Articles written by Michael Skinner

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Politics, News & Issues > Food & Agriculture Why buying from local growers benefits the environment: 1 of 14
Imagine buying pineapples from Hawaii. Those pineapples took a nice, leisurely south sea cruise, and then rode in air condition comfort in a nice roomy truck. They probably spent some time in large smelly warehouses here and there. And finally they were bought by various wholesalers and retailers and showed in your superma... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory How much government control can a democracy permit?: 1 of 13
Even in a democracy, government is a necessary evil. Once the two wolves vote to eat that sheep, government makes sure the sheep is compliant. A famous Marxist once said that power comes from the end of a gun. And he was right. The ultimate power of government is the power to kill you where you stand. Even if you don't believ... More..
Business > Marketing Ways to increase attendance at business meetings and events: 1 of 11
People like getting free stuff. If you are giving free stuff away, people will come to get it. The Internet is full of free software called freeware. In addition, there are organizations that give out free open source software like Ubuntu which is software for the Linux operating system. In fact, an entrepreneur who was w... More..
Education > College Life Tips for sharing a bathroom in a college dorm: 1 of 7
If you share a large barracks style restroom with a lot of people the best time to use it is right after it's cleaned. Plan showers, shaving etc. accordingly. The worst time to use a "mob bathroom" is right before it's cleaned. You are better off waiting or trying to use public facilities elsewhere than using a multi-person b... More..
Business > Marketing The best way to find sponsors for your event: 1 of 6
The Internet is full of people trying to get their message out. Unfortunately, there are so many people "talking" that it is hard to be "heard" above the din. What if you could find a few select clients who actually want what you have to sell? Let's look at how to do that. During the Gold Rush, one of the sure fire ... More..
Computers & Technology > Internet Search Issues Advanced search tips for Google: 1 of 5
If you are not careful when you are using Google to search, you will click on an innocent looking link and message will pop up warning you that your computer is infected and that you need to go to Bob's Spyware Emporium in order to free your computer from harm. The truth of the matter is, there is nothing wrong with your com... More..
Computers & Technology > Business & Office Software Should I upgrade to Microsoft Office 2007?: 3 of 12
I think that for many people upgrading to Microsoft Office 2007 would be more trouble than it's worth. I and people I know constantly have to deal with requests to down grade documents that we have produced on the software loaded on our Vista computer. Downgrading documents is not a technical challenge. But it does take time ... More..
Sciences > Genetics Do genetics determine human intelligence?: 2 of 8
For a believer in behavioral genetics, intelligence is largely dependent on inheritance. For those who believe that environment has a substantial influence, the role of genetics is less clear. There is ample evidence that if you take pairs of twins and separate them from birth and bring them up in the same country, in the sa... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Autumn leaves: 33 of 121
When memories in the shape of leaves fell from the tree tops,they were tinged with remembered fire.It was pleasant at first. So many trees.So many leaves.So many memories.So much fire.You could look about and see cool autumnal fires glowing in green lawns.But at the first frost, the trees grew naked,and the fire leaves faded,... More..
Personal Finance > Stock Market Investing in mining: 3 of 11
President Obama and the congress are willing to have the United States go trillions of dollars in debt to China in order to create an alternative energy infrastructure. This infrastructure will require that existing buildings be retrofitted, that wind generator turbines be built and serviced, that power lines be run from tho... More..