New Individualist
Top 10 Articles
Kira Newman
The Problem Solver
Fall 2011 issue -- Ask Mike Watkins what he does for a living, and he won’t have an easy answer. Some might consider him a programmer—and he has been writing code for the last 24 years. He calls himself an algorithm designer and an ideas guy. Mostly, though, Watkins just can’t stand inefficiency and tries to correct it every chance he gets.
Leader of the Geeks
Fall 2011 -- Zvi Band’s Facebook profile says it all: “I’m going to make the world a better place. And make a lot of money doing it.” A web developer, native Californian, and amateur DJ, Band is helping transform a metropolis known for its stodgy politicians and their backroom dealing into an entrepreneurial hotspot—and having a blast doing it.
Sidebar: Islamic Banking
Islamic banking is also referred to as sharia-compliant banking because banks follow certain restrictions associated with sharia law. For example, lenders cannot charge interest and investors cannot invest in industries like gambling or pornography. In 2005, International Trade Specialist Scott Smith reported that Islamic banking controlled $270 billion in assets in over 25 countries.
> Return to "Rachel Ehrenfeld's Law"
Sidebar: Libel Tourism
The practice of “libel tourism” has developed because libel laws differ among countries. The United States, generally considered to offer the greatest freedom of speech, requires that the plaintiff prove the falsity of the statements against him, as well as malice or negligence on the part of the defendant. In the U.K., however, the burden of proof lies on the defendant to prove the truth of his statements, and a reasonable belief in their truth is not a valid defense.
The Future of Cancer Research
According to the American Cancer Society, an expected 1.5 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, and around 500,000 Americans will die from cancer—more than 1,500 per day. Cancer is the second most common cause of death after heart disease, resulting in almost 25 percent of all deaths in the U.S.
But talking about “cancer” may be misleading.
The Cyborg Variations
The piano prelude begins insistently, with a loud, rhythmic figure repeated immediately at a lower register. The music winds up and down the piano, accents increasing, until a high note hangs in the air. A slower, meditative passage begins, pleading. The end is abrupt; the music slows down and fades, too quickly, into nothingness. What was the composer trying to convey through this curious piece?
