News
IoT Security Issues in 2014 and Predictions for 2025
June 1, 2014
Pew Research reported that of the 1,606 experts consulted “83%—agreed that the Internet/Cloud of Things and embedded and wearable computing will have widespread and beneficial effects by 2025.” However the Pew Report did not focus on the security issues which we see in 2014 which are included in my May 2014 eCommerce Times column entitled “The Tangled Web of IoT Security.” The Pew Report included these 6 Themes: 1) The Internet of Things and wearable computing will progress significantly...
June 1, 2014
Pew Research reported that of the 1,606 experts consulted “83%—agreed that the Internet/Cloud of Things and embedded and wearable computing will have widespread and beneficial effects by 2025.” However the Pew Report did not focus on the security issues which we see in 2014 which are included in my May 2014 eCommerce Times column entitled “The Tangled Web of IoT Security.” The Pew Report included these 6 Themes: 1) The Internet of Things and wearable computing will progress significantly...
A Blood Test for Depression
June 1, 2014
Scientists have claimed that it is possible to detect the signs of depression using a blood test, despite many believing it is impossible. The claim comes from researchers at the Medical University of Vienna, who have found a close relationship between a brain network implicated in depression and levels of serotonin in the bloodstream (Scharinger et al., 2014). The study’s lead author, Lukas Pezawas said: “This is the first study that has been able to predict the activity of a major depression...
June 1, 2014
Scientists have claimed that it is possible to detect the signs of depression using a blood test, despite many believing it is impossible. The claim comes from researchers at the Medical University of Vienna, who have found a close relationship between a brain network implicated in depression and levels of serotonin in the bloodstream (Scharinger et al., 2014). The study’s lead author, Lukas Pezawas said: “This is the first study that has been able to predict the activity of a major depression...
Divorce Financial Mistakes
June 1, 2014
From the Wall Street Journal: Divorce can often bring about tumultuous times for a family. Sometimes they can go very smooth, and others can literally be "The War of the Roses." Either way, couples often make financial mistakes that can lead to problems down the road. The No. 1 mistake that I have seen among divorcing couples is their lack of consideration around liquidity of assets. Read more here.
June 1, 2014
From the Wall Street Journal: Divorce can often bring about tumultuous times for a family. Sometimes they can go very smooth, and others can literally be "The War of the Roses." Either way, couples often make financial mistakes that can lead to problems down the road. The No. 1 mistake that I have seen among divorcing couples is their lack of consideration around liquidity of assets. Read more here.
The Cheerleader Effect: Why People Appear Better-Looking in Groups
May 31, 2014
The so-called ‘cheerleader effect’ is the phenomenon that people seem more attractive when they are in a group than when they are alone. At least, so urban legend has it. But now the cheerleader effect has scientific backing from a study published recently in Psychological Science (Walker & Vul, 2013). In fact, the study finds that both men and women are perceived as more attractive when they are in a group than when alone. The effect is the result of the way we look at groups...
May 31, 2014
The so-called ‘cheerleader effect’ is the phenomenon that people seem more attractive when they are in a group than when they are alone. At least, so urban legend has it. But now the cheerleader effect has scientific backing from a study published recently in Psychological Science (Walker & Vul, 2013). In fact, the study finds that both men and women are perceived as more attractive when they are in a group than when alone. The effect is the result of the way we look at groups...
World’s Most Expensive Divorce: $4.5 billion
May 31, 2014
From CNN: Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev is set to lose half his wealth after being ordered to pay his former wife $4.5 billion in a settlement dubbed the "most expensive divorce in history." Elena Rybolovleva's lawyer Marc Bonnant said the order from a Geneva court was unprecedented, and "this record judgment is a complete victory." However, Rybolovlev's spokesman Sergey Chernitsyn said the divorce was still a "win" for the oligarch. The two had been battling over the settlement for six years,...
May 31, 2014
From CNN: Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev is set to lose half his wealth after being ordered to pay his former wife $4.5 billion in a settlement dubbed the "most expensive divorce in history." Elena Rybolovleva's lawyer Marc Bonnant said the order from a Geneva court was unprecedented, and "this record judgment is a complete victory." However, Rybolovlev's spokesman Sergey Chernitsyn said the divorce was still a "win" for the oligarch. The two had been battling over the settlement for six years,...
