://t.co/xZ0J4rbbgM
— Tesla (@Tesla) February 28, 2019
The Model 3's new $35,000 version will have a 220-mile battery pack range. New buyers will only be able to make purchases online.
Tesla's new $35,000 Model 3 sedan offers consumers a bare-bones entry into the EV market.
Here's a look at the bare bones Standard Model 3 specs. There is a range of options available, and they're noted on the company's website.
Musk had hinted about the announcement in a cryptic tweet Wednesday. Tesla had suspended all orders on its website and redirected users to a page teasing the mystery announcement.
Elon Musk Cagey on $35,000 Model 3 Profitability
It wasn't long before critics started hurling questions about this big reveal. Musk was off-putting during the announcement call, which didn't sit well with some listeners.
Anyone else find it bizarre that in a presser on the cheaper Model 3, that Elon would not answer a question from a reporter about the profit margin on the $35,000 Model 3? "Yeah, we're not going to answer a question like that. Next question."
— Kirsten Korosec (@kirstenkorosec) February 28, 2019
The reveal is likely not enough to mitigate the other issues the EV maker is dealing with. Perhaps this was just a way to get investors' minds off of the looming debt payment coming due on Friday.
Musk said Tesla is not expecting to be profitable in the first quarter. He added that the firm would "likely" turn a profit in Q2.
"Given that there is a lot happening in Q1, and we are taking a lot of one time charges, there are a lot of challenges getting cars to China and Europe, we do not expect to be profitable. We do think that profitability in Q2 is likely."
Tesla Stock Falls After Hours
On that news, Tesla's stock price slid in after-hours trading. As of the time of writing, TSLA shares were down to $308 after closing at $319.88 on Thursday for a decline of around 3.65 percent.
TSLA shares fell nearly 4 percent in after-hours trading. | Source: Google Finance
Billionaire Charlie Munger Destroys Elon Musk's Hyperinflated Sense of IQ
February 28, 2019 by Jimmy Aki
While answering questions at Los Angeles-based news outlet Daily Journal Corp's annual meeting, Charlie Munger, Vice Chairman of investment giant Berkshire Hathaway and longtime partner of fellow billionaire Warren Buffett, took a thinly-veiled shot at Elon Musk, founder and CEO of automobile company Tesla Inc.
Munger, who serves as the chairman of Journal Daily Corp, has gained worldwide acclaim as a successful investor and is also seen as a "sage" who gives some of the best investment advice.
At the annual meeting, Munger was asked by a company shareholder about his proverb, where he once famously said he would rather "hire a person with an IQ of 130 but who thinks it's 120, as opposed to someone who thinks he has a 170 IQ, when he actually just has an IQ of 150."
Before the shareholder could finish the question, Munger interrupted him by saying "you must be thinking about Elon Musk," to which the entire audience laughed.
Munger continued:
"Of course I want the guy who understands his limitations instead of the guy who doesn't. On the other hand, I've learned something terribly important in life… never underestimate the man who overestimates himself. These weird guys who overestimate themselves occasionally knock it right out of the park."
From his response, two things are clear: Charlie Munger does think that Elon Musk is a smart man (and at this point, who wouldn't?). However, if Tesla's CEO decided to quit the electric automobile giant today and apply for a position at Berkshire, Munger would probably pass on the chance to accept him.
Munger and Musk: Two Success Stories, Just Worlds Apart
Munger's comments have been consistent with his business operations. Since they started the company, he and his longtime business partner, Warren Buffett, have been known to favor more risk-averse investment opportunities.
On the flip side, Elon Musk, apart from his obvious brilliance and visionary ideas, has also struck the world as someone who could be impulsive and who sets unrealistic goals.
Still, it's not like both men are doing so badly for themselves. The 95-year-old Munger has helped build a global business empire and a personal fortune of $1.7 billion, thanks to years of favoring stable investment choices and shrewd business techniques.
With a $22 billion net worth, Musk's "daredevil" business lifestyle is also paying off pretty well for him. From international online payments (PayPal) to electric, driverless vehicles (Tesla) and the opportunity of space travel (SpaceX), Musk has made a career out of building businesses that provide services which many people never thought were possible. He might have an unconventional – and sometimes, dangerous – way of achieving goals, but Elon Musk is a man that's heralding the cause of bringing humanity into the future.
"Bold and Brilliant"
This isn't the first time the Berkshire vice chairman commented on Musk and his entrepreneurial adventures. In a May 2018 interview with Yahoo! Finance at Berkshire's annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, Munger praised Musk, calling him "bold and brilliant." However, he expressed some doubt as to whether all of the endeavors set out by the daring CEO would pan out.
In part, Munger said:
It (Tesla Inc.) has already created more significance than anybody had predicted. Its founder is bold and brilliant, and he swings for the fences. People like that get some remarkable results. Sometimes they get some quick failures.
Russia Said it Will Regulate Crypto 3 Times in the Past 2 Years, Could it Work This Time?
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a fresh order to Russia's government demanding that they draft and approve a regulatory framework for the crypto industry.Although this seems like a positive development for the industry, similar orders have been issued on multiple occasions over the past few years to no avail, which calls into question the clout that these orders truly hold within the Russian government.A Brief History of Russia's Rocky Relationship with Crypto RegulationRussia has taken a confusing position on cryptocurrency in the past, as there have been multiple conflicting statement from different regulatory and government officials regarding the status of crypto as a legal form of currency.Despite this, it appears that the country's hesitance to accept crypto in its current state stems from fear regarding the unregulated nature of the nascent industry, as there have been multiple occasions over the past few years where Putin, or other government officials, have put forth bills or orders demanding the drafting and approval of a regulatory framework for digital assets.It is important to note, however, that these aforementioned demands for regulation have been filled with sound and fury and have – thus far – signified nothing.Starting in late-2017, news broke that Putin was insisting that the country develop a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, despite warnings from his finance minister and central bank chief, who both claimed that digital currencies could pose "serious risks" to investors and could be easily utilized by criminals.At this point in time, it was illegal to pay for anything in crypto or to convert digital currencies to the country's fiat currency – the ruble.Fast forward a few months to January of 2018 and the situation became slightly more complex when the country's Finance Ministry announced that they were working on legislation that would regulate cryptocurrency transactions without fully banning them.At the time, the finance ministry explained their decision, noting that it would be impractical to try to ban crypto transactions entirely."Trades with cryptocurrencies have become so widespread, a legal ban on such activity would lead to the creation of conditions for the use of cryptocurrencies as an instrument to service illegal businesses, launder criminal incomes, and finance terrorism," they said.Despite this, one year later in January of 2019, nothing new had occurred with regards to Russia's regulatory climate, and the aforementioned legislation never came to fruition.This led to a new round of news regarding regulation in Russia, as Anatoly Aksakov, the Head of the State Duma's Committee on the Financial Market, proclaimed that his state government would convene to debate the merits of crypto regulation shortly after he made his initial announcement.Will the Latest Round of Crypto-Related Regulatory Discussions Be Any Different?During his announcement, Aksakov said that his state's proposed regulations – which were mainly focused on governance of crypto exchanges and marketplaces – would be adopted in mid-February, but that deadline has been pushed back in the time since.Yesterday, however, the deadline for federal regulations was once again pushed back, when the government announced that Putin had issued a deadline for the adoption of regulation by July of 2019. Russia may be coming close to finally regulating cryptocurrencies.According to the official announcement, the goal of these new regulations is to encourage the development of a digital economy within Russia, which includes regulating "digital assets," and to attract a greater amount of financial resources aimed at promoting the development of digital technologies.If this time is different, and the Russian government does actually pass a tangible regulatory framework that encourages the formation of a digital economy based on cryptocurrencies, it would be very positive for the industry as a whole.Despite this, it is likely that most crypto investors are not holding their breath.Featured image from Shutterstock.
