Econintersect:  Some say that secret cults and organizations are actually in control of the world.  A recent GEI News article which was a combination of spoof and actual information alluded to a few of these. MSN has assembled a list of their All-Time Top Ten Secret Organizations presented in a video slide show.  Access follows the Read more … break.

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Econintersect:  One area where partisan bickering is being overcome with bipartisan action is in the area of public-private partnerships.  Michael B. Likosky, Director, Center on Law & Public Finance, New York University has provided us with a number of examples of how such activities are swimming against the tide of negativity that has consumed so much of the political dialog in the twenty first century.  He maintains that both presidential candidates, every governor and almost every large employer is vigorously in support of partnering.  Support among political factions includes those who identify themselves as Democrats, Republicans, Tea Partiers, Independents and others, according to Likosky.

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Econintersect:  A new record has been set for the lightest material in the world.  And the record was not by just a little; the new material is 4-times lighter (less dense) than the previous record holder.  The new material is a network of porous carbon tubes that is three-dimensionally interwoven at the nano and micro levels.  The density is only 0.2 mg per cubic centimeter, which makes it 75-times lighter than Styrofoam, the featherweight material that holds things like coffee.

In spite of its ultra-light weight the new material is very strong, crushable, restorable to initial shape and conducts electricity.  Crushing and restoration of shape actually increases the strength of the material.  It replaces a similar nanotube structure made out of nickel as the world’s lightest material.  The nickel structure had held the record for only six months.

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Written by Gavin Kakol, GEI Associate

Five years since the start of the global recession, nearly 10 million foreclosed homes remain vacant nationwide.  The heart of the 2008 crisis (foreclosures) continues to affect neighborhoods around the country as property values stay depreciated from oversupply; meanwhile, foreclosed homes have become eye sores with accompanied neglect and vandalism, which further pushes surrounding home values down.    Numerous states have undertaken policies to reduce supply by simply demolishing entire units.  Ohio in particular has leveled nearly 6,000 foreclosed homes since 2006.  With additional funds from the national mortgage settlement, Ohio plans to demolish another 20,000 residences in the coming years.  Last month, the Federal Home Agency proposed leasing federally owned foreclosures at low rates.  Despite the multitudes of people displaced because of economic hardship, a major concern with the proposal is the adverse effect that may accompany low rental housing.

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Econintersect:  There are many dimensions of fraud and many fraud victims in the LIBOR scandal, but most of the world is totally confused.  In a sixteen minute interview with The Real News, Professor William K. Black, explains in plain English the various means of committing fraud by banks setting the LIBOR (London Interbank Offering Rate).  He also explains who some of the victims have been and how they were affected.  If you belong to a pension fund, have a mortgage on your house, pay taxes to a town, county, city and/or state, or have any sort of consumer debt (including student loans), you may be a victim.   Prof. Black, a professor at the University of Missouri Kansas City, is one of the nation’s leading experts on white collar crime, and financial crime especially.  The video follows:

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