Has the ideas machine broken down?

The idea that innovation and new technology have stopped driving growth is getting increasing attention. A recent article published in Economist navigates the blurry territory of innovation and the pace of technological change. The article entitled "Has the Ideas Machine Broken Down?" talks about innovation pessimism and explains how innovation has stagnated.

The article quotes Peter Thiel, a founder of PayPal, an internet payment company, and the first outside investor in Facebook, a social network, says that innovation in America is “somewhere between dire straits and dead”. Engineers in all sorts of areas share similar feelings of disappointment. And a small but growing group of economists reckon the economic impact of the innovations of today may pale in comparison with those of the past.

"The idea that innovation and new technology have stopped driving growth is getting increasing attention. But it is not well founded." This article is an interesting take on innovation in the modern world - we haven't invented flying cars yet, but we have faster computers, tablets and cellphones. What does this mean for the future?

This modern age is great at producing incrementally jazzier gadgets. But we've lost the vision, the appetite for fundamental technological progress. Revolutions in transport, health science, even kitchen gadgetry all took place before 1970.

Here is the link to full article

The Power of Green Building: Everyone Wins

Do you know that worldwide, buildings consume nearly 40% of the world's energy, 25% of its wood, and 15% of its water? The fact is that if we make smarter choice when we build or renovate any building, then we can significantly contribute to the health, wealth and well-being of yourself, the families for whom you build, your community, and the world. What is this smarter choice? Its the concept of 'Green Building'. Good for environment, energy conservation and the world, green buildings are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.

Green Building FACTS (Compared with normal buildings)

• 50% savings in overall energy consumption

• 88% reduction in lighting consumption

• 35% reduction in potable water use

• 80% of materials used are either recycled or recyclable

• 20% of the building’s energy requirement is provided by photovoltaics

• 15-20% less load on AC thanks to aerated concrete blocks used in facades 

• Zero water discharge building

• 90% of building daylit

• 75% of occupants have outside view

Green Building Solutions: Photovoltaic Power Station

One of the major objective of green building or a green renovation is the energy efficiency. Photovoltaic panels can be a key ingredient in energy self-sufficiency. To convert sunlight into electricity, a photovoltaic power station is installed on rooftops of residential or commercial buildings. This system uses one or more photovoltaic panels and include photovoltaic modules, mounting systems, cables, Solar inverters and other electrical accessories.

The photovoltaic power systems don’t need much attention once installed since there are no moving parts. They are durable and work for at least 20 years. A photovoltaic power station prevents costly power failures when constant power is essential and are reliable and sturdy even in harsh conditions. Operates silently and with minimal movement, these power stations on your roof do not require the use of combustible fuels and are very safe when properly designed and installed.

Many people now advocate that the installation of photovoltaic power systems should be made mandatory on all buildings. The PV system is eco-friendly, helps in controlling global warming and no doubt saves money for the user in the long run.