The East River Skyway
If you have ever commuted between Brooklyn and Manhattan, you’re already familiar with the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s overcrowding problem. But what if you could skip the train entirely? A radical new proposal suggests that New Yorkers try a high-speed gondola over the East River instead.
Continue reading… “New Yorkers propose high-speed gondolas to ease congestion”
New York plans competition for 10 community microgrid projects across the state.
The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, has put $40 million in prize money behind his push to bolster the state’s post-Hurricane Sandy storm resilience with community microgrids. But will that be enough to overcome the regulatory and economic barriers that have challenged efforts to create microgrids in New York?
Continue reading… “New York plans $40 million prize competition to create community microgrids”
St. George outlet mall and observation wheel: $580 million
Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s reign is coming to a close. He is talking up his next move, which involves teaching other cities to be more like New York. But behind the scenes, he’s also scrambling to push through dozens of building projects that will define his legacy. (Photos)
Continue reading… “New York City’s billion dollar megaprojects that will transform the city by 2030”
Airbnb is living up to its potential as a community-powered hotel. Today they changed their policies to allow do-gooders to offer up their spare spaces free of charge to displaced victims of superstorm Sandy.
Continue reading… “Airbnb helps Hurricane Sandy victims find free temporary housing”
Sugar substitutes used in diet beverages actually change how our brains’ reward areas work.
There are some major loopholes in the New York soda ban measure that critics have pointed out. For example, convenience stores would still be free to sell large, sugary drinks. Also exempt from the bill are sweetened alcoholic beverages. Researchers that Mayor Bloomberg cited think the whole thing might backfire. But the biggest omission in the New York soda ban has to do with an entirely other class of fizzy, sweetened drink: diet sodas.
Continue reading… “Your brain on diet soda: How artificial sweeteners trick your brain”
In an article in today’s New York Times, “A sharp rise in retractions prompts calls for reform,” Carl Zimmer documents and analyzes the sharp increase in the proportion of papers retracted in the scientific literature. From 2000-2009 the trend is disturbing (pictured above).
The article notes:
In October 2011, for example, the journal Nature reported that published retractions had increased tenfold over the past decade, while the number of published papers had increased by just 44 percent. In 2010 The Journal of Medical Ethics published a study finding the new raft of recent retractions was a mix of misconduct and honest scientific mistakes…
Continue reading… “Scientific retractions increasing exponentially”
iPhones account for over 70% of all stolen cellphones on subways and buses.
New York iPhone users beware. The city is in the midst of a crime wave, and police say the problem could get worse, according to recent media reports.
Continue reading… “Theft of iPhones a growing problem in New York”
Rats are the latest pet craze in New York City.
In New York City it’s good to be a rat, where rats are the latest hot trend in pets. New Yorkers even held a rat fashion show this past weekend. The pet rats wore couture gowns and tuxes many humans would love to wear – in their sizes, of course. (pics and video)
Continue reading… “Rats Are the latest Hot Trend in Pets for New Yorkers”
Smoking outside could soon be illegal in New York.
New York City officials have announced a plan to ban smoking outdoors. City officials said that the new legislation would outlaw smoking in parks, beaches, marinas, boardwalks and pedestrian plazas throughout the American city. That means no smoking in Central Park or on the Coney Island boardwalk.
New York City residents will now be able to track their water use in real time. The city has installed wireless meters in The Bronx (the program will expand in the future), and residents will be able to see how much water they’re using at any given moment. The idea is to encourage people to cut down on their water consumption. “Wow, I used X-Number of gallons of water during that shower, let’s see if I can make that X-Minus-One next time.” And so on.
If you’re not into the whole green movement, then maybe you’d be interested in saving money—an altogether different kind of green movement. The city’s mayor, Michael Bloomberg, says that the average single family in New York spends around $800 per year on water…
Continue reading… “New York City To Keep Track Of Water Use With Wireless Monitors”
Over the past few years New York has gained a reputation for taking the health of its citizens seriously – or nannying them, depending on your point of view.
Now a member of the city’s legislative assembly has gone a step further by introducing a bill that would ban the use of salt in restaurant kitchens.
Continue reading… “New Bill Would Ban Salt In New York City Restaurants Kitchens”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.