Kraken Exchange Offers $100K Reward for Missing QuadrigaCX Crypto
Crypto exchange Kraken is offering up to $100,000 to anyone who can help solve this year's biggest blockchain mystery: what happened to QuadrigaCX's coins?
Kraken announced Thursday it would pay the reward to users who could help it locate the missing funds. Any tips sent to the platform will, in turn, be shared with law enforcement, the company said in a blog post. The reward is payable in fiat or cryptocurrency.
To participate, Kraken is encouraging users to listen to a pair of podcasts that outline both what is already known about QuadrigaCX, the Canadian crypto exchange that collapsed last month, as well as what Kraken's operators believe happened.
"Kraken is giving up to $100,000 USD (fiat or crypto) as a reward for the tip(s) that best lead to the discovery of the missing $190 million US dollars," Kraken's post said.
In fact, according to court filings QuadrigaCX owes roughly 115,000 customers about $137 million in cryptocurrencies and another $53 million in fiat, or $190 million overall (though later filings indicate that there may be additional funds owed, bringing the total as high as $196 million).
QuadrigaCX sought protection from creditors following the death of its founder, Gerald Cotten. In court filings, Cotten's widow, Jennifer Robertsen, said that he was the only individual at the exchange who knew the private keys to its crypto reserves, which were held in cold storage.
Further, while the exchange indicated that the majority of its crypto funds were held in cold storage, it has so far not released any wallet addresses to confirm this.
A cluster of five bitcoin addresses may be associated with Quadriga, according to blockchain analysis, but those addresses only contain roughly 104 bitcoin "inadvertently" sent to cold storage earlier this month.
So far, Quadriga and its court-appointed monitor, Ernst & Young (EY), have unlocked a large chunk of the fiat funds, which were held by various third-party payment processors, after a hearing before the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, which is overseeing the exchange's case.
Kraken CEO Jesse Powell image via CoinDesk archives
Putin's Bitcoin Regulation Deadline Might Not Lead to Actual Crypto Rules
February 28, 2019 by Samantha Chang
Bitcoin skeptic Vladimir Putin has set a July 2019 deadline for crypto regulations to be put in place in Russia. Putin made the announcement on the Kremlin website in a February 27 notice.
In his order, President Putin told the Russian State Duma and the Council of the Federation of Russia to adopt cryptocurrency rules by July 1.
The regulations are designed to promote the digital economy in Russia, which is struggling financially amid US economic sanctions.
Previous July 2018 Deadline Largely Ignored
It's unclear whether these rules will be adopted, since Putin had previously set a July 2018 deadline for the implementation of guidelines for bitcoin trading, initial coin offerings, blockchain, and crypto mining. Those regulations never really materialized.
Moreover, Vladimir Putin is not a bitcoin fan. Putin has expressed skepticism about cryptocurrencies because they are unregulated and are not backed by a central bank. However, he has since softened his stance – at least a bit.
Vladimir Putin: Crypto Attracts Criminals
In 2017, Putin warned Russians about the risks posed by cryptocurrencies. Specifically, he said bitcoin attracts criminals because of its anonymous nature.
"[The risks include] opportunities to launder funds acquired through criminal activities, tax evasion, even terrorism financing, as well as the spread of fraud schemes."
Russia's central bank echoed Putin's anti-crypto sentiments, and called virtual currencies a pyramid scheme:
"We have seen how bitcoin has transformed a payment unit into an asset, which is bought in order to obtain a high yield in a short period of time. This is the definition of a pyramid."
Fake News Touts Russian Bitcoin Buy
In January 2019, a Russian state official denied reports that Russia was planning to buy $10 billion in bitcoin during the first quarter to mitigate the harsh impact of US economic sanctions.
The rumors were started on Twitter by Russian economist Vladislav Ginko, who works at the state-funded Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy.
Elina Sidorenko is the chairwoman of an interdepartmental working group of the State Duma for managing risks of cryptocurrency turnover. She called the fake-news reports nonsense.
Moreover, Sidorenko said cryptocurrencies will probably not be implemented in Russia for at least the next 30 years.
"This statement has no common sense," Sidorenko said. "The Russian Federation is simply not ready to combine its traditional financial system with cryptocurrencies."
"And to say that this idea can be implemented in Russia for at least the next 30 years is unlikely."
Elina Sidorenko of Russia's State Duma says the country isn't going to invest in bitcoin anytime soon. | Source: Youtube/Life Upgrade
Notably, Sidorenko cited the lack of formal crypto regulations in Russia as a major reason for why bitcoin won't achieve mainstream adoption anytime soon.
"Even if Russia wants to place its cryptocurrency assets now, it simply cannot do this."
"We do not have any mechanisms that would allow us to introduce a system: where these assets would be stored, which authorities would be responsible for it, which would be responsible for abuses and stuff."
"Such a model under the current criminal, financial and civil legislation does not fit. All over the world, cryptocurrency is considered a high-risk asset. And a similar model, naturally, would not suit anyone."
Surprise Pot Stock Pivot Lifts Arcadia Biosciences Shares 61%
February 28, 2019 by Grant Ferowich
Arcadia Biosciences Inc.'s share price surged 61 percent while trading on the Nasdaq Thursday after the agricultural biotech firm announced plans to dive into the hemp industry.
Arcadia shares surged more than 60% after the firm announced its pot stock pivot.