Mind Hacks, IBM’s Watson as Marketing Expert
May 31, 2014
Are you smart enough to be a Jeopardy champion? Probably not, but IBM’s Watson is. How The Second Machine Age Will Transform Marketing at Marketing Land(@Marketingland) suggests that major machine intelligence may soon invade the marketing space. “Tough competitor” for $800, Alex! Or should you pick “Big Opportunity” for $400? Read any book, article, or blog post about how to be productive and get organized, and you’ll likely find “Make a to-do list” as one of the major recommendations....
May 31, 2014
Are you smart enough to be a Jeopardy champion? Probably not, but IBM’s Watson is. How The Second Machine Age Will Transform Marketing at Marketing Land(@Marketingland) suggests that major machine intelligence may soon invade the marketing space. “Tough competitor” for $800, Alex! Or should you pick “Big Opportunity” for $400? Read any book, article, or blog post about how to be productive and get organized, and you’ll likely find “Make a to-do list” as one of the major recommendations....
5 Ways To Keep Your Client Occupied During Mediation Downtime
May 31, 2014
Sam Glover tipped me off to this piece about how to entertain your clients during the long empty spaces that are the hallmark of a mediation session. That article is lovely and includes solid pieces of advice like “chat up the mediator” and “get to know your client.” No disrespect to the gentlemen solicitor authors (wait, does Canada have solicitors or lawyers?) but people, we need more. What if the mediator doesn’t make that many visits? What if your client is a terrible bore? Let’s...
May 31, 2014
Sam Glover tipped me off to this piece about how to entertain your clients during the long empty spaces that are the hallmark of a mediation session. That article is lovely and includes solid pieces of advice like “chat up the mediator” and “get to know your client.” No disrespect to the gentlemen solicitor authors (wait, does Canada have solicitors or lawyers?) but people, we need more. What if the mediator doesn’t make that many visits? What if your client is a terrible bore? Let’s...
Early Fitness Preserves Thinking Skills 25 Years Later
May 31, 2014
Young adults who are in good physical shape performed better in cognitive tests 25 years later, a new study finds. The study, published in the journal Neurology, also found that even if you didn’t get too much exercise in your youth, it’s never too late to start, as the benefits can still be seen later on. One of the study’s authors, David R. Jacobs, said: “Many studies show the benefits to the brain of good heart health. “This is one more important study that should remind young...
May 31, 2014
Young adults who are in good physical shape performed better in cognitive tests 25 years later, a new study finds. The study, published in the journal Neurology, also found that even if you didn’t get too much exercise in your youth, it’s never too late to start, as the benefits can still be seen later on. One of the study’s authors, David R. Jacobs, said: “Many studies show the benefits to the brain of good heart health. “This is one more important study that should remind young...
Meditation and the Brain
May 30, 2014
Anyone who has ever attempted to meditate can vouch for the fact that while it is theoretically simple, it is extremely challenging in practice. In fact, its simplicity is what makes it difficult, and it is also what makes it worthwhile. Mindfulness meditation (the practice most popular in the United States) requires a steady observation of one particular object or sensation. As we find ourselves increasingly surrounded by modern distractions and the hustle and bustle of everyday life, focusing...
May 30, 2014
Anyone who has ever attempted to meditate can vouch for the fact that while it is theoretically simple, it is extremely challenging in practice. In fact, its simplicity is what makes it difficult, and it is also what makes it worthwhile. Mindfulness meditation (the practice most popular in the United States) requires a steady observation of one particular object or sensation. As we find ourselves increasingly surrounded by modern distractions and the hustle and bustle of everyday life, focusing...
Tax Prof’s Views on Law School Rankings (and Baseball)
May 30, 2014
Forgive the shameless plug, but my latest article, What Law Schools Can Learn from Billy Beane and the Oakland Athletics, 82 Texas L. Rev. 1483 (2004), is out now in hard copy. The article argues that law schools should heed the lessons from Michael Lewis's best-selling book Moneyball and embrace rankings rather than hide from them. Here is the concluding paragraph: Like Michael Lewis, we have told a story about a profession and people we love. We are proud of the work law schools and law professors...
May 30, 2014
Forgive the shameless plug, but my latest article, What Law Schools Can Learn from Billy Beane and the Oakland Athletics, 82 Texas L. Rev. 1483 (2004), is out now in hard copy. The article argues that law schools should heed the lessons from Michael Lewis's best-selling book Moneyball and embrace rankings rather than hide from them. Here is the concluding paragraph: Like Michael Lewis, we have told a story about a profession and people we love. We are proud of the work law schools and law professors...
