Celebrated physicist Stephen Hawking knows more about the universe than almost any other person ever to walk the planet, but some answers still escape even him.
When asked by ABC News' Diane Sawyer about the biggest mystery he'd like solved, he said, "I want to know why the universe exists, why there is something greater than nothing."
Other topics covered include: how Hawking reconciles
the idea of religion and science; and what he considers the best
and worst decisions of our generation.
So, watch this video as the physicist discusses everything from the universe to family.
Celebrated physicist Stephen Hawking knows more about the universe than almost any other person ever to walk the planet, but some answers still escape even him.
When asked by ABC News' Diane Sawyer about the biggest mystery he'd like solved, he said, "I want to know why the universe exists, why there is something greater than nothing."
Other topics covered include: how Hawking reconciles
the idea of religion and science; and what he considers the best
and worst decisions of our generation.
So, watch this video as the physicist discusses everything from the universe to family.
It was a strong week in the markets, all over the world. Here is a graphic that will show you how well everyone did. It comes from FT.
So, while things are looking better, let's look at a chart of what's happening on the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Dow's Down-trend Is Still Clear.
May and June were volatile months for the stock market. The Dow moved within a 1400 point range in May and an 800 point range in June. Over the last seven days, the Dow moved from 10136 to 9614 and back to 10136. Basically, we saw two 500 point swings in seven trading days.
The Dow's daily Rate-of-Change is shown int the indicator below the main chart,. It illustrates another form of volatility. Moves outside of the -2% to 2% range (marked by the blue line) were rare
from August to April. Notice how the Rate-of-Change dipped above 2% and below 2% numerous times since early May (marked by the pink highlight).
On the price chart, a falling wedge is taking shape. According to Arthur
Hill, these patterns sometimes denote a correction within a bigger
uptrend. However, they are clearly bearish as long as they fall. In
other words, the trend is down as long as the wedge falls. The Dow needs
to clear the April trend-line first, and then the June high, to reverse
this downtrend.
It was a strong week in the markets, all over the world. Here is a graphic that will show you how well everyone did. It comes from FT.
So, while things are looking better, let's look at a chart of what's happening on the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Dow's Down-trend Is Still Clear.
May and June were volatile months for the stock market. The Dow moved within a 1400 point range in May and an 800 point range in June. Over the last seven days, the Dow moved from 10136 to 9614 and back to 10136. Basically, we saw two 500 point swings in seven trading days.
The Dow's daily Rate-of-Change is shown int the indicator below the main chart,. It illustrates another form of volatility. Moves outside of the -2% to 2% range (marked by the blue line) were rare
from August to April. Notice how the Rate-of-Change dipped above 2% and below 2% numerous times since early May (marked by the pink highlight).
On the price chart, a falling wedge is taking shape. According to Arthur
Hill, these patterns sometimes denote a correction within a bigger
uptrend. However, they are clearly bearish as long as they fall. In
other words, the trend is down as long as the wedge falls. The Dow needs
to clear the April trend-line first, and then the June high, to reverse
this downtrend.
Initial Public Offerings are an indicator of market health. Well, here is some good news. More venture-backed companies have hadIPOsthis
year than there were in the last two years combined.
The bad news is that the market has not been kind to these newly
public companies. Scott Austin at the WSJnotesthat only six of this year's
venture backed IPOs are above their first day of trading.
For example, a recent IPO with a lot of "buzz" was Tesla. The enthusiasm generated for Tesla's stock during its first day on the market has waned. After reaching almost $30, Tesla faded fast. It's back down to $17.40. Here is the chart.
Nonetheless, I'm starting to see more articles about M&A activity too. I take the increase in IPO and M&A activity as a positive economic sign. What about you?
Initial Public Offerings are an indicator of market health. Well, here is some good news. More venture-backed companies have hadIPOsthis
year than there were in the last two years combined.
The bad news is that the market has not been kind to these newly
public companies. Scott Austin at the WSJnotesthat only six of this year's
venture backed IPOs are above their first day of trading.
For example, a recent IPO with a lot of "buzz" was Tesla. The enthusiasm generated for Tesla's stock during its first day on the market has waned. After reaching almost $30, Tesla faded fast. It's back down to $17.40. Here is the chart.
Nonetheless, I'm starting to see more articles about M&A activity too. I take the increase in IPO and M&A activity as a positive economic sign. What about you?
We started using 37signals' web-based applications: Basecamp (for project management), Campfire (for work-group chat), and Backpack (for knowledge management). These are simple, focused tools designed to help you collaborate, get organized, and to get things done.
The software is terrific, and so is the philosophy behind it. 37signals got so much positive feedback from their blog … they parlayed it into a best-selling book.
Why Is the Book Relevant?
Rework is about the business, design, programming, and marketing philosophies of a developer that makes web-based software used by millions of people.
What's In It For Me?
It is easy to find value, fresh perspectives, and inspiration in this practical book. At less than 300 pages, it's a quick read too. Each chapter is only a page or two, so it's a great airplane or nightstand book.
Also, they proudly present ideas in bold strokes; clearly favoring provocative over wishy-washy. For example, 37signals proclaims it builds software products with the least number of features necessary. In other words, their products intentionally do less than their competition.
Here is a Partial List of the Essays in the Book.
This list will give you a sense of the book and its tone. Click the image for a more complete list.
I don't agree with some of what they preach. Yet, it is easy to get lots of value quickly from the book. Another way I know it is good, is that it is making its way around the office; and I often hear people referencing it and referring to it. All-in-all, it is worth reading.
We started using 37signals' web-based applications: Basecamp (for project management), Campfire (for work-group chat), and Backpack (for knowledge management). These are simple, focused tools designed to help you collaborate, get organized, and to get things done.
The software is terrific, and so is the philosophy behind it. 37signals got so much positive feedback from their blog … they parlayed it into a best-selling book.
Why Is the Book Relevant?
Rework is about the business, design, programming, and marketing philosophies of a developer that makes web-based software used by millions of people.
What's In It For Me?
It is easy to find value, fresh perspectives, and inspiration in this practical book. At less than 300 pages, it's a quick read too. Each chapter is only a page or two, so it's a great airplane or nightstand book.
Also, they proudly present ideas in bold strokes; clearly favoring provocative over wishy-washy. For example, 37signals proclaims it builds software products with the least number of features necessary. In other words, their products intentionally do less than their competition.
Here is a Partial List of the Essays in the Book.
This list will give you a sense of the book and its tone. Click the image for a more complete list.
I don't agree with some of what they preach. Yet, it is easy to get lots of value quickly from the book. Another way I know it is good, is that it is making its way around the office; and I often hear people referencing it and referring to it. All-in-all, it is worth reading.