The company's core business area is producing food ingredients made from wheat and soybeans. The company is jumping into the cannabis space as "with an initial focus on the hemp market," according to a news release published Thursday. "Now, the company will apply its expertise to the burgeoning cannabis industry," the announcement stated.
Raj Ketkar, chief executive office at Arcadia Biosciences, said:
"We see enormous opportunity in – and demand for – improved plant quality, productivity, consistency, and resilience … With this new operating unit, Arcadia Specialty Genomics, we are uniquely qualified as a proven crop improvement company equipped to address the legacy challenges facing a plant that until recently was largely grown unlawfully."
Hemp Legalization Boosts Pot Stocks
A legal change enabled the creation of the new business unit. The company cites the 2018 Farm Bill, also dubbed the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. US President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on December 20, 2018.
Through that bill, Congress and President Trump basically legalized hemp production on the federal level, even though cannabis remains a Class 1 drug in the country. (Other Schedule 1 drugs include heroin, MDMA/ecstasy, and peyote.)
The Farm Bill further legalized hemp's cultivation, transportation, and commercial sales — stomping out a ban that extended back more than 75 years.
Arcadia Biosciences will keep its business operations confined to federal and state markets where the cannabis activities are legal.
Most of the percentage gain in the pot stock were recorded during pre-market trading. Arcadia's stock was up 28 percent over the past three months leading up to Wednesday.
H.C. Wainwright analyst Ram Selvaraju, a fair price target for Arcadia is $20. The company has a one-year peak of $66.56 and a 52-week low of $2.65.
In the long-run, investment bank Cowen & Co. has said that the value of the legal weed market may reach $75 billion by the end of the 2020s. This year, KushCo Holdings (KSHB), Innovative Industrial Properties (IIPR), Canopy Growth (CGC) are other top pot stocks poised for a strong year in 2019, investment analysts say.
Like with pumps in the crypto space, there is some risk that the top may blow off if Arcadia's announcement does not pan out. But it's encouraging to see private enterprises develop back-end agricultural products in the cannabis industry.
Bittrex Leads $1.5 Million Seed Round in South African Crypto Exchange VALR
February 28, 2019 by Leigh Cuen
Global crypto exchange Bittrex led a $1.5 million seed round in South African trading platform VALR.
Bittrex CEO Bill Shihara told CoinDesk the South African market has "tremendous untapped potential." Fellow VALR investor Michael Jordaan of Montegray Capital told CoinDesk that VALR's support for 50 cryptocurrencies will offer the most diverse range of assets of any African exchange when it opens to the public on March 1.
"The VALR team has the potential to change the cryptocurrency landscape in South Africa and globally," Jordaan said.
VALR co-founder and CEO Farzam Ehsani told CoinDesk that 1,500 users, predominantly South Africans, have already signed up on the exchange's waiting list and started activating accounts in a closed beta leading up the to launch.
Ehsani said a backend partnership with Bittrex will offer the new exchange global liquidity and competitive prices for crypto-to-crypto trading, while his team works on activating fiat on-ramps with South African banks by summertime.
Ehsani told CoinDesk:
"Companies are not allowed to go and buy [large amounts of] crypto from offshore markets. This makes it very difficult for crypto exchanges in South Africa to access liquidity from international markets. [South Africans] want their hands on a store of value that doesn't depreciate the way the rand has."
Over the past decade the South African rand has nearly halved in value. Meanwhile, capital controls restrict citizens from transacting across borders with more than roughly $72,000 worth of foreign assets or currencies.
This contributes to why bitcoin is often sold for a high premium on peer-to-peer exchanges like LocalBitcoins. For comparison, on Tuesday a single bitcoin on LocalBitcoins would have cost more than $4,100 in South Africa compared to the global rate of roughly $3,800.
Yet Marius Reitz, South Africa manager at the longstanding African bitcoin exchange and wallet provider Luno, told CoinDesk that Luno's user base grew to over 2 million user accounts by early 2019.
"Most of the growth is driven by South Africa," Reitz said. In fact, a Luno survey of 1,000 local residents found that roughly 167 people said they use bitcoin for payments.
"Specifically in South Africa we see a situation were a lot of people move from elsewhere in Africa to look for jobs and they send money back home," Reitz said.
As for VALR, Jordaan said Ehsani's history as the former head of the Rand Merchant Bank's blockchain initiative and inaugural chair of the South African Financial Blockchain Consortium, which included dozens of traditional financial institutions, could help bridge the gap between African banks and the global crypto economy.
Regional hub
Reitz and Jordaan agreed that cryptocurrency exchanges like VALR and Luno are helping establish standards for the regional market. Plus, the South African Reserve Bank published a paper about prioritizing crypto industry regulation in January. While the daily volumes on incumbents like Luno, established in 2013, still fall shy of $2.5 million according to CoinMarketCap, such companies have a broad impact through their educational conversations about bitcoin with regulators and banks across Africa.
"Because several of the countries around us actually peg their currencies to the rand," Ehsani said, "if we do well, we have the ability to influence other countries in the region, and Africa as a whole."
Ehsani added that VALR's scope reaches beyond South African borders, as the platform's know-your-customer identity checks accommodate traders from most countries. Similarly, Reitz said Luno is looking to expand to 20 new African countries this year as South Africa's central bank starts "offering more clarity" and establishes trends followed by other jurisdictions.
Much like global markets, many South African exchange users are speculative traders and investors. However, for Ehsani, remittances to and from members of the African diaspora provide a salient use case because local remittance services are very expensive.
Speaking to the impact that venture capital investment in South African exchanges can have on broader adoption, Ehsani said:
"Cryptocurrency will start bringing communities together through their ability to transact and send value back home much more seamlessly and cheaply than their current options."
Farzam Ehsani image via VALR
Bitcoin Scammers Take Advantage of Already-Dismal Square Earnings
Just when Jack Dorsey's week was starting to look up, he must contend with yet another cryptocurrency giveaway scam. But while Twitter has long been rife with these fraudulent schemes, this particular bitcoin scam targets his other company – digital payments firm Square.
Square Earnings Attract Bitcoin Giveaway Scammers
In tandem with Square's earnings results on Wednesday, scammers began sending emails – purportedly from the company – announcing that they had added support for the stellar (XLM) cryptocurrency.
That is false.
This bitcoin giveaway scam sought to trick recipients into believing that Square now supports stellar (XLM). | Source: CCN
The email further asks users to send $10 worth of bitcoin to a certain address in exchange for 350 XLM, currently worth around $30. Thankfully, the address had not received any payments since the email's distribution – at least as of the time of writing on Thursday.
