![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/567c3510a12f44019c963eb0/1577735576637-FFADGBRAK495VA2MNCIK/ian-c--6Jr5umdjyE-unsplash.jpg)
From Our Weekly Note and More
![On Taxes, Cash Rebates and Climate Change](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/567c3510a12f44019c963eb0/1548453232607-U6GISOP2NITSONH6IRY6/ian-froome-362138-unsplash.jpg)
On Taxes, Cash Rebates and Climate Change
Comments from 4 former U.S. Federal Reserve chairs (Paul Volcker, Ben Bernanke, Alan Greenspan and Janet Yellen); 3 former U.S. Treasury secretaries and 27 winners of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences.
![CES and the Impossible Burger 2.0](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/567c3510a12f44019c963eb0/1547338533586-EB7AKYLHPUDRO0XP7Y07/impossible-burger-2.0-foods.jpg)
CES and the Impossible Burger 2.0
As a non-electronic offering received significant media attention at the Consumer Electronics Show - Impossible Foods’ next-generation, plant-based meat.
![On Apple's Slowing Growth - China and More](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/567c3510a12f44019c963eb0/1546703968909-QYW3DH5A7HUNPMOJLWN3/AAPL.jpg)
On Apple's Slowing Growth - China and More
Views on Apple CEO’s “Letter from Tim Cook to Apple investors” on slower growth
![A Film and Three Books for Year End 2018](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/567c3510a12f44019c963eb0/1546655919676-M8NQZG6ER3EGST97C59Z/amanda-sandlin-446-unsplash.jpg)
A Film and Three Books for Year End 2018
We present one film and three books to consider: Free Solo directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Behave: The Biology of Humans at our Best and Worst by Robert M. Sapolsky, Principles by Ray Dalio, and The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli.
![On Facial Recognition, AI and Regulations](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/567c3510a12f44019c963eb0/1544218506345-H852UQVCI72ZOXHJR6V7/matthew-henry-87142-unsplash.jpg)
On Facial Recognition, AI and Regulations
Comments from Microsoft President Brad Smith - “Facial recognition: It’s time for action”; researchers from Google, Microsoft and New York University - “AI Now Report 2018” and U.S. Department of Homeland Security - “Privacy Impact Assessment for the Facial Recognition Pilot”
![A Blockchain Mix: Amazon, Energy, Jewelry and More](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/567c3510a12f44019c963eb0/1544061559491-WYRGAKQ39IHKB9YOHNPB/lysander-yuen-288916-unsplash.jpg)
A Blockchain Mix: Amazon, Energy, Jewelry and More
Observations on commercial uses of blockchain technology, some challenges it faces and new offerings.
![After the Fires, Thankful for Fresh Air](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/567c3510a12f44019c963eb0/1543434881640-LMJHJEWX6KLTD5PV7CTB/camp-fire-california-wildfire.jpg)
After the Fires, Thankful for Fresh Air
Air quality has improved significantly since the worst fire in California history, and the worst U.S. fire since 1918. The fire’s impact: 1) about 160,000 acres burned, 2) over 17,000 structures destroyed, 3) at least 84 fatalities, 4) over 600 people are still missing and 5) over $7.5 billion in insured damages.
![On "The Case for New Digital Currency"](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/567c3510a12f44019c963eb0/1542478786905-AUWB6P8ZPTIQCVSGAC1Q/ramon-salinero-271002-unsplash.jpg)
On "The Case for New Digital Currency"
Views from “Winds of Change: The Case for New Digital Currency” by IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde and the IMF’s report “Casting Light on Central Bank Digital Currency.”
![AI News: An AI News Anchor in China](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/567c3510a12f44019c963eb0/1541811324507-8IMYFC3TV88GAY5WT8SZ/AI+news.jpg)
AI News: An AI News Anchor in China
China’s state-owned Xinhua News Agency introduced automated news anchors that combine the images and voices of their human counterparts with artificial intelligence technology.
![Tribalism on the Net](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/567c3510a12f44019c963eb0/1541278481027-LHG9HYMG3GNBKGUROBVB/marc-olivier-jodoin-239619-unsplash.jpg)
Tribalism on the Net
Tim Berners-Lee (inventor of the Web), Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and the report “The Rise of Digital Authoritarianism" present views on the current state of the Internet.
![Going Digital in Sweden and Beyond](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/567c3510a12f44019c963eb0/1541110805105-8OLLUBXGH4WZOSF7K8YR/montylov-206776-unsplash.jpg)
Going Digital in Sweden and Beyond
As the use of cash in Sweden declines (replaced by digital payment alternatives) other countries are considering their digital options.
![Bill Gates and Others on Climate Change](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/567c3510a12f44019c963eb0/1539882626039-3LHWDRBUPETC1A9LABOD/jakob-owens-225914-unsplash.jpg)
Bill Gates and Others on Climate Change
Bill Gates, Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Kristalina Georgieva, CEO, World Bank launched the Global Commission on Adaptation "to bring scale and speed to climate adaptation solutions”.
![On "Exploring the Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Ecosystem"](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/567c3510a12f44019c963eb0/1539371062225-YSAIUFKL2IORAIUKTNS1/osman-rana-263708-unsplash.jpg)
On "Exploring the Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Ecosystem"
Comments at “Exploring the Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Ecosystem” a hearing by the U.S. Senate Banking Committee
![Views on U.S. vs. China](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/567c3510a12f44019c963eb0/1539013835157-JMRT9W3X75O0G9FTYH02/yiran-ding-640225-unsplash.jpg)
Views on U.S. vs. China
Comments from Alibaba Founder Jack Ma, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Trade Wars and more