Author: Jim Ulvog

2 graphs that show how dramatically oil production has increased in the U.S.

Carpe Diem has two graphs that give a visual on how much the energy field has changed in a very short time.

Check out the first one – More on the spectacular rise in Texas oil production — maybe the most remarkable energy success stories in US history

The smoothed red lines are amazing. Slow decline in production from 1985 to about 2003. Flat production until about 2011. Then a space shuttle imitation. Almost, but not quite straight up for the last two years or so. Since 2010 or 2011, production in Texas has soared back to 1985 levels.

Now look at the second graph. The article title tells the story: No. 1 US produced more petroleum in March than: a) Saudi Arabia, and b) Europe, Central and South America combined.

Continue reading “2 graphs that show how dramatically oil production has increased in the U.S.”

A view of the top of the publishing world. The whole publishing world is an open frontier.

The wide open frontier of publishing is fascinating because anyone can publish. The biggest barrier to entry (a fancy economic term meaning how difficult it is to enter a business) is the desire to publish.  I have published 4 books and have had a blast doing so. The very bottom of that world is where I operate.  So what does the top of the publishing world look like?

It has also been transformed, as discussed by Jeff Bercovici in a Forbes article, The Hunger Games Economy. I’m about two solar systems removed from the top of the publishing biz, but it’s still fun to look.

Technology has concentrated sales. Look at this:

To understand the scale of the trend, think about this: Of the total number of copies sold in 2012 of the 400 highest-selling titles, two authors, E.L. James (Fifty Shades of Grey) and Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games), together accounted for a full 25%, according to data tracked by USA Today. Between them, the Fifty Shades of Grey and Hunger Games trilogies claimed all six top slots on the year-end bestseller list. 

Continue reading “A view of the top of the publishing world. The whole publishing world is an open frontier.”

Compromises developing in conflict over fracking

That’s the observation from William P. Barrett in his article at Forward – Fracking’s Resilience – with compromise afoot, environmental and political objections to the controversial energy extraction technique are likely to fade.

There are several indications that some compromises are developing that would allow fracking to continue and still meet the concerns of some people who are currently critical of the technology.

Check out the article for a survey of several indicators.

The article also points out several rounds of the battle of the documentaries. A healthy debate is underway.

Continue reading “Compromises developing in conflict over fracking”

“Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument is an exchange of ignorance”

That comment is pondered by Philosiblog on a post of the same name.

As an accountant by attitude and training, I have to be intentional on applying ‘soft’ skills. Like not arguing. And listening.

Crunching numbers is so easy. Soft skills? Well … that’s why I enjoy Philosiblog. The discussions there get a person thinkin’.

The above discussion reminds us in an argument there’s not a lot of information sharing or learning going on. Odds on changing another person’s opinion or perspective are nil.

Here are just a few thoughts from the post on why a discussion is better than an argument: Continue reading ““Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument is an exchange of ignorance””

Video of micro drone that flies like bird

Two profs at the University of Maryland, my alma mater, developed a remotely controlled ‘bird’ that can fly. The wings operate independently which provides lots of maneuverability.

This is cool, just by itself.

The next step is to add a small camera and small transmitter. Then you have a usable surveillance system

You can view the video in this article:  Newly developed micro robot bird able to perform reconnaissance, surveillance.

You will need to watch a 15 second commercial before the news report starts.

Superb intro to the Bakken

Million Dollar Way has a great overview of the Bakken that gives a great introduction to the 21st century gold rush that is happening now in North Dakota.

Bruce Oksal’s post is For Newbies.

There’s a lot of great comments and explanation. Here’s a few of the biggest points described from my just-past-newbie-stage perspective.

It is a big deal

Continue reading “Superb intro to the Bakken”

Reminder – Google RSS Reader goes away on July 1

Time to find a new RSS reader if you’ve been using Google. I know a small group of people are reading this blog with that service. Time to find another one.

I looked at several and tried out a few. I’ve jumped to the Old Reader.

Not quite like Google’s, but it is working fine.