The company has warned in the past about fraudulent emails similar to this. The scammers haven't limited their schemes to individuals, either. They've have also targeted small businesses where Square is used to process payments.
Such schemes became so prolific that they garnered the attention of the U.S. Better Business Bureau (BBB). It found that scammers are taking advantage of the popularity of Square's services by sending phishing emails that appear to be official correspondence.
Bitcoin Scam Worsens Sour Square Earnings
Square shares plunged on weak earnings but surged again on Thursday.
The latest crypto giveaway scam in Jack Dorsey's side added to an already-disappointing earnings season for Square.
Ahead of Wednesday's earnings report, Square released a letter to its shareholders. In it, officials boasted about the company's gains.
"We accelerated top-line growth at significant scale in the fourth quarter of 2017. Total net revenue was $616 million, up 36% year over year, and Adjusted Revenue was $283 million, up 47% year over year. This is an increase from the third quarter of 2017, when total net revenue and Adjusted Revenue grew 33% and 45%, respectively, year over year."
That's all fine and good, but it wasn't enough for investors to do away their concerns about the company's future. The company's guidance for the first quarter of 2019 didn't sit well with investors, who initiated a minor sell-off only to drive the stock higher on Thursday.
BTIG analyst Mark Palmer said that Square had reported higher-than-expected spending and weaker-than-expected Q1 and FY2019 outlook, which led him to reiterate his sell rating on the stock.
"While Square's guidance for 1Q19 and FY19 revenue was in line with Street expectations – the midpoint of its FY19 revenue guidance would represent year-over-year growth of 41%, consistent with the soft guidance that management had provided in November – its lower than-expected bottom-line forecast was due to an increase in spending on newer services outside of its core payment-processing business."
Square's Bitcoin Revenue is Climbing
Square CEO Jack Dorsey is one of Silicon Valley's biggest bitcoin bulls. | Source: Joe Rogan Experience/YouTube
There were few comments from Square executives about cryptocurrencies during the earnings call. Nevertheless, the firm did see revenues from Cash App-based bitcoin trading rise in Q4.
With prodding from bitcoin bull Jack Dorsey, the company has managed to grow its nascent bitcoin service to $166 million in annual revenue.
While that figure represents a small drop in the bucket for the $33 billion company, it also positions the processor to be a market leader in the event of broader bitcoin and cryptocurrency adoption.
Dorsey, who has been outspoken in his support for bitcoin, has been one of the most high-profile tech industry figures to overlap into the world of cryptocurrency.
He's even said that bitcoin could become the world's leading currency within 10 years.


Data Mining to Improve Planning for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety
Technological advancement in transportation has been creating new opportunities to explore and investigate new sources of data for the purpose of improving safety planning. The proposed project will investigate data from multiple sources, including automated pedestrian and bicycle counters, video cameras, crash databases, and global positioning system (GPS)/mobile applications (both active and passive monitoring), to inform bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements. The project goal is to combine/integrate and use the strength of these data sources to produce useful insights in transportation safety planning. While it may not be possible to use all these data sources due to data unavailability, data ownership, and other unforeseen issues, the research team will do their best to obtain and use data from as many sources as feasible. To estimate pedestrian and bicyclist counts at intersections, exposure models will be developed incorporating explanatory variables from a broad spectrum of data sources. Intersection related crashes and estimated exposure will then be used to build risk models that identify high risk intersections.
http://www.vtti.vt.edu/utc/safe-d/index.php/projects/data-mining-to-improve-planning-for-pedestrian-and-bicyclist-safety/
Safety through Disruption University Transportation Center
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
Blacksburg, VA United States 24060
Harwood, Leslie
5500 Campanile Dr
San Diego, CA United States 92182
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Texas A&M University System
College Station, TX United States 77843-3135
3500 Transportation Research Plaza
Blacksburg, Virginia United States 24061
Jahangiri, Arash
USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program
TRT Terms: Bicycles; Crash data; Data mining; Global Positioning System; High risk locations; Intersections; Mobile applications; Pedestrian safety
Source Agency: Safety through Disruption University Transportation Center
Created Date: Apr 4 2017 12:18PM


'A little bit of magic dust': the second life of The Secret Life of Us
By Kerrie O'Brien
How long should you wait before having sex with your ex's friend? It was the sort of topic often discussed by the creative team behind award-winning noughties TV sensation The Secret Life of Us.
Co-created and produced by Amanda Higgs and John Edwards, the drama about 20-somethings in a sharehouse in St Kilda was a smash hit. Two decades on from its first airing on Channel 10 in July 2001, it's winning a brand new audience after it started screening on Netflix in June.
Actor Claudia Karvan was nervous about signing up for The Secret Life of Us, but then adored it. Credit:Janie Barrett
In light of tighter COVID-19 restrictions around parts of the country, Claudia Karvan, who played Dr Alex Christensen, has been getting lots of messages saying, 'Thank god for Secret Life, it's getting us through lockdown'. It prompted her to sit down and watch the groundbreaking show for the first time in years.
"One of my first scenes was my character being teased by her best friend about using an applicator tampon," Karvan says. "That you could talk about using tampons on free-to-air, or smoking joints, or talking about whether guys care if you have an orgasm... What struck me about the scripts was that everyone spoke in such a candid and unfiltered way."
The action centred on a beachside apartment, home to Alex, Evan (Samuel Johnson) and Kelly (Deborah Mailman). Other key characters over the 86 episodes – an extraordinary feat in today's terms – included Joel Edgerton, Abi Tucker, David Tredinnick, Vince Colosimo, Sibylla Budd, Spencer McLaren and Damian de Montemas.
All aspects of 20- and 30-something drama were explored in raw and compelling storylines around friendship, falling in and out of love, sexuality, sexism, secrets, affairs, money, parties, responsibility and careers; it also tackled big issues such as mental health, drug-taking and abortion. It was funny, heartfelt and honest and showed many young Australians a slice of their own world.
From left to right, Evan (Samuel Johnson), Alex (Claudia Karvan) and Kelly (Deborah Mailman) in The Secret Life of Us. Credit:Network Ten
All the storylines were based on real life, a big part of why the show struck such a chord with audiences – and why it stands the test of time.
"I've been inundated with people messaging about their kids watching it and younger people I know who are watching it for the first time," says Judi McCrossin, who wrote the first three seasons along with Christopher Lee, adding that teens as young as 14 are also tuning in.
Co-producer Higgs says, "We were just a great combination of finding what felt real in life. We were listening to stories, using our own experiences".
Writer Judi McCrossin and co-producer Amanda Higgs at the Logies in 2003, after receiving a Logie for the show.
"Honestly I don't think there is a moment of Judi's and my life that is not on that screen. We used to make a joke when people would tell us stories that we might take it down and use it in a TV show," she says. "We were just incredibly curious and kept on interrogating that experience. It also felt like we were trying to push women to the fore as well and recognise that stories about women could have real meaning, where they didn't have to die or have a gun in their hand."
When offered the role, Karvan admits to a degree of trepidation. "I was a bit of a feature film snob then really and that was a fairly common attitude to TV in those days... I didn't even sign up for the whole series," she says. "I said, look, I'll do four and I'll see how it goes. They just took a gamble and, of course, I loved it – the quality of the scripts, the nuanced characters, the cast they pulled together, the extraordinary directors we worked with."
Season four saw major changes to the cast of the Secret Life of Us Credit:Channel Ten
Those directors included Kate Dennis (Offspring, Handmaid's Tale), Cate Shortland (Marvel's Black Widow, Somersault) and Daina Reid (Handmaid's Tale), while Oscar-nominated Tony McNamara (The Great, Cruella and The Favourite) contributed to the writing.
Claudia Karvan went on to make Love My Way with producer John Edwards. Credit:Janie Barrett
Dennis directed eight episodes of the show. "It was speaking to our generation at the time. That stage of life when your friends are your family and everyone knows everyone," she says. "Amanda, John and Judi were brave enough to do a show that dramatised those everyday, quotidian moments, but it was also a show that was very happy to live in the morally grey zones, at that point there weren't many of those shows around. It was really nuanced in that respect."
Karvan says the producers took a punt on a lot of first-timers and launched many careers. "Sam was like a young Ben Mendelsohn and Deb has got that warmth, sincerity, intelligence and fierceness and has obviously gone on to do extraordinary things.
"One of my favourite things is watching Joel Edgerton limber up to be an international superstar."
Also known for The Wrong Girl and The Time of Our Lives, McCrossin says Higgs and Edwards nurtured her voice, and the show was the safest writing environment she has ever worked in. Producers pushed back against the network when issues arose around the at-times graphic content, and worked with the writers, discussing plotlines, ideas and casting. "[The cast] were really likeable and real, they had lots of fun together. The three-way love story between Claudia, Sam and Vince, worked... that's not just writing, that's casting and producing."
"On top of all of that, there has to be a little bit of magic dust thrown on it at the time," McCrossin says. "I don't think the human condition has changed all that much – we need someone to love, something to do and something to look forward to. And that's across every culture and every time period."
Karvan agrees. "It's very much about personal values and love and relationships, and that stuff absolutely doesn't change. It's nice to see a landline ringing, though."
The Secret Life original cast: where are they now
Sibylla Budd After her breakout role as Gabrielle, Budd appeared in All Saints and Sea Patrol. More recently, she's had roles on Winners and Losers and Tommorow, When the War Began.
Damian de Montemas After two seasons playing Jason, de Montemas had roles in Rake, The Commons, Hounds of Love, Wolf Creek, Underbelly and Somersault.
Spencer McLaren played Ritchie, and later appeared in theatre in Melbourne, and on screen in Ali's Wedding, Tomorrow, When the War Began and Surviving Georgia, more recently working as a producer on movie Sit. Stay. Love.
Abi Tucker, who often sang as her character Miranda, is a singer/songwriter and appeared in McLeod's Daughters and voiced Hootabelle in Giggle and Hoot.
Joel Edgerton played Will, a scaffolder, and went on to star in Animal Kingdom, Zero Dark Thirty, and Star Wars, and directed Boy Erased and was a producer and writer of The King.
Kerrie O'Brien is a senior writer, culture, at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via Twitter, Facebook or email.


Home » Agri-Business » 'New farming organisation built on fear and inaccurate information'
'New farming organisation built on fear and inaccurate information'
Margaret Donnelly
Former IFA President Eddie Downey with Pat Smith and Tim O'Leary.
Ireland's fledgling farming organisation, still yet to be officially named, has come under severe criticism from the IFA, which says a 'fear factor' is being used to drive it.
IFA President Eddie Downey said that while he wished the new farming organisation well, he "would hope they would allow the farmers to hear and get accurate information".
Speaking at the IFA AGM in the Farm Centre today (Tuesday) he admitted that 2014 had been a particularly difficult year for farming, but the organisation would meet whatever challenge comes its way in 2015.
On GLAS, he said, that the IFA had negotiated to have no collective responsibility, no collective agreement, and that €5,000-7,000 of a payment and an individual plan for each individual commonage.
"They were the demands from farmers before I became President and that's exactly what's in the plan that's currently there.
"People need to understand there is no collective responsibility. As regards the new organisation, I wish them well.
"There's a fear factor after being driven into people out there…some people have gone off on singular agendas and they have brought people with them on misinformation. That needs to be re-communicated."
IFA General Secretary Pat Smith said that when the facts come out, and the GLAS programme opens up, all the farmers who were told this (commonage) was a problem, when they see it's not a problem they will see that the democratic structures of IFA, both at national Rural Development and Hill Committee was right all along and everything that could have been delivered has been delivered.
"If there are any problems when the GLAS programme, our record is to work the the Government to fix them. All we can do is stand by what we have achieved. The acid test will be how many commonage farmers will not get in and, in my opinion, none that want to get into the scheme will fail to get into it."
Pat Smith said that one thing the IFA espouses is that through its democratic structures it has robust policy positions that do stand up to scrutiny and its only that way it can make progress with the Government.
He said, that IFA's farming membership numbers are currently at record levels.


Home Feature Class is in Session!
Class is in Session!
Matt Ferguson
Welcome to Scholarly Gamers!
I'd like start by taking this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for visiting our site and embarking on this grand adventure with us. Through horrors untold and dungeons numerous, we've fought our way here so that we could undertake an even more epic odyssey with all of you.
Scholarly Gamers was initially an idea that came to me four years ago when I was just starting to blog about video games. I found that many of the people I was writing alongside had a penchant for looking at video games in an academic way, with an analytical lens that was not often seen on the front pages of gaming publications. After being exposed to so many new ways of looking at the games that I loved, it became my immediate goal to find an avenue through which to showcase those views.
It was years later before I was able to team up with a small group of like-minded individuals, each of whom shared my passion for creating an academic community where gamers could come to explore new ideas, to learn, and to thrive together. A "Gaming University" where all schools of thought converged into a nexus of higher learning, brought together through a deep respect for game studies as a multidisciplinary field of study.
We will explore video games through academic disciplines including political science, history, and cultural studies, with a focus on analytical arguments that will attempt to advance overarching discussions in gaming communities. Articles will range from structured papers to more casual discussions, but they will always be tied together with a thread of analysis.