It is very easy to export a file containing a list of your subscriptions. Also easy to import that into most readers. But do that before June 30.

Bakken is land of opportunity, but there are cautions to consider before you jump in your truck and start driving

“Williston 101: Tip for Job seekers” contains some cautions if you plan to head out for the new gold rush.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjj1BuWfh7o&feature=player_detailpage]

My list of things to consider before getting on the road: Continue reading “Bakken is land of opportunity, but there are cautions to consider before you jump in your truck and start driving”

Local government agencies reducing part-time staff below 30 hours

More and more reports are surfacing of local governments and school districts cutting hours for their part-time staff to below 30 hours in order to avoid providing full health care and avoid the penalties for not doing so.

Investors Business Daily reports Local Governments Reeling Under ObamaCare Costs.

The article provides 13 examples, including: Continue reading “Local government agencies reducing part-time staff below 30 hours”

The wide open frontier in publishing offers freedom and control

An author can write what’s desired and control the whole process. That’s a huge change from the traditional publishing world.  Takes a lot of work and new skills, but there’s tremendous latitude to go wherever you want.

Talking in terms of the emotions of each stage, Kristine Kathryn Rusch walks through The Stages of An Indie Writer.

Continue reading “The wide open frontier in publishing offers freedom and control”

“Success isn’t a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.”

That is a quote from Arnold Glasgow discussed at Philosiblog in a post of the same name.

The concept is that you won’t become a success at what you want to do (get so hot you are ‘on fire) by accident or luck (spontaneous combustion) but only by very hard work (setting yourself on fire).

Continue reading ““Success isn’t a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.””

Price cut on my newest e-book, “Tragedy of Fraud”

Price reduced to only $0.99, now available here.

“Tragedy of Fraud – The Ripple Effects from Fraud and the Wages Earned” describes the tragic consequences from fraud.

There are ripple effects that spread out to harm innocent bystanders. The perpetrator draws a wide range of well-deserved wages that will be paid in full.

The book looks at two fraud incidents to learn what happens after a fraud is discovered. One took place in a local megachurch and the other in the mayor’s office of a small city.

This book is a compilation of blogs posts that have been previously published at Nonprofit Update and Attestation Update. The posts have been edited slightly and reorganized for easier reading.

Major sections of the book:

  • Tragedy of Fraud – The Ripple Effects from the Embezzlement Fraud in a Local Church.
  • Wages of Fraud – Consequences from the Corruption Fraud in a Mayor’s Office.
  • Why is it Difficult to Find Fraud? – The lack of documentation inside an organization makes it even more difficult to identify a fraud scheme.
  • The Fraud Triangle – A discussion of the three sides of a fraud triangle. That’s the idea that three components need to be present for a fraud to take place – opportunity, motivation, and rationalization. Great danger is in play when all three factors are present.

The other book I have available at Amazon is Once Upon Internal Control.

The folly of “I have nothing to hide” in a surveillance society

That’s the idea some people are advancing to suggest the extensive data gathering conducted by the federal government is okay.

I plan to discuss this in detail. In the meantime, I want to start putting some pieces of information on the table.

Moxie Marlinspike has a superb article in Wired: Why “I Have Nothing to Hid” Is the Wrong Way to Think About Surveillance.

You may think you haven’t broken any laws.

But are you familiar with all 27,000 pages of the United States Code?

Continue reading “The folly of “I have nothing to hide” in a surveillance society”

Meandering into another war?

The news yesterday that the U.S. will provide some sort of arms to the rebels in the two-year old civil war in Syria moves us one giant step towards deep involvement another regime-changing war.

I’m way over my head in terms of understanding what’s going on there, so it’s time to see if I can get a clue.

Continue reading “Meandering into another war?”

The drip, drip, drip of news about how we are being watched. Our knowledge of the scale of surveillance is expanding by the day.

Seems like every morning there is a big story with details of the vast array of surveillance conducted by the federal government. Here is a broad overview of news in the last 2 weeks.

Continue reading “The drip, drip, drip of news about how we are being watched. Our knowledge of the scale of surveillance is expanding by the day.”