Scholarly Gamers has diversified from a small group of analytical writers, into a team of streamers, YouTubers, journalists, academics, and people who want to give something back to gaming communities. Scholarly Gamers is a lot of things, and it will continue to grow and evolve as a gathering place for people to spend time and hold engaging discussions with other gamers and enthusiasts.
Through all of this, Scholarly Gamers will always be, at its core, a community-centered project with the primary goal of creating an environment which encourages open and constructive discourse among people. We plan to achieve this through engaging with the community on themes which are important to gamers, through a multimedia approach including journal articles, live streams, and recorded videos. Each of us has been lucky enough to be part of amazing and supportive gaming communities in the past, and this is our opportunity to give that same experience to others.
So from all of us here at scholarlygamers.com, thank you for stopping by and welcome to the discussion!
Scholar at Large
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Matt Ferguson holds a Master of Arts in Foreign Policy from Carleton University, and a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in History & Classics from Trent University. In his short time being involved professionally in the video game industry he has managed live streaming events at bars, ran competitive tournaments in Canada, worked with G4, and started his own Twitch Community. He also spends far too much time cuddling his cats.


Modeling of Mine Tailings Dam Failure with OpenFOAM - Tamboraque Site - Videos
May 24, 2017 / Saul Montoya
Tailings dams are supposed to last forever but they fail regularly due to a series of factors related to the construction and maintenance of the mine site. Accoring the cronology of mayor tailings dam failures of WISE Uranium Proyect there has been one mayor failure in 2017, two on 2016 and the last one in South America was on 2015 in Minas Gerias - Brasil.
This article show the numerical modeling of a tailings dam failure relate to the Tamboraque site in Peru andes. The model represents the dynamic transport of tailings material as a non-newtonian fluid. Model was developed using high-end open source software as OpenFOAM, Salome Platform and QGIS.
May 24, 2017 / Saul Montoya/
Modeling, Water Quality
Evaporation and Homogeneous Redox Reactions Simulation with Phreeqc
April 06, 2017 / Saul Montoya
Evaporation is accomplished by removing water from the chemical system. Water can be removed as an irreversible reactant with a negative reaction coefficient in the REACTION keyword input. This example uses this method; the REACTION data block is used to simulate concentration of rain water by approximately 20 fold by removing 95 percent of the water. The resulting solution contains only about 0.05 kg of water. In a subsequent simulation, the MIX keyword is used to generate a solution that has the same concentrations as the evaporated solution, but has a total of mass of water of approximately 1 kg.
April 06, 2017 / Saul Montoya/
Tutorial, Water Quality
Geochemical Simulation Tutorial of Water Mixing with Phreeqc
This example demonstrates the capabilities of PHREEQC to perform a series of geochemical simulations, with the final simulations relying on results from previous simulations within the same run. The example investigates diagenetic reactions that may occur in zones where seawater mixes with carbonate ground water. This example is take from the Phreeqc documentation that can be found here:
https://wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/projects/GWC_coupled/phreeqc/html/final-72.html
Solubility and Thermodynamic Stability of Gypsum and Anhydrite with Water with Phreeqc
PHREEQC version 3 is a computer program written in the C and C++ programming languages that is designed to perform a wide variety of aqueous geochemical calculations. PHREEQC implements several types of aqueous models: two ion-association aqueous models (the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory model and WATEQ4F), a Pitzer specific-ion-interaction aqueous model, and the SIT (Specific ion Interaction Theory) aqueous model. Using any of these aqueous models, PHREEQC has capabilities for (1) speciation and saturation-index calculations; (2) batch-reaction and one-dimensional (1D) transport calculations with reversible and irreversible reactions.
This tutorial shows how to calculate the solubility and relative thermodynamic stability of two minerals, gypsum and anhydrit as a function of temperature at 1 atm.
Water Quality, Tutorial
Aqueous species in water speciation calculation with Phreeqc tutorial
This example calculates the distribution of aqueous species in seawater and the saturation state of seawater relative to a set of minerals. To demonstrate how to expand the model to new elements, uranium is added to the aqueous model defined by phreeqc.dat.
Geostatistics on water resources investigation
Before talking about the different researches that have had as main focus water resources, I think it is necessary to explain first what geostatistics is.
Geostatistics is a type of statistics that is used to analyze and interpret geographically referenced data. It is not restricted to work only with point data, it also works with GIS layers to explore spatial variation, improve generation of digital elevation models (DEM) and their respective simulations, optimize spatial sampling, etc. [1]
What about landsat LDCM for water resources?
A Landsat satellite was launched one Monday (Feb. 11, 2013) from the Vanderberg Air Force Base in California. The LDCM or Landsat Data Continuity Mission joined the 15-year-old Landsat 7 and the 30-year-old Landsat 5. Since satellites are attracted by earth's gravity, the launch of new satellites is important to preserve the continuity of the image registration.
Hydrology, Water Quality
Tutorial to plot water chemistry data on QGIS
Quick tutorial to plot concentrations, generate contours and make ilustrations.
Tutorial, Water Quality, QGISTutorial
Tutorial to configure a Watershed on HEC-ResSim 3.1
Quick tutorial for the configuration of a watershed on HEC-ResSim.


23 States Sue Trump Administration In Escalating Battle Over Emissions Standards
Andrew Wheeler, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, looks on during a news conference Thursday at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Just two days after the Trump administration revoked California's right to set its own emissions standards for automobiles, the state has fired back.
California, 22 other states and several major cities filed a lawsuit in federal court Friday against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is the division of the Department of Transportation that issued the rule revoking California's authority.
The move "exceeds NHTSA's authority, contravenes Congressional intent, and is arbitrary and capricious, and because NHTSA has failed to conduct the analysis required under the National Environmental Policy Act," states the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
The National Environmental Policy Act, signed into law in 1970, is considered a kind of "national charter" for regulating the protection of the environment.
"Two courts have already upheld California's emissions standards, rejecting the argument the Trump Administration resurrects to justify its misguided Preemption Rule," California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement released Friday. "Yet, the Administration insists on attacking the authority of California and other states to tackle air pollution and protect public health."
Becerra and his 23 co-plaintiffs — which comprise Democratic attorneys general from 22 states and the District of Columbia, as well as the cities of Los Angeles and New York — are demanding that the Trump administration's move be declared unlawful and be repealed.
"Remarkably," their complaint explained, "NHTSA has conducted no analysis at all of the environmental impacts of a regulation that purports to preempt air pollution laws in effect in states that represent more than a third of the nation's automobile market."
In a conversation with All Things Considered after the lawsuit was filed Friday, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler said that California's fuel economy standards would effectively "end up applying to the entire country" — because automakers would be unlikely to make two separate versions of the same car to comply with differing state regulations.
"What we are talking about here is energy efficiency," Wheeler said, "and that is something that we don't believe the state of California or any other state should be setting for the entire country."
This week's back-and-forth marks a new — and not entirely surprising —escalation in the fight over climate policy between the Trump administration and the country's most populous state. Earlier this month, the Department of Justice launched an antitrust investigation into a deal struck in July between California and four major automakers, Ford, Volkswagen, Honda and BMW.
Under the terms of the agreement, which the administration says may be illegal, the companies said they'd produce passenger vehicles averaging 51 miles per gallon by model year 2026, a timeline that accords with regulations set by the Obama administration.
Under Trump, the EPA has sought to roll back many of the environmental rules put in place by Barack Obama — not just when it comes to fuel economy standards, but also methane emissions, air pollution and coal plants, among others.
"We are not supposed to go above and beyond and create our own laws," Wheeler explained to NPR. "And under my administration here at EPA under President Trump, we are not going to create our own laws. We are going to follow the laws that Congress passed."
These efforts at deregulation have put the Trump administration squarely at odds with the California state government — and California politicians say they have no intention of backing down, including when it comes to this most recent fight.
"The Oval Office is really not a place for on-the-job training. President Trump should have at least read the instruction manual he inherited when he assumed the Presidency, in particular the chapter on respecting the Rule of Law," Becerra said Friday. "Mr. President, we'll see you in court."


Tag: home birth
Eldest Son Helps Mom With Home Birth
The baby was already crowning so they knew they would not make it to the hospital on time.
Most siblings meet their baby brother or sister clean and swaddled in the hospital or at home, but Bowen Suico did not have that experience. On January 2, 2020, the 20-year-old had to deliver his baby brother in their home in Talamban, Cebu City.On his Twitter
Rica Peralejo Shares VBAC Home Birth Video
Rica Perelajo chronicled the events that happened home birth in a new vlog.
Editor's Note: Medical professionals caution against home birth because of the risks involved. A hospital is the safest setting for childbirth, especially when a life-threatening complication develops, which can happen without warning. Many doctors also consider vaginal birth after Cesarean or C-section
Why Doctors Want Vaginal Birth for First-Time Moms
Every pregnancy is different, and so is every birth.
It's every pregnant woman's right to have a say on how she gives birth to her baby, but it needs to be an informed decision that she makes with her doctor. Make a birth plan, yes, but you need to trust your doctor
Alwyn Ended Up Being Kumadrona to Wife Jennica
The dad knew his heart was full of love for his daughter on the occasion of her first birthday.
Editor's Note: Medical professionals caution against home birth because of the risks involved. A hospital is the safest setting for childbirth, especially when a life-threatening complication develops, which can happen without warning. Women have the right to make an informed decision about
Home Births in the Philippines: What You Need to Know
Practice your right to make a medically informed decision about your childbirth.
Pregnant women today want to have a say in how they deliver their baby, and many want to know about unmedicated options (such as not having an epidural) and what these entail. One can have non-medicated childbirth in a hospital, but it
Rica Peralejo Unmedicated VBAC Home Birth
Rica Perelajo considers it a miracle to do a VBAC home birth, and to go through it completely unmedicated.
Editor's Note: Medical professionals caution against home birth because of the risks involved. A hospital is the safest setting for childbirth, especially when a life-threatening complication develops, which can happen without warning. Many doctors also consider vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC )
Home Birth Advantage Beneficial Bacteria
Babies born at home are exposed to more diverse good bacteria early in life, a study showed. And it might prove to be crucial for their health!
Editor's Note: Medical professionals caution against home birth because of the risks involved. A hospital is the safest setting for childbirth, especially when a life-threatening complication develops, which can happen without warning. In the event a problem occurs during a home birth,
Mom Delivers a Stillborn Baby After Believing Her Facebook Group
The Facebook group didn't believe in medical help.
The Philippines is no stranger to home births — back in the day, women would give birth in their homes with the help of traditional birth assistants. Now we have licensed and skilled midwives as well as doulas who can assist in
Birth Video: Watch This Mom Give Birth Standing Up
This mom of six gave birth to four of her six children on her own.
(Warning: The videos have graphic content that readers may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.) Over the weekend, several members of Smart Parenting Village wanted to share a video in the Facebook group that we must say is not for those who are...faint at heart.
Mom Creates Art That Beautifully Honors All Birth Experiences
This mom of two knows shows the journey to motherhood is equally precious no matter the type of childbirth
There isn't a "better" childbirth experience. Whether you had a normal or a Cesarean section delivery, with or without pain medication, your journey to motherhood is equally precious. And we found a mom of two who perfectly captures this sentiment.Catie Atkinson, the
WATCH: The Strength of a Mother Captured During Childbirth
It's not as graphic as you might expect, but the video speaks volumes about childbirth.
Any birth -- natural or C-section -- is scary because we don't know how it will go until you're right there at the moment. However, as Doula Betty Lugay-San Luis explained at our first for the year "Smart Parenting Baby Shower," women's bodies are designed
WATCH: Pregnant Mom Calmly Delivers Baby Via Water Birth
Whatever birth plan you have set your eyes on, the midwife's tips here will be helpful.
Whether it's a woman's first time or third, childbirth is the top reason for anxiety. No matter how much you prepare, something can happen that you have no control over, and all you can do is rely on your birth team. It
This Made our Day: There is So Much Love in this Home Water Birth Video
What a beautiful way to bring life into this world!
Article last updated on January 22, 2015, 8:47 amThis video captures beautiful images of what transpired on April 15, 2013 at Brittany's home, as she serenely prepared to give birth to baby Sloane Renee in the company of her husband and loved
Is Home Birth Re-emerging?
What are the benefits of home birth, and why do medical professionals disagree?
The idea of giving birth at home brings to mind black and white movies from the olden days where a pregnant woman, in severe pain while having labor, is attended to by a hilot (who lives far away and has to be
Saab Magalona on Weathering the Storms of Motherhood: 'It's Only Going to Get Better' The young mom talks about losing an angel, gaining a son and having a family she has dreamed of.


Have Tea with Lady Carnarvon, Mistress of Downton Abbey
Can't travel to England to tour Highclere Castle, where the hit TV show is filmed? Here's the next best thing.
Highclere Tea Featuring Lady Carnarvon
March 20 from 4 to 6
The St. Regis Hotel
1919 Briar Oaks Lane
houstonpublicmedia.org
If you can't travel to England to take a tour of Highclere Castle, the real-life setting for the hit show Downton Abbey, the Houston Public Media Foundation is offering the next best thing: English tea at The St. Regis Hotel with Lady Carnarvon, mistress of the 5,000-acre estate, which dates back to the late 17th century. Of course the price is commensurate with the company: the tea alone is $450; for an extra $225, you can attend a pre-tea champagne reception. (If you need a primer on proper tea etiquette, we have you covered.)
Lady Carnarvon was born Fiona Aitken, the oldest of six daughters, attended St. Andrews, and founded her own clothing line before marrying Geordi Herbert, the Eighth Earl of Carnarvon (and Queen Elizabeth II's godson), in 1999. She soon moved into the sprawling country house that Downton Abbey, created by Julian Fellowes, would later make one of the world's most recognizable buildings. To help defray the estate's $1.5 million annual upkeeping tab, the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon decided to open up part of the house to tourists, as well as making the grounds available for lavish weddings.
The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon
Image: Jon Himoff / Flickr
In the process, the owners have become celebrities in their own right, the subjects of a PBS documentary and countless newspaper and magazine articles. At the Houston Public Media Foundation event, which will be hosted by Lynn Wyatt, Lady Carnarvon will talk about the challenges of managing a large English country estate and give a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of Downton Abbey.
As fans of the television show know all too well, English primogeniture laws, which ensure that aristocratic titles (and property) gets passed to the oldest male heir, have a tendency to throw a wrench in things. The same is true for Highclere Castle, which, upon the Earl of Carnarvon's death, will pass not to Lady Carnarvon but to his son from his first marriage. We can't help but wonder what kind of plot Julian Fellowes would spin from that…
Houston Public Media, Downton Abbey
Mask Up, Wash Up, Stay Apart
The New Strain of Covid-19 Is in Harris County
01/07/2021 By Dianna Wray
Color Us Impressed
Color Comes into Play in UH's New Outdoor Public Art Exhibition
With Kindness and Dignity, Houstonian Chantal Rochelle Is Creating Waves at Buzzfeed
Our Meme Queen
Meet Sara Cress, The Woman Who Put @HarrisVotes on the Twitter Map


THE SHIELD is the groundbreaking, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning program that turned the conventional cop drama upside-down and established FX as a top-tier Cable Network. Now in syndication, THE SHIELD can be found on local affiliate stations on weekends beginning September 23, 2006.
THE SHIELD plays out in a tough, morally ambiguous world in which the line between right and wrong is crossed every day. The series focuses on the tension between a group of corrupt but effective cops and a captain torn between bringing them down and advancing his own political ambitions. THE SHIELD stars Michael Chiklis (The Commish) as rogue cop Det. Vic Mackey, leader of the elite Strike Team unit, who is effective at eliminating crime but operates under his own set of rules. Benito Martinez (Outbreak) plays Cpt. David Aceveda, the young precinct head who doesn't like Mackey's tactics and wants to bust him off the force. CCH Pounder (ER & Boycott) plays Det. Claudette Wyms, a veteran detective who understands Mackey and knows how to play both sides of the force.
THE SHIELD has garnered tremendous critical praise and recognition with 11 Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations since its premiere. Importantly, the show made history in 2003 by becoming the first ad-supported cable series to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Series. Series star, Michael Chiklis also received the 2003 Golden Globe Award, 2002 Emmy Award and 2002 TCA Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, all basic cable firsts.
Most recently, Glenn Close was nominated for both Golden Globe and Emmy Awards as Outstanding Lead Actress for her special starring role in THE SHIELD's fourth season. CCH Pounder was also recognized for her outstanding performance this year with an Emmy Nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
THE SHIELD was created by Shawn Ryan and is produced by Fox Television Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television.


Hamilton and Vettel differ on F1 return for Alonso
© XPB
Phillip van Osten 05/08/2019 at 14:03 10/08/2019 at 08:28
Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel offered different views on the silly season rumor claiming Fernando Alonso is seeking a return to the F1 grid.
Alonso, who remains affiliated with McLaren but whose plans for 2020 are unknown, has denied any interest in returning to F1, but the rumors aren't dying down.
After Sunday's thrilling Hungarian Grand Prix, the Spaniard reacted on Twitter, praising Hamilton and runner-up Max Verstappen for their performance and the entertaining show.
Bravo @LewisHamilton and @Max33Verstappen !! Pushing 70 laps to the maximum. More than 1 minute to the 3rd , nearly +1lap and a half to the top 5. Both Impressive. Thanks for the show 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) August 4, 2019
During yesterday's post-race drivers conference, all three drivers were asked if they would like to see the two-time world champion back on the battle-field once again, with Hamilton - Alonso's former McLaren teammate - answering the question first.
F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2019 Hungarian GP
"Well, firstly that's really awesome that he's supportive…" said the day's winner.
"I was just actually watching some of the restarts, the starts of previous years and watching him from his Renault days and I remember just before I even got to Formula 1 watching how amazing their starts were.
"I don't know how old Fernando is now but he's always going to be a great driver.
"If he can get a good seat, he's always welcome here to battle with us. It doesn't make a difference, really, necessarily for me. I'm here to fight whoever's here.
Verstappen regretted that he never had a proper opportunity to go wheel-to-wheel with Alonso before Hamilton suggested the Spaniard "could be a good team-mate for you."
"Fernando? Well, you have experience with it, I don't know," replied Max, while Vettel noted that "he could be your father!"
"Yeah, it's close!" shot back the Dutchman. "Yeah, I know. As a young father. How old is he? 36? 38! OK, well 17 is possible to be a father."
Vettel was rather indifferent to Alonso's case, perhaps because he feels the former McLaren driver never really liked him.
"I don't mind. I don't know why… I don't think he ever really liked me," Vettel said.
"I respect him for what he achieved and for what he can do on track. I don't know. I guess he's bored if he has time to write these things. So bring him back, I don't mind."
Hamilton insisted the sport needs "the best drivers in the best seats, and there is still at least a seat available that's good enough for winning and he's good enough for winning so it wouldn't be such a bad…"
As the drivers departed the press room, Vettel had the last word, addressing the prospect of a possible tie-up between Red Bull-Honda and Alonso.
"I don't think the Japanese would be very happy," concluded the German. Ouch!
Fernando Alonso Lewis Hamilton Max Verstappen Sebastian Vettel
Hulkenberg growing impatient with Renault's lack of performance
Bottas has contingency plan if Mercedes pick Ocon
Hill: Eighth title bid 'just too tempting' for Hamilton